Day 10 - Homeward bound

Our last day started lazily, despite being woken up early by departing guests, and we eventually dragged ourselves downstairs for breakfast and the fast-becoming-traditional "what do you have on your laptop I can steal?" session. We didn't swap any music or movie files or anything honest. We wanted Max's pictures but when he went upstairs to get a memory stick he fell asleep instead - something about an exhausting evening? Not sure what he was on about.

As we had the day to idle away and the sun was once again shining we were going to go to the Garden of the Gods before departing. As were other people, it transpired, so we all went together in different cars (bad of us I know, but we had different places to go straight after). The Garden of the Gods are a strange set of red sandstone-like rock formations that you can walk around. With a backdrop of snowy mountains and a brilliant blue sky they did indeed look great. As we had time we strolled slowly around - we had Bill, Irma and Maraliese (probably spelt very wrong) with us so the pace couldn't be that fast and it was very relaxing. We took lots of pictures, talked and relaxed, all in all, a very nice way to end our trip. Then we headed off to find something to eat in Manitou Springs, stopping at balanced rock to take more pictures including what Harold likes to call "hero" pictures. This one is of me posing and looking into the distance, keeping an eye out for "Injuns".

Manitou Springs was lovely, very old west in style and very laid back. We found a nice restaurant which served Buffalo burgers and had a very pleasant final meal with some of the family before Inga and I had to say goodbye and head for the Interstate and Denver airport. It had been a wonderful trip but, as they say, all good things have to end. And our good thing was over (don't cry too much, we're going to go back to the US sometime and see them again plus visits to Cairo (Max and Rebecca) and China (Harold) so don't feel too sorry for us. Oh, you weren't...). We headed for home in the (turned out to be) vain hope the flight would be reasonably empty and we could sprawl out and sleep our way back across the ocean. I'll end with the last two shot, Inga and I outside the Stagecoach restaurant, site of our last US meal, and one of the few Tipi's we actually saw despite the fact we'd been travelling through 'Injun' country for ten days. Make of that what you will. Adios Amigo's!

Day 9 - The finale and all that jazz

The last day of the graduation week is the big, and I mean BIG, graduation ceremony that took place in the Flacon's stadium (that's the Air Force football stadium on site at USAFA). The graduating cadets marched in very neatly, and I should hope so after 4 years of practice, to take their seats on the field. The sun was blazing down (finally) and the sky was blue with wispy clouds. This event was going to be a killer - at least four hours with no real shade, ouch. (I've avoided mentioning the stupid security checks that were totally random in their thoroughness and seemed designed to allow petty minded little power-mongers a chance to abuse their powers than actually ensure security cos if I do I'll start ranting).

After the cadets were in we had the speeches and then introduction of the VIP speaker, in this case, Vice President Joe Biden (next year is President Obama in which case security would no doubt suck even more!). So, on it went, speech, music, heat, speech, more heat, and then graduation; 1046 diplomas to give out and Joe Biden did them all - a salute, a handshake and a quick word with every cadet. I will admit that I was impressed. To stand for that long in the sun and still be going strong at the end is no mean feat.Benn's group was 31 out of 40 and every cadet got a cheer from parents and fellow group cadets as their name was read out, but the biggest cheer was for cadet 1046 as he signalled the end. This is (I'm pretty sure) Benn walking down the ramp after collecting his diploma and shaking the VP's hand - Max has a seriously good picture of that happening with the VP pointing directly at Max while holding Benn's hand. Absolutely superb, but then he is a pro and had a press pass. When all the cadets were done there was the traditional "throwing the hats away" picture (which again Max captured perfectly. I'd hate him but he's too damn nice and encouraging about everyone else's pics too. I starting to think that the definition of a professional should be someone who actively encourages anyone else to try or aspire to reach and even exceed their level without any belittling or rancour. Max has that quality in spades).

So, that was that. Nothing left but the Thunderbirds display (I know, I know, to us here in Britland that means puppets on strings, perilous situations and the lovely Lady P). The first flyover is always timed to the hat throwing so you get this iconic picture of cadets throwing hats with a flight of F-16's in the background (Max's camera took 7 digital photo's in less than a second. Seven! I want one!). The flew nicely, doing some amazing stunts and showing off their flying abilities but I do have to fly the flag just a little bit and say that the Red Arrows are better. The display lasted about 45 minutes and was very loud at times, they did stunts about 500 feet above the stadium - even one with a 2 mile vertical climb, which was pretty impressive. After the display came the 'getting out'. This was very badly organised and led to Inga almost getting stationary road rage! It took almost an hour to get out of the car park mainly because Americans, God bless 'em, can't drive to save their lives.

