Thanks for your thorough reasoning..

Yes, I know. It was really only partly about the politics. The longer we thought about it, the less sense the idea made.

We are looking forward to your return! The sooner the better.
You scrapped the plan, but where would you have gone if you came back in early autumn and then spent the next six or nine months in Europe/UK? Brrrr!

Oh, we feel like we have a choice. It’s not like we think we can’t stay here. It just feels like a nicer way to be spending nine months next year to be over there watching kids playing in piazzas and dogs in the restaurants. Do it while it still works.

Don’t blame you one bit for wanting to limit your time in the US. Enjoy the freedom you’ve got to venture to less chaotic places, although an alarming amount of Europe is heading down a similar path. The election in Romania is filling that way as well. I think Denmark is still pretty sane. And Switzerland.

Don't skip Canyon de Chelly though. Holy smokes was that an incredible walk. As I remember you had to have a tribal guide and you couldn't photograph any tribal members going about their business down there. I totally agree with your take on the election.

I'm not so sure it is going to be all that bad... Both ends of the political spectrum are famous for using scare tactics. I can remember it from when I was in high school in the 1960s and it happens almost every election. We have a great country with lots of checks and balances to hold the course. I'm just going hang in here and expect moderation.

It is so sad that people who obviously love this beautiful country, don’t want to spend more time here. So many of us truly understand that. I am angry and also disgusted with the people who support and seek to benefit from what could be the destruction of our democracy. Your decision to change plans is a sign and/symptom of greed and power.