Adventures of Krazy Kazy Kay

HOLLYWOOD GLITZY BOOK FAIR

2009-03-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's puppy dog hands

Affection for the BIG RED DOG

Two important Hollywood Stars

Hollywood is alive in Clifton

Female Artist of the Year

I am posting pics and info for Diana today b/c she is b-u-s-y with the book fair at school. Papa and I went last night to the open house and what a show it was. Diana and all of her workers did a bang up job on decorating, setting up, and running the show. There were tons of people there for Hamburgers and Hot Dogs (Les helped cook) then the program and going into the book fair room to buy books. I helped judge the classroom doors contest which was a really tough job since all of them were so creative and student involvement was great. We walked the red carpet into the book fair room to purchase books. IT WAS PACKED (people AND books). A looooong line to pay out and room was very hot (a/c was out). Kids were running around everywhere and we could tell that everyone was having a great time. Teachers and workers were dressed like Hollywood; Clifford, the big red dog was even there to great everyone. Kids were down on the floor drawing their handprints on the "Walk of Fame" after they purchased books. As a grandparent, it was hard to keep up with just Diana's two kids. We got to go to Nolan's classroom and meet his teacher and also to see the work Nolan is doing in school. I can't wait to read some of his stories he writes in his notebook. He loves to pull my leg with some really big tales. If I act shocked, his tales get bigger and bolder. He has a big imagination. I just can't say enough on how proud I am of my two daughters- Mandy and Diana- as they are both involved in the school book fairs in two different cities. I would love to see Mandy's big debut too. It makes a mother proud to see her daughters following in her footsteps. Have you ever heard "She is her mother's daughter"? Wellllll, they really are. (Kind of scary) I just know how many sleepless nights they spend and the stress of getting it all together and setting it up, then be all smiles on the big production night. Believe me, it is all worth it, when it is all done, because the kids are the ones that benefit from it. Reading is so important and training children to read is what it is all about.

I challenge everyone to go to your local school book fair and check out what is going on there. It will totally impress you. This one was a huge success. Y'all get a big A+.

WHERE IS LESLIE? HAVE YOU SEEN HER?

2009-03-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

This is a common thing at my house when Leslie and Nolan come over. We get busy talking or cooking or scrapbooking and look up and realize we have not seen Leslie for awhile. We call her-no answer; we look outside -but nowhere to be found. She is always in Grandma's closet playing and digging through the shoes. She has a fetish over shoes- especially Grandma's- for some reason. I have even gotten up on Sunday morning to go to church and find one shoe but not the other. Leslie has toys and things to play with and do here at my house but her favorite thing is to play in my closet with my shoes. I must organize it someday if she is going to continue to play in there. She gets so involved with the shoes, she doesn't hear us calling her. We have got to remember to look there first for her. If I still wore the really high spike heels like I used to, she would kill herself trying to walk in them. I may surprise her someday and put them in there. You know me, I never get rid of anything and yes, I still have all those shoes from my days at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. I hope she always remembers playing with my shoes long after I am gone.

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT????

2009-02-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

What a fun weekend we spent in Houston with my long time friend (really more a sister) since 1971. We even cut our fingers to make us blood sisters back then and the fun keeps getting crazier. We celebrated our Christmas and Birthdays with each other over the weekend. Never a dull moment with these 2. We went to eat at Sudies (seafood) Friday night and made ourselves so sick eating tons of fried pickles and oysters. My stomach was literally swimming by the time we got home. Then it was time to open presents. My friend/sister Joyce and I laugh all the time. We have so much fun together. She had gotten me so many beautiful gifts. She knows exactly what I like-of course, that is because she likes the same thing. She gave me a Jim Shore Witch and I love it. Everything I got was things I wanted so bad. We like to buy each other gifts through the year from Garage Sales. She is so lucky and finds exactly what I like. She also got me big necklaces, red ruby bowl, A picture frame with a picture of us back in the 70's inside (man have we changed) and victorian doll ornaments for my tree, and darling tins she really wanted to keep for herself. The next morning we got up to go to garage sales EARLY. People think we are really fighting b/c we try to beat each other up to the sale and grab what we like before the other one can get there since we both want the same thing. SO MUCH FUN. We just always have fun together. Love you Joyce. It seems our time together goes so fast and its time to go home. Wish we lived closer together. She gave me a red hat for my red hat society and we always get our picture made when we are together. She ran and got her a hat (she just thinks she is a pink hatter)LOL. That's ok. If she wants to play like she is under 50- I'll let her. Wonder what we will get into the next time we are together. We hope to go to Canton together next. Believe me, Canton will never be the same after we have been there.

SUPER BOWL BIRTHDAY ROCKIN' BAND BASH

2009-02-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

We went to a Surprise Birthday Party for son Phillip turning 40 years old. (That makes me really old) combined with his annual Super Bowl Party over the weekend. It turned out not to be a surprise. It is really hard to do something like that for that boy. He has always been able to get information from us if he suspects anything. He always figures out his Christmas presents by asking questions and snagging us into hints. What a Con he has always been. He, however, did not know that we were roasting him. Now that was fun because he has been involved in funny situations since he was little. When he was 3 years old (we lived in Las Vegas) he and some little friends same age and younger decided to leave our fenced yard and cross a busy street behind our house and went to the Dunkin' Donuts to get some donuts for themselves. They told the lady they were going on down the street to get their mommies some chicken at Colonel Sanders then on down farther to get their dads some beer at 7-11.The lady thought they were so cute but decided to close the donut shop and bring them home. HE WAS IN DEEP POO POO. Another time when he was older, he and a buddy were playing in our garage and caught the garage on fire and tried to put it out with a propane torch. He thought it was a fire extinguisher. Never a dull moment around him. He has grown into a handsome, fine, successful man that is very loving, sentimental and family oriented. He and Holly had prepared tons of food for the parties this weekend. Phillip made his baby back ribs that just melt in your mouth. Nobody can do those like he can. Later that night, they all pulled out the rock band and I was amazed at how good they all do on it. Even as young as Nolan is, he takes after his Uncle Phillip, playing those drums. I had so much fun. It was a very full weekend and very tired when we got home. Was disappointed that the cardinals didn't win.

