R.Graham Crackers

2010-09-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

Assisi

2010-09-27T07:19:00.001-07:00

2010-09-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to thinking about our trip. Yes I did get tried of the same breakfast. Bread, sliced meat, cheese, fruit sometimes and usually a soft boiled egg or in Italy prepared dry eggs (Uak). But as we drove thru Germany every little borg had a church. Also on Sundays most business were closed. Only if we in the USA would adopt that.
The drivers are crazy in Italy and really dont stay between the lines. Stop lights are only a suggestion so watch out when you cross the street.
In Germany the drivers are horn happy if you dont do what you should be doing. And you better use your turn signals. Most drivers on the autobahn drove a reasonable speed but when you didnt have a speed limit some were going by at 200 km (124 miles per hour).
We saw some beautiful spots in Italy really loved Assisi and Lake Maggiore. In Venice we went to one of the other islands Burano a little fishing village with brightly colored homes.
In Germany the highlight was the salt mine tour near Salzburg. Some of the lakes were picturesque but lots of hikers boy do they love to hike even on the streets of some cities do you see people walking with walking poles.
Rick and I feel like we have seen enough of Italy and Germany. We had a opportunity and we took it and we enjoyed every minute.

Back Home

2010-09-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

We arrive home on Wednesday night after a 11 1/2 hr flight from Frankfurt, Germany. We are having a hard time getting our body clocks back to pacific time Last night I slept for about 7 hrs. I did need to medicate myself!!
We now start the procces of getting our pictures and video together, that may take a couple of weeks. It was the trip of a lifetime and and enjoyed every minute. We will share our pictures with you later.

Melsungen, Germany

2010-09-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Today we stopped for the night in Melsungen a town with many half timbered houses most were built about 1550. Off to Franfort tomorrow and home on Wednesday.

Hamburg

2010-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

We left hamburg today. We were there for 3 nights. one day we drove to the Baltic sea it is aways smooth no waves. We visit Lubeck and Liel. Lubeck was completely destroyed by the British during WW 2 but rebuilt in 1956.
The next day we road the train into town and took a harbor tour , Hamburg is one of the largest ports. There was a cruise ship in dry dock for repairs and a large private ship been built. It had built proof glass, missale launch. It's owned by a Russian billionaire, I wonder what he is going to use it for?

Additional info

2010-09-15T23:15:00.000-07:00

The cathederal yesterday was saved during the ww2 even though it is right next to a major railway station. But it is still black from all the fires. They are trying to restore it.

Chathedral of Cologne

2010-09-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Koln Dom Cologne Cathedral. Construction started in 1248 and finished after 632 years. It seats on the Rhine river at Koln. The treasury is down in the basement it displays many catholic relics, vestments and chalices. It has gothic spires wait till you see the pics. Tomorrow we head to Humburg for 3 nights.

Aachen Cathedral

2010-09-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

We drove to Aachen yesterday about 133 kl. The cathedral is were the Pope came to crown the king of Europe. Until England broke away from the Church. It was started in 785 by Charlemagne. Between 936-1531 29 German kings were crowned here. Beautiful stained glass.

Mosel River

2010-09-12T12:26:00.001-07:00

Today we visited Cochem and Bernkastel-Kurs
Cochem has a castle on a hill and lots vineyards. I found some cheap embroidered tablecloths and bought some Birkenstock's.
Bernkastel-Kurs is very old some of the buildings were built in the 1300-1700's Very narrow streets the building almost touch.
The Mosel has heavy boat traffic you see lots a barges many with coal heading for France. They are so large families live on them full time, along with there cars,playsets for there children.

Mosel River

2010-09-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

Berlinger Germany

2010-09-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

We are here in Berlinger Germany near the Mosel river this river flow into the Rhine river. The hoch's have family here so it will be our base for the next 4 days we will be exploring some small villages. We left the borgenee lake 2days ago where it rained ,it was still beautiful and saw some of the alps as we left the next morning.

Germany

2010-09-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

We are in Germany. We have been to the edge of the Alps, seen alpine lakes, clocks, castles, salt mines. We did a tour of a salt mine & did a slide down two levels. What fun!! Tomorrow we head to the Mosel river for about 5 days. Then on to Hamburg and home.

Siena and back to Rome

2010-09-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

We stopped in Siena on the way back to Rome. Walled city sitting on a hill there is a shell shaped piaza where they race horses around. Then we returned back to Rome and flew out this morning on to Munich Germany

Tommorow Siena and back to rome

2010-09-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Pisa & Florence

2010-09-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Pisa the leaning tower wait till you see the picks.
Today we took a stroll into the old city, saw the beautiful Domo with the babtisry (i know i cant spell so bear with me) doors so wonderful. Santa Croce was fun to see who was buried there

Verona, Milan, and Lake Maggiore

2010-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

Verone was a 3 hour stop where we went to Juliets balcony. and walked the streets
Milan busy fashion city. We saw the beautifuly gothic Duomo. So many spires.
Lake Maggiore. What can I say beauiful. we had a room rigut above the lake we took a boat to the isle of bella lovely gardens, boy the rich know how to live. The summer cottage!!

Venice

2010-09-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

Venice is venice. So wonderful. The only problem was I had vertigo and had to stay behind. I slept for 3 hrs and felt better. So off on our adventure. we took the bus to the port, grabed a water taxi down the grand canel and tried to meet up with our group. Missed them by 5 mins. Took a water taxi to island of Burano all the homes are painted different bright colors ,to try and catch up with them. We did catch up with them and came back to the hotel.

