Fun on DuLac's

It seems like every place we've been has been on water....the last week was no exception. We traveled south to Lugano which is on Luganosee and took a day trip by boat from one small village to another, stopping for lunch in Marcote which was lovely....then the next day we had the Como Lugano experience....which was much like the "Great Race". We left Lugano by boat and travelled up the lake to Porlezza. We then had about 1/2 hour to waste before catching a bus to Menaggio. So we had coffee which also helped to warm up, as it was a rainy day. The bus was an experience all in itself. The hairpin turns down the side of a mountain while passing other busses and trucks on a narrow road was scarry....and it wasn't just one hairpin turn but one after another all the way down. The view of the lake and the villages across the way was incredible as well. When we got off the bus....we had a 5 minute walk to the dock where the ferry left from....so we hustled over and just got there in time to debark for Bellagio...but that was not the first stop....so we had to get back on and wait till we finally landed in Bellagio where we were supposed to have 1 hour and 20 minutes to see the sites....but by the time we found out where the next leg of the trip started, and we had lunch we only had about 15 minutes to shop, which meant I only purchased a couple of postcards and headed for the dock and hastily took pictures. The next mode of transportation was a hydrofoil down to Como with only a couple of stops along the way. By the time we got to Como....the rain had stopped. But because of the rain, all the waterfalls along the lake were spectacular and the low hanging clouds gave the mountains a new beauty. In Como we quickly found the bus stop and our bus to Ponto Chiassa arrived before I could run to the Mac Donalds to use the bathroom....so no time to dilly dally there. When we got to Chiassa, we had to walk across the border of Italy back into Switzerland and find the bahnhof (train station) back to Lugano, and walked a few blocks in the wrong direction and stopped to ask directions and ended up walking back to the border crossing and asking one of the guards where the train station was....and he pointed and said it was about 30 meters up the road....the opposite direction we had walked in the first place. Anyway we then took a train back to Lugano and then a funicular down the hill into the middle of town....and then walked to a bus stop and took a city bus back to our hotel.....now all of this was done in a span of 7 hours or less. The Amazing Race!!!! From Lugano we headed back north to Lucerne and stayed a long the lake in a Swiss Chalet with a beautiful view of the lake. Breakfast each morning was served outside on a patio overlooking the lake and it was beautiful. Life on DuLac's is wonderful. m

Only One More Week

Last week we traveled to Titisea in the Black Forest and Basil in Switzerland. Today we will drive to Appenzell and tomorrow we will head south to Logano and points beyond. I can't wait to get home and upload more pictures for all of you to see. In Basil we went to six museums and saw some amazing works of art. We dined in great restuarants as well. Yesterday we got to go with Reudi and Karen to Geoffrey's band competition marching portion. On Saturday they finished 2nd in the music portion....and yesterday they had to march about 6 blocks playing and got judged on that and finished 6th out of 17 band in that category. I don't know what place they were overall. It was fun anyway and then we went to a big tent where an old time band was playing and we had wurst and beer (I had wine) and listened to the music. Gary's friends also joined us for the day. I believe a good time was had by all.

Another Beautiful Day in Paradise

Today we are in Tittisee in southern Germany in the Black Forest. It is a beautiful resort town on a beautiful lake. Tomorrow we will head back into Switzerland and the citz of Basil. We plan on Spending two days there and will probably head back to Marbach on Saturday as Geoffrey will be playing in a band competition. On Monday, we plan on taking a train trip frist down to Lake Como and then Lucerne, Zermatt, Interlaken and Bern and then back to Marbach and on the following Wednesday we head home. I can´t believe how fast the time is flying. m

