Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Just after 3am I woke up rolling downhill toward the floor. We made our room reservations with twin beds for this trip, because it is cooler and European A/C isn’t always quite as cold as we like. My mattress somehow fell off the bedsprings – the nightstand kept it all from being on the floor. The table and chair kept it from sliding farther away. I was extremely confused. It happened, so I took a picture. Keith slept through the whole thing.
We enjoyed the Van Gogh museum in the morning. That guy had some very tough mental health issues, one really devoted younger brother, and a great sister-in-law we all owe a debt of gratitude. Theo encouraged his brother and attempted to market his paintings. He lived with him for a while, and bribed Paul Gaugin to live with him for a while. He supported him however he could. He died shortly after Vincent ended his life – both very young – leaving his wife, Jo, with their infant son, Vincent. She masterminded the fame of Vincent Van Gogh. She published a book of his letters to his brother and coordinated art showings. He became the famous artist we know all because of her.
This was my favorite
This was Keith’s favorite
This had the best story. This was Vincent’s final painting. Since it does not have his usual small brushstrokes, conservators believe it was unfinished. No one was entirely sure what it was – or was going to be – until during pandemic when people had lots of time to do random things. One of the employees at the museum was researching and whatnot and found a picture of a path that Vincent frequented. Overlaying the painting onto the picture, he discovered the great similarities. The first thing they did was turn it upside down from the way they had been displaying it, then they renamed it from Trees to Tree Roots.
There was, also, an escalator.
And a gift shop!
We went with Jenny, Rob, Catherine, Steve, and tour guide, Rob on a ferry across the bay to the film museum. We had a lovely lunch.
There was serious consideration for Bruce and Steve to go up onto a 40-story building and swing on swings that went off the edge of the building. There was a long line, and it was pretty expensive, so they are not now dead.
Classic Amsterdam – church, tour boat, tram, and kayakers.
We met Todd apparently working for google Earth.
The last concert of the trip was in Vondel Park – Amsterdam’s answer to Central Park. There was a huge, enthusiastic crowd – just the way you want to finish things off. Our tour guide from this morning came to the concert!
This woman was an absolute jewel. What a fan! She also appreciated Jack’s subtle digs at the current administration and shouted NO KINGS! a couple times. When Jack said he expected people to dance to Malaguena, she did!
The concert sponsors had food and drink for the players behind the stage, then everyone got a box of beers to go. We assume my brother, David, will enjoy trying them.
We gathered outside the breakfast area at the hotel for champagne toasts out of tiny red Solo cups. No one wants it to end, but the first people head to the airport at 6am tomorrow morning.
Jake has been questing on trying 50 new beers. This is number 50 – made by Belgian monks south of Brugge.