Eventually we escaped and made our way to the Visitor Centre so we could go and look at the chapel. I should point out that by this point I was hungry and tired, which makes mark a very grumpy person. The queue at the onsite Subway was horrific and then we went in to see a film - or rather Inga saw it and I snoozed through it. Mmmmm, dark with air conditioning...zzzzzz..... The chapel is very futuristic, which is surprising as it was built quite a while back. inga thinks it looks like a ship from Star Wars and she's right - Queen Amadala's shuttle from Star Wars Part 1 if I'm not mistaken, which I often am - and it houses two decent sized chapels (Protestant on top and Catholics below, guess we know who's the 'boss' religion...) with Hindu's and Jew's tucked away at the back in little chapels. the Hindu chapel is lovely but Inga wouldn't let me go in and "meditate" - something about my meditative snores reverberating throughout the building. Spoilsport. Touring over we headed back with me now in full tired and grumpy mood to the joint Graduation/Engagement party. We stopped to look for cards (and for me to get grumpier) until finally Inga drove back to the house, threw me out and screamed off with burning rubber and howling engine (I think she might have been a tad annoyed with me...). So, in good Mark fashion, I went for a snooze. The party started and I was noticeably absent due to being mostly asleep in the attic so Inga came and bullied me in to writing cards, eating food and then being reasonably social. I did make a full recovery once the food hit home - very yummy rice salad - and assisted in getting cards signed without recipients noticing before we had a surprise visitor and I so regret not having a camera with me so you could all share this unique experience (harold has pics and if I get one I'll add it to the blog). Elvis, yes THE Elvis, is alive and paid a special graduation visit to Benn and Amanda. Elvis was back in the building! He bounded down the stairs and regaled us with songs and words of advice. It was so cool that cool doesn't even close to describing how cool it was. Cooler than cool. Cooler than Sub-cool (for fans of Top Gear). He departed only to return for an encore. And then, he came back again, to sing a tender love song to the happy engaged couple. Finally, Elvis had to leave the building before all his other fans found out and descended on the house to try and get a glimpse of the icon at his best. I cannot describe how good the show was, but there are video's too which we'll try and get for you. The only downside was that Max missed it all and, while he was asleep, someone shaved off part of his beard. Co-incidence? Hmmmm...

After that rain stopped play and we all dispersed with John and Kim heading homewards, which is back to CA, so Benn would have a bed for the night having been unceremoniously tossed out of college once he had graduated (yeah, I know, a gallery of the assembled cast would be useful but you're not going to get one). Finally we all retired, looking forwards to not having to get up at 6am unless of course you had a flight to catch like Dustin and Stacey or Nena and Stuart (both of whom were on our floor so it would be an early awakening if nothing else for us). Ah well, graduation over and it had been a great experience with a great family.

Graduation Day - das Finale

Mittwoch, 27. May 2009, das Finale von Benn's Graduation.

Selbst die Sonne kam heute heraus!
Mal wieder frueh am morgen hieften wir uns von unserem Sofabett und machten uns bereit fuer den letzten Tag der Graduation. Keiner traute dem Wetter so richtig, obwohl die Sonne schien und es nur ein paar kleine Woelkchen gab. Zwar packten wir die Sonnencreme ein, aber dennoch nahmen wir Pullover und Jacken mit.

Die heutige Veranstaltung fand im Football Stadion der USAFA Falcons statt. Wir hatten unsere 35 Tickets dabei und mussten erstmal durch die Security durch, die Mark nicht mochten, denn er war der einzige der seinen Rucksack nicht mit ins Stadion nehmen durfte. All die Damen die Handtaschen hatten die dreimal so gross waren wir unser kleiner Rucksack durften diese mitnehmen und wir nicht...... Etwas veraergert brachte Mark den Rucksack zurueck zum Auto und kam dann nur mit dem noetigsten mit.

Waehrend wir auf den Beginn warteten, begannen wir bereits in der Sonne zu braten.... Die Wolken verfluechtigten sich sogar, so dass der Himmel strahlend blau war und ich Mark ueberreden musste sich eine Baseballkappe zu kaufen.....

Die Kadetten marschierten ein und die Reden begannen und wir brieten immer mehr..... noch mehr Reden und dann kam der Vizepraesident der USA, Joe Biden, der auch noch eine Rede schwang.

Anschliessend wurden die 1046 Kadetten namentlich aufgerufen, salutierten dem Praesidenten und schuettelten seine Hand bevor sie ihr Diplom al Bachelor of Science erhielten. Herr Biden hat wirklich allen 1046 Kadetten die Hand geschuettelt, ganze 4 Stunden lang.....

Als die Kadetten dann als Leutnants berufen wurden, warfen sie Ihre Huete in die Luft und die 6 Thunderbirds donnerten ueber das Stadion und die Show begann.
Man haette sich kein besseres Wetter wuenschen koennen (obwohl wir inzwischen medium gebraten waren). Die Stunts die die F-16 zeigten waren atemberaubend und selbst der Praesident blieb und schaute sich das ganze an und mischte sich anschliessend noch unter die frisch gebackenen 2. Leutnants und plauderte (obwohl das nicht geplant war.....)

Max, der diesmal unten im Stadion Bilder machten durfte, zusammen mit den anderen Presseleuten, hat ein paar geniale Bilder gemacht, die wir versuchen zu bekommen.

Erneut gratulierten wir Benn zu seinem endgueltigen Abschluss und machten uns dann auf den Weg unser Auto vom Parkplatz zu holen um uns nochmal das Besucherzentrum der USAFA und die Kapelle anzusehen.
Leider koennen die Amis kein Auto fahren und haben weder was von Freundlichkeit, noch Verkehrsregeln gehoert und mich so dermassen auf die Palme gebracht, dass ich fast ins Lenkrad gebissen habe!. Ueber eine Stunde haben wir gebraucht um vom Parkplatz zu kommen!

Enndlich im Besucherzentrum schauten wir uns einen kleinen Film and und stoeberten durch den Shop (die machen echt aus allem noch Profit, fast wie in Disney Land. Es gab fast nichts was man nicht mit dem USAFA Logo kaufen konnte.

Anschliessend ging es dann in die Kapelle die fuer mich mehr aussieht wie ein Raumschiff aus Star Wars.... oder?

Oben gibt es die protestantische Kirche, unten drunter die katholische und am Ende, hinter der katholischen gibt es eine kleine Synagoge und einen Raum fuer die Buddhisten.

