tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14020199973688275342012-01-22T09:58:14.582-08:00Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.comBlogger2061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-8520660541387223242012-01-22T09:49:00.000-08:002012-01-22T09:53:30.599-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-73329493141455255882012-01-01T00:05:00.000-08:002012-01-22T09:58:14.639-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-14660217291584447372011-12-25T11:18:00.000-08:002011-12-26T11:22:05.701-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-40830502398354879832011-11-20T11:14:00.000-08:002011-11-20T19:54:40.547-08:00

Karen and I were sitting around watching the news and it came to us that we should occupy something. We clearly were capable, we took up space, it just was a matter of determining what space to take up.We felt it was important to send a message to the world. We were not totally clear on what that message was, but we know our house should be worth more, our retirement should be better and there

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-61585490097521902932011-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:002011-09-18T23:12:01.749-07:00

I love names and signs in the Caribbean.There is a different attitude down there, the "Island" view of life.There is an official sailing chart of the island of Grand Bahama, which shows a reef off the coast. If you are sailing in that area, the chart will show you that a reef is marked by a buoy which was placed there to warn sailors. The chart helpfully notes that "The buoy was sunk in a storm

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-42644540381838172102011-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:002011-09-10T15:29:17.289-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-42850307764122278932011-09-09T16:26:00.000-07:002011-09-09T16:32:45.184-07:00

In New York - On Broadway...In London - at the West End...In Ireland - Dublin...

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-3450245167620843812011-09-06T11:09:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:25:31.193-07:00

5 short clips from our Corrib Cruise this morning. It was mostly windy and rainy with just hints of sunshine. At one point a swell soaked everyone in the bow, including Gary who was above taking the video! (That's on clip #3) All in all it was great fun! Sorry for all the wind noise in the clips. I didn't realize my iphone would pick that up.

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-23278896915679670232011-09-06T08:29:00.000-07:002011-09-06T08:50:46.237-07:00

Our home for two days...

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-87854749516645021042011-09-06T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-06T09:16:12.491-07:00

We are having a total blast in Ireland!!!The people are friendly, the food and drink have been stellar and the scenery has been gorgeous.Of course, it has been a bit on the wet side. We saw a quote the other day which seemed to apply to our experience: "The weather has been pretty good the past week, it has only rained twice. The first time for three days and the second time for four days." That,

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-85655247397235194602011-09-05T02:44:00.000-07:002011-09-05T02:48:38.733-07:00

Drambuie Porridge at the Heaton's Guest House in Dinge! (Karen had the most excellent vanilla waffles.)

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-19631809308511184732011-09-04T18:39:00.000-07:002011-09-04T18:41:40.924-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-5341680735381801252011-09-04T18:31:00.000-07:002011-09-04T18:37:56.085-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-39018057934748755322011-09-04T02:33:00.000-07:002011-09-04T18:43:19.528-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-37790100913936043622011-09-03T08:42:00.001-07:002011-09-03T11:04:33.695-07:00

There is something about that song that sticks in your head and refuses to leave while in London. I found myself humming away like Roger Miller while walking around the sights. Of course, it did succeed in getting "New York, New York, a heck of a town!" out of my head.On my first trip to London, in the early 70's, I arrived quite sick from India with long hair, a beard and a backpack. It was

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-13371644953065858872011-09-03T08:42:00.000-07:002011-09-04T01:56:22.935-07:00

Built in the 12th Century... It's huge, it's complex, it's iconic, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world and it's in Cashel at the heart of Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel, more formally St. Patrick's Rock, is also known as Cashel of the Kings. Reputedly the site of the conversion of Aenghus the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD. Long before the Norman

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-69703110658531763332011-09-03T03:10:00.000-07:002011-09-03T10:01:17.560-07:00

With tickets in hand to New York, it seemed only natural that the news announcement shortly before our arrival was "Earthquake Rocks New Jersey and New York". Karen and I have grown to expect this kind of welcome in our travels. Of course, it was a little disturbing that, while we were in New York, the headlines were "Hurricane Irene Leaves Flooding and Destruction it its Wake as 11 Die and

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-35115677305475673462011-09-02T02:45:00.001-07:002011-09-02T02:45:22.323-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-65698727021362055982011-09-02T02:34:00.000-07:002011-09-02T02:49:01.877-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-5824749639804365832011-08-31T16:09:00.000-07:002011-08-31T16:10:33.917-07:00

No photographs inside, only in the Mews and gardens.

