tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63874058057723244792024-03-05T20:52:18.513-08:00Hiking France and Italyakwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-28666995072974560482014-09-24T22:59:00.001-07:002014-09-24T22:59:09.905-07:00End of the road<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AWQKcRCMdqBo5pfFQoGnTB76Tc20mTkOF7FjV_DjimOHRu-1b32JQiVT1cydWjv2eEGPZAFESjwpWCwEy8l21PF-hgrk4J0zyWoaX_BNLoF8ZV73qn9NWlxK2xtv0ICDMXlVnEUds9U2/s640/blogger-image-798422626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AWQKcRCMdqBo5pfFQoGnTB76Tc20mTkOF7FjV_DjimOHRu-1b32JQiVT1cydWjv2eEGPZAFESjwpWCwEy8l21PF-hgrk4J0zyWoaX_BNLoF8ZV73qn9NWlxK2xtv0ICDMXlVnEUds9U2/s640/blogger-image-798422626.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrWGLX5rA8qQDR4Bf6524xBhYEYVPeFKXc_iCG890k0MFeXMOYy5b3c8xkoiV2xUM1vePV-_Bp401GeegOSJs_r1qDTQQE6U-xlf9rDRKOuun5Buf8eJTRDQlliVjHUBOWY9p_-YmhYrT/s640/blogger-image--128647148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrWGLX5rA8qQDR4Bf6524xBhYEYVPeFKXc_iCG890k0MFeXMOYy5b3c8xkoiV2xUM1vePV-_Bp401GeegOSJs_r1qDTQQE6U-xlf9rDRKOuun5Buf8eJTRDQlliVjHUBOWY9p_-YmhYrT/s640/blogger-image--128647148.jpg"></a></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-90966185444806500082014-09-24T14:30:00.001-07:002014-09-24T14:30:15.564-07:00Trip of a LifetimeTwelve to thirteen hours on the train system moving from Cortona, Italy to Frankfurt, Germany gives you lots of time to reflect back on the last three weeks. Experiencing a world outside of your own effects you in a positive way and adding exercise and the quiet backcountry is icing on the cake. Everyone agrees this has been the trip of a lifetime and I think everyone would come back if given the opportunity. We have noticed so many differences between countries but the people are really all the same, friendly, helpful and proud of their towns. The differences are small like, the foods eaten, passports are used for identification primarily, they don't seem to be worried about being sued, people still smoke a lot but the elderly seem to be in much better health, everyone is very conservative with electricity. No ice, no clothes dryers, lights go on and off automatically, etc. we didn't see a lot of surveillance cameras and all the cars are small, probably for fuel consumption as much as the tiny streets they have to drive. Family and friends take priority at dinner, you never see cell phones at the tables, they take hours in the restaurants just eating and enjoying each other's company and the restaurants are not in a hurry to boot you out. We Americans usually end up asking for the bill. <div>A big thank you goes to Tammy for spending all her time organizing and making arrangements for us all. Without Joanne and Renee, our map and trail leaders extraordinaire, who knows where we might have ended up. And my heart felt love to my roommate, Melissa, who keeps me laughing and is the easiest person in the world to have as a roomy. I will follow you anywhere! </div><div>Thanks to Sue who stayed in the lead, we learned early on that we all had our own pace for hiking and no matter how many times we stopped or got out of line we always fell back in our place of comfort. </div><div>We have been on trains all day and it is almost 10 pm and hopefully will arrive soon, we came through Northern Italy with it's chalet type homes, thru Austria, which looks like a good country to check out sometime and we are now in Germany. </div><div>We are all ready to return home to our families but I will miss the commraderie and shared adventure we have experienced the last three weeks</div><div><br></div><div>Until we meet again!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5iMnYOMYQF09552YdzwVoBqDzcrTXfH61-GHBUInDU2LYOuQOAYu8e5sZtSEpd37R78piiJhfTmJlrItrc-fd8v_Cx2Aoxu0S9oo3ymK5tXVx9hyphenhyphen8FAqSSazQtKuxdka8cNN0uVVO5YN/s640/blogger-image--1200399153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExo8yuh8BQM8oe9azrB5miRPfM6jHCkhIKawBScVqrgcIzsIuCgXFNLDUgi3jCMzLcXYWfX_8upCrgEDl7fJOEvmSFSwX8CPfoePaeHxk2Fn7vycinMaSbx0xNoYojoVr8hhqmzztVmIv/s640/blogger-image--559245738.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWORe-01x5e3e2euNRm9SnTbe3EhXqDPO_SS14-CbJ2ZhGD-eWy3ilFky5SuTlir1r2UvDV-80vWY9myBdm-LLErudMrd4AU5sO8abkFKpXyHPvOAx8jW6RTFUgiEVHUSPil-E_IaiMmlX/s640/blogger-image-710383773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWORe-01x5e3e2euNRm9SnTbe3EhXqDPO_SS14-CbJ2ZhGD-eWy3ilFky5SuTlir1r2UvDV-80vWY9myBdm-LLErudMrd4AU5sO8abkFKpXyHPvOAx8jW6RTFUgiEVHUSPil-E_IaiMmlX/s640/blogger-image-710383773.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNuodHUJ2c1rgc-VBz0W2vo_gdyrUnp_NxygiIhSQV_gzLMucXgdmjDWDX6pTuMist-iHf_bBrfiCrNThd_cnO9AwB9sH5FcRXpo3vGCLKsdbc-v971NsjKtDmruvgPiFORsrYj7onFF2/s640/blogger-image--1977601085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNuodHUJ2c1rgc-VBz0W2vo_gdyrUnp_NxygiIhSQV_gzLMucXgdmjDWDX6pTuMist-iHf_bBrfiCrNThd_cnO9AwB9sH5FcRXpo3vGCLKsdbc-v971NsjKtDmruvgPiFORsrYj7onFF2/s640/blogger-image--1977601085.jpg"></a></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Motel One Frankfurt Airport (Niederrad) Colmarer Straße 2, Frankfurt50.081767 8.619045tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-25136218897942673602014-09-23T07:49:00.001-07:002014-09-23T11:05:38.457-07:00Arrivederci ItalianoOur last day in Italy has been nothing short of amazing. I can only speak on behalf of Melissa, Tammy, Joanne and myself as Renee and Sue left early this morning for Rome and won't be back until very late tonight. I am sure their time in Rome will be amazing as well.<div>We had no schedules to meet and only a few shopping items we wanted to look for so we started to just stroll around the city. We came across a very unusual looking church and just happened to notice a unique flower growing on a vine on the side of the church. We asked a man passing by if he knew what it was, although he did not speak English he did get across it was called "the passion of Christ". Wow, how cool is that! Here it is growing on a church, he indicated through gestures that it had something to do with nailing Christ to the cross. </div><div>The town of Cortona is the home of Frances Mayes, the author of <i>Under The Tuscan Sun </i>and the location of the movie, so we went to the visitor center to see where the house, called Bramasole, is located. She showed us on the map so we started walking. We walked on the most beautiful road to get there, when we arrived at the house there were a lot of workers around cutting trees and working on the yard. We asked one of the workers if this was the right house and a man stepped out from behind a truck and said "yes, this is my house." Tammy said, "you must be Ed" and he responded, "yes I am." I then recognized him as a person Shirley, our cooking instructor, had talked to in the piazza the day before. When I brought that to his attention he remembered us, he told us they have lived in the house for 25 years but travel back and forth between North Carolina and here. He told us of the Italian cooking book he and his wife wrote together, <i>The Tuscan Cookbook. </i>After chatting for a bit and taking a picture with him he told of another route to take to get back to the village and of a little cafe to stop for a cappuccino. We took his advice and followed the route found the cafe and had a cappuccino then walked another beautiful road. Back in the village we went into some shops and finished buying the last items on our list. </div><div>Each day in Cortona we have walked the same street passing a cafe with a waiter who stands in the doorway when he is not busy. Each time he comments to us about seeing us again so today went there for lunch. </div><div>After lunch we went back to our rooms to rest and do some reading then about 5pm we headed out again just to check things out. We had our last Italian gelato bought a bottle of wine and some cheese to finish out our time in Italy. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOK2CIhxoEAGi07tVRKVdoYiEWhxI_oieTYGGTFq07UVu2UQElzTof-t1nSfIDS78diBKHkoDm8SZAEBJ8ihdDHF2wQbDEdt3D-gmTVX3sLLFWnV2WjRzp7HSN-kYh3wC1oaorpedx8Rk/s640/blogger-image-398809506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOK2CIhxoEAGi07tVRKVdoYiEWhxI_oieTYGGTFq07UVu2UQElzTof-t1nSfIDS78diBKHkoDm8SZAEBJ8ihdDHF2wQbDEdt3D-gmTVX3sLLFWnV2WjRzp7HSN-kYh3wC1oaorpedx8Rk/s640/blogger-image-398809506.jpg"></a></div>Unusual church</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEWB8aAqfnQG5Uwc5Pbz1WV9XYz6_vmkww9KTLq_z9ofaVzjI1hvWI4-STcSTctReM9L0Qjycq_FYy6-_ayLdsaCVKWTpYLUunGXcMcwX6HiQIfYieoa60dgRalWc4ApmJmY446u60orW/s640/blogger-image-1789398630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Via dei Mori43.26088 11.983831tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-5160665231707277992014-09-22T13:09:00.001-07:002014-09-22T13:09:29.249-07:00Bon AppetitoWe Americans are known for consuming large portions of food at a sitting but today we were all crying uncle!! <div>Our Italian cooking school started when we met Shirley Ofria of TuscanCulinary.com, at a little cafe in Cortona. Shirley was born in California but moved to Italy when her husband relocated his work here in 2005. They own an agriturismo and she holds cooking classes three or four times a week. She took us to four different markets to buy the ingredients for today's meals. We started at a market that let you touch and examine the fruits and vegetables, then we went to a vegetable market where you were not allowed to touch anything. We then went to a bread and cheese market and lastly a meat market. Everything Shirley purchased was fresh. She then drove us to her house which was even higher on the mountain than Cortona. It was beautiful and so quiet. She has chickens which she uses for the eggs but even they did not make much noise. </div><div>She put us all to work right away making dough for focaccia bread, then she had us start making Tiramisu so it could set up in the refridgerator. We made fennel salad with orange slices, stuffed zucchini blossoms, rice stuffed tomatoes, a meat tray with five different meats including meat from the cheeks of a pig, various cheeses, a melon with balsamic and oil served on arugula, and that was just for lunch. After lunch it was time to start making pasta but we really just wanted to take a nap. As you might guess, that was out of the question, so we did the dishes and started in again. We hand made three different types of pasta and four different sauces. We learned that north of Rome there is not a lot of garlic used in cooking but south of Rome there is a lot used. We also learned that coffee prices in Italy are regulated by the government and that measuring cups are based on the British measure which is 10oz to our 8oz. </div><div>The pastas were done by 7 which was only about three or four hours after we had all that lunch but we managed to eat some of all four dishes, but wait we weren't done yet. There was also a chicken and mushroom dish, as well as, a kale vegetable dish and boiled onions to eat. When Shirley, who is very tiny, saw that we hadn't finished all the food she seemed disappointed, doesn't she know the human stomach only holds about one liter?