Amy & Greg Honeymooon

Slovenia...Austria

2009-07-26T05:23:00.001-07:00

Got cut off...a national park that was amazing and then into the Slovenian alps. We did a farmstay with a familz that has 50 milking cows, gardens, fruit trees, a dog that just had puppies, and loads of kittens. The food was amazing after all the pizza in Croatia. We stayed near Lake Bled and swam every day in the lake. We were able to use some bikes from the farm and would ride into town to swim and explore the area. There is a church on an island in the middle of the lake that both Greg and I took turns swimming to...the day we swam to the lake it was really windy and there were some whitecaps. Greg went first and I started worrying if he would make it when he started swimming the backstroke. Luckily, he made it and came back to shore safely.
We had to drive back into Croatia to return our rental car to Rijeka. We found a small town south of there on the Istrian peninsula to stay at for the night. We were able to swim in the ocean one last time and have some fried squid. Yum. Then we managed to find the rental place in the citz without killing each other or getting lost. We loved having the car and the freedom it gave us to explore.
We took a train a few hours later to Lubljana, Slovenia and we are still here. It is a beautiful citz with lots of gorgeous buildings, a river running through the old town, and a castle sitting above the city on the hill. Unfortunatley, all shops are closed on Sat. and Sun. the onlz days we are here. Pretty slow when nothing is open. We rented some bikes and explored the outskirts of the city where there are loads of gardens and parks.
Now we are waiting for the train to Salzburg where we will stay for two nights before hitting Vienna and then finallz leaving on Thursday. We are a little worried about things being expensive but we found a cool place to stay just outside Salzburg at a bed and breakfast. The hostels we researched seemed nuts and liked to play the Sound of Music everynight...no thanks.

Slovenia...Austria

2009-07-26T05:21:00.000-07:00

We finished up our car tour of Croatia and Slovenia yesterday. We drove from Dubrovnik through the mountains hitting a national park,

Korcula living

2009-07-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

Ahh, I am having a hard time in Dubrovnik because Korcula was heaven. We actuallz looked around at a couple of sobe places and found somewhere amazing...right across the street from the beach with a view of the ocean and nunnery..is that a word?? Greg says it is...We swam every morning and every evening. I convinced Greg to rent a bike despite the heat. I do not think I have ever seen anyone spontaneously start sweating profusely like Greg...amazing really. So we rode about four miles to a couple of different swim spots and saw beautiful vineyards of olive and grape. Korcula is known for Grk, a sweet wine, and we stopped and tasted olive oil and their wine. We bought both and can not believe the taste of the olive oil. I wanted to pour it all over myself, it was that yummy. If you are lucky, we will give you a small bottle of Croatian olive oil...we also found a store that sold wine out of the barrel. We filled up in the store in a plastic bottle, went home mixed in some orange juice and spritzer and had ourselves some sangria! Drank that all afternoon and swam until sunset. Life is hard right now as you can see...I am just glad we got out of that dank scary room Greg found us. Somehow bugs just love me. Oh! There are cicadas here the size of my hand. They have been flzing around at night in the old citz and scaring the shit out of me. Reminds me of Miami with my mom telling me to go out and kill the grasshoppers that could have picked me up. Scarred for life!
Tomorrow we leave for another adventure...

Dubrovnik #2

2009-07-19T06:07:00.001-07:00

Ok so our accommodations were really that bad...Amy barely slept and was bitten by bed bugs all night long...gross! Today we got up early and hit the Travel Agency to find a new place, and again Amy got us a wonderful place with an amazing view.
For some reason I skipped Korčula so we will have to backtrack. Uploading pictures is taking for ever and because we are paying for internet time, just words for now.

Dubrovnik

2009-07-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

We are at the southern most point in our trip and it is hot. We arrived today via ferry and Greg quickly abandoned our plan on finding accommodations by talking to an old lady before we caught the bus to town. We are staying in the smallest and most depressing Apartmani yet...in Hvar and Korčula we had amazing views of the Adriatic, kitchens, plenty of room to move around and wonderful bathrooms. All whining aside we are in the center Dubrovnik (within the city walls). Look that up on line and you will see what we mean. Within 15 minutes of being here and without even trying, we found a bar on a cliff just outside the city wall...amazing.
Monday we pick up a car and drive North...Bog and Hvala for reading.

photos

2009-07-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

Diocletians palace, Split
Swimming in Hvar
Boat ride, Hvar
Lake near Sora, Italy
Rome architecture at night