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-84697811866668495782011-08-29T09:57:00.000-07:002011-08-29T17:52:42.770-07:00

Here is a slideshow from our Black Taxi London Tour yesterday...

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-7504156555429388542011-08-15T11:29:00.000-07:002011-08-15T11:31:36.851-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-89663225892751849562011-04-19T00:03:00.000-07:002011-05-07T15:13:21.905-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-42581698426644804322011-02-13T15:47:00.000-08:002011-02-13T23:42:32.390-08:00

Of course I couldn't keep up with any of them, but I did walk a little bit!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-44401458775282211542011-01-13T15:13:00.000-08:002011-04-10T10:39:07.222-07:00

Update: April 10th, 2011... 101 days since I fell... and my knee still has spots like a dalmatian! I continue to go to physical therapy three times a week and it's really helping. We're working on building up my quad strength and regaining the muscle I've lost. Other good news...I drove this week for the first time since December 28th!February 28th, 8 weeks since the accident.I started

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-71146978295613543002011-01-03T14:42:00.000-08:002011-01-05T12:17:38.857-08:00

You have to wonder what it would have been like in 1969 had Neil Armstrong done a face plant stepping off of the first lunar lander. It certainly would have put a a comic turn to the whole event, so long as he wasn't hurt and didn't puncture his spacesuit. "One giant, OOPS!!!!Well, we arrived at Cambridge Beaches, checked into our lovely room (where we spent our honeymoon), and freshened up to

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-64214063485385722602011-01-02T11:45:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:35:52.487-08:00

As Robert Burns said years ago: "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, gang aft agley."I'm not totally clear what "agley" is or how "aft" they may "gang", but I've always translated this roughly to: "Even if you have a martini pitcher and glasses chilling in the freezer, don't forget where the you put the flashlights and bandaids."Karen and I spent the time in November and December, after

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-48854438700990633152010-11-27T08:53:00.000-08:002010-11-27T09:00:16.760-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-70683625269695582152010-09-26T14:12:00.001-07:002010-09-26T14:12:51.630-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-80874650441885510842010-09-18T18:24:00.000-07:002010-09-18T20:03:15.256-07:00

Stockholm’s Medieval Cathedral, built in 1279, houses unique objects such as the St George and the Dragon sculpture (1489),and the legendary Vädersoltavlan (1636)... which I couldn't stop looking at:(photo from Wikipedia)Vädersolstavlan (Swedish for "The Sun Dog Painting") is an oil-on-panel painting depicting a halo display, an atmospheric optical phenomenon, observed over Stockholm on

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-86475635053280262512010-09-18T18:05:00.000-07:002010-09-18T18:13:47.594-07:00

The history of this legendary castle stretches back over 800 years. During the 12th century a defense tower was erected to protect against pirates and other sea-faring enemies. A harbour was constructed and in the course of time a castle grew around the original tower. Kalmar Castle soon became “The Key to the Kingdom”, a significant defensive fortification on the Danish border with an

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-85166021903163178232010-09-02T11:53:00.000-07:002010-09-02T12:22:52.210-07:00

Scandinavians are a frugal people.Swedes make Norwegians look like crazy shoppers.Driving through the countryside from Copenhagen up North to Stockholm, we were struck by the complete absence of any roadside inns, restaurants, hot dog stands, convenience stores, or anywhere you could actually buy food. We have come to the conclusion that everyone in Sweden makes their own sandwiches at home

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-66312920302386237812010-09-02T11:06:00.000-07:002010-09-02T11:46:07.642-07:00

