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RTW 2022
  • Christie Mitchell
  • Christie Mitchell

RTW 2022

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” (Winnie-the-Pooh) Read more
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  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Electric train to Amaterdam!
    Our "room" - we had the two window seatsBerlin train starion - had two more floors below tooHigh soeed in the country sideWhere weve been in europe so farAmsterdam Central StationForecast for the week. We leave on Tuesday2Near our hotel when we arrived - canals EVERYWHERE

    Hello Amsterdam!

    June 23, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Miles: 3.65 Steps: 8274
    Flights stairs: 6

    We traveled all day by train again to Amsterdam! The trains are so different here - smooth, fast, and have much different seating (little “rooms” of seats). We transferred in Berlin, but unfortunately weren’t close enough to see the city. The train we got on there struggled - our car’s air conditioning was broken. We thought it was the whole train, so didn’t ask - found out with 3 hours to go it was just our car and we could move to another. 🤷‍♀️ so we did, and it was MUCH better. Even with that, still very impressed with their train system. The station in Berlin was HUGE! Bigger than some airports I’ve been in.

    We’re staying in a hotel a ways out this time as I didn’t figure out the city well enough to feel safe downtown. It’s a nice change tho, because it’s much nicer. 😃

    The forecast is for four days of nothing but rain and 70°. Feels and looks like home. (My Oregon home). We’ll head out in it regardless cause …. Not much choice. It’s just going to rain. ☔️    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Heading up to the Van Gogh museum
    Self portrait - Vincent Van GoghFamous blossoms - almond, not cherry!2Bike parking area near the train station. Two story "garage" to the left2Soooo many bikes - this was in a different section of townThis scene, and many many more like it, were everywhere in the city.There were traffic jams of bikesTaxes were imposed on the width of your property - so they built up instead of wideMuch wider canals than VeniceBarely enough clearance for our boatTattoo time! Jordans turnMy turn!3Small Airplanes! To represent our journey. Jordan's is the paper airplane, mine the jetNit sure what this building is - just thought it was prettySame with thisNo pics allowed inside -This is from google - the bookcase that hid the doorway to the attic1This is Amsterdam at 10:30 at night!

    Amsterdam

    June 24, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Miles: 10.3 Steps: 24204
    Flights stairs: 5

    Well what a cool city Amsterdam is! I didn’t know much about it before coming here - mostly only that prostitution and drugs are legal, and that it gets really cold. I’ve learned so much today!! it’s gorgeous - it’s a city built around water and canals much like Venice, but in my opinion even more attractively. It’s actually 6 meters below sea level. They are masters here at “water management”. And a little known fact - there are almost as many bikes here as there are people! 600,000 bikes. Bikes are EVERYWHERE. It’s amazing to see them used as the main form of transportation in a big city.

    Did you know Van Gogh was Dutch? I didn’t. We went to the Van Gogh museum - and I have to say it was probably the most enjoyable art museum I’ve been to yet. Just the way it was set up and how it lead me thru his life. Very well done.

    We wandered without much purpose for awhile which is actually really fun. We came across the red light district where prostitution is legal and found it was much different than I expected. The way they have it set up, I barely knew where I was most of the time.

    We took a boat tour of the canals which was really nice to see a lot of the city from that perspective and then Jordan and I spontaneously went and got small semi-matching tattoos together to commemorate our travels!

    We ended the night taking a tour of the Anne Frank House. It was so moving to walk thru it all and listen to the audio tour. I honestly didn’t know it was located in Amsterdam till I got here. How WW2, and the Nazi occupation, touched every country in Europe is mind boggling.

    Overall, it was a fantastic day that I hope to remember a very long time. I still haven’t adjusted to their VERY late sunsets - it doesn’t get dark till after 10:30. It’s easy to lose track of time and think it is endlessly 6:30 in the evening.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    2Vending machine fast food
    4The windmill village21Working windmill - 3000 kg stone wheelsCheese factoryCheese tasting3Giant clogs!!2Clog making demonstrationShowing how wet the wood is during carving process1Movie theater in downtown Amsterdam

    Another day in Amsterdam!

    June 25, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Miles: 5.1 Steps: 14191
    Flights stairs: 10

    So the weather has definitely not been as bad as forecasted here in Amsterdam. It has hardly rained at all, and actually it’s been beautiful blue sky for the most part.

    We keep seeing all different kinds of restaurants - so different than in the US. Today we saw a fast food place, where the food is kept in little cubbies and you access it yourself. Like a vending machine, but it was warm, and actually not half bad.