God's Counry

After spending 2 days in Vienna including a tour of the schoenbrun Palace and attending the opera "The Magic Flute". We headed towards Marbach....but got side-tracked by this little very old town of Hallstadt. It is on a ledge at the foot of a mountain that has been mined for salt since 800 BC and on a beautful Lake called the Hallstadtersee. We fell in love and found an apartment on the lake and decided to stay the nite.....but by morning, we wanted to stay another....so we did. Breakfast on the edge of the lake in our backyard was cold cuts and bread that we had bought fresh was one of the highlights. We wandered the area on foot and did some shopping and found a little resturant a half a block from our apartment and had dinner again on the lake....but this time we had sauerkraut and potatoe duplings....makes you really feel like you are in Austria!!! By Saturday nite we were back in Marbach after touring several more lakes and quaint towns. Sunday Mother's Day Reudi and Karen took us to the Rhine Falls about a two hour drive on the German border....and then to Stein a Rhine another quaint town with beautiful paintings decorating the buildings and the town band playing in the market square for all the mothers.
Yesterday we drove back to Zurich and visited a friend of Gary's who took us by train up a mountain and on a 4.9 kilometer hike back down along a stream and into the town of Küsnacht and by boat back to Zurich and then by train back to his home in the suburbs. So it has been one beautiful day after another....I truely think this is God's Country!!!

Tale of Two Towns

We spent the better part of two days trying to find some clues to our heritage, but had no luck. We did meet the only remaining Hirt family, but the husband had rescently passed away at 76....and his wife knew of no other Hirt families....cept one her husbands Uncle that had moved to the US in the 30´s but she didn´t even know where in the U.S. that was. But she was a charming women, and took us to two other homes of people who may have known something of the Hirts or Scheiber´s....but one women was at the hospital visiting her partner...and the other really didn´t know anything. But Reudi bought me the book of the history of Lockenhaus...which has many pictures, only it is written in German....Karen will interpret or translate interesting portions for us. In Deutchgerisdorf where the Sherman´s are from we went to the cemetary and took many pictures of headstones. So evidence of Hirt, Sherman and Scheiber´s is still very much here...but nothing of a Stefan ever. We did dispell the myth that grandma was impregnated by the prince at the castle....as it was in ruins for the last 200 years until in 1979 someone bought it and restored it to it´s present day site. He may have been a soldier, but we don´t know of any wars that were taking place at that time....or he may be a Hungarian as Hungary is only a few kilometers away. Or maybe grandma just made the name up....we can´t figure it out. But it is a beautiful area and will send pictures when I am able.
We are now in Vienna and Karen and Reudi have left us and gone back to Marbach...we will do somemore touring and return to Marbach on Saturday, before we take off on another adventure. Loving the country and have tasted many great pastries, but there Krupfins are not Grupfins and the poppystrudel isn´t as good as mine or moms. We´ll have to try a few more bakeries to test them all. Love, m

