...why we left Alaska...

Even though Alaska is our dream place, my job situation up there was less than perfect. HIPAS was funded on a three months basis, not exactly a stable situation. In addition, there were some major management issues . As an example, our 401K was canceled without notice and we later found out, that our insurance company had not been paid by IFSHE (the company owning HIPAS) and as a result, our insurance was terminated 2 months too early...quite important considering we are expecting a baby. So it was a no-brainer when the NRL opportunity was given. Since we were moving almost 5000 miles cross-country, we had some decisions to make. A moving company would cost us ~$13,000...an absurd number. Driving to vehicles to DC (as we did from Utah to Alaska) was out of the question with Melissa being pregnant, so we decided to buy a trailer and haul us, the dogs, and all our crap with us. We bought a 16 ft trailer, I put some plywood sides on it and we could fit most of our stuff on it. The kennels we donated to our friend Heather who runs a rescue kennel. I build a 8-hole dog box for the puppies (with the help of Poul and John S to finish it on timely manner)...and off we were...