tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257737502024-03-07T06:04:57.285-08:00Fraser's NewsFraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.comBlogger753125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-78346343764011858442013-03-23T02:30:00.001-07:002013-03-23T02:30:23.798-07:00Test <p dir="ltr">Testing out mobile solution <br>
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Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-17873006432816732262012-10-24T02:45:00.001-07:002012-10-24T02:45:01.326-07:00A Trip to a Waterfall–part 1<p>We were looking for another outdoorsy activity that would let us see some nature, yet not be too horribly strenuous on our tired legs or out wallets.  There was some discussion which in the end concluded with the decision to visit the highest waterfall in the alps.  Everyone hopped in the car and we drove about an hour to get there.</p> <p>First up we had to get tickets to get in to the park, it was pretty reasonable, about 5 bucks a person as I recall.  The entrance and lower area of the grounds was by far the most touristy thing we had seen so far.  There were many many booths selling cheesy t-shirts as well as the omnipresent salve made from groundhog fat.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h2Zs1Eu6pMQ/UIe4RHx6s4I/AAAAAAAAIs8/n50Zaqz6rWM/s1600-h/DSC_2727%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2727" border="0" alt="DSC_2727" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FYv0bKUbtI0/UIe4S5lGM3I/AAAAAAAAItE/xiw4OsLoa3U/DSC_2727_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="661" height="442" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Tickets in hand and Henrik on back, we set out on the epic adventure.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KYYGOHG1MsXws6RtHLM-Zr3GZNfBPbjEq-ZP3mMsB74Gx-8b79da9D0fz3uphp9zTwYrNdgG9KKJ497hQOq4WvcQCYIy62F1r3yo8KuqEawEwp06qiR-I4phuTIZkhUeBMFE/s1600-h/DSC_2728%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2728" border="0" alt="DSC_2728" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l_3KR4TxA7w/UIe4WHu4GlI/AAAAAAAAItU/mGZGyE9z_Ew/DSC_2728_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="669" height="447" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Despite all the booths around the entrance, after 100m or so into the park, it was just nature.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6GYAsJnEKdE/UIe4YPIHo2I/AAAAAAAAItc/wvHpP3ByWNY/s1600-h/DSC_2730%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2730" border="0" alt="DSC_2730" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a7khMQMRzYQ/UIe4aR1A4JI/AAAAAAAAItk/326YF3yyEF4/DSC_2730_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="666" height="445" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The boys were allowed to buy hiking sticks and were making fine use of them as they trekked through the forest on the way to the falls.  I think they had a fine sense of adventure.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RAQmUqMKaDI/UIe4cDJGrII/AAAAAAAAIts/s9jl3TrGwRk/s1600-h/DSC_2729%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2729" border="0" alt="DSC_2729" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrH_Jpo33UjGMCIL7u_TiFIjgGcua-f0iVu_Dr2_FhvYF81WX75gCiYxlJgUQFjw0jdbDEFxFIeu3yCQcYQS_ofo-_Na5_4gZdcSIMQrpC95tzWJHo9uhiN8L4-pRYi8oJGFQ/?imgmax=800" width="679" height="491" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The park is arranged so that there is a long trail winding up the side of the mountain next to the falls.  So every 10 min or so you walk back over to get a nice view, then wind up some more trail to the next station.  The first 20 min or so is even paved, but it quickly became so steep that it was in no way pram-friendly.</p> <p> </p> <p>The first and largest waterfall spot was right at the bottom.  Unlike typical North American attractions, there were no fences or other warning things here.  Europeans try to leave a lot of the safety up to “common sense” in the interest of not marring natural beauty with signs and railings when possible.  This allows visitors to get quite close to the action, but also assumes you can control yourselves (and your kids) from plummeting over cliffs and waterfalls.  There are no lawsuits being filed because the state did not explain that jumping off a cliff was dangerous.</p> <p> </p> <p>You can see here that quite a lot of people are enjoying the falls very closely.  Despite being a warm day, the mist off the glacial fed falls made this quite a chilly spot to stand for too long.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QP4cujKAML4/UIe4fgzwg6I/AAAAAAAAIt8/p2-txDcHL5Y/s1600-h/DSC_2731%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2731" border="0" alt="DSC_2731" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9O6vvPK0Flw/UIe4gxJXPDI/AAAAAAAAIuE/shzF3nh-lMQ/DSC_2731_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="664" height="444" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>As Mike always likes to test the limits of common sense and safety, he wanted to get as close to the falls as possible for a good look.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qqiHKnu02GE/UIe4iaOPX7I/AAAAAAAAIuM/cF-hKAapLqU/s1600-h/DSC_2733%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2733" border="0" alt="DSC_2733" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n3XP4ZiXkEY/UIe4j_GsXiI/AAAAAAAAIuU/jATrYbuClSM/DSC_2733_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="536" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>He managed to prove that his judgment is perfectly acceptable and no Starrs were swept away.  They did all get wet though.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VtJO6oCiLog/UIe4ldc2S5I/AAAAAAAAIuc/017AucxrMeU/s1600-h/DSC_2734%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2734" border="0" alt="DSC_2734" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1I4NvsSDu60/UIe4mkvY4II/AAAAAAAAIuk/qmhDo-hc-yI/DSC_2734_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="665" height="445" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>More to follow.</p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-26689182636709384382012-10-10T05:58:00.000-07:002012-10-10T05:58:38.137-07:00Cool dudes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am still pretty much swamped with work and evening appointments (Fraser Hockey, Liam Hockey, Liam soccer, etc, etc) so I have not had time to carry on with an up to date post. Just to keep up some new content, I will share two pretty cool photos of Henrik and Myself taken by Cherie. </div>
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Henrik does still really enjoy sitting on me, but more often than not he ends up smacking me in the face or just generally jumping all over me like a madman.</div>
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Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-61536630017185212352012-10-05T04:31:00.001-07:002012-10-05T04:31:39.518-07:00Quick post….<p>I have been too busy to make a nice post this week since Monday.  Lots going on right now, so I will just put up this quick one with a photo of Claudia and I at the lakefront.  This photo would mostly be notable since it was taken by Liam.  That is why its from a low angle and much out our bodies are missing.  I also straightened it… but he was still very happy to be holding the camera.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eSE8Fp1doi0/UG7FErswP_I/AAAAAAAAIqo/s7CzBBHhDLc/s1600-h/DSC_2840%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2840" border="0" alt="DSC_2840" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XeCwjbnkmzA/UG7FGNkAoLI/AAAAAAAAIqw/JVsIaNlMxlI/DSC_2840_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="655" height="438" /></a></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-17745234200341004592012-10-01T04:48:00.001-07:002012-10-01T04:48:38.197-07:00Oktoberfest in Munich 2012<p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">This year Claudia and I decided to make the trip down to Munich for Oktoberfest.  We had not actually been there since 2000, preferring some other smaller beer festivals over the years, specifically the Rosenheim fest that we have been to quite a few times.  But since we had a good time at Rosenheim this year and wanted to give our Trachten another spin, we decided to head down and enjoy an afternoon there.  We met up with Michaela and Luisa as well as Bernhard and Vroni.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">We decided to take the train down from Gersthofen to Munich both so we could enjoy a beer at the fest as well as avoid the hell of driving in Munich on a Sunday (especially during the fest)  We got on the train just after 9am so we would have plenty of time to get down there before lunch.  There were many people getting on at every stop decked out in Dirndl and Lederhosen.  I noticed that the Trachten wearing crowd seemed to be made up of a few distinct types.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">1) Complete families who looked like they were on their way down for the carnival rides and fairground type attractions.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">2) older folks (I’ll include Claudia and I in this group now, since we are old)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">3) people that for lack of a better word I will call… trash.  Who were already standing around with open beer in hand at 9am.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">I thought it was amusing that at about 9:20 or so, the German rail gentleman with the cart selling snacks and drinks appeared.  However in addition to the usual coffee, snacks and sandwiches, he was selling beer and shots of Jaegermeister.  Since we had just enjoyed a lovely breakfast before heading out, Claudia and I passed on the treats.  More than a few people opted to crack open beers though you can guess which group most of them belonged to….</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sB9slb8sGVQ/UGmCcm3fnrI/AAAAAAAAImI/Cc7plWQsbx8/s1600-h/CIMG0029%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0029" border="0" alt="CIMG0029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t1qoLkkYU54/UGmCeoTi5uI/AAAAAAAAImQ/NdlawngzV7E/CIMG0029_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="569" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">Since I have a small mind that is easily amused, I still giggle whenever the train stops at “kissing.”  At this point in the journey, the train was full to the point of standing room only, and you can see some folks in full Bavarian regalia enjoying beverages in the aisles.  Again, it is about 9:30 or so now….</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1DpX47-qoHA/UGmCgF4mUPI/AAAAAAAAImY/IZnnZ-Sta-k/s1600-h/CIMG0032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0032" border="0" alt="CIMG0032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sZJhi99orxM/UGmCh1VdarI/AAAAAAAAImg/e1DwdpKh9GQ/CIMG0032_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="612" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">OK, so we arrive in Munich at 10:45 and make our way over to the fairground.  There are TONS of people headed there and it was easy to follow the steady stream of foot traffic and large clearly indicated signs.  It was much closer to the centre than I remembered and the walk was only 10-15 min max.  Once we arrived, we did a walking round to look at the tents and people before we met up with Michaela.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">First site I captured is for the benefit of Mike.  It is a fish-cooking booth with many many Steckerlfisch (fish on a stick cooked over coals)  we had enjoyed this treat during his visit and I know he would have liked this one as well.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SLyKcvuFnx0/UGmCjvzwxYI/AAAAAAAAImo/6KIj2a6RwQ4/s1600-h/CIMG0035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0035" border="0" alt="CIMG0035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rzk4_jMiC5A/UGmClH7u95I/AAAAAAAAImw/YFv3nGtRXkQ/CIMG0035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="597" height="449" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">I also  really liked the look of this tent the “Ochsenbraterei” where they serve many grilled Ox foods.  In retrospect, I wish I had eaten there since it’s not everyday that I have the chance to sample BBQ ox.  Maybe next time.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kL0H-K4fD9U/UGmCmt4PVJI/AAAAAAAAIm4/fsLkyQLenBs/s1600-h/CIMG0036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0036" border="0" alt="CIMG0036" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3LShU4irbJ0/UGmCoWPd8lI/AAAAAAAAInA/08sUxqsqflk/CIMG0036_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="455" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">The weather was just a little too cool and grey on Sunday, about 14 degrees and very overcast.  It never did rain, but I was very much in need of my warm sweater.  It would of course have been much better with 20 and sunny, but you can’t really influence that at all.  Despite this, the fest was packed with wall to wall people.  