PLAYDATE WITH GRANDKIDS

2009-02-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

What fun I had with Nolan and Leslie recently. Nolan had gotten domino building blocks from his other grandma for Christmas and brought them to my house. We used nearly all the dominoes on my long kitchen table to build a train. It took us about 30 minutes without even knocking any dominoes down. Amazing! When we got through, Nolan took the stick and started the dominoes to fall down. Fun, Fun. After we did that, Leslie had gotten some clothes from Camryn so she presented a style show for us. What a natural she is. She loved all of the clothes she had received. Days like this are what grandmas live for. Thanks to my children, I have so much fun with ALL my grandchildren- 12 in all. Ages from 21 down to age 4. There is always something going on with them and I love being a part of it. Keeps me active and I feel younger when I am around them.

WARNING, I AM VERY LUCKY WITCH

2008-11-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am a VERY LUCKY WITCH today. CAUTION!!! When I got to Diana's house to go trick or treat with them, I was dressed in my real witch outfit and ready to go. She was spraying the glitter from a can on Leslie and Nolan and thought I needed more. She took the can and sprayed my hair, my clothes, my arms and legs - all over my body. We then left for the evening. I did stay at the car a couple of times to devulge in my bad habit (smoke). Welllllllll, she calls me this morning and reveals (while laughing her head off) that she was reading the spray can of glitter and it says: CAUTION: Do not use on color treated hair that has been colored in the last year and do not color hair until ALL the glitter is gone from the hair. It is also VERY HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. It says "Do NOT use heat curlers or blow dryer until all glitter is gone. I was going to just curl my hair today because it was clean BUT--Would you say--I am a VERY LUCKY WITCH. My daughter almost blew me up on my birthday. I am heading to the shower for the 3rd time now. When I told John Stanley about it he said " Cool, the kids would have said, look, how did that witch catch her hair on fire? She really can do spells. WARNING: always read the label on anything before using. I still have glitter all over my body AND hair after bathing. I am not out of the woods yet.

THE TRUTH REVEALED ON HALLOWEEN

2008-11-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

It has finally been revealed - I REALLY AM A WITCH! I had no problem convincing little children after dark on Halloween night that I was. I had one child even tell me "I cackle like a witch when I laugh". I wore a necklace with lots of charms on it and let all the children pick a charm for me to cast a spell on them. They were all GOOD spells - like a key charm was "Bigedy, Bobbably, Boo- you have the key to my heart", then they would hug and kiss me. I cast spells on everyone I was with after trick or treating downtown, and got everything I had wished for in those birthday bags. I got a beautiful new watch from the love of my life, a scrapbook tote from Leslie and Nolan and a new witch for my witch collection from Diana and Les. That was the strange one - I love the Jim Shore collection and mentioned to my red hat friends the day before Halloween that I didn't even buy a new witch for my collection this year because they were all the same thing but I would love to have a Jim Shore witch if he even made one. Guess what- he does make one and I got it and Diana, I absolutely love it. She made me a beautiful chocolate birthday cake also.Thank you so much for all your hard work Diana. You made it a perfect day. What a wonderful day I had so I believe I really can cast spells sooooo WATCH OUT! You can see in the pics how I go up to the children and cast the spell on them, then they are ALL MINE. So now you see the REAL ME. (AN OLD GRANDMA WITCH)

AGE- Reality Check

2008-10-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is AGAIN - HALLOWEEN - OCTOBER 31, 2008 and I have discovered something when I woke up this morning. I discovered the REAL ME. I am not crazy, have NOT lost my mind, BUT I am OLD. As I turn a year older on this Halloween Day, I had a reality check! I got out of bed and got dressed , I put the real me on. This is the REAL ME! But, just wait until tonight when I really come alive in my evening clothing so check back to see what my reality check is and what I REALLY AM. I will probably put a spell on a few today and have some of them with me tonight when I reveal the realization of the REAL ME. Soooooo check back in later when the moon comes out (well, I may be too busy casting spells ) Maybe you better check in on me really really really lATER. What a surprise I have for all my children, grandchildren and the whole family. They all have already suspected it.

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION

2008-06-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

Leslie (Can't believe she is laughing.She doesn't like getting her hair wet.)

Nolan sliding completely off the slide

Nolan, Leslie, and Leah feeding my fish

Miranda watching the little ones slide.Taking a break from Scrapbooking.

WHOOPS! That's Diana! Why isn't she scrapbooking? Too Much Fun!

Leah coming in for a landing.

We had the pleasure of celebrating Memorial Day with our family (grandchildren) at our house. They came to celebrate and picnic and play BUT ---Papa put them all to work. We were in the process of opening our swimming pool for the summer. Had to get a new liner and it is NOT EASY installing those things - takes a lot of people inside and out to get it straight. We still had time to play and have that picnic tho'. Papa barbecued ribs and chicken along with all the fixings. He was a "Super Man" for the entire weekend. Holly and her girls came and Diana and Les came with their children. The main purpose of the weekend was "to scrapbook" and Papa and Les were to babysit. It worked out great and lots of scrapbooking got done even with all the other things going on. Papa enjoyed playing with all the grandchildren and cooking and working on the pool. We pulled out a kiddie pool and slip and slide to entertain and keep the kids cool. It actually worked. Holly, Diana, Miranda and I got to devote most of our time to scrapbooking. Let's do it again girls! Papa said "he is game".

BACK TO THE USA....

2008-05-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Well, John and I are back in the good ol' USA. Since we got back, it has been non stop. First, we had to fix the water leak that happened while we were gone. There was a terrible storm while we were gone and baseball size hail and very strong winds that did some damage to our new trailer and the roof on our house and pool. Had to take take of insurance calls and get that all set up. After being gone, my house was a sight dusty and needed cleaning. There was a lot of washing after we got the water leak fixed since the washing machine in Switzerland took all day to wash one load of clothes. I really have not had time to sit down and relax - you know what???? I am ready to go back to Europe. It was fun not having responsibilities and chores to attend to over there. Guess that's what life is all about---work, work, work! Never Ending! I am ready to get back into my routine now so watch out.