We are in beautiful Stockholm!This place is stuffed with historic buildings and you can’t throw a rock without hitting something owned by the Royal Family. I am not sure whether it is still King Oscar of Sardine fame, or someone else, but everywhere you look, they have another palace, suite of offices, restaurant or hot dog stand.Stockholm is actually a large collection of islands, or as my

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-39461148454615539242010-09-02T02:49:00.000-07:002010-09-02T02:51:34.713-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-42543086901893606132010-08-31T06:13:00.001-07:002010-08-31T06:13:50.500-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-33120333705402067762010-08-30T13:00:00.000-07:002010-08-30T13:32:32.466-07:00

Here we be on the island of Gotland, the largest of the islands of Sweden.We are in Gotland's main town of Visby, which is a medieval walled city, very picturesque.The people of Sweden, what we know as the "Swedish" and as they refer to themselves, "Svensk" (pronounced "Svensk") are cool. Not in the sense of "with it", but more in the sense of "we detect your presence, but prefer not to

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-39331604967865274182010-08-30T12:11:00.000-07:002010-09-01T14:03:11.419-07:00

Full choir and multiple drummers!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-90522845544200905142010-08-28T13:26:00.001-07:002010-08-28T13:26:49.911-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-91786038093239124192010-08-27T15:07:00.000-07:002010-08-27T15:09:12.247-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-61378180923388524642010-08-26T17:59:00.001-07:002010-08-27T18:03:07.076-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-78863153242155164052010-08-25T15:33:00.000-07:002010-08-25T15:40:54.541-07:00

Corner room at the Radisson Royal Copenhagen Hotel... a perfect view of Copenhagen!Gary in our Arnie Jacobsen designed room.Even the bathroom has a gorgeous view!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-6991081534182276612010-06-14T18:22:00.000-07:002010-06-14T18:24:43.426-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-82451319538581290692010-05-16T18:39:00.001-07:002010-07-31T14:50:29.968-07:00

May 7th - The day after his surgery.Thursday 5/6/10 : Ole (Pronounced "Oh-lee" - Norwegian), our Yorkie puppy had his AAI surgery today. We are very nervous and hope that we've made the right decision. 5/13/10: Ole's surgery was a week ago and he is doing well. We hope he will be able to walk soon. There's not much information out there regarding this condition, so if anyone would like to

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-11664173344180553202010-05-12T22:49:00.000-07:002010-05-12T22:51:41.481-07:00

The song is '"Psychic City" by YACHTYACHT is Jona & Claire

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-8395025195847230652010-04-17T16:29:00.001-07:002010-09-03T01:21:44.812-07:00

Aside from the fact that Gary took ill here (unrelated to the Inn)... it is a very lovely place.

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-45349559140850762962010-04-07T00:47:00.001-07:002010-09-21T23:00:17.596-07:00

"Twilight in the Afterlife" mixed by team9"The Afterlife" by YACHT and "Possibility" by Lykke Li.Parts of the YACHT video "The Afterlife" were filmed on our dock in our back yard.YACHT is Jona Bechtolt & Claire Evans

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-86381837914211437202010-04-03T10:07:00.000-07:002010-04-03T10:10:33.707-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=152877&id=612543356&l=ae8d3f36f3

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-42397058385154528012010-03-08T09:58:00.000-08:002010-03-08T10:09:15.266-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-6588199912610214402009-12-20T20:12:00.000-08:002009-12-20T20:52:03.039-08:00

First, our little joys!Ole and Asta are busy bringing Christmas Fun to our house! The only thing, stick with the butter mints and don't eat the Tootsie Rolls.Xmas is in full swing in downtown Portland.I suppose I should be grateful that it doesn't happen year-round, but I have to ask.Is there some massive home for the mentally disadvantaged where people are only let out between Thanksgiving and

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-36700271743106984752009-12-17T22:15:00.000-08:002011-02-09T09:32:47.759-08:00