    We took a day trip out to the small town of Zaanse Schwans. Just a 20 min train ride out of town. It is a town of historic working windmills and houses that recreated an 18th century Dutch village. They had many demonstrations going on — cheese making, clog building, and we were able to go thru the last working dye windmill in the world. They create dyes for paints and chalks - most notably the chalk used to line futbol fields! It was a really relaxing time walking around the village. And an added plus … the whole town smelled of cooking chocolate, as there was a huge chocolate making factory right next door. Very odd and fun to constantly smell chocolate everywhere.

    After seeing the village we went into to town and saw “Jurassic World”. This is our third movie in Europe, and this theater was even different than the others. It had lamps at each big wonderful seat. Great experience, and pretty good movie. 😃    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    2Walking thru the city
    Rembrandt's houseRembrandt's bed box2Across the riverFerry boatOn the ferry (no cars) - more people on bikes than walkingA'dam lookoutYep, that's a horse Jordans sitting on??View looking straight downView of the cityDefinitely scarier than it looks hereLove me a good sunset21Canals at night

    Last day in Amsterdam

    June 26, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Miles: 7.8 Steps: 19439
    Flights stairs: 7

    We went to the Rembrandt house this morning. It’s really nice to watch Jordan get so excited about artists she’s loved and studied. The house is the original, but everything in it was reproduced from a complete inventory they had found. It was still neat to see how people would have lived. This was a VERY expensive mansion back in the day - eventually Rembrandt went bankrupt and lost the house.

    The only other thing we did today, other than just walk, admire and take in our surroundings was a trip to A’dam Lookout. It’s a 22 story building across the river from the train station. We took a ferry across the river (it was free, but the bathrooms aren’t?!?!) and then went to the top for a fantastic view of the city and another phenomenal sunset.

    Then just to get our blood pumping, we did the swing from the top! We couldn’t film it because phones weren’t allowed and we went together, but filmed the people that went before us. It was quite a rush.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Just a small portion of the lineup at security
    Flying over NorwayWaiting for the "right train" in the middle of no where - steam rising from FjordVery eerie. Could hear a pin drop

    Oh my, what a travel day!

    June 27, 2022 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 75 °F

    Miles: 3.4 Steps: 8139
    Flights stairs: 7

    Today was CRAZY! I guess if we flew enough times we were bound to eventually have a really tough time of it. And today was it.

    We had a late morning flight out of Amsterdam for Oslo. We were set to get to the airport about 3 1/2 hrs early (which we never do) but because of check out times and such, it worked. Figured we would get thru security, have a leisurely breakfast, hang out there and eventually meander to our plane. Easy peasy.

    We were actually the first ones at the check in counter (it was a good start), got our backpacks checked (offered by the airline so why not) and headed to security - it was 11:00 and our flight didn’t leave until 1:40. We were sitting pretty. Then, we hit the unexpected lineup at security. It seemed a bit excessive, but weren’t sure being an airport we weren’t used to. Well, long story short, we waited in the security line for TWO AND A HALF HOURS. It was a first. Yeah. 2.5 hours. It was miserable. Met some really nice people in line, but still. They only had one scanner open - apparently covid left them with a labor shortage they haven’t recovered from. 2.5 hours!

    Our flight was due to take off at 1:40 … so we made it thru security at 1:32 and RAN thru the airport to our gate. We boarded right at 1:40. Little did we know they were going to hold the plane trying to let as many people make it on as possible from line. So we sat in a hot airplane, with no air for 90 minutes. People were still held up at security and they couldn’t wait any longer, so they closed the doors short 100 passengers! But … it didn’t end there. They had to get all the bags of those 100 passengers off the airplane! - so pulled them off and sorted them, right there, outside our window. Chalk up another 60 min in the plane waiting.

    So we stood in line for 2.5 hours, then sat in a very hot plane for another 2.5 hours. We eventually took off (had to pay an excessive amount of money for sandwiches on the plane as we never got breakfast and it was now well after 3:00 and were STARVING) and then had an uneventful, beautiful flight into Oslo.

    Then we had to board a train to take us from the Oslo airport to the city center - 35 min ride, shouldn’t have been difficult. And of course, we boarded the wrong one! The nicest train conductor lady informed us of our error about 20 min in when we showed her our tickets - she got us off the train at the next stop, and headed back the right way. Yeah. Icing on the cake.

    We got in so late all we could do was grab dinner and get to the hostel. Just staying one night here and heading out in the morning by train for the beautiful fjords — urghhh. What a day! Crossing our fingers for a better travel day tomorrow.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Beginning of train ride thru Southern Norway
    22Very comfy ride! Best yetWe made it to Bergen train stationA beautiful park right outside the stationOur airbnb is to the right (and top) of all theseNot sure of the significance of this statue1View from our living room windowTHIS is what 12:30 am looks like

    We made it to Bergen, Norway!