A BAD MEAL..OR. GOOD SOUTHERN COOKING

2008-05-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

FARMER GOING TO MARKET

GARDEN AREA AWAY FROM TOWN

GARDEN SHACKS WITH TOOLS BY GARDENS

GARDEN SHACKS OUTSIDE OF TOWN

When we went to the grocery store the other day, John S. loves their produce department. He bought some fresh asparagus (white). I wasn't even sure that's what it was. It sure didn't look like I thought fresh asparagus looks like. He came home and fixed dinner that night. We had German sausage (actually they were wieners with white stuff in them), with brown rice and he fixed that white asparagus. He had these plans of making cheese sauce to put on it, so he took some cheese and mixed milk with it and cooked it. Now all the Swiss cheese is so delicious over here-all white- but, oh my gosh, it all stinks awful bad. When he was cooking that sauce, I had to go out on the balcony. It stunk so bad we had to open all the doors and windows. I had to hold my nose when we sat down to eat to keep from gagging. I wasn't sure about those wieners either and asked what the white inside was. It looked like fat plus you don't know what wieners are made from usually. He said he thought it was cheese. Well, I let him taste the asparagus first with that stinky sauce. He took one bite and spit it out and said it was sour. Needless to say, we through that meal out. Last night, he fixed dinner and, oh my gosh, it was delicious. We wondered why we haven't done this meal before now. He fixed fried chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and fresh SOFT rolls. Now that is southern cooking ..AND THE BEST. You know we can't handle any meat over here but German sausage and chicken (pullet as they call it) If you ask for chicken, they don't know what you are talking about. It took us awhile to get used to the milk over here. They don't have it in the refrigeration at the store. It just sits out beside it. I have noticed they serve their milk warm anyway. (cereal, drink, etc). It looks funny, but tastes ok. The people over here that live in town at apartments or houses with no yard rent or buy garden areas in groups outside of town. They are just "put together" shacks that they keep their tools and feed, etc. in then, outside the shack is a little garden area to grow their veggies and flowers and pullets in. The whole family goes there on the weekends to work it. I think some of them take their veggies and fruit to market .As you drive down the highways, you see these little groups of 50-100 garden shack areas all together, usually up on top of a hill. It must save a lot of money to grow their own food (they don't use preservatives over here either, I don't think), plus they make extra money taking it to market. Maybe we need to start doing that at home, especially with the price of food now. Today is packing day. Trying to get everything back in those suitcases. For some reason, they never have room in them when you pack to go home. Wonder why???? Just one more day.....

FINAL COUNTDOWN! DADDY GOES LOCO!

2008-05-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

DADDY- "LOCO"

SPRING FLOWERS-SWITZERLAND

AUTOMATIC LAWN MOWER

We have been here 5 weeks and already time to go back to the USA. It is Sunday, May 4, 2008 and counting down to Thursday, May 8. We decided to let our bodies and bones rest today. We have hung out at the condo washing, cleaning and packing to come home. I think it is the first day of rest since we have been here. I am already dreading that long flight home. We get a little tired of watching CNN all the time so we play "Texas Hold'em" poker a lot. Why don't we do things like that at home? Always too busy, or stuck to the tv. I have been trying to stick all the memories of this place in my head. The beautiful flowers and green rolling hills and snowcapped mountains, the old (thousand years) places we have been and especially the bells ringing all the time from the churches and I get really sad. Do you know that, in Switzerland, at the grocery store, the milk is not refrigerated. Makes you wonder if it's milk. Well, it will all be over in just a few days. I saw something the other day in Austria that I have never seen in USA. It was an electric lawn mower. It looked like a vacum cleaner moving around then I realized it was mowing the grass. I sure could use one of those things. I was working on the computer and noticed daddy was gone. I stepped outside on the balcony and there he was, in his shorts enjoyed the sunshine and beautiful day. Then I saw him smoking one of my cigars. I think the trip to the fairy tale castle made him go loco. I said "What in the world---" and he turned and looked at me and he was a little green. Maybe it was bad beer. This is the first day we have not had to wear a jacket. It is cool but still short sleeve weather and lots of sun. No clouds. This will probably be my last blog until I reach the USA. It's been fun and the memories will be with us forever.

ENERGIZER BUNNY....JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING!!!!

2008-05-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

You know we just don't know when to give up. Our bodies and bones hurt so bad when we got back from the mountain climbing and castle walking we didn't think we could get out of bed the next morning. WRONG. We got up fairly early and went again(Saturday, May 3,2008). This time we went back to "old town" Winterthur, Switzerland, where we are staying. Went down there where there is no driving - only pedestrian streets - and WALKED ALL DAY shopping and looking for the last time before we leave for USA.I even had my picture made with "Blue Dog" outsider their store and he gave me a neat bag to bring home. Daddy found the McDonald's with the Swiss flag flying over it. You would not believe how much their hamburgers are over here. We have to walk up 8 or 10 steps at the apt. and when we got home, we could hardly lift our legs up to the next step, they hurt so bad. WE ARE IN SHAPE, BABY! We have exercised more in the last 28 days than we have in a very lonnnnnng time. Both of us really feel good. We are just having too much fun. We decided not to stop when it started getting late on Saturday evening and decided to go back to "Old Town" and walk some more. This time it was to eat at a traditional Swiss Fondue Restaurant. Oh, my gosh, we had so much fun. I even laughed at some "papa jokes". We started eating our cheese and bread fondue and daddy asked me if I brought any correctol. He was going to have to take it along with his milk of magnesia(a whole bottle) after all that cheese. The restaurant was so neat and friendly. Talked to us a lot. It was called "Walliser Kanne". When I looked it up on the internet for directions to get there, Daddy looked at it and I asked if he knew where it was. He said "no, because it is in Delaware,USA". I am serious, there is one there too. The food was delicious (cheese and bread) but we didn't stop there. Oh no, we went on to eat their famous ice cream. We had the "cha cha cha". It is chocolate, carmel, and mocha and of course, topped with tons of whipped cream, wafers and fruit. We walked some more after dinner. It is so pretty down there at night with everything lit up. We came back to the condo and watched a movie with Robin Williams filmed in Switzerland. We are trying to cram everything we can now into the last few days here.

FAIRY TALE.....OR.....NIGHTMARE?????

2008-05-04T03:32:00.000-07:00

NEUSCHWANSTEIN (FAIRY TALE) CASTLE WAY UP IN THE MOUNTAIN AS WE DROVE IN FROM THE VALLEY. I ZOOMED IN A LOT TO GET THIS PICTURE.
THIS IS THE CASTLE AS WE WERE DRIVING INTO THE REGION. I EVEN ZOOMED THIS!
BEAUTIFUL VALLEY RIGHT BEFORE WE REACHED THE VILLAGE BELOW THE CASTLE.

