Category Archives: Pictures

Hallstatt

Months after the fact, here are the pictures I took this summer while in Halstatt, Austria. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. It’s a beautiful place. I was reluctant to leave and look forward to going back at some point.

Our hostel in Hallstatt, which suited us just fine Throughout the little town of Hallstatt, there are room and little cottages for rent Houses near our hostel Uncle Ben and Ellen checking out the high water after a day of rain One has to wonder if it's illegal not to have flower beds under your windows in Austria... One has to wonder if it's illegal not to have flower beds under your windows in Austria... The lake, which is COLD, but that didn't stop most of us from taking a dip or two A playground next to a crystal clear lake and surrounded by mountains -- what a great spot! A playground next to a crystal clear lake and surrounded by mountains -- what a great spot! Hallstatt lake Ben and Heather (Ben acting like it was colder than it really was) Ellen June discovers zip-lines... uh-oh The view from the little private balcony at our hostel Mom and dad, on the walk into town (that river was really moving after a previous day of rain) One of many quaint sights on the main street in Hallstatt Hallstatt Hallstatt lake Hallstatt What can I say -- she's got very sophisticated tastes Ellen, imitating a very old person The funicular that takes you from Hallstatt to the salt mines The funicular that takes you from Hallstatt to the salt mines (and back) The stunning view from the cafe near the salt mine Hallstatt, as seen from the cafe near the salt mine This trip was my introduction to the Ellen and Pampah take a break on the way up to tour the salt mine Ellen and Pampah on the way up to tour the salt mine June was too young for the salt mine tour so she stayed outside with me. She was thrilled. Many, many a school field trip is taken to the Hallstatt salt mine, apparently. Ahh, the Swiss Alps, I'd heard so much about you... A late lunch with possibly the best cafe view ever, anyway. And surprisingly affordable too. Food just tastes better when it's delivered by grandma Lisbeth takes a brisk dip in the lake Ellen and Uncle been do their best to destroy the playground equipment Ellen had a blast, in and out of the water June-bug, reacting to being told that it was nap time Hallstatt, as seen from the playground we frequented Dad at dinner, after a long day of playing tourist Mom at dinner, after a long day of playing tourist Hallstatt -- just as pretty as the postcards make it out to be Hallstatt Ellen at the Hallstatt Charnel House. She thought it was quite interesting. Hallstatt Charnel House Hallstatt Charnel House Hallstatt Charnel House Hallstatt Hallstatt Hallstatt Heather enjoys the view from the lake (but June slept through the entire boat ride) The mysterious castle opposite from Hallstatt... DSC_7880.JPG DSC_7882.JPG Hallstatt Hallstatt Hallstatt Hallstatt lake Ellen DSC_7917.JPG DSC_7919.JPG On the tram to the Headed to the Dachstein ice caves entering the Dachstein ice caves Dad and mom, inside the Dachstein ice caves Dachstein ice caves Dachstein ice caves Dachstein ice caves Ellen, at the tram stop at the top DSC_8025.JPG NOW we're in the mountains The alps DSC_8038.JPG DSC_8043.JPG The Hallstatt, seen from the Five Fingers lookout Lisbeth and Ellen, giving me a heart attack One of the five DSC_8091.JPG DSC_8097.JPG DSC_8101.JPG A nice little plank, in the event of suicide (or base jumping) Ellen decided she'd had enough walking on the way back. Good thing Auntie Heather has a strong back. Ellen decided she'd had enough walking on the way back. Good thing Auntie Heather has a strong back. DSC_8136.JPG DSC_8140.JPG Back on the valley floor, happy that I don't have to watch my girls defy gravity any longer. It's not easy being and aunt, but Auntie Heather doesn't seem to mind Apparently pulling old supports out of the water is not a big priority in Hallstatt DSC_8217.JPG Lunch on the waterfront DSC_8226.JPG DSC_8236.JPG DSC_8244.JPG DSC_8248.JPG Best location for a playground ever June couldn't get enough of the zip-line How can this girl not even be six years old yet? DSC_8271.JPG Ellen practicing her twirling Yes, women do sometimes dress this way in Austria. Even in 2014. Here's another reason it's good to travel with others -- let someone else carry your kids for once. Burning off excess energy, back in Prague, before our flight back to Copenhagen the next morning

Prague

Lisbeth and the girls, freshly arrived and installed in our urban pad for the week An odd choice, I know, but this is my favorite building in Prague. It looks more like ship than a building. For an American that grew up in the American Southwest, apartment buildings like these are impressive, even though they're pretty run-of-the-mill for European cities. The view from one of the terraces in our apartment Aunt Beth sent two homemade dresses, which the girls wore quite happily June and Bonbon

This year, for the first time since moving to Europe, I am not traveling to the US for summer vacation. Instead we spend our vacation in Europe where we were joined for two weeks by my parents and my brother Ben and his wife Heather. We spent the first week in Prague, where we rented an apartment big enough for all eight of us.