Beer tents were already full to the point of closing by noon.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yAUmH27mnlY/UGmCqLGv7mI/AAAAAAAAInI/qyqtEueaRcI/s1600-h/CIMG0037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0037" border="0" alt="CIMG0037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DQzNN5Fq1Rw/UGmCsrTCIPI/AAAAAAAAInQ/p9kW7w2PbHM/CIMG0037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="470" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">On a whim, Claudia bought this red hat.  She was worried it was too bright and did not match the red of her Dirndl so well, but I think it looked cute.  It  was pretty cool and windy as I said, so she wanted to keep from getting blown around and warm her head a little.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xqyWIvHc3KU/UGmCty00SEI/AAAAAAAAInY/eewAczC9le8/s1600-h/CIMG0040%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0040" border="0" alt="CIMG0040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PODiTJniAQI/UGmCvtwaGMI/AAAAAAAAIng/uIgUT3j_u_4/CIMG0040_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="690" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">In the next little while, we met up with Michaela and Luisa, however I failed to take a picture of them.  Trust me when I say Michaela was wearing a lovely pink Dirndl.  Luisa was dressed in ordinary modern clothes, but I did notice that she had some pretty sweet looking leopard running shoes on.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">Bernhard and Vroni were all dressed up as were Claudia and myself.  We just bought our outfits while the Starrs were here (will cover that in another post) and I still have the grey sweater that Claudia knit for me a few years ago that matches quite well.  Bernhard had also just bought the full outfit, but Vroni was wearing a Dirndl that was previously her mother’s.  I think we all look pretty sweet.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SBG6fjzW_ck/UGmCxOIlblI/AAAAAAAAIno/SzThgUcDHOs/s1600-h/CIMG0051%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0051" border="0" alt="CIMG0051" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cMpQRfpBAJY/UGmCyuSG6HI/AAAAAAAAInw/ifYtggmV0XE/CIMG0051_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="399" /></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jAmDHRBqk7w/UGmC0boDI2I/AAAAAAAAIn4/r7eIGvaKP3Y/s1600-h/CIMG0049%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0049" border="0" alt="CIMG0049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RciOlo2l-H0/UGmC2TraIqI/AAAAAAAAIoA/RlyS_8Gq8dM/CIMG0049_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="408" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">I had to include a photo of my lunch since that is what happens to everyone with a camera in their phone these days.  I decided on a Schweinshaxe mit kartoffelknödel  (Ham hock and potato dumpling,)  a meal which has absolutely zero place in my diet.  I am not about to let my beer fest be limited by a silly diet though, I enjoyed every delicious calorie on the plate.  It was meaty, fatty, crunchy and so very yummy.  You can see the edges of the tasty beer that accompanied it on the side there.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XKOJPAbQLxk/UGmC3xvPe6I/AAAAAAAAIoI/7G7-3SVzN4g/s1600-h/CIMG0046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0046" border="0" alt="CIMG0046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_hQV5Rl_NC7LuH-ZKq8A-K1vjyDunfZA45UCiufuv1SjlwezbUqIORAFy3U-SRjYlwkYxgLN9xW1cdPYPL_BF7tdQXvp8RRpSZZOh2F7HJJuUFp8iRQW_xRbYaTt1bAhNRjw/?imgmax=800" width="607" height="456" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">Oh, in case you were wondering, we had lunch at the Hacker-Pschorr tent.  Tasty beer and tasty food.  We searched for a spot inside, but it was so packed that finding a table to fit six people was hopeless.  We sat out in the beer garden after doing a round of the tent to see the crowd.  It was a pretty nice interior and you can see here the bandstand with the banner behind them reading “Bavarian Heaven”  the ceiling of the tent was all decorated with clouds and blue sky banners.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wFlgDH1L_Xs/UGmC7ysl4BI/AAAAAAAAIoY/ECLLpUCj2WI/s1600-h/CIMG0047%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0047" border="0" alt="CIMG0047" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0CJMg9MRCfU/UGmC9nz8EEI/AAAAAAAAIog/ZWbSWZPkZoM/CIMG0047_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="463" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">After lunch we strolled around the grounds and had a look at all the rides.  I thought most of them looked insanely vomit-inducing and I can not imagine people riding them after the volume of beer and food being consumed in the tents.  The other big issue with Oktoberfest is that it is crazy expensive.  Even the simplest rides were 4 euro per ride.  There was no shortage of patrons though.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">Later in the afternoon we went to a “coffee and cake” tent where I was the only person too full to even consider consuming anything else.  The others had all selected far more modest lunches than myself and were ready for coffee/hot chocolate/crepes etc, but I was just still exploding with meat.  We were very lucky in getting a table here though, so it was a nice break from the dismal cold weather.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yXbRs6DAQFg/UGmC_YYByTI/AAAAAAAAIoo/3na63NJvj8M/s1600-h/CIMG0056%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0056" border="0" alt="CIMG0056" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Telc1gkeKcE/UGmDBZjFMAI/AAAAAAAAIow/BMEp7GMnM3E/CIMG0056_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="470" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">I thought the waitresses had really great hats in this place.    </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5lk8YSjTKpA/UGmDDCf5AXI/AAAAAAAAIo4/pyisA3hN9hU/s1600-h/CIMG0060%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0060" border="0" alt="CIMG0060" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NbVHz9POrDs/UGmDE37NGtI/AAAAAAAAIpA/RNfHnItbMbo/CIMG0060_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="533" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk">So that is it, my Oktoberfest experience for 2012.  It was quite fun, but it is honestly too packed and expensive for me to really enjoy.  I had a much better time at the Rosenheim fest and I think we will have to make an effort to head back there for a yearly visit rather than Munich.  The Stuttgart fest (Canstatter Wasen) is on now and we are still debating if we go to that one.  If so it would be one to bring the kids to as well.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Futura Bk"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-25435526171611300232012-09-28T00:32:00.001-07:002012-09-28T00:32:07.335-07:00Baumzipfelweg–Part II<p><font size="3">After crossing the majestic span of the Alps bridge, a sign pointed us in the direction of the actual Baumzipfelweg.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cX5ohysApjg/UGVSEcYHrsI/AAAAAAAAIis/r5YhNGVWVeM/s1600-h/DSC_2678%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2678" border="0" alt="DSC_2678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxiiYw4EzNrc9Ps-wIKMyijP4ZCFjLeBzOAu2-mP1Pi8rY5wrYtrsYU9Ugt-gLaqZw8uum2niQWAY_ElL19sXA8jWbhzjTdZEMkuASqJslFS8DGael046COBaA-GNDh6LBP2_/?imgmax=800" width="620" height="415" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Unsurprisingly, this involved taking many stairs to get to the tree tops.  We told the boys that it would be like walking around an Ewok village since they were both pretty big Star Wars fans.  This was about all the selling they needed, anything that was in any way connected to Star Wars was OK by them.  That attitude was eerily familiar to my own.  The stairs up were not really all that bad.  I would say it was about the equivalent of the 4th or maybe 5th floor of an average building.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fxLvAj-G3ek/UGVSIDOMFuI/AAAAAAAAIi8/dZdH4hsZm6U/s1600-h/DSC_2674%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2674" border="0" alt="DSC_2674" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jN1DOh34GCM/UGVSJ2Wa2bI/AAAAAAAAIjE/BfhJXhMu21c/DSC_2674_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="626" height="419" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Walking along the boardwalk and platforms was pretty neat, but a little shorter than we had hoped.  the complete route was supposedly 1km, but I would not be surprised if they included some of the stairs distance in that to make it seem longer than it was.  I enjoyed it, but it just seemed like it should have been a larger experience for something you would make a special trip for.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u2KDoD-3NL4/UGVSLf-RHAI/AAAAAAAAIjM/Z5Z5CwzE410/s1600-h/DSC_2667%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2667" border="0" alt="DSC_2667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jSUGkzqfYzk/UGVSNjBcQLI/AAAAAAAAIjU/v-FmBwljeGM/DSC_2667_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="637" height="426" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">There were a couple of observation points, but since we were more or less in a valley, I don’t think that they served a great purpose.  Really you could not see all that far, it was not like you were on top of a mountain or something.  Still, Liam enjoys any opportunity to look through a telescope or binoculars.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NKqy2ku_pS3ANALk9jR1QrRXQyTFhc2rwGjX5W2xfx1Bs7WRi7QqjbtrDHXIBGWOGDnEt33nJJ36Hxzx_uUKi2zaxPu2uu5OfEzr4JpqGIc5AC2ArKXFMG_7VKMl4szCsfEi/s1600-h/DSC_2666%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2666" border="0" alt="DSC_2666" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MyIkb434SxU/UGVSQvH2cvI/AAAAAAAAIjk/m-_Gs7Okn5s/DSC_2666_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="427" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">At the end of one section was this glass walled bit, which was kind of cool.  Claudia is striking a nice pose here with some of the gnome hats, but I really forget what statement she was trying to make.  At the time it was funny as I recall, but now I have lost the context of the pose…  </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-guplNA2bAko/UGVSSOPtg3I/AAAAAAAAIjs/KWjLQJNR4N4/s1600-h/DSC_2669%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2669" border="0" alt="DSC_2669" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DGfDr7IYc18/UGVST8ZWmxI/AAAAAAAAIj0/blfdz9UAv4s/DSC_2669_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="649" height="434" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">So a bit of a walk along the tops and then it was back down the steps to the ground level.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2nCZIZGxzJI/UGVSVcf2QaI/AAAAAAAAIj8/a8M-khLibl8/s1600-h/DSC_2671%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2671" border="0" alt="DSC_2671" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7JElg-U841Y/UGVSWyDyDbI/AAAAAAAAIkE/MzYTjE1EKqU/DSC_2671_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="667" height="446" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">The other great attraction of this site was a rope/climbing garden.  The grown up one cost extra and required about a 30 min training on the use of the safety equipment, but over at our section there was a kids version which was fairly much a big playground/obstacle course type thing.  The kids had some fun running through that a few times.  Since I had the fun man strapped to my back, Henrik and I just did a couple more rounds of the tree top walk while the others enjoyed the ropes.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YXN4YZMEuWk/UGVSYQt4J_I/AAAAAAAAIkM/J-AEoUME2ow/s1600-h/DSC_2697%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2697" border="0" alt="DSC_2697" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BrpMi36SQYg/UGVSZ-ehydI/AAAAAAAAIkU/Nvx8YaGiogs/DSC_2697_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="665" height="445" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">That is it for this experience.  I will leave you with a cool image of Gnomerik enjoying a rice cake.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jx3j0CO97q8/UGVSbeRyjgI/AAAAAAAAIkc/KXFsVLhPZ-0/s1600-h/CIMG0046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0046" border="0" alt="CIMG0046" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZtApnkMqoCA/UGVSdFGG83I/AAAAAAAAIkk/7cUyMjd10xU/CIMG0046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="615" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-30428125378102976992012-09-26T07:11:00.001-07:002012-09-26T07:11:18.873-07:00Baumzipfelweg<p><font size="3">After such a strenuous and tiring hike, we thought we would take it a little easier the next day and look for something that was maybe a little less difficult.  We settled on a visit to the “Baumzipfelweg” or “tree-top way” which looked very nice in the brochure.  Essentially it is a path on elevated platforms on top of some trees with nice views.  