    June 28, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Miles: 5.5 Steps: 13166
    Flights stairs: 28!

    We took a BEAUTIFUL scenic train ride from Oslo to Bergen today - a little over 7 hours. At first, I was slightly underwhelmed as it seemed like what I’ve seen in Oregon & Washington my entire life - but then it got AMAZING. What I’ve seen of Norway so far is anything but underwhelming.

    After we got to Bergen, we had to work pretty hard to get to our Airbnb. Jordan may be trying to kill me! Airbnb’s are always further out of the city than hostels - no where near as convenient, but always much nicer. This one is on the top of a very tall hill - there’s a bus that goes there, but it only runs once every 30 min … so we gave up waiting and just walked each time. But we got our steps in!

    Eating out in Bergen appears to be VERY expensive. A basic dinner for two could easily cost $75-100, so we’ve decided to cook these 5 days we’re here since we’ve got a full kitchen. We found a grocery store, and did our shopping - which is always really interesting in another country. Very little is the same packaging so it’s a challenge to even find and identify butter. Luckily, most people speak English so people here were able to help us a lot. Eating out is a lot, but groceries didn’t seem to be that out of line - we only spent 906 NOK, which is about $90 for the week.

    We’re in “the land of the midnight sun” meaning the sun doesn’t really go down this time of year. I’m writing this at 12:30am and it still just dusk. They say the sky will stay orange all night until around 3:15am when the sun will come up again fully. Amazing!    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    1View from Mt Fløyen
    2Funicular coming up the hill1Jordan's obligatory selfie of the day4Mountain lake canoeing 🛶I dont think it gets much better than thisJordan's photo skills coming thru4Cable car heading back downThis was GORGEOUSThe actual summit -- we didnt hike further this timeTown of Bergen down belowJordan wanted to see sheep - and then we found some! Mountain was dotted with them1The start or the 1331 stairs back down - it was VERY steepJordan taking a side stop2Not every view was beautiful today2Photo taken at 12:45am - still cant get used to it!

    Beautiful Bergen

    June 29, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Miles: 9.2 Steps: 21338
    Flights stairs: 28

    The weather gods have smiled on us in Bergen. The original forecast was for 5 days of straight rain, and instead we’ve had nothing but blue sky for the last 24 hours, with 24 more hours expected. Bergen is the rainiest city in all of Europe, so I’m considering us VERY fortunate. So we packed today and tomorrow with everything that needed a good view or a lot of time outside.

    Bergen is surrounded by and sits below seven mountains. We started the day riding a funicular up to the top of one of them, Mt Fløyen. Beautiful start. We found a mountain lake where you could take canoes out for free, so we did! Jordan’s kayaked but never been in a canoe so that was a first.

    We headed down and then across town to find the cable car to take us up a second mountain, Mt Ulriken, the highest of the seven mountains. 643 meters. It was a huge adventure just finding the entrance - must have walked around at least an hour trying to find it. But we did and It. Was. Beautiful. Amazing view. We could see all the fjords surrounding the town (a fjord is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs - different than a sound which is just a body of water connected to a larger body). The only other place I’ve seen fjords was our Alaska trip 7 yrs ago)

    We decided to hike back down instead of taking the cable car. It was 1331 VERY steep steps - all in all about a 5 km walk down. Watching people hike up it was very inspiring.

    By the time we got home our legs were so tired, (we walked a LONG ways today) but it was so fun and so beautiful of a day. Made ourselves dinner and enjoyed the midnight sun again before bed. It was a great way to spend day 100 of this trip!!    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Flåm railway
    Kjosfossen waterfall2From trainLots of trolls in Norway2City beneath sheer cliffs on both sidesOur "spots" of shade we foundNapping timeThe ferry for our 5 hour tripThe journey and stops we madeJust a tad windy up frontA bit too cold for Jordan's tastes1One of the ferry stopsFollowing another ferry through the channelsIf you zoom in, you'll see kids swimming

    Trains and ferrys

    June 30, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Miles: 4.88 Steps: 13362
    Flights stairs: 19

    We took a day trip away from Bergen today. We boarded a train for a two hour ride, which connected us to an old scenic train that took us an hour ride from the top of the mountains down to the water in Flåm. Quite the descent - it stopped midway at a HUGE waterfall so we could get off and view it better.

    We had about 4 hours in Flåm so we ate, and then walked around this charming historic town. Eventually found a shady spot (literally) and laid in the grass near the water - I fell asleep. Nothing better. So nice as it was 81° - seemed perfect.

