Gearing up for our trip

I've heard the Danes are fashionable. I mean, I'm Danish, but not THAT Danish. I've never lived there. I'm only going on what the Internet tells me.
So, I can't say for sure if what I'm reading is true. I understand Danes have a reputation for good, clean design — whether it's architecture, furniture, toys.
Apparently, they're very stylish and, from what I can tell, enjoy putting their flag, Dannebrog, on all
manner of clothing. I'm going to be on the look out for something fashionable to purchase. I might have found it.

Travels Past

This is me. I was 3 years old when my family visited Denmark in 1976. We spent the 4th of July there that year. It was the year of the American bicentennial.

It's hard to tell what I actually remember from this trip, considering I was only 3. But there are so many things that I THINK I remember: sleeping on the floor of the plane; a red bathtub in my bedstemor's apartment in Randers; the mourning doves calling from the courtyard; sleeping in a swinging bassinet; visiting Legoland.

Fortunately, my dad, at least back then, was an avid shutterbug. He took this photo on the beach in Skagen, which is the northernmost tip of Jutland. I still enjoy skipping stones, but I'm pretty sure I can't wear a tiny blue swimming suit like that anymore.

Lucky for me, many of these photos are still around and I can refer to them any time I need help remembering.

Back to the old country

This summer, we're traveling to Denmark to visit family. In a way, this trip wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for this man, my dad, Paul Erik Sloth, Sr.

Before he came to this country, and Americanized his name, he was Poul Erik Hoffmann Sloth.

My dad was born in Denmark in 1926 and came to this country as a young man of 22, in 1948. That year he said goodbye to his homeland, but never lost touch with his family there. He was a proud Dane and an even prouder American.

This summer, we'll meet the descendants of my dad's Danish family. It will be the first time that we've met most of them. Some, I met when I was younger. Kelsey and Zola have met my cousin, Erik, when he visited America in 2004.

For the most part, this is just an awesome trip. Who wouldn't love to spend three weeks in Europe, in the summer. We're really lucky to get to do it.

It's also an opportunity: to revisit the Denmark that I grew up loving and learning about; meet the family I have always known about, but never knew; and reestablish ties to the place where my dad was born.

Denmark has always been a special place to me. I can't wait to get back there.