It was also quite close to where we were staying, so the prospect of a shorter drive was also quite welcome.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Like pretty much every activity, this started out with a nice long walk from where we parked.  There was about a 30 minute stroll along this path next to a nice river.  Compared to the past days massive inclines, this seemed pretty easy.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ1gB7qTY6Gxp2He5xeXfnC1N0iUcRynrUSQGWCt07Y2sAgu1lIzspW9Ek5acTFXAlYWvQZobHPPe-V3uFOtQgrDIbWZQeqOHfYwX_eMy-h_Czo5E0gWja0buZkvFbTiH0G5b/s1600-h/DSC_2616%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2616" border="0" alt="DSC_2616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2KbhVcQbRR9AKvglkywj27hnqjhge_5H_BXeN2lRM6qNCa2rlA4Hz_YI-Ir_KOoVIeSkaVEzZFU1Ixj8jDoBa7lxCz5zMp4WXKFCB-njEQNHPaV67iDGNsi-nREFWPAU0uXq/?imgmax=800" width="571" height="382" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">There were also some cows enjoying the path, so we enjoyed the cows too.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-atKzUxfaYto/UGMMsa0i7dI/AAAAAAAAIfw/XADtY_TQiO8/s1600-h/DSC_2625%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2625" border="0" alt="DSC_2625" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XK5zVhdwOJo/UGMMuKgpeUI/AAAAAAAAIf4/iw2U_vqCtxY/DSC_2625_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="386" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">At the end of this path, we got to the “Golden Gate Bridge of the Alps” and the kiosk where we had to get our tickets to the path.  Possibly the greatest part of the whole experience was that with every entry ticket, you received this amazing gnome hat.  Here is the Anderson family in full gnome mode, standing before the mighty bridge.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T9xHiUg2NUY/UGMMvov8sTI/AAAAAAAAIgA/tUHofE3l1Xs/s1600-h/DSC_2633%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2633" border="0" alt="DSC_2633" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JaHhjYUtxdM/UGMMxWVaK5I/AAAAAAAAIgI/0BkSdv5Q5Mc/DSC_2633_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="609" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">The Starrs looked just as cool decked out in their hats.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iknbfbhTNQ4/UGMMzD1noII/AAAAAAAAIgQ/TXKTgsaWxVk/s1600-h/DSC_2641%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2641" border="0" alt="DSC_2641" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2FvKrwZaJe4/UGMM2r-kkeI/AAAAAAAAIgY/cQkEF-Dkwx4/DSC_2641_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="698" height="467" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">The bridge was pretty cool, I have only ever seen the real Golden Gate bridge from an airplane, but I have to say this one may be just as good in my books.  Mostly because the real GG bridge leads to Oakland and this one leads to Schnitzel.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eSBL1qHnRNg/UGMM4YUYezI/AAAAAAAAIgg/1KKF-QrBQvE/s1600-h/DSC_2651%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2651" border="0" alt="DSC_2651" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ignbIE40KgY/UGMM57g6azI/AAAAAAAAIgo/kyVgI6lSetA/DSC_2651_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="729" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">I have a moderate fear of heights, so the very see through grating of the bridge made me feel a little nervous.  I did however suck it in and look super calm and comfortable so I can maintain my manly he-man image in front of the children.  I know they clearly see me as some sort of super macho dude.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MO0nGyGjljs/UGMM71bxUXI/AAAAAAAAIgw/hjH0P16SEbs/s1600-h/DSC_2655%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2655" border="0" alt="DSC_2655" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mcW-LW_KEo8/UGMM9h90cJI/AAAAAAAAIg4/J9VRVhbUyKw/DSC_2655_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="688" height="460" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Oh, and I did not really mention that again I had the pleasure of all this walking and climbing with some extra pounds of joy strapped to my back.  This was the 3rd or 4th outing in a row carrying Henrik though and I have to say I was actually getting rather used to it.  I don’t think I would have managed another 5 hour trek right away, but it was not so bad.  </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YvZLmtQ3V6U/UGMM_ExpF1I/AAAAAAAAIhA/dkfgFwd-iho/s1600-h/DSC_2682%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2682" border="0" alt="DSC_2682" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xb8mmCClwWQ/UGMNA0SEMcI/AAAAAAAAIhI/GLKLFX2v87s/DSC_2682_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="696" height="465" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Stay tuned for the next update when we cross the bridge and enjoy the tree tops.</font></p> <p><font size="3"> </font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-20175957833374177232012-09-21T05:42:00.001-07:002012-09-21T05:42:49.624-07:00The Big Hike–Part 3<p><font size="4">Well, since we were all feeling fit and adventurous and the kids had not uttered a peep of complaint we decided to take the long route back.  On the posted sign/map it did not look too tough and it was not particularly late.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">We started out ok and went on this trail that took us out of the gorge.   As the sign says, we bid goodbye to Taxenbach.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BTu54DkhXCY/UFxgQt8BWXI/AAAAAAAAIbw/CV1xs1mG4p4/s1600-h/DSC_2527%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2527" border="0" alt="DSC_2527" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i0RkOuWT6kg/UFxgSSMVCiI/AAAAAAAAIb4/Z-2v1eyPtpY/DSC_2527_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="588" height="393" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">The trail was long and winding as it took us up away from the gorge and we had some very nice views of the woods and river as we walked along.  I do like to notice how much less “safe” touristy things are in Europe.  There are tons of trails that go right along the edge of cliffs and drop offs without a single fence, warning sign or other lawsuit-preventing accessory.  They count pretty heavily on people to exercise some common sense and behave themselves.  Maybe I am cynical about North America, but I every time I see a nice path like this I just imagine a version where someone’s kid falls off the edge and a train of American lawyers are rolling up to sue the life out of everyone in range.  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">This is not even the most steep drop off we walked along, but it was a nice bit of the trail.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip669LEowgnylaH4J-S23TI4znZKbVQO_EHQ_RoNSkLoyvsASuBLrA-_iCumfNBI0fA00V-ekUVuhZHAl2ZUPXWrsFHzssufsowQ8pPkniC93nzln-XRYi_CluGVjxx_JFalkL/s1600-h/DSC_2540%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2540" border="0" alt="DSC_2540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuJImJakVg7GDTt9trPIiAa2FekA0HcJAYVc1uzYTGn5Sy8_iJEVaNCHvnDTriVNdn74Uqc38EHhyphenhyphene7emncit7gP3PnbOjhK9wqak36k5oSLgPfXpLgrl6-ZjsgEsJ0PQQLxB/?imgmax=800" width="592" height="396" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Every now and then a little stream would cross the path, often with a nice little waterfall like this one.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OOBjmzYr1LU/UFxgYl56BvI/AAAAAAAAIcQ/FG6MPuFJQAs/s1600-h/DSC_2542%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2542" border="0" alt="DSC_2542" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fTVJvvoJtmU/UFxga6O9tZI/AAAAAAAAIcY/KnYPTRboei8/DSC_2542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="610" height="408" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Mike of course had to stick his head in it.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qYc_i5q2XGg/UFxgcq1dbEI/AAAAAAAAIcg/-6xdFhTcUbk/s1600-h/DSC_2543%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2543" border="0" alt="DSC_2543" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NOrBLN0wZPU/UFxgecj5wAI/AAAAAAAAIco/cKZWJ9cdXSY/DSC_2543_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="609" height="407" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Sometime shortly after this, it became evident that it was not going to be a leisurely walk, but more of a tremendously strenuous hike up very steep and uneasy terrain.  About an hour out of the gorge, we were all questioning the decision that we made to take the long route home.  This nasty section has no photos because both Mike and I became too tired to stop and take out the cameras.  I was struggling up the hillsides with a laughing frolicking Henrik strapped to my back, and Mike was carrying his belly.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">At about 1.5 hours of all uphill walking  we came at last to an Alm where we could stop and have an ice cream break.  Some very much needed cold treats and feet resting took place before we started out again on the final leg of the trek back to the starting point.  We were refreshed enough to bring the cameras back into play.   Here we are as we head out for the (thankfully) downhill portion of the hike.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hTUS7jTMvn0/UFxgf8FiXhI/AAAAAAAAIcw/TOXl--umrWc/s1600-h/DSC_2548%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2548" border="0" alt="DSC_2548" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9b0eHJxErSE/UFxghlJlAPI/AAAAAAAAIc4/SSphYupxmfw/DSC_2548_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="612" height="410" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Austria has a lot of beautiful landscape and we really enjoyed the nice sights as we crossed fields and villages on the way back.  I think one of the highlights was walking through a herd of cows that were enjoying lunch on the trail.  Cherie is posing here with her new friend.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-J_vveQwQDAMudwXIsjg-uSvDvuJO-ydZGZQs_xWxTS4tFU8EptgPkz_0Uo0g7yDpRPdYAV7xHOxqhs1y-hYvpsCS3T344Y1-Q0YsGeiMTOvP0ZXi83cZ2g9_8zk_7qxLHnK/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-20%252520093%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-20 093" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-20 093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gZAR-CeVmEM/UFxgl_-hSjI/AAAAAAAAIdI/AcpoNdNjZV0/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-20%252520093_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="617" height="464" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">All in all the hike took us about 4.5 hours and was somewhere around 18km.  A little more than we planned when we had set out that morning…  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Here we are in the home stretch, walking down the final big hill.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q1kE7dCEuow/UFxgny8K4NI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/dFTvM9gkZ7I/s1600-h/DSC_2571%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2571" border="0" alt="DSC_2571" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uRiEC5A18M4/UFxgp8haivI/AAAAAAAAIdY/JBcLTNe4oz4/DSC_2571_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="415" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">There were still very nice views right through to the very end though.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sDRxKQvDjvA/UFxgrnjoEQI/AAAAAAAAIdg/g0s2Fa0XVgg/s1600-h/DSC_2569%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2569" border="0" alt="DSC_2569" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4ji1S8VWN9Q/UFxgtUuGGKI/AAAAAAAAIdo/HaacfU7oICo/DSC_2569_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="417" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">One of the last things we saw on this route was a big hollow tree that all the kids loved.  Of course each child had to climb inside and have their picture taken.  This is Liam’s version, where he is also showing an interesting rock that he picked up at some point of the journey.  I forget why it was interesting, but he assured me it was.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UtVCEMK56eN79e3p8kkW9mc5ct1zebT9k_acuyImmxtVJ8jSiCA7-j2Tk2GZmASUbvMqzGr9dnUEwl8Hkl9_CHpKsh8asVArVaHpxQ30im4qGicjiEmF0cFhoZ4TQBioK6Ve/s1600-h/DSC_2576%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2576" border="0" alt="DSC_2576" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8yqgE-w2cCM/UFxgxWWjIYI/AAAAAAAAId4/kD9mkB8oWo0/DSC_2576_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="599" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">There you have it, the big hike came to an end and my feet and shoulders demanded that we would take it slightly easier the next day….</font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-91537017688632905862012-09-19T05:33:00.001-07:002012-09-19T05:33:25.729-07:00The Big Hike – Part 2<p><font size="4">The gorge was quite large and the hike started off fairly close to the bottom.  