trip within a trip

Michelle, her two boys, Gemma and I went on a three day adventure south to the Alps. The mountains were incredible. There were tons of people there to ski and lots of people shopping and eating in the downtown area near the place we stayed.

This the view of the mountains from the lodge.

We had lunch outside at a little restaurant. Even though it is winter, it wasn't too cold -- in the sun we were actually pretty warm. I had the "Bavarian Lunch Special" -- two big sausages floating in warm water and herbs, with a pretzel and mustard.

I encountered this weird creature in a shop that sold all kinds of different things from cuckoo clocks -- to toys -- to swords. It is called a Wolpertinger and reminded me of when I was a kid and went to Jackson Hole, WY and saw tons of Jackalopes. It is a conglomeration of several animals....How many different types of animals can you see? It was also pretty expensive -- about 210 euro.

Because we wouldn't all fit in a car together (and didn't feel comfortable navigating across the country on our own without Erik) we took the train and then a bus. So we had to pack light since we would be carrying all of our stuff plus three little ones. So that pack on my back, that was REALLY heavy, has all of our clothes (two adults and three kids). Michelle had a backpack with food and diapers and those sorts of things for children, plus she was carrying Jack and pushing Ian in a stroller. It was hard getting on and off the trains -- but so satisfying to do so much on our own with the kids.