A second visit to Latvia

Went back to Riga again back in April, and had a great visit.  Busy, work wise, but nice.  The first night in, I wandered out for a bit (Chili Pizza and a couple of delicious Latvian beers), and ended up perfectly in the Golden Hour for some dusk shots. 

Holland

We squeezed in a family trip with the dogs to Amsterdam and Holland...very nice, and we stayed at quaint, boutique hotel called "The Neighbor's Magnolia" that was simply excellent. 

Amsterdam was very interesting, although we did have to explain to Isabella why certain women were in their underwear in the windows.  And truly, we did try to avoid "those" areas, just missed one that was not along the red marked area on the map.  Oh well.  Our Reisehunden enjoyed the beach as much as Isabella did, as well as the pancakes at Zaanse Schans.  All three of the kids (human and canine) fit in a gigantic wooden shoe.

And who knew they had windmills in Holland!?!

Rusty not too eager to climb the super steep steps

Die Reisehunden

The Baltics (Latvia and Lithuania)

More business travel, this time to the Baltic countries of Latvia and Lithuania.  Interesting being in former Soviet states, especially while Russia is in a bit more aggressive posture than recent years past. Beautiful country, fantastic old town of Riga, and interesting side trips to Lithuania.  Only complaint...after getting used to an average speed on the highways of 130 kph (upwards of 80 mph) with sustained stretches at 160 kph (100 mph) not uncommon, the 90 kph max speedin these small countries made their relative size larger than necessary...I had a 12 hour driving day  that could have been cut down considerably.  Still, it was fantastic to visit a hithertofore unvisited place (for me, anyway).   Quick tip...Latvia is on the Euro, Lithuania is on their own currency, so you'll have to change money. And, it's bloody expensive.

Riga's Old Town

President of Lativa and the King of Sweden (older guy w/ glasses)

Latvia's First Lady

Lithuanian Sunset

Lithuanian Church

Riga Opera House

Latvia's Freedom Monument

Big Photo Dump

OK...been quite busy over the past 6 months or so, with travel to Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Israel, as well as a trip home in Feb.  Here are a few highlights.

USA (Texas, North Carolina, Alabama)

Headed home for the first time in 2+ years.  Bella was excited to get to Texas again, and I got a chance to play wedding photographer with my X-10 (from the pews, at the reception).  I'm still really impressed by this capable little camera. 

In addition to the wedding, we made a trip back to see our house and visit with our renters, saw the Grandparents, went to the zoo, and hit Biltmore Estate in Asheville, and had the whole family in the same photo for the first time since our wedding.  A great, long overdue trip...

 Next post...Latvia.