After a bit of a walk we enjoyed a walk up many many stairs to get to the upper portion of the gorge.  Still walking along the river that fed the waterfall we had just seen a few moments earlier.  I think the kids were enjoying all the walkways and steps while the adults had fun with the nature.  It was a pretty good outing for all concerned.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9yzCe3PeXBo/UFm7LZSV4cI/AAAAAAAAIYo/DxcC6DuUYB0/s1600-h/DSC_2502%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2502" border="0" alt="DSC_2502" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M3kC-v4ZPCM/UFm7NrMzHEI/AAAAAAAAIYw/GQniTAzlvxw/DSC_2502_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="670" height="448" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">On the upper section of the hike, there was a nice bridge spanning the gorge that called out for a group photo.  I only learned later on that this bridge was actually the sight of a tragedy a few years earlier.  Apparently a school trip had come to the gorge on the hike and the entire group went out on the bridge for just such a photo.  They overloaded it and sadly the bridge collapsed into the gorge, killing a few of the kids.  Now there are strict warning signs advising of the safe capacity.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Below is a long shot and a close-up of us enjoying the nice spot.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CRrlEV8fFcw/UFm7PTtr9dI/AAAAAAAAIY4/S7ZhseQNm5o/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-20%252520054%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-20 054" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-20 054" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u_qPGeFkryg/UFm7Rf5ebvI/AAAAAAAAIZA/DWIJcniGsXw/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-20%252520054_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="666" height="500" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xtnzmsQcgZM/UFm7TFhcEDI/AAAAAAAAIZI/TG7O3bkpv3o/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-20%252520057%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-20 057" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-20 057" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-So-xmWp9tkQ/UFm7U2gLPoI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/jChgLWTsvVo/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-20%252520057_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="663" height="498" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">And a reverse angle of Mike the photographer taking the previous images.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rl9rhevKvgk/UFm7W19yqQI/AAAAAAAAIZY/eLQIBQOlaAA/s1600-h/DSC_2522%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2522" border="0" alt="DSC_2522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T1xBdU-zfFQvOgEcCZp1BrhB6T3EALtRfHEXLceogNE1u7A7Y7y0W29Mv3NH6WiGekJYx38qw9tf8jIYNmdLF7c8IiZc5j8_HWOx122tZ_7s-Q5PKHdjhyphenhyphenVEaDXqf_XCNmRW/?imgmax=800" width="680" height="455" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Trails like this are always big fun and have steep bits, flat bits, and even tunnels through the rock wall.  The boys always enjoy a cave.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0H6hnlgH_Fo_SX051DL3BN3rsMZB7nWtz0ZF_x6cMj9b1Lc4OWJHYCsk_mB2hOBy_lQCEB3mW1NW3Z9pI3cd2FndHmMnaHHRvp19EQcwVab3MxBIkmRMzDHnABDuDbRb_IMt/s1600-h/DSC_2487%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2487" border="0" alt="DSC_2487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA0cbg43zbFBvBmY-k4mtHDC8_0yLAGNx1Wuo25wLuWEoKspAsgcKUdRxzP1qZfoqSSeK68IAh66F14gxb-S4xDBTBJlhDMYqnASYuK5UkPf0hNeDNdN6qjT6VBg-HIIYGanw/?imgmax=800" width="446" height="667" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Followed by a nice high up walk along a steep bit.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qw1fyqs-HUU/UFm7e5EGqmI/AAAAAAAAIZ4/mqS4XylyFX4/s1600-h/DSC_2489%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2489" border="0" alt="DSC_2489" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LaQ4rfGUW94/UFm7guMKqmI/AAAAAAAAIaA/GR9WgMUIMOY/DSC_2489_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="713" height="477" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">So after walking about 45 min or so we came to the end of the gorge hike.  At this point we had to make a choice, do we go back the way we came for about a 30 min hike to the start (downhill more and easier than the way up) or take the long way back and keep hiking in the larger circuit.  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BSpZiw66yoI/UFm7iWsOa3I/AAAAAAAAIaI/o8sttA0YkSE/s1600-h/DSC_2406%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2406" border="0" alt="DSC_2406" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tWIHmTdMJb4/UFm7knMAoGI/AAAAAAAAIaQ/3Zj0DfDh7w4/DSC_2406_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="728" height="487" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Next post shows the outcome.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-31725444157747888782012-09-14T05:19:00.001-07:002012-09-14T05:19:02.510-07:00The Big Hike – Part 1<p><font size="4">So, after a nice relaxing day at the animal park, we felt we were ready to take on a bit bigger hike.  We reviewed many pamphlets and decided on visiting a nice gorge that was nearby.  Given the hot weather, it is my experience that gorges are usually both nice to look at and a little cooler when you are down in the bottom near the river.  So we packed up and drove about 20 min to the starting point for the hike.  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Of course when you begin any hike, you are full of enthusiasm since your feet and your back have no idea what is in store for them…</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkvsUJu7-1FjTp-jkhtDBVsSxQTSfDnC35y-oNaxkTBdtwU2pNmV_evCqD_kncwiEJLnuFrkdOEA653JQIvs5cpCN2GGl_IoAx4coZnbezvUMyksv_V985AiZ4JhpxxWWI44M/s1600-h/DSC_2357%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2357" border="0" alt="DSC_2357" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vSWikoSJGbI/UFMgPC3F54I/AAAAAAAAIVc/-U_kibBbmto/DSC_2357_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="617" height="464" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Mike liked this warning sign since it contained the word “Achtung!” one of the few German words he had encountered prior to this visit.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pel505-J64c/UFMgRAmkzII/AAAAAAAAIVk/ETAuNp3PQiE/s1600-h/DSC_2358%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2358" border="0" alt="DSC_2358" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q8zd86jcoZ8/UFMgTZpc58I/AAAAAAAAIVs/WrzQNoux6Jc/DSC_2358_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="712" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">The hike started off pretty easy with a nice gentle slope down into the gorge.  We could hear some rushing water up ahead.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0our-ftXvs0/UFMgVV1N1ZI/AAAAAAAAIV0/keBqii5JQR8/s1600-h/DSC_2359%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2359" border="0" alt="DSC_2359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Emy-lNTvhhI/UFMgXylaXGI/AAAAAAAAIV8/Pwbp9M7WvRE/DSC_2359_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="477" height="713" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">We came to this rather nice waterfall.  There was also some pretty impressive lens flare going on here.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-78vI47SQNFs/UFMgZ274dZI/AAAAAAAAIWE/GkoJKoX7UJc/s1600-h/DSC_2360%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2360" border="0" alt="DSC_2360" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9aWqL9_LruU/UFMgcBBgTOI/AAAAAAAAIWM/16QJkjRLpoE/DSC_2360_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="716" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I stitched together this panorama shot of the falls to show it from top to bottom.  One of the ongoing problems with a gorge hike is that I don’t have a wide enough lens to capture the whole scene.  There is not always the chance to stand far enough back from the subject in the limited space.  So I just took a bunch of photos and stitch them them together later with the magic of computers.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AcHATZ0dN4Y/UFMgdmj1mcI/AAAAAAAAIWU/iAYr0jYJPvY/s1600-h/pano3%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pano3" border="0" alt="pano3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RpddtJ1iCi8/UFMgf-u5CsI/AAAAAAAAIWc/ELS8mqZJ6nU/pano3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="1112" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH8IZW2OGdJi2Hze8P_SOvOrAiFZ5lLEs54zRcEK1n0WCUfu9MFJZezPuNeFaJIZt0Vp-ohAom2swV0f7nijpGswsmYdQbAm6lsa70VI3gAoxB8lzRNM09nBi9yrhwNbDAhM5/s1600-h/pano5%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pano5" border="0" alt="pano5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L2QED9-WrPk/UFMgjk8gvsI/AAAAAAAAIWs/-mOKh4rPIIs/pano5_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="1648" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I really enjoy hikes like this.  There was a lot of interesting scenery and the difficulty was not too bad.  Going in and out of the gorge was a bit strenuous with all these steps, but it was easier than a mountain trail of similar steepness.  Oh, keep in mind I was doing this with 12kg of baby in a backpack, adding to the fitness for me.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X1AYGe2xQiA/UFMgl0f2WJI/AAAAAAAAIW0/2Aj9fjFg-rk/s1600-h/DSC_2413%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2413" border="0" alt="DSC_2413" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-36FkjkX-vpU/UFMgoQqRTDI/AAAAAAAAIW8/p8GLErSWYuA/DSC_2413_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="686" height="459" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">No matter how much the boys complained about being too tired for a hike in the morning, as soon as we were out on a trail, they ran off like little rocket-men.  Here is a rare moment when I managed to get ahead of them on the stair climb and have a nice reverse angle of them clowning their way up.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-isN7GVUiUSM/UFMgqUn-VkI/AAAAAAAAIXE/yycUFjfCvDk/s1600-h/DSC_2484%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2484" border="0" alt="DSC_2484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gDhLzr755qw/UFMgs-RJp7I/AAAAAAAAIXM/yn7KtvgIOkI/DSC_2484_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="773" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">That is it for the first stretch of the hike.  more to follow….</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-92210150521628266122012-09-11T05:25:00.001-07:002012-09-11T05:25:21.363-07:00Some more of Ferleiten<p>Other than the animals, the attraction of the park were a bunch of kiddie rides.  The ticket was not an all inclusive one, and every ride had to be paid for individually, but the prices were actually pretty reasonable.  Fairly much everything was 1 Euro for a ride, with some of the things actually being free.  The general rule was if electricity was involved, it cost a Euro.</p> <p> </p> <p>I think one of the biggest hits with the kids though were these pedal go-karts.  Free, and there were three carts and three kids so the math worked out perfectly.  They raced around the little track for many many laps.  Despite his scrawny looking little chicken legs, Liam had no trouble rocketing around in that thing and I am surprised he has not been after me to get him one for home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zCBqD7Rrss0/UE8tMA8yekI/AAAAAAAAISA/cN9NLrEVAPI/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520051%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 051" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSblxbBI_q-mDNTOoRH8F81nk75L_SMPsSg-MaBQjo2s7COnnXKFst2ey_fySGd7p5ZP6J1yGgACi8UKBg1gXjDKM86MC72Edzs90cDBUESsolaDOilvQjs0clqZBAAvtihpQb/?imgmax=800" width="332" height="250" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Pim36DgJlE/UE8tQDF7v3I/AAAAAAAAISQ/UH5xavznPP4/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520052%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 052" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 052" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FGwPpcYtc_M/UE8tR0Xmw1I/AAAAAAAAISY/mibDQ-EGngg/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520052_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="250" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QoHY45PBwpA/UE8tUQ_liMI/AAAAAAAAISg/qmlE1BpQGuM/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520053%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 053" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 053" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uJ21qy86olo/UE8tWcAw4sI/AAAAAAAAISo/0EDXj7t3w10/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520053_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="249" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Right next to the free carts was a pretty fun merry go round.  