Time Keeps on Slipping........

So, our time in Europe is drawing to a close, and sadly so are my travels.  I can't believe that it has been over 3 1/2 years since we arrived here.  It seems like yesterday we arrived at the airport, a seven year old, a three month old and two dogs in tow!  We have tried to make the most of our time here, we have seen so much than I ever imagined we would!  Sadly though, our fun and carefree travel is giving way to financial responsibility, and I HATE it!  Not the being responsible part, just the no more fun trips part!  I can't wait to get back to the states, and start exploring with my kids, and show them their country, now that they have seen so much of the world, it seems kind of backwards to begin exploring our own backyard now!  BUT I won't let you down just yet!  

This past weekend, we were fortunate enough to be able to visit Garmisch one last time.  The weather was a bit hazy, so we didn't go up the Zugspitze, we did do some fun rock climbing around a great little waterfall we found in Austria.  Definitely good enough!  

I loved this waterfall - winter is hanging on so hard around here, and spring keeps poking her head around the corner just enough to keep you hopeful.  I loved the play here of the frozen falls, with the running falls adjacent.  This is a great roadside waterfall - the falls are less than a kilometer's walk from the road!

I really do love my family, they all indulge me and my photography.  I love destination trips, don't get me wrong - however, most of the time, I love the journey just as much!  So many times I have found amazing things right near the road, and they are often overlooked by others who are "just trying to get there."  Don't let the destination blind you from the journey!

So, what do you think?  Please, leave a comment, subscribe, share this - but I would love to hear from you in any way!  Where are your favorite roadside distractions?

Weihnachts Markt Coburg

Today was my fathers birthday, so we decided to adventure to a new town for the day.  We picked the city of Coburg, home of Prince Albert.  It is a BEAUTIFUL city - I would love to go back in the spring and explore some more - I bet it is simply amazing come summer!  As far as the Weihnachts Markt, however, it's not worth writing home about.... or maybe I am just that spoiled, living near so many AMAZING markets.  I thought the people were kind of pushy (especially the parents near the carousel), the Glühwein was good, the mugs cute - but we found the food to be lacking - there only a couple of stands with food, and none of the bratwürst mit semmel that we have come to expect.  My rating - pretty, but go for the city, not the market!

I mean, this place is absolutely beautiful, and it had all of the essentials needed for a market, it just was not particularly my taste.  The crowd here was a bit more aggressive than I am used to - it was easy to lose track of the kids, and no one really seemed to be paying attention to anything but themselves.  I thought the aisles for walking were pretty narrow, which meant that there were many bottle necks, as people would stand around and socialize with their friends, not even realizing that they were blocking the flow of traffic.

This time, we went earlier in the evening - so there were less drunk people, but there were in general just MORE people.  MORE people isn't always good, especially for me - it got to the point that I started getting uncomfortable, and a little bit anxious.  Thankfully my mom saw that happening, and "suggested" we go out the nearest exit, and start shooting the outside of the market.  YES.  THANK YOU.  SO MUCH BETTER.  I will say, though, that my drunken friends from the other night definitely made for a more entertaining night, and for a much lighter mood!

And well, it's me, so like I have said before I get distracted.  It may not be "SQUIRREL" - but usually with me it is along the lines of, "Oooooooohhhhhh, shineyyyyyyyyyy" and I stare at the pretties for quite a bit of time.  Here are a few of the pretty shineys that I found tonight!

 

As always- PLEASE, leave a comment, share a thought, or just follow along with us on our journey!