FindPenguins

10 January 2020
Colorado Springs, Colorado

All's well in our lives. Though you might not think so since I did not write anything after the post that took us to Izmir, Turkey last June.  Despite my best intentions, I was unable to find time to write the blog.  And since returning home in November, I have had a houseful of guests — my sister and brother in law returned to Turkey a few days ago.  Mom will stay on with us until we take the TransAtlantic back to Europe in March.  So catching up has not been possible.

Though I hate to give up the blog, I am going to have to put it on a permanent hiatus for now.  Someday, when our travel pace slows down, I might well pick it up again.  But that's a long ways down the road.

In the meantime, having found Facebook photo shares inadequate for tracking our travels, I've started using FindPenguins for mini blog posts — footprints as the app calls them.  If interested in following along, click this link.  You'll be able to see any "trip" that is public.

If you'd like to see those "trips" that are visible to followers only, you'll need to create a FindPenguins account (free either online or on the app, unless you opt for the premium version ... which you don't need to consider unless you plan to actively use it).  Once you create your account you will need to then request to follow me by clicking the "Follow" button under my profile photo.  After I accept your request, you will be able to follow along on the non-public trips as well.

I guess this will serve as a wrap-up post for the blog.  It was fun while it lasted ... may be fun again someday!

We’re in İzmir

Thursday, 13 June 2019
Alsancak — Izmir, Turkey

An uneventful 11½-hour Turkish Airlines flight from Houston to İstanbul was followed by a quick hop to İzmir.  By 9:30p local time (12:30p MDT) on the 12th, we were at mom’s condo.  Tired … but pleased to have the travel day(s) in the rearview mirror.

Our comfort on the long-haul from Houston to Istanbul was
greatly enhanced by the exit row seats we scored on the B777 that
was our winged-chariot.  To our delight, We were even assigned
the same exit row seats for the short hop to IzmIr.

A good night’s rest and we were up at our usual early hour this morning … no jet lag … yay!  Breakfast with the family … Aylin & Murat, who live in the same condo building, joined us for the morning repast.  Then it was time to take care of errands.

I doubt that we’ll do much that is blog-worthy during this short stay in Turkey.  It’s too hot to be out and about much.  Besides, with a rather active two+ months planned around Europe starting on 19 June, best to use this time with the family for R&R.

© 2004-2019 Two to Travel.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by ERIN ERKUN.

The 2019 Overseas Jaunt Begins

Tuesday, 11 June 2019
United Airlines Lounge @ IAH — Houston, Texas

We’re off to add more stories in our passports.  Turkey first … then a driving trip through parts of Ireland … followed by a cruise to a lot of cool places (literally and figuratively) … and finally back in Turkey again where we will celebrate my nephew’s wedding.

Today is our travel day.  We’ve completed the first leg from Colorado Springs to Houston.  In a couple of hours we will begin the long haul over The Pond.  Due to the 9-hour time difference with Colorado, our trip will end tomorrow … in Izmir, Turkey.

© 2004-2019 Two to Travel.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by ERIN ERKUN.

Iris4U … A Symphony of Color

Monday, 3 June 2019
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Temps: 77F (25C) /49F (9C)

Great day … great outing.  It was actually on the hot side in the sun quite early this morning, but a cold wave brought the temps down as the day progressed.  Luckily, the afternoon thunderstorms that come through on a regular basis this time of the year held off until after we got home, so we had a really lovely day.

Friends and Family

Saturday, 2 June 2019
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Temps: Hi 73F (23C) / Lo 45F (7C)

We have just over a week to go before we head off on our jaunt across The Pond.  The basics of settling into our home are completed … decorating to be finished when we return.  The arrangements for keeping our home safe in our absence … well, let’s just say that they are taken care of as well.  The accoutrements for my nephew’s wedding are checked off the shopping list … except perhaps for shoes.  The trip planning is done … mostly.  We know what we want to see and do but how much we accomplish in that regard will depend on whether we can speed up our “quality over quantity pace.”  Somehow, I think the former is going to win out … again.  But that’s OK … it’s the memories we make that count.