Ok. So for the first few days I was in Stuttgart. The climate and terrain reminded me a lot of Ontario where I go fishing each summer. Then on Friday we drove from Stuttgart to Munich. The terrain changed. It became more mountainous, reminding me of driving through Tennessee in the Lookout Mountain region. Now we are in Garmish. This place is incredible. My impression is nicer than the rockies in Colorado. This is a picture that seemed to be everywhere I looked today!

Looks like I got it! Here are Ida, Mike, and me. We are in downtown Munich at a famous place called the Hoffbrau Haus. Lots of beer and sausages, singing and dancing. It is a must see place in Germany.

Ok. Now the TBL is done for the day, I am going to attempt to load some photos. Here is the problem - the blog website knows I am in Germany, so all of the info on the edit pages is in German and I can't read it!

Greetings! Here is a Saturday post. We were able to get wireless at our hotel in Garmish, Germany. This place is truly amazing!

The BOTTOM Line is typically about giving advice about life or about being a professional. During my trip to Europe, readers are going to get some advice as well as getting updates about my trip.

I am traveling with two long-time navy friends Mike and Ida. Mike is an electrical engineer and Ida is a computer scientist. Today's TBL comes from Mike:

"Make a list of all of the things you want to do by the time you are 30. (For some of us older readers, we may need to pick the next big milestone birthday). Examples might be: travel to _____, run a marathon, climb a mountain, jump out of an airplane, whatever.

Now, once you have your list, get started. Do things sooner rather than later. Life has a way of getting in the way. Kids and work and other commitments down the road can keep you from getting your list done. So now, while you have the opportunity, start doing the fun things."

I just read the Duluth News Tribune website about a death at United Taconite. My sympathies go out to our friends who work at UTAC as they suffer the loss of another colleague.

I have been in Germany now for 3 days. Here are some random observations:

The climate and environment are awesome. It reminds me a lot of Ontario in June. The terrain is similar as is the vegetation, though the trees have a funky bark on them. The morning weather is crisp and clean - very refreshing.

Near our hotel there are lots of trails in the woods. We went for a long walk yesterday and I came across what could only be described as a ladder deerstand. I'm not sure if that was its purpose, but I climbed it and got a great view of the surroundings.

Breakfast in Europe is awesome. Lots of meat and cheese and fruit and breads and juice.

The German people are friendly. I always feel inferior in Europe, everybody speaks 3 or 4 languages and I have only ever learned one. They speak my language, but I do not speak theirs.

The cars are small and smaller. There are some that look like motorcycles encased.

Driving is easy from a driving standpoint, but difficult from a where in the hell am I going standpoint - back to the language barrier. I can't read any of the road signs. I found my hotel on the first day by using zen and pure luck.

My cell phone doesn't work in Europe.

I hate smoking. People smoking has affected the taste of every meal so far.

Hefeweizen should be called heaven in a glass. (You might have to google that one.)

These observations have all taken place during the time I have been here and working. It is now Friday afternoon. We have the weekend free and are heading out on some adventures. I will be taking my computer, but am not sure if I will have any connectivity tomorrow. If not, TBL will take a day off on Saturday and return with stories and pictures on Sunday.

I have received facebook messages, emails, and blog comments from many of you regarding the VT tragedy. This morning I woke early and went to the gym on base for a half hour on the treadmill. CNN was on the tv. For 15 minutes I listened to an older couple describe the loss of their grandson in the shooting. It broke my heart all over again.