I Feel Like Dorothy!

The trip has drawn to a close and I am wishing I was Dorothy. Jennie asked; "Dorothy Hunt????" No, I said, "Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz." Truth be known, "There is no place like home!" I love home! It's good that Dave has the wandering bone in his body because I would just stay home all of the time. I love home! But, I also love being with my partner in crime! Today I am going to click my heelsl and repeat the phrase "There's no place like home", three times. If that doesn't work, I will board the flight from Geneva, take an ambien and hope to show up at my home in 9 or so hours! Hope I don't have to take the long way but if I have to, it will be worth the effort. Don't get me wrong, I have loved this expreience it is just that after 10 days (anywhere in the world) I need to crawl into my own bed, do my own work, and see the other faces I love!

The Pilatus

While in Switzerland we took a cog train up the Pilatus. The views were spectacular and the ride up was an amazing feat in early technology. I sat on the edge of my seat most of the time hoping that the cogs in this railway would hold us on the mountain. Jennie and I were talking in the car the other day and asking each other about our dreams. When we asked Dave what his dream was his reply was; "I'm living it". Me too.

Trofeo Karlsbert 2009 Nations Cup Race

Guten Morgen! Last night was the first race of the Juniors Nations Cup. There were about 22 Nations competing and since I don’t have the paper in front of me I will just write what I remember; Russia, Germany, France, South Africa, USA, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands. Well I guess you can see how short my memory is (1/2 speed). To say the least, it is a great honor to be invited to compete in such a race. I believe these were the National Junior’s teams that competed in this stage race. It is interesting because everything is in German so we have to piece together information. It is like putting together a Giant puzzle with the last pieces missing. Last night was a road race, if I remember correctly it was about 120 km. Once again, the pace was fast and the field highly competitive. Somehow 2 of the winners were from Rabobank and Lotto, which I thought were Pro teams??? They didn’t have the name of a particular nation on their jerseys so go figure??? Were they on Pro teams? I don’t know. Wish I had paid better attention in that German class I took in Salzburg (25 years ago). Bobbi and I were too busy looking for the postman and buying chocolate and souvenirs. Actually, we had much more depth that that sounds. It is good for me to remember that because it puts the behaviors of some of my children into perspective. Can’t wait to really talk to Connor. We are here sort of incognito. Of course, he doesn’t need or want his parents following him like groupies, so we are as discreet as 3 Americans can be (1 in a red coat, 1 twenty -one year old beauty who garners the attention of every foreign man from ages 16-99, and one grey haired gentleman carrying a video camera with a 20 foot pole attached.. Lawson Craddock from the US Team won the red and white jersey by winning King of the Mountain. In German it is GPM rather than KOM! I secretly call that Grand Prince of Bellaire! I know what you really want are the race results, so let me just get there…don’t know. Didn’t even see Connor finish (hope he doesn’t read this). They are moving so fast it is hard to pick out just the right boy although I have sworn in the past I could pick his riding style out of any crowd. Most of the US team came in somewhere in the front to middle and I will assume that my boy was with them. Hoped for a win but will settle for Grand Prince crown. Lawson was up there doing the “kiss on 3 cheeks” or 3 girls (that equals 9 kisses) very well. Today is another stage race. I’ll post tonight if we have internet. Well, my man just walked in from his a.m. ride and our stomach’s are growling…..croissants here we come! Hey Connor….RIDE LIKE THE WIND AND BEEEEE SAFE!

US Team Keeps Yellow Jersey-Wins Stage Race

Did I fail to mention that the US Team won the Stage race in Switzerland. It was the most difficult races I have ever witnessed. Four days full of high climbs, long miles, switchbacks, and tough competition. Nathan Brown won the Yellow Jersey on the Prologue (time trial) so you know what that means, we spend the next 3 stages defending it. Connor was a huge part of that. The 3rd Stage had an incredibly high climb with switchbacks and narrow, steep streets..miles and miles of uphill. No photo would do this justice either, but I'll post one. Connor pulled Nathan to the top and then, as is customary, steps aside so the yellow can take the win. Connor is a team player in every sense of the word. Loyal, strong and willing to step back while the other guy takes the credit. I love that kind of man! Love you boy! Love your guts, heart and mind too. Get rested up for the next race on Thursday!

Gruyere, Switzerland

Yes, this is the small town where Gruyere Cheese is made! Yummy!

Flying High

The Jungfrau is between these two mountains, covered in snow and clouds. (Photo below) Our hotel, the Swiss Chalet with the 2 flying flags was built in the 1600's.

Today was supposed to be Jungfrau day. When we saw the cloud cover we had a change of plans. We headed up Trummlebach (sp?) falls. They were incredible and photos can't begin to do them justice. You can see 2 lame photos above. After the disappointment of the aborted Jungfrau trip, we decided to opt for a different kind of mountain adventure. Gutsy Jennie wanted to go Paragliding. We watched from below as she dropped over the top of the mountains banking our view of the Jungfrau and floated near the falls, over the mountain tops, down the steep banks of the mountains and landed gracefully in a meadow where we were standing. (All of this with her guide, Peter, of course.) She will remember this day longer than she might have remembered the train trip to the Jungfrau. She was "Flying High". You Go Girl!

What in the World?????

Where in the World is Dave O'Leary now? I can tell you, he is standing outside by the car waiting for the women (or should I say Jennie) in his life to finish getting ready. I can hear from the blow dryer that we have a way to go so I thought a post was in order. We have been in Europe (Switzerland) for the past week. Blogging has been hard because the computer is tied up at nights (once again, Jennie). We are really so happy to have her with us that she can take as long as she wants beautifying and we will happily share our computer time.
Thus far we have been traveling though and staying in small Swiss towns. We have been touring castles, walking though sleepy rural towns, enjoying the lush green countryside and one another.. oh, did I fail to mention the chocolate? That will probably be the most visible part of our trip, you will see when we get home.
So far, we have had a little bad news. Little Red Riding Hood fell on some railroad tracks and broke her tiny arm in two places, a compound fracture
That means...bones sticking through the skin. OUCH. Katie was riding Saturday in the "Little Red Riding Hood" bicycle ride in Logan. She had trained and was pedaling through the woods when along came the Big Bad Wolf (some very wet railroad tracks). They took a big bite of her and she is in the hospital in Logan. She was part of the ward "Flat and Tired" women's team! I would say she is a wonderful mascot for the team, very flat and tired right now! The neighborhood and of course Annie have taken great care of her.
Sarah was in SLC on her book tour while we were gone. So glad that the family can thrive in our absence. Thanks to all our friends for attending her signing at King's English, it was a great beginning for her tour. We also have many good friends in Seattle so I am sure she will see some familiar faces there. Thanks to technology, I was able to see her Today Show segment hours after it aired live. Great job honey! After watching it Jennie turned to me and said aren't you glad you are almost done with your kids in the dating stage? Without wiping a tear or even a moment of regret, I said YaHoo! Not that I wished away a moment of it, but those late nights get old after 5 kids. However, I am being reminded that I still have 2 to marry off the the highest bidder! Let the bidding begin!