Day 4: Padova to Bologna

Today, we went to Basilica di Sant'Antonio in Padova. We went inside, but I couldn't take any pictures because there was a mass going on. Then we went to the "Daily Market" for Alice to do a little shopping. Next, we drove down the coast from Chioggia to the Pomposa Abbey. The abbey was built in 1026 -- with beautiful mosaics on the floor -- and the tower was built in 1063. From there, we drove to Bologna -- where we'll be going to church tomorrow. Bologna is famous for two things: one is tortellini (they invented it) and the other is bologna (except they call it "mortadella"). Tonight, I had tortellini so incredible that it, alone, was worth the plane fare. Alice had a pizza that was infinitely better than American pizza. Tomorrow, we'll sample "real" bologna. Picture 1: Basilica di Sant'Antonio; Picture 2: The "Daily Market" with the law courts in the background and a fountain and bicycles in the foreground (most of the streets downtown are so narrow that ONE EUROPEAN car can barely get down them, so many people ride bikes or scooters); Picture 3: Pomposa Abbey; Picture 4: The "postcard" view of Pomposa Abbey.

Day 3: Graz to Padova

Today, I climbed Graz' castle hill to the famous clock tower. Alice climbed most of the way, then waited in the shade on a park bench. Next, we went to the Piber Stud Farm, outside Graz, where they breed the famous Lipizzaner horses. Alice is missing her horses, but this helped. I had my last schnizel for the trip at the Piber Cafe. (Austrian schnizel is just as good as German schnizel.) Then, we drove to Padova, Italy and are staying at Ibis again. Picture 1: Looking down on the clock tower and Graz; Picture 2: The Piber Stud Farm is built around a 1696 castle; Picture 3: Alice got to pet some Lipizzaner foals; Picture 4: She also pet the mares.

Day 2: Salzburg to Graz

Today, we went to the old part of Salzburg, visited several plazas, and Alice bought some "Mozart" candy. Next, we went a few miles southwest (back into Germany) to Obersalzberg where Hitler had his headquarters for a time. Way up in the mountains underneath Hotel Zum Turken, are a maize of bunkers that go down into the mountain. Then we went to Mauthausen Concentration Camp. We got there a few minutes too late to go inside, but it is said to be the only concentration camp left intact. Tonight we're at the Ibis Hotel in Graz. (I had a döner kebap across the street.) Picture 1: The Salzburg Castle from Kapitelplatz; Picture 2: Hotel Zum Turken; Picture 3: Hitler's bunkers (there's a 38-step spiral staircase down to the main level, then at least 80 more steps going down); Picture 4: one end of Mauthausen Concentration Camp.

Day 1: Salt Lake to Munich to Salzburg

We left Salt Lake City at 4:30 pm on June 9th, arrived in Paris at 11:35 am (Paris time), then flew to Munich. We rented a car in Munich and drove to Salzburg. Before leaving Germany, however, we visited Kloster Höglwörth in Bavaria. It was created as an Augustinian monastery in 1125, but is now rented out as private apartments. I don't think tourists know it's there. Picture 1: Alice standing in the courtyard by the fountain; Picture 2: A view from across the lake; Picture 3: I didn't know lily pads had flowers; Picture 4: Next to the monastery is a quaint little eatery where I was able to get schnitzel and spezi. You know the food will be good if no one speaks a word of English.

Family Picture

We had arranged for Fotogenix to take a family portrait on Friday, but we had to cancel because Justen was in the hospital. Jeff took pictures on Sunday and probably did better than Fotogenix would have anyway. The first picture is the original and the second is the "Photoshop" version after Jeff fixed it. See if you can find all the changes.

Draeden's Birthday

Sunday was Draeden's 5th birthday. Every one of our kids and grandkids was there for dinner and his party.

Boondocks

On Saturday, June 6th, we had planned to go to Lagoon, but weather worries, Justen not being able to go, Jackson's broken elbow, etc., motivated us to scale down and go to Boondocks -- which is between Teri's and Kristi's houses. I actually liked it better. Justen was able to go for 3 hours and I could actually wander around and see everyone -- many times.