I'll try this line with the kids if they complain! :D
It was inline in an article about foreclosure in the New Yorker.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Cute cartoon
I'll try this line with the kids if they complain! :D
It was inline in an article about foreclosure in the New Yorker.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
St. Martin's Day
Today was St. Martin's Day. Kids all over Germany make paper lanterns and go out in the night. At our Kindergarten they re-enacted the story of St. Martin. A poor, sick man was by the side of the road, very cold. St. Martin was a knight on a powerful horse, with armor and a beautiful red cape. The man asked him for help. In response, he tore his cape in half, and gave half to the sick man. That is the story of St. Martin.
I played guitar and sang with the kids in the morning, and so I didn't go in the evening. Only after seeing the pictures and hearing about the little play they put on did I realize I made a big mistake! I'm sad to have missed it. But Kris has pictures here.
I played guitar and sang with the kids in the morning, and so I didn't go in the evening. Only after seeing the pictures and hearing about the little play they put on did I realize I made a big mistake! I'm sad to have missed it. But Kris has pictures here.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Frank Rich does it again
Great post by Frank Rich in today's NYT:
Read the whole thing here.
For eight years, we’ve been told by those in power that we are small, bigoted and stupid — easily divided and easily frightened. This was the toxic catechism of Bush-Rove politics. It was the soiled banner picked up by the sad McCain campaign, and it was often abetted by an amen corner in the dominant news media. We heard this slander of America so often that we all started to believe it, liberals most certainly included. ...
So let’s be blunt. Almost every assumption about America that was taken as a given by our political culture on Tuesday morning was proved wrong by Tuesday night.
Read the whole thing here.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Two hikes with the boys
In the last week I went on two great hikes with the boys. First was on Breitenstein, with Angie, Josef, Felix, Helga and Evelyn. We were a big group! But the boys felt right at home, holding Josef's hand, or Helga's or Evelyn's at different times.
The hike up got a little boring for the kids. But with everyone helping we always found something, like roots or mushrooms or water. I have such a hard time hiking up a dirt road, I really have to sympathize with the kiddos! Finally, after about 1000 feet of hiking and another 300 more ahead I was getting worried about the overall size of the effort. Along came a jeep with an older couple who offered a ride to the kids...angels! I got in with the boys and we bounced up the steep narrow road, passing Josef, Angie and friends who looked bemused. The kids giggled at every bump in the road. What a treat! They were very nice. They let us off at a pass that marked our hut (I forgot the name of it).
Angie and the others arrived, and the boys did their best to eat all the cake they brought. They continued on to the summit but me and the fellas went to the hut for long-promised cake and ice cream (this is how I get kids to hike!). I have a picture of them waiting impatiently at the table.
We finally started down on a long journey. But as long as the boys got chances to stop and play with rocks, water or toy trains (preferably all at once), they were happy. I hoped this would be the first of many special trips with dad.
Next, after a week of pestering me to go hiking again, we hiked up the Kranzhorn. Well, we didn't tag the summit, but we reached the hut/playground just a bit below the summit. Again we had beautiful weather, and made a wise choice to hike up on a steep trail that had warm southern exposure. The views of the Inn River Valley (or Inntal as they say here) were amazing. I think this is one of the best view peaks around. The elevation gain was around 1000 feet. The boys definitely got tired at the end, though it was hard to tell if it was boredom or worn-out legs. Rowan actually has a cold, and seemed to have learned how to cough theatrically in the last few days. He's like an old Pennsylvania coal-miner! At one point he adopted another family, running up and holding hands with the mother. How awkward I felt! Oh well, I hiked with them for a while, then improvised an "Apple Juice Stop" that allowed them to go their own way.
The hut was a real treat. There was a slide and a petting zoo, but it was the last day it would be open this year and the rabbits and goats were already stowed away somewhere warm. Too bad! But the slide and other playground equipment were amusing. I had a delicious Weissbier and Kaiserschmarmm, though Elijah ate almost all the applesauce. The kids had Apfelstruedel and cream. It was very good!
We played this game where they would go into a little house, and I'd go on a hill across the way. They'd try to lure me over. Only when they got far enough out of the house would I come running down the hill to get them. They'd scream bloody murder and race for the house! They'd usually beat me. I was a little drunk so I put extra acting into the "monster" bit running down the hill.
