I suppose this would amount to me going to a motorcycle convention.
All Saint's Day in a Polish cemetery.
Merrit, Phil, Ginny and Erin
David, Brandon, Kingsley, Serge, Alyssa.
It's a shame that the canals are filthy, but there is still the mystery of the city that floats.
At the end of a long day, which was the end of a long trip, we all sat down to enjoy a concert performed by the Interpreti Venezians. They made Vivaldi's Four Seasons come alive. We boarded the bus one final time at midnight and returned to BFA by 8:45 a.m. the next day. What a trip, what a great group of kids!!!!
Day 4 we spent as a day off from touring the city. The kids hung out, swam and watched another glorious sunset. We then went out for dinner, Italian style, a full 6 courses.
One final class photo at Osteo Antica before we head off to Venezia, then home.
No trip to Rome would be complete without a tour of the Coliseum. Every year Mario Bruno, missionary to Rome and friend of BFA, gives us an outstanding understanding of the history of the Coliseum and the Forum.
On the steps of the Victory Monuments are Deb, Christine, JyHae, Bekkah, Katie and Bill. All great kids. We will miss them all very much in a few months.
Late afternoon shot of the Coliseum.
Here's the Forum where Paul gave witness to Jesus Christ and where I'm standing is where tradition has it that Paul and Peter were imprisoned before their execution.
Day 2 took us on a walking tour past the Pantheon (above), Trevy fountain and other neat sites. We were able to return to the hotel early enough for the kids to swim in the Meditterranean as the sun went down.
We had our own little cove.
We waited in this line for 2.5 hours to get into the Vatican. It seems criminal that the RCC has some of the world's greatest art treasures locked up here and cannot manage crowds enabling more to see the works.
One of Deb's favorite shots every time we visit the Vatican museum.
Here's a photo taken of Rome from the top of te dome at Saint Peter's Basilica.
Lunch with our friends Mike and Loralee Hill. There home supporting church is Hershey EFree.
This shot of the Arno river in Florence was the clearest we've seen in the three times we've been there. I am standing on the famous Ponte Vecchio as I took the picture.
Deb loves this shot as an exmple of symmetry. I tries to get the sculler to move over a few feet for my camera, but I guess he didn't understand my italian. Just joking, of course.
Hundreds of mopeds and scooters line the streets.
Anyone for gelati? Some of the best in Italy is in Firenze.
This is the town of Rheinfelden that borders Germany and Switzerland as it sits on both sides of the Rhein river.
Steve and Renee Grubb have been cycles buddies for Debby and me since they arrived in Kandern. We now welcome them to the Yamaha family with his latest purchase.
The proposal !!!
I guess she said "Yes". Look at that contentment...aaaaahhhhhh !!!
There has to be clouds for great sunsets.
The fall brings us some of the most spectacular sunsets our bathroom window can behold.
This is Hartmanswillerkopf, also know in french as Vieil Armand. "All Quiet on the Western Front" was written about this spot where the French and Germans stood face to face in the trenches for years, battling it out. Sometimes the trenches are less than 20 feet apart. Meeting their enemies over Christmas holidays, they'd eat and sing together. Then it's over and back to fighting them.
Hundreds died here. Jeff and Jason loved to explore the bunkers, caves and old hideouts when they lived here with us.
Isn't she one mean looking chick?
Don't get too close, you'll see the bugs in our teeth.
Pray that they keep their eyes heavenward. Is that manna ???
What is that man doing up there? He's not licensed !!!
Heather, Dad, Mom, Jeff, Sarah, Deb's Folks, Jason
Is this "Men in Black" or "Bond and the Boys"?
While mom is off with the Bride getting ready, we snapped this one.
Precious time of prayer before the big event.
Here he is.....walking the line after three long, hard years of work.
Jason standing with the head of the machinists program.
Even grandmom and grandpop made it.
Here's Jason with the school's chaplain and long time family friend Rev. Mark Specht.
And finally, mom made it all the way from Germany. What a wonderful day !!!