Italia and Croatzia

2009-07-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

I am writing from the island Hvar in Crotia and the kezboard is a little strange so I am going to go with it...we arrived here in Hvar four dazs ago. The island is amaying! There are loads of farms that grow lavendar, grapes for vino, and olive for ulje (oil). We got here from Split and to Split from Ancona, Italz.
It has been quite the adventure. Our farm staz in Italz was great but it was less farming and more hanging out than we wanted. We went on a huge hike that got us into the mountains in the Abruzzo National park. We swam in the freeying waterfall. We met some wonderful people at the farm from all over the world and now Greg tries to talk like a South Africa whenever he gets the chance.
We took a train from Sora, Italz to Ancona but got off on the wrong station...oops. The ferrz to Split was awesome! Huge ferrz that went reallz fast. We arrived in Split and walked around the old town and the Dicoletian palace. We have been doing homestays, Apartmans, here in Croatia and we love it. The people are so friendlz and want to help whenever thez can!
We got to Hvar and have stazed longer than we thought...rented a scooter one daz and explore the island. Yesterdaz we rented boat and swam in all these amaying coves around the outer islands...the water is super clear. I am sad to say that there must have been amazing coral reefs here at one time but all thez are now are bleached rocks with sea cucumbers and sea urchins. We have onlz seen small fishes and we are starting to talk like Croats, adding s to all single words...it is actuallz kinda fun.
We are putting some photos up but not lots for now, sorrz---later todaz we are off to Korcula and then to Dubrovnik on the mainland to rent our car.
Love to everzone!!

Off to the Continent

2009-07-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

After the farm, we toured around Vermont, stopped at a cheese factory, and walked around some historic towns in the pouring rain. We were headed for our last friend stop on the NE tour in the cute town of Concord, NH. We were visiting my best friend/college roommate from UMass, Liz, her husband Jarett, and their two adorable children, Hunter and Charlie :)
Liz and I were roommates my sophmore and senior year of college. I don't think college would have been the same without her. We only get to see each other every few years and this was the first time she would meet Greg. We arrived to bouncing chocolate labs greeting the car and Jarett and the kids in the driveway. It is always so good to see old friends. Jarett and Greg got along instantly and Liz wasn't home yet...of course as soon as she came home we both broke into tears!
We spent the evening catching up and I tried to keep them from telling too many college stories...Greg does not get to hear about all my UMass days and it may be better that way. The next day Jarett and Greg made some great blueberry pancakes while Liz and I just missed each other for a run/walk. Then later, we went into Concord to see the bustling town. They live just outside of town in a beautiful house in the woods. Greg and I both fell in love with their dogs, Bodi and Fisher. They made us miss Slick and V like crazy!
There is never enough time to spend with old friends and I hope that Jarett and Liz are able to come and visit us sometime soon. And no, your kids did not make us run screaming from the house...to quote Jarett "now it is only a race against time until you have kids." Thanks Jarett!
Pics to be posted soon!

Off to the Continent

2009-07-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

Greg and I are in Boston waiting for it to be time for us to leave for the airport.
After we left Matt and Linda in Connecticut we headed north into Massachusetts and toured around the Amherst area reminiscing about my college days. Then we turned north into rural Vermont. It has rained a lot these days making for a soggy, lusciously green backdrop for our tour.
I had a surprise for Greg at our next stop in Vermont. I spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica my junior year of college and became friends with Josh. He grew up on a farm in southern Vermont and I visited him there about 11 years ago. I thought about not going back to college and just staying on their farm. His father, Willis, and his mother, Tina, live and work on a 200 year old farm where they have cows, chickens, sheep, and make both maple syrup and apple cider products. His family made such a wonderful impression on me that when we decided to come to New England, I contacted his parents to see if we could stay with them or at least visit their beautiful farm. They somehow remembered me and graciously allowed us to stay in their cabin in the woods.
We took our time and arrived at the farm about 4:30. Greg and I somehow manage to get along with him driving and me trying to figure out directions. Sometimes it is smoother than others...Willis greeted us and showed us around. We said hello to some soggy sheep and tried to take all of the beauty in. They live on the top of a hill with an incredible view of rolling hills and woods. We changed into some warm clothes and descended into the basement.
There isn't much work on this kind of farm this time of year (too wet to hay) so we helped bottle some apple cider. Willis had his friend Tom over to help bottle up their fall hard cider that was brewing in the basement. We shared stories and laughter bottling the cider. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. Greg and I both got to take turns filling and capping the cider.
Then Willis went up to make some dinner. I helped harvest some lettuce and kale from the garden. I do not remember slugs out here from my farming days but with all their rain I felt like I was back in Oregon fighting for some greens. Willis cooked up some homegrown hamburgers and lamb kebabs. I tried the lamb and it was delicious! We lingered over dinner and were both grateful for our conversation and company. There are people in this world that are so open and friendly that you feel like you have known them forever, and Greg and I both felt that way about Tom and Willis.
On our way to our cabin for the night, Greg called to some owls in the field. We stood there for a while listening and watching the fireflies. Greg heard the owl call later in the night but I missed out. The cabin was set back in the woods and had huge windows so we listened to the evening and the rain the next morning. It sure felt like Oregon!
We gathered our stuff together and went up to the main house for breakfast. We decided that we would like to see "rural" Vermont and got some great tips. We left shortly after coffee and granola but we both left the farm with a huge smile on our faces and in our hearts. Thank you so much Willis for welcoming us into your home and life. We both hope to someday have a farm like yours and hope that you come and visit!