</div><div>We made some delicious food and had some great wine with it but the best part of course was the tiramisu, funny we all seemed to have a little room left for that.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_OwJeW-Mg_rNitcauy-Qkb_mi9E5nnhpKNbaKaSnJ1xZAIjzbvCp8tA8oa4TkdNXRmiUIUeSZ_e7-MefpFZYtg-SHBdJ6AkSJWcS94XFqhabk8QAKoRhywIGUn_jUzbCC3Cyd-XUjr_Q/s640/blogger-image-727981456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_OwJeW-Mg_rNitcauy-Qkb_mi9E5nnhpKNbaKaSnJ1xZAIjzbvCp8tA8oa4TkdNXRmiUIUeSZ_e7-MefpFZYtg-SHBdJ6AkSJWcS94XFqhabk8QAKoRhywIGUn_jUzbCC3Cyd-XUjr_Q/s640/blogger-image-727981456.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hands on market</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk9dGcmN7DxYFM7egMWpIWA6AtIqO0mGrr0tW6E40S-5ymZUqsfa_Ru06CpnEXbOq44RAnuzZl44B1yuRXK9eOcdg2erNtfjhVpZH_ZeTA7LPbXTqFm3uGDDC5JqItVcqoD0EU3SKZXiM/s640/blogger-image-255435975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtPb-s1liFjgQIqT-Z5B5ldgrDy0SZhHkfMp_SwOhw2FUBNG05vYBbD7YndlTsKbaceRKuOGYEKaNjNvfa0b69ywtU1VKDIi7No17sALu5HQRevKymBZhjjEy6yVYS04PmDQpWUh3t2y7/s640/blogger-image--1269025159.jpg"></a></div>Stuffed tomatoes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVi3qsWtXaelP6qzDcqkHlTv7YveYcZuTvRWj7AbSunPXfqEmdBnpfXcWiKWLEZJ6e4k8byE8JwuI-WsfqjDiP26aT3G9L3WuWcMSWfxH_5jFfWxJxzgN8OK7T2JXfChLZiLla63w7_Im/s640/blogger-image-1727114488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVi3qsWtXaelP6qzDcqkHlTv7YveYcZuTvRWj7AbSunPXfqEmdBnpfXcWiKWLEZJ6e4k8byE8JwuI-WsfqjDiP26aT3G9L3WuWcMSWfxH_5jFfWxJxzgN8OK7T2JXfChLZiLla63w7_Im/s640/blogger-image-1727114488.jpg"></a></div>Making focaccia bread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Z0Gz4tCI2p-uHhVobbto1BiTkNtIxfTyGKLdeJjkkxZ4ExlUoGITORgScsK8GL_ouLccmWMerFociu-I3DrjXiik_OZEbFA-EWM9ltKequgXTrAfL7OmjIFfK7sfju_Z-rTMNYWfYA1/s640/blogger-image-2119851940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvSki0GEc8p6vzlftSesutqmbWzzfD4qESgleLxBQ8EPuE4ypySB0VtD1TvHv4iNRtkaoSXnzru9_9hGhkzAIkuWR6leuZAeJHHWvvnjMCxP50ttOl8imp5levotIrOxa5Sy7agdmBYuD/s640/blogger-image-268057709.jpg"></a></div>Stuffed zucchini blossoms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kTvyhCk_I5JjKxyMSVXZY0gmff2sELdV27WXgiEzRGhsjysfhUFVQ4KamTO1lbH8-c2XvsHH5uFJtKXB2JQBsM1Y6mVewINs3G-CmjNBo3KUOgiv_gALn1YmpMlQ1kqf3Rhcz01my8We/s640/blogger-image--607753172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kTvyhCk_I5JjKxyMSVXZY0gmff2sELdV27WXgiEzRGhsjysfhUFVQ4KamTO1lbH8-c2XvsHH5uFJtKXB2JQBsM1Y6mVewINs3G-CmjNBo3KUOgiv_gALn1YmpMlQ1kqf3Rhcz01my8We/s640/blogger-image--607753172.jpg"></a></div>Lunch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg4ORGq5uWxosXNczmU864arK9U6D2zHguutkH72vvphCT_oYcJUof2gy49OcjstbRYM5xynsQM13u8PmdyN2QDiOoZKebVf9Vd_d1b_SJYwmd3p_54_-N7XsfAh7HugYcFXBkUp6ddCn/s640/blogger-image--303912939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg4ORGq5uWxosXNczmU864arK9U6D2zHguutkH72vvphCT_oYcJUof2gy49OcjstbRYM5xynsQM13u8PmdyN2QDiOoZKebVf9Vd_d1b_SJYwmd3p_54_-N7XsfAh7HugYcFXBkUp6ddCn/s640/blogger-image--303912939.jpg"></a></div>The girls as Shirley calls them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wwymvRssnyOXQRheDmNTnGQVdT4qORI1GknEVpgPV0a9gfI23lvwDTb47EwD1GpUvuYHuFNF9F_YEeFbZghKTvpXnyKAqbD3ZecpS-6r5hoipgQmzV6UcblcSJiGzbx7LxaQ6aVfs9KM/s640/blogger-image-238317697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wwymvRssnyOXQRheDmNTnGQVdT4qORI1GknEVpgPV0a9gfI23lvwDTb47EwD1GpUvuYHuFNF9F_YEeFbZghKTvpXnyKAqbD3ZecpS-6r5hoipgQmzV6UcblcSJiGzbx7LxaQ6aVfs9KM/s640/blogger-image-238317697.jpg"></a></div>Handmade noodles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBevBhkqJeDQqjbTFX7472whs0QvL_2lApoLF9ih4RHznM69vZVNRaGFAOhXP-gsItAiES5Vv_t-4XHRKtrlmwppIwA2HfJ1Q0kiSq2yTxTDr6ixbxvdUqykRyD6b2xOjup7ZyZ_inM4D/s640/blogger-image-644274029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBevBhkqJeDQqjbTFX7472whs0QvL_2lApoLF9ih4RHznM69vZVNRaGFAOhXP-gsItAiES5Vv_t-4XHRKtrlmwppIwA2HfJ1Q0kiSq2yTxTDr6ixbxvdUqykRyD6b2xOjup7ZyZ_inM4D/s640/blogger-image-644274029.jpg"></a></div>Noodle rolls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8pUc9X1h9xmDjZ_K7l6_SIBv9y2GNGZpDZWnHpohSuGOva7iBEXCFcL2WyTorcHEl4hQqinZYShkHjVxHNfjDPsLZgAHAPFUjLYJLfbIuXTlxq12_ZBH4xDQoHTExbHarXuJ4A2NfZqi/s640/blogger-image--753244782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8pUc9X1h9xmDjZ_K7l6_SIBv9y2GNGZpDZWnHpohSuGOva7iBEXCFcL2WyTorcHEl4hQqinZYShkHjVxHNfjDPsLZgAHAPFUjLYJLfbIuXTlxq12_ZBH4xDQoHTExbHarXuJ4A2NfZqi/s640/blogger-image--753244782.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65KfGfbdJJkq7LLeKDi1C6eRAKxYKI7IpnyDzp4HCKudSX9iHXK7wAibfowIbtmD-brWVfksbyKNetMyIKgAWJr2OTUAb3g4TMSy0i-yWKE7llHKtgsUXMSf-TkfdUn71poZNuQehNQty/s640/blogger-image-606013137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65KfGfbdJJkq7LLeKDi1C6eRAKxYKI7IpnyDzp4HCKudSX9iHXK7wAibfowIbtmD-brWVfksbyKNetMyIKgAWJr2OTUAb3g4TMSy0i-yWKE7llHKtgsUXMSf-TkfdUn71poZNuQehNQty/s640/blogger-image-606013137.jpg"></a></div>Beautiful handmade noodles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20yzyG36n-PmnwHJR3FOD_K32h_GeIhceeehB46qB2fI5a34j90h_GwqvYdALsd3CqkfUc4MLJYvbSv2Zcw2-PGFyxpTUanTUAQDsMeighjHVMY_gqDXtxECqDHlhUH6I0gsPkOuCeSen/s640/blogger-image--1727279588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20yzyG36n-PmnwHJR3FOD_K32h_GeIhceeehB46qB2fI5a34j90h_GwqvYdALsd3CqkfUc4MLJYvbSv2Zcw2-PGFyxpTUanTUAQDsMeighjHVMY_gqDXtxECqDHlhUH6I0gsPkOuCeSen/s640/blogger-image--1727279588.jpg"></a></div>Four pastas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2O6fE9EpPP39OccO_kr8hR0PWaDbe2joXY6bJXrkiCzXTvnFNBkzVq5xoJCSI4NPgyW_jZy_koswEpiHnpPjOEeBA-i_5XOJgNibvSublel7qWJYuS7PJtPFnY8TbM86yb75z7a-i32p/s640/blogger-image-2043374695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2O6fE9EpPP39OccO_kr8hR0PWaDbe2joXY6bJXrkiCzXTvnFNBkzVq5xoJCSI4NPgyW_jZy_koswEpiHnpPjOEeBA-i_5XOJgNibvSublel7qWJYuS7PJtPFnY8TbM86yb75z7a-i32p/s640/blogger-image-2043374695.jpg"></a></div>Chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOiWMX1UzQj0nqtZ55_Dh1X_EksgtKB-VLz7nMEgVBLxwjPHE2K6dItykNG7TtQYTpcmSfgimhnnRbIp6g9_utiNpGagrvN5j-2UpVu7EfBG0_0T7PD_BzTewDmosKOi-Bd3CBtOY1ODn/s640/blogger-image--529403917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOiWMX1UzQj0nqtZ55_Dh1X_EksgtKB-VLz7nMEgVBLxwjPHE2K6dItykNG7TtQYTpcmSfgimhnnRbIp6g9_utiNpGagrvN5j-2UpVu7EfBG0_0T7PD_BzTewDmosKOi-Bd3CBtOY1ODn/s640/blogger-image--529403917.jpg"></a></div>Tiramisu </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDf-nyCmVZ8vhthrLaYHd_56-xK5d81LPcL-34ONHGXYNda1JWqQTVOf1NvOJuEk0MCSLZQwT5vXU2a8Q1KYrvqzCWJvPuBANyGgNZriypQXhrkLEEXQ2odydIwIV-zp_9PD90vZ1Ta8-/s640/blogger-image--1424337935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDf-nyCmVZ8vhthrLaYHd_56-xK5d81LPcL-34ONHGXYNda1JWqQTVOf1NvOJuEk0MCSLZQwT5vXU2a8Q1KYrvqzCWJvPuBANyGgNZriypQXhrkLEEXQ2odydIwIV-zp_9PD90vZ1Ta8-/s640/blogger-image--1424337935.jpg"></a></div>View from Shirley's house</div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Cortona Vacanze Srl Gli Archi La Quiete Via Garibaldi, 11, Camucia43.263042 11.972602tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-9943209367675012872014-09-21T12:57:00.001-07:002014-09-21T12:57:00.517-07:00And our Adventure Continues!!This morning we all got up early as we had a 10am train to catch to Cortona and the taxi to the train station was picking us up at 9:15am. After the cabs dropped us off (we had to take two because there are six of us) we are checking on the train schedule and find out all the trains and busses for the day are cancelled due to a strike. We figured our only alternative is to call Beppe, he is our contact with Via del Sole, the company with which we were just hiking through Italy. Beppe was so helpful and said he would send Nicolo right over to pick us up. Nicolo then arranged for his Mother's husband to also come and help transfer us to Cortona. We were so grateful as it is Sunday and we know we are taking up their personal time. We cannot say enough good things about the company, Via del Sole and Macs Adventures, they have done an outstanding job with their route instructions and map getting us safely to each destination. The routes have all been challenging and beautiful, full of adventure. <div>When we got to Cortona we went exploring, had lunch and then back to our hotel. The desk clerk at our Hotel Sabrina offered to take Melissa and Tammy to a youth hostel where he also works and let them do laundry. He would not take any compensation for doing such a kind gesture. The hostel was in an old monestary and was spotlessly clean. They are expecting 65 youths from Switzerland to arrive tomorrow. The desk clerk also recommended a pasta dish called Pici de Fuma so off we went for dinner to find this dish. Well we found it and we all agree, it is the best pasta we have EVER had!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGdu24EMF4fuiwNYy9m3nA9O_KRaggyazJnlbjzoMupafOCxRjmTpBnLk1JX3Bn9nIB92gfcx0RKEp_MJAib89E3HyE5vtqWfaVeXg2tHuHxzfM-qf-XkS4Gxezrl3K23yJta03Uhf8ZV/s640/blogger-image-961063491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGdu24EMF4fuiwNYy9m3nA9O_KRaggyazJnlbjzoMupafOCxRjmTpBnLk1JX3Bn9nIB92gfcx0RKEp_MJAib89E3HyE5vtqWfaVeXg2tHuHxzfM-qf-XkS4Gxezrl3K23yJta03Uhf8ZV/s640/blogger-image-961063491.