Mom's Dress at the Wedding

Mom had a lovely dress she wore to the wedding.

Wedding

Once we were back in Raleigh, Mom and Dad went to Dad's cousin's wedding. They said it was really nice.

Dad's High School Reunion

Dad went to his 10 year high school reunion in Raleigh, and got to see some of his old friends.

Glen Falls with Mom

We got to pose at Glen Falls with Mom

Glen Falls

That afternoon we had a hike to Glen Falls. It was a big waterfall, but very pretty. The next day we drove back to Raleigh.

Rocking Chair Cuddle

Here's another picture of Daddy with me and Bill in a rocking chair.

Dad with a View

Dad also had a sit down with us for a photo with the valley behind him.

A View and a Cuddle

Mom got us for a cuddle in front of the view on top of the mountain.

Overdoing It

But I think he drank way too much...

Bill Drinks Wine

Bill decided he wanted to drink some wine that night.

Dinner in the Room

One evening all of the restaurants closed before we got there, so we had to buy food at a store and eat it in the room. This meant Strange Panda and I got more food.

SweetTreats!

We went to Dad's favorite ice cream place, SweetTreats. They mix candies and fruits into your ice cream. Strange Panda and I shared an ice cream by the river.

A Nice Pillow

We had so many good sleeps with Mom and Dad in that lovely room.

Our Room

We checked into our room at the Mountain Camp, where Dad used to work. We had a nice view, so we stared at it for hours.

Sunset Rock 2

Dad was just happy to not have to drive anymore (and to be able to cuddle us finally).

Sunset Rock

After a long drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we arrived in Highlands, NC, where Dad used to be at camp. Mom was grumpy after the long drive.

Ice Cream

After D.C. we drove the car down to Virginia. We stopped in Fredericksburg for some ice cream in an old-fashioned parlor.

More Animals!

Mom also liked the prarie dogs. They looked funny to me.

A Peaceful Mountain of Excitement

Mom was very excited when Tai Shan got out of his cave and put on a show for us. She often gets excited when I run around too, so I didn't feel too jealous.

Tai Shan!

We also went to the Washington, D.C. zoo to see Tai Shan. Last time I went he was just a baby in his mommy's tummy. Now you can see him in the cave behind me. It was exciting to see how much he has grown. I must be a late bloomer because I am older than him but much smaller. I'm sure I'll grow more soon.

Washington Monument

Strange Panda kept reading the map wrong, so we couldn't find the Washington Monument, until Mom pointed out it was the giant white needle we kept seeing. I jumped on her head to give her some shade.

Inside Me

We went to the natural history museum in D.C., and there was an exhibit on platypuses. It was weird seeing what my insides look like. I've never had an x-ray.

Hot and Tired in Washington

The first place we drove to was Washington, D.C. It was very hot in the summer, about 100 degrees. When we stopped to check the map, we made sure to drink lots of water.

Off to the U.S.!

Bill and I got to go to America for a month in the summer. We didn't drive there, but once we were there Dad let us drive the car some. I helped Bill reach the steering wheel.

Salzburg Fortress

Dad took us on a hike to the top of the cliff in the middle of the town. There is a big fortress up there, and we had to sit on the wall for this picture. It made me a little scared, because it was a long way down. Even Bill was scared and pushed against me tightly because I am more solid. Luckily, everything was alright. That night we got to go home, and we slept all the way.

Salzburg Dome

In the afternoon we went to Salzburg to spend the night. This is the Dome, a big church in the center of town. We didn't sleep there though.

Cable Car Terror

On the way down the mountain, I was not quite as afraid as before because Becky was braver (but I was still scared). Bill assured me it was safe, but he is just a platypus, not an engineer, so I was not so confident.

The Rock

Chris and Gisella came down from the mountaintop and told us that Chris had proposed, so they are going to get married. Chris gave Gisella something he called a ring, but it was more the size of a bracelet for me. It looked tasty, but Mom said I couldn't eat it. I think she may have let Bill have a nibble when I wasn't looking though.

Holding on for Dear Life

After our hike up the scary mountain, we got to have some ice cream at a cafe. Claire held me so I wouldn't fall off the mountainside.

Cute and Sitting on Top of the World

Don't we look even cuter with the Alps in the background?

The Very Top

We wanted to get just a little bit higher than the top, so we got on Becky's shoulders.

At the Top

From the cable car station, we climbed the rest of the way to the peak of the mountain. Becky posed for this picture with us at the top. Isn't it pretty?

Cable Car Picture

By the end of the ride, Becky and Strange Panda felt a little better because the ground was closer.

Cable Car Adventure

We took a cable car up to the top of a mountain. Mom and I weren't afraid, but Becky and Strange Panda were terrified.

Resting in Wolfgang See

We got a bit tired walking around Wolfgang See, so we rested on a bench with Claire, Mom, and Becky. Shortly afterward we went back to St. Gilgen on the boat again.

Wolfgang See Archway

Here we are under an archway by the church.

Wolfgang See

Strange Panda and I took this picture by the lake in Wolfgang See. It was so pretty we didn't fight or argue at all.

Cool Panda

I got to wear Chris' cool sunglasses too! Don't I look like a cool panda?

Chris and Me

Chris posed with me giving a peace sign. It was just like I remember from Japan!

Boat Cuddle

Claire gave me a nice cuddle during the boat ride.

Boat Ride to Wolfgang See

We took a boat ride across the lake to Wolfgang See, another nice village. I got lots of cuddles on the boat ride.

Hide and Seek Part 2

He couldn't find us this time though. Can you?

Hide and Seek

We played a quick game of hide and go seek in front of the youth hostel, but Dad found us this time.

St. Gilgen

St. Gilgen was a lovely town. There were lots of nice houses like this one.

Bus Ride Part 2

Then Claire and I posed while Sarah showed something to Bill out the window.

Bus Ride to St. Gilgen's

Claire and I watched a fancy monitor in the bus during the ride to St. Gilgen from Salzburg. Meanwhile Sarah and Bill posed for the camera.