Connecticut

2009-06-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

Greg and I were disappointed to not arrive by plane on Sunday and had to settle for taking the super fast and super overpriced "fast" ferry to Rhode Island. We arrived safely and were warmly welcomed by Matt and Hopper. I never thought I could like small dogs, but Hopper the Rat Terrier has changed my mind. Matt treated us to local homemade ice cream on the way home. I remember this ice cream from when my dad and I visited New England in 1993. Funny how something so good stays with you...

We are staying with family friends Matt and Linda Elgart who have graciously taken us in as if we were their own children. Matt has known my father since they were in Optometry school together in Boston. They are very much like my Aunt and Uncle.

They live in Lyme and I think I forgot how absolutely beautiful it is here in New England. The rolling fields, stone walls, bluebirds, cardinals, and tall oaks and maple trees are just gorgeous. The Conn. river is right down the street. I hate that the Willamette River and the Columbia are so polluted and have to consider my health risks when I decide to swim in either one. The Conn. is clean and warm, unlike our rivers.

Matt and Linda live in a very rural area. Their house is set back from the road and surrounded by trees and a brook that runs through the backyard. Most of the houses around are hundreds of years old with amazing properties. They are doing some renovations that are making the house even more fantastic than it already is.

The first day we took a short ferry ride across the river to get to their granddaughter's first birthday party. It was great to see Manya and Michael, their children, after so many years.

Yesterday, Greg and I went for a short bike ride to Gillette castle. It is perched on a hill above the Conn. river and has fantastic views of the surrounding hills and river. We are not really sure who this castle was built for, supposedly some guy who played Sherlock Holmes in the early 1900's. Doesn't matter, because the castle is still there and we liked seeing it.

We will be posting more about our stay in Connecticut soon, as for now we are packing and tired. A few highlights to support the photos:

We saved a few turtles from certain death.

Went boating with Matt and Hopper...after filling the gas tank.

Kayaking the Connecticut River and saw beaver, osprey, mute swans (the male tried to attack Matt while he passed by because there were four swan babies)...of which we will have photos posted later.

We got a new camera, thanks dad! And we can now zoom in on way more stuff :) But, our small camera is waterproof or so we think. We will try that in Croatia...

Tomorrow we go to Hartford to pick up our rental car for a few days so I can take Greg around to Amherst and show him what college life is like in rural Mass. Then we make our way through Vermont and New Hampshire before going to Boston where we will leave from on Sunday for the European leg of this trip.

We loved Conn. and would like to come back in the fall to be leaf peepers. Thanks to Matt, Linda, Hopper, and Gabby for a wonderful time!

MV Highlights

2009-06-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

Swimming in Icehouse Pond

Swimming in the Ocean, including where Jaws was filmed

Farm work

Over-priced Farmer's Market

FRESH Lobster Dinner @ Menemsha beach

Fireflies

Yachts

Clay bath

Tomorrow, fly off the island on a private plane.

Trains Planes and Ferries

2009-06-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Amy and I left arguably the most gracious hosts ever (Adam & Jeanine) at the BART Station, and began the next leg of the honeymoon. We BARTed into the Mission District of San Francisco to have dinner with friends before catching the redeye to Boston. Thankfully the restaurant we planned on was closed because it opened up the opportunity to go to a fabulous Senegalese restaurant called Bissou Baobab...highly recommend it. Great food, cheap beer, horrible service.

Amy passed out as soon as the plane backed away from the tarmac, and I followed closely behind but not for long. The first time I heard about Restless Leg Syndrome I thought it was a joke, then I experienced it this spring on a flight from PDX to Atlanta. Needless to say, RLS made it pretty much impossible for me to sleep. After a while Amy woke up and repositioned herself to use me as a platform for keeping her pillow in the right spot. This move, which I wanted to fully support as a loving and dedicated husband, sparked RBS - Restless Body Syndrome. I fought RBS as long as I could by making minor movements, adjustments, deep breathing, directing my mind away from reality....nothing worked. To Amy's annoyance, she was awakened to me telling her I was unable to sit still. Here comes the interesting part.

