In another mood, Clint would splutter theatrically. Still, he's grinning as he comes back out of the fridge with a jug of pineapple-orange juice.

"Christmas is during the winter, here," he says, pulling a clean glass out of the dishwasher and pouring the juice as he speaks. "Santa Claus -- well, I guess he's kinda creepy, and who knows what happens to the story between my time and yours -- but mostly he just has flying reindeer and goes around giving kids toys. It's a good excuse to send the kids to bed early, so the parents can wrap them in secret."

Or so he hears.

"I guess we could just go without a plan," he says, handing her the juice. "Maybe hit the major national parks, and if we see any roadstands or interesting signs we can take off to check them out."