Pre-Rust Reunion Travels

We left Phoenix on Saturday morning, July 13th, and flew to Detroit for the 11th Rust Reunion. Prior to going to Whitehall, MI for the reunion we had a little over 24 hours to spend in Detroit.

Saturday night we had dinner at Republic. The place was packed so we ate at the bar - this was probably my favorite restaurant of the trip.

Sunday morning we cooked breakfast at the Airbnb (we had gone to Whole Foods the night prior) and then got coffee at Populace.

We walked around the little bit of the city that is actually nice.

The famous FOX theater.

Dave wanted to go over to Canada (we had planned ahead and brought our passports).

There really wasn't much to see across the border except for a view of Detroit from across the river.

Dave got some doughnuts and coffee at his favorite place.

We drove to Canada through the tunnel and back to the U.S. on the Ambassador Bridge.

Our last stop for the day was to Belle Isle Park. 

This is the famous fountain - if you watch Indy races you will know what I am referring to.

We got back to the Airbnb mid afternoon and took a nap and then walked to dinner. I think I got my share of Detroit and it is not a city that is on my list of places to return to anytime soon.

Alexi's Wedding

A week ago today I flew to Austin and then drove to Belton, TX, for Alexi's wedding on Sunday night. I have known Alexi since before she was born, and spent a lot of time in Albuquerque with the Millsaps, and even took some family vacations with them. When Alexi was younger I would have her  over to spend the night with me in the summer when she was in AZ to visit. I was so happy I could make the trip to see her get married.

Alexi had her hair done at a salon and someone came to do her makeup at the Airbnb.

Diahann and Keelan's mom helping her get her dress on.

All the girls praying over Alexi before leaving to go to the park.

I got to be the driver of the bride...going to the chapel :)

Let's get this girl married!

Getting out of the car for the first look. I rented a Jetta but if I would have known I was going to drive Alexi I would have rented a better car (and Alexi would have appreciated it since she is a car person).

Getting ready for the first look.

Alexi and Keelan praying together after the first look.

The parents of the bride.

Alexi & Keelan - 7/28/2019

Mikalie, Alexi and Mack - I love all 3 of these "kids" - they are all in their 20s now so that's why kids is in quotes.

Such a beautiful bride!

Mack escorting his mom.

The best man, maid of honor and dog of honor

Alexi and Charles

The giving away of the couple.

With this ring I thee wed.

All of the wedding guests.

Alexi said balloons make her happy so we did a balloon release after the wedding.

Cutting the cake.

First dance.

Father/daughter dance - Alexi chose the same song that I chose for my father/daughter dance - I Loved Her First.

Ended the night with a sparkler exit.

Congrats Keelan and Alexi!!!

Europe 2019 - Venice

We arrived in Venice and drove to the Marco Polo airport to drop off the car. Dave drove this car for a total of 1,200km.

Then it was a boat ride to Venice. I guess I really didn't know much about Venice because 1) I didn't realize you had to take a boat to get there and 2) it was a 1.5 hour boat ride!

We got checked into our Airbnb with a VERY thorough tour, and then ended up with this view for dinner.

We had been waiting our entire trip to have gelato in Venice - this was the first night (and actually the worst gelato of the trip).

This was the view that I woke up to on Monday morning.

We walked to the grocery store and cooked eggs for breakfast.

Indiana Jones...(which movie???)

Iced latte - I know you should drink Italian coffee hot but we walked almost a mile to get here and it was warm outside. A cold drink was nice.

Monday we spent the day at Lido beach. This was a different island of Venice so we took a ferry to get there. Also, my first time in the Adriatic Sea.

Walking to the restaurant for dinner Monday night.

Couldn't go to Italy and not eat pizza.

The view from Ponte di Rialto - the most famous bridge in Venice.

This is not a famous bridge, but one that we walked over multiple times since it was near our Airbnb.

Breakfast Tuesday morning.

The Ponte di Rialto during the day.

St. Marks Square - we did not tour this or anything...next time!

The Bridge of Sighs.

More gelato Tuesday afternoon. We walked quite a ways to find this place - it was the number one gelato on Venice. It was good, but didn't stand out to me compared to any of the other places we went (except for the first night of course).

Our final gelato stop of the trip on Tuesday night.

We left Venice early Wednesday morning, flew from Venice to Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to Phoenix.

I had Spargel again in the Frankfurt airport. I was really looking forward to this food so glad I found it at a couple of places.

Traveling makes me want to travel even more. Can't wait to be back in Europe again!