I CAN SEE IT UP THERE- MY BODY FEELS IT ! I THINK THIS IS THE SAME PICTURE. WAS JUST SO GLAD TO SEE IT.
THIS IS A WATERFALL AND WALKING BRIDGE OVER FROM THE CASTLE ON ANOTHER MOUNTAIN. PEOPLE ARE WALKING ON THAT BRIDGE TOO.
FINALLY! LOOKING AT CASTLE FROM COURTYARD INSIDE GATE.

GERMAN TRADITION: SAUSAGE, SAUERKRAUT, MASHED POTATOES!
HORSE AND BUGGY TOOK US HALF WAY UP MOUNTAIN FAIRY TALE CASTLE- HALF WAY UP THE MOUNTAIN. HORSE DUMPED US OFF.

VIEW OF VILLAGE WE LEFT AS WE CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN

ARE WE THERE YET? ...NOPE, HALF WAY UP...OR DOWN.
IT JUST KEEPS GOING UP...SEE THE SNOW MOUNTAINS!
ALMOST THERE! I SEE IT BUT STILL A LONG WAY TO GO.
RESTAURANT/HOTEL WHERE WE ATE LUNCH. PEOPLE WALKING UP HILL ARE GOING TO THE HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE (IN BACKGROUND)

We got up early Friday, May 2,2008 to discover castles in Germany. We left at 8:00am thinking it would only take 2 hours to get to the castles in Germany. It ended up taking longer because "Miss Gips" had her own route to take that was longer. John S. kept arguing with her that she wasn't taking us right. We were right outside Munich and he was getting upset. She finally had us turn off the right direction. Uhhhhh! it was going right toward the huge snow covered Alps. I kept asking John if the castles were in the snow covered mountains and he said he didn't think so. He had been to these castles on a previous trip to Switzerland and I kept thinking he just isn't telling me. We kept getting higher and closer to those monster mountains covered in snow. Yep! sure enough - they WERE up there. Right in the smack dab middle of them. We saw beautiful green rolling countryside on the way going through ski villages and around lakes. I can't describe just how gorgeous everything was. BUT, the fact still remained, here I am, going through those mountains again, only this time we were going up to them. When we arrived in the village where the fairy tale castle, Neuschwanstein, built for King Ludwig II and his boyhood castle, Hohenschwangau under the dad, King Maximilian II was, it was awful. I think half of Europe had the same idea as we did to go there on that day. We waited in a long line to get into the parking lot. Finally, we got to the gate and the guy apologized but said it was full. Said it was crazy there that day. Well, we drove around for another hour and got in another line for a parking lot. It was worse. They would let a car in as a car left. That took forever - 1 hour 45min. We finally got parked and headed for the ticket window. It was over 1 hour wait in line to get tickets. We got up there at noon and finally got our tickets at 3:00pm. They told us our tour (in English) would be at 5:50 pm. You could see the fairy tale castle way up above us in the mountains. I asked if we had to climb all the way up there. The answer was YES or, you could ride the horse and buggy, BUT, it only takes you up half way. We decided to each lunch at 3:00pm while we waiting to ride the horse and buggy(at least I got to ride half way). I didn't realize that the last half of that trip would be the worst. Even the dumb horses wouldn't go up that steep. We ate at a neat outside cafe/hotel and decided to eat traditional German food. We had sausage and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes. Let me tell you, they do know how to make sauerkraut. It was not sour and was delicious. We stood in another line to get on the horse and buggy. Finally we were off to see the castle. Those horses did not want to pull us up that mountain and any minute I just knew they would rare up and go nuts on us. We did not go very fast at all, people were passing us walking, in fact. We got half way up and I looked up the mountain and that castle was still a long way off. I didn't think I would ever make it climbing that far. I DID though. Oh my gosh, it was worth it. The castle and the story behind it are remarkable. I have learned so much history since I have been over here. I can't show you pictures of the gorgeous inside (not allowed) but I bought a book with some in it. We got in line for our tour (50 people). It started to rain up there. We forgot our umbrellas of course. When we got inside (we were in the front of everybody) we had to climb one long flight of spiral marble stairs in the tower. My legs and body hurt so bad. We saw that floor and the guide said ok, now we will climb 3 more flights of spiral stairs WITHOUT STOPPING. uh oh! I did it everyone, and the only reason I did was thinking about 50 people right behind me and if I stopped, we would all go down in a circle like dominoes. My whole body was burning when we got to the top. When we went through all the rooms, we had to eventually go down all those stairs. The bad thing was, you couldn't take your time and stop to rest. Now I know why I kept seeing the signs " tour is not for disabled persons". I AM NOT DISABLED" I kept telling myself but, I think I am now. We came out of the castle and it was getting later. NO HORSES. It was one of the last tours and the horses had gone home. Oh my gosh, we had to WALK ALL THE WAY DOWN THAT MOUNTAIN. It is just as bad going down a steep mountain as climbing up. Needless to say, when we got back to the bottom, everything was closed, including the father king's castle. I wanted to spend the night, but there were no rooms to be found. Sooooooo I missed seeing the other 2 castles of the mad King Ludwig II. His story is so neat and when I get home, I may journal the life of that king. Pretty interesting. He was crowned king at the age of 18 and died at the age of 23. He spent all of Germany's money on building extravagant castles. Believe me, they are getting every bit of it back now from all these tours. We drove down out of the mountains and it got dark. I am telling you, when it gets dark up there, IT IS DARK. We got home about midnight. Every bone in our body was hurting.

CHEAP GASOLINE IN EUROPE

2008-05-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

Memories of Switzerland I will take with me

We have been here for 5 weeks and I was really feeling good and telling everyone at home how cheap the gasoline is over here. I thought it was so great that, at least the gas won't cost that much. Everything else is sky rocket high. Well, we have driven to Germany, France, Italy, Austria and all over Switzerland without a worry. When we got here, I noticed the gasoline was 1.78 (not bad). I heard gas was up to $3.50 at home now. Well, today, we were driving to the castles and looking forward to our trip back to Germany tomorrow to see the fairytale castles, and we passed a service station. I noticed it said 1.85. I mentioned to John S. that gas had gone up to 1.85 a gallon now. (Still not too bad). Wellllllll, he broke my bubble real fast. He said that is 1.85 a liter. We filled the tank up and that baby cost $90.00. Man! it's a good thing tomorrow is our last trip over here. The next trip will be back to Zurich to catch the plane home to USA. I am feeling a little emotional about leaving here. It really has gone by fast, I think. I will miss the beautiful green rolling hills full of flowers and little red barns and chalets AND THOSE CHURCH BELLS RINGING AND ECHOING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ALL THE TIME. When we got here it was still cold and wintery. Now it is spring and everything has turned so green and the most beautiful huge tulips everywhere. It is so clean here and the air smells good. No pollution.The people here in Switzerland are doing something right. The kids are well behaved and respectful (all ages) and you never hear of a lot of crimes here. I miss everyone at home too and it is time to come home.