    We boarded a ferry for a five hour ride through the fjords (Aurlandsfjord and Sognefjord - Norways biggest) that took us right back to Bergen. There were seats inside and on the back, but not the best views so I rode the entire time upfront right on the bow!! Most of it completely by myself which was so peaceful. It wasn’t too cold but the intense wind got a bit much - but worth it! My legs were killing me after standing for five hours, but hey, got to do what you got to do!    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Bergenhaus Fortress
    Inside the Rosenkrantz towerWe LOVE stairsNot Jordan's favorite activityFrom the lookout of the towerWalking thru the woods to the church1Fantoft Stave ChurchI love that theres a rooster in the top of this churchBeautiful wood interiorNot a nail used in this entire place!

    Last of the good weather

    July 1, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Miles: 3.3 Steps: 8832
    Flights stairs: 13

    So today looks like the last of our beautiful weather here - so we’re really glad we loaded the last two days with activities. The rain has finally arrived here (this evening after we got home) and with it falling temperatures. Went from 80’s to 60’s in a snap.

    Today we took it a bit easier. Woke up to cramps and knots in my leg muscles. Too many miles in too few days. 😂 We saw the Bergenhaus Fortress and the Rosenkratz Tower - and our motto is if there’s a tower, we must climb it! Then we headed to the Fantoft Stave Church - which I found fascinating.

    After seeing French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian churches, fortresses and towers, it was interesting to see the Viking/Norwegian counterparts.

    The Stave church was built entirely of wood, because the Vikings were very good working with wood. Also, stave means it’s built with zero nails or glue - just wood braces against wood. It was crazy.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Stormy cold day on the waterfront

    Preparing to move on

    July 2, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Miles: 1.41 Steps: 3383
    Flights stairs: 18

    Spent today inside relaxing, catching up on to do’s, doing lots of loads of laundry (while it’s here - 2 flights of stairs down in a cellar, but it’s free so can’t complain) and paying bills - all that kind of stuff keeps going on, even when traveling endlessly. It was a great day for it because the rough weather blew in finally - it was not only sideways raining, it was cold, in the low 60’s. I’m really grateful the weather was so great the last three days unexpectedly.

    The only pic I took was during a break in the stormy weather when we went out to buy a few groceries for dinner tonight.

    Boring day, but necessary.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    2Pretty miserable walk in the cold and rain
    Self check in at the airpirtMade it to London!Discovering their mass transit system2"The tube" ... people barely fitInstructions everywhere to walk on the left side of the pathHelpful signs, keeping us from getting run over apparentlyThey're everywhere

    Hello London!

    July 3, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Miles: 6.9 Steps: 16148
    Flights stairs: 4

    We left Norway this morning, bright and early at 5:00am. We had a 20 minute walk to the tram station (for an hour ride to the airport). Unfortunately, the forecast was finally right and we did the walk in the pouring rain! Was tough starting our day all wet, but we survived.

    After our absolutely miserable experience in Amsterdams airport last flight, we were pleasantly surprised at Bergens airport. It was so efficiently run - probably the best setup and run airport I’ve ever seen. No lines to check in - you did a self check in, printed your own luggage label, and even scanned and put your bag on the conveyor belt yourself. Pretty slick process. And security was run even better. What a nice experience.

    We got into London and got oriented as we usually do. Felt our way thru the mass transit system. We could definitely see why their metro is called “the tube”. It was so narrow and tight, it felt like you were literally in a tube.

    Saw neat things as we walked around the city getting to our hotel. Weird to see the cars on the left side of the road - and we even walk on the left side when in busy areas. And crossing the streets everywhere they have signs on the road telling you what direction to look for traffic in, since there’s so many one way streets. Very helpful actually.

    Tomorrow we’ll go out and start exploring this massive city! Can’t wait.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    1Classic double decker London bus
    Having fun at the London DungeonA little Harry Potter funAbbey Road from Beatles albumBuckingham PalaceBuckingham PalaceQueen Victoria FountainSt James ParkAdmiralty ArchTrafalgar SquareGood to see full support of LGBTQ in LondonNear 10 Downing Street10 Downing StreetHouse of ParliamentBig BenClassic red phone boothes everywhereGreat memorial to womens part in WW2London EyeLondon Eye pod1135 meters high!

    London!

    July 4, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Miles: 8.1 Steps: 20135
    Flights stairs: 17

    Beautiful day in London today!

    We had a great day seeing many tourist sites. Rode the top level of a classic double decker bus and then went to the London Dungeons. It’s a 90 minute haunted house kind of atmosphere walking you through the gruesome history of London - like 15 “scenes” with actors portraying history live with us as participants. It was very entertaining, scary but I actually learned a lot of the history. Unfortunately no pics allowed so only had the one they sold us in the end.