Da wir immer noch nichts gegessen hatte und Mark schlechte Laune bekommt wenn er nichts zu essen bekommt, suchten wir nach einem Einkaufszentrum wo wir noch eine Dankekarte kaufen konnten und was zu essen konnten, und auch noch das Auto fuettern konnten. Leider fanden wir ausser einer Tankstelle nichts (sehr ungewohnt fuer die USA). Zum Schluss habe ich Mark im Lnnox House abgestetzt und bin alleine shoppen gegangen.

Abends gab es dann eine Graduation- und Verlobungsparty fuer Benn und Amanda.

Nachdem die Graduation und auch die Hochzeitsgeschenk (das Waffeleisen von Mama und Silke kam super an!!!!! und auch das passende Waffelrezeptbuch!) hatten wir einen ganz besonderen Gast zu besuch!

ELVIS persoenlich kam vorbei um ein wenig akapella fuer uns zu singen und zu tanzen. Goettlich! Wir haben gelacht bis der Bauch weh tat. Es war einfach nur genial! Leider hatten wir unsere Kamera nicht dabei, aber Harold hat sicherlich ein paar Fotos.
Was haben wir gelacht, es war wirklich unbeschreiblich. Nur Max hat komischerweise gefehlt und tauchte erst wieder auf als ELVIS has left the building.

Was ein Tag!

Day 8 - Parading (in the military sense - behave)

Dawn had barely dawned when we were all turfed out of bed to prepare for another day at USAFA. The penultimate day is the graduation parade (the final day is the graduation ceremony, don't you know anything?) and was once again going to be a cold day, but this time we were alot better prepared. Bring it on cold weather, bring it on. The graduation parade is where the year 4 cadets are kicked out and the year 3 cadets are promoted to their 'officer' positions. Yesterdays parade in their lovely blue uniforms had resulted in lovely muddy trousers. Todays parade was going to be in their white trousers and short jackets - I'm sure glad I don't have their dry cleaning bills! More special than the kicking out ceremony was a surprise for all the cadets that had been organised by Benn's mum (what a mum). It is traditional to have a fly-by at the graduation parade and they have this done by planes that add up to the year of the graduating year, in this case 51 (51st class since opening - get with the programme). The Mustang P-51 was a fighter from WWII and Monika (that's Benn's mum), in her capacity as President of the Parents association of USAFA, had arranged for a fly by of 8 P-51's (let's just say it would be like having a fly-by of 8 Hurricanes if you were a Brit). One had pulled out with engine trouble and 2 hadn't made it due to the weather but 5 were in hiding at Colorado Springs airport. No one had a clue they were coming. So the parade paraded and then the fly-by started with 2 F-16's shooting overhead. I should also mention that the weather had closed in and the cloud base was around the 500-600ft mark - not good conditions, but they still flew. After the fighters came a B-52 which is a stupidly big plane that has no right whatsoever to hang in the sky! And then came the P-51's. And they sounded unbelievable. Truly amazing - better than the modern fighters could ever sound and I don't care if my picture isn't that good, I'm including one anyway. After the fly-by the graduating cadets were kicked out and , after the usual review (that's where everyone has to march very nicely past the senior officers so they can be eyeballed by their superiors and hopefully not get told off for anything - they were good cadets and no telling offs were given out), the year 4's were left on the field to be dismissed.

And then we had surprise the next. We drove down to the airport where we, as part of Team Slikker, were allowed to go and see the P-51's. In our case we arrived just in time to see 3 of them depart - what a sight and sound, so cool. Another had already left, but the one from Denver was still on the tarmac and we were escorted out to get up close and personal - and I mean up close. My problem with this day is choosing pictures to put in to the blog as, somehow, I've ended up with dozens of really good ones. This is Benn and Inga in front of the P-51 - he was the only graduating cadet that came down (how cool is his mum to arrange all of this?) To get this close to an operational WWII fighter plane was truly amazing - more amazing for Benn was the fact that the pilot allowed him to get in to the cockpit (Benn's degree and training so far is aimed at him becoming a pilot) - a truly amazing and unique experience that i'm sure he'll remember for ever.

After we'd watched the P-51 take off - such an amazing sight and sound - we headed back up towards USAFA to watch the Thunderbirds practice their airshow (these are the F-16 display team). Unable to locate the others we went to a shopping mall and watched from there for a bit before going shopping. We all then went for an afternoon snack of Bison burgers which taste absolutely amazing - better than beef by miles. Stuffed and tired we headed home to prepare the the next amazing event - Benn's commissioning ceremony that was to take place that evening - which meant we all had to scrub up and look nice.

After the usual panic of getting ready (trying to iron in a kitchen when people decide that they need to make messy sandwiches is not an experience I would recommend to anyone unless you like being on edge) we all set off, late as usual, for the commissioning ceremony. is the time when the cadet is formally sworn in to the Air Force and gets his or her bars. It's a BIG deal. Somehow, Benn's cadet group (31 - The Grimreapers) had managed to get their ceremony at the super-intendant's residence - the poshest of poshest places available. I have to say that we all scrubbed up pretty well. It was a very smart do and a very smart place but the downside was discovering that my digital camera really doesn't like low light and messes up loads whilst the flash chews up the battery life and makes everything harsh. Oh well, we had secret weapon in professional photographer and Uncle to Benn, Max, so good photo's could be had at a later date if required. Benn was near the end so we mingled or hung about, depending on your point of view until the time came to be ushered in for the main event. I have to admit that the entire affair was nowhere near as bad as I feared it would be - it was very formal and the whole thing was very simple, which is probably why it affects so many people - tip for everyone, simplicity tugs the heart strings far better all the time.

