Dear Dad,

You need to get on the next flight over. I've found the place in Australia where you'll feel completely at home. Casino (pronounced Casina) is a small town across the border in New South Wales. Ken and I went down Friday on a train from Brisbane. I've decided this is the only way to travel. You can just see so much and there's no worrying about navigating or bad drivers or anything else. The food car is right there if you're hungry or thirsty. It's a great way to travel! We should definitely take the train trip through the Rockies sometime.

Lester (Shep) and Sue met us at the station in Casino and we went into town to have a look around. Casino is a small town and I just kept marveling at how similar it felt to Orange County. If you overlook the trees and the rain-forested hills in the distance, it looks like home. Full of little shops, some empty storefronts, and small-town people. I felt instantly at home. Sue and I went into the craft market and looked at all the knitting, painting, woodworking, etc. She is such a nice lady. Very down to earth and reserved - Mom would really get along well with her.

After lunch, we went to the farm and Dad, you would love it! The cattle grazing in the fields, the orchards, the cattle dogs, the sheds, the puttering you could do! You and Lester would get along so well and have so much in common. He has everything and can make anything work with what he's got. Cannibalizes one truck to keep the other running, his shed is amazing. I think he may be the Australian Mr. Haney to your American version. LOL

Beef Week was very similar to our county fairs, except that it all happens in the center of town. The judging, auction and everything is right there on the street. They have the kids area with carnival rides and the food stalls. But the beef is the main attraction and they sure are proud of it.

The area has been getting a lot of rain this year, so it's very green and lush. And it rained every day so it was soggy and cold too. I was really glad to have my jacket and long sleeve shirts. I spent the entire weekend in them.

We went into town every day, but spent a lot of time just hanging out at the farm too. The farmhouse is old and just classic. It's very homey and comfortable, the way a farmhouse should be. We spent most of the time in the kitchen, sitting around the table enjoying lovely conversation with good friends. And they did make me feel like I've known them both for years. Lester and Ken had us laughing until we cried at stories from their Navy days. And Lester has a million stories about this injury and that injury. He's a walking accident waiting to happen! Kind of reminded me of you, Dad.

On Sunday they invited friends over and had a beautiful dinner with roast lamb and pork. The company was exceptional, the food was amazing and a lot of fun was had by all. I'm not sure I've ever eaten so much as I did those four days in Casino! Shep and Sue asked when you and Mom were coming out and said you could stay with them. Isn't that the nicest?

Rural life is the same whether you're in Indiana or across the world in New South Wales. It's truly the simple things in life that are important. On our way home Monday night on the bus, I thought a lot about the similarities. Two teenagers were on the bus with their kids. The little mother reminded me so much of the girls Mom helps out. She was trying so hard to be a good mommy, the boy was just overwhelmed by his life and was another kid she had to take care of. The exhaustion on her face broke my heart. But how many kids just like that are in Orange County right now? It looked like that little girl that comes by your house sometimes with her two babies. Life is the same no matter where we live. We just have to make the best of it and enjoy every moment. Try to make it a little better for other people along the way.

My life is so amazingly good right now. The changes I've made have been worth the pain and the crap. I could not have done it without the support from you and the rest of the family and friends. Without Ken's love and support either. Dad, I miss everyone in Indiana, but I feel so at home here thanks to Ken and his friends and family. So when are you coming to visit? LOL

All my love,
Courtney