Today our second day back from our big trip, Mel and I hiked up out of East Vail's Gore Creek trail.  Here's our improvised tripod we made to get some of our snapshot's. 

Tasha can be a pain in the ass some times.  Never let a wet dog near your camera gear!

Pictures turned out great!

Yesterday after our long journey back from Europe, we went for a little hike up the Davo's Trail. 

The weather turned out great for our hike 

Isolated showers to the East towards Vail Village. 

Last Friday we all drove down to Storkow to meet and party with the rest of the family.  We stayed in the boat house that over looked  lake Storkower See.

So I finally got to meet the rest of the family.  Mel's mom has ten siblings!!!!!!  Her Dad is the guy on the bottom.  

After dinner we spent the rest of the night fireside drinking and talking. 

Mel and I with grandpa Gotfried.  

Melanie was not joking when she told me her other half of the family parties to sunrise. 

The next morning we ate breakfast and drank some refreshing beer lemonade mix

Here's Phillipp enjoying the view from our train ride to Berlin last Tuesday. 

Here's the train station in Berlin where we finally arrived for our day in Berlin.  This is the biggest train station in Europe. 

Here's Melanie walking around the Memorial for the people who died in the Holocaust. 

Berlin is a busy city

Here's the massive size of the Sony Center where you can find cafe's and restaurants.

Jeff meets the Berlin Wall

In 1933 this court yard was the place where German students burned  unGerman books.  

This is one of Berlin's historical Domes. 

Melanie and I got to take a ride up to the top of the Berlin Radio Tower.   This is one of Berlins trademarks. 

The view from the top of the Berlin TV Tower

I still can't believe you can walk around town with as much beer as you want and not get hussled. 

For dinner Melanie and I ate at Mosquito's restaurant right in downtown Cottbus

After dinner we walked around town and took some more pictures. 

Last Sunday we all drove to the small region called Spreewald.  This area was full of tourist in which it's main attraction is it's intricate network of canal system, where you can float around in these cool boats. 

Phillipp and I enjoying our drinks

Melanie and Phillipp drank a bear called Berliner Weisse, which looks like a kids drink. However you'll got a buzz off this local drink!

Last Saturday I got to meet a little more of the family. 

Yesterday Melanie, the family and I drove to Dresden to check it out.  

Frauenkirche

The inside of famous church named Frauenkirche.  

Melanie and her Mom 

Here's some of the stone and art work of Dresden's city

Here's the corny side of this tourism.  This street bum trying to make a little coin.  LOL!

We all had radeberger pilsner and Bratwurst for lunch

Mel and I taking a break from all the walking

After walking around Dresden all day we had to do a boat tour for some relax!  Along with some strong Gluehwein!!!

A passing boat tour

The countryside view from the boat trip

After traveling all day we finally made it to Germany.  Final destination Cottbus just an hour south east of Berlin.  Here's a picture of one of the area's where you can chill and have a drink in downtown Cottbus. 

Here's Melanie and her brother Phillip in one of the local churches in Cottbus