Day 4 or so; Koblenz.

Well, we certainly had fun in Koln, and the trip up to the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine was very cool; lots of barge traffic, some missing us by about 10' or so. We passed by Remagen about 4 am, which was too bad because while I was up, too dark to see anything..this was the site of the "The Bridge Too Far" fame of WW II.
Turned the corner at the Moselle, lots of very interesting things here, for sure.
Statue of Otto von Bismark to commemmorate the reunification of Germany about 1880 or so.
The original church in which Charlemagne divided up the Holy Roman Empire and gave 1/3 to each of sons, hence starting the mechanism for centuries of warfare! It is here @ Koblenz, on the border of the outpost of the Roman Empire. Very cool; We had a great walking tour of Koblenz, and then after lunch explored Marksburg Castle. It is one of only two that have never been destroyed by either the French or WW II; great tour. There is of course the mandatory dungeoun/torture chamber, but also an excellent collection of original armor, broad swords, cross bows, etc. Incredible how the people lived in the middle ages, for sure.
So far we've had good weather and the food is excellent. We haven't even had to dip into our emergency chocolate stores that we bought in Koln @ the factory!
We've had regional wines paired w the dinners, some entertainment from local people, and some really good guides and talks about the area.
We are meeting some very interesting people and compare travel stories, family stories, etc. Last night, maybe I discussed it, but a couple escaped the barge with me (Susan went to bed early) and we went out for a couple of biers in a little bier stube. It's so fun to hear German and even speak it again. I've been studying my Rosetta Stone on the computer and it's working!
Tomorrow we head for Cochem; we get to meet the mayor and he gives a little welcome speech and then we go to some vintners for some wine testing and then to the local village streets for the WeinFest; the wine harvest is in full swing around the Mosel and Rhine Valleys and it is indeed a good time to be here! Now it's off for another supper, a little white wine of the Moselle Valley, and then I'm getting off the boat again for some more local experiences..The boat doesn't sail again until a little after midnight and I've made every deadline so far. All three of them! Hope all is well in Arizona!

Barge Trip, to Koln

Well, we Did see Amsterdam, walked around after the library/internet trip, and quite a time of it. Amsterdam, in the old section, is like Las Vegas on Steroids. Coffee houses with cannibis, ladies of the night in their glass covered cubicles right on the street, intersposed with other shops as well. Very interesting...after that we came back to the ship, ate a very nice dinner, and then sacked out. The next morning, which was yesterday the 30th, we did the tour. Of course we did the Rjicksmuseum, which was excellent with a very knowledgeable and animated tour guide, and greatly enjoyed learning more about Rembrandt, Vermeer, and others with the Dutch masters. Those paintings are beautiful and 600 years old or so. Just didn't have enought time there! We were hustled out to join up with a canal tour. After another hour, we bussed back to the barge, then by 1 or so headed upstream.
We meet lots of river traffic, going and coming, some missing us by about 3 feet or so! I love seeing the German flags flying and even the bridges are very interesting and colorful
The meals are excellent thus far, and we docked at Cologne at about 1 today, the first of October.
I love Germany. We left the boat ahead of the others, started walking with a good map, and headed for the Cathedral @ Koln. Allegedly the relics of the Magi are stored here, and the cathedral is indeed wonderful. We then just walked down one of the main shopping streets, window shopped around, and stopped into a local pub for a beer or two. Delicious!
In contrast to Amsterdam, where one either heard Dutch or English, here there is all German. Thanks to the Rosetta Stone German review course I'm doing rather well actually, and am getting by just fine. We stopped in a store that specializes in hand made wooden Christmas items and found some little candles for our pyramid as well. Of course people know I'm not German but they tolerate my German well so far and have not foisted English off on me. Susan found a hardware store, her specialty, and enjoyed the handmade tools and craftsmanship. I love it, getting back off the main steets, the cobblestones, the church bells ringing on the hour, the cleanliness, the majesty of the spires of the cathedral, all of it. Gives one much food for thought. This cathedral was first built in the late 800's, finally done in the late 1400's. The bones/relics of the Magi brought here from Milan in 1270 A.D. or so...
It is so much fun to be back in Germany. We are meeting a lot of interesting people from all over (mostly Canada..) and are enjoying the trip. Jet lag is improving but still messing me up. Still, found time to buy some chocolate at the chocolate factory next door!
Hope all is well in Arizone, etc. We sail tonight about 11:30 for Koblenz I think, then down the Moselle!
Love Dad/UR

Day # 2 : Amsterdam!