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EM_T19-Kt20NVb2pLZ4PK0Ts7lpL8nBn2s4Q28QS89V9FyJvcHVbm5MZ7p-4_9IDmeihrS6tqoienP5bj8HBXImssM4W8Ryv1cvwjz58_t4wkGpuDuR3gCg0WUUCYXWGkNbq73oNDuC3/s640/blogger-image-261589723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EM_T19-Kt20NVb2pLZ4PK0Ts7lpL8nBn2s4Q28QS89V9FyJvcHVbm5MZ7p-4_9IDmeihrS6tqoienP5bj8HBXImssM4W8Ryv1cvwjz58_t4wkGpuDuR3gCg0WUUCYXWGkNbq73oNDuC3/s640/blogger-image-261589723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKo6aeiSOm3ZG2TRh6l7SDYk-UDvYIn2BIQKSRTFFTPj0ErsDAy2PeqYYK4Slij2jCVny8AsX_O7Az2DjHvMSerYL7PAzctEAoc1xdGGCUPwEeApBDdnsHujGVGjinH2pzrEJWUv-38gv/s640/blogger-image-271177076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKo6aeiSOm3ZG2TRh6l7SDYk-UDvYIn2BIQKSRTFFTPj0ErsDAy2PeqYYK4Slij2jCVny8AsX_O7Az2DjHvMSerYL7PAzctEAoc1xdGGCUPwEeApBDdnsHujGVGjinH2pzrEJWUv-38gv/s640/blogger-image-271177076.jpg"></a></div><br></div> </div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-23015826650059783362014-09-21T09:02:00.001-07:002014-09-21T12:26:49.302-07:00You have to have the bad to be able to recognize the goodYesterday was our last day of hiking in Italy and it was bittersweet. We are so grateful for the beautiful weather we have had every day, although, yesterday the sun was pretty intense but then every shaded area provided a gentle breeze to cool us off. It has been suggested that maybe we are losing weight as we cross all the miles of France and Italy. That would be wonderful if it were the case but unfortunately, a staple of breakfast is croissants and a reward for reaching our destinations is gelato so the best we can hope for is that we are ridding our bodies of toxins through all the sweating. <div>We started our day with Nicolo and his mother, Roberta, transferring us to a specific spot to start our hike. We passed horse farms, we were attacked by a gaggle of geese that were almost more ferocious than the dogs and a turkey that looked like he had been drinking radiated water as his head sort of glowed blue. We passed by beautiful country homes on the outskirts of Siena. Siena is famous for several things, one is the Palio which is a horse race held several times a year in the Piazza del Campo. This piazza is shaped like a bowl, during the race the people stand down in the center and the horses race around the upper edge. Siena has Roman origins which accounts for the town symbol of a she-wolf suckling the young twins Romulus and Remus of Roman legends. We saw this statue in several places through the city. The families of Siena belong to different contradas with each of 21 contrada having their own flag. </div><div>We were at the right place at the right time and saw a parade of old antique race cars go by. In the evening as we were walking about we came on a dance troup that was performing modern dance in the square in front of the duomo, by then it had turned dark and we walked another couple miles just trying to find our historic hotel, the Chiusarelli.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNBvgommvOTlzW7A2NEgWhQ39tr-ooZHUJVgsb62QDG3mAiV5nLQMpVXTmu8sBcGW1hwD_sp2q6X8yp96DX2VWvA8Xf334i0Ip8ketumiWb7w5vGNwnMrOOEuf_Col17HEAj6CchRh8_L/s640/blogger-image-2032022482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNBvgommvOTlzW7A2NEgWhQ39tr-ooZHUJVgsb62QDG3mAiV5nLQMpVXTmu8sBcGW1hwD_sp2q6X8yp96DX2VWvA8Xf334i0Ip8ketumiWb7w5vGNwnMrOOEuf_Col17HEAj6CchRh8_L/s640/blogger-image-2032022482.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Roberta and Nicolo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPDp_9wgomTeNEHjXuKhULSCpM2JjJXLZe5xgjVFtal9MVXitc8IUib1N_5UwaB9jMVR75vVrg8EFzbyM4NRv485hFl2r9SP-nT9XTPOk_ALiEoxNvbQ4RtDuVDCCowEGQbfh3LQZ562B/s640/blogger-image--815826334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSyEkbqyVd111SL7hgBZxliJ2bZo2qevKodojQRvKVvFnx-uzC4eMuRAsxM_9-emVxTGa-ABpCJ-Jxh1iLLfb4yv5XanSuUjBdKeKqFx4ZTBv1GERO5-ay309JlICLSbJDS8sDxQGX0Av/s640/blogger-image-2091355605.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-75494582854388502282014-09-19T09:56:00.001-07:002014-09-19T13:07:38.146-07:00Sweet DiversionsLast night at dinner we decided it had been way too long since our last wine tasting and since we are in the Brunello do Montalcino wine region, everyone's favorite, it was time to divert from hiking and do some tasting. Seven years ago Tammy and Ed were married in Florence and went to a winery in San Gimignano called Tenuta Torciano. So she gave them a call and they said they would have a car here at 9;00 am to take us to Siena, Monteriggioni, and to Tenuta Torciano for wine tasting and food pairing, after lunch the driver would then take us to San Gimignano for the best gelato we have ever had!!<div>At 9:00 am there was Luciano with his very clean Volkswagen van ready to spend the day with us and what a day it was!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoJtvNhnR7w4G7b9fvuOoWPOSdUFr3xHShlzbK8KlYuhQqub9YLimF8rF3CNEIqJ_ghaN1xNM_aBzgtPhkmqYbqiD87X-ZgJ7dfNkge6DDto29Xf9rvvDl04jX3ZO-zh0kXn18d7fW5UH/s640/blogger-image-1737409393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoJtvNhnR7w4G7b9fvuOoWPOSdUFr3xHShlzbK8KlYuhQqub9YLimF8rF3CNEIqJ_ghaN1xNM_aBzgtPhkmqYbqiD87X-ZgJ7dfNkge6DDto29Xf9rvvDl04jX3ZO-zh0kXn18d7fW5UH/s640/blogger-image-1737409393.jpg"></a></div>Nickolo, the young man that has organized our hike showed up at the same time bringing other hikers luggage. He wished us well and sent us on our way. </div><div>Siena was beautiful, we went in the museum, climbed the very narrow spiral stairs for a view of the city, went down in a cript and went in the Duomo, which was georgeous of course </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSnFPCscSMtJVk6md6eiGYfl4aGncWcZ4yPXSia4fvhHdFbuLHygcwqD2knSza8IvhOxxMDD5ZDUFYOnk9v0qwwlFqloZLYzZbR_4qIcxAYytZqE4tAPU_BkcgDZvoOnfQkcXDwwnklpG/s640/blogger-image--209597606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSnFPCscSMtJVk6md6eiGYfl4aGncWcZ4yPXSia4fvhHdFbuLHygcwqD2knSza8IvhOxxMDD5ZDUFYOnk9v0qwwlFqloZLYzZbR_4qIcxAYytZqE4tAPU_BkcgDZvoOnfQkcXDwwnklpG/s640/blogger-image--209597606.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmIYySFOefs_ofPnI_lBXBGCrgasft7GhBgZJcLM5d1ptIRwsibkjkNtabrfQnLWnxtrPK3huDkpKdNLZAU7_Y3c12UTEOHAWmpHuh8vnYTrP0DrFXGBQvazb7JoLpdw2agwa8rQcemWY/s640/blogger-image-1573003518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5Dm9mdZ4LBz7Vo3oVXWde4FbeuT4k-gIzS7izsDH5H8bS0JPlD6GUqSZ_3t1Ps1Flw-PUsrZaa0_XoFwOKy3MXOlcOHDh88hbEnUxgkWRVat7qFDI7XP_VdOXV4Kg2qVQVK9ZwzJ9UAQ/s640/blogger-image-1466252055.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Tomorrow our hike will end in Siena so we will finish seeing the sites there then</div><div>Then Luciano took us to a cute little walled village Monteriggioni, we were only there long enough to look in a few shops and it was time for wine. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMSEg7frdhYxQBxRAGvpmKZaXUzsY1P2ah3vMfqrqmg3XZYdPV4ElA02lGtKATJx6Es7Dkr3uF5fV7G0GKXs6ZqONvvupQGrH1MPdGV-w7HSxH3tlXy-A1bssRgD-qWkjtYvnxLPspPSB/s640/blogger-image--1726575670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMSEg7frdhYxQBxRAGvpmKZaXUzsY1P2ah3vMfqrqmg3XZYdPV4ElA02lGtKATJx6Es7Dkr3uF5fV7G0GKXs6ZqONvvupQGrH1MPdGV-w7HSxH3tlXy-A1bssRgD-qWkjtYvnxLPspPSB/s640/blogger-image--1726575670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHuDy1rmrcR6tB_TE78NnhYUjISCtM4o3TSuUVqqmv6E39CMXOOs4wD7a2xAO3YVqO4OzKiBUdvXdH-3PRzOK2PAz1Cqdr6708XzG1VNHlmcfKMloizwcxZK67CzFznHBsNM1_A9na2kX/s640/blogger-image--1120116777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHuDy1rmrcR6tB_TE78NnhYUjISCtM4o3TSuUVqqmv6E39CMXOOs4wD7a2xAO3YVqO4OzKiBUdvXdH-3PRzOK2PAz1Cqdr6708XzG1VNHlmcfKMloizwcxZK67CzFznHBsNM1_A9na2kX/s640/blogger-image--1120116777.jpg"></a></div>When we arrived Luigi, the owner, was all ready for us. The table was full of wine glasses, we were poured one white and two reds and given a plate of cheese, sausage, salad and bread. We were asked to taste each food item with each wine and write down our favorite combination. I wish I hadn't spent my life eating hamburgers so I would have a more refined palate. Then Luigi's niece took over and gave us a lesson in how to hold a wine glass for aerrating, sniffing and tasting the wine and then she started pouring the wine and serving the food. It was all coming fast and furious. Each wine and each dish better than the last. Needless to say our heads were spinning</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tFPotgI13ButvLkl0PpewmGvQt8CUvPmlemyRcB2wPqQjl4rgC1NrQIVf5O1NU9qRm9hgXjMdgAljQqG9Mmj2arac8GNZ-yZ-r5zEtEYHIkUGtOWFcqoxu3-JMwVUWi_yHb0qf1R-v2Z/s640/blogger-image-986359760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tFPotgI13ButvLkl0PpewmGvQt8CUvPmlemyRcB2wPqQjl4rgC1NrQIVf5O1NU9qRm9hgXjMdgAljQqG9Mmj2arac8GNZ-yZ-r5zEtEYHIkUGtOWFcqoxu3-JMwVUWi_yHb0qf1R-v2Z/s640/blogger-image-986359760.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt5QY8vzd43HJyvWjXdwWDGoiUqEwrv8O296NZ8OcT_mQIN7CW72E-fLPYR60pezY89KGfe5fWtlL9V9CwCXz0CO9NLm86Bf93Dz3FM2djWI_2vsJYf_4VEPxo-f-40LZCqktH8FMzAMb/s640/blogger-image-199961435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt5QY8vzd43HJyvWjXdwWDGoiUqEwrv8O296NZ8OcT_mQIN7CW72E-fLPYR60pezY89KGfe5fWtlL9V9CwCXz0CO9NLm86Bf93Dz3FM2djWI_2vsJYf_4VEPxo-f-40LZCqktH8FMzAMb/s640/blogger-image-199961435.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8nHb30StarHNJvtRGYT6yash9NfuxyNKE4Wu3kvRUnIZXF6VVS8mly2Dft4xer4EqyS2n_kyrAizwQr2F6TmL8qfi1HvMtOIxGp-XCsaMJf0TsQ8i-Atom5WUpF6DkDQTkT3d-7xTzXd/s640/blogger-image-2003541642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8nHb30StarHNJvtRGYT6yash9NfuxyNKE4Wu3kvRUnIZXF6VVS8mly2Dft4xer4EqyS2n_kyrAizwQr2F6TmL8qfi1HvMtOIxGp-XCsaMJf0TsQ8i-Atom5WUpF6DkDQTkT3d-7xTzXd/s640/blogger-image-2003541642.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLABLpyocwrXW5Si3CbG5FkMxVAXzX9hN8mb1HSYg8gDwPSJkZJiWQ2-pCPGyFaqXF6B_cK9V05IKSUKq3-6MeRyZrfvUmzjXtfbgw6YquH-xNYp7nJJsDNZ6PzfGBnAEThsPNNNmjTD-/s640/blogger-image-620244342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLABLpyocwrXW5Si3CbG5FkMxVAXzX9hN8mb1HSYg8gDwPSJkZJiWQ2-pCPGyFaqXF6B_cK9V05IKSUKq3-6MeRyZrfvUmzjXtfbgw6YquH-xNYp7nJJsDNZ6PzfGBnAEThsPNNNmjTD-/s640/blogger-image-620244342.jpg"></a></div>Orders for wine were placed then it was time for Luciano to take us for the best gelato we have EVER had. I remembered the shop from last year when I was here but it was easy to spot anyway as the line was clear out into the piazza. The line moved fast and before we knew it we were eating the best gelato we have EVER had!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskMAduGgpsWoMByu9LRmnjxP1z08Pby0fKlBjZKrpFVOdcjvtaP69GY9YUwszpXa9I8YK8oJ9-4der6nG84VIdijq0V6B3OT68bWkRuGIJDlGzCZM4pfgbc6yKUwdYXWa5c5Bw7qfvCm9/s640/blogger-image-649330975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskMAduGgpsWoMByu9LRmnjxP1z08Pby0fKlBjZKrpFVOdcjvtaP69GY9YUwszpXa9I8YK8oJ9-4der6nG84VIdijq0V6B3OT68bWkRuGIJDlGzCZM4pfgbc6yKUwdYXWa5c5Bw7qfvCm9/s640/blogger-image-649330975.jpg"></a></div>Then it was back to the agriturismo for a nap and dinner. We celebrated Joanne's 60th birthday at dinner with a bottle of Brunella wine, a card, cake made by the staff and the whole dining room signing Happy Birthday! Great Day!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyBA37hXmFwXe0C9hd1eeZLmTPPKUDTO7TlvRqzxgEScsGxrjsCvrb3jcMJ_m2XSKxS0uZYCBLK4ZrSnQ_vQX9UdvIOILP5mjA1La2Xyn8NYgXvy_QtfVxXM6COG-02IZ-qknBpLFwI-g/s640/blogger-image-1782198198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyBA37hXmFwXe0C9hd1eeZLmTPPKUDTO7TlvRqzxgEScsGxrjsCvrb3jcMJ_m2XSKxS0uZYCBLK4ZrSnQ_vQX9UdvIOILP5mjA1La2Xyn8NYgXvy_QtfVxXM6COG-02IZ-qknBpLFwI-g/s640/blogger-image-1782198198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F2uikxwuvGtiB8NrOKGMi8zK6UmcbuZmXT-xptQ8ll7_REDitYvyBU3_-dJ1Jeh0zT1uYX51P-UrwpP6M-MKo3Lzwcw-dFr4019tp7ElDcQVwuZCLRMO2_wSE5IQYnExVDviUAQ6dnuU/s640/blogger-image-225461942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F2uikxwuvGtiB8NrOKGMi8zK6UmcbuZmXT-xptQ8ll7_REDitYvyBU3_-dJ1Jeh0zT1uYX51P-UrwpP6M-MKo3Lzwcw-dFr4019tp7ElDcQVwuZCLRMO2_wSE5IQYnExVDviUAQ6dnuU/s640/blogger-image-225461942.