We had Bryce Canyon to ourselves in January. The contrast of snow and red rock was amazing.

Gotcha Paul!! I arranged ahead time with the resort to welcome Paul in true birthday style. Celebrating Paul's #%th birthday!! ( Here's a clue it's one less than 60 and 4 more than 55)

Our view from our room at the Red Rock Canyon Resort.

Julie and Paul-- shadowy charcters in the red rocks

A reflection on life--- outside St. George Utah Jan 2007

Thoreau's Walden pond 

Now that's a BIG pumpkin!! 

We walked along Cliff Walk which gives you a beautiful "backyard" view of the Newport Mansions on your left and the Atlantic on rour right.  

Leaf Peeping Fall 2006

The fall colors right outside Essex, Connecticutt-- currently rated the best small town in the USA. We were just about ready to pull up roots and move!! 

We began our 3 week summer trip in Eastern Europe in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The limestone pavement is worn so smooth it looks like marble. We absolutely loved this city. The people are welcoming, the fresh fish is marvelous and the old city is a gem. Just be sure to find out when the cruise ships are there and don't go on those days.

If you think there are a lot of photos in this blog, understand it could have been worse. These have been culled down from the over 1700 photos that Julie and Paul took together. Enjoy-- or at least pretend too!!! 

Do I look like I'm enjoying Dubrovnik or what? 

We really enjoyed our sunset walk around the perimeter of the walled city of Dubrovnik. It is remarkable how this city has rebuilt after being war- torn less than 10 years ago.

Tradition has it that if you can balance on this small ledge in Dubrovnik's town square you'll have good luck. Looks like good luck for us!!

We went on a day tour of Montenegro-- the world's newest country. We saw a church( still in use) built by fisherman on an uninhabited island as well as gorgeous beaches and walled cities.

A most romantic meal in Dubrovnik. Pope John Paul II and Dick Cheney dined here!! 

We stayed at the famous Gellert Hotel in Budapest which is noted for its Art Deco style and its many indoor and outdoor baths. They actually had a wave pool which was built in 1919.  

The world's second largest Jewish temple is in Budapest ( the largest is in NY). We also had an intimate tour of their terrific museum conducted by a Holocaust survivor who was hidden by a Swede.  

Budapest view of Parliament. Paul had been here in the 70's as a student and was amazed at how prosperous the city looked. Gone were all those soot covered buildings he remembered.  

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest. We happened to be there right at the "sweet light".  

Nighttime on the Chain Bridge in Budapest. On our last night there, they closed the bridge to traffic and had a huge party with food and craft vendors, musicians and table to eat at.  

So cool!!! We had an unlimited mini-bar at the Savoy Hotel in Prague. It was sooo hot there. Each afternoon we'd come back and just tear into these fancy bottles of water and enjoy our free beer at night!! Hyatt and Hilton-- take notes please.  

A lovely dinner with Prague's Charles Bridge in the background. 

Prague's Old Town Square 

Prague's Jewish Quarter is often cited as the most interesting Jewish sight in Europe. In the Old Jewish Cemetary, there are 12,000 tombstones nesting at crooked angles. From 1439 to 1787, this was the only burial ground allowed for the Jews of Prague. Consequently, tombs had to be piled on one another and, as the many layers settled, they took on this haphazard crookedness.  

Prague was truly a feast for the eyes and ears. Glorious churches, street musicians on the Charles Bridge and the thrumm of a vibrant city.