2003  

Across the Alps

The Family Grows Up

It's been a year and a half since we completed our 2,300 km traverse of New Zealand with the kids in tow... and they have GROWN!  Eliza just turned 5, and Sylvie is 2 and a half.  Egads, they keep putting on weight, and getting taller!  We briefly considered putting them on a starvation diet to reduce weight... 

Paul will be towing the girls, which will equal about 80 pounds of kid, and 10-15 pounds of gear.  Our well-built and well-traveled Burley d'Lite trailer has a maximum capacity of 100 pounds.  Karen will be pulling a set of rear panniers and a Burley Cargo gear trailer. 

While Paul's load will indeed be heavier, he has the advantage of being accompanied by the girls constant singing... This trip the selections will certainly  include hits from "The Sound of Music," Eliza's favorite musical!

Eliza still has sufficient headroom in the trailer, but just barely.  This will likely be the last long tour we can do in this style...  Next time we'll likely move up to tandem bikes, "ride-along" bikes, or some other solution.