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Pieve a Salti 26943.135982 11.512445tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-76711490704239400472014-09-18T11:24:00.001-07:002014-09-18T11:24:57.699-07:00Deliciously ScaredThese hikes have been pretty strenuous the last few days with steep up hills and the same on the downside. Down hill can even be more difficult at times as your toes get jammed in your shoes and cause them to go numb or even worse can cause blisters under the nail. So today I woke up wishing for a day of strolling through fields and just some gradual up hills. And that is just what we got, it was such a pleasant and relaxing time. We did have one stressful moment when we came across a fence blocking our trail. Do we go through the fence and risk being on someone's private property which also had a pack of barking dogs just daring us to enter or do we back track and see if we missed something on a sign. Well being the hardy hikers that we are there is no way we want to go backwards and add any extra steps to our trip. Before we started our Italy hike we were warned about these dogs. They are called the maremmano dog and are herding dogs that will defend their sheep to the end. There must have been four or five of them up ahead but Melissa and I had our trekking poles to defend ourselves if needed. I made sure someone else was between me and the dogs at all times. They just barked loudly at first, Joanne was in the lead, then they started coming at us, Sue loudly hollered NO, the dogs still kept coming, so Joanne just veared us out into the field further away from the dogs. Tammy kept talking to them like they were her house pets and Melissa just wanted to take pictures of the abandoned farm house, like there were no dogs around. We made it past them with all arms and legs intact, maybe they were just trying to herd us together now that I think of it??<div>When we felt safe we took the time to look at the old farmhouse and then we noticed the old Billie Goat standing there wondering what all the commotion was about. We saw lots of sheep, each with bells on their necks that made a very melodic sound when they all moved together. </div><div>We had to be transferred the last couple of days to different locations and our driver was the cutest little old Italian man who didn't speak any English but just smiled at us all the time. If he is around the next few days we will have to get a picture of him.</div><div>Our stay tonight is at Fattoria Pieve a Salti, an Agriturismo, which is an active farm used as a bed and breakfast</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3G1wCCilfj-gDS95sln1G4y4h-8z8UfMkCPN9JDUNsyMCU77ILc_VgAhViG_Tu1h2OjfuuR1B6-0TlcC7P8nQ6etOFOczr47v5oa-oTz5iRwMygDlfYyHIwFlhtTpwtW6_-Is1aHT6V9/s640/blogger-image-1049488750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3G1wCCilfj-gDS95sln1G4y4h-8z8UfMkCPN9JDUNsyMCU77ILc_VgAhViG_Tu1h2OjfuuR1B6-0TlcC7P8nQ6etOFOczr47v5oa-oTz5iRwMygDlfYyHIwFlhtTpwtW6_-Is1aHT6V9/s640/blogger-image-1049488750.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1lCqjYOZY1YJE6aoNp8J0-_MuReIIQMSW6WDLS3ZIDEDX00J4dWaXf7iJw4Kq6HRnQmf3C8Yxd3ZufFVyt_bzUDieNEwVTUNR8UGCEz9wBB3Eexs2zXrhcPe7ngbMW5m8e8qOSbGbbUp/s640/blogger-image--196637557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1lCqjYOZY1YJE6aoNp8J0-_MuReIIQMSW6WDLS3ZIDEDX00J4dWaXf7iJw4Kq6HRnQmf3C8Yxd3ZufFVyt_bzUDieNEwVTUNR8UGCEz9wBB3Eexs2zXrhcPe7ngbMW5m8e8qOSbGbbUp/s640/blogger-image--196637557.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT2wprVdFMrtcV6Dd5bwXZl-Nzpa7877NbxKqTCdUd2hSfglWG3aVx9v-O9qon9r2ztWuQcuQKydwsUHg9B0nMTO6jqfdrBMCly68ZuuJnozCvDr2yIQRyOLHjP9TK86VDhU6oVXiTPNz/s640/blogger-image--879747404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT2wprVdFMrtcV6Dd5bwXZl-Nzpa7877NbxKqTCdUd2hSfglWG3aVx9v-O9qon9r2ztWuQcuQKydwsUHg9B0nMTO6jqfdrBMCly68ZuuJnozCvDr2yIQRyOLHjP9TK86VDhU6oVXiTPNz/s640/blogger-image--879747404.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkxyuJjHzPBxZiaO_yh2tSV5izMF8e-uI70F3e5FXqVQhbS6Ph0hISC3gA5jkcog4PjSo2fO9YfrWYrZdKdzJYUZ3nBToNVBSiTcswkHQyvMD_-tYkyxHb945J28R-yX8lWboQkZ5k06P/s640/blogger-image-1928767170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkxyuJjHzPBxZiaO_yh2tSV5izMF8e-uI70F3e5FXqVQhbS6Ph0hISC3gA5jkcog4PjSo2fO9YfrWYrZdKdzJYUZ3nBToNVBSiTcswkHQyvMD_-tYkyxHb945J28R-yX8lWboQkZ5k06P/s640/blogger-image-1928767170.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFi5d6UGqF16vGhAd-QYzz6f2fZa5ech0XX0V1gUhC5ooqVytNfALCjaCxaSxfkVxI4CAeb0SLO-t9lnvtiXbCiLWGrEzTCOvPvMzv-HjqZ6DRFFca1Dvct2xabJ-zu47k-0ms4w3FZA1/s640/blogger-image--1954043090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFi5d6UGqF16vGhAd-QYzz6f2fZa5ech0XX0V1gUhC5ooqVytNfALCjaCxaSxfkVxI4CAeb0SLO-t9lnvtiXbCiLWGrEzTCOvPvMzv-HjqZ6DRFFca1Dvct2xabJ-zu47k-0ms4w3FZA1/s640/blogger-image--1954043090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Pieve a Salti 26943.13598 11.512445tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-8847596422716357942014-09-17T10:14:00.001-07:002014-09-17T12:10:54.495-07:00Gun Shots in the Early Morning FogThe fog has not yet lifted as we get on our way this morning. We have a difficult trail to walk and we have to be at the Sant'Antimo Abby at 4 pm to catch our ride to Montalcino where we will spend the night. We are walking through some heavily wooded trails and we hear gun shots going off all around us. We have been hearing them for the last three days but today they are much closer and there are a lot more. We have to keep reminding ourselves, Italians like Americans don't they?? Then we start to think what are they shooting at so much , if there are a lot of animals around are we going to see them? Then we come across the sign, watch out for wolves. Yikes!! Really, we are six strong Alaskan women so we were not worried. <div>Did I mention we climbed a lot of hills today? We were in back country all day so took sandwiches with is for lunch. We had to ford a creek right around lunch time so after successfully crossing with no one falling in, we thought, this is the perfect time to stop for lunch. It was so relaxing sitting in the woods by the babbling creek enjoying the food and country. We only passed a few hikers today, one couple actually admitted they were kind of lost. </div><div>We made it to the Abby by three o'clock and I am do glad we did because we heard four monks doing an afternoon prayer with Gregorian chanting. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1x1-gexUHkg8zk8ljgrwz25kJu-y3guQjvM2F64xRI4AQQno1gcBUd5L0eJS50dKi_8mIas3KX4xR8FHk1QxR_Saq8CXM3H3MEamBvaZyZXXclSCkzWfH-vCw5bhWkTqvhshDwnbkxLX/s640/blogger-image-645357986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1x1-gexUHkg8zk8ljgrwz25kJu-y3guQjvM2F64xRI4AQQno1gcBUd5L0eJS50dKi_8mIas3KX4xR8FHk1QxR_Saq8CXM3H3MEamBvaZyZXXclSCkzWfH-vCw5bhWkTqvhshDwnbkxLX/s640/blogger-image-645357986.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little pool and water fall of mineral water along the trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqgtmlONo3g-ld1wyMbU14i4_R1Ql-4LQfpqcCti-cd5l04CYhOq2TdE-RrKHVQidCcTS92MQtxD96ze8WSeOzcoLGu9EAy_rPIDD_StoJ05Zz9vyWFi6-GYrFAesCoq8O2IV3wy1nPNH/s640/blogger-image--61115055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqgtmlONo3g-ld1wyMbU14i4_R1Ql-4LQfpqcCti-cd5l04CYhOq2TdE-RrKHVQidCcTS92MQtxD96ze8WSeOzcoLGu9EAy_rPIDD_StoJ05Zz9vyWFi6-GYrFAesCoq8O2IV3wy1nPNH/s640/blogger-image--61115055.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We will be up there in an hour or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2QUtHNLiwqf4vckyu0h3VakOAuyfj6jBq_SInS1BCRDRIg_-UlNvw788e5jUbIcghJvF-wbSbVONRihn49c6SO5UsHqZTH7ClxLONL6PPe2gjVC1uCodXiK0ZN3AJP6SB2pkSAA0v9gI/s640/blogger-image--941107841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2QUtHNLiwqf4vckyu0h3VakOAuyfj6jBq_SInS1BCRDRIg_-UlNvw788e5jUbIcghJvF-wbSbVONRihn49c6SO5UsHqZTH7ClxLONL6PPe2gjVC1uCodXiK0ZN3AJP6SB2pkSAA0v9gI/s640/blogger-image--941107841.jpg"></a></div>This part of the trail went up forever and looked like it had been a roaring river bed during last nights rain storm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mKM27fF4f7pfWyyOi0GLbEbQxsYEQVUYzIuzAYbMTjUK61sj5cNN-J-BqgxlZJEWaT9ImRIj7jgOzoyGWeOqi14JnSgY3hBTOMb8GrwsyduMkWcg7T2nM3FwwYowWNDJDHtuJZemUpDq/s640/blogger-image-1306978641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mKM27fF4f7pfWyyOi0GLbEbQxsYEQVUYzIuzAYbMTjUK61sj5cNN-J-BqgxlZJEWaT9ImRIj7jgOzoyGWeOqi14JnSgY3hBTOMb8GrwsyduMkWcg7T2nM3FwwYowWNDJDHtuJZemUpDq/s640/blogger-image-1306978641.jpg"></a></div>Wolf warning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyngkaCfmUd-3ElnuI1WB3J3DuD0BoZJHAzv0rIAi6WroBq1tNV8I0qkzQ9pm9Nz4bM8GE0j0X_ZhLh1ADs0cst0errmFjKjijmnvdB8zikl7tzURDiD6EoBEwTFptYqf6BqnQPaH3qv1i/s640/blogger-image--402465937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyngkaCfmUd-3ElnuI1WB3J3DuD0BoZJHAzv0rIAi6WroBq1tNV8I0qkzQ9pm9Nz4bM8GE0j0X_ZhLh1ADs0cst0errmFjKjijmnvdB8zikl7tzURDiD6EoBEwTFptYqf6BqnQPaH3qv1i/s640/blogger-image--402465937.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZIRJKzP4UO2bRD9r1Q892zVM5bYoafxktnFR6iAotyWULIo6Yoqc-2Lr2fslWASOCz7TXcBT35IQJ8JC-vOdFG9cmOInZuyhmkeTsGocZQ5cMRucTKTxSXHpe81huyMHuIIBc0343m48/s640/blogger-image--137472879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZIRJKzP4UO2bRD9r1Q892zVM5bYoafxktnFR6iAotyWULIo6Yoqc-2Lr2fslWASOCz7TXcBT35IQJ8JC-vOdFG9cmOInZuyhmkeTsGocZQ5cMRucTKTxSXHpe81huyMHuIIBc0343m48/s640/blogger-image--137472879.jpg"></a></div>We have now climbed to that castle and are going down the other side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nZ1yBNc-uJAURBXeAXp3wb2KNnsQs4Nc5flnDpwrrTWjluIvh45-Tm2NpbO0l23bsIu5XkOVKJULTo9VpfA7q365uDW9HvlGO0HQxYCLj-7jzRURS2w5wVbQVs4CLtWJHrhNrRTqck_b/s640/blogger-image-2041725600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nZ1yBNc-uJAURBXeAXp3wb2KNnsQs4Nc5flnDpwrrTWjluIvh45-Tm2NpbO0l23bsIu5XkOVKJULTo9VpfA7q365uDW9HvlGO0HQxYCLj-7jzRURS2w5wVbQVs4CLtWJHrhNrRTqck_b/s640/blogger-image-2041725600.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj6uwPymwC_3cz6ydqDCjm76Z2fNoQnsgOtnIHiZ-wfmaJs0fEmYCSvMantVkwsZhN-_yyUmeaJR5YK-GJV9VHacfa4uSfV7-3UqE0_TKMsJ4Ee3TJR7gK1lvLywu2hLJceLhnXM24Chh/s640/blogger-image-247771636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzkEWtj_fEWYjvgtuM7Bs1Q183Z2aSOcwrUpQmj08GhNe4HCEB182JGqWqfYs7JwJZedsD-RHC0LFEtksArRdqiAjF9W4AkLiywzrnRjWcnFd33OvZfOKSTlb2XiEew5B5-zOyVdTvYV3/s640/blogger-image-769338683.