Sworn in and post mingle over we all headed back for another short nights rest. Tomorrow was the final big day and we'd need our rest.

Graduation Parade

Heute gab es mal wieder eine Parade. Diesmal die Graduation Parade bei der die Seniors (die, die ihren Abschluss haben) mehr oder minder aus der Akademie ausgestossen werden.

Das Wetter war bescheiden, aber wir waren alle besser gewappnet als am Vortag, leider reichte es nicht aus. Es gab regen und was war bitterkalt, vor allem mit dem Wind. Paraden sind nicht gerade die schnellsten Angelegenheiten, daher froren wir uns ordentlich einen ab, auf den Metallbaenken.

Die Kadetten trugen wegen des Wetters gestern ihre dunklen Hosen und langen Jacken, heute aber gab es die weissen Hosen und kurzen Jacken. Der Rasen war so aufgeweicht, dass die Hosen hinterher nur noch matschig waren und auch die Kadetten sich den Ast abgefroren haben - aber die muessen sowas ja abkoennen!
Max, als Pressemensch durfte auch auf der Wiese Fotos machen und stand keinen Meter von Benn entfernt und schoss Bilder, ein Anblick fuer die Goetter, denn ein wenig unangenehm war das fuer unseren Kadetten schon und seine Freunde fragten sich warum der Typ da solche Fotos macht. Tja, so ist das wenn der Onkel offizieller Fotograf ist.....
Diesmal sassen wir naeher an Benns Einheit und konnten ihn ein wenig besser beobachten :-)

Da es Tradition ist ein paar Flugzeuge am Tag der Graduation Parade ueber die Wiese fliegen zu lassen (immer so dass man die die Zahl des Abschlussjahrgangs bilden kann), hatten wir auch ein paar Flugzeuge, aber nicht nur dass!
Monica, im Rahmen ihrer Rolle als Praesidentin des Elternclubs der USAFA (US Air Force Academy), hat ein paar "specials" organisiert. Zum einen durften die beiden F-16 Jets und ein B-52 Bomber in nur 500 Fuss ueber die Wiese fliegen (normalerweise muessen sie 1000 Fuss hoch sein) und dann gab es 5 P-51 Flieger, denn Benn's Klasse war der 51igste Abschlussjahrgang. Die P-51 Flieger sind Jagd?Flugzeuge aus dem 2. Weltkrieg! Die heoren sich klasse an, so wie der Triumph nur bei Flugzeugen eben!. Urspruenglich waren es 8, einer hatte jedoch Porbleme mit dem Motor und 2 mussten wegen des schlechten Wetters wieder umdrehen (das Wetter war wirklich schlecht und bis zum letzteb Moment mussten wir bangen das die Jungs ueberhaupt fliegen wuerden. Also waren es am Ende noch 5 Flieger, aber es war dennoch genial, vor allem weil die Kadetten von nichts wussten!

Nachdem die Seniors ausgestossen waren, wir die Flieger bestaunt haben, und der Rest der Truppe an Ihnen vorbei marschierte, durften wir unseren Liebsten druecken und mal wieder Fotos machen. Wenn Benn fuer jedes Foto was mit ihm in der einen Woche gemacht wurde nur einen Dollar bekaeme, dann waere das Bankkonto extrem gut gefuellt!

Leider konnten die P-51 Flieger nicht auf dem USAFA Flugplatz landen, sondern mussten am Flughafen von Colorado Springs landen. Dank unserer Connections, wussten wir das aber und machten uns auf den Weg. Leider mit einem kleinen Umweg durch den USAFA Sports Shop, wo wir noch ein paar Einkaeufe erledigt haben was dazu fuehrte das wir ein wenig spaet am Flughafen ankamen und nur noch eine P-51 am Flughafen stand. Aber da wir ja zum Team Slikker gehoerten, durften wir auf das Flugfeld und den Flieger zum anfassen nah bestaunen und Fotos machen natuerlich!
Benn durfte am Ende sogar mal drin sitzen! Was ein Erlebnis fuer Ihn. Und was ein Mutter die das alles moeglich gemacht hat!
Scheinbar war der heutige Tag den Flugzeugen gewidmet, denn nach dem Flughafen ging es zurueck ans andere Ende der Stadt und von einem Parkplatz aus haben wir den Thunderbirds beim Ueben zugesehen. Die Thunderbirds sind die F-16 Showtruppe. Am naechsten Tag wuerden wir das alles nochmal sehen, aber es war schon erstaunlich was die so mit den Fliegern anstellen - sogar den Verkehr auf der Autobahn konnten die 6 lahmlegen - alle wollten mal zusehen.

Nach einem lecker Burger essen (Bisonburger - LECKER!) und einem Krawattenkauf gin es wieder in unser Heim , das Lennox House.

Heute abend war die offizielle Eidablegung von Benn und wir mussten uns alle huebsch machen. 40 Einheiten an verschiedensten Orten der Akademie wuerden ihren Eid ablegen, aber Benn's Einheit durfte das ganze im Haus des Superintendenten der Akademie machen. Posh, ein riesen Haus, alles vom feinsten und hunderte von Leuten. Immer zu zweit wurden die Kadetten mit ihren Familien in den Saal gerufen und legten dort dein Eid ab und bekamen ihre 2. Leutnant Schulterklappen. Waehrend wir warteten haben wir uns die Zeit mit Fotos machen vertrieben, was auch sonst wen der Onkel professioneller Fotograf ist.....
Benn wurde dann zusammen mit einer Freunden in den Saal gerufen und wir folgten.....
Die ganze Angelegenheit dauert nur ca 15 Minuten, die jedoch fuer Benn den Hoehepunkt bedueteten, denn heute wurder er offiziell zum Leutnant und in die Aur Force berufen.