There were actually quite a lot of playground type activities for the kids that did not cost anything, sort of unusual for a tourist destination in my experience.  I just expect to have everything cost an outrageous amount of cash.  Cherie got into the act and rode with the kids while Mike put his back and enormous belly behind spinning the ride.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m9IBeR6Mq_I/UE8tYfQmykI/AAAAAAAAISw/PCYozahl2VE/s1600-h/DSC_2340%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2340" border="0" alt="DSC_2340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvu24ww7d34S_nst9OZaE8_Xz-42-MRXQACGLSf-gLsg9ghQ4-lZjZ9r74X5ukCnExBscgBJToeu2L6Xi2zcK_ZkwZjFX3rcQFrOR8mpqIKqVjEfEf7qDpNt4G06JxRYHBH1T/?imgmax=800" width="623" height="417" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Although most of the rides were there to be enjoyed by bigger kids, Henrik was not left out altogether.   He got to have a go on this sweet helicopter. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DmADkusNOwM/UE8tcp0s1iI/AAAAAAAAITA/g3rkLta9Ne4/s1600-h/DSC_2343%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2343" border="0" alt="DSC_2343" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NAchRlXIsbg/UE8te05lCoI/AAAAAAAAITI/oKA5aaltHhA/DSC_2343_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="641" height="429" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There were some electric motorcycles that of course the boys had to try out.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GwAMxw2rBXI/UE8thNMfQzI/AAAAAAAAITQ/yjiJZ6IT16A/s1600-h/DSC_2344%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2344" border="0" alt="DSC_2344" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hlFdjMMiDRM/UE8tjBb2fHI/AAAAAAAAITY/1aoWePNd5ek/DSC_2344_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="649" height="517" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I think this was the coolest ride they had.  You sat in a little boat that was pulled up a slope, then released to fly off a jump into the water.  Mike really wanted to do this, but he was nervous that he was a bit too big for it since it was essentially designed for children.  This was also the only ride I saw with a queue while we were there.  Here is some random kid flying through the air.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FCKpwlsFifA/UE8tloR_slI/AAAAAAAAITg/oT8Wn1ZCOzg/s1600-h/DSC_2289%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2289" border="0" alt="DSC_2289" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n6ogx78Qs_w/UE8tnyYaTFI/AAAAAAAAITo/QdpBZdyHH_Y/DSC_2289_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="670" height="448" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>That wraps up Ferleiten… but don’t worry, I still have plenty more vacation fun to deliver.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cfeXgCNLHNE/UE8tpt7tgXI/AAAAAAAAITw/_bdHITQVT6M/s1600-h/DSC_2299%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2299" border="0" alt="DSC_2299" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BLoc26tyjyg/UE8trsIwpmI/AAAAAAAAIT4/zjEgBVI_-0g/DSC_2299_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="680" height="455" /></a></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-53777889937281092272012-09-07T01:02:00.001-07:002012-09-07T01:02:03.741-07:00Ferleiten Animal park<p><font size="3">After our nice day of hiking and swimming, we thought we would do something more child focused.  We had many many brochures and internet pages to go through outlining the various activities in the area.  After some deliberation, we decided on the “Wildpark Ferleiten.”   This was described as an attraction combining a small animal park with examples of local wildlife, along with a sort of kiddie amusement park/playground.  It was also only about a 20 min drive from the house, so it seemed like a pretty good choice.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">The entrance had a nice looking bear statue that the kids of course had to climb all over.  Notice that Liam is fully decked out in his German Fußball fan uniform for this trip.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39Q0EwfsrNA/UEmphy3wP_I/AAAAAAAAIOg/1gqWAOaR15E/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520047%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 047" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PEW0v46gd0k/UEmpjk2aDYI/AAAAAAAAIOo/yhZEh2BQqCo/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520047_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="441" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">The animal area was nice with very large enclosures on the mountainside for them to walk about.  The actual selection of animals was not particularly exotic, deer, mountain sheep, some wolves.  Mostly things typical to the region which to be fair is not super different to what can be found in Canada.  So I don’t think anyone was super impressed with the “exoticness” of them, but it is always nice to look at animals.  The kids got to feed quite a few of them as well, which is always a popular choice.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U7lGJQKu_PI/UEmplaEDaII/AAAAAAAAIOw/wJq6HPQFSQQ/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 042" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4KBz7Kd-bCI/UEmpm4Dd4aI/AAAAAAAAIO4/91Mt1DTS0tI/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="609" height="458" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">There was one super-exotic animal that was heavily promoted all over the region.  Seriously this was one of the main attraction getting top billing over wolves and bears… here is the very special and hard to encounter…. groundhog.  Cherie even managed to get a photo of this rare beauty.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZU5O0VX63VoMfTsr5mnDZaNeDf5m-MO4npqYs62Zrk1TTwpuHRorxmlqvHjtOA0Dzxhb8NA5WoKpWgsHbnFKYeZoDDgY1OVVvaR9IQdZHzfrY04SdI_bkqo0hA2jOGvxc0jC/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520039%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 039" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ajcgHruSL6Q/UEmpqFydXwI/AAAAAAAAIPI/h2eWJMsqTeE/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520039_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="613" height="390" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NZzv9R_UlWc/UEmpsGMg15I/AAAAAAAAIPQ/f_dr1FgyT2U/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520040%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 040" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-19 040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aTHNCX_1tao/UEmpuOwPloI/AAAAAAAAIPY/XnUTh8LJRmo/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-19%252520040_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="622" height="467" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">The location of the park itself was also one of the main features.  It is on the side of a mountain, next to the entrance to a national park, with an enormous waterfall across the street.  There was all kinds of natural majesty shoved in our faces and we did enjoy it a lot.  Here is the lovely Claudia standing in front of some mountains that still manage to have snow on them this late in the year.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_qwOWJIpnbgtE2z1w7UqC8AiaWiCJ5l8Ultn9GSdDNDF6wRCdXPjsAZWL0NlU6niAFV8CRQAnyHWzm-zBugbeuNOtb14QoeWcuXOsiM2Q8Q7Gciuu3OnNwSSW3dko7_MEIzK/s1600-h/DSC_2329%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2329" border="0" alt="DSC_2329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1lpU_UU44gk/UEmpxF_g-YI/AAAAAAAAIPo/cmGy7dz0_sw/DSC_2329_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="593" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">A nice photo of Cherie with the huge waterfall in the background.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qB9FgYuR6l8/UEmpyY8ehHI/AAAAAAAAIPw/sGsWpqh4f2s/s1600-h/DSC_2315%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2315" border="0" alt="DSC_2315" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MedG0WvP40o/UEmp0I4ZZdI/AAAAAAAAIP4/rXvAPN851XI/DSC_2315_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="482" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Here is the behind the scenes photo of how Mike took that picture… I just thought it was funny to show the “behind the curtains” view.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k-yrA0jOZk4/UEmp199tuWI/AAAAAAAAIQA/aQVkNDw3dG0/s1600-h/DSC_2314%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2314" border="0" alt="DSC_2314" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GI22pM6QLa0/UEmp3kSd-9I/AAAAAAAAIQI/NwMZLb_5DjI/DSC_2314_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="622" height="416" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Here are the happy Starrs.  Look how nice they can smile when the children are off amusing themselves and not needing any entertaining/supervision.  </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PODClMpC4tA/UEmp5Sh6Q6I/AAAAAAAAIQQ/JwjtwVsvUI8/s1600-h/DSC_2327%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2327" border="0" alt="DSC_2327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEyQOSprWhiyQE0y8t8CkIkm7Eonbpw5E-hTtBhLih7u-w3kegZqJAjNjIIwAGluxBNh-FDc7xMRCnDd6cqzT1DFsdLrgeQHw2gjCLVo8PCFJ6sxvyR0fAloFIHiX33OIaKXN/?imgmax=800" width="623" height="417" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">And I thought it was funny that in between taking the first and second photos (just in case)  Liam managed to run in and insert himself in the portrait.  He also managed to smile nicer than he ever does when I want him to pose for a family photo as will become evident in future posts.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YyLkRTBQjwM/UEmp8U3cZcI/AAAAAAAAIQg/LoPiXeaGxHY/s1600-h/DSC_2328%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2328" border="0" alt="DSC_2328" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HRAMd7g0vbk/UEmp-OMMYCI/AAAAAAAAIQo/Bylp_QnWj-k/DSC_2328_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="417" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">So that covers the first bit of the Wildpark.  Stay tuned for the rides….</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-92208758737646340922012-09-04T00:00:00.001-07:002012-09-04T00:00:49.619-07:00First Hike<p>Our first activity in Austria was to go on a little hike up the mountain behind the house.  The neighbour had advised us that it would be around 2 hours and there was a nice hut to have lunch up there, so it sounded like a nice thing to do before lunch.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Jacody and Liam both found some walking sticks and were ready to spring into action.  Here you can see he is still smiling since he does not really understand how much walking we are planning to do or just how steep it is to walk up a mountain…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YUgMRIdwyvA/UEWmgpolTGI/AAAAAAAAIJM/niINB_cvcjg/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520018%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 018" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EO5lpoKVl1k/UEWmiFWL2AI/AAAAAAAAIJU/YeZ7qY88Q4o/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520018_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="441" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This was also the first hike I would have carrying Henrik the fun-bundle on my back.  The pack and Henrik together weighed around 12kg, which I fairly quickly learned can feel like about 500kg when you are half way up trail.  I was going to become considerably more fit on this vacation based purely on my increased Henrik-carrying.  I also had a nice walking stick that I had acquired on an earlier vacation in Switzerland.  Cherie was the designated drink and snack carrier for most of the treks.  This photo was also taken pretty early in the outing before we were too pooped.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MGLS6bDSq4o/UEWmjjTkfHI/AAAAAAAAIJc/LlYx7ekSxgQ/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 020" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sp0kuIQMVKk/UEWmlRLJe8I/AAAAAAAAIJk/e1vx7WqIFN8/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520020_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="441" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>It was a pretty nice walk, about 2.5km with 400m vertical.  Quite a few nice views and nice things to see as we went along such as this little waterfall.  Of course as soon as the kids saw any water they were right in there goofing around.  I think this picture was taken about 2 seconds before at least one kid stepped right in there and soaked their shoes.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-al5-udTX_J0/UEWmm9E6gFI/AAAAAAAAIJs/gIXCRK8-H9E/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 023" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZEJA6ZLJjUY/UEWmomhF_2I/AAAAAAAAIJ0/XjHIsxK4zgw/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="447" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>As promised, the top of the trail had a nice Alm where we wanted to stop for lunch.  