June 23-29
Bern, Switzerland:
The train ride to Switzerland was one of the best yet. My first impression of Switzerland was how clean it is...then we walked in a store and were overwhelmed by a chocolate smell. It's been hard to resist, although we have given in a time or two.
We meet some folks from Tennessee, two girls, one had just graduated from Austin Peay.
They were making a similar trip around Europe.
Our favorite spot here was at a rose garden that overlooked the whole city. It was beautiful. We spent some time there reading.
We continue to do lots of walking on footpaths.
We've walked along the river to some smaller townships and the path into Bern from our campsite is a massive wooded park.
We were excited to find an international church in Bern. There was a potluck afterwards and we made some new friends and we were invited to diner the following night.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Week 5
June 14-22:
Our last day in Austria we hiked up the mountain in front of our campsite, a much bigger mountain. I was very excited to see a little restaurant appear out of nowhere about halfway up.
Austria Favorite:
Lisa: swimming in the river, hiking the mountains
Denise: the restaurant half way up the mountain
The next week we spent in Ventimiglia, Italy, on the Riviera, the coast of Italy bordering France.
We were there just in time for a festival of flowers and watched the 42nd annual parade. The floats were all made of flowers.
One day we visited small nearby villages of Dolceaqua, Isolabona, and Apricale. The cities were built on hillsides and the streets all cobblestone.
It was nice to be near the beach and relax, our campsite was just a small walk away. We also met a sweet old man named Lucky. He was staying at the campgrounds for the summer, as best we could tell he was a retired librarian, his English wasn't great and our Italian worse. He always seemed to be helping someone or feeding them. We were the recipients of ice cream, supper, and various other forms of food. He didn't like being told thanks because "friends don't have to say thanks", although I don't neccesarily agree it was nice to know he considered us friends.
Our last day in Austria we hiked up the mountain in front of our campsite, a much bigger mountain. I was very excited to see a little restaurant appear out of nowhere about halfway up.
Austria Favorite:
Lisa: swimming in the river, hiking the mountains
Denise: the restaurant half way up the mountain
The next week we spent in Ventimiglia, Italy, on the Riviera, the coast of Italy bordering France.
We were there just in time for a festival of flowers and watched the 42nd annual parade. The floats were all made of flowers.
One day we visited small nearby villages of Dolceaqua, Isolabona, and Apricale. The cities were built on hillsides and the streets all cobblestone.
It was nice to be near the beach and relax, our campsite was just a small walk away. We also met a sweet old man named Lucky. He was staying at the campgrounds for the summer, as best we could tell he was a retired librarian, his English wasn't great and our Italian worse. He always seemed to be helping someone or feeding them. We were the recipients of ice cream, supper, and various other forms of food. He didn't like being told thanks because "friends don't have to say thanks", although I don't neccesarily agree it was nice to know he considered us friends.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Week 4
June 7:
Went to a Catholic church in Waltenhofen. The church bells began ringing about thirty minutes before service. People inside were already gathering to pray. The inside of the church was beautiful.
After walking back to camp and having lunch by the lake we decided to take a walk. After about thirty minutes, we noticed some nasty clouds and headed back. We made it in the tent just in time. The thunderstorm was fairly heavy and eventually we noticed it had turned into a hail storm. We, and the tent, survived.
June 8:
Travel to Prague.
Germany Favorite:
Lisa: morning quiet time reading through Romans
Denise: the campsite near the lake with the mountainview
June 9:
Explored Prague including Prague Castle. The city was magnificent with unique architecture and winding cobblestone streets.
June 10:
Our campsite in Prague was quaint, basically the backyard of a sweet couple.
Today we went back into town to a bookstore and had coffee while catching up on the internet. It has cost money most places and sometimes hard to find.
June 11:
Travel to Innsbruck, Austria via Salzburg.
Met someone from Alabama on the train. They noticed the Auburn sweatshirt.
Setttled in at our campsite in a small township called Vols, not a great sign for me, but it turned out okay. The campsite is also a Pizzeria. :)
FYI: for non sports fans, Vols, is the nickname of a college sports team... but not my team.
June 12:
Went into Innsbruck. The town reminded me of San Fransico minus all the hills but with an incredible view of the Alps.
Ended the day with a cup of coffee at the campsite, did I mention the mountainview from the tent? Guess I was still excited about the pizza.
June13:
Hiked up the mountain behind our campsite, then relaxed by the glacier water river.
Returned back to camp to have pizza.
Went to a Catholic church in Waltenhofen. The church bells began ringing about thirty minutes before service. People inside were already gathering to pray. The inside of the church was beautiful.
After walking back to camp and having lunch by the lake we decided to take a walk. After about thirty minutes, we noticed some nasty clouds and headed back. We made it in the tent just in time. The thunderstorm was fairly heavy and eventually we noticed it had turned into a hail storm. We, and the tent, survived.
