A hut in the mountains

We just came back from a nice short trip to Austria. Toni celebrated his 30th birthday in the mountains, so we also used the trip for a small hike and a visit to the Bodensee on Sunday.


The party hut in the mountains...


...with this wonderful view!



A small hike next day, Lea is checking the path :)

It's one of these special moments...

...when you come home and meet a person at the front door, which is a neighbour you have never seen, but who moved in at the same time like you (1 year ago), plays the same instrument than you (Cello) and has the same name like you (Johannes). Unbelievable!

Some impressions from San Francisco

Here are some impressions from the San Francisco trip.


The famous cable cars


View down Lombard street towards Telegraph Hill (Poit tower)




Pier 39 with its famous sea lions


A photo from the 39th floor bar in the Marriott towers. You can see the bar and me reflected in the window and the panorama at the same time :)


Another shot of the panorama


Photo art: How to make a Jolle-"J" with a camera and a streetlamp


View from Twin Peaks towards the city center and the bay


University of San Francisco (USF) main building


Starting the bike tour at the Golden Gate brigde on Saturday


Later follwing old coast trails and roads




Muir beach, a small community north of San Francisco


Muir woods, home of the giant trees, the Coastal Redwoods, which are higher but not so massive like the Sequoias.


St. Pauli girl, the famous German beer (in America) ;)


A so called box car, the new trend in America. Will reach Europe as well, I assume


Typical American post boxes

San Francisco

We had some time to stroll around the city after the conference days, so I saw quite a bit of this town again. More than 10 years have passed since I've been here the last time. Not much changed at a first glance, it is still really wonderful.

Today I venture out on a bike to Sausalito. Let's see if I can make it to the redwoods. It's quite a bit far and steep to go there.

For the moment you'll just get a digital postcard.

A big hug...

...for all of you that made the way to Mannheim last Saturday to celebrate my 30th birthday with with me. I was really glad to see you. Thanks for the wonderful presents. I'm looking forward to read the fine books, eat from real dishes, go houserunning and rafting...



Sunday I sealed the apartment after a minimal clean-up and went out on a Odenwald tour with Astrid, before taking the Monday early morning flight to San Francisco.

I'll take care of the rest once I am back next Monday.

So again, thanks for coming and see you soon, Jolle!

America

Having just had a gigantic burger at Cheese Cake Factory, I am sitting in the hotel room packing my suitcase for tomorrows departure. Meanwhile they advertise a company, where you can buy life-insurances in a drive-through. There's nothing more to say. See you in 2 days!

Yes, it's been a long time already :)

Hickory Run State Park

Today I ventured out to see the surroundings of Philly and started in the Hickory Run State Park, a small but nice natural parc with lots of mountains, gorges, rivers, waterfalls...

It also hosts a rare boulder field which looks really incredible. I was lucky to spot a rainbow next to the lonesome tree that made his way through meters of stones to the surface.



I did some short hikes along the Shades of Death trail and the Stone trail and went to the Hawk Falls. It was hot as hell, over 30° with lots of small but heavy rainshowers, which made it even worse because of the high humidity. But nontheless it was a nice day out in nature with lots of lasting images in my mind.

Philly Tours

I am currently in Philadelphia for 2 weeks work before returning just in time for my birthday party next Saturday. Here you'll find a visual overview of what I am doing here in Philadelphia after work. :)

I hope to see many of you next week in Mannheim.

A summer weekend in North Hesse

I visited Astrid and her family in North Hesse last weekend. We went to an open air Shakespeare play at a forest stage and rowing on the Edersee near Kassel. It was nice. Thanks!