Tales of the WC

My first day on vacation was spent mostly on airplanes....but it was very short as on the airplane we boarded in NY we set our watches to Swiss time, so my birthday May 2 was celebrated for about 30 hours. Most of the plane ride was uneventful cept the take off in Newark.....we boarded at 6 p.m. and didnt leave the ground till 8:15 p.m. but once in the air things went fine....just a bit of a backup on the takeoff and landing strip.
So once in Switzerland...9:30 a.m. on May 2 my story begins....we landed and got the rental car a Renault stationwagon and headed for Zeruck to see the city. Once finding a parking ramp, we couldn't get the car to lock....some nice people who parked next to us tryed to help, and even called Hertz and followed all the instructions in german but it still would't lock....so they sent out a service man to fix it for us....well in the mean time I had to find a bathroom and was sent across the street to a WC (a large cylander shaped thing, that cost 1 franc to enter, only I only had 2 franc coins....so I paid 2 francs to get into this thing. The door automoatically open once the coin is inplace and then you step in and the door closes and everything seems wet...well it is! You do your thing...but cannot find a handle to flush the toilet, so I touch the handle and the door opens and you step out and the door closes behind you and then you hear it flushes and totally washes down the whole inside (Karen suggests if I stayed longer i might have gotten a shower for the same price!
Back to the car....a man finally arrives and somehow fixes the problem, but we had to pull out of the parking ramp for him to do so, and then he wanted to charge us 170 francs. We refused and said we wanted to talk to Hertz....and the man angry got in his truck and left. So we were off to see Zurich.
As in the last months bathrooms have become my friend....I decided I would write on all the interesting things i found. At the airport the bathrooms were very clean....but i had a little problem trying to find the button to flush as it was a metal plate on the wall, that didnt look at all like it would be it....but it was. At one of our first stops (Starbucks) we needed a code to type on a keypad to get in....but free to the costomers. Later as I needed to find one again....we walked by a McDonalds so I walked in and down one flight of stairs to find the restuarant counter and looked left and saw a sign pointing up another set of stairs to the toilets....So I raced another young women up 2 flights of stairs and was happy to find 3 stalls there. Once to Karens (which is a lovely old 1700's home, but has interesting plumbing) I needed instructions on how to flush as one toilet had a no tank, but a pipe with a knob above the seat which needs to be turned on as you would a faucet....and off again to stop the water....and then another toilet on the main floor that has an oblong metal piece cut into the traditional ceramic cover of the tank that you press to make it flush. All this and the wonderful bathrooms on the airplane....and it has been an intersting and informing trip so far.
Karen and Reudi served us a wonderful dinner and gave us a tour of their business and then after dinner took us to their tasting room which had a surprise cake and balloons with cows on them and swiss ribbons and then served us our choice of several brandies....It was a wonderful and long birthday....Love you all, more soon. m

Doctors Visit

I had a CT scan last Friday and saw my oncologist yesterday a.m. and he said he felt silly examining me with a CT scan that looked that good....I don't need to go back till October....6 whole months!!! Hurrah!!! Thank you all for the prayers, they do work! Love ya, m

Unpacking and Repacking for Switzerland

I got home on Thursday, and I leave this Thursday, May 1, for my trip to Switzerland with Kathleen and Gary. We will be staying with cousin Karen (Aunt Loretta's daughter) for almost a month (4 weeks). We will be at Grandpa Schieber's birthplace on the 4-6th of May as well. Hope to get more information about his real father....Leo Stefan....or at least more information about his mom Theresa Hirt. I hope to update this blog along the way. So stay tuned! Love ya all, m

On the road again!

I'm in Chicago for a week to help watch the grandkids while Tom and Karen are off in different directions or passing in the night! Can't believe how much Presley has grown. She talks all the time....but not as much as William. He has me playing baseball with him....I'll be in super shape for my trip to Switzerland. In a little while we'll be walking to the school to pick up Kennedy...then driving to get Emily and taking Kennedy to dance class....in the morning Will and Kennedy have hockey, then a brownie tea for Kennedy which Karen hopes to be home for...then I think she has soccer in the afternoon.....makes me tired thinking about it. But it's fun to be with them. Love to all, m

A Few Pictures From My Trip to Sedona

Reality Check

Got home late Tuesday nite to weather in the 30's, hadn't felt that since I left the beginning of March. But even so....it was nice to be home. Janet did a magnificent job of taking care of my house for me....much better than I do. It was nice to have her here and not having to worry about anything. Thanks Janet....you are my favorite cousin today.
Been busy since I returned....delivered Meals on Wheels both Wednesday and today....and yesterday I had my teeth cleaned and saw the surgeon that did my surgery. He thinks I'm doing great...and gave me permission to eat anything I want. I went right out and bought 3lbs of almonds....I've been craving them. I can't wait to eat a great salad too! I need to come back in 6 months....so all is well. Love to all, m

Last Day in Paradise!