June 8:
Travel to Prague.
Germany Favorite:
Lisa: morning quiet time reading through Romans
Denise: the campsite near the lake with the mountainview
June 9:
Explored Prague including Prague Castle. The city was magnificent with unique architecture and winding cobblestone streets.
June 10:
Our campsite in Prague was quaint, basically the backyard of a sweet couple.
Today we went back into town to a bookstore and had coffee while catching up on the internet. It has cost money most places and sometimes hard to find.
June 11:
Travel to Innsbruck, Austria via Salzburg.
Met someone from Alabama on the train. They noticed the Auburn sweatshirt.
Setttled in at our campsite in a small township called Vols, not a great sign for me, but it turned out okay. The campsite is also a Pizzeria. :)
FYI: for non sports fans, Vols, is the nickname of a college sports team... but not my team.
June 12:
Went into Innsbruck. The town reminded me of San Fransico minus all the hills but with an incredible view of the Alps.
Ended the day with a cup of coffee at the campsite, did I mention the mountainview from the tent? Guess I was still excited about the pizza.
June13:
Hiked up the mountain behind our campsite, then relaxed by the glacier water river.
Returned back to camp to have pizza.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Week 3
Sunday, May 31:
Went into Amsterdam. The city has an interesting mix of culture and rivers that flow throughout the city. We walked to the Anne Frank house and visited the Van Gogh museum.
Netherlands Favorite:
Lisa: rivers running through the city
Denise: the boat captain of "Out of the Blue"
June 1:
Travel to Germany on a holiday. Took some extra time but we made it.
June 2::
Visited Sachsenhausen Camp. One of the first concentration camps. As one of the tour guides explained to her group, it was her hope that visitors there would not let such a thing take place again, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through the minds of people at the time. I was also challenged and reminded of the verses in Philipians to always consider the needs of others above our own.
Our next stops were all parts of the history of the Berlin Wall. I think today made us both want to watch the History Channel. There are so many things I've forgotten from my history classes.
June 3:
Travel to Fussen, Germany, then on to Camp Brunnen, our favorite camping spot thus far.
Camping in the different cities has been a great way to meet people and see things we wouldn't normally encounter. Here we have had the pleasure of making friends with Katarina, who works in the campstore, and Bonnie, the beagle, whose family is always gracious in letting us pet their puppy.
The campsite is located between Schwangau and Fussen beside Lake Forggensee with a view of the Castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
Happy Birthday Patricia!
June 4:
Visited the town of Schwangau and bought groceries. We've been eating lots of sandwiches and oatmeal while traveling on a budget. I've learned to be careful when sending Lisa for snacks, she might show up with ricecakes. No worries, we have eaten well. We have a jetboil that boils water within a minute. We have had coffee, tea, made spaghetti with veggies, and boiled eggs.
June 5:
Visited the Castles. Both were very extravagent but we liked Hohenschwangau the best.
Happy Birthday Dale!
June 6:
Walked the footpath to Fussen. Took the rest of the day to relax.
Reflections: Our verse for the first month of travel is Philippians 1:6 "He who has begun a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ" This seemed appropriate as Lisa and I are both in transition from one stage of life to another. She from college and searching for what is next. Myself from nine years of ministry in Cleveland and moving to Maine. God has proven faithful in the past and we are both confident of His guidance in the future.
For me the past month has been a whirlwind of emotion. Saying goodbye to nine years and looking forward to an incredible adventure. Seeing God answer the prayers of a family when Dennis and Patricia received their referral from China. However, at the same time two people very dear to me, Gary(campus minister) and Sheila (my mentor), lost their children, Megan and Samuel, to cancer. Two seperate familes which suffered an incredible loss but both families still trusting that God loves them and is continuing His work in them even throughout tragedy.
Went into Amsterdam. The city has an interesting mix of culture and rivers that flow throughout the city. We walked to the Anne Frank house and visited the Van Gogh museum.
Netherlands Favorite:
Lisa: rivers running through the city
Denise: the boat captain of "Out of the Blue"
June 1:
Travel to Germany on a holiday. Took some extra time but we made it.
June 2::
Visited Sachsenhausen Camp. One of the first concentration camps. As one of the tour guides explained to her group, it was her hope that visitors there would not let such a thing take place again, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through the minds of people at the time. I was also challenged and reminded of the verses in Philipians to always consider the needs of others above our own.
Our next stops were all parts of the history of the Berlin Wall. I think today made us both want to watch the History Channel. There are so many things I've forgotten from my history classes.
June 3:
Travel to Fussen, Germany, then on to Camp Brunnen, our favorite camping spot thus far.