We were pretty tired since it was the first hike and none of us are in terrific condition.  I think all of our minds and wills were far better prepared than our bodies.  There was little question that we all wanted to do some nice big hikes, but the reality was that we were pooped and sweaty by the time we reached this hut.  Definitely all of us were very ready for a nice lunch and cold refreshments.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cm5WRq62JCE/UEWmqewbO0I/AAAAAAAAIJ8/-hlQm3iA7SM/s1600-h/DSC_2265%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2265" border="0" alt="DSC_2265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t7Ea2RSkI2o/UEWmr47-lKI/AAAAAAAAIKE/cnzz3GkPtVY/DSC_2265_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="596" height="399" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The kids all got Apfelschorle (sparkling apple juice) and the adults all enjoyed a nice refreshing Radler.  This particular one was pretty heavy on the lemonade portion of the drink and was almost pop-sticky.  It was very tasty, but I think I have had more refreshing ones.  I almost needed a water afterwards to wash the sugary stickyness out of my mouth.  </p> <p> </p> <p>We also had typical hut lunches, lots of sausages, cheese and bread.  I think I had Weissewurst, but it was Jacody who ordered the best dish.  He had a big board with basically one of everything on it, bread, sausage, leberkaese, cheese… He could not manage more than about half of it, but lucky for him Mike was there to pick up the slack.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g9AyqyQM56o/UEWmttIofpI/AAAAAAAAIKM/E_fnCItfxHg/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520039%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 039" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3R-3McTcVQU/UEWmvcsrGSI/AAAAAAAAIKU/uz1684fxM-A/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520039_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="456" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-54ktCm4JdUs/UEWmw7mgT4I/AAAAAAAAIKc/359Zl1G7hxo/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520038%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 038" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-63rQ4YAPXFo/UEWmyiUWueI/AAAAAAAAIKk/Je_-zytVPwc/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="603" height="453" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We rested and ate for about an hour up there since is was so nice.  The weather was hot and sunny and there was a brief discussion if we should keep hiking up the mountain to the top (+1 hour more) or head back down and go to the lake for a swim.  Sore legs and sweaty hikers determined the lake would be a nicer way to spend the afternoon.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsJJSw7vK8biFbTGNLjr4HOC3CZx95xO8yUXu8Usj-KORxgBCCaJWksGKDDMxkjXvnbJVWia3dTXUrmj_kWWh48UC-CHvuJ1DJM59r8pzRRxxulUvDdVNxkNqqjS4kAPIee-M/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 036" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1fEDT1xrYUI/UEWm105AjDI/AAAAAAAAIK0/J6TKH0UcIc4/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520036_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="456" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxC5Zt9FPCHl7_4mnaupKiW_YgwKZMdJcK_UYgkssaDqXL8Wc2EB8eUZ9zDWDEnkbyC0t-3lcr2shzAUJ9apQDs9Vt5s7NdMD9lKShfOV_f4G1X0o1VSazfiYihJcQLiBX1G1/s1600-h/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520043%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 043" border="0" alt="Austria - 2012 2012-08-17 043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_xxtaiUNDR4/UEWm5s8Q2UI/AAAAAAAAILE/PNB0RD2FGNI/Austria%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-17%252520043_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="610" height="458" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The kids of course had a good time and I think they also enjoyed having lunch high up with a nice overview of the valley.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8c2nC0vWj_c/UEWm7HPo_iI/AAAAAAAAILM/nwMtS2q2POQ/s1600-h/DSC_2266%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2266" border="0" alt="DSC_2266" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JXLfzfeJst8/UEWm82WNZRI/AAAAAAAAILU/Iusk9Evz8fo/DSC_2266_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="406" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Henrik was the best passenger possible.  The wee man did not complain at all about being cooped up in the backpack for hours at a time and amused himself with special Henrik-singing, Henrik-pointing, and of course Henrik-poking-papa-in-his-head.  Here he is enjoying some non-pack time with mama after he had his lunch treats.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xdIkB1CPJcY/UEWm-VMttII/AAAAAAAAILc/2bS2YYQJKH0/s1600-h/DSC_2268%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2268" border="0" alt="DSC_2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2kv_up4CrfS-DgVfCalJmR0d-_fJPwKjl3PKIZwTWnjsNx7Tx_Tg-voqGVMVZeuBoG2ZZVeeQw_zoIPtEf1JW-ydl5U_BsNTNK9NubibTT7UN4HcoT56S8tTfXx841TGl5e0/?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Finishing off with a couple more of the view up and down the valley.  You can see the lake in the second photo, which is where we headed to swim and relax in the afternoon.  A very nice first day warm up hike. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Mi5tNmkhAHgc8mz0GwbKHQcnd-EkddeerC8ccmeS1PrhwX1d0mn-ZMMnxKv-p17ZqPDfvQLo1wfCrg0LPLesDXOhkO9wnfH0bk4rwKSbhOWvCxuke07JzD7WRs-ZqtZUI8y/s1600-h/DSC_2260%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2260" border="0" alt="DSC_2260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7Laq80U4iQ/UEWnEW6l2mI/AAAAAAAAIL0/P22Nh37Ocis/DSC_2260_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="626" height="419" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EZK0LA_plK0/UEWnF4MLh_I/AAAAAAAAIL8/RalsTvIhx2I/s1600-h/DSC_2261%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2261" border="0" alt="DSC_2261" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iMeVpCMp3ZY/UEWnHoCzQCI/AAAAAAAAIME/uHKtnRvdStU/DSC_2261_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="632" height="423" /></a></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-39224873131110922922012-09-03T00:59:00.001-07:002012-09-03T00:59:13.847-07:00Vacation time in Austria<p>Well, the vacation is sadly over now.  It was very fun to see the Starrs and meet their delightful children, we were particularly happy that the kids all got along together so well.  It would have been a difficult couple of weeks if the kids were sullen and fighting the entire time.  Instead, the time was spent asking Mike and I inane questions.</p> <p>The biggest chunk of the vacation was spent in Austria.  We rented a nice house near Zell Am See, an area which we had heard pretty good things about.  The drive from our place to the house was supposed to take 4.5 hours according to Google maps and my navigation system.  I figured it would be 5.5 hours, but neither my own estimates, nor the electronic devices figured on</p> <ul> <li>German Traffic</li> <li>German car accidents</li> <li>German construction</li> </ul> <p>So, our 4.5 hour drive took a little over 8.5 hours and we were all very tired of sitting in the car.  The kids actually held up better than the adults in my opinion.</p> <p> </p> <p>By the time we arrived, I think it could have been a run down shack and we would have been thrilled as long as it had a place to get out of the car.  Instead, we were treated to a house that lived up to the expectations pretty well.  Here is our first view of the place, just outside of Maishofen with mountain and hiking trails beginning right out the back door.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9KrMvVEgck8/UERjDYTrE4I/AAAAAAAAIGw/AvzOC5NaNo0/s1600-h/DSC_2587%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2587" border="0" alt="DSC_2587" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dHE0Sfb7GlU/UERjFk2YDHI/AAAAAAAAIG4/_NZdFAF7s-k/DSC_2587_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="677" height="453" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here is the other side of the place with the sun room and garden. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d1Exb-kU1Fk/UERjIex49SI/AAAAAAAAIHA/iRGv7lsziFM/s1600-h/DSC_2586%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2586" border="0" alt="DSC_2586" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3t9x7v6OK5c/UERjKRpR9TI/AAAAAAAAIHI/h44BdMfD6UQ/DSC_2586_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="687" height="459" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>One more look from just up the hill, so you can see that we were a little bit out of town, with a nice view along the valley.  This is just what I like in a place, close to civilization but far enough away that you can ignore the rest of humanity if you want.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-74x5OwjjdXQ/UERjMffXnUI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/znE51PLeOTY/s1600-h/DSC_2717%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2717" border="0" alt="DSC_2717" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o1vqJ2Ac23c/UERjN-pYblI/AAAAAAAAIHY/-OJaji0RLtU/DSC_2717_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="690" height="461" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Foolishly, I did not take too many photos of the interior, but here is one of the living room.  The whole place had the “mountain hut – Ski lodge” feel to it and was very comfortable.  There could have maybe been one more couch in the living room for the number of bottoms we had to sit, but the kids were not really staying still long enough to worry about sitting down anyway.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--zdHRZWuV0c/UERjPeROOrI/AAAAAAAAIHg/MzWczkZExXs/s1600-h/DSC_2234%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2234" border="0" alt="DSC_2234" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tji0WQZPDww/UERjRIFvbkI/AAAAAAAAIHo/IFl-vxn9aOc/DSC_2234_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="702" height="469" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here is the view from the porch.  This range of mountains is known as the “stone sea” and we were treated to a very nice view of it.  In the evening as the sun goes down, they look very red and ominous, but in a good way.  So the first impression of our holiday place was totally positive and everyone was pretty excited about spending a week in this spot.  There was very clearly more activities available than we had time to do them, so we would be spending every evening choosing the most promising way to spend the next day.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bfBJaEpXxXM/UERjSUcGYXI/AAAAAAAAIHw/IyxvHnOYTJE/s1600-h/DSC_2230%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2230" border="0" alt="DSC_2230" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RvCQdWsRVJw/UERjTwiPqWI/AAAAAAAAIH4/GYPr_WGxtYA/DSC_2230_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="713" height="477" /></a></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-33328570030229770462012-08-26T03:33:00.001-07:002012-08-26T03:33:29.915-07:00The Fat Project–Grand Finale….<p><font size="4">Well this is it… the big final weigh in of the fat project.  After our week in Austria filled with plenty of exercise and plenty of beer and snacking we have returned to the scales in the lovely home base at Entringen.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">After a brief discussion, today seemed to be the best day to weigh in and then relax and enjoy whatever food we want for the rest of the holiday.  Mike and I donned the official weigh in uniform of lederhosen swim suits and a T-shirt.  Since Mike and I both were doing the ongoing weigh-ins post shower and “au naturelle” I weighed the clothes first so we could subtract them from our final score.  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">They come in at a scale busting 400 grams. This will be deducted from each fatties score to stay consistent with the weights we have been reporting throughout this endeavour.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xEc56gCNyAA/UDn7Rvo-MKI/AAAAAAAAIEE/dpsHNq-Djhc/s1600-h/IMG_0085%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0085" border="0" alt="IMG_0085" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qlIa8fpOoMI/UDn7Svke_CI/AAAAAAAAIEM/Jn3x8x3HGyE/IMG_0085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="569" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">First up, Mike waddled up to the scales and sucked in everything possible to try and look good for the camera.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bm85MtYhU3w/UDn7T6aAPnI/AAAAAAAAIEU/bmQtjiX2xdg/s1600-h/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520061%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 061" border="0" alt="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIFs6pEJMrkNQxsZzqT6azdAiMIbsjhse11ONTC0EHEWQ2alsGMYaQPH04mnRr81tQoYFP8WB8ET6tWwSml7mOUIOU0u-0KioSfYOTp0lw5wj4oA61f8OjYI55SvLCu41Hqb2/?imgmax=800" width="423" height="563" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GG_M9qNpl8o/UDn7WjUeL4I/AAAAAAAAIEk/Jm_H2hnD7eI/s1600-h/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520062%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 062" border="0" alt="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LOFOsmKHXq8/UDn7XjxBSGI/AAAAAAAAIEs/MKKjHKd3s_M/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">The week of beer and sausage did not do too much damage…. Mike came in at 89.5 kg (it was wiggling between 89.5-6 and he gets the benefit of the doubt.)  