I can't believe my days are up! We hiked in a State Park yesterday afternoon, and then finished up the food in the house for dinner and started packing for home. This morning we ate breakfast out at a local must! The Coffee Pot in the shadows of the rock formation by the same name. Today we are running errands and condo shopping for next year for Bonnie (not to say I might not visit her again!)
We hope to bring sunshine back with us when we leave tomorrow. We have to drive to Vegas for the plane trip, so we will be out of here by 10 a.m. (our plane doesn't leave till 6:00 p.m.) and we don't get in till 11 p.m. MN time. I hear it is snowing today in MN. So we are dressing in layers....the less to pack, in our over stuffed suitcases. See you all soon! Love from Sunny Arizona, m

The Last Friday

What a great relaxing day yesterday was....I think today will be the same. We went uptown and shopped yesterday, gathering those things to take home for the grandkids and those items I just couldn't leave behind for myself. Then after lunch Bonnie and I had massages again at the massage school not far from her condo. It felt so good. Then had a relaxing evening, and today we are going to another area to look at the shops and Bonnie has to work this afternoon. So tonite we are going out for dinner in uptown at a well known mexican restuarant...the same one Kathleen and I ate at about 11 years ago. It has great views of the red rocks and great food to boot. I bet the margarita's are great too! Hiking another vortex tomorrow and grilling steak....we need to empty the freezer before we leave on Tuesday. I think that is the last meat we have...so may have to eat out a lot this weekend and Monday. Hate the thought of leaving this warmth when it hasn't warmed any since I left Minnesota. Still the same snow and cold. It will be a rude awakening on Tuesday nite. So till I can make this computer work again...I'll sign off. m

Montezuma's Revenge

Yesterday, March 25, we drove up Oak Creek Canyon, and hiked at two different locations and had a picnic lunch, then we drove the rest of the way up for a spectacular view of the whole canyon. It was a very enjoyable day, but as we got home, I hit the bathroom and was in there every five minutes for the evening....I guess it was that dairy queen we stoped at on the way home....but the hot fudge sundae really tasted good sitting outside in the sun while we ate it. By bedtime, it had subsided and was all good for the evening. Then this morning, Wednesday, March 26 we headed for Cottonwood and Montezuma's Castle and spent a enjoyable morning there listening to a park ranger and a Hopi native talk about his tribe. Then on the way home we were starving so we went to the Airport Restuarant for lunch and I couldn't resist ordering a Chicken Fajita Quesidilla for lunch, and wouldn't you know it, but I spent the next hour back in the bathroom. I guess I better either take two lactiads before eating dairy or abstain all together. But I love those dairy products so much....I need to figure this out before going to Switzerland and all that great cheese! Love ya, m

Computer Glich!

For some reason, this wireless connection doesn't work all the time, and sometimes I can read my email, but can't get into this blog....so needless to say it has been days since you heard from me.
Saturday Bonnie and I hiked in to a vortex...along a creek under cathedral rock. It was a beautiful day and so fun to see the cairns that people had built in the rocks. Sunday I went to church and it was a wonderful service...with only a few tears. Easter last year is when Gene really started going downhill fast. He didn't even go to church with me. But I talked to all the kids and that made me feel so much better. I don't think I want to be away from all of them at Easter again though. It felt like something was missing all day. Bonnie's friends invited us over for dinner along with another couple....so it was nice to be with people having a ham dinner to make the day seem a little normal. It was gorgeous weather...and I got to wear my new easter outfit.
Yesterday Bonnie and I drove up to the Grand Canyon and really had another good day. We road a shuttle along the rim out to Hermits rest and back getting off to walk along the edge and see the views several times. Then we drove east along the rim and stopped at several more spots to get out and see the Grand View. We didn't get back to the condo till about 6:30, and kinda just rested on the couch the rest of the evening.
Today we are going hiking in Oak Creek Canyon...and tomorrow to Montezuma's Well. Have to get in all the sites before the end of the week...as next Tuesday we leave for Vegas and cold points beyond! I can't believe what crappy weather MN is having....sure glad I'm here. Love ya, m

