Texas Bound

Yep, the Cloughs are officially awful at updating their dwindling blog entries. There's really no excuse other than we haven't seemed to find the motivation to upload our pics and fantastic stories to accompany them. So instead, you'll be getting pics with brief descriptions. The fact of the matter is, we've had an incredible past couple months, despite our de-acceleration of traveling. Although we did spend about five days in Bavaria for our squadron ski trip, we've been in Wiesbaden every weekend enjoying friends and awaiting spring. Now it's right around the corner and although the days are warming, I can't wait to depart for beautiful Texas...... TOMORROW! I'll be visiting friends and family for four weeks while gearing up for Laurel's wedding on April 18th. Jon will join me on April 9th. Our next entries will be from Texas regarding wedding mania. But before that fun begins, we want to highlight a little of what we've been up to the past month.

Squadron Ski Trip

Over President's Day, we embarked to Garmisch in the Bavarian Alps to stay at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort on our squadron ski trip. The five days mostly consisted of lots of skiing, delicious resort buffets (the only place you can find buffets in Germany with refillable drinks) and nights in the hot tub. The area received tons of snow just a few days before our arrival, so the skiiing conditions were absolutely perfect with plenty of fresh powder, blue skies and sunshine.

After one day of skiing, I took a break the following day to train to the top of the Zugspitze (highest point in Germany) with Molly for spectacular views of the area. 

The gang trekked to Austria on our last day of skiiing to experience the magnificent Stubai Glacier.

Fasching and Neil's Visit

The weekend we returned from the ski trip, we took part in one of Germany's most fun festivals, Fasching. It's similar to Carnevale and Mardi Gras, in that it is the celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday before Lent. They have numerous "balls" and parades where everyone dresses up in outlandish costumes, much like Halloween.

We decided to dress as Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Jon actually MADE his costume himself with fabric and an old nightgown - I'm so proud!

We attended a ball in Mainz with friends, Sommer and Paul, and had an absolute blast and our costumes were definitely a hit!

Jon enjoyed growling and howling and other costumes throughout the night.

The following day was Wiesbaden's parade, and Neil Clough (in Germany for a TDY) arrived just in time to take part in the festivities.

Neil visited us again the following weekend and Jon enjoyed showing him all his favorite German "meal" spots. 

Enjoying a kranz down the street from our apartment.

St. Patrick's Day

We spent the night at an Irish pub with friends from the squadron.

As it is Mustache March, the guys were happy to add Guiness to their flavor savors.

St. Patty's Day marks yet another anniversary of when Jon and I first started dating. It seems like ten thousand years ago, and yet I can't wait for the next ten thousand years ahead. Spring is near, and summer will be brimming with fun trips, festivals and adventures in Europe. Adios and we'll catch many of ya in Texas!