Howdy Howdy from Amsterdam! After a shaky start, things are looking up! Especially considering we did not get our cruise documents until 8 hours before we left home, and considering we had no transportation reserved from Schiphol to the cruise dock. We just found the grumpy lady with the sign and bummed a ride on the same bus. So, here we are! Short walk from the dock over the bridge to the new library, and now through the train station and into the city.
Flight over was great; still fly in steerage but it was a new plane and, importantly, was only just a little less than half full! Had room, access to bathrooms (important..), and was just a nice flight. Didn't sleep though so am flying (still) high on some Provigil. Right NOW in the Amsterdam public library, which is really cool, and tons of free computers w online access!
The boat is well appointed, but Susan is by far the youngest person on the boat, maybe by about half. I might be the 2nd. I'm hoping no one dies.
This afternoon (it's only 1130 here now) and we're going to do a little Amsterdam shopping on our own. We just need to be back on the boat by 6 pm, and I think that's possible unless I fall asleep somewhere.
Love to all, DAD

Rhine/Mosel Barge Trip Prelim!

Packing, packing, making lists, losing lists, packing.
EJ: glad you know gmail is google.
Lv TUS Tues AM to HOU, then Amsterdam 0830.
To river boat, then do stuff on boat/villages/tours.
To Speyer, get met by Wingerters', party for the day, then find boat.
To Basel Switzerland, then train to Mannheim, spend day/night w Wingerters', then drive to Huhnsruck. Spend 3 days/nghts with Gerlinde.
Fri am to Frankfurt, drop off car, catch plane to HOU/LAX/TUS.
Drive down to ranch for day and half of Charros.
Doug comes into town for conference @ D-M. Hope to play some golf, visit; everyone welcome to come visit too!
Then it's late October already! Next stop, Amsterdam! Hope there's wi-fi!
Love DAD

The Return!

Home now, finally.
The saga started in Ft Sumner at 7:30, wanting to go to Belen (on the way) for fuel. Weather wouldn't allow that, so flew up to Santa Rosa (on I-40). Taxing out, blew the nose tire...Nothing is at Santa Rosa, only a coin operated fuel pump.
Short story: inflated tire by Ortega's truck wrecker who came out, promptly deflated, and there I was with antelope in the plane. There is NOTHING in Santa Rosa; no car rental, no bus stop, no nothing, and the open (Sunday) auto mechanic shops on the interstate refused to touch it. The airport manager came out with two kids, hung on the tail, elevated the front wheel, and we took it off together. Supported the plane with a big rock, took the wheel to his house where he had a rather complete shop, dismantled the wheel, found the leak in the inner tube. Albuquerque Beech dealer would bring new one MONDAY and it would cost about 900 bucks due to travel time, etc...So we went to NAPA, bought a 4 dollar repair kit, and patched it. Blew it up, it held, so I non-stopped it to TUS and held my breath a little bit on landing...did Great. In fact, I think it did so well I would just leave it. Harlie says "No Way", so I get a new inner tube. All's Well that ends well, and the Antelope is in the freezer! I'm done with this ranch week, but was a good one. Now, back at work; for my last week. Love, UR/DAD

Very nice couple of days w Sara and John; today is cloudy, light rain. Been a nice break and it's only Monday! Last night was a fun camp fire @ Atlas's for his surprise birthday party. A beautiful night but the early morning hours ruined by all these bull elk in the area getting their dander up...
On Sat when I came up, it was the day after our 16 th Wedding anniversary. Wow, how time flies! I spent the evening w some friends with whom we had shared our anniversary in Greece last year! I think Susan was with Gerry Hogan, one of our neighbors.
Tonight we are going out to dinner in Alpine to the new(er) place, Brushy Valley. Ashley has been there with me once; a nice little place. Tomorrow it's up early for the guide trip Tues and Wednesday, and the Fulfer's come up tomorrow night for one night (I think) en route to their Mule Clinic. What a fun place, but I think we wore Sara and John out.

Sunday the 5th of Sept.

Greetings to all, from the ranch: have had a little trouble signing in to write stuff so not much new here.
Susan arrived Fri after leaving the house about 5 am; I went to work at Casa Grande, back home to Tucson to watch the game at TCC with a bunch of friends, then flew up Sat am early.
We all met up at the airport with Chipmans' and headed for Taylor AZ for the "Sweet Corn Festival"...now that was interesting..Back home, piddled a bit fixing some stuff at the Headquarters bldg, then off to Derricks' for drinks.
Sara and John came up for dinner, and a friend of mine Tom Robertson came over from the X-Diamond for dinner as well (yum, Ribs on the Barbie, frest Sweet Corn (see above..) and overall delicious meal. Lots of social activities planned with friends up here, then Tuesday and Wednesday I have to WORK! Taking a guy fishing 2 days in a row, using float-tube and kayak. A tough job, someone has to do it.
Beth and Bob Fulfer coming up Tues night, spend the night, then they head for Alpine for a Mule Clinic. Friday am early I fly over to Fort Sumner N.M. to hunt antelope and maybe dove for a day or two, then home to D68 Sunday AM, then back to TUS, then to work Monday at the real (but TEMPORARY) job.
And, did I say, we seem to be getting a donkey? that's another story.
K.I.T., come see us!! Love Dad