Assisi and Ravenna

2010-09-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

We stopped in Assisi for 1 night and I just loved it. wanted to stay longer. The Assisi Basilica of St. Francis had some beautiful fresco paintings so brilliant.
Ravenna had some lovely mosaics at the Church of St. Apollinaris.

isle of Capri and Sorrento

2010-09-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

The isle of capri was very hot and crowded. We really did not enjoy it. But we did do a boat ride around the island and saw the blue waters it was fun.
Sorrento was beautiful our hotel sat above the medeterranian and was glorious. I went on a drive down the Amalfi coast to Positano. very picturesque.

Pompeii. Sorrento

2010-08-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we left Rome and drove down to Pompeii and toured the site. Pretty amazing. Them on to beautiful sorrento. I went on a drive to positano and the Amalfi coast. Rick was tried so he stayed behind. But I went shopping!!!!
Today we are going to isle of Capri. Tonight dinner with a local family. Tomorrow we go to Assisi.

Rome

2010-08-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday we took a tour bus you get on and off at which ever sites.
Monday we joined our group and went to Vatican museum and Sistine chapel amazing. St Peters basilica is a must see.

Travel Prep

2010-08-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

Today we picked up our travel docs and decieded what to take on the trip. We are trying to pack light. I think we have accomplished it and ready to go.

New pictures of our granddaughters

2010-08-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Addilyn
Shelby

2010-08-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Rick and I will be traveling and will update our blog when internet access is available. So watch for new postings.

I'm a Big Sister

2009-09-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Shelby singing about her new sister.

2009-04-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

I think it is finally spring going on summer here. We are busy planting tomatoes in our upside down planter and we have fava beans growing and planted a few more tomatoes in the veg. garden. The weeds are coming up like crazy , but I am working on them. Rick fixed a leak in one of the outdoor pipes, we hope. Today it is nearly 85 degress and loving it. This week I will be triming bushes. Just love this time of year.

Rexburg after Christmas

2009-01-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

After Christmas we drove up to Rexburg, ID because Bernadette and Shelby weren't able to come down because of the weather. We spent 1 1/2 days with the Frisby's and my cousin Kerry and Tom Anderson. The roads in Rexburg were not plowed very well and we got stuck 2 times, but 2 good samaritans stopped and helped us. As you can see from the pictures Shelby received a bike and some woodworking tools for Christmas. Shelby is 2 years old and can be quite stubborn and showing her independence. We had a good visit and just before we left Bernadette told us they are expecting another baby in August.

SLC for Christmas

2009-01-09T15:36:00.001-08:00

We arrive in SLC after a extra 2 hour drive up to Donner Pass, 15 to 25 miles an hour is that fun when it is bumper to bumper. Christmas Eve we spent with my cousin Diana and her family. We had a traditional meal from the time of Christ. Bean soup, Shish Kebabs, hummus, pita bread, melon, nuts and pomagrantes. After dinner we read the Christmas story and enjoyed visiting. AS you can see we had snow for Christmas. We stayed in all day and watched.

December 2008

2008-12-06T01:03:00.000-08:00

November 12 I had some surgery. I am finally feeling like my oldself again. We had Thanksgiving at Rob and Maryann's. Andrea,Jonathan,Marcie,Lori, Stacy, Daniel were there. We had a nice visit and ate too much.
I have been working on Christmas gifts. I hope I have them done by the time we leave for Utah.
Shelby's Birthday is coming up soon cant believe she will be 2 years old. I sent her gift on Wednesday I hope she gets it in time. Bernadette said she would set up the webcam so we can share in the birthday party

Home again

2008-10-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

We came home on Tuesday night Oct 21 after 2 weeks in Utah and Idaho. We had a good time visiting with Lydia, Bernadette, Jordan and Shelby. Rick gave me a camcorder for my birthday so I practiced on Shelby. I will post the results when I edit them.
Rick and Jordan went hunting in the Tetons but Jordan returned home that night because he had the stomach flu and was sick for 2 days. But Rick, Tom and Parker Anderson (my cousins) were able to hunt for a couple of days, they werent sucessful.
Bernadette and I spent a few days going to about 15 craft and home dec stores that was having a Oct. contest. Bernadette did win a $25 gift certificate to one of the stores.
Idaho had pretty good weather until the last few days we were there and the wind blew the last night just like the days I remember when I went to school there.

July/August Vacation 2008

2008-09-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Lydia our oldest daughter bought her first home this year. We left July 23rd to help her pack up and move to her new 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath condo in Murray/Midvale area of Salt Lake City. We packed for days (she had a lot of stuff) and expected to move in by July 28th but the powers to be thorted that. She was finally able to move in July 30th, but we had to be in Rexburg, ID for Education Week so we missed the actual move (Darn).

We spent a great week at BYU-I education week, this time we stayed in the dorms. It was fun trying to climb up the bunk beds at night for bed, but the next night I pulled the mattress down onto the floor for the remainder of the stay. We enjoyed our week and was sorry to see it end, but we will be back next year.
We spent another week visiting with Jordan, Bernadette and Shelby. The cutest granddaughter ever. She is learning to jump, she had more fun doing that and then clapping for herself.
Our friends Joanne and Al Martin moved to Sandpoint, ID about 5 years ago and we have been threatening to visit, so we headed up to the panhandle of Idaho. They live in town that is right on Pend Oreille Lake, it is 43 miles long. We spent 5 days and enjoyed every minute. We were sorry we had to leave. We then drove down Hwy 95 to McCall to visit with Ricks brother Mark and his family. They built a home in Donnelly this year and plan on staying until Oct. before heading back to Palm Springs. We stayed in there RV cabin at Cascade it was nice and relaxing.

We finally came home on the 12th of August after 3 weeks. It was good to come home.