When we boarded I couldn't help but notice a woman wearing a surgical mask eagerly watching the other people in her row get situated before plopping down next to her. This woman looked "normal" except for the mask but I referred to her as The Crazy Lady for the remainder of the flight anyway. So it's god knows what time (we took off at midnight and I slept for maybe a half hour, etc) and I look over to see that the only other person awake is...you guessed it, The Crazy Lady. She was WOLFING down a $5 footlong and reading a trash novel under the only light in the plane. No mask, just a $5 footlong in one hand and a trash novel in the other...one monster bite per every two pages of trash. I think I dozed off because the next time I looked over, the sandwich was gone, the book was gone and she was contorted in a way I've never seen before, on a plane. Additionally, The Crazy Lady's window was now the only window open, bringing in the only light into the plane, shinning on - you guessed it, my face. WTF?

Baggage claim, the Peter Pan bus ride to Woods Hole, and the ferry ride to Oak Bluffs were all smooth. This is my first trip to Martha's Vineyard and I am very excited about the opportunity to meet Matha!

Alameda

2009-06-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Today Greg and I are trying to get everything in place for our next leg of the trip, New England.
But, right now we are canning. Greg is sterilizing jars so we can put up some pickles and dillybeans for Jeanine and Adam from the Farmers Market. Yum, Greg is really good at this stuff. Another reason why I married him.
We had a great bbq on Sunday with some old friends and sat on the deck enjoying sunshine and good food. Adam had acquired some beef from the UCDavis meat lab, I guess they learn all aspects of farming out there :) I heard it was delicious!
Midway through the bbq a neighbor shouted and waved to us...very friendly, but seemed pretty wasted. Around dusk we looked over and saw him take his shirt off and jump into the estuary with just his sweatpants. I would say he was 500 pounds and not a good swimmer. The water was moving pretty quickly and he did manage to float across to the other side pretty smoothly. Then, he got stuck. He was unable to get out and it was quite a scene with his friends trying to figure out where he was and then the drawbridge operator called the police to make things more exciting. The last we saw of him he was being swept downstream by the current...
Tonight, we leave for Massachusetts. We are going to fly into Logan (Boston) and then hop on a bus for Woods Hole, then catch the ferry to Matha's Vineyard (misspelled on purpose) to stay with Krishana on her flower and vegetable farm.

2009-06-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Pavlova, McMuffin, and the other ladies for the eggs!

2009-06-21T10:50:00.001-07:00

Amazing homemade breakfast with Adam and Jeanine.

2009-06-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Sunny Alameda. New York Times, Coffee, and fresh strawberries...need we say more?

Luna de Miel-Alameda

2009-06-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hello all.
We have begun our honeymoon that you helped make possible with thoughtful, generous donations…
Amy tied things up with the greenhouse and garden at school and Greg graduated from his Masters program, we said tearful goodbyes to the dogs, friends, and fruit trees in Portland, and drove down to our first stop, Alameda, CA on Friday.
Jeanine and Adam are gracious hosts allowing us to stay in their beautiful plant-filled boathouse. Yesterday we woke to chickens cawing and Amy thought for a minute she was back in Bolivia. We walked out to the beautiful estuary and enjoyed some much needed sun and warmth. Jeanine was already in the hot tub and I just had to join in…Adam and Greg made an incredible breakfast with fresh poached eggs, bagels, homemade jams of strawberry (Amy) and tart cherry (Jeanine and Adam).
Jeanine took Greg and I to the Farmers Market in Hayward. We left Oregon before raspberry season had even started and were going to miss most of cherry season so we were lucky to get even more than that at the market. I love being in a place where you can get cherries, peaches, nectarines, pluots, strawberries, blueberries, and more fruit in the same season. Not possible in Oregon. And it was a really ethnic market so there were lots of interesting greens for sale and cool melons/cucumbers that we had never seen, mostly for Asian style cooking.
On our way home, we saw a sign in the window of a house that read, Hay Tamales. Jeanine stopped, kicked Greg out of the car, and he purchased some just made Nicaraguan style Tamales out of the kitchen. Very cool! Gotta love the East Bay…
Today is Father’s Day and we want to say how thankful we are for having amazing, supportive fathers in our lives. We would both not be who we are today without their love.
Today…hot tub, fresh homemade breakfast, bat ray swimming by, now we are getting ready to go boating, and that is only at 11am…