Spring in Scotland

I spent a wonderful day with Alicia and baby Darien seeing some of the local sites in search for spring flowers, snow drops, daffodils, crocus, etc. Our first stop was at Castle Fraser. There are lovely walking trails around the grounds of most of the castles in Scotland. We enjoyed a crisp sunny walk filled with creeks, flowers and no one in sight.

Our next stop was at an ancient stone circle called East Aquhorthies Stone Circle. It was a bit windy but we did manage to have a very pleasant picnic, that is until Darien woke up.. poor little guy just wanted to be held, so I stepped up and took him for a walk around the stone circle so that Alicia could finish her lunch. I don't think she gets many meals eaten at a single sitting so I thought it would be a nice change for her. Plus it gave me a little experience for when my new nephew joins us.

Our last stop brought us back to Crathes Castle, a site I had visited with my dad over Christmas. What a difference a few months and no snow makes. Some flowers were in bloom but there is evidence that in the next few weeks there will be hundreds of daffodils in bloom on the grounds. A sight I will have to go back to see.

For more pictures visit my Picasa site:

https://picasaweb.google.com/mtwildflower/SpringInScotland?feat=directlink

2011 Trip home to Montana and Texas

Right after coming back to Aberdeen from skiing in France and Italy, I should have had a few more weeks of work and drilling. Big surprise, more delays... in order to make sure that I was in Aberdeen for the most important part of drilling it was decided that I would move my first trip back to the states up 2 weeks. This was decided the Friday before I actually flew out.. I had just a few days to rearrange everything... but I got it done and had a great trip home.
I was able to go to Montana to see mom, Ali and Kady. Unfortunately the night I arrived I came down with the "Scottish" flu. Not sure you can truly call it the Scottish flu but that's what Dr. Steve my MT chiropractor called it since I not only gave it to him but mom and Ali as well. I ended up sick 6 of the 7 days I was in Montana but if you are ever going to get sick, where better to do it than at home where your mom can take care of you!
I had a few more days in Houston before having to head back to Scotland. The most important event to attend in Houston was my friends Anna and Mauricio's wedding. It was a great event and chance to see all my Houston friends. I have missed them so.
Here are a few pictures from this trip and of course more can be found on my Picasa site.

https://picasaweb.google.com/mtwildflower/2011TripToMontanaAndTexas?feat=directlink

2011 Skiing Chamonix France

In the beginning of February, it was hit or miss with the drilling schedule and I wasn't sure that I would actually get to go on the company ski trip. The skiing gods battled it out with the drilling gods and it was decided that I needed a break from work and a ski trip. I couldn't have been more happy when the drilling schedule got moved back and I went home to pack for France.
I had 3.5 great days of skiing in France and Italy despite the fact that it hadn't snowed in over a month. The conditions were not the best but the terrain made up for it. Skiing in the Alps is like nothing I have ever skied before. Here are a few shots to show what I am talking about. More can be found on my Picasa site.

https://picasaweb.google.com/mtwildflower/2011SkiingChamonixFrance?feat=directlink