...and maybe some beer.

I love how she throws that in at the end there, as if it were an afterthought. "...and maybe some beer."

It really is a perfect analog for this whole hair-brained adventure we are going on.

Disclaimer: I happen to love beer.

Being from Seattle, that seems to be a requirement these days. If you don't have an almost somolier-like appreciation for the drink, you may as well be a social outcast. With world-class brewpubs just a short walk from anywhere, such as my personal favorite - Ballard's Jolly Roger Taproom at Maritime Pacific Brewery, it's understandable. There is however a beer lover, and then there is a beer lover.

When Krissy and I decided to take our first trip to Europe a few years ago, we talked about places we would like to see, things we would like to do, etc. My only requirement? Visit one of the great beer loving countries, and endeavour to truly find the roots of the amazing northwest microbrews that are commonplace in Seattle. To drink beer. Lots of it.

So we set off with just our backpacks, a couple of Eurail passes, and a great thirst. We hit Oktoberfest in Munich, and drank our way north to the tiny thatched-roof village of Vollerwiek, where Krissy's family is from.

We didn't spend nearly enough time in Germany, the requirement of having to be back home to our jobs and house forbade it. We loved seeing the country from the train, and while driving the Autobahn. We loved meeting people wherever we went, and drinking the local beers. Several times we found ourselves wondering where we would sleep that night, but in the end it all worked out. The memories will last forever.

Now we're going to Australia, and for this adventure, there's no job to get back to. Our house is happily leased out, and will take care of itself while we go to make a lifetime worth of memories. And while Australia may not be world-renowned for having great beer, we hear they drink what they have with zeal and an amazing outlook on life. We know the important things, that there will be great people, great weather, and great stories to tell later. The minor details like finding a place to live, a way to support ourselves, and enough freedom to go on great adventures, those we will have to throw in as an afterthought.