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaZSN8z2tb6CPTmjblhYLFpPjymQ2xktJnciaTTEsvS30ilweyYqzys_TLgeiEbzTbZWAeqn64V5dE4YEwbiPQrI1z5AslCcjZugzfgOKfnZ4yFgUSSbdURA8cRCMD8PUtWdY1PxDWM_y/s640/blogger-image-934923898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaZSN8z2tb6CPTmjblhYLFpPjymQ2xktJnciaTTEsvS30ilweyYqzys_TLgeiEbzTbZWAeqn64V5dE4YEwbiPQrI1z5AslCcjZugzfgOKfnZ4yFgUSSbdURA8cRCMD8PUtWdY1PxDWM_y/s640/blogger-image-934923898.jpg"></a></div>The Abby</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6RErkad1KtKog812z0DLaKMcVi_ZzoCJtpQ3mcVaMgKdh6GOW86KRWva_UvKw0959LgpqDlPtIpxQVkobp8IC_aTBTw82M2PQWA7Otcvn8oUeG6lX2I40CS6aUnt8qIkNqM29xH5_gH-/s640/blogger-image-882398109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6RErkad1KtKog812z0DLaKMcVi_ZzoCJtpQ3mcVaMgKdh6GOW86KRWva_UvKw0959LgpqDlPtIpxQVkobp8IC_aTBTw82M2PQWA7Otcvn8oUeG6lX2I40CS6aUnt8qIkNqM29xH5_gH-/s640/blogger-image-882398109.jpg"></a></div>The monks out for a stroll before prayer</div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-23006694243471017572014-09-16T09:33:00.001-07:002014-09-16T09:33:58.971-07:00Under the Tuscan Sun then notIt is really hard to put into to words the feeling one gets while walking on a back country road in Italy on a beautiful sunny day. The walk was described to us as walking across a calendar-perfect Tuscany landscape and that is just what it was. We walked 10.3 miles, the .3 is important to mention, in the most pleasant weather until just as we arrived at Bagno Vignoni and then it poured rain. We can't believe how lucky we are sometime. But let me share Melissa's start to the day. Each place we stay provides a beautiful breakfast of meats, cheese, yogurt, granola, breads, fruits, toast and other small items. Today Melissa put her toast in an unusual looking toaster and waited, and waited, and waited. She started to think we were going to have to go on without her and she would catch up when all of a sudden she noticed her toast had come out way at the other end of the machine. Italian appliances can be so confusing. <div>On our walk today we passed two different groups of walkers, one group from France who had guessed us to be from Canada or someplace in the north. Now why would that be?? Another group had an Italian guide and were from Virginia. We had two French gentlemen pass us that had the El Camino De Santiago shell on their packs which told us they had done that pilgrimage at some time. We stopped for lunch, pizza, salad and drinks in a little village called San Quirico d'Orcia. </div><div>Our best reward yet came when we got to Bagno Vignoni and checked into the Hotel delle Terme. The hotel has wonderful relaxing mineral hot springs. Just what our tired muscles needed!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tvtOE6tLPMv5lueVyNFtZIOXyFou_Uxp5UI7B6RbrS8Mzf5dVWI4RvdjAHFT3YaYrOj0zxbZNmI7IwaDEVgqzEDzSRKbNB39HpO1S5RPu8ej-mlhaS-qWZgvboHagMp1chgvFJmyD806/s640/blogger-image--1866880244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tvtOE6tLPMv5lueVyNFtZIOXyFou_Uxp5UI7B6RbrS8Mzf5dVWI4RvdjAHFT3YaYrOj0zxbZNmI7IwaDEVgqzEDzSRKbNB39HpO1S5RPu8ej-mlhaS-qWZgvboHagMp1chgvFJmyD806/s640/blogger-image--1866880244.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9Ay6wZEkk4Z8vZBdR_pRG91gjk2ykY9vcKkHI3Y9ijDHtjg2iZiyImppxm-rl9-4nPQlfuW3Khq24Uydeh_xBvr1Pvw0R1MqBugDDzG5qsAzYHYWX06H0PKV8EGef0uWgUa5P1oubQL_/s640/blogger-image-1283425104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9Ay6wZEkk4Z8vZBdR_pRG91gjk2ykY9vcKkHI3Y9ijDHtjg2iZiyImppxm-rl9-4nPQlfuW3Khq24Uydeh_xBvr1Pvw0R1MqBugDDzG5qsAzYHYWX06H0PKV8EGef0uWgUa5P1oubQL_/s640/blogger-image-1283425104.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNaYyL9fRNlJsmqRIu3-8v11p0uQjtK0umMF3oEh5beofeIVxp71U0mJqUwSn9kMRrq8NlrRkMJvxwQvOGgF2zWyVgaUWJGR-ih1GE16ICWjUd-JsIO1ptYJaN2ptxIqLWqzqvqxCsx4Z/s640/blogger-image-387842392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW82OHdaunweg7WMhnEQq_FnCWo5AI6McwfNw-6k3xcrC6qNPNWMZlkvMDti029zNNkpCsJJ8ELAOywIOTRSLDFz4mrI04J5bSK8XBuTii_Kch36se4SBF5Pc_VsuBPYbuaLQJ01frCxp/s640/blogger-image-1932206567.jpg"></a></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Southern Europe (null)43.056629 11.638857tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-10883053482087574822014-09-15T09:54:00.001-07:002014-09-15T11:22:01.281-07:00Hiking the Tuscany HillsToday was an 11 mile day with elevation gains of 1108 ft and the most surreal scenery you can ever imagine but I have to admit It was obvious I hadn't hiked much in the last two days because I was ready to be done and sit with a nice glass of wine. We hiked from Montepulciano to Pienza stopping for lunch in Monticchiello. The weather was beautiful with a breeze blowing occassionally. We hopped rocks across a little creek and even came across a wild boar. Wait, maybe it was just a pig, it was kind of far away. We walked past farms where little dogs would come out to greet us, one even wanted to come along. How lucky are we to be able to hike through such a beautiful place without a seeming care in the world! When we reached Pienza at the top of the hill we took a short rest then Sue, Renee, Tammy and Joanne went out and bought some wine and snacks. We finished our day on the terrace again, enjoying food and wine. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2mHV_voAX2kYxc_yjiN1Ftpp0yZA-bQQWPUazE8Yg3-4z5lBpFvGEyUsmqiIqYaOcEsQXMTRqYURVE0TSVbemPeZG-WvH_9DdTP-l1dA-sDHtoUZcgcdQiVQOQurEJNtgQ64OuKvEApw/s640/blogger-image-431472890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2mHV_voAX2kYxc_yjiN1Ftpp0yZA-bQQWPUazE8Yg3-4z5lBpFvGEyUsmqiIqYaOcEsQXMTRqYURVE0TSVbemPeZG-WvH_9DdTP-l1dA-sDHtoUZcgcdQiVQOQurEJNtgQ64OuKvEApw/s640/blogger-image-431472890.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BaIpPPOCzM6T06MI4wxIC4b5gnIklACZxAsCdmzY1jFaieSIpA3sm2s_qDjk8pBIOh49SplTAr6nMDq6dKzT6ROA4682v98quF_W_VDnPK0YKRE7oN3nDh5iwg_amF9xVwIL19H46Mpq/s640/blogger-image-665801069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BaIpPPOCzM6T06MI4wxIC4b5gnIklACZxAsCdmzY1jFaieSIpA3sm2s_qDjk8pBIOh49SplTAr6nMDq6dKzT6ROA4682v98quF_W_VDnPK0YKRE7oN3nDh5iwg_amF9xVwIL19H46Mpq/s640/blogger-image-665801069.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ7gv5eM78Ctp_wg4887X8O2jqLiB4iWU8GkCNZbL5WErbU3YG7h2XU4YT6pJmzS_qosh03LNQ92GlRP9WiYVgC8_mbCw4vlbN9Mm82sKCQe268yztwq_966-a9XTpi9oGA64yrxPqAmE/s640/blogger-image-1609765222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ7gv5eM78Ctp_wg4887X8O2jqLiB4iWU8GkCNZbL5WErbU3YG7h2XU4YT6pJmzS_qosh03LNQ92GlRP9WiYVgC8_mbCw4vlbN9Mm82sKCQe268yztwq_966-a9XTpi9oGA64yrxPqAmE/s640/blogger-image-1609765222.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx20QHb5duMoPmZKr6lACznSINcLX9zAiOVxL2tPjwmR62ErYBvXDWSMkPKZXe0OEjBKLuNV94KUAvCyvdWSC1SDp4j93WS9kJuOTw5VvN8RXxkKG2prhaYB77L_9rjJMXfB1hcFC91_z/s640/blogger-image--749878527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx20QHb5duMoPmZKr6lACznSINcLX9zAiOVxL2tPjwmR62ErYBvXDWSMkPKZXe0OEjBKLuNV94KUAvCyvdWSC1SDp4j93WS9kJuOTw5VvN8RXxkKG2prhaYB77L_9rjJMXfB1hcFC91_z/s640/blogger-image--749878527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7gMzY0AjbJWXeG1s_D3Se2omKpM9JMmxKUoLRC9QBtne5xKJdmTSqKdsR2_hEcpS3QkF4yFrUBI-1kPXsF0G5B0x78HceRY83VoILe2HXaYKOQqnx29eIupxFKA_RD41Pu3K0Rmzopgq/s640/blogger-image--1193236502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7gMzY0AjbJWXeG1s_D3Se2omKpM9JMmxKUoLRC9QBtne5xKJdmTSqKdsR2_hEcpS3QkF4yFrUBI-1kPXsF0G5B0x78HceRY83VoILe2HXaYKOQqnx29eIupxFKA_RD41Pu3K0Rmzopgq/s640/blogger-image--1193236502.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_HcVWRIS72MgW0DwRvER7Ef5np5FNOCTOaMcE3yrFBOjme81_J77InbNr34X3SRF6WCDQav6G4eUlyinOy1Q4YtPviWqn25WfDqhcV02xmLJ8eo8ItLoNdbKh06KqMqEw27s10XdeuOh/s640/blogger-image-1911722915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_HcVWRIS72MgW0DwRvER7Ef5np5FNOCTOaMcE3yrFBOjme81_J77InbNr34X3SRF6WCDQav6G4eUlyinOy1Q4YtPviWqn25WfDqhcV02xmLJ8eo8ItLoNdbKh06KqMqEw27s10XdeuOh/s640/blogger-image-1911722915.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Pienza Pienza43.078222 11.675613tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-84548616191196916722014-09-15T09:46:00.001-07:002014-09-15T09:46:11.029-07:00A Thief in the NightWhat would you do if you were standing outside your hotel at 5:30 am and a man walked by carrying a piece of luggage that looked like it belonged to one of your hiking partners. Joanne would run after the man yelling, excuse me, excuse me, does that belong to you?? Luckily the man didn't speak any English and didn't know he was about to be accosted, he was our taxi driver just helping out before he drove us to the train station. It is nice to know Joanne would go to such lengths to watch out for us. Sunday was an all day train riding day but we did great with our transfers, sometimes with only 20 minutes between trains. After a half hour taxi ride from the train station we arrived in the beautiful village of Montepulciano at the B & B Agnolo. We went next door to the L'Altro Cantuccio Ristorante for dinner and some wonderful wine from Montepulciano.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MlpYJ0bh6NxRy86hzSe3YXv6ZIs_1TyFjdJOhnEUcSdcGuJTJLWoKHxx78Xr6yrfvmgf11EU8H2bYMSQqK7U0UncN6xJedBB7l8BQvI0lUC6NZuvWg6dMu2TCtRmsmp9E41TyG3lC8RJ/s640/blogger-image--1835550850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MlpYJ0bh6NxRy86hzSe3YXv6ZIs_1TyFjdJOhnEUcSdcGuJTJLWoKHxx78Xr6yrfvmgf11EU8H2bYMSQqK7U0UncN6xJedBB7l8BQvI0lUC6NZuvWg6dMu2TCtRmsmp9E41TyG3lC8RJ/s640/blogger-image--1835550850.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYZZZ0t42cvpwzVdYHAxpK5HW83t-89hI89IEYk5navsH6uaxpz7BeD9oRR7MWXhhrk-c5jB4jcuKrzxIw-NdIoo-qKc3mYqOozm54k3Ejiu7lJ5yalIILi-SZQZtGDpevOwYs-PyrkAQ/s640/blogger-image--152718876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYZZZ0t42cvpwzVdYHAxpK5HW83t-89hI89IEYk5navsH6uaxpz7BeD9oRR7MWXhhrk-c5jB4jcuKrzxIw-NdIoo-qKc3mYqOozm54k3Ejiu7lJ5yalIILi-SZQZtGDpevOwYs-PyrkAQ/s640/blogger-image--152718876.jpg"></a></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-56297023758831030132014-09-14T13:47:00.001-07:002014-09-14T13:47:31.851-07:00Au revoir FrancaisROur last day in France we changed our itenary to do hiking and site seeing in Vaison la Romaine. We took a taxi from Malaucene to Vaison and the driver gave us a bottle of wine as a gift. Now that will only happen in France!!<div>Vaison la Romaine has the country's largest Roman archaeological site which was unearthed less than a century ago. The medieval quarter of the city is perched up on the hill and remains perfectly intact, we walked through the old town and up to the ruins of the 11th century castle. There are lots of shops, art galleries and restaurants as there are more tourists in this area. Before leaving the country we had to have a French crepe, oh la la, they were so good. Joanne, Sue and Renee then toured through the Gallo-Roman archeological site while the rest of us watched a sports fair in the town square. Of course, on our last day we had to get in one more wine tasting where we ended up buying three bottles of wine. We then went to our hotel, sat on the terrace over looking the plaza and drank wine, while discussing our take on life. Great time and way to finish the French part of our trip. We all loved our time in France and marveled at the differences in our countries. Besides the ones we have already mentioned we noticed there is never any ice, many of these types of things lead us to believe electricity must be very expensive over here. But on the other side of things how many cab drivers will give you a bottle of wine for hiring them. