Beach & Countryside

July 15, 2010July 30, 2010 owenwbrownBeach, Countrywide, Family, Photography, Slideshow, Sweden4 Comments

Linda and I have been back home from our visit to Sweden for almost three weeks now. Things have settled back into their normal routine; or at least as much as they can during a month where the temperature in the morning at ten o’clock is 100 and keeps rising and rising until it hits 110+ around seven o’clock in the evening. I have just this one last set of pictures I wanted to share from our trip before I get back to writing and posting pictures about “normal” life.

This set is one that I like especially. They tells a story about the landscape. I am anxious to see what folks from the area think. Do my pictures match how you see the place where you live? I also think these pictures tell a story. In fact, I’m not going to tell the story in words. I’m going to just lay them out here and let you enjoy them without me interrupting. See if you can “read” the story these pictures are trying to tell you and comment below.

I appreciate all of you who dropped by to read this series. I am already looking forward to out next trip to Sweden. It may not be next summer but the next time we’re out there it will definitely (if I have anything to say about it) be summer!

Happy Thursday!

P.S. Check out the set on Flickr here > http://www.flickr.com/photos/owenwbrown/sets/72157624371811827/

On the Docks – Smyge, Sweden

July 7, 2010July 30, 2010 owenwbrownAxel Ebbe, Famntaget, Herring, Smyge, Smygehuk, Sweden, The Embrace, Trellenborg, Uma Thurman2 Comments

One mid afternoon during our recent trip to Sweden, Linda, her dad, and myself piled into the Volvo and headed to the southernmost tip of Sweden to have lunch with Linda’s uncle Lars and nephew Sixten. The town is just east of Trelleborg (think “Swedish Long Beach”). Smygehuk itself is flat, sandy, and surrounded by rocky beaches. It is supposed to be “impossibile to stand any further south in Sweden and still keep your feet dry”.

I read that Uma Thurman’s grandmother posed for this Axel Ebbe statue named Famntaget (The Embrace) which stands in the harbor. Linda also poses alongside.

I didn’t think to take a picture of the grub but just imagine ordering a herring burger and the smoked or pan fried herring just came off a shipping boat earlier that day. You get the picture?

  This sign marks the exact position, 55 degrees 20 minutes 3 seconds, and the distance to various locations around the world.

Happy Wednesday!

P.S. Check out the entire Sweden (2010) Smyge Picture Set by clicking here.

Malmö in the Afternoon

June 30, 2010June 30, 2010 owenwbrownChicago, Copenhagen Airport, Malmö, Sweden4 Comments

Linda and I left Phoenix Thursday, June 17 at 2:00 PM, and after a short layover in Chicago, flew out on the long haul leg of our journey, an eight our flight to Copenhagen, Denmark. On the off chance you’ve never done it, let me tell you, flying west to east is tough. Major league tough; especially if you lose nine hours in the process. We arrived in Copenhagen as was always seem to do, happy to see family, but groggy from the trip.

After as good a night’s sleep as one can reasonably expect to get with so much messing with the timezones, we woke up about 9:00 AM. Waiting for us was breakfast. I always forget how great those are out there. Super dark bread and the most fresh smoked salmon you’ve ever tasted. Dark bread in Sweden makes our whole wheat bread look like Wonder Bread. Their smoked salmon makes ours taste like its been sitting on a shelf for months (and perhaps it has).

After breakfast, Linda and her sister Johanna, their dad Rickard and myself, drove downtown Malmo for hair and makeup. To clarify, Linda and Johanna did hair and makeup. Rickard and I went for a tour of downtown. This is a shot of a tribute to Victoria, the Swedish Crown Princess. Turns out she was also getting married that day to the newly minted Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland. Now that’s a lot of roses!

It is amazing what you see when you take the time to look. I mean, not to get all profound on you, but Linda’s dad has lived and worked in or at least close to that part of Malmo for much of his life and mentioned several times that he hadn’t seen this or that before. We came up with the phrase “Wasting Quality Time”. I think that was it at least. We meant it in a good way.

Hope you enjoy. Happy Tuesday!

Things You Realize at 30,000 Feet

June 17, 2010June 30, 2010 owenwbrownFrequent Flyer, Sweden, Travel3 Comments

A lot of the people I know have, or do still, travel as a part of their work. I have been a member of that club; traveling constantly to the point where it was more out of the ordinary to not be a member of a frequent flyer, rental car, or hotel club. I am still one of those guys who have a list of my top airports. Yes, both domestic and international.

Having settled down and pursued a career path allowing me to spend more glorious time at home, there are things that, on even a short haul like Phoenix to Chicago (next stop Copenhagen), that come rushing back.

(1) When I’m at home I don’t have to ask strangers to move so I can go to the bathroom.

(2) When I’m at home a glass of wine doesn’t cost me eight dollars; a bottle does.

(3) When I’m at home an extra four inches of leg room doesn’t cost me $60 (worth every penny nontheless).

So, to all the road warriors burning up the skies, much love and respect. May your skies be blue, your flights be on time, airport barmaids friendly, and turbulace non-existent.

Sweden & Sunflowers

June 14, 2010June 30, 2010 owenwbrownChristmas, Sunflower, Sunflowers, Sweden1 Comment

Those of you who know me, know that I (for the most part) cherish routine (and man, has this past week been way outside my normal routine.) However, sometimes I cherish a good stretch of outside of the box, layered on top of more outside the box. Therefore, on the heels of the last five days, my wife and I will be making a trip to Sweden at the end of this week! A trip I have been looking forward to for months and months. We leave on Thursday and will be there for ten days.

While I’ve visited a few times before, this trip will be unique because it’s summertime! That’s right. We typically visit during Christmas and it can get very cold in December. I’m personally rooting for warm (80 degree) weather, and with any luck, look forward to the beach, and perhaps even swimming in the sea.

Oh, and Linda’s sister Johanna is getting married to her long time love Andy Preigard. I’ve seen pictures of the mission style church and the ultra modern restaurant where the reception will be held. I’ll be sure to share lots of pictures of both the countryside, and the events, so hold on to your hats folks! It is going to be a fun time.

I was on a walk this afternoon and came across this flower. Not that I needed reminding, but for some reason it reminded me of our upcoming trip. Maybe it was my expectation of a warm pretty Sweden in bloom. Whatever the reason, in honor of the summertime, the warm sun, and our trip to Sweden, I leave you with this image.

Happy Monday!