YACHT - (Jona & Claire) Number 6 on MTV's Best Albums of 2009!Higher than Jay-Z, Wilco, Mos Def, and Shakira. WOW!!!!!!!#6. YACHT, See Mystery LightsVaguely cultish electronic music that's full of new-age sentiments ("It may come as a surprise/ But you are not alone") and cryptic notions about eternal life and mysterious triumvirates, but do...n't let that scare you. See Mystery Lights also

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-36019395007001833772009-12-12T23:04:00.001-08:002009-12-12T23:04:36.400-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-24703614797735580102009-10-03T14:20:00.000-07:002009-10-03T14:22:28.128-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-584821176633163822009-09-19T00:30:00.000-07:002009-09-19T00:33:02.139-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-14671380611850226432009-09-17T14:18:00.000-07:002009-09-17T16:56:53.040-07:00

Asta is a Norwegian girl name meaning “love”… andOle is a Norwegian boy name meaning “family”.We can't imagine a couple of cuter, calmer, warmer, friendlier puppies in the world.We hit the lottery with these two!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-70620185769132350972009-09-14T05:30:00.000-07:002009-09-14T05:31:26.552-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-60529569298877803662009-09-09T16:40:00.000-07:002009-09-10T04:17:59.974-07:00

The museum is in an old train station. It is so beautiful!Notre Dame across the Seine from inside the museum.Momma!This is the museum restaurant. We had a lovely lunch.

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-50760206933933147702009-09-07T01:38:00.000-07:002009-09-07T02:03:26.231-07:00

Lafayette, here we be!We are starting our fourth day in Paris and the city is really quite beautiful!We have also found the French to be very friendly. I contrast this to the first time I traveled through France in the early 70"s. Of course, then I spoke no French, had long hair and a beard, and was carrying a backpack, but I found the people to be very rude.Today, I'm a middle-aged man

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-51980891815462639632009-09-06T18:55:00.000-07:002009-09-06T19:00:29.074-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-33775396869232510072009-09-05T16:51:00.000-07:002009-09-05T16:57:19.209-07:00

Gary & Karen waving "hello"!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-9605785810208831222009-09-05T04:36:00.001-07:002009-09-05T04:47:11.403-07:00

The ApartmentWild Things in the WindowRue de MartyrsRue de St. LazarreSt. George

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-48591594089705172232009-08-22T10:22:00.000-07:002009-08-22T10:31:20.386-07:00

It didn't start that way.Penny was Karen's. Karen had seen her born, had put a Sharpie mark on her belly to identify her. Anyone that knows Karen, knows the story, she has told it a million times.:)I did not have a lot of happy dog memories in my past. I had a beagle I loved and lost when I was very young and, after that? There were a series of family dogs to whom I was not attached, they

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-799474538674208132009-08-21T15:23:00.000-07:002009-08-22T08:20:43.341-07:00

An empty bedA forgotten food bowlA hanging leashA stuffed bearAn unworn vestA three-pound Yorkie is the two-ton elephant not in the roomWho would have known?"She was our North, our South, our East and West,Our working week and our Sunday rest,Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song;We thought she would live forever: we were wrong."We Love You, PennyMommy & Daddy

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-52593627422703533392009-07-30T18:26:00.000-07:002009-07-30T19:29:01.293-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-16923651726866301752009-07-04T12:20:00.001-07:002009-07-30T19:22:13.032-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-73733955461016234522009-06-28T17:44:00.000-07:002009-06-28T18:16:05.522-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-45498602276735072009-06-07T18:03:00.000-07:002009-06-07T18:18:38.972-07:00

Lake Oswego High School Graduation Jeremy Schuyler BarnumGraduation Awards:National Merit ScholarTheatre Merit Award - Male

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-59798253667169298502009-04-26T16:03:00.000-07:002009-04-26T16:09:01.092-07:00

Go Norway!(It wasn't quite lutefisk... but we talked about it!)