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphjDQ6MrKDDaAc7Gm0wf9cnSLhjOMsmjsimR2-yYlNbwe6Z1NapcTa8GZZ2YfmP2jvr5PPiafZRb7VH4oiaK5Xq2gg4LflF7lbkcP6q-t7ZQLuPU-uQRtfRhhvBcdOdPzmg7uHGzoLis4/s640/blogger-image-46292343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphjDQ6MrKDDaAc7Gm0wf9cnSLhjOMsmjsimR2-yYlNbwe6Z1NapcTa8GZZ2YfmP2jvr5PPiafZRb7VH4oiaK5Xq2gg4LflF7lbkcP6q-t7ZQLuPU-uQRtfRhhvBcdOdPzmg7uHGzoLis4/s640/blogger-image-46292343.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNvIX1Q9_njMFw2XBZNqwM-YAPcqIUMyeYHTmSNv6Fy1fGhfvalvD_xJfJjhmBguripe2HNwhHE6ECptKMYhq9kzMmguc3qbPCPDqxfzNvyS4QPhcXRvF62ntiB-HeytWY-tDAdNpxz97/s640/blogger-image--606578640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We walked into a headwind of Mistral winds most of the day. The Mistral is a strong, cold and usually dry regional wind coming from the North or Northeast, which accelerates when it passes through the valleys of the Rhone and Durance Rivers to the coast of the Mediterranean around the Camarfue region.<div>Our stay at Les Geraniums was very pleasant except for one minor detail, Melissa and Tammy decided to go to a laundromat and do laundry but brought the clothes back to dry in our rooms. So I rigged up my nifty clothes line hooking it to the curtain rod all the way across to the light fixture. As the clothes were placed on the line, VIOLA, the light fixture came right out of the wall!! OMG what now?? After a restless night of sleep I decided I had better leave 50 euro for the repair having no idea what the cost would be, the owner was very kind and told me "accidents happen" and would not take any compensation for the repair. The French are very kind people! We looked around the village and hiked up to the castle, which during the war, was bombed by the Americans and English because it was occupied by the Germans. Fortunately it has been repaired and is beautiful today. When we arrived in Malaucene the town was full of bicyclists. September weather brings cyclists from all over to train as the village lies at the base of Mont Ventoux which has made 11 appearances in the Tour de France cycling race. I am amazed at the people and the age of the people you see cycling, they must have been doing that their whole lives. After some wine and snacks in the room we all turned in early.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQb8ZLucTm8sm-RyFjeL4W5b5twLTpyVDy9fWtOSW-nmRNx3h2_Kwyk6qvoByD_QHLAGtt2JBuDT3atYQLnefN1kkqBE__KT4M_ubyCJo3yFTkTBafubq1KMPkn2I27e6koxqVnvHp9yJ/s640/blogger-image-2018383974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQb8ZLucTm8sm-RyFjeL4W5b5twLTpyVDy9fWtOSW-nmRNx3h2_Kwyk6qvoByD_QHLAGtt2JBuDT3atYQLnefN1kkqBE__KT4M_ubyCJo3yFTkTBafubq1KMPkn2I27e6koxqVnvHp9yJ/s640/blogger-image-2018383974.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkapXYiwLUblKA2_YTtRIjjFvHIX8cdHPSnikg3R5VPyzTOiP4M9WW5R3ISJSboVm2Bm1Y3k8EoZNst5tkNwVGYikCE4PwJ00TRfD2E8Y-up-0wfiy5LbDNCvhy9M0V0Rx7J28Ys2ypjJ3/s640/blogger-image-910093562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We are all very grateful we have not had rain the last couple of days, I am not sure how we would have navigated some sections.<br>The path took us down very steep narrow trails on the side of a mountain but up in the mountains we came across an ancient 11th century Roman church that had fallen to ruins after being abandoned 200 years ago. The very devoted Christians from Beaumes de Venice climb up the mountain each day and are restoring the church by hand. They have been restoring it for three years so far. When they found the church it was overgrown with trees and shrubs so it took many days just to bring it out in the open. Since there is no road to the church all the fallen stones have been kept and categorized for reusing.<div>After descending further down the mountain we broke out our lunch since we didn't want a repeat of the day before ( we were being prepared!) </div><div>After reaching the town of Beaumes de Venice it was time again for a very light lunch. All of the towns we are encountering are very old but since it is grape harvesting time, they are very busy with tractors driving through with wagons full of grapes. Tonight we are at Hotel Les Geraniums in Le Barroux which is up in the hills with beautiful views. </div><div>We have collectively observed some very different things about French people like many bring their dogs in the restuarant, there are no to go bags after eating, no cell phones while eating, no take out, you are never rushed to pay the bill, restaurants close from 2-7 pm, smoking is allowed, bread is always brought to the table and croissants are a staple for breakfast. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClL5ow5td7M7dNT3M6OgzlxxwHiW2MT1V0FIa5tA0PFVqKR3tqaNjQgsZ9Hz6vVGyqd-ChohSYhmip5oD_vZ_hsaZg75bPMl9XThJ57thVklAhupG_LlOUlecHR6mKp9jyGlesqrVdX7A/s640/blogger-image--1876516321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClL5ow5td7M7dNT3M6OgzlxxwHiW2MT1V0FIa5tA0PFVqKR3tqaNjQgsZ9Hz6vVGyqd-ChohSYhmip5oD_vZ_hsaZg75bPMl9XThJ57thVklAhupG_LlOUlecHR6mKp9jyGlesqrVdX7A/s640/blogger-image--1876516321.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ux3fjW_t5QN0vtNMPiOpItoEG9UCnhWdKSxjuDS7wl2dsGMaFZuVZptvWHKaw1d97eOT3V_WLZaQkxD3duDQ0l3vyzCtZdYgfebd6uDSXZqhBvwAWQ6njPzCh4-vt7FR3TuJ4gxVM8B9/s640/blogger-image-1117085437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Our road book said it was a 9.5 mi trek but our GPS said at least 13 miles and most of that was up steep trails and down steep trails. We had several things working against us on top of the grueling hike. Our hotel couldn't make us a lunch to take so we just took all the left over bread from breakfast and figured we would stop along the way for lunch but it was our misfortune that when we got to the village everything is closed on Wednesday. As a result we literally went the entire day on nothing but bread and water. Toward the end of the hike we even ran out of water. We did see some beautiful country, and even encountered the French Foreign Legion special forces out on the trails doing training. <div>Our general concenses over wine at dinner was we all are very proud of our accomplishment today and even though it was painful we enjoyed all of it. We will take a lesson from the French Foreign Legion however, and be prepared from here on out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasvS1pSmfAhIuPHPDrZFJhLI7nrmNbd_PUDWADCqyRZ08SqGTPSRuiG_8c8THbsypY8bR2Xsc2XE3ZXAhuyYo0RhKd6VAoxZQ8we1XCrQiFzosOiYQaPwEpoUFE7o-n-MybHt_1b4N7pP/s640/blogger-image-1364405208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasvS1pSmfAhIuPHPDrZFJhLI7nrmNbd_PUDWADCqyRZ08SqGTPSRuiG_8c8THbsypY8bR2Xsc2XE3ZXAhuyYo0RhKd6VAoxZQ8we1XCrQiFzosOiYQaPwEpoUFE7o-n-MybHt_1b4N7pP/s640/blogger-image-1364405208.jpg"></a></div></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com1Vacqueyras Vacqueyras44.140347 4.985081tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-24351463724879254062014-09-09T13:11:00.001-07:002014-09-09T13:11:50.155-07:00Mary Had a Little Lamb<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpZvXIFoJW55UUYS38CutKuiH4jy34-JoRS8dTJZpZ1SESYKFQUt32fNwHZNB4UxWTkGhPU_5ZyoebNGHiNRVI0g_fjOOLFUhkKZQzVdXUAWkch7GiWeAtwei_Cg2-_yasJ8Obu_zNzx8/s640/blogger-image--1529385740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpZvXIFoJW55UUYS38CutKuiH4jy34-JoRS8dTJZpZ1SESYKFQUt32fNwHZNB4UxWTkGhPU_5ZyoebNGHiNRVI0g_fjOOLFUhkKZQzVdXUAWkch7GiWeAtwei_Cg2-_yasJ8Obu_zNzx8/s640/blogger-image--1529385740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUU7nZjx9WyOme52K4M65IKtdJ8VkLdcYZX5zAwnAfYKSbKMYVptIEfigKEol56246z4i_9wqzEewGJwrP9ReDnjVACLop9QM-ZN0dCEG7OmdgLM5KTixQHdkw1Ch3P09nfp7i52ZPZLz/s640/blogger-image-1868878135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUU7nZjx9WyOme52K4M65IKtdJ8VkLdcYZX5zAwnAfYKSbKMYVptIEfigKEol56246z4i_9wqzEewGJwrP9ReDnjVACLop9QM-ZN0dCEG7OmdgLM5KTixQHdkw1Ch3P09nfp7i52ZPZLz/s640/blogger-image-1868878135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO_zPyOZGcQPMivTfUnMbIq50-8K6XQzV0fSOUvQRwIw7FTzdz28Y4BHPtkzjjlMXcFxdWcClmjOzyWfiTxUz_YQuNfbyF5MfN089FF_FoCnIlEkatG62w41SYQnz-1nxGygip-RlTTOY/s640/blogger-image-431695331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO_zPyOZGcQPMivTfUnMbIq50-8K6XQzV0fSOUvQRwIw7FTzdz28Y4BHPtkzjjlMXcFxdWcClmjOzyWfiTxUz_YQuNfbyF5MfN089FF_FoCnIlEkatG62w41SYQnz-1nxGygip-RlTTOY/s640/blogger-image-431695331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVh8-G54nFvCWd20YTKbtRr7hgwm1xMcytfehqDFIx8z_umu8an_kANB0Bjabe9ByHJNnIwJ1Aw3z7vMv-4TtUwyIGZ0vP6t55dGp1wsl4KkhyphenhyphenhIBLfr1ywiVS3oUvaZ4fe3gdEXoqvZO/s640/blogger-image--527189486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVh8-G54nFvCWd20YTKbtRr7hgwm1xMcytfehqDFIx8z_umu8an_kANB0Bjabe9ByHJNnIwJ1Aw3z7vMv-4TtUwyIGZ0vP6t55dGp1wsl4KkhyphenhyphenhIBLfr1ywiVS3oUvaZ4fe3gdEXoqvZO/s640/blogger-image--527189486.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO_zPyOZGcQPMivTfUnMbIq50-8K6XQzV0fSOUvQRwIw7FTzdz28Y4BHPtkzjjlMXcFxdWcClmjOzyWfiTxUz_YQuNfbyF5MfN089FF_FoCnIlEkatG62w41SYQnz-1nxGygip-RlTTOY/s640/blogger-image-431695331.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUU7nZjx9WyOme52K4M65IKtdJ8VkLdcYZX5zAwnAfYKSbKMYVptIEfigKEol56246z4i_9wqzEewGJwrP9ReDnjVACLop9QM-ZN0dCEG7OmdgLM5KTixQHdkw1Ch3P09nfp7i52ZPZLz/s640/blogger-image-1868878135.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpZvXIFoJW55UUYS38CutKuiH4jy34-JoRS8dTJZpZ1SESYKFQUt32fNwHZNB4UxWTkGhPU_5ZyoebNGHiNRVI0g_fjOOLFUhkKZQzVdXUAWkch7GiWeAtwei_Cg2-_yasJ8Obu_zNzx8/s640/blogger-image--1529385740.jpg"></div>This morning we all gathered to sing Happy Birthday to Danielle as we bid her farewell, she is a very gracious hostess, whom we thoroughly enjoyed. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkWYyurUrB7vppWampb5TagE4zJWL76Qb6ErxMW9UUZyDVa-BP_i4pfE-wqxa8ogAUKKjHwpVcJ1TxAhHp7QM99sN_7y7uvlRu3eQg8g_IzQ3k_1E0P6e6hYEcXS0fvLXZjpTeiWpE_mp/s640/blogger-image-229323372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkWYyurUrB7vppWampb5TagE4zJWL76Qb6ErxMW9UUZyDVa-BP_i4pfE-wqxa8ogAUKKjHwpVcJ1TxAhHp7QM99sN_7y7uvlRu3eQg8g_IzQ3k_1E0P6e6hYEcXS0fvLXZjpTeiWpE_mp/s640/blogger-image-229323372.jpg"></a></div>We are learning never to assume anything when traveling in Europe. Especially when trying to find your way with someone else's directions. Our hike today was a short one and we toured several wineries along the way. Our favorite being Verger des Papes where down deep in their cellar are the original Roman wine vats where grapes were smashed by Roman feet. After a French lunch of wine and baguettes we were transferred by car to the village of Seguret. This medieval village is listed as one of the most beautiful in France. Our hotel La Bastide Bleue has a beautiful pool and since the temperature has been in the 70's and very humid, everyone took advantage of the refreshing water. This village is on a hillside so we walked up to the tiny city center to have a bite to eat and look at the beautiful views. Dinner at the hotel had a menu that was totally unrecognizable by any of us so we took our chances and just ordered. Mary and Joanne ended up with duck salad, Joanne traded hers off, and most everyone else had lamb. