Kyle talking here. My dad came and visited me in Germany this past August. We wanted to see the whole 'D-Day thing' so I drove us to France. Dad navigated...and neither one of us speak a lick of French. Well, REAL French. Quite a few hours into the drive we stopped at a rest stop in the Ardennes and started walking around, looking at the forest and shaking out the kinks. In the process, we found an enormous blackberry patch along a dirt road. We wrastled our way into the edges and then stood there and ate blackberries until we were queasy. Perfectly ripe. My mouth waters just thinking about it. 
During our first trip to Ireland we stopped in a tiny, charming little village on our way to see the Connemara. While I shopped for some local cheeses and meats for a late morning snack, Kyle took a break to soak up some small town atmosphere. When I walked out of the grocer's she looked so beautiful that it quite simply took my breath away. I hurriedly snapped this shot (well not this shot, I cropped and edited the snapshot to improve the perspective) in order to preserve the moment.
Every village we drove thru had its own unique charm and character. For four wonderful days we drank in the colors and sounds of small town Irish living. With every breath time seemed to pause and savor the richness and peace of the Emerald Isle. Those days seemed to last forever, and yet they were gone too soon. It may have helped that we were falling in love with each other, even as we fell in love with Ireland.
So Kyle posts one of me, I post one of her! Look closely at her (shapely) legs. I missed the shot, but she had just gotten splashed by an unusually large wave and was giving me "the look". Right after this picture we noticed that the area where we were standing was fast becoming an island. Quick, pack up the backpack and let's get out of here!! We splashed thru ankle deep swells on our way back to terra firma. What an amazing, romantic, memory-filled afternoon. Ireland...it's siren song continues to tug at our hearts.....
Hey Dad! I know how you and Randall and the gals like to poke around in old cemetaries. Well, just so you know...I am standing in a cemetary that surrounds an abbey built in 1101! The gravestone in this picture is from the 1500's. Got any like that in the states?? This is one of the biggest reasons why Europe is so amazing to visit...hint, hint...
Yes that's wine in Lyn's hand. We jumped a few fences, traversed a couple of fields and spent lunch on a cluster of rocks below the high tide line. Of course, after we enjoyed our wine and cheese we had to scramble to outrun the tide, but it was definitely worth it.
Ireland, again. We're going back as soon as humanly possible!
Addendum from Lyn: Yes, that is wine in my hand. We enjoyed a lunch of cheese, smoked sausage, and wine on the edge of Ireland; taking advantage of one of the Emerald Isle's breathtaking afternoons. This day will endure, for me, as one of the most romantic moments of my life!!
During a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands, Kyle and I had the opportunity to tour many beautiful castle ruins. This magnificent structure is in Dornie by Kyle of Lochalsh, and boasts a very colorful past. Through most of its history the castle was held by the Mackenzie clan, whose Chieftan was the self-proclaimed Lord of The Isles. The Macrae clan was aligned with the Mackenzies and served as Constables, garrisoned in the Castle. The present building was restored in the early 20th Century by the Macraes, who own the Castle today. For you movie buffs, this castle has appeared in Highlander (1985), Loch Ness (1995), and The World is Not Enough (1999).
Kyle took this picture with her trusty Sony DSC100 and, I think, perfectly captured the poignant beauty of the Castle, impervious to assault from the typical Scottish weather.
So Kyle posts one of me....I post one of her! I took this during a weekend trip to Scotland. We toured the Highlands, saw many beautiful castle ruins, the Scottish Moors, and of course Loch Ness. While driving along the water's edge, Kyle thought she saw something in the water. We stopped to check it out and I managed to snap this quick shot before the creature descended back into the murky depths of the lake. Well that is my story anyway....and I am sticking to it!!
...Cool Hand Lyn...rugged cowboy...charmer of women...Runner of Bulls....
Here is Lyn, in an unguarded moment in Pamplona, Spain during the running of the bulls this summer. Yes, he ran. He lived. Three times. Don't ask me how he lived, he said he touched a bull 'on the ass'. Livin' La Vida Loca....
So it's been kinda hit and miss with the posts here. To tell you the truth, things have been really hectic at work. Kyle and I have been pretty much just staggering home, sipping a glass of wine, and then watching old re-runs of "Friends". I guess the workload hasn't affected her quite so much...she has been busy posting pictures on her nascent photoblog. Check it out, she is very talented! (yes, I am biased, but so what!)
The weather over here in Germany has been terrible. I haven't seen the sun shine in three damn days. Actually it has been more than two weeks, which accounts for the big blah monkey hanging on to my backside. I think Kyle and I need a vacation...someplace warm.... And as I drift into daydreams, I will close for now...see you soon.
So if you've met Lyn, you have to meet me. I'm his lobster, the aforementioned cute one. Not that Lyn doesn't look dashingly scruffy. This picture is from a fantastic vacation to Ireland, in the area known as 'the Burren'. About 10 miles back down the road we took a few pictures mooning the camera, but the general public shouldn't be subjected to those types of things.