Though I had "summit fever" I judged it was wiser to be prudent and preserve the store of laughing and fun we'd had rather than spend limited energy on the final climb. So we finally left, going down the easy way on a dirt road. But Rowan fell down after a few minutes and kind of mumble-cried for a long time! Poor fella, he was really tired. The kids got me to stop and let them play with their trains at a couple of culverts along the way. We also explored an abandoned bulldozer. "So viele Wildnis hier und sie wollen nur mit eine Maschine spielen!" I said to an older couple who laughed, forgetting that Maschine means jet airplane, not just any old machine.
10 minutes in the car with the heater on and I was the only one awake.
The hike up got a little boring for the kids. But with everyone helping we always found something, like roots or mushrooms or water. I have such a hard time hiking up a dirt road, I really have to sympathize with the kiddos! Finally, after about 1000 feet of hiking and another 300 more ahead I was getting worried about the overall size of the effort. Along came a jeep with an older couple who offered a ride to the kids...angels! I got in with the boys and we bounced up the steep narrow road, passing Josef, Angie and friends who looked bemused. The kids giggled at every bump in the road. What a treat! They were very nice. They let us off at a pass that marked our hut (I forgot the name of it).
Angie and the others arrived, and the boys did their best to eat all the cake they brought. They continued on to the summit but me and the fellas went to the hut for long-promised cake and ice cream (this is how I get kids to hike!). I have a picture of them waiting impatiently at the table.
We finally started down on a long journey. But as long as the boys got chances to stop and play with rocks, water or toy trains (preferably all at once), they were happy. I hoped this would be the first of many special trips with dad.
Next, after a week of pestering me to go hiking again, we hiked up the Kranzhorn. Well, we didn't tag the summit, but we reached the hut/playground just a bit below the summit. Again we had beautiful weather, and made a wise choice to hike up on a steep trail that had warm southern exposure. The views of the Inn River Valley (or Inntal as they say here) were amazing. I think this is one of the best view peaks around. The elevation gain was around 1000 feet. The boys definitely got tired at the end, though it was hard to tell if it was boredom or worn-out legs. Rowan actually has a cold, and seemed to have learned how to cough theatrically in the last few days. He's like an old Pennsylvania coal-miner! At one point he adopted another family, running up and holding hands with the mother. How awkward I felt! Oh well, I hiked with them for a while, then improvised an "Apple Juice Stop" that allowed them to go their own way.
The hut was a real treat. There was a slide and a petting zoo, but it was the last day it would be open this year and the rabbits and goats were already stowed away somewhere warm. Too bad! But the slide and other playground equipment were amusing. I had a delicious Weissbier and Kaiserschmarmm, though Elijah ate almost all the applesauce. The kids had Apfelstruedel and cream. It was very good!
We played this game where they would go into a little house, and I'd go on a hill across the way. They'd try to lure me over. Only when they got far enough out of the house would I come running down the hill to get them. They'd scream bloody murder and race for the house! They'd usually beat me. I was a little drunk so I put extra acting into the "monster" bit running down the hill.
Though I had "summit fever" I judged it was wiser to be prudent and preserve the store of laughing and fun we'd had rather than spend limited energy on the final climb. So we finally left, going down the easy way on a dirt road. But Rowan fell down after a few minutes and kind of mumble-cried for a long time! Poor fella, he was really tired. The kids got me to stop and let them play with their trains at a couple of culverts along the way. We also explored an abandoned bulldozer. "So viele Wildnis hier und sie wollen nur mit eine Maschine spielen!" I said to an older couple who laughed, forgetting that Maschine means jet airplane, not just any old machine.
10 minutes in the car with the heater on and I was the only one awake.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Alps versus Cascades
Recently on a Summitpost forum we were talking about the Alps and the Cascades. I spent a few minutes outlining my thoughts...
Good question Jordan, and one I could wax on about forever. The Cascades will always be my "home range," the one I compare everything to. That said, I'll spend a few minutes focused on the alps...