2008-05-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

chairs to tie little children in to make them be still
handpainted tiles for ovens that tell stories

John in Shackles (now I need these at home)

Kay beside old firewagon from 1700(leather water buckets on wall)

John with his stein at Morsburg Castle sidewalk cafe'
ummmm! Big Bowl Bailey's Ice Cream (chocolate, caramel and vanilla
Of course, Kay found the wine cellar Morsburg Castle Winterthur Switzerland
Bells from the tower that was destroyed in a war-Morsburg Castle - Winterthur

(I'm not really that fat - I have a big purse under my coat) Before Ice Cream

SCHLOSS MORSBURG (Castle) in Winterthur. Most of the towers and castle were destroyed in a war back when???? This castle was built in the 13th century. Very interesting but totally different in furnishings from the Kyburg Castle. I am infatuated with the bells in Switzerland. They ring over here all the time - not just one church - but all of them. They sound so beautiful and echo through the mountains. It is just like I had imagined it would be. John says I have bells in my belfry (I think he is mixed up-the saying goes- "bats in your belfry". On the ovens in these castles (there are several in each castle to keep them warm) they have handpainted pictures on them and when the mothers were cooking, the tiles also served as story books for the children. They also had small chairs to tie the children in so they would be quiet and stay out of trouble. Can you imagine your little ones running all through the castle? How would you ever know where they were? Tie them up, then you keep up with them. When we got through touring this castle we sat down at the sidewalk cafe beside the castle up on the mountain (other side of town from Kyburg Castle). Another beautiful view of town and the rolling hills so green. John had a stein and I had a fabulous Bailey's ice cream dessert. They are famous over here for their beautiful dessert bowls of ice cream with fruits on top and lots of whipped cream.

THE NEW GRISWALDS DISCOVER CASTLES

2008-05-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Entrance to Kyburg Castle

Kay in the Kitchen (it would be hard to cook and keep this one clean)

Kitchen Oven with handmade picture tiles (each tells a story)

John in the torture chamber with "Iron Maiden". Spears/Spikes inside

Forest drive up mountain to Schloss Kyburg (Castle)
Wooden covered 1 lane bridge over Toss River

Schloss Kyburg (Castle) Winterthur Switzerland
My knight in shining armour (the one with glasses on)

May 1 is a European Holiday (May Day) and they take their holidays serious. There was nothing open - not even restaurants. We decided to discover castles right here in Winterthur. We found out there were 4 castles right here under our nose. The first was SCHLOSS KYBURG. Oh , somebody forgot to tell me that castles are usually way up on top of mountains. We drove straight up the mountain and some places were drop offs on both sides. The view on the way up there was absolutely gorgeous and everything has turned so green since we arrived here 5 weeks ago. We drove through a beautiful forest and came up on an old wooden covered bridge that crossed the Toss River. Now I am talking, it was scary, but I had to see this bridge. It was one lane and even had a wooden floor. When we finally got to the top of the mountain there was a problem- no parking places. We had to drive on the other side of the mountain to park then walk back around to the castle. It was worth it because I have never seen anything like this before. Can you imagine this old castle was built in 10th century. We just kept going up stairs and through huge rooms. If I lived in there, I would never find my way around. There were little sections cut out of wall at the end of the rooms called the chat room (if it didn't have a door) and a secret room (if it did have a door) It had a washbowl in there. It was smaller than a tiny closet. Well, there you go, I found another kind of bathroom here. In the dining room the table was set and the Mother and Father got a spoon, fork and knife each. The boys got a knife and fork. The girls only got a knife. Now that is discrimination I'm telling you. We went to the basement and it was the torture chamber with this big iron thing called "Iron Maiden". They put people in it and shut it but it was full of spears and spikes all around it. In one of the upper rooms was a long table and funny looking chairs around and up above it. That was the court of justice room where the nobles and landvogts tried prisoners. The view was beautiful from the top of the high tower where the cannons sat. I was really prepared. Tried to get some really good pictures toward the end of the tour and my camera would not work. I saw on the screen that my disc was full. I had used a whole 1mb . I was so mad. We still have more castles to go to and no room left on my camera. Everything is closed today and nowhere to buy another one. We were going to stay up there on the mountain at a nice restaurant we found was open. They served fondue. Now, everyone knows how much we love to fondue and duh! fondue comes from Switzerland. We checked the bill of lading and I saw the price and said "no way". Then John S. got mad because I would not spend $45 each to fondue. Now we are both mad and still a whole day to go. Not a word was said on the way down the mountain. We came back to the condo and ate a sandwich then left to go to another castle. I just erased some pictures that didn't really mean much so I would have enough memory to get some pictures at the next castle , that is, if we get over our mad mood. I should have left him in the torture chamber and I would have, but I wasn't going to drive down that mountain by myself.

WHEN IN FRANCE....DO AS THE FRENCH DO

2008-04-29T10:52:00.001-07:00

Mama and her long brown cigars

Your mother has lost her everloving mind. Gone to the cigars now and loves that French wine.

This is the result of the trip through the Alps. I come in from work and this is what I see. I've got to bring her home. Who knows what she will do next. Daddy

NOTES......I FORGOT TO MENTION

2008-04-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

I got so involved with the toilets and food in France, I forgot to tell you about the toilets in Italy. They looked normal when you went into the stall (like ours). The difference was you stood on a wire grate and the entire time you are peeing, the water is flushing and a few seconds later water sprays under your feet (under the grate with a drain in it) . It was quite an experience wondering where is the water going to spray next. I could not find where to flush so I assumed it flushed the entire time you are in there. There were no buttons or flush units on the floor. I did hit the wall, but nothing happened. Oh well!

