…to be more precise, we jumped into several lakes during our recent wonderful trip to Italy and Switzerland. In Italy we stayed with Grandma Lynn and Papa at a lovely, large house in Lesa on Lake Maggiore. We explored the Lake’s islands and sites — including some fantastic gardens that clearly thrive in the hot weather — and cooled off in the Lake and the pool. Lake Maggiore is the larger, but less busy, neighbor of Lake Como, home to the famous Bellagio, where we disappointingly found neither choreographed fountains nor craps tables. As Papa George reminded me, Lake Maggiore is also home to Stresa, just north of Lesa, where the hero of Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms recuperates, and we found its lakeside cafes quite well-suited to rest, relaxation, and rehabilitation.
Hikers at Oeschinensee
After a terrific week in Lesa, we drove north to Switzerland through a gorgeous alpine pass. For the last leg of the drive we were actually on a “car train” which carries a single line of cars, with passengers sitting inside, through a tunnel to our next home in Kandersteg. From this home base we took day hikes that began with an assist from a gondola or funicular to get us several hundred meters UP so that we could enjoy a more leisurely stroll through cow pastures and around pristine (if chilly) lakes. The landscapes were unbelievably dramatic, the architecture quintessentially “Swiss,” the wildflowers colorful.
After a day in Bern to see the fine collection at the Kunstmuseum (note to Lance: Kunst is German for art) and explore the city, we saw one last picturesque lakeside town: Luzern. Here, our engineering hearts warmed to the sight of the compound steam engine on our ferryboat and to the many wonders of the Verkershaus (Transport Museum). Through it all, we enjoyed great company, good meals, always preceded by a glass or two of Prosecco. Lots of photos are in the Italy-Swiss Album. Thanks to Grandma Lynn and Papa for sharing a great trip with us!
What does it mean to surprise someone culinarily? Does it mean some far-flung ingredient? Some crazy preparation that has been imported from halfway around the world? Sometimes it means something as simple as the coupling of a whole new paradigm to the eating experience. Grant Achatz touched that rarefied air for us with our visit to Alinea in Chicago. Literally, the pillow below my dessert is filled with an accompanying aroma to prepare my palate for the flavors it is about to experience. The weight of the plate compresses the pillow to continuously express the scent. That is some crazy fore-thought bat-sh*t. There were more examples of that total commitment to the dining experience throughout the menu (shown below). A terrifically enjoyable experience; the restaurant is deserved of its top 100 world ranking.
Hello Windy City. A daddy “work trip” brought the clan to Chicago for a week. Chicago should be called museum city as there appears to be a never ending supply of housed edification for the visitors. We took in the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, the Field Museum. the Childrens’ Museum, and The Shedd Aquarium. On top of that, we went to the beach on Lake Michigan, ate at the Taste of Chicago, and had a boat ride on the Chicago river to take in the architectural sites. We swam in the hotel pool almost every night and even had room service once. We saw our pals Gus, Marilyn, Betty, and Joseph who helped us enjoy the city sites even more. Chicago also has some pleasing eats. These include our trip to Chinatown, two trips to Giordano’s for deep dish, and even an “adult” trip to Alinea (which requires its own recapitulation of our blown minds courtesy of G. Achatz). Fun times documented in the Chicago album.
Save Ferris!
Just as good as Zachary's. I know. Blasphemy right?
It’s been a busy month! Momentous events like kindergarten graduation, the ballet recital, and visits from Grandma Jane and Grandpa Larry AND Grandma Jeanette. Trips to the zoo and the park; time at our favorite museums and science centers, including Cleo’s first, thankfully untraumatic, IMAX experience; birthday celebrations for Mommy, Erica, and our pal Will, with a Skype shoutout to Trey; and of course some baking with Grandma Jeanette. We continue to be drowning in homegrown and CSA salad — but managed to eat all our farm-picked strawberries, or to freeze them into ice cream, without complaints. Can’t say we’ve documented every single moment, but some snapshots are up in the June 2010 album.
Today is Leda’s last day of kindergarten, which of course makes tomorrow the first day of the rest of her life in the cliched language of commencement speeches. Also: follow her dreams, focus on what’s important, never wear uncomfortable pants. The ceremony on Monday was without a keynote address; instead, the kids sang and played their recorders, and received certificates, before moving outside for a celebratory picnic. As with all occasions of measurable import, the gliderboy team was on the job to document the occasion. Cleo was a critical A/V assistant, providing just the right cinema verite jitter as she bopped around on her mom’s lap.