That brings his total weight loss to 8.6 pounds since the start.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Next up was this handsome piece of man…</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ybn6morifR0/UDn7Yu2lIwI/AAAAAAAAIE0/VQcNK-YkA3g/s1600-h/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520064%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 064" border="0" alt="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 064" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pGOTvy8V2Sc/UDn7ZiAfnlI/AAAAAAAAIE4/iPLAWlqdRPs/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520064_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="580" /></font></a><font size="4">n</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Bgj99kJ50g/UDn7aS_37OI/AAAAAAAAIFE/DLHwiPFabOg/s1600-h/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520063%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 063" border="0" alt="Germany - 2012 2012-08-24 063" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2XLvNsNy97U/UDn7bYfCDrI/AAAAAAAAIFM/oRnzJ0qzUn0/Germany%252520-%2525202012%2525202012-08-24%252520063_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I weighed in at a very blurry 83.5kg, less the weight of the clothes 83.1kg.   My total weight loss for the project then is 9.9 pounds.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Here is the full break down of the project.  Since we had no scale in Austria with us last week, I just took the start and end weights and then calculated it purely linear between the two points.  Not perfect, but I was not about to pack a scale on vacation.  The final total weight loss is measured in Black Forest Cake.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gUVZ_JPnscI/UDn7cU1FwxI/AAAAAAAAIFU/YTkCzhqlbV0/s1600-h/snap%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tloGsK-aXvM/UDn7dyWTdYI/AAAAAAAAIFc/eOn095zfnvQ/snap_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="741" height="720" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">All in all pretty great results with both of us losing close to 10 pounds and not sacrificing too much in the way of foodish enjoyment.  I for one plan to continue with the fat project round two once the vacation period I over and I am back on a regular routine.  I think next round will be with less frequent weigh ins and perhaps only weekly updates.  I f there have been any fans of this who want to jump on board with my quest for fitness, feel free to participate.  Start will be first week of September.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-37122466486317013412012-08-15T01:02:00.001-07:002012-08-15T01:02:36.423-07:00Dance School in Hulb…<p><font size="4">As I work on my overall fitness level, I am frequently taking some nice walks on my lunch hour these days.  This takes me through the wonderfully picturesque parts of Hulb, Böblingen, a town known for its dedication to both industry and car dealerships.  Seriously though, Hulb is basically an industrial park with a few office blocks, some factories, mega groceries and a furniture store or two.  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">As I was strolling along though, I noticed this place tucked into the corner of a building next to a window-builder (Fensterbau)</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T1nKAI1QMt8/UCtXg9ZJm-I/AAAAAAAAICY/Yag4FefrhDs/s1600-h/CIMG0008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0008" border="0" alt="CIMG0008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2vy0Yr9zs9k/UCtXi57nCoI/AAAAAAAAICg/5dMBfUCpIzg/CIMG0008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="740" height="556" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">The Elaine Walker Acadamy of Irish Dance, complete with a  catchy looking stylish line art dancer logo.  I am not sure why I found this so amusing, but I just laughed when I saw it.  It seems very out of place to have a “dance acadamy” in the middle of Hulb between a glass shop some factory or other.  It is almost as strange as the scuba shop in the middle of Böblingen (we are at least 5-6 hours drive from the sea in any direction.)</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iDMbb3hyh2Y/UCtXkXoHSeI/AAAAAAAAICo/ayIZ5NUqdWw/s1600-h/CIMG0007%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CIMG0007" border="0" alt="CIMG0007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yoa6Ediij14/UCtXmfu1_3I/AAAAAAAAICw/KRKIpmK9YyU/CIMG0007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="684" /></font></a> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Anyway, it is good to know that my Irish dancing needs will be taken care of along with any double glazing.</font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-66155278885087057422012-08-13T04:21:00.001-07:002012-08-13T04:21:02.841-07:00The Fat Project Day 28<p><font size="4">Oh boy… The last days were quite a setback for me as I saw my weight go up 2 pounds and slowly start to come back down.  I am not about the initial spike, but my own enjoyment of a big BBQ steak and beer on Saturday, followed with a gorging on yummy sushi on Sunday certainly did not help me any.  Oh well, back to the gym.  Mike has pulled back ahead of me by dropping to 195 and hitting the amazing mark of losing 10 pounds in 28 days.  Very impressive.  The Starrs will be en route to the airport shortly and around this time tomorrow I will be picking them up here.  I plan to stop for food at least four times on the way back to my place to make sure Mike has fattened up enough for the final weigh in.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Total Weight loss today is measured in pancakes.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_4V_LK7wJNM/UCjjFiexFsI/AAAAAAAAIBA/dAnHzTW-IWE/s1600-h/snap%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bW_4sKnirXQ/UCjjHFBSIrI/AAAAAAAAIBI/MygQNJlr-dA/snap_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="552" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-41012995679887473902012-08-10T05:24:00.001-07:002012-08-10T05:24:23.691-07:00The Fat Project Day 25<p><font size="4">The final days are closing and I will see if I can surpass the 10 pounds lost before next Tuesday.  I think it is possible based on the recent numbers, but I will have to see how tempting BBQ and beer are this weekend.  I think it is rough on Mike at this point as he does not have as much available exercise time as I do since he is preparing for the big trip, but he has still been doing pretty awesome all the same.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">As far as Fraser vs. Mike, it is fairly much neck and neck at this point.  I still like my chances to squeak out ahead, but Mike can be a pretty determined guy.  He will also have a nice 8 hour flight right before our final weigh-in, so I will have to assume he will have the usual levels of air-cabin dehydration working for him.  I am going to have to be at my best between now and Tuesday if I hope to win.  To be honest, I don’t really care too much about winning any more, I am just so pleased with the results.  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Todays weight loss icon is chocolate croissants.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cj6-F-fkVtI/UCT9ZdP_yOI/AAAAAAAAH_Y/UjEx5AXsnB4/s1600-h/snap%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pzGPMGvWawM/UCT9a6RK3YI/AAAAAAAAH_g/jIAilNRu9GU/snap_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="550" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I have been really enjoying this endeavor so far and I fully intend to keep going until I hit 75kg (165 pounds)  I am keeping careful track of my body fat% and my lean vs fat mass.  Dieting is not doing anything for my overall health if I am cutting out food and just losing muscle weight.  Then I would be less massive, but just as fat.  However, in my 4.2kg loss so far, I have lost 3.3kg fat and 0.9kg lean mass.  I am doing my best at the gym to keep the muscles going, but some loss there is inevitable I suppose. </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">To put those numbers into perspective though, I have lost 4.2kg of total mass (-4.8%) in 25 days.  However, I have lost 14.8% of my fat mass (-3.3kg)  No wonder my pants are looser.  Anyway, I would like to try for the 75kg end state while keeping all my lean mass, or even going up a little.  This means I need to try for 14% body fat.  That will be tougher, but not unattainable.  The fat project will certainly have a second round starting after this one!</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qdC_v1jPOVU/UCT9b7cBGDI/AAAAAAAAH_o/SasiQaUREl8/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dLi_ElSR0yk/UCT9dT27odI/AAAAAAAAH_w/vpJkzp8ghkY/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="332" /></a></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-32729300249694295102012-08-09T05:09:00.001-07:002012-08-09T05:09:22.538-07:00The Fat Project Day 24<p><font size="4">Despite now having lost 9 pounds, I still feel tired, slow and sore.  When does the healthy energy begin?  I am pretty sure that as soon as this is over, I am going to buy the biggest steak I can find and give myself an enormous BBQ treat.  Then I will be back at it on my quest for 75kg.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">The total weight loss unit of measure today is…. Cupcakes</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WRbAOVNWn_E/UCOoaq1iaCI/AAAAAAAAH-A/IbhD3XhQIwU/s1600-h/snap%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UNRqdmuU6T0/UCOocCsMoSI/AAAAAAAAH-I/PVNSZGsm5JE/snap_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="570" /></a></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-20084844645811506792012-08-08T07:00:00.001-07:002012-08-08T07:00:44.425-07:00Moustache<p><font size="4">My recent posts that used the supercomputer to spy on “fat Mike Starr” made me wonder what other things would be possible to have it display for me.  For no particular reason, I wondered what I would look like with a huge moustache.  I plugged the variables into the supercomputer.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Start with this handsome devil</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UVDNrKov-UE/UCJwtJn8Q9I/AAAAAAAAH7c/MTgQz9KoB6Y/s1600-h/Fraser%252520Photo%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UVDNrKov-UE/UCJwtJn8Q9I/AAAAAAAAH7k/ZqlsmVLzM2g/s1600-h/Fraser%252520Photo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fraser Photo" border="0" alt="Fraser Photo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M2Pu8SwFSqM/UCJwxdEHyqI/AAAAAAAAH7o/NGGZUJO_-_U/Fraser%252520Photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="286" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4">and then add one of the greatest moustaches in all history</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L_4i8F9BI4Q/UCJwzHAiKnI/AAAAAAAAH7w/g50Z_Y_KhWE/s1600-h/49293_tom-sellek_or_tom-selleck_1280x960_%252528www.GdeFon.ru%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="49293_tom-sellek_or_tom-selleck_1280x960_(www.GdeFon.ru)" border="0" alt="49293_tom-sellek_or_tom-selleck_1280x960_(www.GdeFon.ru)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OMhUjBODnuQ/UCJw1JcKdcI/AAAAAAAAH74/k4SVNhgm4FI/49293_tom-sellek_or_tom-selleck_1280x960_%252528www.GdeFon.ru%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4">and I would look like this</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KEIMX6OchCs/UCJw2W7yMgI/AAAAAAAAH8A/qVNCY88KW5k/s1600-h/fraser-selleck%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KEIMX6OchCs/UCJw2W7yMgI/AAAAAAAAH8I/eF961eT7j20/s1600-h/fraser-selleck%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fraser-selleck" border="0" alt="fraser-selleck" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZrhvCC8gvac/UCJw6ogrI0I/AAAAAAAAH8M/pS87pZrAj2A/fraser-selleck_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="332" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4">I don’t think I am puling that one off.  However if we go more modern and huge and take say… the Ron Swanson</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UD5e9Cvjw58/UCJw7t6h_AI/AAAAAAAAH8U/EKWRBFoEx4k/s1600-h/ron-swanson-pic%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ron-swanson-pic" border="0" alt="ron-swanson-pic" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TQkR3Vq7vo3adOal-Njt79dbfSllbL8EzQ5gvFUaPG0ZBwtbdeja2I_b9aR9cSw207n2z4W6QWzbut5U-E3I7VELrkRpVJZFjJ-AcgvYkmuSPU4eCCArc7GZB1I_0ZbX2oaT/?imgmax=800" width="390" height="195" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4">we get this….