    Then we headed to Kings Cross station to see platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter - or what they set it up to be for the tourists. Cute. On the same vein, then went across town to see the Abbey Road crosswalk. Funny to watch everyone try to get pics on an active street without a street light.

    We walked thru Hyde Park, saw Buckingham Palace, Queen Victoria fountain and then strolled thru St James Park. It was very beautiful.

    We eventually hit Admiralty arch, and Trafalgar Square - the direct center of London. Down the street we saw 10 Downing Street, the amazing looking Parliament and of course Big Ben (which was smaller than I imagined). We finished off our day with a ride on the London Eye - takes about 30 minutes to make a full rotation. Each pod holds 25-30 people. Went really high and really cool to see the city from that vantage point.

    Overall, it was a great day seeing the city. London is pretty cool.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Picture says it all
    In the entranceThe cubboard under the stairsThe great hallThe moving staircasesThe boys dormDumbledores officeThe Hogwarts expressThe Knight busThe Weasley's boroughPrivet drivePicking mandrakesGringots bank setDestruction of Gringots bankThe actual castle used for filming

    Harry Potter world!

    July 5, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Miles: 3.9 Steps: 10723
    Flights stairs: 4

    When you go to London with a Harry Potter fanatic like Jordan, there is no choice but to visit Warren Bros studios!

    It’s a ways out of town so we had to take the tube to a train, to catch a shuttle bus - but it was worth it. We spent almost 3 1/2 hours there. It isn’t like what they have in the US at Universal - this is a tour of the actual props and sets used in the making of the eight movies, on the actual studios. No rides or anything like that. Pretty special to see how the “magic” was actually made. It was also neat to watch Jordan revert back to a child and just enjoy what she was experiencing. I don’t get to see that side of my adult 23 year old much anymore.Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    St Paul's cathedral
    The Tower Bridge2Glass floor from upper level of tower bridgeMirror above the glass floor2Original workers depicted in the rafters2They had zero sadety equipmentTower of LondonArmory2The rack in the torture dungeonsChamging of the guard outside the crown jewelsBuildings here are amazingWestminster abbey? (From the bus)Big ben (from the bus)

    London

    July 6, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Miles: 5.7 Steps: 14784
    Flights stairs: 39

    Spent the day seeing just a few sights. We started with St Paul’s cathedral, another crazy beautiful church. I can’t help but think as I sit in each of these of the waste of resources and space tho. At the time these were built, there were so many people who were in such need. Certainly could have been a better use of the money it seems, then building these massive ornate cathedrals. But, what do I know. 🤔

    We then headed over and took a tour of the Tower Bridge. 432 people worked on the bridge; only 10 people died. For those times, probably not too bad. Walked up and back down 235 steps.

    Then we kept walking and went through the Tower of London - basically a big old mid-evil fort on the waterfront. It had been remade so much (and gift shops added everywhere) that it seemed like it was built this decade. Compared to other historical castles we’ve been thru, somewhat disappointing. The outside looked much more “historic” than the inside, but it was still hard to not notice all of the “improvements” that shouldn’t have been there.

    We bought the “London pass” - basically pay a flat fee to see as many sites you can in 48 hours. It definitely pays off with just a few places because London charges sooo much to see the sites. With the pass, came access to a roofless, double decker “hop on/hop off” bus. It was a great vantage point to see the sites and the modernistic skyline - and fun with the wind in your hair. Nice idea, but in the end didn’t work very well. In London just way too much traffic so we just sat there not moving for much of the trip. 😩 Glad we didn’t actually pay the £40 to use it and that it was “free” with the card.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Westminster Abbey
    2Queen ? Tomb .. not sure if it was a Mary or Victoria. There were SO manyMary queen of Scots tomb - very sad story. Google it. 😢Windsor CastleOne of the guards at the castle1They march everywhere - is it wrong that it reminded me of Wizzard of Oz??1"The long walk" ... we gave up, and only went half way so didnt get the full view of the castleThe ShardThe ShardView from the Shard - Tower bridge below3Tower Bridge at nightThe London Eye at nightParliament at nightWestminster bridge at night

    Last day in London

    July 7, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Miles: 11 Steps: 30546
    Flights stairs: 26

    Today was a rough day - a block from our hotel, right as we left, I took a tumble. The sidewalks in most countries are cobblestone, brick or slate slabs and they’re not flat like in the US. There’s lots of edges to catch your feet on. We seem to trip all the time but are always able to catch ourselves. Not today. I went down hard, wasn’t able to get my hands up and hit the side of my head on the bricks. Pretty scary. Very nice people in London - many came running and one guy was going to call an ambulance. Jordan stopped him.

