Auf wiedersehen!

To Munich we go...US air 113, then US air 1515.
 

Edelweiss Lodge

Tough to see these things, stark reminders of what we enjoy in life and from whence they come.
Also tough to see the covered islamists dutifully following their spouses and three-four kids following, roaming the streets, escaping their own hell, but who also will force irreconcilable change on this culture and Europe in general.
Lots of servicemen and their families here at this lodge. You should hear their conversations. Takes me back decades..

G-P

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Heading for the airport after an amazing two+ weeks.
Couple of pics to follow..

Garmisch!

Found Inger at the front gate, drove over to Linderhof Palace, great dinner at a famous and old Gasthaus. A really day!
Tomorrow is Munich!
Love to all,
Dad/UR

Alps

Progress Report..

The river cruise is done...the last day or two went fast, w the last evening feted by a small sampling of Oktoberfest just off the boat at Vilshofen. The mayor came down, gave a speech or two, as did the Queen of the Vilshofen Oktoberfest. Well, it's a rather convoluted story, as to just why, but he selected me along with another three guys to demonstrate the men's part of a traditional dance off Bavaria! So there we were...for efforts we were rewarded w another beer portion (smallish don't worry) and a nice kiss from the Queen! I'm sure she's sneezing and maybe coughing some more but hopefully not! I believe there is a video somewhere but not to be exhibited!

 We checked out, taxied to the rental car place, and coughing and sneezing away headed to Berchesgaden. We did a really nice tour there and set out for Garmish. That trip was supposed to be about two hours, but turned into 4 due to construction. 

But, we are safe in G-P, this is the view from our balcony. The very best part is that Inger just landed in Munich and should be headed to the train station! 

 Who knows what the day will bring, need to check on the Montalto's..

Love to all, Dad/UR

Oktoberfest

As many of you know, we (along w one of Lynn's German partners) planning on having an Oktoberfest party our house in Tucson, Oct 24. There is a football game that day as well, hopefully in the afternoon!
Anyone at all considering coming?? If so, need to pick up a couple of small Drindls and a little Lederhosen! (Wouldn't that be a kick to see?)
Tomorrow we leave this river boat :-( .
We've had a great time, and, with ANY luck at all, we will meet up with Inger in Garmisch!!!
Love, Dad/UR

Re: Fun on the Danube

Is that you Richard or a member of the underground resistance?  We have plenty of Flint Hills for all of you to come train for your next bike event. Thanks for the pictures Jim s

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 19, 2015, at 3:51 AM, Richard Dickson <rcd6600@gmail.com> wrote:

Today is Linz and a bus ride to a Czech border town, supposedly intact after a thousand years or so, including Soviet rule.
Yesterday was a great day, including a (semi) gruelling 32 km bike ride upstream along the Danube. Beautiful!
And, at this point, should thank cousin Jim Shepard, because without whose rigorous bike training in the Flint Hills, such a journey would not have been possible!
Hope all is well back in the States!
Love to all, Dad/UR

<20150918_122852.jpg>

Bicycles

Across the river via ferry

Fun on the Danube

Today is Linz and a bus ride to a Czech border town, supposedly intact after a thousand years or so, including Soviet rule.
Yesterday was a great day, including a (semi) gruelling 32 km bike ride upstream along the Danube. Beautiful!
And, at this point, should thank cousin Jim Shepard, because without whose rigorous bike training in the Flint Hills, such a journey would not have been possible!
Hope all is well back in the States!
Love to all, Dad/UR

Schonbrunn

Just another "we are here" photo...but it's kind of a cool one!

Schonbrunn Palace

Really nice tour today! Home of Maria Theresa and, of course, Marie Antoinette, only one of her 16 children.

Vienna night

Attended a very nice concert (Strauss, Mozart of course..) at the Imperial winter palace of the Hapsburgs this evening. Really a fine experience.
All remains good here in Austria; heading into the Homeland tomorrow.
Love, Dad/UR

Typical

Our cruise manager giving a typical afternoon briefing giving info about the next day, in the lounge. Tomorrow is busy; either a) walking tour of "hidden Vienna" or b) bicycle tour, or c)Schonbrunn Palace (seat of Hapsburg Empire) and/or a concert at the Vienna Opera house that night. And, they have just added a tour to the Lippezeimer(sp) riding school academy. Those are hard tickets to get, wonder how they did that..
  The palace is unbelievably spectacular, actually built in competition to Versaille.
What to do, what to do..
But that's tomorrow; tonight is a Wine probe" outskirts of Vienna.
Welcome to Austria!

Danube R

Listening to Enya, cruising by these amazing examples of architecture, bridges, all lit up.
My prayer is that you all could experience this or something like it some time in your lives.

Budapest

There she is!

Parliament

An awesome view of the parliament building!

Budapest

As we speak, cruising the Danube, nicht views. Spectacular.

AquaPrima

After a delightful stay in the Budapest Hilton, now checking onto the boat.
Looks nice, is about 20 yds across.
Can't get to the rooms yet; we're all excited!
Later!

The Danube

Boats up and down, beautiful day for a walk.

Surfacing!

Out for a walk in the sun; old train station in back ground. Really no sign of migrant horde anywhere around these parts but lots of police presence.

Dinner

Funky little place where we had our first Budapest-Hungary dinner. Old newspaper clippings on the wall, piano player along the back wall. Busy little place, good food.

Budapest!

Made it! It's now 7:11 pm, and I believe it's 1:11 pm home.

 Got to the hotel w/o incident, crashed for a nap for a couple of hours, now off for a light dinner. This place is hopping!

From the top of the Hilton for a quick little glass of wine..

Love to all,

Dad

ps: well, this didn't get last night, so try try again. Of course it's for in the morning here, can't sleep due to the jet lag, but feel ok. A really nice little and inexpensive dinner last night in a small place recommended by one of the hotel staff. 

 I can see where the 'Cats less Nev at end of third quarter. 

Later!

1 more

Yup - he tastes like a dog.

From Erica

Megan is happy to have another victim... I mean play companion! Happy travels dad & Lynn.

Top

Ok, here we go, Lufthansa, Flight 447.
Yay!

Trip

Here we go!

Europe

Leaving for Phx soon. Wx here low overcast, rain. Ha! Gods must have thought we're taking DroughtBuster!
Joke's on them.
Be in touch...
Love, Dad, UR