We were in Vienna only 3 days ago and it already seems a world away. I guess being in the middle of the Northern Atlantic on an island will do that to you. Vienna is an amazing city that is as rich in culture and history as Paris, London or Rome. Outside of receiving our share of rain (we were due for some rain after so many nice days) we made the most of our 40 hours in Vienna. We simply put our rain jackets on and hit the streets. We even took in a free concert in the park with the old palace as a backdrop. We enjoyed the Lippanzer Stallion show in the orginal ornate riding hall of the Hapsburgs. Sharing a room that was about 8’x10’ helped motivate us to stay out late!
On the 29th we took a flight to Frankfurt and then another onto Iceland. By this time we were all starting to think of home and Iceland was not so high on our radar, but all that changed as we drove our rental car into the city and saw just how beautiful this place was. We have shopped, swam in the famous Blue Lagoon and spent an entire day driving and visiting spectacular natural wonders.
The highlight for me personally was taking the hike to Iceland’s highest waterfall. After a drive down a long gravel road we parked in an empty parking lot (never saw another person) and read the sign for the 4 mile hike which took a little persuading after a long day, but to my surprise the family rose to the occasion and became billy-goats as we walked along some challenging terrain that included a log over a river along with a little caving to boot. The final destination was worth it as we gazed upon one of the most beautiful waterfalls any of us have ever seen. It was one of those places that were right out of National Geographic.
Today we return home, but we already have hopeful plans of returning to Iceland to explore more of this awe inspiring country.
God is sooooooooo good!
Kurt
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bonheoffer, Budapest and the End of the Road
With less than a week to go our family is beginning to mentally prepare for life back home and unlike our last big adventure 3 years ago we are all ready to return. I think this goes beyond just missing Jessica. The big difference this time is that we are missing our community (and Jessica). In fact if there is anything that has been reaffirmed in my life it would be that I need brothers and sisters in Christ to help me live life fully.
Having just finished reading Bonheoffer’s book ‘Living Life Together’ I would say that God is talking to me about His design in all of us to not only share His love, but to receive it from others as well. A month without the ongoing fellowship of fellow believers has left me dry, but at the same time has helped me see the need for more discipline in my spiritual life (a few pushups wouldn’t hurt either).
These past few days have been spent in the amazing city of Budapest. Unlike our other destinations we found ourselves in a large metropolitan city that at first seemed overwhelming, but after a couple days and countless miles of walking we can say that we have seen a lot of this city. The kids may say we saw too much, but Cari and I could easily spend a few more days here just soaking in all the history and culture this place has to offer. I will say that that Meghan and Cole have been amazing sports in regards to the long walks across town just to see another museum or castle which for them all starts to look the same. They even attended an ‘organ concert’ at St. Stephen’s Basillica.
Tomorrow we will take the 3 hour train to Vienna, Austria for a short two days before flying (hopefully without volcanic ash) to Iceland. Below are a few pictures.
-Kurt
Having just finished reading Bonheoffer’s book ‘Living Life Together’ I would say that God is talking to me about His design in all of us to not only share His love, but to receive it from others as well. A month without the ongoing fellowship of fellow believers has left me dry, but at the same time has helped me see the need for more discipline in my spiritual life (a few pushups wouldn’t hurt either).
These past few days have been spent in the amazing city of Budapest. Unlike our other destinations we found ourselves in a large metropolitan city that at first seemed overwhelming, but after a couple days and countless miles of walking we can say that we have seen a lot of this city. The kids may say we saw too much, but Cari and I could easily spend a few more days here just soaking in all the history and culture this place has to offer. I will say that that Meghan and Cole have been amazing sports in regards to the long walks across town just to see another museum or castle which for them all starts to look the same. They even attended an ‘organ concert’ at St. Stephen’s Basillica.
Tomorrow we will take the 3 hour train to Vienna, Austria for a short two days before flying (hopefully without volcanic ash) to Iceland. Below are a few pictures.
-Kurt
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Oh Slovenia
I don’t know where to begin when I speak of our time in Slovenia. This country is beyond beautiful. Everywhere you look you see natural wonders like the Julian Alps and the Skojan Caves (the largest underground caverns in all of Europe). I keep expecting Heidi to come skipping down the wildflower hills yodeling. All I can do is praise God for His creation. I will let the pictures attempt to speak of our time. Needless to say we are all smiling.
-Kurt
-Kurt
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful
What we have seen on this around the world adventure is more than we could every put into words. For the most part it has been an amazing adventure filled with wild travel plans and enough forks in the road to usually keep us on our toes and leave boredom way behind.
As always it has been the people along the way that have enriched our time the most which I guess is one of the reasons I am now running a little out of steam spiritually. When all I have to think about is what’s next on our itinerary I easily slip into a self absorbed life that has me missing the mark on what’s most important. I remember C.S. Lewis saying something about how ‘it’s harder being close to God when traveling abroad’. I would agree with Mr. Lewis and add that when not surrounded by a purpose greater than one’s self it compounds the issue. Yes, I Have my family which is a great blessing and one that gives me a purpose, but it still lacks that greater sense of community that can drive us all closer to our Maker; all that to say I have been living too much for me. With God’s help I will look past my desires and wishes and see more clearly what He has for me in the days ahead.
Our last day in Dubrovnik was spent celebrating Meghan's Sweet 16th Birthday, which had us shopping and eating well into the night. In fact a large scoop of gelato ice cream (or two) was a part of everyday in this city. Needless to say Meghan and the rest of us had a great time.
