'Cause the Rocky Mountain way Is better than the way we had (Joe Walsh)

A reunion for three of the four Purdettes: L to R - Jade, Samantha, Jacky, Adam

Wie geht's?

We flew to Denver from LAX last Sunday to spend a week here prior to the wedding. More family also flew in, which meant a reunion with Adam, Ashleigh and Poppy among others. I'll detail some highlights on Saturday's Jewels For The Thirsty, but in the meantime, this post focuses exclusively on family.

Our two grandchildren - Poppy and Asher

Mema, Papa, Poppy, Adam

Galaxy's Edge (Disneyland) with Asher, Chris
and Jade.

Jade, Poppy, Asher, Chris in downtown Denver

Poppy, Asher, Mema

Asher and Fanfa at Bass Pro Outdoor.

Love and peace - Wozza

Without a family, man, alone in the world, trembles with the cold (Andre Maurois)

Griffith Park Observatory, April 22, 2025

Wie geht's?

Family times are precious, that's not an original thought on my part. We rarely get a chance for group shots with Jade, Chris and Asher, but the time in America this week has given us a few cherished opportunities. And some great memories.

Universal Studios, April 23, 2025

Love and peace - Dad

P.S. Also remembering my mum on her birthday - April 23. She knew a thing or two about creating an amazing family.

Food for thought

Wie geht's?

I'm not sure where the axiom that everything-is-big-in-America originated, but it's certainly true of meal and drink sizes. I am only semi-surprised now when Jacky orders a meal, and it is hugely oversized. It's especially funny because she doesn't ever have big portions at home.

One of the best meals we've had so far on this trip was at a Roadhouse close to Armstrong Woods. We bought a slice of pizza each and a small house coffee (still the size of a large in Nu Zild) and it was ample sufficiency. Plus, it was delicious!

Less is more, America!!

Love and peace - Wozza

I just wanna drive my beautiful machine up north on some Sonoma Country road (Jimmy Webb)

First stop - Air BnB in Santa Rosa (the old school house on right). We shared with geckos, a hummingbird, chickens (4) and turkeys. No squirrel sightings yet, or banana slugs.

Wie geht's?

Sonoma Country has not disappointed. No siree. From the beautiful coastline around Bodega Bay, to the Russian River, and Armstrong Woods' redwood trees to the house coffee and slice of pizza at the Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery - all has been te pai kē!

Riding the 101 north has been a blast (driving has not been stressful - courteous drivers mostly, even though they are driving way over the speed limits). 

Now we've moved down the Pacific coast a spell to Mill Valley/San Francisco for a few days. 

Some highlights thus far:

Kiwis spotted in Sonoma County

Bodega Bay was the location for The Birds

Paparazzi visit Bodega Bay

Armstrong Woods - fire damage obvious as
the flames went pretty high up the trees

Beware of snakes Jacky

Told you!

Keep truckin', like the do-dah man

Love and peace - Wozza

Living in America (ow!) (James Brown)

Wie geht's?

Day one and day last in NZ overlapped as it will do when you charge hell for leather across the international dateline. The epic journey to eventually give Samantha away (symbolically you understand) began, er, today - car journey to Ashurst to drop off Laney, Jade dropped us at Palmerston North airport, plane ride to Auckland, bigger plane ride from Auckland to San Francisco, rental car (Alamo were terrific) to Santa Rosa and this cute little Air BnB cabin...

The owners' recommended Mary's Pizza Shack and so off we pootled to have a lovely meal and our first questions from our waiter about - Where are you guys from? leading to - What do New Zealanders really think about America?

I said, "My best man 41 years ago was from Seattle, and we love Andrew". He smiled.

We're exploring/enjoying Santa Rosa for a few days. Updates to follow.

Love and peace - Wozza 

In California you watch the shadow dancer, floating gently, gently on the sea (America)

Wie geht's?

Excitement is building for our trip to the land of the free and the home of the brave for Samantha and Andrew's wedding in Colorado.

Jacky and I head to California this weekend.  Of course, I'm looking forward to the best of American food - donuts and pancakes. Jacky's thing, we've decided, is more Mexican delights like tacos, and burritos. I am also a fan.

Along the way to our ultimate destination (Denver in May) we'll be visiting classic cultural totems like the happiest place on Earth, Amoeba Records, IHOP, and some of those iconic surfing beaches made famous by The Beach Boys. 

Packing decisions will be a tad tricky as it's springtime in America but temperatures on the Pacific Coast will be very different to mile high Denver (they had three days of snow last week).

Your next Wozza's Place edition should provide an update on our journey, inshallah. You might even get some pics.

Love and peace - Wozza

Nec aspera terrent

Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Wondering about 'Nec aspera terrent'? It means - don't be frightened by difficulties.

Box on. To get to easy you often have to go through hard.

Speaking of Latin mottos - I'm reminded of the M.A.G.S. one - Per Angusta Ad Augusta - through hardship to glory.

I love that idea. 

Love and peace - Wozza

P.S. I've moved on to my next book by Ryan Holiday - Courage is Calling. Bound to be some references to that in the next few posts, as we gear up for our trip to America for Samantha and Andrew's wedding.