You know what I saw when we first got over into Italy? We stopped to get gasoline and snacks and there was a couple outside kissing (big deal) uh, no, it was. They were almost doing more, if you get the picture. Then I heard some guys talking italian. ahhhh! yes. I thought I am finally here. It is soooooo romantic. Then the service station attendant starting yelling over at someone that pulled into a pump. He got so mad and we don't know what he was saying but he told John he was not saying it to him. We were laughing. ahhhhh! mama mia!

We are going castle searching next weekend. Can you believe I am giving up a trip to Venice Italy (my very favorite dream) to go looking at castles? Well, I am. I cannot stand the idea of traveling through those Alps again. No way. I am still dizzy over the last 3 trips and will give up the Italian Romance in Venice and go look at castles in Switzerland and Germany instead. It is a 7 hour drive and most of it is through mountains. We have 4 days off over the weekend and then only 3 days left before we leave for USA. Been here 5 weeks but...........they are asking John to stay one more week. We have not decided yet. I have been over here so long now, I am catching myself saying words in German and French. "Merci"-thank you.

ARIVADERCHI - ROMANCE????

2008-04-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Driving @ 100km around mountains in Alps
Snow covered mountain we drove around and through tunnel
One of many tunnels we drove in and through the Alps

I was so excited that now, we are heading for Italy. Things are gonna be good now. OOPS! Just like before, we can't read or understand any of the signs on the highway. There was another big problem. We had to go back through the Alps. When we went through them the first time into France was scary enough. My foot was almost putting a hole in the floorboard braking for John S. and his speed limit going around and inside tunnels through those huge snow covered mountains. BUT now, we are later in the day going through them. There were places you could look off the side and see villages way down at the bottom. Now everyone knows how I feel about traveling in the mountains. They are pretty to look at - that is , in the distance, or going beside them but different going up in them. I kept moaning and groaning thinking he would slow down but then I would have to groan a little stronger to make him slow down. (He does love that Mercedes). It is amazing how you are coming right up to a mountain and I could see this one huge snow covered one thinking we will go beside it. No. You go through it. That's right, they have built tunnels all over those things and you drive for miles in a tunnel. I would rather do that than go along the edge looking down. We finally got through all the tolls in Italy and through the Alps and came into Milan. Oh, I could hardly wait. The traffic had been terrible like 5:00 traffic in Dallas. It is about 6:30 pm Sunday. Now what can you do at that time there. Sure can't shop. Everything is probably closed. All I could see were those Alps ahead of us and we had to travel 5 hours to get back home. Well, I started pouting and John said he would bring me back next weekend just to Milan. I said no it is too far and still kept pouting. I said I had always wanted to go to Italy and go to a restaurant and be serenaded by a romantic italian singer over candlelight. John said "let's just eat here then so you can experience that". We told "Miss Gips" to find a restaurant close and take us there. Well, now we are going to find out what kind of person this "Miss Gips" is. mmmmmm! not so good. SHE TOOK US TO THE "HOOD". We definitely were in the wrong side of town. It was getting later and I just kept saying I wanted to get through those mountains before dark. Well, WE DIDN'T. I was a total nervous wreck . That was the scariest trip I ever took through those mountains at night. It was DARK DARK DARK. Speed was 100km. Can you believe that? Driving around those sharp curves literally inside and out of those huge mountains. I was doing more than moaning and groaning on that trip. You can imagine what I was saying and doing. Poor daddy. I had actually grown some fingernails out but they are sure gone now and smoking was hot and heavy. We got home a little after midnight with some stories to tell and memories to keep forever.

TOLLGATES - TAKE A TICKET OR PAY UP FRONT

2008-04-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

As we were cruising down the autobahn enjoying the beautiful scenery, we came up on a toll as we entered France. Now understand John S. was driving 120 -200 km and as we got close, we noticed a big building and parking and lots of people stopping. It said something like cash exchange or money change---but we kept on going. Now we have come to a tollgate. We drive up and get a ticket. Pull on through, get down the road and I mentioned we are now going to have to use euro not francs. We drove for miles wondering if they would take francs and thinking we really should have stopped at the money exchange and gotten some euros. He wasnt too worried (like I was) because he thought he could just use the credit card. We still worried that, what if they don't take credit card. We stopped along the way at these service stations you can get food, etc. at on the tollway. He asked the guy if the toll gate would take credit card. He shrugged his shoulders like "don't know". John asked if he took credit card so we could get some cash from it in euro. He shook his head no. Well we had some francs so John said could he exchange the francs for euro. He acted a little aggrevated and showed on paper the money exchange. John said ok. The guy changed it and made $12-$15 off us. I think it was more but he didn't want to hear me gripe. We feel safe now going down the road. Well, we get to the tollgate and look at the signs to see which one to go through - credit cards cash or tolltag. He chose to go through the toll tag. go figure. don't ask me why? Well that did'nt work so he BACKED UP. YEP! You got it. In all the traffic of cars pulling up - HE BACKED UP. Now he pulls next to it (credit card) and puts his MC in the slot when he figured out how to do it. NOPE. Would not take it. They only take Amer. Express and their own country type cards. So, here we go backing up AGAIN with cars honking and my eyes closed, he goes to the next gate (when a car nicely let him in) and it has a person in the booth. He told her what had happened and that the credit card machine kept his toll ticket and what should he do. She didn't speak real good english but handed him a piece of paper and he wrote down it was 13.70 euro. He gave her 13.70 euro and we were on our way again. In Italy, you have to go through tolls every few miles. Their highways weren't too good either. I have all the tickets so I can count up exactlyhow many times we paid on that one highway and how much total it cost us to drive that highway in Italy. One time we stopped for a toll and it cost 33.70 euro . That is about $50.00 USD. It was to go through a tunnel for about 15-20 miles long. Well after my experience with those beautiful mountains I have been taking so many pictures of and ohhhhhing and ahhhhing over, believe me, I would have paid $100. to go through that tunnel. Now that is another story - the Alps. Oh Lord, just get me home.

PICTURES CAN BE DECEIVING

2008-04-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Lunch in France at les lyonnais Bouchon Saint-Antoine
Notre-Dame de Fourviere basilica-Lyon France
on Fourviere Hill overlooks the city built 1872

Views from our hotel balcony-Lyon France
John and new waiter at restaurant in Lyon, France

He was so nervous, he dropped the adding machine tape from his

machine and it unrolled all over the place. I held it in place so he could roll

it back up into the machine.He was very embarrassed He was very sweet.

