Zurich outing

  This weekend we enjoyed an overnight trip to Zurich. We drove there Saturday morning, as the snow was falling, and drove home early Sunday afternoon, as more snow fell. Was it ever cold (when we were outside).

Saturday we enjoyed strolling through the largest Christmas market in Europe (held in the the main train station). The market centerpiece: a 50-foot tall Christmas tree glittering with more than 5000 Swarovski crystal ornaments is visible from any spot in the market. The effect is nothing short of dazzling!
After a comfortable night in a very modern hotel, we took a 2 hour trolley tour of the city.

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip (especially watching Troy and Quinn eat their dinner desserts) but it was also good to get back to our warm house well stocked with reasonably priced food. 

We ended the day by joining the friendly folks at the Westlake church for the 5 pm service and then dinner and relaxing at home.

Friday - Snow

It snowed all night and this morning everything was transformed - the fields were blanketed in white, cars crawled along trying to maintain traction,











holiday decorations were postcard perfect, and some people resorted to former pasttimes.

Thursday - Run to Lake Geneva

It looked like today we would have some sun so Eva and I decided to run to Lake Geneva (down hill from Bogis-Bossey) and then Stephanie would pick us up in Coppet. The temperature was below freezing but the running kept us warm. In 45 minutes we were sitting in a little coffee shop in Coppet with Stephanie, enjoying a coffee and croissant.

In the afternoon, Eva and Steph dropped me off in Geneva and gave me free run of the city. I caught a train and bus to get back home.

Tuesday - Overcast and freezing

It was cold but not so cold that we couldn't run from Chez Goudzwaard, across the French border to Luc de Divonne and back. We were chilled during the run but returned to a warm house and hot oatmeal. The rest of the morning was spent reading and blogging as Stephanie had to go to Nyon for her weekly French language lessons.

This was an indoor day after the brisk start. Below, both Troy and Quinn are exercising their creative talents - writing stories and songs - before turning in for the night.

Monday - frosty weather after some rest

With the help of Unisom, Eva and I slept great at Chez Goudzwaard, #301. I got up in time, 7am, to walk Troy and Quinn to the bus while it was still dark and Eva slept for 12 hours.

It was brisk today - sunny and frosty. Mostly we stayed inside. Eva and Steph went grocery shopping and I walked to the local ATM to stock up on Swiss francs. This walk allowed me a great view of the chateau in Divonne, France (see my web album). The rest of the time was spent reading, internet access, and encouraging Troy to get on with his report for school.

Travel to Switzerland

At 9am Saturday, we flew with United from LAX to airport in New York. From there Swiss Air took us to Geneva where we arrived at 9:30 am Sunday morning. With this schedule, you don't sleep much on the airplane.

With snow falling off and on today, we did our best to stay awake at Bryan and Stephanie's home. We took a walk through Bogis-Bossey in the afternoon with Troy and Quinn to see the various Christmas decorations. Tonight we will hear and see Quinn as she portrays an angel in the Church program.

A good night's sleep will be welcome so that we stop feeling like zombies.

Summer is Gone

Summer is now a memory - the weather has cooled considerably and we have started using our blankets again. And memories fade, so I take pictures.

October 1 looked like it might be the last warm day for a while, so I decided that I would enjoy it and spend a few hours at Huntington Beach State Park. Thanks to the parking pass that Tim deeded to me, I was able to drive right in and not pay the $15 entry fee.

Thanks for the parking pass Tim!