Disneyland!

Last year when Julie (Logan) Winslow got married we got tickets to visit Disneyland the day afterwards (she was married just down the street).  Well - what we didn't plan for was the torrential downpour that would accompany the weekend - washing out of trip.

The pre-paid tickets were good for a year, so as the Winslow's first anniversary approached it was time to get back to Disneyland for a visit.  So, we loaded Jon and Rachel, Hannah and Eric and Julie and I and headed off.

Here we are arriving Saturday morning!

Hannah just had to have this sequined set of mouse ears.  Doesn't she look like she's having fun?

We've never been to California Adventure Land - but we got park hopper passes and were off to that side of the park in the afternoon.  One of the rides the kids and Julie tried was California Screamer.  And a screamer it was!  The rides takes off like a aircraft leaving a aircraft carrier.  This is a picture taken about 1 second into the ride.  Look at Julie!!  Hahaha!

Here's Eric trying his best to free Excalibur.  A nice try.

It wouldn't be a Henderson vacation without a jumping picture... now would it?

Here's the kids getting ready to go on Space Mountain.  Yep, Julie and I too!

Hannah just loves visiting the Princess Fantasy Faire to hang with her sisters.  Here she is with Julie and Rachel and Eric as well as Mulan, Ariel and Belle.

Jon and Rachel stopped to get their picture taken with a couple of the Car's stars.

 Rachel as a wookie?  Hannah and Eric waiting to get on the Star Wars tour.

Interestingly, the day we went they were taping their Disney Christmas Day Parade for broadcast Christmas morning.  Because you're supposed to believe it is actually a live event - they had to tape in during the morning.  Saturday it was.  So, look for us on TV.  ok?

All in all it was a great day!

Let's Get It Started

Sometimes if you don't take the first step - you never get anywhere. That's a lesson I learned related to personal fitness.. but it applies to vacation blogging as well.  Despite our hectic schedule - it's time to start fitting in some rememberances before my drug addled brain drops them from memory.

We arrived in Berlin to meet Hannah on the Friday before Easter.  Her visit in Germany has been the longest time period we've been separated from her and both Julie and I were relieved to see how well she was doing.  She looked fantastic.  Once we tracked down our bags we immediately left the airport and started learning the Berlin public transporation sysem; one which Hannah had perfected.

As we were heading towards Hannah's apartment and a waiting dinner reservation - I noticed that Berlin had already honored her with a road sign.  Not shocking if you know Hannah.  But, I did take the time to photograph her with it. 

Europe clearly has a longer history that America.  Duh.  You can see that in the architecture all around you.  The place oozes permanence.   Longevity.  You think the people there would make a note of it.

You can imagine my surprise, then, when on our very first Bahn (train) ride to Hannah's place I spied this tattoo on the gentleman directly in front of me.  That's a cassette tape for those of you who don't recognize it.  Think of it as your iPod - except the 'portable' player required 8 'D' batteries and the tape itself stored about 10 songs.

This is a cautionary tale for you folks that might be thinking about tat'ing up - and something that the architects and craftspeople of Europe learned over the centuries.  Pick enduring images and designs. 

Here's a good example.  This is magnificent bauble we saw at one of the many palaces we visited while in Germany.  It has definitely stood the test of time; remaining breathtaking centuries later. 

Additionally, this gorgeous necklace highlights another important insight into our journey through Germany and the Czech Republic.  Although the big picture, alone, is stunning (as is the necklace) - inspecting the details leads to unimaginable delight.

For instance - the picture below is a more detailed look at a section of the upper left area on the necklace. (I strongly encourage you to click on the image - and then zoom into the detail!)  As you start to look past the large stones and focus on the detail of the setting you can't help but be impressed with the craftperson's attention to design and artistry.  It's staggering.  As is much of Germany.

More later....