Europe (Part 2) ==> Gaujac

TJ was excited by but very respectful of the pool.

Walking through Gaujac on our way to Oppidum.

JT practices some silly walks.  TJ learns rodeo moves.

Roman ruins of Oppidum, including the hunting dog who decided to take a break from flushing wild hogs out of the brush and instead took a light hike with us.

Oppidum overlooking Gaujac.

Napping on the Oppidum descent.

Enjoying a baguette in Connaux.

Picnic in the back yard.

Flynn boys relax by the pool.

Late-night skills practice at the Gaujac futbol pitch.

Breakfast in the main house.

TJ spent half of his mealtimes bopping in and out of the back door.

In Uzes, TJ latched onto this young boy with both hands.  I believe it was part of building international relations.

Who says?  Uzes!  (a.k.a. the cutest little town I've ever seen.)

TJ enjoyed his first forward-facing time in our French rental car.

Pont du Gard, the highest of all Roman aqueducts, is part of a 50km system that descended only 56ft along that length.  If you look really close, you might see the spec of some people under the center arches.

Taking a break in the tunnel that extended past the bridge portion of the aqueduct.

Back at the Rhone Retreat, we get a little reading and Tozzle (Toddler Puzzle ap) relaxation time.

Europe (Part 1) ==> Barcelona

TJ's iCrack helped us survive 12+ hours of air travel.

The Toronto airport's international terminal has a sweet echo chamber.

TJ was compelled to climb into every one of these Toronto airport newspaper stations.

We sure were happy to be in Barcelona!

Tree telling tales of Barca as we walk past what will be a bustling active business area at some other point in the day.  Don't ask us what the business are nor when they open.  You just need to come back later and see what pops up.

TJ and JT waiting for the choo-choo (subway).

Chapel in old town section of Barcelona.

A semi-creepy old guy had a collection of dolls and a handful of bunnies.  We heard about these bunnies from TJ for the next several days.  In case you're wondering, he did pet the bunnies.  He'll tell you again if you need confirmation.

Flynns & BK at the best park in Barcelona.

What park could be complete without a mammoth statue?

TJ shares his camera smile.

The key to a good time in Barca is to walk around the various neighborhood squares until you find an all-day all-night folk dancing festival.  Success!!!

The only place to be on Sunday is the beach.

Our epic walk around town on Monday included several stops at the plentiful playgrounds.

Most people would share a few dozen pictures of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família, but since this blog is all about TJ, you get this.  (Use the Google machine if pictures of buildings are your kind of thing.)

[no caption required]

Balloon festivities in the pedestrian area adjacent to La Rambla.

Jamon sammich time.

This former bullfighting arena recently re-opened as a high-end mall...

...with a kick-arse view of Placa d'Espanya (plaza), Torres Venecianes (towers) and Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (palace in the far background).  The 360 degree views available from the top of the arena were only slightly less popular with TJ than the all-glass elevator at the center of the mall (not pictured).

Park Guell is a short, steep hike straight up from BK & Tree's place.  We went here for sunsets and amazing views our last two nights in Barca.  We could spend heaps more time in this park... if only we had more time.

TJ goofing around at sunset amid beautiful views.

Hells-yeah!

Bye-bye Barca... France, here we come!

Labor Day on the McKenzie River

TJ jumps into the rafting preparations, inflating himself for safety.

Raminta and TJ at Clear Lake.

JT and TJ enjoying cherries, chicken and drinks after a day of rafting.

JT teaches TJ the pleasures of eating scramble scrapings from the skillet.

TJ learns quickly.

TJ's early driving lessons include mandatory "fiddling with knobs" practice.

Labor Day rafting on the McKenzie (or another) River is currently slotted as an ongoing Flynn family tradition.  We're excited to see how the experience progresses from year to year and can't wait until TJ is ready and able to join us in the raft.  (JT and Ra each spent one day on the water and the other with TJ, as this section of river is a bit too advanced for TJ to ride in the paddle raft.)