    In the end just banged up - my shoulder, both knees, the side of my face … headaches, dizzy and a little nauseous - pretty sure I’m concussed, but I’ll live. Reminded me too much of my parents falling in their later years - Felt very old today. It made the rest of the day somewhat of a struggle in every way.

    We went to Westminster Abbey. It was beautiful, tho I was surprised (and slightly bothered) by the MANY tombs everywhere. Kind of crazy. Then we took a train out to Windsor Castle - it’s huge and very impressive. We came back and went to the “View from the Shard” for sunset on the 72nd floor - cause I just like to go up high to see sunsets in cities. 😃 and then took a boat ride on the Thames river to see the city at night.

    Didn’t get back to our hotel till we’ll after midnight - exhausting, beat up kind of day, but still nice in the end.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Manchester bus station
    Ate at a Five Guys, just for AdamHanging in the hotel in Manchester

    Counting mistake

    July 8, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Miles: 3.6 Steps: 8825
    Flights stairs: 8

    Well we’ve traveled thru 15 countries so far - 13 flights, 9 trains, 10 long distance buses and 3 ferry’s … all without a hitch. But this week I discovered my first mistake. We’re under the Schengen Visa which allows us to travel freely throughout Europe for exactly 90 days. I had checked my days and double checked them - but I forgot to count a travel day from Norway to London as being in the EU. I put it down as just a London day, even tho I spent half the day in Norway. Big Woops. If I let it go, that would put us in Europe for 91 days and be in violation of our visa. Google is torn - some say I could be fined, or even barred from ever returning. Some say, the immigration officer won’t even notice. But Jordan and I being fairly cautious decided to not push it.

    So today we had to extend our time in England one more day and not head to Germany as we had planned, cutting our time in Munich by one day, which is a bummer, but figured better safe than sorry.

    We had to change our flight from today to tomorrow, and the only flight available to do that was out of Manchester! So … we jumped on a bus and rode north 5 hours so we can fly out tomorrow for Germany, and guarantee we will only be in Europe exactly 90 days.

    Was a hassle but thankfully the UK buses are great and very inexpensive .. so no worries. But, nothing to really show of our day as the countryside didn’t look much different than the US to be honest, once we got out of London.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Last one on the plane!! Still odd to board outside like this
    2View from my hostel bedroom windowGot to enjoy a BIG beer in Germany!Movie theaterNightime view from bedroom window2Inside my bunk - my own fan and mini locker. It looks small, but i can sit up easily

    Boring Travel day

    July 9, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Miles: 4.7 Steps: 10999
    Flights stairs: 10

    It was a boring travel day for the most part. We flew from Manchester, England to Munich, Germany this morning. It was very uneventful. We almost had too much time. We got there way early, made it thru security, took our own sweet time having a great breakfast … and then realized our plane was on its final call and RAN thru the airport to be the last one let on. Lost track of time. Woops. But we made it.

    We’re getting VERY good at handling all the mass transit in every city. I think back to the first few weeks and it’s a night and day difference. So much easier now that we’ve got so much experience.

    After dinner headed to the movies and saw “Thor, Love and Thunder” - it’s a must to see every Marvel movie as it’s coming out when traveling with the massive Marvel geek that Jordan is. It’s still a treat to see the different theaters in each country - and just experience “life” here.

    We’re back in hostels for awhile - it’s the norm in most of Europe. The next two nights we’re in a really nice one tho. Brand new. Bunks with privacy screens, small lockers, lights, charging ports and personal fans right in the bunk areas. Such an experience living like this. I’m sure I’m the oldest person in this whole building tho!!    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Entrance to Dachau Concentration Camp
    Main courtyard and daily assembly placeLining up for morning roll call. They would even drag dead bodies from barracks to be counted.Sculpture out from of the yardOne of the barracksReconstructed beds - originals were destroyed in a fireWashroomToiletsDisplay showing how many barracks used to be thereRows and rows of where barracks used to standGuard towerCrematoriumGas chamberWhere dead bodies were stacked before heading for cremationFurnaces - there were 4 here. The beam in front is where they went to hanging the prisonersWhere the clothing was "disinfected" after they were killed to be reusedPiles of bodies the allies came to when they arrived

    Dachau, Germany

    July 10, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    We went to the Dachau Concentration camp today. Dachau is only about an hour outside of Munich and was the first concentration camp that Hitler had built. It also was the only camp that was active for all 12 years (1933-1945). It was difficult to walk thru the site, read the stories and picture the horror that took place there.

    The camp began as a prison for political prisoners/enemies of Hitler only, but then grew to one of the largest concentration camps of WW2 housing Jews from multiple countries. It was built to house 2700 - but at its peak, there were 64,000 prisoners there at one time.

