Can Todd write a novel in a month?

We'll find out, because he's going to participate in National Novel Writing Month.

What is it?

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

Wish him luck.

Find out more about it all here.

Coming Attractions: Munich

1. We turn Kathleen's biz trip into a mini-vacation
2. We tip back some brew at the Hofbrauhaus - the world's most famous beer hall
3. The best place to walk to view fall color
4. Todd visits Dachau, Nazi Germany's first concentration camp - powerful

Plus, tons more. Stay tuned and take care.

A Long Weekend in Paris

We'll be posting the story shortly. Until then enjoy the video.

Remember, we're working hard to keep you up-to-date, so please keep those comments coming. Thank you.



Click on video or here to watch.

Amy and Sean stop by on their way to Italy

A couple of weeks ago we had the good fortune to receive a visit from Amy and Sean. Their original plan was to just visit northern Italy, but they managed to squeeze us into their travel plans. Thanks again guys.

We had a great time. After eating our way through Zürich, (pomme frites anyone), we fit in a little trip to the top of Mt. Titlis. Then they were off to Italy. We were sad to see them go so quicky, but happy to have gotten to see them.

Who's next?

Click on the video or here to view.

Lugano - A Taste of Italy in Switzerland

It's hard to believe that in a country the size of a U.S. state, you could have such different terrains and cultures. But that's the beauty of Switzerland. And a few weekends ago, we explored one of them. We headed down to the Italian influenced region in the south called Ticino. We took a 3-hour train ride and spent the weekend in Lugano. It's situated on Lake Lugano and has Switzerland on one side and Italy on the other. In fact, Lake Como is right over the hill. (Alas, we didn't have any George Clooney sightings). We went on the best hike that Saturday -- we walked from the town of Morcote up the mountain and then back down to Lugano (roughly 12 kilometers). The weather was amazing. The scenery overlooking the lakes around the region was incredible. But our favorite part was a surprise oasis at the top of a long trek uphill. Sweaty and looking for lunch, we discovered a gourmet Italian restaurant nestled on a small piece of farmland. Since it was only a half-way point on our journey, we had to force ourselves not to spend the afternoon there indulging in a 4-hour lunch. We opted for a 2-hour feast instead. We figured we had earned the right to the calories.

The Rheinfall

This picture and video is from an area not far from Zurich called Rheinfall. We took a short train ride to a town called Schaffhausen and then hopped on a local bus to the falls. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the falls are huge and extremely powerful. Even Todd in all his whitewater experience claimed he would not take a raft down them. Fortunately for us, the tourism industry isn't afraid of running old boats right up to them, so we got a good look at them as well as large number of fish jumping out of the water trying to swim upstream.



Click on video or here to watch video.

A Fridge Gone Bad

After a late evening at work, I came home to an empty but very clean apartment. Todd was at his language class and had left our place spic and span. I smelled something like bleach or ammonia, but I figured that it must have been from Todd's amazing cleaning job. When Todd finally got home, he told me we didn't have bleach or ammonia. Hmm. Well, we started searching for the source of the pungent odor. It appeared to be coming from the vent above the refrigerator. Mildly concerned and just a little light-headed, I opened a few windows. Todd, more concerned than I was, started placing calls. First, to our landlady. Then, to the refrigerator manufacturer. Unfortunately, neither was available to come by that night. I was resolved to sort out the issue the next morning. Todd, thankfully, thought we should explore further. With an English/Germany dictionary in one hand and a phone in the other, Todd slowly tried to explain our situation to the fire department. I'm not entirely sure of the exchange, but there were a few shoutings of "AMMON-YAK, AMMON-YAK!" from Todd. Five or so minutes after he got off the phone, the "fire brigade" arrived at our door -- complete with a huge fire truck and over half a dozen fully clad firefighters. Todd escorted them upstairs and within seconds, they told him to get out. They went down to the truck and pulled out full masks and oxygen tanks; they then went upstairs and retrieved the refrigerator. Turns out our refrigerator had "gone bad." This was new to us, especially since we saw no evidence of drug use. No, but seriously, the scene was right out of "24". And lucky for me and for those who want to keep me around, Todd had sense to bring in the brigade. We are now proud owners of a new refrigerator and a good story.

Hut Hiking Adventure #1

This is a montage video of our first "hut hiking" experience in the Alps. It was a blast. We took a gondola half way up the mountain, and then we had to hike the rest of the way to the top where the "hut" was located. The views were breathtaking. The second night way stayed in a "hut" built into a side of a cliff. Awesome. Each hut had a resturant with good food, cold beer and friendly waitstaff. That's right. Waitstaff at the top of a mountain. That's our Switzerland.

Click here to view video.

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Summer Snow Man

While hiking around "Rigi Klum" this summer, Todd finds himself unprepared for the harsh mountain elements.