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-85628070517172337782009-03-17T23:20:00.001-07:002009-03-18T19:24:25.458-07:00

The Belle Chapel - Snohomish, WashingtonKaren, Who-Who, Brittney and BrookeMr. & Mrs. Andrew MillerJessica and Olivia

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-87737482351754039542009-03-17T23:11:00.001-07:002009-03-17T23:19:46.263-07:00

A snowy day in March at the Willows Lodge!Novelty Hill - Januik Winery

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-8196154130092541392009-03-17T23:08:00.001-07:002009-03-17T23:17:56.264-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-17546648116166432022009-03-17T22:59:00.000-07:002009-03-17T23:07:55.617-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-21109205436642393732009-03-17T22:57:00.001-07:002009-03-17T22:59:08.959-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-1903057766785277782009-02-23T21:09:00.000-08:002009-02-28T11:15:36.113-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-41943973919669479782009-02-01T17:55:00.000-08:002009-02-01T17:59:51.342-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-63233578310603571112009-01-25T00:20:00.001-08:002009-01-25T00:50:57.099-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-21243409855768513242009-01-10T00:07:00.000-08:002009-01-10T10:29:59.130-08:00

We love Norway!!Bergen was like home to us, and being here in the Winter is very special. It's exactly the way we had always pictured it, with the snow, mountains, Grandpa bringing the wood in a sled to Heidi. All those sweaters and the blonde girls and blonde furniture. It's great!!!Bergen NorwayI had done Web research before coming here and found out about these tours organized by an outfit

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-35795538780470943662009-01-09T22:57:00.000-08:002009-01-10T00:05:38.735-08:00

There is one subject that I really prefer to ignore.It's bathrooms. Well, I really don't mind talking about baths, I love them. I can soak forever in a tub, reading a spy thriller, sipping brandy and having a cigar. That is my idea of heaven on Earth.It's the other thing. I suppose it shouldn't bother me, I think most people in the world do it. Except for Grace Kelly, I don't think she ever

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-24018659644620536652009-01-09T12:36:00.000-08:002009-01-09T12:45:12.323-08:00

Honey, what's our room number again???

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-60616084915309572972009-01-07T09:35:00.000-08:002009-01-07T09:52:44.077-08:00

Tomorrow we will travel in trains, boats and buses and we will see the Sognefjord as we make our way to Oslo.This is reportedly one of the most beautiful train trips in the world!We will also pass through Finse, Norway which was the place in which George Lucas chose to shoot the ice planet "Hoth" in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, because of its chilling cold landscape.

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-40590595304845647102009-01-07T08:31:00.000-08:002010-09-11T12:01:23.454-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-50869482651818321072009-01-07T00:51:00.001-08:002009-01-07T15:02:17.042-08:00

Woke up early this morning, it was dark, went back to sleep.Woke up later, it was still dark, went back to sleep.Woke up again, checked the clock and it was 8:30, still dark!(Note: Official Bergen Daylight... Sunrise 09:39 (CET)... Sunset 15:50 (CET))Finally, got up and searched out a cup of coffee. Of course, this being Europe, you are more likely NOT to have a coffee maker than you are to

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-49162343004478844262009-01-06T08:19:00.000-08:002009-01-07T00:51:20.327-08:00

Velkommen til Norge!Norwegians took cuts in front of us in line at the airport!The View from our room.Our Suite looking over the Bergen HarborThe flight was perfect... despite the fact that it was -4 c in Prague, airports had been closing all over Europe, and we were flying Norwegian Airlines. Everything is beautiful! The sky is bluer, the clouds are whiter, the air is sweeter... I am in tears

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-47611866507679352482009-01-05T14:08:00.000-08:002009-01-05T14:18:54.058-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-18581635484389128412009-01-05T08:30:00.000-08:002009-01-05T09:27:41.026-08:00

What? You thought we had just boarded the boat?Well, our secret was bad internet connection. "Oh Lord, stuck with low wi-fi, again." Almost everything else about the Amacello was wonderful!So, let's back up a bit.We toured Buda and Pest (two towns, kind of like Milton Freewater) on our own and then we toured it again with the "Boat People." One of the Budapest Highlights was the hot mulled

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-73858855357929991832009-01-01T01:19:00.000-08:002009-01-03T11:01:06.961-08:00