    The main exhibition hall has been put in the old buildings - and it is walls and walls of stories and of the history of this place. It was overwhelming reading them. We spent a couple hours there, but to read them all would have taken all day.

    We were allowed to walk thru one of the barracks they lived in. Most had been demolished, but two were still intact. Each barrack had almost 1000 people squished in trying to survive.

    Seeing where they prepared the bodies for execution was almost too much. We walked thru the actual gas chamber they used (disguised as “showers”) and then saw the crematoriums. They said in the end they didn’t “waste time” gassing anyone, they would simply hang them on the wooden beam in front of the crematorium chambers until dead, and then burn them.

    Eventually, they quit burning the bodies and just piled them outside the fences. When the Allies arrived in 1945 to liberate the camp, they first came upon the thousands of dead bodies in stacks, before they could ever get to the gates.

    I had read that if you ever get a chance to see a concentration camp first hand, you should do it. I definitely agree. It was very moving and emotional. To walk where they walked, to stand where they stood, to see where they died … something I’ll never forget. Something no one should ever forget.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Olympic park, 1972 summer games
    Olympic Hill - made of rubble from a WW2 bombingRevolving restaurantMunich Town HallProtestors, crowds and bells 🔔Gorgous old townMy first beer - i must be growing upIt was SO bigBut finished every last dropMy keychain (christmas ornament) for Germany - beer mug & pretzel!

    The rest of our day in Munich

    July 10, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Miles: 6.0 Steps: 15782
    Flights stairs: 7

    After we visited Dachau, and picked ourselves up off the floor figuratively, we headed out exploring Munich. Honestly, we could have just headed back to our hostel as it was so upsetting to go thru, but we only have one day here so didn’t have that luxury.

    We went over to the Olympic park, where they held the 1972 summer games. It’s really neat to see how these cities have repurposed these massive areas built for the Olympics. Munich has made much of it useable for the people today. Germans close down almost every building that can be on Sundays - and they are known for going out and enjoying themselves. We could see that today at the park. So many families out.

    Then we headed into old town - saw the town hall and squares. There are protests in almost every city over the Ukraine situation. Today tho I believe this one was regarding Bosnia. And it’s unbelievable how many pride flags we see in every country - love it!!

    Eventually we found ourselves in the very historical Hofbraeuhaus Beer Hall. It is over 500 years old - strangely, we started our day at a concentration camp and ended it at a beer hall where Hitler once stood. I’ve only had a sip or two of other peoples beer over the years - never enjoyed the taste or the smell. But today, couldn’t let Jordan drink alone so had my first! Figured why not start big … so had a full liter. Can’t say I enjoyed it that much, but didn’t hate it either. 🍺    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Last train up to Zermatt, Switzerland
    Glacier in the distance6Our first views of the Matterhorn (view from our hostel)

    Fantastic travel day

    July 11, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Miles: 2.5 Steps: 6238
    Flights stairs: 14

    We were up early this morning to start a long day of train travel - three separate trains. With each leg we were supposed to have plenty of time between them, but each time the train we were on was running late .. so we had to run thru the stations to just barely make each one. Just part of the experience!

    The first leg was a high speed train from Munich to Winterthur, Switzerland - Then Winterthur to Visp. And then the last leg was a very slow hour long scenic climb from Visp to Zermatt, It was AMAZING!! We saw so many great Mountain views - and we ended up getting off the train at the base of the Matterhorn!!! We’re staying at a hostel on a hill, with a GREAT view of it! Everyday I’m amazed I’m able to do all this.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    The Matterhorn!!
    Riding the cable carSURROUNDED by mountains!!I'm in awe!!!LOVE this shot of Jordan!The North face of the MatterhornSo much beauty!Glacier water run offA little break at halfway point at 10,000 ft!Tried heading diwn this way ... this road didn't lead ro anywhereGetting further away as we felt our way homeWe were lost here wandering thru fields and down hillsWe finally found someone to give us directions - still 90 min from the cityBack to town!! We made itWar wounds from my second tumble in the gravel

    Lost in the Swiss Alps!

    July 12, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F

    Miles: 15.7!! A new high
    Steps: 35989
    Flights stairs: 29

    Zermatt is an amazing city - it’s carless! There are a few vehicles but only for businesses, buses and taxis - and they must be electric. It sits at the base of the Matterhorn and people flock here to hike and to climb - and these are serious hikers and climbers. 3000 people attempt the climb every year - 500 have died since 1865.

    There are at least 8 different cable cars going up into the mountains surrounding the Matterhorn - and a scenic train that climbs to the very top of the mountain next to it. Unfortunately, we’re in the most expensive city, in one of the most expensive countries in the world. So .. can’t do all we’d want to. I wish we could have stayed here a week!

