Where's Mike?

(2005)

(to go to 2006, click here)

Section one: Departure through Scandinavia

Cle Elum WA, USA--Radio Shack:  Whew! After almost six years of living in, and loving, Seattle...I'm outta here! Yesterday, June 30th, 2005, I packed up what remained....more on section one.

Section two: Scandinavia to the Alps

Bliesdorf, Germany:  Welcome to the mainland.

Am enjoying my first few steps on German soil...well at least my first few step in 2005...at about 17:30, with a glass of dry '04 Riesling, sitting in my folding chair, and contemplating what to cook for dinner. I am cashless...more on section two.

Section Three: The French Alps

Argentiere, France: So I am once again in the Alps and enjoying the magnificent views of the heavily glaciated Mt Blanc massif, albeit just the lower reaches, on account of the cloud layer and intermittent sprinkles...more on section three.

Section Four: The Swiss Alps

Champsec Switzerland: Ahhh...what a country. Great banks, fast cash, and a demi pichet as a welcome drink. I think I am going to like Switzerland. Despite the rain...more on section four

Section Five: The Austrian Alps

Mason, Austria: It was a pleasure to sleep in this morning. Fresh sheets, goose down comforter, perfect temperature, not having to dress in order to go take a leak...more on section five

Section Six: The Slovenian Alps

Idrsko, Slovenia: I have never broken a tent pole in my life...until this morning. My two main poles on my REI Base Camp Four had been "remembering" four stress points for the past couple weeks, but I figured they would be fine. No such luck...more on section six

Section Seven: Heading East

Salzburg, Austria: The mushrooms Kate found while hiking, and was then cleaning all evening, sure were great in a mushroom-egg-onion fry. She had about ten varieties, and way too many...more on section seven

Section Eight: Wandering West

Budapest, Hungary: Last night the boy, and girl, scouts had arrived in force. Some British tour of Europe had set up camp with about thirty look-alike tents, a large cook tent, about fifty young adults, and...more on section eight

Section Nine: Italy

Adriatic Sea off the Montenegro Coast: Excitement for my trip, angst over departures, or that disgusting tortilla I ate for dinner, kept me from sleeping much last night, and, after a chat with my Swiss neighbors who had been to Montenegro...more on section nine

Section Ten: Heading home...or not?

Freiburg, Germany: It was definitely time to move on this morning. The weather, although similarly warm, cloud covered, and dew-less, was more threatening, than yesterday...more on section ten

Section 11: Espana

Sant Pere Pescador, Espana: I woke up in France today, and am now in Espana. I realize they share a border, but I am still always amazed by how fast I cross them...more on section 11

Section 12: Portugal

Tavira, Portugal: I have a plethora of maps, and guide pamphlets, from the tourist info center at the border, and see that some backtracking will be required to check out the salt...more on section 12