Nachdem wir ihn alle wieder gedrueckt und ihm gratuliert hatten ging es heim und ins Bett, denn am naechsten morgen sollte es wieder frueh rausgehen.

Day 7 - Plunging into graduation

I'm going to plunge straight in to the first day with a picture of Benn so you know who I'm talking about. We're at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA for short) and Inga and I have arrived half way through the various events that make up graduation week. Today was the Organisation Awards Parade where the entire college takes to the field to recognise the awards earned by the 4th year cadets. 4400 cadets marching on to the field, parading, collecting awards, standing around for music, some guns firing, stand up, sit down, turn around, you do the hokey-cokey.. hang on, I think I might have gotten side tracked...

I make fun but it is very important to the cadets. They're worked for four years and this week is the culmination of that; a combination of gaining their degree and their passing out parade. My only complaint was that the parade went on far too long and the weather was cold - where's my damn sun!!!!

After the parade we were taken on a tour. Now, I should point out that "Team Slikker" as Inga calls them (and she's included in that description btw) is not a small group (if you look down at Inga's German post for today you'll see a group shot; I'm the only one missing as I has alot of cameras to hold and use), so getting them around on a tour is quite a feat. The academy is quite something and is home to 4400 students at any one time, all studying for their degrees and training to be air force officers. It's quite a commitment, which is something you have to respect, even if you're a cynic like me. We finished the tour with some posing by the year crest (each year chooses its own crest and motto, which is quite cool) and what I can say is that Benn doesn't take everything too seriously - maybe there's hope for the future of the American Air Force after all :-)

That was pretty much it for Monday so off we all went to bed. Night night.

Unser erster Tag in der Graduation Woche

Heute ist Montag und es ist unser erster Tag in der Graduation Woche.

Da wir hier ja bei der Air Force sind, bedeutet das auch, dass man morgens sehr frueh aufstehen muss, damit man auch puenktlich in der Akademie ist. Und in einem Haus mit 20 Bewohnern kann aufstehen und die Badezimmerbenutzung schon mal laenger dauern.....

Unser erstes event war die Organizational Awards Parade, wo im Prinzip einzelne Einheiten fuer ausgezeichnete Leistungen belohnt werden. Die Auszeichnungen waren der schnelleste Teil, die Parade - also das Einlaufen, Aufstellen, Fahnen heben und senken und was nicht alles dauerte am laengsten. Leider war das Wetter nicht das beste (obwohl es nicht regnete) und der Boden war so aufgeweicht, dass die jungen Kadetten alle Matschspritzer auf der Hose hatten.
Nach der Parade hat Benn uns eine Tour durch den nicht oeffentlichen Teil der Akademie gegeben. Vorbei an Klassenraumen, der Buecherei, dem Speisesaal wo alle 4400 Kadetten gleichzeitig essen koennen und zum Schluss auch in sein Zimmer was er gerade raeumt und es daher aussah wie damals in seinem Kinderzimmer in Bakersfield.....


Gerade als wir uns auf den Weg in den Park von Colorado Springs machen wollten fing es wieder heftig an zu regnen und wir beschlossen uns ein nettes Mittagessen zu goennen und fuhren dann anschliessen zum Haus zurueck.

Abends gab es ein nettes BBQ - typisch amerikanisch mit fetten Burgern und Hot Dogs. Sehr lecker!
Leider spielte das Wetter nicht so ganz mit und am Ende standen wir alle zusammengepfercht unter dem Terassendach und haben uns ueber Gott und die Welt unterhalten.

Day 6 - Weather warning

Today was another long drive and little did we know that we were to experience a nice wide variety of weather. But first, breakfast. Cloudcroft is an old town and the main street has been pretty much preserved. And on that street we found a good old fashioned American breakfast saloon (almost including cowboys). It would have looked even better without the cars and the modern advertising but then that would have also made it look like a Disney theme park - and that's never a good thing. We breakfasted on wonderful French Toast and a real fried breakfast (not quite a full English but that really would have been asking too much; Americans and black pudding? I don't think so)

I had high hopes for the trip down the mountains, hopes for some spectacular views and we'd only just driven round the corner when the first photo-op presented itself - the old mining railroad had left behind a spectacular bridge spanning the gorge. Unfortunately it hadn't left behind much detail on the railroad's history but as a start for the day it set high standards (which, let's be honest, we knew would be dashed later on). We drove down the mountain on a road that actually had bends, which kept Inga amused for a while before stopping to take more pictures as the valley below came in to view. I say valley but it's really the plateau between two mountain ranges which would be too complicated to explain except that I just did. At the bottom of these mountains was White Sands which was our one and only tourist stop for the day. White Sands National Monument is a strange desert in that (a) it's white and (b) it's not sand, it's actually gypsum. People turn up to just to see the white dunes but also to sledge down them (yes, despite their uniqueness, most people turn up to despoil them in the pursuit of 'fun' )

