Two days flight two Germany

As to be expected I’m way to nervous to have a good sleep. After all I’m flying back to germany for the first time in four years. I’m getting up early because my friends drop me off the airport. and save me a long Taxi ride. One last look around if I forgot something...


Check in is fast and after that I’m looking for a quiet place to do some emails. I have close to five hours before my flight out to Chicago and then from there to Frankfurt.. I find an empty gate and sit down.


Flying used to be fun but now it is so crowded that it’s painful, especially for someone with these long legs...


It’s a four hour flight out to Illinois and then a two hour wait before the next plane to Frankfurt. That is a nine hour flight and it will be Friday morning when I arrive in Frankfurt.

Phoenix via Sedona

I’m planning to visit Sedona on my drive down to Phoenix. I loved the red rocks from the first time I saw them. I get up early again, pack and get going.


Fist I drive to Flagstaff to get a haircut... In the distance I see Humphrey’s Peak, the tallest mountain peak in Arizona (12643 feet or 3856m)


I love the way down to Sedona...


There is a big forrest fire going on - someone smoking...


First time I see the Red Rocks after many years.








From there it goes further South towards Phoenix. The landscape is typical Arizona desert.


Strange to drive into hot Phoenix (105 degrees), especially after Sedona.


I stay with my friend Dimitri, a Romanian violinist that I met a year ago. They live in the South of Phoenix in a nice neighborhood.

The Grand Canyon

After a quick breakfast I’m ready to drive up about an hour to the Grand Canyon. I’ve been there several times now but it is always an adventure.
It’s another beautiful day.


Maybe I should charter an airplane and fly above the canyon:)


Always fascinating! I’m stunned that one can go right to the edge. There is nothing that holds you back from jumping into a new dimension...














Here I’m back in Williams - I’ve never seen this little Bed & Breakfast place, maybe I’ll try that next time around.


Time to do some more email stuff - man, it’s hard to keep up with everything while on the road...

Hardy Breakfast and a long drive into Arizona

I get up around 7:30 am. We’re invited for breakfast to Wendy’s parents Frank and Sandy. She made her famous gravy - oh my - what a start! After that I start the drive to Williams, AZ. and enjoy the drive from Cerrillos to Albuquerque.




I make a little stop in Albuquerque to do some email and bank stuff. Have seen that mountain:)


Then I’m on I40 on my way out West


It’s a long boring drive and only starts to become interesting the closer I get to Arizona.


Almost missed the nice Arizona sign...


Once in Williams I get a room and go out to get some food. Tomorrow I’ll drive up to the Grand Canyon.

Mushroom Cloud and a Sea of Blood:)

Today is Sunday and I’m driving to Cerrillos, NM to stay with my friends Wendy and Todd. It’s about 420 miles and I better get going...


After about an hour I realize that I left my main bag in the motel. I can’t believe that, I never have done anything like it. The content is more than $1000 and I get a good dose of adrenalin. I call them and find out that it is still in the room. So I turn around and get it. I’m pretty grumpy and have not yet had anything to eat and the imagination that I just added 120 miles to the trip is fairly annoying.
Oh well, let’s try that again...


After several hours I cross into New Mexico.


The sky is wide.


And it’s getting dark


All of a sudden I look out the window and see the coolest sky I’ve ever experienced. I wish I had a camera that could actually capture what my eyes see. It’s like a mushroom cloud over a sea of blood!



My friends expect me and give me a warm welcome and a good dinner and beer:)


we chat until late and watch a couple of very cool music DVDs before it’s time for bed. Tomorrow is another long driving day...

Back into the National Park

Tonight I play in Aurora, close to Denver. First I plan to drive there after breakfast and work on emails but then I decide to go back to the Rocky Mountain National Park and do a little hike. It’s way to beautiful out there to sit on the computer.


But first I take a little walk and enjoy the view


It’s interesting how things look different when approached from another direction...


I’m getting close to Estes Park


What a beautiful day


I decide to drive up to bear Lake, a route that I haven’t explored yet.


I love this season and the colors that come with it.


Especially against the blue sky:)


Bear lake


I wish I was a painter...


Here is a feisty little chipmunk munching away:)


Finally I have to get back on the road and drive to Denver. On the way down the mountain I stop at a winery and do a little tasting. I did not know that they make wine here in Colorado. Then I’m back in the valley and the weather gets gray again.


What a contrast!


Here is a glimpse of the Denver skyline - I wish I were back in the mountains!


The concert tonight is in a little church...


Here is Connie. She’s a gem and host of Parkhouse Concerts.


There is a total of 6 folks in the audience and I’m struggling a little but everybody is very nice and appreciative.