Liechtenstein--25 by 6

We visited Liechtenstein on my birthday. It's a tiny country: 25 km by 6 km. The entire country fits between the Rhine and the tips of the mountains next to the Rhine. Most of the time we were in Liechtenstein we were gazing fondly at Switzerland, ironically enough. Most of these pictures are of the Swiss Alps. We drove around to the little towns but stopped first in Vaduz, the capitol. Vaduz is a small hamlet filled with modern sculpture and architecture juxtaposed against traditional buildings and the quaint countryside. The towns were eerily quiet.



Silly grins everyone! It's Jamie's birthday!


Joe-ball relaxing in the sun.


Makin' friends with a tree.
The bench was a little remote. Good thing he has long legs!



What view? You don't need no view. We're pretty, look at us!


My favorite piece of modern sculpture yet. It's pure happiness. A thin, partially enclosed, steel doorway with a hidden arch of water. You can hear the water from far away. You think, "where the heck is all that water?" You walk into the doorway, and to your right you see a spigot shooting water in an arch above you. Your eyes follow the rainbow of the water up into the clear blue sky and back to earth with a satisfying splash. Melissa took this luscious shot.

The gray line snaking its way through the valley is actually the Rhine river.

The people are built differently in this part of Europe. This picture is not too far off. Forget about a Barbie-doll Swiss Miss and instead picture a hockey team.

African King sculpture. Joey suggested chapstick.

I found this stenciled on dog-poop bins throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein. I thought it was grafitti at first. Seeing as I am collecting a series of strange signs, this was a goldmine.

It's difficult to look truly relaxed when you're made of bronze.