We were good, we turned up to see a white desert and take pictures of things (which is pretty normal for us, well me). Despite the facts it is gypsum (275 square miles btw), things still grow in the bits not used by the military to test missiles (Hey, it's beautiful, of course it needs blowing up!) . Having seen a fantastic professional picture of a lone cactus against a white dune with a brilliant blue sky, Inga hinted heavily that she'd like a similar one. An easy task, or so I thought. What I hadn't taken in to account was the lack of pristine dunes, the lack of lone cacti and the lack of solitude. The last point was easily solved by walking a few metres away from the road and parking spots (I love the fact that the vast majority of Americans don't like walking). The other problem was that the further you drove in, the less cacti there were to photograph. Never mind, I'm sure something would turn up. We did our signature "walking out of the desert shot" and then headed back to find the cactus of Inga's dreams. Well, I did, she sat down and waited after I spotted one a few hundred metres away and set off to get the best shot I could. In the meantime Inga managed to find two German tourists (I think they might have been American Germans, but still they gabbled away quite happily in the old tongue). After this we headed North once more with our sights set firmly on Colorado Springs. As we were discovering with the US, it was again quite a drive. We drove and drove, and refilled with petrol (I refuse to call it "gas") and then drove some more. The desert changed to prairie which was lovely and green and we soon found out why as the rain once again came down. Not just rain but lightning too. It's quite odd being so exposed whilst lightning flashes down around you. Then we had sun. Then rain. Bloody weather couldn't make up its mind! We reached Colorado Springs later than planned and managed to find the house we were to stay at only to find they were still all at the restaurant. A quick iPhone trawl later and we were off, arriving just in time for the Max and Harold great gift giveaway, which was promptly put on hold so everyone could greet us and make us welcome. We'd made it. Next stop, Benn's graduation. As a sort of PS, I should say that we covered 650 or so miles today and that is no easy feat, even with snooze control. We were knackered and, despite the fact that we were on a sofa bed, it took seconds to fall asleep. And this is supposed to be a holiday? Back to work for a rest, methinks!

Weisser Sand auf dem Weg nach Colorado

Den Duft von Pinien noch in der Nase haben wir uns in einem urigen Cloudcroft Cafe ein amerikanisches Fruehstueck gegoennt bevor wir uns auf den Weg zum White Sands Monument gemacht haben. Inmitten von new Mexico findet man weisse Sandduenen. Die Duenen sind so weiss, dass man fast schneeblind wird!
Die meisten Leute machen hier ein Picknick oder haben eine Art Tellerschlitten mit dem sie die Duenen runter rutschen.....





Und dann ging es 600 Meilen nach Norden in Richtung Colorado Springs. Vorbei an verlassenen und verfallenen Haeusern und Orten. Regen und Blitze waren unser staendiger Begleiter auf der geraden Strasse bei 55 Meilen die Stunde (da wird man wahnsinnig). Man hat einfach das Gefuehl man kommt nicht weiter und alles dauert ewig.

In Las Vegas (New Mexico, nicht Nevada. Das Las Vegas in New Mexico ist das originale Las Vegas bevor es nach Nevada umgezogen ist) haben wir es dann endlich auf die richtige Autobahn geschafft wo man sogar 75 Meilen/Stunde fahren durfte und dann konnte man auch endlich merken das man voran kommt!

Kurz darauf haben wir Colorado erreicht (den Regen immer noch dabei) und alles wurde gruener und die Haeuser groesser.

Dank unseres iPhone haben wir Team Slikker dann auch im Edelweiss Restaurant gefunden. Die meisten Gesichter erkannte ich auf Anhieb, einige erst nachdem ich den Namen wusste und andere waren neu.

Es gab viel zu erzaehlen und es war super die Familie wieder zu sehen!

Wir schlafen so ziemlich alle in einem B&B welches Monica gemietet hat. Keine Ahnung wie viele Zimmer das Haus hat, aber es gibt 3 Stockwerke und Mark und ich haben ein Plaetzchen auf einem Sofabett unter dem Dach gefunden.

Day 5 - Northward ho!

Today is the first day of our mini "road-trip" from Texas to Colorado, crossing New mexico in the process. We had planned two days for the journey but having crossed Texas we had second and even third thoughts about whether we could manage it and fit in some sight seeing too. Hey ho, we'd just have to arrive later than planned if it didn't work out.

We set out from Alpine and headed for Marfa - I only mention the place because I can't believe anyone would call a place Marfa with a F! The plan was to head for Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. That bit of road was dull but once we started up towards New Mexico and the mountains the scenery and the sky started to get more dramatic. We drove towards the Guadalupe mountains and came across the highest peak thrusting itself in to the sky. We stopped to take pictures and drink in the scenery and then, in what was becoming the trend of the trip, the rain came down. We made it to the Carlsbad caverns and joined the crowds, we had forgotten it was memorial day weekend so the hordes were out and about looking for entertainment. The caverns are huge and deep. We bought tickets and walked down and down and down. The entrance is a huge gash in the ground and as we descended the light went. Lighting is kept dim in the caverns to protect the environment and to stop the bat colony getting lost and sucking the blood from tourists instead of stuffing themselves with fat insects. It has to be said that the vast majority of the visitors should be gagged before they descend as they are incapable of speaking in a whisper and some of the others should be told that a cave is an environment that needs to be experienced and it isn't just a 30 second photo opportunity. Rant over. We walked down in to the caverns passing people who weren't capable of walking a mile without a rest (enough said on that subject too) and then did the big loop of the main cavern taking a few photo's until the camera died a horrible screaming death (in a whisper cos it's a well behaved camera that knows how to conduct itself in a large echoing cavern). Trip over we took the elevator back to the surface (yep, we're lazy) to find out that, guess what? it was raining! We headed off to find a bed for the night and decided to aim for the mountains with the aim of visiting White Sands in the morning. We ended up high in the mountains at a place called Cloudcroft. Spotting a vacancy sign we pulled over and tried the door. It looked all closed up, very psycho-esque even, but we rang the bell and after a few minutes the door was opened by a very nice man who didn't say "Call me Norman..." and a room was secured for the night. We celebrated by going straight to bed and falling asleep.

