Heading Home!

Our entire group (all 270+) will make tracks back to the good ol’ US.  Divided into sub-groups of about 40, we’ll all take various flights / routes to a mix of destinations in the US.  Fingers crossed… all will end up back in Cincy with no issue.

This trip has been an experience of a lifetime.  To be with Cameron, Holden & Duncan… to see them sing in various (and AMAZING) locations… it’s been nothing short of fascinating.  Hard to believe it was just 4 short years ago when Cameron & I went on this same trip to Ireland.  And since then, Cameron & Holden have had the opportunity to do this trip with their mom in Germany.  Such great experiences, to be certain.

I’m a very fortunate man.  And I’ve had a wonderful time on this trip.  But I have to say… I can’t wait to get to the good ol’ USA.

Rome - Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Cathedral

Still in Rome, today our entire group enjoyed a very extensive tour of The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Cathedral.  Ya know… no matter how many things you see &/or read about places like these… NOTHING ever really prepares you to see them in person.  Absolutely amazing!!!

Rome - A 'Personal' Kind Of Tour

Today was separated into various activities for several large groups. 

The biggest group of people (Holden & Duncan, included) went to the Vatican for an opportunity to be in the Papal Audience.  As it turns out… the boys ended up being close enough to Pope Francis to practically touch him (no exaggeration).

Several of us chose to go off on our own and take our own tour of Rome.  And man did we see a lot!  The very first thing we did was make a b-line to The Colosseum.  And it was awesome!  Inside and out, it is nothing short of a marvel!  We also saw The Forum, The Spanish Steps, Trevy Fountain --- to name just a few.

Later in the afternoon, our own little ‘tour group’ stole back to the hotel and spent some time pool-side. It’s hot here in Rome!

Afternoon In Assisi

En route from Montecatini to Rome, we stopped in Assissi this afternoon.  After touring the city (beautiful, by the way)... the fellas and I stopped off for some pizza at this cool street cafe, as you see in the pic.

After lunch, the Glee Club put on a concert in the outdoor lower basilica.  Once again... great music, great surroundings.

One thing I've not really mentioned thus far... the weather.  It's been beautiful. And HOT!!! Temps that would be the lower 90s at home.  Then toss in the fact we're walking around very crowded places on various kinds of stone.  YIKES!  I love the heat, but these past several days have been REALLY hot by anyone's standards.

Until later... we're off to Rome.

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Lunch In Florence

We spent the day in Florence. Another pretty fabulous city. We all started off together. Then Duncan and I broke off on our own to enjoy some tasty cuisine (see pic).

After dinner this evening, the boys will be giving a concert back in Montecatini. Great times keep rollin'.

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Fathers Day In Montecatini

Me and the boys enjoying dinner after a great day.  This evening, the Elder Choir sang at mass.  And believe me... it was (another) chill-worthy experience.

Off to Florence tomorrow.  And... Rome looms.  I am one lucky dad on a pretty terrific Fathers Day.  :-)

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Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day!  Indeed.  What a great way to spend it, eh?  This pic is from a few days ago, but it sums up the mood for me.  What a truly special thing to spend Fathers Day with 3 of the boys in such beautiful locales.  And while we have all missed Kim, Paxton & Griffin through out the trip... today I miss the 2 boys at home even more.

This trip has been wonderful so far.  Very different from the trip Cameron & I took to Ireland just 4 years ago... but wonderful all the same.  It is honestly touching at many levels to be here with these guys and watch them having such great times.

We're doing fine.  And even though Duncan's knee and ankle continue to be issues needing to be dealt with (no worries... we're taking care of it), we're ALL managing to have a blast.  This is his first such trip, and Duncan has been an absolute pro (no small feat, a first-timer getting through the rigors of international travel).  This is Holden's 2nd such trip --- here, and then Germany 2 yrs ago.  And Cameron?... well he's a pro at this stuff.  He's notched Ireland in '09, Germany in '11 and now this one. These guys are simply amazing.

Anyone who knows me knows how special I believe it is to spend time with my boys.  And having the opportunity to watch them sing in such special locations?... it's nothing short of amazing.  The other evening's outdoor concert at the castle ruins in Austria might be the one that goes down as the hardest to top.  Ever.  Good news is, we get to try for years to come.  :)

Happy Fathers Day to my brother Kevin.  Your a terrific dad, Kevin.  And Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there.  Lastly... (as was the case in Ireland) I've been thinking about my own dad a lot on this trip.  Happy Fathers Day, dad.  Having the time of our lives and I know you'd be smiling.