Good Friday in more ways than one

Friday, March 21
The sun is shinning, not a cloud in the sky, the birds are singing and gather in the area behind our patio and graze on bugs and seeds we throw out for them...the flowers are blooming and it is warmer every day. Yesterday I was on my own again....so I took my walk through the park and adjoining area of condos in a sleeveless top. Then I sat in the sun and read for awhile. After Bonnie got home we went to a labyrinth to walk and meditate that is only a couple of blocks from Bonnie's condo. Her friend told us about it the day before. We may beable to walk to this one. Then we got ready for dinner. I treated Bonnie for dinner last nite as it was her birthday, and then we went to church at the Catholic church in town. But they used so much incense and so often, it was like we were sitting in a cloud and Bonnie got a bad headache....she is rethinking going back for Easter Sunday service with me. Other than the incense....it was a nice service, and most of the readings were read in both english and spanish...so a different experience for me.
Today we are going to look at some condo's that will be for rent next year. Bonnie is trying to decide if she will stay in this area or go to the Village of Oak Creek kind of a suburb of Sedona and a little more rural. They have some condo's on a golf course that we are going to look at. Then we will go to church for the Good Friday service at 1 p.m. and get our walk in this a.m. before it is too hot. Don't know what the rest of the day will bring, but I'll let you know tomorrow. Love m

The swallows return to Capistrano

Hi, It's March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, and the swallows return to Capistrano. It was such a beautiful day here....we picked up a high school classmate of Bonnie's, after doing the weekly cleaning of the condo. We headed to Uptown Sedona for lunch, shopping and to get on the trolley that took us on a tour of the area and canyons. It was fun and stopped to take a few pictures and learned a lot about the area. Then late afternoon we went back to Judy's home which is only two blocks from Bonnies unit and she had a surprise birthday cake for Bonnie...who's birthday is tomorrow. She was so thrilled. Couldn't remember the last time she had a birthday cake. We had a fun day and are taking it easy again this evening. Watching TV. Last nite I made Bonnie watch the "Biggest Loser" and will probably make it do it again next week. But on Thursday evenings she makes me watch "Lost" but I don't watch, I read...finished my "Be the Surprise" this a.m. and now am on to some fiction. Tomorrow Bonnie has to work at the library again, and I am taking her out for dinner for her birthday...it is the 20th. Then we'll go to the Maundy Thursday service at the Catholic church here in Sedona, on Friday we're going to the Lutheran Church for it's service at 1 p.m. The town is really crowded this week as it is spring break for so many and Holy Week. Hope everyone is staying dry and warm. Love, m

March 18, 2008

The sun is shinning and it looks to be a nice day. Bonnie is volunteering again this a.m. at the library, and I am doing some laundry and sitting in the sun and reading my book. By the way...I'm onto the second one..."Be the Surprise" I highly recommend both of these books.
This afternoon we have some errands to run and then we are going to take another hike. So I'm looking forward to that. All is well, Love ya, m

Happy St. Patricks Day

It may have snowed yesterday....but it's green here today. Not terribly warm...but the sun is shinning and the sky is blue. Went to see another movie as nothing on the 500 directTV channels. We saw Vantage Point last evening and it was really good. Today we are both getting a massage at noon and then Bonnie will be off with her friend Charlie for the afternoon and early evening. So I guess I'll take a walk and do some laundry, nothing exciting. Gosh and be Glory! Have a Happy Day! Love, m

The Rain Must Fall

Cloudy day and we are off to church, predicting rain or snow for the evening. If it snows we may not go to the Celtic concert this afternoon in Cottonwood. The parade yesterday was really fun, and they had a live band playing in a plaza after that we listened too for a while....then we had lunch and headed back to the condo....with a short stop at the Safeway to pick up Powerball tickets with dreams of what we could buy with the winnings, unfortunately neither of us matched more than one number. Had dinner in and watched a movie in last night. Kind of a lazy afternoon, but it was so windy outside you got sand blasted.
So we will see what today brings besides percipitation. m