Hey there...

Wow, sounds like you are having an adventure. A soggy adventure... but an adventure none the less.

Loved the pictures... but who is the punk in the red shirt and bandana???

Your stories have been interesting, and the pictures are beautiful. I am hoping that each day finds you dry.. and feeling better. Jeffrey was very taken with the colorful pictures....kept trying to smack the monitor.

Looking forward to your next adventure. Until then.. HAVE FUN... and beware of French women with poor hygiene.

Love Stacie

Hi Ben,

Great pictures. Delta Elite it is, thanks again. Spent time today with your mom and Michael. Lawn work is excellent. Deck is beautiful, as is new patio set. We went to Walmarts [can't get over how close it is] so I could get new puzzles. Your mom bought me one too. They had an excellent selection. Only afford White Mt. once and awhile. Can get three for price of one White Mt. Anyway, went to HV pool yesterday for first time. It was terrific. We are having a beautiful summer so far. Until next time,

Love, Susan

***Hello, Benjamin! It is actually spelled "mullein" but I'm sure you aren't fussed about that! Hope your cold is better and the rain subsided. Wonder what adventures you'll have in the coming week?! Be well....Love, Laurie

See Uncle Ed's Post below...last four sentences. Omit the part about getting arrested in Turkey.

So though i added pics that is a bad thing......cause they are all 640 by 480 resolution.....maybe michael can explain it for me.....it is still 5mp right just smaller......got me all i know is if i go to print em they wont look as good........also today i shoudl note is 7-11 and the birthday of the fine ERIN B......not sure if she reads this but happy b day......conicidently my hostel room tonight is 711.....freaky.....thanks uncle ed for the offer.....sadly i dont know if i will make it north to such areas at all.....if i am in greece til the 20th i need to make haste to london just to finish up the london stuff let alone ireland scotland wales etc.....but maybe i will get to NW france and decide i will go by boat.......stranger things have happen and spontanious is what this trip is about so thanks......ttyal

Dude, I am envious of your trip, but also so happy for you to have this opportunity. The way you are travelling also gives you much freedom, and that is way cool as well. Not sure if you are doing Scotland or not, but if you do, let me know as I have a friend in Glasgow. Maybe someone you can look up a pinch a free meal from. Also, if you get to the north of England, go to a little town called Penrith, it is very beautiful and quaint. On the way you can stop in Preston, and do a soft shoe shuffle dance on Preston Platform (everyone else will think I'm nuts for writing that unless that have listened to Aqualung). You are a most wonderul young man, and I wish the best for you on this adventure. Remember to ignore everything the Mom says, and Aunt Laurie, and don't behave at all. Drink a lot, carouse with women, and get arrested in Turkey.........hehehehehehe.........love you very much, your best uncle, Edwin

Hi Benji, sorry I haven't said hello sooner; I really have no excuse. Hope all is happy-happy for you in Europe. I'm not even going to comment on your ellipses... Take care, and I hope you find yourself out there!

Hey Benny -

Hope your cold goes away fast . . . thought I'd send along info on those cool spiky wildflowers you took pictures of - like we have at the bottom of the driveway . . . It's:
Common Mullien (Verbascum Thapsus)
Yellow flowers are grouped in a corn cob shaped stalk
Leaves and stems are densely wooly
Stems grow up to 6 ft. tall
Reproduces by seed
One plant can produce up to 180,000 seeds
Seeds remain viable for 100 years
Common in pastures, meadows, waste areas, fencerows, and along river bottoms
Prefers dry, gravelly to sandy soils
We had our picnic today instead of tomorrow - long story - but Kim, Al, Thelma and Patrick are going home early tomorrow. Was a beautiful day and another one forecasted for tomorrow too. Wish I could send our nice weather to you. I added up your ebay total tonight - $328 including postage . . . not bad!! Looking forward to reading more soon . . . or better yet - hearing your voice!!! Love you . . . The Mom

well the running i believe happens 7 days in a row each morning at 8am from the 7 to 14th.....but i still dont know if i will make it.....but from the site i read the views are poor unless ur in it and i dont think i will be running in it.....though only a 2 or 3 people have died in the last 20 yrs not one per yr as laurie attested to....but yeh this cold has elongated the paris stay and i dont want to do some of the major tourist deals in the rain or on weekend so i am gonna be here til mon night.....i think but that is tbd.....who knows i am off.....thanks for checking in all

Hi Ben!

Just a quick hello as I must head off to work . . . Love the pictures - the cemetery needs some maintenance and yard work - were you tempted??!!! I'm mailing 3 of the ebay packages today. Hey - have you figured out how to work those phone cards yet (hint, hint!)? Love you . . .

Sorry "the Mom", but you know how IMPORTANT ambulance are :), any way, you have to get pict's from the top of the tower, keep posting I am reading everyday!!

Hi, Ben!
When I was in Paris (exactly 35 years ago!) my traveling companion (who is cheap) made us walk up the Eiffel Tower to avoid paying the elevator fare. It is a beautiful view if the atmosphere is clear. I also liked seeing the smaller version of the Statue of Liberty in the River Seine at night, and Notre Dame Cathedral. We missed out on the Louvre because it was closed the day we walked there (talk about poor planning!) Hate to tell you, Ben but the bulls ran in Pamplona earlier this week....I think that part is over. Denis Rodman (former NBA bad boy) ran with them.
You've been gone a week now....lots of experiences already! Yeah, Parisians have a contest to see how many pedestrians they can run over - watch yourself stepping off the curb! Love, Laurie