2016:It's been a while

It's been a while since I blogged anything.  Sometimes one of my blog articles shows up and I re-read it, enjoying it and taking a walk down memory lane.

I really don't have much to say.  We are living our life.  Our grandson is staying with us for a finite period of time and is getting ready to move out. (meaning we set a timeframe).   I wish him well, whatever path he decides to take in life.  It has been enjoyable having him here. I worry about him being lonely.

Bruce and I are headed to St. Paul, MN January 15, 2016 to attend a MN WILD vs Winnipeg Jets Hockey game and a pleasant night at the St. Paul Hotel.  We did this a couple years ago and had such a nice time.

Lillehammer area photo: Hafjell area, surrounding the town of Lillehammer

Bruce and I will be leaving on a trip August-September.  We fly to Oslo, Norway, visit family in the Lillehammer area, then take the train to Bergen where we get on a Viking Cruise to wander the Baltic region.  Aug 14-20 travel needs to be firmed up.

Early flight to Norway before Viking cruise leaves Aug 20.

• Aug (14? TBD):  2016 fly from Minneapolis MN to Oslo, Norway
• Aug 15-16 Oslo; night train to Lillehammer?
• Aug 17-20 Lillehammer, Norway visit with cousins.  Book hotel in Lillehammer; perhaps rent car.
• Aug  20- night train from Lillehammer to Bergen.

Viking Star - our cruise ship.  She entered service April 2015

Itinerary: Viking Homelands on the Viking Star. Sail date Aug 21, 2016
Stateroom 3060 outside, Deluxe Veranda 6.  Cruise Booking # 4001790

• Aug 21 - 22: Bergen on Viking ship, depart 6PM, Aug 22
• Aug 23: Flam, Norway
• Aug 24: Stavanger, Norway
• Aug 25: Alborg, Denmark
• Aug 26: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Aug 27: Berlin, Germany
• Aug 28: Gdansk, Poland
• Aug 29: Cruise Baltic
• Aug 30: Tallin, Estonia
• Aug 31-Sep 1: St. Petersburg,Russia
• Sep 1-2?: Stockholm, Sweden - fly back to Minneapolis, MN

This "Viking Journey" will be highlight of our year.  We return home to Dent, MN Sep 3.

As I check on the Viking Star cruise, all the amenities are available: SPA (yes, I will be having a massage), specialty restaurants, the Aquavit Terrace bar by the pool; 24 hour room service; entertainment: theater, shows, etc.  We have TV, WiFi and standard 110-120 electrical outlets.

While on this trip, sis Carol and I will plan future travel events she and I will go on, after I retire.