Breezing Through the Baltic

We're finally over our jet lag and getting ready to start our school year.  But I won't get into our New York life until I've caught you people up on our whirlwind tour of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

We had a wonderful time with Kevin's family.  My only complaint is that we didn't have enough time in each port.  It was like getting the sampler platter before deciding which dish you want to order.  So many places to return to.

First stop, Stockholm, Sweden.

Entering through the gorgeous archipelago

The Vasa, a completely preserved ship from 1628 that sank on her maiden voyage

 

Next, Tallin, Estonia.

A beautiful medieval town

St. Petersburg, Russia was a highlight.  All 12 of us took a private tour.

Peterhoff

The Russian subway

The Hermitage Museum

Team Skaggs at the Hermitage

Ella sketched her way through the entire trip, filling two whole sketchbooks.

Last stop, Helsinki, Finland.

The Rock Church, a modern church carved into the side of a rock hill

Some much needed time in nature

And of course a couple days at sea to rest and relax.

 

After two weeks packed with fun, walking, museums, eating, drinking, sight-seeing, and basically too little sleep, we were all a little happy to get home to our new apartment.  We hopped in a taxi at JFK airport to head into the city and wouldn't you know it?  The song Empire State of Mind was playing on the taxi's radio, welcoming us back to our adopted home.