What is so great about the Alps: I am in the Eastern Alps, which are almost all limestone. The amount of alpine rock climbing here is incredible. You would never, ever run out. From the mountains outside of Munich straight south through the Dolomites the riches are immense. You almost can't compare the Cascades, because there are so many more such climbs. Also wintertime access is much better. And huts open all winter deep in the mountains mean you can get to areas that would be completely "sealed off" in the Cascades. The amount of backcountry skiing terrain is enormous.
What surprised me about the alps: much less crowded than I thought. Especially if you climb adventure/"old school" routes. You'll see between 0 and 2 parties, just like in the Cascades. Also, I walked the famous "Chamonix to Zermatt" Haute Route, and saw only 3-6 people per day in amazing country. That was a big surprise.
What is disappointing about the Alps: of course they are bigger, badder, and have so much wonderful infrastructure. But I found a few sad things. One, the weather in the summer is unstable. August can be extremely rainy, I think it's the worst summer month during the three years I've been here. Two, it can be hard to find folks who understand the desire for adventure/"no bolt" climbing. I think I've frightened many europeans with my idea of a great weekend of climbing! (4 am start, use the whole day until dark, so what if there are no bolts, yes we are only two on a glacier, etc.) Smile
Still learning: It takes a long time to discover the weather patterns, the unexpectedly nice areas you overlooked before, the like-minded friends. My first few years in the Cascades were very unproductive because I didn't understand the weather. I've been going through that here and am getting better. I also learned how to backcountry ski here and that's added a great new dimension to my year (made winter more fun).
I've been here 3 years now and my feelings about living here are very positive, but complicated too. It's hard to know when/if we will go back or not. One thing for sure, if we do go back it'll be to the Old Home...the Cascades!
Thanks for the opportunity to jawbone...
jordansahls wrote:
Nice climb, thanks for the link MVS. Also, as a former Cascade Knight, and now a current Alps extraordinaire, how would you compare the two? I know, I know, you cant REALLY compare them, but for the progression of conversation, what would you have to say? I have never climbed in the Alps, but I picture them as being a much larger, more easily accessible form of the cascades, with better rock of course. It seems like over here in the North Cascades, we have more of the "adventure " deal with long bushwacks and a lack of huts. Not to mention the many miles people will put on to climb a few pitches of rock or ice.
Good question Jordan, and one I could wax on about forever. The Cascades will always be my "home range," the one I compare everything to. That said, I'll spend a few minutes focused on the alps...
What is so great about the Alps: I am in the Eastern Alps, which are almost all limestone. The amount of alpine rock climbing here is incredible. You would never, ever run out. From the mountains outside of Munich straight south through the Dolomites the riches are immense. You almost can't compare the Cascades, because there are so many more such climbs. Also wintertime access is much better. And huts open all winter deep in the mountains mean you can get to areas that would be completely "sealed off" in the Cascades. The amount of backcountry skiing terrain is enormous.
What surprised me about the alps: much less crowded than I thought. Especially if you climb adventure/"old school" routes. You'll see between 0 and 2 parties, just like in the Cascades. Also, I walked the famous "Chamonix to Zermatt" Haute Route, and saw only 3-6 people per day in amazing country. That was a big surprise.
What is disappointing about the Alps: of course they are bigger, badder, and have so much wonderful infrastructure. But I found a few sad things. One, the weather in the summer is unstable. August can be extremely rainy, I think it's the worst summer month during the three years I've been here. Two, it can be hard to find folks who understand the desire for adventure/"no bolt" climbing. I think I've frightened many europeans with my idea of a great weekend of climbing! (4 am start, use the whole day until dark, so what if there are no bolts, yes we are only two on a glacier, etc.) Smile
Still learning: It takes a long time to discover the weather patterns, the unexpectedly nice areas you overlooked before, the like-minded friends. My first few years in the Cascades were very unproductive because I didn't understand the weather. I've been going through that here and am getting better. I also learned how to backcountry ski here and that's added a great new dimension to my year (made winter more fun).
I've been here 3 years now and my feelings about living here are very positive, but complicated too. It's hard to know when/if we will go back or not. One thing for sure, if we do go back it'll be to the Old Home...the Cascades!
Thanks for the opportunity to jawbone...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
