Enjoy your Thanksgiving and remember I love you all very much.
Dad, Grandpa, Max
So, what did we do this year?
For six weeks this summer was spent fun times in the cool country north of Arizona. Montana and Utah were delightful. We got to spend time with each member of our family. From Nancy & John in Billings to Peggy & Tim we mooched much food and fun. They were all fun to see and talk with. We played as much as possible. The Boys - Jeff and Mike - and their families were in Utah where we played on the golf course or the swimming pool and enjoyed great food thanks mostly to Jill with the help of Beth and Claudia. We are proud of each of our children and each of their kids.
On Halloween we arrived in France to spend two weeks seeing and doing as much as possible. We had been in Italy for more than a week already so our travels were gearing up to full time. We saw Rome, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Milan and Como in Italy. Driving north from Rome we stopped along the way whenever we were inspired by hunger, pit stops, fruit stands or were tired. The beauty we experienced was better than pictures can ever show. So much good food and history to see with our own eyes was very fulfilling. Fall is the time to travel. No traffic (ha) generally and no lines. The colors were vibrant and so beautiful. Italy was more 'early fall' while France was about two weeks more 'later fall'. I put a full blog together on just the travels. If you haven't seen it the name is Europe 2009. (Look to the right for a link)History is so abundant in these two countries. The Romans immortality seemed out of reach before but now it is right there to witness and read about. All of Italy welcomed travelers so openly. Lake Como is something else to see and feel. Located just north of Milan it surrounds a series of finger lakes. Houses run from the hills down to the water on each of the lakes. Roads are narrow but very adequate. Our little Peugeot wagon was a gem. Ferries await to carry you from one side to the other in many places. In general, Italy is agricultural and rural but towns dot the map and vineyards cover every foot, even on the hillsides.
France was full of beauty and history. Comprehending it was difficult to take in, in a short time. Paris was elegant and wonderful. Normandy has always been emotionally embedded and I've read so much about it that to actually be there was a little unreal. But finally I got to be there and as a bonus it was with some of my favorite people. We greatly missed those that were missing. The French people were friendly and wonderful without question. This is such a beautifully green and lush country. Cheese and bread is everywhere good. My buddy Austin and I went to the bakery daily for our baguette. They were baked fresh every hour. I miss those treks with him.