Leaving Dubrovnik we piled into our rental diesel Fiat Punto and headed up the coast. As many of you know Cari is amazing in 99% of all that life throws at her, but maps and navigating would be her downfall. This allowed us to spend an extra hour on roads less traveled while I showed the kids what high blood pressure looks like. Just before nightfall we ended up in an overpriced city that we were too tired to explore and ready to call it a day.
The next day was another driving adventure due to several random roads, including their super-highway, closed for who knows what. I will say that by God’s grace Cari and I kept a smile on our faces and were able to use several back roads to finally get to our destination with enough time to explore some cool caves before dark.
Today was one of those days that your jaw drops as you find yourself surrounded by incredible beauty. We spent half the day hiking through the World Heritage site of Plitvice Lakes in central Croatia. This place is a Garden of Eden when it comes to waterfalls and lakes. I found myself thanking the Lord over and over for His beautiful creation. I only wish my pictures could somehow do this place justice.
Our family is doing well, but for the first time everyone is starting to get homesick which really means we miss our family and friends. Having said that we are still geared up for more adventures and God willing we will be in Slovenia tomorrow afternoon for 4 days.
-Kurt
As always it has been the people along the way that have enriched our time the most which I guess is one of the reasons I am now running a little out of steam spiritually. When all I have to think about is what’s next on our itinerary I easily slip into a self absorbed life that has me missing the mark on what’s most important. I remember C.S. Lewis saying something about how ‘it’s harder being close to God when traveling abroad’. I would agree with Mr. Lewis and add that when not surrounded by a purpose greater than one’s self it compounds the issue. Yes, I Have my family which is a great blessing and one that gives me a purpose, but it still lacks that greater sense of community that can drive us all closer to our Maker; all that to say I have been living too much for me. With God’s help I will look past my desires and wishes and see more clearly what He has for me in the days ahead.
Our last day in Dubrovnik was spent celebrating Meghan's Sweet 16th Birthday, which had us shopping and eating well into the night. In fact a large scoop of gelato ice cream (or two) was a part of everyday in this city. Needless to say Meghan and the rest of us had a great time.
Leaving Dubrovnik we piled into our rental diesel Fiat Punto and headed up the coast. As many of you know Cari is amazing in 99% of all that life throws at her, but maps and navigating would be her downfall. This allowed us to spend an extra hour on roads less traveled while I showed the kids what high blood pressure looks like. Just before nightfall we ended up in an overpriced city that we were too tired to explore and ready to call it a day.
The next day was another driving adventure due to several random roads, including their super-highway, closed for who knows what. I will say that by God’s grace Cari and I kept a smile on our faces and were able to use several back roads to finally get to our destination with enough time to explore some cool caves before dark.
Today was one of those days that your jaw drops as you find yourself surrounded by incredible beauty. We spent half the day hiking through the World Heritage site of Plitvice Lakes in central Croatia. This place is a Garden of Eden when it comes to waterfalls and lakes. I found myself thanking the Lord over and over for His beautiful creation. I only wish my pictures could somehow do this place justice.
Our family is doing well, but for the first time everyone is starting to get homesick which really means we miss our family and friends. Having said that we are still geared up for more adventures and God willing we will be in Slovenia tomorrow afternoon for 4 days.
-Kurt
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Pearl of the Adratic
Dubrovnik, Croatia is one of those places that lives up to all the hype. Here our family, ok more so Cari and I, are overwhelmed by the majesty of the place. The sunny days and clear blue waters only help intensify the beauty of this ancient city. I will let the pictures we took make the point more clearly.
-Kurt
-Kurt
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A long Way From Romania
Our last day in Brasov, Romania was spent with our new friends that owned and ran the guest house we stayed at. It was such a blessing to be with fellow believers and be bonded by our love for Jesus. In fact we had such a good time with this couple that we almost missed our train.
Did I say “train”? How about 28 hours on 3 different trains that took us through Romania to Belgrade, Serbia and then into the heart of Montenegro. I thought Cole was going to explode or that I was going to strangle him, but by God’s grace we all made it and even had some tired smiles as we got off that last train.
After spending a night in the capital we took the 2+ hour bus to Kotor, Montenegro which sits at the end of the deepest fjord in mainland Europe. To say this place is a natural beauty would be one big understatement. It is one of the most beautiful places on this green earth. To top it off we have been staying the last 2 nights in the Old Town which sits inside the fortress walls surrounded by water. The streets are all cobblestoned and the buildings are right out of the middle ages. The whole area is surrounded by mountains and the one directly above us has an old fort that we climbed the 1340 steps to this morning. What a view!
Tomorrow we are off to Dubrovnik, Croatia. I feel so blessed and thank God daily for such a wonderful trip.
-Kurt
Friday, May 6, 2011
Trains & Romania
There is a lot to be said about trains in Eastern Europe and some of it is good, especially when the windows are clean enough to see out of them. They give you a lot a time to see the country side and for the kids to crawl out of their skin in utter boredom. These trains can travel up to 60 mph, but rarely do and then there are the border stations which can require you to stand out in the cold for an hour at 3:30 in the morning. Having said all this I still like traveling by train and the lazy way they travel through the countryside and towns.
After a 2 hour train delay on the border of Bulgaria we arrived in Bucharest, Romania and spent the night near the station. The next day we took the train into Transylvania and landed in the city of Brasov where we have now made our base camp for the last 2 days. Here we have walked and walked and walked and have seen the cool old town of Brasov, a fortress from the 7th century and Bran Castle (Aka: Dracula’s Castle).
We are having fun and ready to explore more of the area tomorrow before taking the overnight train to Belgrade, Serbia. Maybe in 48 hours I will have another opinion of trains.
-Kurt
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