Byron Bay

Everyone we've asked for advice has recommended Byron Bay, looking at this picture you can see why. The beaches are beautiful, the town is cute, Steve O calls it "Moab of the Sea" because it's trendy, hip, lots of funky surf shops and art galleries, dreadlocks and backpacks.

The kids are disturbed that "Australien" is spelled wrong, I keep telling them, I didn't make it- it's poached art, I just came across it while walking. I'm not quite sure what language spells it this way...

The water was so clear. Not as warm as Queensland but refreshingly delicious.

Steve O having a special 'breaking the law' moment.

The Aussies sure do like to leave their Christmas decor up just as long as possible.
Not nearly as many bikes as you might think in this country. The climate is perfect, so- what's up with that? There are two possible conclusions we've come up with after discussing it with folks.
1. It's mandatory to wear a helmet. No helmet= big ticket.
2. Motorist don't give a crap about cyclists, (or pedestrians for that matter) so you are taking your life in your hands riding around town. Some spots are trying to change attitudes and streets for cyclists (Sydney) hopefully this is a countrywide trend- wait, make that worldwide.

HOME

HOME
We are home.
Safe and happy.
It was a wonderful trip.
Lots of smiles, memories and fun with my favorite people in the world:
Noelle, Quinn, Fish, Maia and Crew.
Noelle put the whole trip together.
She is a rock star.
She is an angel.

Noelle I love you.
You are brilliant.
An amazing mother.
Funky groovy wife.
You have a big heart.
Thanks for showing the kids the world.
Let’s do it again.
And when the kids are gone we will do it again then too.
I love you!
Your spouse,
Steve O.

Orange

Our last day in Europe. We are in Copenhagen, Denmark. Noelle looking at shops and stuff,
me danish film institute and a bike shop.
Kids are enjoying our fancy hotel (only second one in Europe)

Riding to Sønderby havn

Noelle pedaling to my favorite place in Denmark, Sønderby havn.

Day Trip to Gershøj, Denmark

Quinn with apple on the Flying Dutchman.

Late Evening Fjord

bike,
swim,
stack rocks,
late evening fjord trip

Amsterdam Bike #2

Amsterdam Bike #1

Tour de France Stage 2- Koolskamp, Belgium

Maia kept saying, "It should be the Tour of Belgium"

The AmsterO's

It is Holland. It is The Netherlands. They are Dutch. Anyway, one of my new favorite Euro Cities.

when it rains it pours...

We are bike race headquaters. We drove straight thru the day and night to get to Belgium on time to catch todays stage of the Tour de France, it was worth every minute of sleep I skipped last night and then some. All of us, from Steve O (a.k.a. Tour Ambassador) down to Crew loved every minute of the wet rainy day. I'll admit I got choked up as the peleton wooshed by, Steve O thinks this is really funny...
And thank goodness for our own personal Tour Ambassador. The kids loaded up on "schwag" as the caravan (wacky French promotional vehicles or "floats" that fly by at 60 km/hr parade chucking stuff out at the spectators) came thru before the racers. We were in the know all the way thru, good position, timing, well informed... we're sure glad to have our Tour Ambassador on board.

where is MY bike...

Noelle here...
Here is some more info at this stage of the game, a bit redundant from what Steve O just said, but I stayed up late last night writing this, couldn't log on the internet (not euro wireless savvy enough I guess) he beat me to the punch, I post it anyway.
We are here at the world cup mountain bike race, downhill in Schladming Austria. Steve O had had his fill of castles and museums and decided we needed a sporting event for a change. (I think Fischer was feeling the same way). He did a little research and found this weekend full of races not far from where we were in Salzburg. Schladming is a groovy little resort town surrounded by the Alps, with the Dachstein (one of the tallest peaks in Austria) towering over it. It has rained quite a bit the last few days so the mountain was muddy, but the races were super fun to watch. And, in the end Steve O’s people- GT riders Brian Lopes and Jill Kintner, (both Americans) won, undefeated.
Speaking of bike races... we are busting out north to Belgium tomorrow to catch a stage of the Tour de France before we head for Denmark on Friday. We decided we’ve come too far to miss out on this event even if it takes us a few km out of our way. I’m a littlle upset I don’t get to see Lance riding, but I’m keeping my hopes up in perhaps seeing him as a VIP on the course (I can dream can’t I?) So watch the Tour on Tuesday and we’ll try and lure the American cameras our way with some kind of silly behavior, or outfit. (somebody TiVo that stage for us...)
The last week and a half have been fun, (and wet) with kids so happy to finally be with their long-lost Danish/American friends. The new level of chaos was a bit comical, but we made it through with lots of giggles, loads of muddy wet clothes, a few tantrums, 3 castle tours, (one tour included the torture chamber) a sound of music bike tour in and around Salzburg, one lost child by Mozart's house in Salzburg, getting familiar with just about every playground that came within sight in Germany and Austria- especially important to stop if it has a "barf machine" (oversized sit-and-spin spin toy) and trolley.
The Ream family are making their way to Vienna today, and off we go to Belgium...