Carlsbad Caverns

Auf unserem Weg in Richtung Colorado wollten wir nicht nur Highway sehen, also haben wir Texas verlassen, sind nach New Mexico gefahren und bei den Carlsbad Caverns Halt gemacht.

Die Hoehle(n) sind die groessten die ich bislang geshen habe und da wir ja gut zu Fuss sind (im Gegensatz zu manch anderem unserer Mitmenschen) haben wir den natuerlichen Weg in die Hoehle gewaehlt und sind nicht mit dem Aufzug gefahren.
Was soll ich sagen, die Hoehlen sind erstaunlich und mit unserem super Audio Tour Guide haben wir uns auf unseren 2 Meilen Weg gemacht.

Der Regen hat uns auch an diesem Tag nicht enttaeuscht, denn als wir aus den Hoehlen rauskamen hat es mal wieder in Stroemen geregnet......

Mit sagenhaften 55 Meilen pro Stunde ging es immer weiter in Richtung Norden vorbei an Kakteen und endlos langen und schnurgeraden Strassen.

Eigentlich wollten wir es bis Santa Fe schaffen, aber das war dann doch zu weit. Da wir in den letzten Tagen genug Wueste gesehen haben, wollten wir ein paar Baeume sehen daher haben wir uns Cloudcroft als Ziel ausgesucht. Ein Skiresort in New Mexico mit Baumen, Rehen, sogar Elchen und welches so aussieht wie im Wilden Westen.

Abgesehen von dem lustigen Namen und dem nur mehr oder weniger geoeffneten Motel (wer will hier schon im Mai uebernachten, es ist doch noch gar keine Skisaison!) wollen wir hier nochmal herkommen und mit einem Pferdchen durch die Waelder reiten.

Regen in der Wueste

Jepp, in der Wueste regnet es, und zwar nicht nur ein wenig, sondern wie aus Eimern!

Unser dritter und letzter Tag in der Wueste mit Dan und Derek. Nach einem zeitlosen Morgen mit einem spaeten Fruehstueck ging es ans Jurten- und Kohtenaufbautraining.

Einfacher gesagt als getan, denn in Texas ist es verdammt windig und mit nur 6 Seitenstangen und einem improvisiertem Einbein (und Mark der es nach 3 Anlaeufen immer noch nicht geschafft hat 2 Kohtenbahnen zusammenzuschlaufen..) ist das alles nicht so einfach.
Wir haben es dennoch mehr oder minder geschafft und konnten wenigstens die Groesse des Daches aufzeigen.

Anschliessend ging es dann an die Kohte was doch wesentlich einfacher war. Mit Derek haben wir einen so lernwilligen Schueler gehabt, der alles was ihm gezeigt wird wie ein Schwamm aufgesogen hat und die Kohte fast alleine aufgebaut hat - ein Traum!

Diesmal bestand das Kohtenkreuz nicht aus einem Axtstiel sondern den abgesaegten Teilen der Seitenstangen. Leider hatten wir noch immer kein vernuenftiges Seil fuer das Abdecksegel, also haben wir mal wieder (wie schon so oft in diesen Tagen) improvisiert - diesmal mit Angelschnur. Klappt auch ganz gut, so lange bis es windig wird, dann eignet sich Angelschnur ganz und gar nicht. Dennoch stand sie wie eine 1!
Nach gentaner Arbeit und bei einer leckeren Tasse Arizona Green Tea verschwanden die Berge hinter den Wolken und das Naturschauspiel begann.
Berge verschwinden in den Wolken, Donner, Blitze und Regen. Zuerst haben wir uns das Ganze aus der vordersten Reihe im "Garten" angesehen, aber als es dann aus Eimern zu regnen anfing verzogen wir uns ins Haus zum Abendessen.

Den ganzen Abend hindruch verfolgten wir das Schauspiel mit den unglaublichen Farben.
Leider zeigte das Wetter uns dann auch noch ein paar Probleme mit unserer Kohte auf. Zum einen eignet sich Angelschnur eben nicht in Wind und Regen zum Abspannen und zum anderen weicht der Boden so schnell auf, dass die Heringe die wir mit Muehe und Not in den Boden gerammt haben, sich wie Butter wieder herausziehen lassen. So haben wir die Kohte kurzerhand abgebaut und unter das Vordach gebracht.

Nach einem wiedermal leckeren Abendessen haben Mark und ich uns dann auf den Weg nach Alpine gemacht, da wir am naechsten morgen einen weiten Weg Richtung Colorado vor uns haben.

Bevor wir aber bis Alpine gekommen sind, gab es mal wieder eine Kontrolle der Grenzpolizei.
Eine Deutsche und ein Brite, in einem Auto mit Louisiana Nummernschild, Abends um 11 aus Richtung Mexiko sind einfach wahnsinnig verdaechtig.....
Mit grimmigen Gesichtsausdruecken wurden unsere Paesse kontrolliert und weil es ja nicht sein kann das ein Brite und eine Deutsche zusammen reisen, wurden wir doch glatt gefragt warum und wie wir uns kennen......

In Alpine angekommen fanden wir ein Hotel mit Bett und Bad - traumhaft.

Day 4 - And on the fourth day it rained

and thundered and lightninged and poured from the heavens above.

