Nahla and Skylar Move Overseas

“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” -John Grogan 

My mother-in-law is a strong woman who challenges herself daily and is always up for an adventure. When we approached her with the question of whether or not she would be interested in taking in the dogs until we got settled in Germany, she let us know within 24 hours that she had thought about it and couldn't say no. As a woman of the road, she housed Skylar and Nahla along with her own black lab in her RV. Those three dogs were her companions and made the journey across the U.S. with her. We knew it was a lot to ask of her to take care of our girls, but she did it without complaint and put her all into making sure they were given the best life she could possibly give them. While she visited us, the dogs followed her to bed each and every night and remained by her side. That right there showed us the bond they all formed in half a year and the loyalty they felt towards her. Thank you, Amy, for loving our dogs as much as we do and giving them plenteous exercise and affection. 

Those six months eased our transition from Colorado to Germany and gave us the freedom to come and go as we pleased without having to think twice about arranging care or checking our watches to rush home and let them out. It also gave us an extremely clean house, one free of the dog hair that never seems to disappear no matter how often we run the vacuum.. To the golden doodle owner, you made the right decision. What that time apart didn't give us was the sense of calmness that a good dog can bring to a home. We missed their gentle spirits that lend so much love and happiness and their eager hello as they greet us at the front door with kisses and wagging tails. Brecken says, "puppies!" every morning as he wakes up, beaming from ear to ear as he stands in his crib waiting for them to make their appearance. They have completed our family again and although the work load has increased and flexibility decreased, we made a commitment to them as puppies and we wouldn't dare turn our backs on their loyal souls now. 

Below are a few pictures from their first trip to Strasbourg, France. They were so well behaved and even laid under an outdoor cafe table as we indulged in fried camembert. I also added a few recent pictures of Breck and his puppies, living the good life together.

Itinerary 1 Day trip to Strasbourg 

• Day 1
• Drive from Stuttgart to Strasbourg, France (1 hour and 40 minutes) 
• Lunch at Brasserie Au Canon
• Notre Dame Cathedral 
• Carousel 
• Roam the city
• Buy a baguette and macaroons
• Drive from Strasbourg to winery 30 miles outside of the city 
• Stock up on inexpensive wine!
• Depart for home 

Alsace Region: Colmar, France

If you're searching for a town that drums up images straight out of a fairytale, I think I found just the spot.. Colmar, France. I'm convinced fairy dust was sprinkled on the timbered homes and blooming flowers to make the colors extra vibrant. This town is situated in the Alsace Region of northeast France, not far from the German border. It has been occupied by the Germans more than once in history and reflects this in some of the architecture and cuisine. A canal runs through the town, giving it the name "Le Petit Venice".  

An aroma of fresh pastries swirled through the streets, luring us into the local patisseries to peek at the variety of sweet treats staring back at us through the glass cases. We left the patisseries empty handed, saving our calories for the most talked about Le Tarte Flambée and a glass of local white wine. I would describe Le Tarte Flambée as finely rolled out dough in a somewhat rectangular shape topped with creme fraiche, caramelized onions, bacon and white cheeses, all cooked to a crispy finish over a wooden fire. Its light smokey flavor coupled with the melted cheeses make this oh so good. Our camera didn't stand a chance at capturing a photo before the wooden cutting board sat empty, bellies full and content. 

The Route de Vins (wine route) guided us home, winding through extensive vineyards, picturesque  villages, and the Vosges Mountains. These mountains were the fighting grounds for battles during World War I and II. Memorials dotted the peak of the mountains, honoring thousands of men who perished in the Vosges. We happened upon Le Linge battlefield, one of the bloodiest confrontations during World War I. This was trench warfare spanning four years and 17,000 lives lost.  As we walked through the trenches, Brecken ran through them, squealing with freedom and curiosity as he searched for sticks, rocks, and pine cones to carry in his tiny little hands. I couldn't help but think of life and time. One hundred years earlier, these trenches were engulfed with fear, disease and bloodshed, and on a Saturday afternoon in 2015 they brought so much joy to a little boy, running through the pathways, completely unaware of the evils and hardships that are found in this world. 

Travel Notes

Alsace Wine Route
Wanting to drive or bike the wine route but not sure where to start? This website is extremely helpful in giving you all the maps, events, tips, and accommodations for the region.

Know your Alsace Wines
Don't make the mistake of going to this region and ordering a robust red wine. Beware. They may give you a strange look. If you love Riesling and Pinot Blanc, you're in luck.

Le Linge Memorial Museum
This link will provide you with an overview of the museum, its address, entrance fees, as well as the hours of operation.