</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgIxwePrmapeLeuL2Gktt_RqXeKVi__pZML4vGEZzqN8BCi5c0DEKtLutxnwZVjsuh8Ocdwzjd8UQTKPqvot0VmAl_gtZLvtYEDj4xHFxuUyVgmwmosIH_eyqncJPNGI0iRfR/s1600-h/fraser-swanson%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquW-I-62aAW-okJ0eoGpkqELejkT_Hjt3JJip4inTvAn9JDTz3i0qvUN3dWfUuxRyLPDrCE6zsvilRMRN4gmI7x6zNaCSN2u7KYPLW248eI-cU_S1y9Hn4Ma_xSG4B8x9juMY/s1600-h/fraser-swanson%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fraser-swanson" border="0" alt="fraser-swanson" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dug0VULfWFw/UCJxCW2P0UI/AAAAAAAAH8w/OuVQ6UJ1FYc/fraser-swanson_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="335" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Clearly something that looks amazing.  now I just have to convince Claudia.</font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-74713044108760327812012-08-08T04:27:00.001-07:002012-08-08T04:27:17.365-07:00The Fat Project Day 23<p><font size="4">Today my weight seemed much lower than it should, I am not sure what is up there, I did do quite a lot of exercise yesterday, so maybe I am at a fluid-low or something.  I expect that I will bounce back up a bit over the next day or two and will try not to be too disappointed when that happens.  At any rate, I am pleased to see that nice low number on the scale in the morning.  Today also marks a pretty major milestone for me.  my BMI has hit 25.0 meaning that I am no longer fat.  That’s right, I am now considered “normal” by this definition.  That makes me happy.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I am not sure if Mike is measuring anything else beyond weight, but as a crazy person, I have been tracking quite a few details… Since the bet started;</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="4">I have lost 4kg (8.8 pounds)</font></li> <li><font size="4">Decreased body fat % from 26.7% to 23.5% </font></li> <li><font size="4">Decreased my waist size by 4cm (1.6 inches)</font></li> </ul> <p><font size="4">I have to say my short term goals on total KG and fat% have certainly been met.  My waist size is still a fair bit larger than I like, but I hope that it will continue to shrink if I keep eating well and exercising.  I am reasonably sure that I will continue with this diet and fitness program after the end of the official time.  Ideally I would like to drop down to 75kg, under 20% body fat and a 32 inch waist, but that will certainly take some time.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Todays total weight lost is measured in sandwiches.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B7sd3h2VSW0/UCJNCxVpraI/AAAAAAAAH6I/AcNagjcsZ5U/s1600-h/snap%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CXJ3_v13IhU/UCJNEtHezjI/AAAAAAAAH6Q/vM3PbQo-HmI/snap_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="682" height="651" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-87853605341886863152012-08-07T08:10:00.001-07:002012-08-07T08:36:36.060-07:00The Fat Project Day 22<span style="font-size: medium;">Only 7 more days until the Starr trip here and it looks relatively close between the battle of the fatties right now. A tiny margin of 0.1 pounds which is well within the margin of error of the scales I would say, so it is anybody’s game at this point. I am going to try and ramp up the intensity of my gym visits for the next few days, I read some very good things about sprinting as a fat burning exercise and I am going to see if I can actually drive myself to do it. I have a feeling that sprinting as a workout may be crossing the line into so much non-fun that I will not be able to stick with it, but hey, in the interest of being competitive I can try it for a week… haha</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I will be totally honest, Mike did not send me a measurement today, so his 198 is a carry over from yesterday. It is rather late and I don’t feel like making the update later though, so it is getting posted as is. Chances are that Mike has just become too fat and slovenly to drag himself from the bed to the scale, so the 198 is optimistic in his favour anyway.(Amendment - Mike sent me today's total and it is still 198)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Today the total fat loss is measured in chocolate chip cookies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PgcdBIis6Zw/UCEv5FpLJgI/AAAAAAAAH4k/DOdkuVgRu6Q/s1600-h/snap%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="snap" border="0" height="625" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9oCAswwr5WU/UCEv66qYfpI/AAAAAAAAH4s/EdbJxPTJEkk/snap_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="snap" width="652" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I have also used my super computer to visualize the sort of epic struggle that is going on right now. I think this really captures the spirit of the moment.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQnPtVX5kdn3QVPZh_VJ_8vuKuitWUidY0WFycpkbihgvOeyJW4ZSa4VXP6n8rPXmD2SyaIdRtlg1ulIqC9GiDVPmmXb54vjDCARWO4NKh3Exle9DIM2Gmp9FRbJ-zB-4KUUx/s1600-h/boxing%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="boxing" border="0" height="560" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a7KifgdfFFI/UCEv9--_irI/AAAAAAAAH48/cflnc1VJ5LY/boxing_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="boxing" width="402" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span>Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-19535300459875387642012-08-06T06:40:00.001-07:002012-08-06T06:40:40.335-07:00Fat Project–Day 21 amended<p><font size="4">In a shocking turn of events, Mike has sent me over todays weight of 198, which changes the results entirely.  His weekend hump seems to have been  a crazy turn of events, or maybe his scale is not working reliably straining under the weight of all that Starr….</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Anyway, this revised data tips Mike back into the lead in terms of total weight loss, here is the new chart.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvAGozn7Vd0Rp49BoULhoC5LD_6fPbf84IYnPEua6HDwdR7EyywqVce9inuvDE0uMUCEwmC83EW90jBdnwA2dAzkn2Q5roMwCdy6hd8BtoPIX2pf1K1gB1DrK5AWuMPI9WMRj/s1600-h/snap%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mdpa-lBrNQk/UB_JVTHvYAI/AAAAAAAAH3M/WTrBN4dUmNo/snap_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="512" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-16737106274490024392012-08-06T06:05:00.001-07:002012-08-06T06:05:29.191-07:00The Fat Project Day 21<p><font size="4">Wow, I can hardly believe that we have been at this for 21 days now…   Continued progress on my side has brought me from a ballooning 193 pounds to a slightly plump 187 pounds.  Still a ways to go before I am officially “normal” weight, but progress is progress right?  Mike on the other hand has had a beer and BBQ fuelled disaster over the weekend, crashing and burning as he swells back up to a staggering 200 pounds.  I mock you sir, you and your enormous belly.  Look, look at the leaderboard today and feel the pain that is your feeble 5 pounds lost since the start to my amazing 6.4.  I have gone from the underdog to front runner  and you must now catch me fatty.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Today’s total weight loss is measured in delicious ice cream cones.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ0asI8Et6twORfJyGi_FPv-PXlJRskztu2arsSL_3u4n_gN6xk_B0XbAmB-jjdItCthdqb9eVAt2V454g7O3kxLWbBPWp2mOZ4PzI_dnzGsmgzI2RkLMtZPGrMXIYtezZsqk/s1600-h/snap%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zU3nCsckjfI/UB_A2vfVFKI/AAAAAAAAH1c/4ZaUtUiU4Zk/s1600-h/snap%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snap" border="0" alt="snap" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HkxKEx5J1Rc/UB_BBKuUcxI/AAAAAAAAH1g/RJsIihkRHDk/snap_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="608" height="565" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">To be fair, Mike’s 200 pound total was actually from Sat, but I did not get an update today from him so I have to assume he is still there.  I wondered how he could possibly miss a morning weigh in communication, but then my spy cameras revealed that he may be experiencing some technical difficulties that keep him from sending it to me.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9Emu__pvZTw/UB_BDBcaPQI/AAAAAAAAH1o/yv21YFUs-Ew/s1600-h/beachmike%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="beachmike" border="0" alt="beachmike" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KTZU7j3rn8M/UB_BFZMtTlI/AAAAAAAAH1w/eVkyff4GBE0/beachmike_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="374" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773750.post-43363935906087705202012-08-03T06:14:00.001-07:002012-08-03T06:16:37.753-07:00The Fat Project Day 18<span style="font-size: medium;">I recently read somewhere that it is not a good idea to weigh yourself every day when trying to lose weight. That our bodies will fluctuate a bit in weight in the short term and a check on a weekly basis is more than enough for meaningful data. I have to say that on the one hand I can see this in my own measures, especially in the last week or so, where I bounce up and down a pound or two each day. The article was saying that a bad reading in the short term can be too frustrating to the dieter as they see a lack of progress… I tend to disagree, I have been sticking to a pretty tight diet and exercise program the last 18 days and when I see that my weight goes up, it is inspiring me to put extra effort in on the exercise side of the equation the following day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I am in no way starving myself, but working to maintain a gap between calories in/out of –1000 per day. I have found that I don’t get much of a result if I am on the low end, consuming 1200 calories and burning 2200 compared to a day where I consume 2200 and burn 3200. The latter has a much more direct impact on my overall weight and body fat percentage. I don’t always have time to put in exercise worth 3200 calories of work, so on those days I have to be content to limit the ingoing food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">For me the experience remains very positive. I have lost some cm off my waistline and my pants are feeling a bit looser, it is a good feeling. Also, the logging and charts have been something of a game for me and I look forward to the second half of the bet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I had a colleague in my team come up to me and ask if I had lost weight, which is also a good feeling. Hopefully Mike is having a similar experience on his side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Todays total weight loss is measured in delicious waffles.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UOIYrPsHNjs/UBvOmiPZ8xI/AAAAAAAAHxo/xq5WH73Y6Xg/s1600-h/snap%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="snap" border="0" height="565" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bfd6TqVxhVk/UBvOoD0HEiI/AAAAAAAAHxw/zZdievZFaCM/snap_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="snap" width="580" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe at the end of the bet, when Mike is here, the loser should have to cook all of the fatty food items I have used for the winner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Mike seemed a little down that he gained back a pound for todays check in, but I don’t think he should sweat it. He has lost SEVEN pounds so far, to inspire you further Mr. Starr, here are some things that weigh seven pounds. Imagine that two weeks ago, you were carrying this around with you:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr9inGGUDgHZVZso22E4FFZ117Z3PSPNFUO57fqz-BHvObIp_Botk695ryjwi7hNSJV_Bg-H9mlWugffyMnolykNbWUM9GcERdzo6TUu_Sbv46j8PI8MVRGyHfc_Wl9FGgw0J/s1600-h/baby%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="left" alt="baby" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MlmdlpyfWBw/UBvOrWMBqNI/AAAAAAAAHyA/rQ8VBPtCGVM/baby_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="baby" width="244" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">a newborn baby</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lD-FXSh6iJE/UBvOsBtTMBI/AAAAAAAAHyI/rZdF-YY2J6E/s1600-h/bbb%25255B2%25255D.gif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="left" alt="bbb" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UcEz70jd5KE/UBvOtZqiDLI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/TZ3q5wzpqfw/bbb_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bbb" width="235" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">A Bowling Ball</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yPEJ9pie7NU/UBvOvogUJ8I/AAAAAAAAHyY/T1avzZoUP_g/s1600-h/break%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="left" alt="break" border="0" height="144" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uPh4IEWb1Ac/UBvOwziEdrI/AAAAAAAAHyg/jns-hpp7c1M/break_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="break" width="244" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Jack-n-Grill’s Seven Pound Breakfast Burrito</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span>Fraser Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13314731754467433908noreply@blogger.com0