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuyjaFxHUoGy04otITk3U8XNL_RC4YLF7zeqc02OEy1lmvw0ERtbDGXmFJ9wzrETXZGJbjc8u0DctUl5OyHqE4Om9DyR_nIxUSjBIqZcLQzgTh5iAGwiaF5SyNqczw_d_nPngS1xLXifI/s640/blogger-image--685255226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuyjaFxHUoGy04otITk3U8XNL_RC4YLF7zeqc02OEy1lmvw0ERtbDGXmFJ9wzrETXZGJbjc8u0DctUl5OyHqE4Om9DyR_nIxUSjBIqZcLQzgTh5iAGwiaF5SyNqczw_d_nPngS1xLXifI/s640/blogger-image--685255226.jpg"></a></div></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-10912019828883185282014-09-09T08:44:00.001-07:002014-09-09T08:44:50.184-07:00And the Hiking Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHhYxjqCzzwqb846SurFjN6nLttMcCgz6E40S9x6DvhxP-T36JXydjSOcJ80WtE7QAXBqB6X9oBEzcU2Uawtzpnla6ABR6wljd3ePVwBh2Ikn009p5azb5oo0BBIqlqe0x5YCxQKZ_SNE/s640/blogger-image-801851672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Cafe', croissants, French breads, yogurt, fresh fruit, and juice. As much as we would have liked to linger there most of the morning it was time to get started exploring the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape. Our hike today was approximately 8 miles, we came across some workers harvesting the grapes by hand. Tammy asked them if we could come into the field to get a closer look at how the grapes are picked. They seemed delighted and gave us a bunch of grapes to eat as we walked. We got back to the village around 2 pm and had lunch in a little cafe by the fountain. After lunch we decided to look for the chocolate factory but after a long walk along the highway we were not able to find it so went to the museum of wine instead. Dinner was at La Maisouneta, just a short walk up to the center of town. Everyone in the restaurant were talking with each other giving full attention to the conversation, not a cell phone in site. Each night we go to bed anxious to see what the next day will bring.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz7whnZt9l5E84xGCR7p_9QxMy2UQgQOE-pofdxuJuy_Q-6riHkky9GdV5ypnlhhT5iBomsQ_cdH_k3WmNUeOKDQzd2LUgxLqFwiIPkD16rqzJIy5E_DvCHbJcZPovoDd0FNGn526G15w/s640/blogger-image-1059636846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz7whnZt9l5E84xGCR7p_9QxMy2UQgQOE-pofdxuJuy_Q-6riHkky9GdV5ypnlhhT5iBomsQ_cdH_k3WmNUeOKDQzd2LUgxLqFwiIPkD16rqzJIy5E_DvCHbJcZPovoDd0FNGn526G15w/s640/blogger-image-1059636846.jpg"></a></div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-4520183980152809802014-09-09T08:43:00.001-07:002014-09-09T08:43:45.662-07:00Rhone Valley Wine Here We Come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ36NxmMF22ywA2aezp8z5rdFSc_BP_N2iRpGSrzke7nDZtWSBDYLh2XnT0E6sis0WTgnazQkjDJORzGSwLOGQWeK0A7TgNF6JHzBu7qV-Fvmn0pXgYOzQRlTQvWkHYAgC1DfQ4kFP6WU/s640/blogger-image-1490757838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ36NxmMF22ywA2aezp8z5rdFSc_BP_N2iRpGSrzke7nDZtWSBDYLh2XnT0E6sis0WTgnazQkjDJORzGSwLOGQWeK0A7TgNF6JHzBu7qV-Fvmn0pXgYOzQRlTQvWkHYAgC1DfQ4kFP6WU/s640/blogger-image-1490757838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21bp_-l_jaUjYsPct1dD5M0LJqLVAYGPyWyVNPEgAvAQRlUChU6T97u6dBPdvTUQzkQGwHzeN2MVLVPOpjC8KaHT6Y8dxtiDn-ZkTl8r1HWGnm1p02FtDHXuByOqhmR1nWkEYH05hi4NN/s640/blogger-image--296180999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21bp_-l_jaUjYsPct1dD5M0LJqLVAYGPyWyVNPEgAvAQRlUChU6T97u6dBPdvTUQzkQGwHzeN2MVLVPOpjC8KaHT6Y8dxtiDn-ZkTl8r1HWGnm1p02FtDHXuByOqhmR1nWkEYH05hi4NN/s640/blogger-image--296180999.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ36NxmMF22ywA2aezp8z5rdFSc_BP_N2iRpGSrzke7nDZtWSBDYLh2XnT0E6sis0WTgnazQkjDJORzGSwLOGQWeK0A7TgNF6JHzBu7qV-Fvmn0pXgYOzQRlTQvWkHYAgC1DfQ4kFP6WU/s640/blogger-image-1490757838.jpg"></div>This day started in a whirl of panic for Tammy and Joanne as they overslept and our train to Avignon left at 9 am. Then to make matters more stressful, we took the metro to the wrong train station. We did make our train, however, with a whopping 5 minutes to spare. Which brings me to the subject of riding trains in Europe, if you have not done this yet let me give you a few tips 1. Travel light, lugging a suitcase on and off a train with little time to spare can be cumbersome and you almost always have to climb several flights of stairs. 2. Read your train ticket carefully, it will tell you what station you leave from, what car number your seat is in, and in which class of service you are booked. 3. Don't be afraid to ask for help, many people in Europe speak English. <div>We arrived in Avignon and took a taxi to a predetermined meeting place to wait for our ride to the wine B & B in Chareauneuf du Pape. During our wait time we walked into the center of town and had some lunch. Out ride to the B & B was with a little Frenchman who was happy to share some of the local history. He was quite playful and teasing as we have found many of the Frenchmen to be.</div><div>Then we met Danielle Raulet-Reynaud, Sommelier and proprietor of the B & B. She was the first female sommelier in France and once a finalist as best sommelier in France and travels the world teaching her craft, so we were about to learn from one of the best. She started our evening explaining the wines of the Rhone Valley in her wine cellar below the B & B. There are four classifications of wines in this area, the one produced in Chateauneuf du Pape being one of the best, the wines can be crafted from just one grape or up to thirteen different grapes combined .We were then joined by six young Germans who were here only for the wine. They had just spent three days with Danielle wine tasting in the area and were headed home the next day. Danielle prepared an evening of wine and cheese pairing with at least 15 different wines. One of the last wines of the evening was from her private collection and cost between 450 and 500 euros. At 1 am we were finishing up with dessert and tastings then stumbled into bed for a good night of sleep before our first big hike if the trip. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnuUzg44_PX1NeBqSHbO6JXO1VHC47Xam4PK9TYfoiE4fYh9NxM71pQq_2b7FSSwnnpoB0CI6SfqNuGmbdffoTZ3DLoEZe7cvMCY3-JrZH1X7QvDqJa6Dvsli2xQhKZaTIRH4ndeQmqPZ/s640/blogger-image--832406992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnuUzg44_PX1NeBqSHbO6JXO1VHC47Xam4PK9TYfoiE4fYh9NxM71pQq_2b7FSSwnnpoB0CI6SfqNuGmbdffoTZ3DLoEZe7cvMCY3-JrZH1X7QvDqJa6Dvsli2xQhKZaTIRH4ndeQmqPZ/s640/blogger-image--832406992.jpg"></a></div></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-87005756912289724772014-09-06T12:38:00.001-07:002014-09-06T12:38:31.616-07:00We made dessert first as it should be!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTdIrX_3tUizEXBlkJ63iAuzk8_u-dtbTeUO9f9HouE8Cz1vzXCZ7JNcZoNa_3Fo_Dbw4jJfSpAXp98DMyQsW7AorE25myUo8VwCtfoK8guVzX1IRSDWOky27nxFcpTT9m4JtuP6lltCc/s640/blogger-image--2015755760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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The practice is not necessary now but is still done as tradition. We met our chef, Emily at the open market this morning and she took us all through the market educating us about foods, letting us decide what we wanted to cook. We learned melons are ripe when you see some cracking around the stems, dill, parsley and other such herbs should stand erect when you hold them up, to determine if fish is fresh within 24 to 48 hrs. The skin should be slimey but firm and the eyes should be clear. There are only 56 cheeses protected by the government. After gathering all the food we walked a short distance to the cooking school, there we had coffee and tea while Emily set up for our lesson. When we started each of us were given a duty and sometimes multiple duties. As things began to cook the smells became incredible, it wasn't long before we were sitting down for cheese, bread, wine and salad. Then the main course of rabbit and roasted vegetables. Our dessert was figs and biscuits. It was a devine meal with wonderful lessons about cooking and food. After our lesson we were each given a "La Cuisine Paris" apron to take home. <div>Our lesson concluded about 2 pm, Sue and Renee headed to the Louvre and the rest of us set out to find the catacombs. After many miles and ending up in a homeless camp we decided to give up the search and go to the Luxembourg gardens. We sat on the grass with the rest of the Parisians for awhile then decided <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FhBe252YJuKT_adIl553AD8S4IpwDf9teDCprdxyRRKfVO1aYmv9IXA2jUkisr_ngpWGapdz1Nok8Il1EzBFZFJ0LSg2MfRr4YhIwU4CKpp-xgPn-G4YgemiqCulijc6tVl6NXd35EzT/s640/blogger-image-369439774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FhBe252YJuKT_adIl553AD8S4IpwDf9teDCprdxyRRKfVO1aYmv9IXA2jUkisr_ngpWGapdz1Nok8Il1EzBFZFJ0LSg2MfRr4YhIwU4CKpp-xgPn-G4YgemiqCulijc6tVl6NXd35EzT/s640/blogger-image-369439774.jpg"></a></div>to really act like Parisans get some cheese, wine, and bread and sit by the Siene River for the evening. </div><div>We leave Paris in the morning but we will take with us many wonderful memories of "the most visited city in the world"</div><div><br></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-11737124084669009912014-09-05T22:49:00.001-07:002014-09-05T22:49:31.324-07:00WE WE we're in Pari'<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhRUpdlyZ-M9i0bKkGslqnzmXd2PwI6geDDJPvbG6JcUfLpevX-GzvTyHaPHmMGlxe-k9HoC6ISz89vWbia4UOdu3NAZ6PPByPOKLAdj3QwekfMIn3_sF1tkCLLJRoQKKI4VKMXiNdtbe/s640/blogger-image-1770345394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt9C-LiApS2-Xr2vyOURAortJ-sYSa3vFse91d7RM-1rPODt5hdbJR6zVKFbiWkX68Hkc5_t7Or6XxCAxTCmgMDmEWEfJ-YpuT2TrdOhd_XReBQMypYzjjyBpbyp8nDkPjQ4OQ721ec9T/s640/blogger-image-275511436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt9C-LiApS2-Xr2vyOURAortJ-sYSa3vFse91d7RM-1rPODt5hdbJR6zVKFbiWkX68Hkc5_t7Or6XxCAxTCmgMDmEWEfJ-YpuT2TrdOhd_XReBQMypYzjjyBpbyp8nDkPjQ4OQ721ec9T/s640/blogger-image-275511436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-kjhW3n6d7TZ9ixa9hGzIAfE6m6NualFI_mkPimK1L8YfiWBHjvx9a3cl-ANhioCiLlhQOl2Qb4CI_rzOd6_BLLMmsC32d66PEmH-WkWHBJp2dw1vfHN3wZXf9hPkSrW1DE6d-VFsQr/s640/blogger-image-1982459101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-kjhW3n6d7TZ9ixa9hGzIAfE6m6NualFI_mkPimK1L8YfiWBHjvx9a3cl-ANhioCiLlhQOl2Qb4CI_rzOd6_BLLMmsC32d66PEmH-WkWHBJp2dw1vfHN3wZXf9hPkSrW1DE6d-VFsQr/s640/blogger-image-1982459101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoOn1VPdVJB1NR_wMQMBMS1QCs02r1uqvtG4acwJeb8ZZ2tUn1za0E3WQNSHnXapKUO7WjDQWOTRO-MYnvbomhyeloUH29E8x8gjELJeHHUI5sKJhKq2FE04SQ7fDwLm18Bun_cYwoUkl/s640/blogger-image--1217938553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoOn1VPdVJB1NR_wMQMBMS1QCs02r1uqvtG4acwJeb8ZZ2tUn1za0E3WQNSHnXapKUO7WjDQWOTRO-MYnvbomhyeloUH29E8x8gjELJeHHUI5sKJhKq2FE04SQ7fDwLm18Bun_cYwoUkl/s640/blogger-image--1217938553.