Our hotel in Lyon France, according to the internet, looked fantastic. The reviews were good and It showed big spacious nice rooms and had choice of bathroom with tub or shower. I checked the reviews and they were all good. Picture shows a big white hotel that stands alone with a big sign on top with the name on it . mmmmmmmmm! It took us 2 hours to finally find it. "Miss Gips" kept telling us "you have reached your destination" but we could not find it anywhere. We were tired and frustrated. It was 7 pm and all the shops had closed but still lots of people walking around. France is all about nightlife. We finally found a parking place and got out to walk and try to find it. I saw a very nice looking lady locking her shop and went over and asked if she spoke english. I was afraid to walk very far from the car because we might never find it again. The lady was very nice and helpful and walked us down the street to show us where it should be. It was on a pedestrian street 2 blocks away on those narrow little streets (like the one daddy tried to drive on in another town). The hotel was just one of many tall old buildings that seemed to all look alike. The name was just above the door. We went in and the girl at front desk was very nice and told us we could park 2 blocks away at a parking garage that was also an oil station. He would give hotel guests a cut rate. We walked 2 blocks to park the car there and the guy told us it would be 10 euro. Problemo-once we put the car in there it stayed until the next day. He told us to leave car unlocked and key inside. NO WAY JOSEA! We didnt feel too good about that but oh well. We got our suitcase and treched back to the hotel. The elevator sounded awful like that was the last time it was going to move. Well, once I tried to go up on it and it was stuck on 3rd floor and the boy works there ran up 3 flights of stairs to get it unstuck. He came running back down and it was still stuck. He went in the storage room and turned it off then came back and said to try it. OK. It worked so I got on. It made a terrible noise again and I thought I was going to be stuck in that little 2 man elevator all night. It made it but I started using the stairs. When we got into the room it was about the size of my bedroom at mothers house. The little back bedroom. UH! We stood there and laughed. I opened the door to the balcony and was afraid to step outside because I was afraid it would crumble and fall. I did though, so I could smoke. It was a very clean room and smelled good. I had read review of some that smelled like pee. I have since learned that rooms in Europe are relatively small. The people were nice there at the desk and very helpful. They told us about a nice restaurant to eat at. Our view was not real good but it was ok. It was noisy down the streets all night till very early morning. Remember this is France and the nightlife is-------. We decided to stay and it was very nice. They served a very nice breakfast the next morning. And, there was quite a few people staying there. (Wonder if they saw the same picture on internet that I did).The guy at the parking garage , the next morning, told us it was 13 euro (not 10) . That happened to us a lot in France. Well, we tried to leave and there was a huge running marathon going on. The police had all the streets on that side of the river blocked. Great. "Miss Gips" was trying to navigate us out of there and could'nt because of the marathon. We ended up walking up and down the river and found out they have market day on the river on Sunday. It was fun. They were selling everything from flowers, meat, flowers, veggies and fruits. There were some amazing buildings to see, such as the Notre-Dame de Fourviere basilica on top of Fourviere hill, overlooking the city. We had a terrible time finding our way out of that town and was later leaving than we planned in order to get to Milano, Italy. Now that was another amazing experience. ITALY. The one country I have wanted to go to ALL MY LIFE.

MY FAVORITE STOPOVER

2008-04-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

John and I on Chapel Bridge Lucerne Switzerland . Castle Meggenhornon on hill in background. Bridge goes to Jesuit Church we toured.

Covered Wooden Spreuer Bridge over Reuss River. Jesuit Church in background.

Lion Monument-Lucerne Switzerland. Carved out of rock mountain to honor the swiss guards during the French Revolution that died (more than 700) defending their royal family Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette and their children.

John S. on the covered wooden bridge. The eaves have old painted pictures of the history of Lucerne and the wars fought.

We were on our way to France and Italy but - I had been working on the itinerary and found a really quaint town to see on the way. It was called Lucerne (English and French) Lucerna (Italian) and Luzern (swiss and german). Well our GPS (poor thing) does'nt know what language she is and got confused as to where we wanted to go. I checked the road map thinking we should be getting there , but their road maps make no sense at all. Sure enough we had missed it. I was so mad at "Gips" (GPS) because that was one place I really wanted to see. It was built in 750. wow. In 1168 a walking wooden bridge was built over river Reuss to connect to the church. Lots of medieval stuff here I love to see. Just think who all must have walked on those old cobblestone streets in these old towns like Lyon France and Lucerne. I could almost see Picasso or Napolean coming down the street. I kept telling John all of this so he turned around and went back. That's when our trip started getting messed up. We spent way too much time there and on top of all that, it was up in the Alps (another BIG story).

EXPERIENCE A NEW TOILET....AND FOOD !

2008-04-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

John S. in the toilet - Lyon France

My Ravioli (never did see a ravioli in that dish) with strange fish on top.

Well, we are back from our big trip to France and Italy. All countries in Europe are different as in houses, roads, food, and TOILETS. You have read the experiences we have had with toilets. OK-are you ready for France and Italy? In France, they are called toilette's. Easy enough -ok - We went to a very nice restaurant to eat dinner and daddy came back from toilet grinning and said "you will not believe this" , "the men and women use the same toilet and there is just a petition between. If a woman is washing her hands and wants to look, she can see the men through the mirror standing at the urinals. " Now I had to check this out and you got it, I could see a man over there. ok. The next day we were down by the river at the market day and we had to use the toilet. This is different. See the picture. I laughed my head off because a woman came by as daddy was in the men's part. At least the women have a door. Men have to wash hands outside at a faucet. The food in France is fantastic. They do know how to cook. I had a ravioli wrapped in some kind of green vegetable like lettuce leaf with a slice of some kind of fish or unknown meat on top. It was not like any ravioli I had ever seen or eaten but it had a cheese and wine sauce. Never did see the ravioli though. I, of course, had a glass of wine. John had baked fish and they stood there and cut the fish head off and scraped the bone off. He said his was very good also. I had ravioli the next day too (it was the only thing I recognized on the menu and could read). Well, it looked entirely different. It was a bowl of raviolis stuffed with (I don't know what) and a wine sauce. It was also delicious. John had beef stragonoff and wine of course.