Ellen and her grandfather bonded over several games of catch Ellen and her grandfather bonded over several games of catch Ellen and her grandfather bonded over several games of catch DSC_6179.JPG DSC_6183.JPG The start of many excursions into the heart of Prague

This was the first time any of us had been to Prague with the exception of Lisbeth who’d been there last at a teenager and didn’t remember much about it except that it left a positive impression. It’s a very pretty city Read More →

Istanbul

The Blue MosqueIt’s hard for me to believe, but it’s been almost twenty five years since my second attempt at college.

The first attempt was brief, in 1987, immediately after graduating college. In retrospect I simply had no motivation. I dropped out and took a number of strange jobs. Some were fun but there was nothing that I cared to make a career out of. And so, two years later, I was ready to go back, and this time I was motivated — knowing full-well what the alternatives looked like.

My second attempt was entirely different than the first. I learned a lot, and met a lot of interesting people. One of these people was Emrah, a fellow student in the Computer Science department at Highlands University in my hometown. Emrah and I became friends even though it was, at times, humbling to hang out with the guy. He despised programming and math but was unquestioningly better than I was at both of them. He often encouraged me to have fun with him instead of studying for exams, but then he’d ace the exams and I’d barely get by.

After graduating from college, Emrah alternatively lived in California and his native Istanbul, where I have long intended to visit him, especially after moving to Denmark (Istanbul is only a three and a half hour flight away.) I finally managed it over Easter. It had been sixteen years since I’d seen Emrah. A lot has changed, but I still enjoy his company a great deal.

The view from Emrah's apartment in Kadiköy, a suburb of Istanbul The Asian side of Istanbul, as seen from The two sides of Istanbul (Western on the left, Asian on the right) as seen from A tiny slice of Istanbul along the Bosphorus A tiny slice of Istanbul along the Bosphorus The newest part of the Istanbul metro (Marmaray tunnel, which goes under the Bosphorus) Read More →

Two rays of sunshine

Two rays of sunshine on a cold, grey Sunday morning.

June EllenJune Ellen

Christmas 2013

This year, for the first time, I traveled to New Mexico to visit family taking only Ellen along. It was a really good trip. Not only is Ellen old enough to be away from her mother for two weeks, but she proved to be a fun and affable traveler.

Ellen at the Copenhagen airport Ellen, quickly adjusting to being on vacation with dad Dad Dad, experimenting with his camera Visiting the Thompson ranch in Springer Ellen takes a short ride on Sugar with help from Aunt Donna and Uncle Clarance DSC_2689.JPG Maracas! Nothing says Christmas like student wanna-be cops Call me nostalgic, but when I was a kid, Santa didn't need protection Call me nostalgic, but when I was a kid, Santa didn't need protection Call me nostalgic, but when I was a kid, Santa didn't need protection Call me nostalgic, but when I was a kid, Santa didn't need protection Carly dances at a school performance at the United World College Mom and Carly slave away in the kitchen Carly and mom slave away in the kitchen My sweet traveling companion Got some snow a few days before Christmas Got some snow a few days before Christmas Got some snow a few days before Christmas DSC_2893.JPG DSC_2900.JPG DSC_2905.JPG The drought has killed a lot of trees How did people travel with kids before the iPad was invented? Ben waits impatiently to be served at Sushi King Heather at Sushi King Diego at Sushi King Ellen entertained herself practically all day while I worked on some programming problems with Ben Ellen entertained herself practically all day while I worked on some programming problems with Ben

Ellen had a great time, but the highlight was the “River of Lights” at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden, which we saw with Ben and Heather. At one point she stopped running around and asked me, “Will we ever see this again?” I said I didn’t know — maybe we wouldn’t. She got sad, and has mentioned this possibility to her mother since we returned, so we’d better plan to return.

Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden DSC_2990.JPG Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden Part of the 'River of Lights' display at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden

We had a mix of weather, but generally it was warm and sunny, which was a welcome relief from the damp and dark of Denmark. We also had a bit of snow, so it’s not like it was so warm that we forgot it was Christmas.

