Archives for 2011

Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2011 filed under: friends, holidays

My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you’ve been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas, friend
And a happy New Year, too.

{found on the WWW, author unknown}.

Travel Day

December 20, 2011 filed under: Germany, travel

{source: my flickr}

When you read this, I’ll probably be somewhere over the clouds on my way to Germany. I am so excited!

We spent the last few days at J’s parents’ house in SoCal and we had a wonderful time. It was a great start to my vacation. Part of me is sad to leave J and not spend Christmas with him and his family. The other part of me though is very excited to be back home in Germany with my family and friends, who – besides my parents – I haven’t seen for a whole year. It’s tough to try to make up for all the time we couldn’t be together and cram a whole year into a 2-week visit. I know, it’s going to be crazy-stressful, because it always is!, but it will also be wonderful and very, very special.

I’ll see you on the flipside!

Summer Tales – Apple Hill and Folsom Lake

December 18, 2011 filed under: California, family, photography, summer tales, travel, USA

I am recapping the three weeks of fun that I had with my family this summer.
See all related posts under the category: summer tales.

On Thursday ( 8/11) our road trip was coming to an end and we made our way back to Sacramento. For the next few days we had planned to see a little more of the Sacramento vicinity. We used Thursday and Friday for some relaxing and shopping. We also took Basti out for some pizza at “Chicago Fire”.

Saturday (8/13) we made a trip up into the Sierra Foothills to “Apple Hill” – with its many apple orchards and wineries. We were a little early for the apple harvest, which happens in the fall, but we were still able to buy some fruit at the “Boa Vista Orchards”.

Then we went wine tasting at Madroña Vineyards.

Even I tried some wine (and I am not really a wine drinker – and apparently also not the daughter of my parents as they both like “dry wine”, whereas I prefer “sweet wine”, if I drink any at all.)

On our way back to Sacramento, we stopped at Folsom Lake. I have to admit, after all the years I have lived in Sacramento, I had not been at Folsom Lake before. It’s a shame, really, because it’s a beautiful lake, even though it’s a reservoir and artificially formed by Folsom Dam, which controls the American River.

The dam and lake are a multipurpose project that provides flood control, hydroelectricity, drinking water and water for irrigation. It also provides many recreational opportunities for hiking, swimming, biking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating.

We found a nice shady place under a tree and enjoyed the beautiful day and a beautiful view.

Back in Sacramento, we decided to have Mexican food for dinner. Basti is a big fan and had been wanting to eat Mexican for almost the entire trip. We were all so stoked about the food that there are, sadly, no pictures. Just imagine plates of delicious burritos, rice, beans and guacamole!

… stay tuned.

Summer Tales – Sonoma and Napa Valley

December 17, 2011 filed under: family, fun!, photography, summer tales, travel, USA

I am recapping the three weeks of fun that I had with my family this summer.
See all related posts under the category: summer tales.

After a good night’s rest, we got up early today (8/10) to explore the Wine Country. Being a geologist, I had to – of course – take my family to the Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga. We first stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park with a remarkable collection of petrified trees. The petrification process started over 3 million years ago, when a volcano erupted in the northeast, which knocked down everything in its path, covering it all with pale, yellow ash. Giant redwood trees lay buried under the ash, slowly turning into stone.

Just in time for an eruption, we arrived at the Old Faithful Geyser of California in Calistoga. The geyser is one of three geysers in the world with the designation “old faithful.” These are the geysers that perform at regular intervals. About every 30 minutes, there is an eruption of steam and scalding water spraying 60 to 100 feet in the air. The eruptions are recorded and monitored. A change in the eruption pattern usually foreshadows an earthquake within a 500-mile radius.
The eruptions last about 5 minutes and it’s a really fun thing to watch.

After witnessing the eruptions twice, we got hungry and decided to drive to St. Helena and get some lunch at “Dean & Deluca”, an exquisite delicatessen grocery store. We bought some baguette, cheeses and deli meats and had a picnic in the shade of a tree.

In the afternoon, we went wine tasting at the Beringer Winery, the oldest winery with German roots in Napa Valley. The Beringer grounds and gardens were beautiful.