Switzerland / France Day 3

These post are getting longer and longer with more pictures as the scenery was just breathtaking.
This picture of Liz was actually taken in Zurich and I just found it and it's worthy of including as she looks so darn cute!  Nice pic Liz.

Ok...on day three we head to the Top of Europe....Jungfrau.

 We took trains a lot this trip which was kinda scary at first since our group has never had a full day of successfully getting on the right train going to the right destination.  But I have to say, once we got it down it was very nice.  Therefore, we spent some time hanging out at train stations.

 As I mentioned earlier, the views and scenery were spectacular.  Photos really can't capture the true beauty and magnitude of the Alps.

 We found a corner that we all took the chance for our "photo op".

 One very happy group of friends! It looks like we are freezing but it really wasn't that cold.

On our way down the mountain we jumped off in Wengen Switzerland.  It's the location of the World Cup Super Combined, Downhill and Slalom skiing January 18-20, 2013. Sweet village.

 There was a small square where people were sitting around and absorbing the sun, kids playing and us drinking wine!

 Don't they look relaxed?

 Not sure if Wayne wanted to sit on a bench or get as far away from us....just kidding.

 Happy campers on our way back to the hotel.

 More beautiful landscapes.

 One of the most famous water falls was next to our hotel, the Staubbach Falls.

 Jerry and Kathy had the party room in this hotel.  Once we returned from our day's outing, we stopped at the near by CoOp and purchased snacks of every variety as well as wine and Bailey's.  We all had a great evening playing train, drinking and eating.   

Switzerland / France Day 2

After a full breakfast at the hotel, we caught the train back into Zurich.  We stored our luggage and met up wtih a classmate of John and Susan's, Jens.  Short story is that Jens was a Foreign Exchange student when John and Susan where in high school in Oklahoma.  They had recently celebrated their 50th class reunion and Jens was there.  That's when the conversation started about us being in Switzerland and Jens invited us to spend the afternoon with him.  What a delightful afternoon.  The weather was perfect for our strolls around the hillside getting to Jens home.  Jens found us wondering the streets.

 On of our stops was a cemetery.  The most immaculate kept cemeteries I have ever seen.  Susan loved it but she loves cemeteries.

 We arrive at his home and he has wine waiting for us.  Love this man!  He let us roam his home.  Very unique....

 Kathy out in the yard finding all kinds of things.

 The picture Jens is holding was taken when he was 17 yrs.  John and Susan's task was to find the picture in his home. 

 We sat down to a spread of a variety of cheese, bread and meats.  And of course....wine.

Need to rush to catch our train out of Zurich to hotel in Lauterbrunnen . Look at those mountains in the back ground.  So majestic and beautiful.

 Our home sweet home for a few nights, Hotel Silberhorn.

 The views from our hotel were breathtaking.

 Dinner at the hotel and crash for the evening.  Another long fun filled day...and this is just day 2!

Switzerland / France Day 1

After months of getting together, eating, drinking wine and planning our trip the day arrived for us to head to Germany, Switzerland and France.  Thanks to Liz for all her helpful suggestions and making the reservations for our hotels, tours and trains.

Our first stop was Konstanz Germany to visit the Mainau Island on Lake Constance.  What a beautiful place with 111 acres of landscaping.  There are over 3,000 Orchids.  In the summer over 20,000 roses are in bloom with 1,200 varieties  In the fall there are 12,000 Dahlias in ever variety of color.

 I think this would be the perfect place for all types of special occasion photo shootings.

 The girls....Look how well we line up.  Think there is a type A here?

 Liz and Wayne.

 This is a waterfall cased in this lovely stone work that flows to the lake.

 Everywhere you looked there were beautiful vivid colors.

 The last trip we took, we threw leaves up in the air.  We found more leaves and had to do it again.

 Our handsome princes!

Liz had set up a Schnapps Tasting on the island.  Remind you that this is our first day.  We have just arrived Zurich, jumped on the train to Konstanz, checked into our hotel and back out for a walk and schnapps tasting.

 Our tour/Schnapps guide.  They had some very unusual flavors.  Not my favorite.

Liz and Kathy enjoying the Schnapps. 

We found a lovely bar next to our hotel.  Time to wind down the day with a drink and reflect on all that we experienced that day.  What a great day 1.

 Someone asked what time it was and Mary provided two watches and a shocker.  One watch with Dallas time and the other with Germany time.

Texas State Fair

We had our annual visit to the Texas State Fair and it was as much fun this time as it always is.  I just love the fair.  I love all the activity.  I love all the fried food until the next day.  I love all the people watching.  By the time we arrive around 4:30 in the afternoon and leave around 9:30 I usually am exhausted.
We typically walked in the gate and find the nearest Fletcher's Corny Dog stand.  Get us a corny dog and beer.  I had to take all the pictures with phone camera, so they aren't all that good.

We tried the fried funnel cake, fried red velvet cake with a chicken tender on top, french fries, fried jambalya, fried bacon wrapped cinnamon roll, and fried snicker bar.....

The fair has so many exhibits.  We missed the Chinese Lantern exhibit but found the Botanical Garden exhibit.  I wished I could get all my plants to be this happy.

They had a train that ran through the exhibit.  This is for you Pierce!

They had some huge pumpkins that had some elaborate carvings.

 And don't forget the pig races.  As silly as it is, they are so funny and entertaining.

 Last weekend John and Susan invited us to join them for the OU/Texas or Texas/OU game.  Neither Hal or myself have been to one of these games.  I've been downtown on the eve of the game and that was totally crazy.  We were very fortunate as the weather was nice and OU won hands down!

 Final score...OU 63, and TX....15.  It was a crazy game with some very unusually plays.

 

Another fun time at the fair.  Chris we missed you!