Camping in the different cities has been a great way to meet people and see things we wouldn't normally encounter. Here we have had the pleasure of making friends with Katarina, who works in the campstore, and Bonnie, the beagle, whose family is always gracious in letting us pet their puppy.
The campsite is located between Schwangau and Fussen beside Lake Forggensee with a view of the Castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
Happy Birthday Patricia!
June 4:
Visited the town of Schwangau and bought groceries. We've been eating lots of sandwiches and oatmeal while traveling on a budget. I've learned to be careful when sending Lisa for snacks, she might show up with ricecakes. No worries, we have eaten well. We have a jetboil that boils water within a minute. We have had coffee, tea, made spaghetti with veggies, and boiled eggs.
June 5:
Visited the Castles. Both were very extravagent but we liked Hohenschwangau the best.
Happy Birthday Dale!
June 6:
Walked the footpath to Fussen. Took the rest of the day to relax.
Reflections: Our verse for the first month of travel is Philippians 1:6 "He who has begun a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ" This seemed appropriate as Lisa and I are both in transition from one stage of life to another. She from college and searching for what is next. Myself from nine years of ministry in Cleveland and moving to Maine. God has proven faithful in the past and we are both confident of His guidance in the future.
For me the past month has been a whirlwind of emotion. Saying goodbye to nine years and looking forward to an incredible adventure. Seeing God answer the prayers of a family when Dennis and Patricia received their referral from China. However, at the same time two people very dear to me, Gary(campus minister) and Sheila (my mentor), lost their children, Megan and Samuel, to cancer. Two seperate familes which suffered an incredible loss but both families still trusting that God loves them and is continuing His work in them even throughout tragedy.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Week 2 cont.
May 24:
Played tennis with Heather, Sharon, and Anna near a quaint village near Jerome and Sharon's house.
Then took a footpath to another village where we rested and ate crisps while watching what appeared to be a classic tractor show.
We had dinner with Jon and Heather and afterwards watched Britain's Got Talent with Ellie, Alexandra, and Katie.
May 25:
Spent the day in London. Went to the National Gallery, Tate Modern, Covent Gardens, and visited fairy tale festival. .
We got back just in time to eat a great meal with the family, plus a few. Heather seems to always have a full house. Thanks to all of Lisa's family for treating us so well. We enjoyed being with you all.
England Favorite:
Lisa: playing tennis
Denise: the footpaths
May 26: travel to France
Made our way to Dover, England where we took a ferry to Calais, France. Walked to our campsite near the sea. Explored Calais, got fresh bread, and watched Lisa run for about an hour.
May 27:
Took a train to Paris. Took an hour walk to our campsite, with backpacks on.
May 28:
Went into Paris to see about our chances of getting into Roland Garros, the French Open. As luck would have it, we found the correct line and caught two night matches. Our favorite was Ferrero vs Kohlschreiber.
May 29:
Spent the day touring, or shall I say walking, Paris. We figured it up to about 13 miles or so. We will get pictures up as soon as possible.
We continue to be amazed at how God has blessed us, even in small ways of allowing us to meet some interesting people in the ticket line and the street vendor near Notre Dame Cathedral.
France Favorite:
Lisa: the French Open
Denise: the beach at Calais
May 30: travel to Netherlands
Played tennis with Heather, Sharon, and Anna near a quaint village near Jerome and Sharon's house.
Then took a footpath to another village where we rested and ate crisps while watching what appeared to be a classic tractor show.
We had dinner with Jon and Heather and afterwards watched Britain's Got Talent with Ellie, Alexandra, and Katie.
May 25:
Spent the day in London. Went to the National Gallery, Tate Modern, Covent Gardens, and visited fairy tale festival. .
We got back just in time to eat a great meal with the family, plus a few. Heather seems to always have a full house. Thanks to all of Lisa's family for treating us so well. We enjoyed being with you all.
England Favorite:
Lisa: playing tennis
Denise: the footpaths
May 26: travel to France
Made our way to Dover, England where we took a ferry to Calais, France. Walked to our campsite near the sea. Explored Calais, got fresh bread, and watched Lisa run for about an hour.
May 27:
Took a train to Paris. Took an hour walk to our campsite, with backpacks on.
May 28:
Went into Paris to see about our chances of getting into Roland Garros, the French Open. As luck would have it, we found the correct line and caught two night matches. Our favorite was Ferrero vs Kohlschreiber.
May 29:
Spent the day touring, or shall I say walking, Paris. We figured it up to about 13 miles or so. We will get pictures up as soon as possible.
We continue to be amazed at how God has blessed us, even in small ways of allowing us to meet some interesting people in the ticket line and the street vendor near Notre Dame Cathedral.
France Favorite:
Lisa: the French Open
Denise: the beach at Calais
May 30: travel to Netherlands
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