At midnight, the newly named "Capital of Culture 2009, Linz Austria", ushered in the new year with fireworks above the Danube and with all kinds of musical surprises. The Danube and its embankments between the new Ars Electronica Centre, the Nibelungen bridge, the Lentos Kunstmuseum and the Brucknerhaus hosted a dazzling and colorful spectacle.Along the banks of the Danube, the Group "

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-23874419435169778492008-12-28T05:12:00.001-08:002008-12-29T08:05:04.780-08:00

Here we are, sitting on the back of the boat, or what we all call the "aft", as in get your "aft" to the back of the Boat!We're learning all the nautical terms, as in "starboard," "helm," and "no, thank you, rather than Port, I'll stick with another vodka tonic".The boat is pretty darn fancy, with about one crew person for every 2 1/2 people. The half person might get short-changed, but we being

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-40006809930401900982008-12-25T04:08:00.000-08:002008-12-25T04:27:43.055-08:00

Had our trip over the "Pond" been a movie, it would have been filmed in black in white, the opening shot would have been in a cemetery, with dark and ominous music. We're the couple whose car breaks down on a lonely country road, we walk up to an old creaky abandoned house, let ourselves in and then go to the basement to find car tools.The week before, we had been madly preparing for our early

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-81633174344800870552008-12-25T02:26:00.001-08:002008-12-25T02:32:31.971-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-70788932112930701052008-12-24T16:23:00.000-08:002008-12-24T17:34:16.457-08:00

First thing we saw from the Taxi... Changing of the Guard...Red Christmas Trees with Back Christmas Balls in the Hotel Windows...Claire & Jona at the Tower Bridge...Riding the Tube to the West End...Spamalot!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-18178257109504631852008-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:002008-12-22T11:58:27.737-08:00

Our flight to London was canceled yesterday. NWA told us that MAYBE, just MAYBE we could get out on Christmas Day.Not acceptable.Gary, promptly re-booked us on a flight out of San Francisco, where I am currently waiting to board to London via Atlanta. We safely drove out of Portland yesterday.. a major feat in itself which took nearly 2 hours from PDX to the I-205/I-5 junction. We rented an

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-69861642192515900222008-12-11T14:53:00.001-08:002008-12-11T14:54:27.076-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-67275771467556302222008-11-11T11:43:00.000-08:002008-12-03T23:57:58.276-08:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-65658760277492082932008-09-18T22:05:00.001-07:002008-09-29T20:57:16.310-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-75187745600696652172008-09-13T14:58:00.000-07:002008-09-18T22:07:59.284-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-18243225653159187522008-09-12T06:20:00.000-07:002008-09-12T06:47:50.858-07:00

The Twin Towers Light Memorial -View from our room at the Marriott at NewarkFlags at Half-Staff at the AirportSpecial Twin Towers FlagThe City from Newark Airport

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-46329634793018693352008-08-31T21:56:00.000-07:002008-08-31T22:09:33.578-07:00

And there we were... in another Canadian High Rise Hotel... very early in the morning...... when that oh so familiar alarm went off... and firemen were suddenly running all over! This time we didn't have to run down 27 floors, but we did have our shoes and clothes handy... just in case... something we've learned from our Niagara Falls experience!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-39547212516234403682008-08-30T00:20:00.000-07:002008-08-30T00:46:28.707-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-14318581146494509702008-08-28T00:06:00.000-07:002008-08-28T00:32:59.713-07:00

I can't believe I got on this plane!The luggage went into the wings. Our computer case went into the nose of the plane.Gary - directly behind the pilots. Me - hanging on tight at takeoffPropellerFinally we can see VancouverView of our landing from my seat!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-38437323372477508832008-08-27T17:50:00.000-07:002008-08-27T17:51:18.792-07:00

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402019997368827534.post-623121618522332942008-08-25T16:31:00.001-07:002008-08-26T11:47:07.343-07:00

Chris and Gary in the lobby of the Victoria Regent HotelChesterman BeachSurf Boarders!

Gary and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803424833390554947noreply@blogger.com0