Ellen squints in the bright New Mexico sunshine Mom, on a walk into town Carly reacts to her new tablet from Bon-bon and Pampah Connie covets a gift Ellen Arthur Nerd heaven Ellen got plenty of attention from her uncle Ben and auntie Heather DSC_3105.JPG DSC_3163.JPG DSC_3174.JPG Celina, Leah, Joe, Ellen, Cora, and Carly The Coppock gift exchange Celina Cora, Heather, and Ellen Mom and dad's house Waiting for our flight in Albuquerque Waiting for our flight in Albuquerque

A cyclist is born

In Febuary, for Ellen’s fourth birthday, we bought her a bike. She picked it out herself, and seemed very pleased. But it soon became clear that her pleasure was mostly derived from ownership itself. She had no real interest in riding it. Every few weekends or so we’d take her out to the street and she would object, and say she couldn’t, and whine about going inside.

DSC_2171.JPG DSC_2181.JPG DSC_2245.JPG DSC_2259.JPG DSC_2278.JPG DSC_2195.JPG

And the, a couple weeks ago — out of nowhere — she asked me if she could ride her bike when we got home. I helped her get it out of the garage, and within ten minutes she was starting and stopping on her own (her balance was learned long ago, on a “running bike”, or bike without pedals.) Now she’s on to experiment with things like balancing while stopped, and making u-turns without putting her feet down.

Crazy all the way around

It’s hard to imagine, before you have your second child, how anyone could compete with your first. That’s partly because you’re surprised by how crazy you are about the first and can’t imaging being that crazy about another kid. But it’s also partly because you can’t possibly be prepared for how different the second is from the first. You can’t imagine how fully and completely the second child is their own person.

Nothing better than trying big sister's stuff Fresh from the tub Once she can reach the pedals she's outta here

Far from being just a smaller version of Ellen, June is June. She’s fearless, almost violently affectionate, and apparently feels pain to a much lesser degree than most humans. She’s unstoppable and unflappable. June is a whole different experience than Ellen, and I’m every bit as crazy about her as I am about Ellen.

Ebeltoft

DSC_2084.JPG DSC_2066.JPG The beach (Elsegårde Strand)

In Denmark there is a efterårsferie (“fall vacation”) — a week in the fall when people often travel or stay at a summer house. This year Lisbeth’s parents rented a house on the beach near Ebeltoft (about an hour from Århus and about four hours from Copenhagen.)

Ellen naps in the rental car On the ferry between Sjællands Odde and Århus On the ferry between Sjællands Odde and Århus

I’ve heard a lot about the whole summer house experience, but this was really the first time I’d tried it for myself. Unfortunately I had a deadline at work that, coupled with a vicious migraine, prevented me from enjoying myself as much as I’d like, but I can see the appeal. Good food, family, leisurely walks — not much to complain about.

Elsegårde Strand Lisbeth A summer house at Elsegårde Strand

One thing that struck me was how much my perception of size has changed. Read More →

Scenes from the grind

I’ve never been so busy in my life. There isn’t enough time in the day. Time flies. And other cliches.

June enlists mom to help scrape out the last of an ice cream My sweet, doe-eyed Ellen Rainbow over Kålagervej Sending dad off to work in the morning Near the office A sunny Saturday at Tivoli

I’ve never been so busy in my life. But I’ve also never been so motivated. It’s not easy, but it’s very much worth it.

Summer Vacation 2013

This summer, our vacation was a little different. Instead of flying directly to the US from Copenhagen, we flew to Frankfurt first, where we had a five hour layover before flying on to Denver.

A five hour layover is something I would have liked to avoid before I had kids, but a layover is your friend when you’re traveling with energetic little people who are used to being able to run around all day long.

Vacation! Waiting in Copenhagen for our flight to Frankfurt Waiting in Frankfurt for our flight to Denver Waiting in Frankfurt for our flight to Denver Waiting in Frankfurt for our flight to Denver Waiting in Frankfurt for our flight to Denver Got a bassinet on the plane (whew!)

Except for a few minutes of icy fear caused by “ESTA” (the for-profit private agency that handles US Visas) when they refused to let Lisbeth board the flight despite the fact that she had a valid visa, it was a pleasant time. But the best part of this itinerary was that once we made the long flight to the US, we were done. That’s a lot nicer than having to face a domestic flight after the Atlantic flight.

Denver, staying with Sarah and Troy Denver, staying with Sarah and Troy Denver, staying with Sarah and Troy
In Denver we stayed with my cousin Sarah and her husband Troy. Read More →