Hello, Venice!!!

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Beautiful Venice!

Spent the day in Venice. What a cool place.  Seen lots of movies set in Venice. But until you've actually seen / been on the canals... tuff to really imagine.

The boys continue to have a great time.  Duncan's leg?... well, we'll be spending some time icing tonight.  Nuff said.

On our way to the hotel for the evening.  No performance this evening. Just a well-earned night of nothing.

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Singin' In A Castle

This evening the boys sang at an AWESOME outdoor venue.  Nestled in the ruins of an old castle (the pic shows the view we had), an open air stage hosted a Musical Event of many different choirs.  And the boys KILLED IT!  They were handsdown the fan favs of the evening. Simply put, they rocked! A very proud moment for me and each said it was 'the coolest thing' they've ever done.  

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Man Down!

So yesterday while checking out the horses, Duncan had a bit of a mishap. Messin' around, he turned his ankle AND his knee.  So, today, he and I will be spending some extra time together... icing things down. Getting ready to play some cards.

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Carinthia

This is the view from our chalet.  The nearly-300 of us are currently filling up a 20+ chalet village for the next couple days.

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Lipizzaner horses

Stopped in Pider for the afternoon

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Last Evening In Graz

We enjoyed our last full day in Graz today.  A LOT more walking around the city (both parts... 'Old' & 'New').  The things we saw were just beautiful.  And never let anyone tell you that you see the most of a vacation spot when you stick to the beaten path (lol!!! --- SUPER afternoon with Cameron and a few others as we made the command decision to 'slip away' from our scheduled activity and have fun on our own.  We had a blast!

This evening we had dinner at a really pretty vineyard in Styrea (sp?).  Pictured above, see the view we enjoyed while dining.  After dinner the boys put on a brief show in the restaurant (also pictured above). Seeing these guys enjoying themselves, making life-long memories, and hearing them sing NEVER gets old.

Good Morning!

This starts our last full day in Graz. The boys all have an organized activity today (a scavenger hunt of some kind), while many others of us will be going on a culinary tour. Mmmmmm... food.

This pic is of Cameron and me from yesterday evening. Four years ago he and I were in Ireland together. And now, on this trip, he and I have the pleasure of tagging along with Duncan and Holden. Very cool thing... even though Cameron no longer attends Elder, he and several other graduates got to sing with the Glee Club last night at the Cathedral. What a fabulous experience.

More fun to be had today. Will keep you updated.

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Graz Cathedral Concert

After a great day of touring the city of Graz (and a gorgeous city it is... we had dinner this evening and then the boys performed a concert in the Cathedral (also GORGEOUS).

It's been a wonderful day.  And sharing it with Cameron, Holden & Duncan is truly special beyond words.

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Way Up High

Way up atop the highest point in Graz. Some beautiful sights throughout today's tour.

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On The Ground!

Just about 24hrs later, we're now on a bus heading from Vienna to Graz. 2+hrs drive. So... til now... we bussed Cincy to Detroit; flew from Detroit to Paris; flew from Paris to Vienna... and now bussing to Graz. Our evening will be dinner and then NOTHING! Tired as I am of moving from one place to another... pretty nice being on a bus (and NOT a plane), knowing food, drinks and a shower loom on the horizon.

No real snags getting here. Well... one. Duncan didn't get a boarding pass for 'Paris to Austria' while we were in Detroit. And getting one for him WHILE in Paris proved a bit of a challenge. And then as we were running to our gate, we learned our next plane, for whatever reason, was way the hell over on the other side of the airport. We were all bussed (on the tarmac) to the plane. Lots of hurry up and wait.

But the three boys are holding up like champs. And the old man is too. :-)

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Detroit to Paris

Checking in, and then some grub.

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Step #1

At the send-off. Heading to Detroit, and then catching a plane. With me and the boys... Gina and Taylor.

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Lots of Stuff

Getting ready to head out. Four guys, four sets of 'stuff'. Good to go!!!

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Elder Glee Club Tours Austria & Italy

The Elder Glee Club will be entertaining crowds throughout Europe this June.  The Glee Club leaves on June 9th and returns on June 21st.  They will be traveling to Vienna, Graz, Woerthersee (Austria) Venice, Florence, Montecatini, and Rome (Italy).