GOODBYE HEIDI, MY FRIEND

2008-04-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

Heidi , my housekeeper, just stopped by. She said "Holy Day-ok?" I said ok wondering what she was telling me that for. She got a sad face look then went to her locked closet and took a bunch of cleaning stuff out and gave it to me along with trash bags, etc. She usually takes the towels, and bedding to wash on Thursday and brings it back on Friday and puts it in her locked closet for the next week. Today, she put the towels up in my closet and said "ok?" again, I said ok. What in the world is she doing? She started to leave and looked at me sad and said "problem" then said "Carmen". uh oh, I thought there might be a problem with Carmen. (She is in charge of the condo from CCI) I was afraid that the balcony door not locking yesterday and having the repairman over upset Carmen. I thought ,maybe Carmen is sending us home early. After my usual worrying, I thought - Maybe Heidi was trying to say "Holiday" instead of "Holy Day" and I won't see her anymore before I leave because she reached out sad to hug me when she was leaving. Well, we leave Thursday, May 8 for home and she comes to clean on Thursdays. She is really my good friend. I will miss our "talks" in 2 different languages where we laugh and make hand signs for communication and facial expressions especially with that washing machine .

What If I Can't Smoke?

2008-04-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Heidi, the maid, is here. She is so cute. I got a pic of her sitting in the floor trying to make that washing machine go again and us laughing. My balcony door is not shutting good and won't lock so she called and the superintendent to come up. He said he could only get someone out next week hopefully to fix it. He locked it and said I could not unlock it until it is fixed. ooops! This means "oh no, how do I get outside to smoke?" I am 3 stories up. Heidi was so funny. Our communication is hilarious. She went to the bedroom window and opened it out and leaned outside and played like she was smoking and said "yeah?" She was meaning for me to go to the bedroom window and lean out to smoke. ha Well, the man just came and fixed it. Yeah! It was a technical problem - not anything I had done. The man spoke English too. Now it is fixed. Whew!

What? No Bathroom?

2008-04-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

Daddy and I have been working on the iteniary for this weekend and he is going to call for reservations at the Residence Hotel in Lyon France and hopefully get a room for Saturday night. I really wanted to come on home, but there is just too much to see and not enough time plus about a 5 or 6 hour trip. Wanna hear something funny? I found out when I was reading reviews on the hotels trying to decide which one, that you better remember to ask for a bathroom. Not all rooms have separate bathrooms in even the fancy hotels in France. Would that not have been funny? Can't you just see Daddy and I walking into our room and have no bathroom.ha

LIVING IN WINTERTHUR SWITZERLAND

2008-04-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

For a month we will be experiencing new cultures, new languages, and oh boy, new food. Food like I have never eaten before. We have tried the beef and it is very chewey. People over here are not overweight because they chew on the same bite of meat all day long. Who knows, it could be horse. They do eat that over here and think it is good. I WILL NOT TRY THAT. The only meat we can eat is chicken and german sausage. It is good. The view I have from the balcony is breathtaking and I love the chalets all over town. We cant tell what we are buying at the store so it is a surprise when we go to eat. I bought what I thought was a zucchini (the sign looked like it spelled it and it looked like a zucchini BUT when I sliced it and fried it - nope - it was cucumber. Don't ever try to fry cucumbers. It is nasty. It is also very hard to read instructions on the box. I just guess. ummm sometimes it was'nt a good guess. We have ended up a couple of times going out to Micky D's (yep, they got those here and they are good). Won't tell how much they cost. People over here rent or buy little shacks and a tiny piece of land to grow gardens and flowers. I know now why they all do this. It is because the meat and veggies are so high and so bad, they just grow their own. They make it an all day family affair to go to these little places on the hillsides on weekends to take care of their gardens. The little shacks on their property hold their gardening tools and seed, etc. Every day is a new experience for us. We were on a trip and needed to stop at the restroom. We kept looking for rest areas and figured out the sign WC means "Water Closet" (restrooms). When we go to Germany the signs say "Pissoir" (that also means restroom). Now when you flush the toilets in Germany, you hit the wall behind the toilet. There is nothing there, you just hit the wall and it flushes. I am serious. I kept looking for the handle or something to flush the toilet and I saw a pic of a hand hitting the wall so I did and it flushed.

2008-04-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

Exploring Europe

2008-04-23T04:15:00.000-07:00

Julie Andrews The Sound of Music

Well, we have entered a whole different culture. It is so much fun but confusing at times. Our first weekend was traveling to Munich Germany with a stopover in Austria. I know I heard Julie Andrews singing a song on the radio from "The Sound of Music" as we were driving through this beautiful snowcovered Alps country. We arrived in Munich at the parking garage and took 15 min. to figure out how to get a ticket for the gate to open. We went to Old Town Munich and saw structures built back in the 1100 - 1500. That was a LONG time ago. Everything was absolutely beautiful down to the carillon in the tower of the town hall that dances around at noon and 3 pm. Food was fantastic there (hard to read what we were eating). They do eat horse over here. Now USA needs these: the toilets have a container of cleaner that cleans the seats when you flush. The seat actually turns in a circle as the cleaner sprays it clean. Went to the Hofbrauhaus beerhouse and everyone was dressed in traditional clothing, band was playing typical beerdrinking german music, people hollering, no empty tables unless you sit down with a bunch of happy drunks at a long table for 16-20 people. It was too noisy so we left. We came, we saw, and we left - went to a quaint romantic restaurant and had the same beer and wine and weinerschnitzel. I thought it was going to be like a hot dog, but it came out like a fried pork chop with the best german potato salad. After a full day of walking, we started home. Now John S. loves the autobahn. It has no speed limit and it was like a racetrack. Stay out of the left lane unless you are racing. John S. really likes the mercedes we were in and took it to 200m -uh-sometimes I would look and it was at 250m. OK, it was time to step in and slow it down. I wanted to get back in one piece. Driving through long tunnels is nothing here. They just build a tunnel on hwy instead of going over the mountain or cutting through it. Whew, we made it home in one piece. Next report will be our trip to the Stein amRhein Falls. It is a castle and you climb down the mountain to the largest waterfalls in Europe.

Welcome to your blog!!!

2008-04-20T14:30:00.001-07:00

You are all set now. You are an official blogger and we can not wait to hear and see all about your adventures in Switzerland!!!
Love You,
Diana & Cheri