Actually it did some of that on the day before as well but today it really put on a show. And I thought deserts were supposed to be hot and dry!

Today is Friday, our last day with Wandervogel and today was all about training on how to put up the Kohte. It was also, we hoped, the day we would be able to get some really good shots of the Kohte in Texas. The day started slowly, which is, as we were starting to comprehend was pretty much the way of life in Texas; things happen when they happen. Not too good for Inga's German nature. We talked more about business and the plans that Dan has for the future of his business venture and then we did some training. Once Inga has removed the jury rigged Jurte cap I took the opportunity to get some shots of the Kohte looking lost against the Texas sky. We decided to try and put up the Jurte roof first which was going to be interesting as it was going to be made of six Kohte panels and we only had six side poles (as we'd stolen the rest to make centre poles). It went up and gave them a good idea of the size and shape and I shall leave it at that. Texas is like the UK - very windy - and the soil is very poor for grasping the 8 inch nails we had as pegs. I think they're going to have to do some serious work on sourcing poles, ropes and pegs. Experiment over we moved on to the Kohte. I have to say that Derek was a delight to train, we only had to show him something once and he grasped it totally. We, I say we, but it was Inga and Derek who did all the work, put up the Kohte again and Dan found some fishing line to use as guy ropes - we are the uncrowned kings and queens of tent improvisation! The end result looked pretty good and the Kohte finally sat in the Texas landscape looking totally cool. More photo's, for which it posed like a true camera whore, soaking up the attention with a "look at me, I'm gorgeous" attitude. Job done. All over except the back slapping and a celebratory beer. Or so we thought. The mountains slowly disappeared and the lightning started to flash down - and I mean down, no boring sheet lightning for Texas, oh no, forked lightning striking down to smack in to the hills and we had a front row seat. We sat in the "garden" and watched the stunning show that nature put on for us until the rain drove us inside where we had dinner and watched the storm push across. The Kohte flapped a bit in the breeze and I have to say that fishing twine is not a good guy rope replacement as they slipped loose. On the last trip out it seemed to be sagging slightly - most unusual and further investigation showed another problem with Texas soil. The rain dissolves it away. The sand and grit, with the addition of some serious moisture, just let go of the pegs. 30 seconds later the tent was down and laid out undercover. Not a good demonstration, but with proper pegs and anchoring the Kohte would have laughed at the wind and the rain. We left after dinner and headed for Alpine to stay the night as we had a long long drive the next day. And got stopped again by the border patrol humourless, I'm going to stare at you in an intimidating way, thugs. They questioned us as we're so very suspicious - a Brit and a German in a Louisiana car travelling up from the Mexican border - definite troublemakers. But we smiled and they were forced to release us to go on our way. More Kohte pictures as tomorrows trip probably won't have a lot of interest.

Day 3 - Wandervogel, dramatic scenery and more

One of the things I didn't tell you about from day 2 was that our accommodation at Dan's place was actually in a Kohte tent that we had bought over to demonstrate. This was pitched next to the house in an open-ish area. The biggest problem with this open-ish area was the ish bit, which consisted of rocks, stones and rocks - not the most comfortable base for a bed but hey, we're hardened campers, we could cope. The tent was pegged out with some effort and a cross constructed from bits of wood from the wood pile (one bit was an old pick axe handle) and then we found we had no rope for the cap. One bit of improvisation later saw the Jurte cap firmly attached to create a not-so-perfect Kohte. The picture you see is of the tent covered in rain. Yep, you read that right. We're in the desert and it rained!!! Suffice to say, it didn't leak despite the strong wind whipping across the desert hills.

So, our first day with the Wandervogel crew (Dan and Derek) started slowly talking about tents and plans and then progressed to the lack of shower (and toilet, but more on that later). A quick discussion - ok, I lied, no discussion in Texas is ever quick - later and we all set off for a shower at the local motel and a trip to have brunch (although lunch would be more accurate) at the local food hot spot - Kathy's Kosmic Kowgirl Kafe. This place is not only cool (see pic) but serves absolutely fantastic food. The entire place is pink and Kathy wears pink including a pink cowgirl hat (how she gets away with that in Texas is a question best left unanswered). It is very popular and we ate and drank well before heading off to see Big Bend National Park. The park, if you look at a map of Texas, is on the left hand side right up against the Mexico border. In fact, the Rio Grande river is the border so you get to stand on the banks and look at another country - if you're really lucky you get to see swarms of illegal immigrants making their way across to the promised land. Honest, you get warned about them in the official brochure!

I'm not entirely sure that the pictures I've taken can do the scenery justice. If I remember I will post a link to an online gallery where you can see more shots and make up your own mind. This is Derek and Inga looking out from the top of some mountains towards the Rio Grande. The views are huge, and I mean huge - awe inspiring 360 degree views of mountains and an enormous sky. We drove down to the Rio Grande and looked at a canyon that joins it which you can raft down (8 miles of white water adrenaline filled, you might die, fun). We took a short cut back which we're not going to tell the rental company about but Inga enjoyed herself immensely as we bounced along a road designated as "high clearance" in a Pontiac...

A side trip to Terlingua Ghost Town for dinner (no ghosts but plenty of cowboys and local life) before heading back to off-the-grid land, so called because there are no hooked up facilities; no water, no sewage, no electricity, no nothing. We talked late in to the night and then crashed out on our rock mattress to be sung to sleep by rampaging desert mice and coyotes yipping in the distance. I'll leave you with some images of Texas including one of Sadie who is perhaps one of the cutest terrier puppies I've ever met.