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-kjhW3n6d7TZ9ixa9hGzIAfE6m6NualFI_mkPimK1L8YfiWBHjvx9a3cl-ANhioCiLlhQOl2Qb4CI_rzOd6_BLLMmsC32d66PEmH-WkWHBJp2dw1vfHN3wZXf9hPkSrW1DE6d-VFsQr/s640/blogger-image-1982459101.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt9C-LiApS2-Xr2vyOURAortJ-sYSa3vFse91d7RM-1rPODt5hdbJR6zVKFbiWkX68Hkc5_t7Or6XxCAxTCmgMDmEWEfJ-YpuT2TrdOhd_XReBQMypYzjjyBpbyp8nDkPjQ4OQ721ec9T/s640/blogger-image-275511436.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qwv7OztC0Hc-X7MLzAKkNTyRPnsX-37CIezFt_hSxpFGuq7L5l487Cx1af98Vv-AvGBkLw1VpDLYoPwe7Rvb_JdmtUmeU7cl4lQoulyXjTl1Qy-EQsd1Pm5Hv-pKOIeKcMJfFY5uIf6J/s640/blogger-image-1315049394.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztEPL1PCOf10qeL7eRrTLNlW2lAbLN0fAfj-8fRFj9YZOxpxuem3L_pvTmTToHmulyGBM6X9_0xs8y4y_9ACTT-cGGx9ERvZlg2_fROYh3EkQ1dRKexHPLi8QLNGCef3og2G-tUdB1OT3/s640/blogger-image--110557159.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkp5w4IDiEi-7FFUoBzdlusi63AKN1PG7OBktpF0hZKWKI-W43fDP6co_d9VonnsX-Nsj6DmuUNfTtBW2oabR86bPGOtFUFKAhTLA2w03gF43xQ4B-gbL780aWEVvdznSGYt1Yci5FlJd/s640/blogger-image--428329334.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhRUpdlyZ-M9i0bKkGslqnzmXd2PwI6geDDJPvbG6JcUfLpevX-GzvTyHaPHmMGlxe-k9HoC6ISz89vWbia4UOdu3NAZ6PPByPOKLAdj3QwekfMIn3_sF1tkCLLJRoQKKI4VKMXiNdtbe/s640/blogger-image-1770345394.jpg"></div>We left Brugges behind us at 10 am this morning and arrived in Paris by train at 2 pm. We then took the metro ( no asking for directions) to Au Royal Cardinal Hotel. There we were held captive by the front desk man who insisted on a question and answer session for a half hour on Paris and informed us multiple times that Paris was the most visited city in the world. After we broke free from him we took the city bus to the Eiffel Tower and started our afternoon and evening of standing and waiting in line. If you ever want to punish someone for bad behavior make them stand on concrete for hours on end. Because "Paris is the most visited city in the world" everyone wants to see the Eiffel Tower at once I think. Of course once you got to the top the view is spectacular but looking at postcards is a lot less painful. Then we took a wonderful boat ride on the Siene. The structures along the river are breath taking and we timed the ride so just as we finished we were at the base of Eiffel Tower when it is lite up and sparking. So beautiful. Then we had to make our way back to our hotel after dark. A little more challenging, but we made it and finished our day at 11:00 pm with a delicious meal and a bottle of French wine.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaspU9yXsRSIS0VSjoCfC8rVwQe-KK8VpYGjzeXyEESmBFAJFW51ScruzBQAgXxfk2P-sEe7QFrKLnzvCo5RKuW4RGbRuk1W81RzXuQwXv228whHYs1nQtz_b-X4h9j23oEQCuolNOoTE4/s640/blogger-image--560016004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaspU9yXsRSIS0VSjoCfC8rVwQe-KK8VpYGjzeXyEESmBFAJFW51ScruzBQAgXxfk2P-sEe7QFrKLnzvCo5RKuW4RGbRuk1W81RzXuQwXv228whHYs1nQtz_b-X4h9j23oEQCuolNOoTE4/s640/blogger-image--560016004.jpg"></a></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-41850063017537979682014-09-04T07:50:00.001-07:002014-09-04T07:50:07.329-07:00Strolling and Boating in Brugges<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr_SLh5tzFqU6Qem0Dp8sc5mLWzM9R95zt0ySEB3QVmPQH0roDyZiPS_Y_z3OosJCKQtNAWtEPgeh8qlF7nSeFdQ40kaAJ561sR-Ac7Ut101hjwqzmLnr9ZY68dWpzkyPSML-iWpT9Z9h/s640/blogger-image-710445870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr_SLh5tzFqU6Qem0Dp8sc5mLWzM9R95zt0ySEB3QVmPQH0roDyZiPS_Y_z3OosJCKQtNAWtEPgeh8qlF7nSeFdQ40kaAJ561sR-Ac7Ut101hjwqzmLnr9ZY68dWpzkyPSML-iWpT9Z9h/s640/blogger-image-710445870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvwLhctVKUUh1MveL-u0JhI94K-jbDa-23I-q4_kjQRmtVdsfI9PrreLexEETQYirdrZm7sKm2KXZtP-e8AFFHv1Gh-_zzIyfd5ld3vPIizlR2m25fOfmrrDEsfN9o11V2cwkG-_NyUPT/s640/blogger-image-948868727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvwLhctVKUUh1MveL-u0JhI94K-jbDa-23I-q4_kjQRmtVdsfI9PrreLexEETQYirdrZm7sKm2KXZtP-e8AFFHv1Gh-_zzIyfd5ld3vPIizlR2m25fOfmrrDEsfN9o11V2cwkG-_NyUPT/s640/blogger-image-948868727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kOy-tmDvZLpSKJnSCxxisFz6ow3Fvwt9TqoHykBXXrcWINBHZ7wZTbX_48keD1tRsrAnJa0J2L66U5wVu1iGNPgq4mbEvrToIFIvvrH_-juaE4FyiGNEbw6Cf_wCnt9iE469OocWL457/s640/blogger-image--2037010688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kOy-tmDvZLpSKJnSCxxisFz6ow3Fvwt9TqoHykBXXrcWINBHZ7wZTbX_48keD1tRsrAnJa0J2L66U5wVu1iGNPgq4mbEvrToIFIvvrH_-juaE4FyiGNEbw6Cf_wCnt9iE469OocWL457/s640/blogger-image--2037010688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSQtJQIr6cHKfExkw1cQmYdkH8VC5Th0H7ku-1A2-mrF-P8KeT_wWKoU_55VPIjCaUp2bLikxjl5sIHvwJnhbkenRhxVmSIaUXqbpXiwYP0kYjNizptQEuBl_HW7n3F5Hc7Eue5FOh6Bo/s640/blogger-image--849759218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSQtJQIr6cHKfExkw1cQmYdkH8VC5Th0H7ku-1A2-mrF-P8KeT_wWKoU_55VPIjCaUp2bLikxjl5sIHvwJnhbkenRhxVmSIaUXqbpXiwYP0kYjNizptQEuBl_HW7n3F5Hc7Eue5FOh6Bo/s640/blogger-image--849759218.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kOy-tmDvZLpSKJnSCxxisFz6ow3Fvwt9TqoHykBXXrcWINBHZ7wZTbX_48keD1tRsrAnJa0J2L66U5wVu1iGNPgq4mbEvrToIFIvvrH_-juaE4FyiGNEbw6Cf_wCnt9iE469OocWL457/s640/blogger-image--2037010688.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvwLhctVKUUh1MveL-u0JhI94K-jbDa-23I-q4_kjQRmtVdsfI9PrreLexEETQYirdrZm7sKm2KXZtP-e8AFFHv1Gh-_zzIyfd5ld3vPIizlR2m25fOfmrrDEsfN9o11V2cwkG-_NyUPT/s640/blogger-image-948868727.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr_SLh5tzFqU6Qem0Dp8sc5mLWzM9R95zt0ySEB3QVmPQH0roDyZiPS_Y_z3OosJCKQtNAWtEPgeh8qlF7nSeFdQ40kaAJ561sR-Ac7Ut101hjwqzmLnr9ZY68dWpzkyPSML-iWpT9Z9h/s640/blogger-image-710445870.jpg"></div>We started today with Tammy bringing Melissa and Mary Belgium coffe in their room and then having a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. After strolling the streets we floated the canal and saw some beautiful buildings. We went into the Church of Our Lady and saw the only sculpture of Madonna done by Michaelangelo that is outside of Italy. The next very ornate church was St. Saviour's Cathedral which had beautiful stained glass windows and tombs in the floor. After all the churches it was time for a beer so we went to a local brewery called Die Halve Maan, the only local brewery left in Brugges. To work off the beer, Tammy, Joanne, Renee and Sue decided to climb 366 stairs to the top of the bell tower. Mary and Melissa didn't care to work off their beers so stayed below. Of course we had to buy some Belgian chocolate and Melissa bought a beautiful Belgian lace scarf for her dresser. Now we have gathered in one of our rooms and having a glass of wine to celebrate our day<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYSBFZly9PgIescMKQTk6bIE_s6-s6OYqcV1A8BH4_Uw8W6HQcvndHn2AYpAar776zhuOB5GHJ2-AbWGRPKAINHI0FoP3HNUsfnXGfGiC7K4xRJc-ILGQ2D5slfbhbIiMXOQRBgUbkDvV/s640/blogger-image--1167686505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYSBFZly9PgIescMKQTk6bIE_s6-s6OYqcV1A8BH4_Uw8W6HQcvndHn2AYpAar776zhuOB5GHJ2-AbWGRPKAINHI0FoP3HNUsfnXGfGiC7K4xRJc-ILGQ2D5slfbhbIiMXOQRBgUbkDvV/s640/blogger-image--1167686505.jpg"></a></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-4668030084197130982014-09-04T00:40:00.001-07:002014-09-04T00:40:05.068-07:00Planes, Trains, and automobilesAfter two movies, a little sleep, and some reading our 9 1/2 hour flight to Frankfurt was not half bad. When it came to train travel it was a good thing we were all women because it required multiple times of asking directions. The first train we had to ask several times until we felt that we were waiting on the right track for the right train. The second train we had a little better feel for how to figure things out and by the third train we were back to getting lost and having to back track to get to the right train. We have been traveling for 17 hrs so far and are still laughing and having a good time. After arriving in Brugges, Belgium at 8:45 pm local time we decided to take a cab to our hotel instead of walking and met a very nice driver Tammy gave him a pin from North Pole, Ak. to share a bit of Alaska with Belgium. Dinner was at a little local Italian place called Carlitos, right across from our hotel Oud Huis de Peellaert, wonderful dinner to finish our day!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHUm_K5lqOWb34NE3YoGQvauuSuaqVJQeU58MRKGJ5PH3oBeaNycDe1htrs0ME5PAhMIDLaMvrIpX2kWkRmAToLW_t4U1Ftj05-3GSAogj3Wicu9Ob_SXqRJ_25d9pdfICCw2W6HlxGVm/s640/blogger-image-160161633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHUm_K5lqOWb34NE3YoGQvauuSuaqVJQeU58MRKGJ5PH3oBeaNycDe1htrs0ME5PAhMIDLaMvrIpX2kWkRmAToLW_t4U1Ftj05-3GSAogj3Wicu9Ob_SXqRJ_25d9pdfICCw2W6HlxGVm/s640/blogger-image-160161633.jpg"></a></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-20096775586660220592014-09-02T17:13:00.001-07:002014-09-02T17:13:54.284-07:00Day of take off<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVYPE-0b3lCcq3skV8YuEGdTVKFmeEIIc6dJTHM17it_vV7668ZMyQT6lh_sV618A86WS201tCfis5sOfrkBV-n8M6pO6aL4U7u684Ch3rRfVTMmhEM31Gy7hnBsLj89U5ERRXIr-o6wu/s640/blogger-image-839269717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVYPE-0b3lCcq3skV8YuEGdTVKFmeEIIc6dJTHM17it_vV7668ZMyQT6lh_sV618A86WS201tCfis5sOfrkBV-n8M6pO6aL4U7u684Ch3rRfVTMmhEM31Gy7hnBsLj89U5ERRXIr-o6wu/s640/blogger-image-839269717.jpg"></a></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Anchorage61.17269 -149.983978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387405805772324479.post-70086261084686968222014-08-27T15:04:00.001-07:002014-08-27T15:04:07.935-07:00Six days before take offWe are getting down to the wire and the excitement and nervousness are setting in. The travel part is the exciting part, I have done enough of that to know how fun it is to experience new things. It is the physical part, the part that involves hiking over 110 miles in 12 days on uncertain terrain that has me nervous. I have done some pretty challenging hikes in the past six years but each year I get older I have to remind myself of how important the physical preparation is for each hike. I always think I should have done more but then I remember the support and companionship of friends takes you where ever you want to go. There will be five wonderful strong women by my side so I say let the challenge begin!!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS6kVmPwENtaWqkTBYJMOMi4c-jhHu2iWBd9dylU68Is6lncmjlmENapJbGnWWzFwV-rLk6xwOXw2Cq3YEgkjjyRzJDzKwsnJ31fnlZVoyFePEba9HBJP5tZXHi6tGIjQVPFRbrLh2SNH/s640/blogger-image-1691914850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS6kVmPwENtaWqkTBYJMOMi4c-jhHu2iWBd9dylU68Is6lncmjlmENapJbGnWWzFwV-rLk6xwOXw2Cq3YEgkjjyRzJDzKwsnJ31fnlZVoyFePEba9HBJP5tZXHi6tGIjQVPFRbrLh2SNH/s640/blogger-image-1691914850.jpg"></a></div>akwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04200395955197075533noreply@blogger.com0