A quick update...

Gramps has finally made it down to the Santa Barbara Rehabilitation Center. (I won't exert the negative energy ...insert diatribe about faulty HMO controlled American health care system and the fact every other industrialized nation has figured out how to do this better and in a much more cost effective way...enough said) He arrived on Thursday and the reception was a night and day improvement from the experience at French hospital. They even have tri-tip on the menu; of course for now Gramp's will be pureed. Today was a tougher day for him, it seems he might be fighting a little infection so he is feeling pretty crummy. Mom is there with him advocating and organizing his treatment. Please continue to pray for both of them, this is a physical and emotional challenge, however any of you who have hiked with Gramps know what he does when the trail gets challenging. For those of you who haven't been so lucky, he lengthens his stride, his head drops and he leaves you in the dust. On the off chance he hears you panting behind him his response is "sorry sweetie I just have to stretch out my legs". I have labeled this final push to the finish the "mountain goat". I have no doubt Gramps will attack his therapies with the "mountain goat" approach that has taken him to the top of Mt. Whitney 10 times and kept him going up Valencia peak every weekend for over 400 hikes.