    But we read all the literature, found a moderate difficulty level hike, and went for it! We picked the “Matterhorn Glacier trail” which all the information people said was a good choice for our abilities. We took two cable cars to get to the top (10,000 ft) then we hiked 4 miles in about 3 hrs around the base of the Matterhorn. It was phenomenal. Then we decided instead of taking the cable car back down to town, we’d attempt a second trail. Should have been 3 miles, about 2 more hours. All down hill, supposed to be a mountain “stroll” - figured, why not? Well, it wasn’t very well marked and we got lost … really lost. Eventually we were off the trails heading straight down steep hills just trying to get to the river, which we figured we could follow to town.

    In the end, after I had another tumble in the gravel, we made it back, obviously. The entire trip tho, which should have been about 7 miles, 5 hours … clocked in at 15.6 miles and 8 hours!!

    We’re both in a lot of pain tonight - but oh what memories we made trying to get off that mountain! And … I think I’d do it again if I ever got the chance!!    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Glacier Express crossing viaduct
    Beautiful train for viewing scenery

    Glacier Express

    July 13, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Miles: 1.9 Steps: 4722
    Flights stairs: 6

    When planning this trip way back when, Jordan and I found some info about a scenic train that went thru the Swiss Alps called the Glacier Express. We built this ride up in our minds as the best train ever! We got all excited to ride it - and this whole side trip thru Switzerland was born. We basically only went to Zermatt so we could catch this train.

    So this morning we drug our very tired, sore, blistered bodies out of bed and hiked down to the train station to get on it. It’s an 8 hour slow ride thru the mountains that ends in St Moritz, Switzerland.

    It was a very pretty ride thru the mountains, but honestly, our day yesterday hiking at 10,000 ft was so much more scenic and amazing! So in the end, the train, that we have been excited about for months, was somewhat of a let down — but … had we not booked the train we never would have ended up in Zermatt - which was AMAZING!! So in the end it all worked out - we saw our amazing scenery as we had hoped for - just on our own two feet, not riding in a train.

    It WAS a good way to spend the day considering how sore we both are from the hike. We could barely move, so sitting for 8 hours was awesome.

    Unfortunately didn’t end up with many pictures from the ride because there was so much glare off the panoramic windows.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    St Moritz, Switzerland
    St Moritz, SwitzerlandGorgeous mountains on the way to Tirano23221Coming into Tirano, Italy2Tirano, ItalyCafe where we had a great lunchWaiting for our bus to ColicoVineyards on the hillsides3Lake Como from the train windowMilan train station

    Travel day

    July 14, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Miles: 2.7 Steps: 6602
    Flights stairs: 6

     It was another travel day - which is still touring and sightseeing, but just basically from the seat of a train or bus. So much to see that differs from where I’ve always lived. Even travel days are amazing. Oregon and Washington ARE beautiful, but this just takes the outdoors to a whole new level.

    We took a 3 hr open air train ride from St Moritz this morning thru the swiss alps to Tirano, Itay. The scenery was absolutely GORGEOUS, again. We had lunch in this little village in a beautiful valley, and then boarded a bus for an hour ride to Colico, Italy - which connected up with a train that took us the final leg to Milan, Italy. - another 2 hours. This is just a place to lay our head tonight as we venture on further down Italy in the morning.

    I LOVE riding the buses and trains here. It’s so relaxing not having to drive yourself. Plus, it was a great rest for our bodies one more day. Still haven’t quite recovered from the 16 mile hike.    Read more

  • Christie MitchellRTW 2022Christie Mitchell
    Milan cathedral
    Piazza del Duomo in MilanPiazza del Duomo in MilanJordan snacking in the shade in the squareMeeting up with friends from OregonFirst glimpse of the Florence CathedralSunset in Florence

    It’s a small world .. kind of

    July 15, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 95 °F

    Miles: 3.9 Steps: 9088
    Flights stairs: 5

    In the end, this is a pretty small world. A good friend from Oregon contacted me and he and his daughter were also in Milan, so we met up this morning at the cathedral before we headed out. Half way across the world at the same time together, in the same city. Would have never guessed.

    After that we jumped on another bus and 5 hours later we found ourselves in Florence, Italy. It’s HOT here. I stupidly had no idea how hot it gets in Italy in July … but it’s close to 100°. Glad we booked a hostel with a pool - may enjoy that the next couple of days. Pretty much from here on out for the rest of the trip we’re going to be roasting. May have to ditch the sweatshirts I’ve been carrying.

    So didn’t see much of Florence yet. Just grabbed dinner, but on the way back caught a glimpse of the famous dome. Will see it up close and personal in the morning!    Read more

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