tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49198630163208454172024-03-19T16:23:00.642-05:00Headed SouthMusings & photos on our life in Ajijic, Mexico, our travels around Mexico & around the world.deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-14440935966815747232024-01-17T14:31:00.000-06:002024-01-17T14:31:49.145-06:00Happy New Year and Yes. We Are Alive!<p><b><u> It's Been A Long, Long Year...and now it's over!</u></b></p><p>While sparing you the gory details, I will summarize our year as less than stellar. So, let's just move on and hope for a more groovy 2024, in spite of multiple wars, political upheaval and climate change. Stop Deirdre! It will be fine.</p><p>So, this will be a short post just to kick off the year. I must say Ajijic is a great place to spend New Years. The Mexicans really know how to enjoy a holiday. I mean in a country where the Day of the Dead is a festive event you can only imagine what New Years is like.</p><p>We began the celebration with our good friends Sally and Mike who, each year, host a Midnight In Paris Party. I offer this up to you readers of a certain age who find reaching midnight to be a bridge too far. So, with a Midnight in Paris party everyone celebrates at what would be midnight in Paris. For us in the Central Time Zone that means 5 PM. Assembling at 4 PM with wine in hand and massive appetizers we count down to champagne and toasts at five, more eating and drinking and we're home at 9:00. Perfect.</p><p>Having tucked in early we are prepared for the annual New Years Parade in the Village. This is not the Parade of Roses but it does have its charms. It is alleged that the parade originated as a method to cool hostilities between two barrios of the village. Rather than physical hostility it was decided that a healthy competition was in order.Thus they created the parade and decided a battle of the floats beat a battle of the fists. Over time the original impetus was lost and it just became another festive event.</p><p>The parade was billed to start "between noon and 1:00". We were far too experienced to fall for that. We showed up a bit before 1:00 and thus only had to wait and hour and a half more until the parade appeared. But it was not wasted time. We made new friends. That is the beauty (or one of the beauties) of this place. If you just plop yourself down somewhere odds are you will meet interesting people. So, as we sat on our concrete bench we made friends with a Canadian couple. He had been a news cameraman and had some interesting tales to tell. On Michael's side was a woman who was born in Mexico and was a professor at Carnegie Mellon. She was visiting Leon to celebrate her 60th birthday and decided to swing by Ajijc. We chatted with our new pals for over an hour and then enjoyed the parade together. It is a sweet place.</p><p>I said this would be short and it will. Mardi Gras will be rolling in soon and we will be going to Mazatlan in April to witness the total eclipse which passes directly overhead. Hopefully we'll get to do some more extensive travel as the year unwinds and we'll have more tales to share. In the interim, have a happy and healthy New Year and let us know what you are up to. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAmliH98l3yCRJSbPForLuRO9Brw5MWiBu0kPGWXdBO4n0YXK7pzTljf2aZDMliVpDeYCKWg7lvcpmsc8M86PD-7dFuKyJEYMG4AHFwe9m4Rqfj-3qLKk7H_B1jzSmQBo5ODBswnOnk3X1tyOBsH28l6DfN7ufwX26u1xFwSMlJ6v9xckcF45he13qeBs/s3872/Abuelita.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAmliH98l3yCRJSbPForLuRO9Brw5MWiBu0kPGWXdBO4n0YXK7pzTljf2aZDMliVpDeYCKWg7lvcpmsc8M86PD-7dFuKyJEYMG4AHFwe9m4Rqfj-3qLKk7H_B1jzSmQBo5ODBswnOnk3X1tyOBsH28l6DfN7ufwX26u1xFwSMlJ6v9xckcF45he13qeBs/w640-h428/Abuelita.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the abuela (grnadmother) & her nietos (grandchildren) participate in the parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp_QslZg1Y8w9Cm6p3rR5kZyTLYXbd8yYT9wLQwCI5JKlyCCbDV2NPI_0IzxKIH0Q-xCtbLZqmnnWlDPph7HPsfm1-UdoJTx5n1OaK5bswPZMFB9iWQDer1J8Deygb9D5pn8aEzlAX8NLNWDkO6w9mxFYhh1opGnL2XFqFu7l2Xr8ZMCe1vyJrYD5LLhb/s3872/Barbie%20Float.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp_QslZg1Y8w9Cm6p3rR5kZyTLYXbd8yYT9wLQwCI5JKlyCCbDV2NPI_0IzxKIH0Q-xCtbLZqmnnWlDPph7HPsfm1-UdoJTx5n1OaK5bswPZMFB9iWQDer1J8Deygb9D5pn8aEzlAX8NLNWDkO6w9mxFYhh1opGnL2XFqFu7l2Xr8ZMCe1vyJrYD5LLhb/w640-h428/Barbie%20Float.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <u>Barbie</u> theme was big this year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nxKEjjngEiWS5pMKUBBYH1OTHGF3RGN1jEdqKk3rhksO2LYLlEf_WUYxDkicSB5s_gF6BPWb7tQqEl7r9T0UlMp9A7-5oOteA7XCodM0ShGb6KBoNGlcFiu5ArMhyphenhyphentq10sQhMfHP3ycMlGPbriUZDAmJ05AsI9uU6E6Q3I1X9vGFgICRKqHnINOF4NBK/s3872/Caballoero.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nxKEjjngEiWS5pMKUBBYH1OTHGF3RGN1jEdqKk3rhksO2LYLlEf_WUYxDkicSB5s_gF6BPWb7tQqEl7r9T0UlMp9A7-5oOteA7XCodM0ShGb6KBoNGlcFiu5ArMhyphenhyphentq10sQhMfHP3ycMlGPbriUZDAmJ05AsI9uU6E6Q3I1X9vGFgICRKqHnINOF4NBK/w640-h428/Caballoero.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This man was providing his own horsepower, while fueling it with cerveza.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIZMbBGrpShJ0rHdyb1PG1fhAIbH_a_P8FSCycQB5UV_E-wLB_Vza-xBzhRKwFaC3nTP2zF_3aKghE6BOa6eazppd9mwCL76aB7qUcO7-XKoRgi08w7HE9Ph5070SLtNqvR32nZl-jqnp4PDA7UyCFWXDL2UIZW_xH_pebTshTKKkzvYASyZg58ippOKh/s3872/Confetti1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIZMbBGrpShJ0rHdyb1PG1fhAIbH_a_P8FSCycQB5UV_E-wLB_Vza-xBzhRKwFaC3nTP2zF_3aKghE6BOa6eazppd9mwCL76aB7qUcO7-XKoRgi08w7HE9Ph5070SLtNqvR32nZl-jqnp4PDA7UyCFWXDL2UIZW_xH_pebTshTKKkzvYASyZg58ippOKh/w640-h428/Confetti1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's a parade without a little confetti...</td></tr></tbody></table>.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RHK5gcExJtaUecJ7s4X40LIX2zDgmQxBUmZNIE9LRLiDq5jvTbij_7bCROjCwkpsqlcBkH_0zrLgF2hRgTcdPX5RalwrrpGZGkfFOuu0Jn0QvZ1GswXKr5-Gl5jZ-0GGpJDHErg_NDKNvLx1_GsjdPPqe2XddoP7vrUxPZ8XhducdwJHomtelkpGqa9J/s3872/Confetti2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RHK5gcExJtaUecJ7s4X40LIX2zDgmQxBUmZNIE9LRLiDq5jvTbij_7bCROjCwkpsqlcBkH_0zrLgF2hRgTcdPX5RalwrrpGZGkfFOuu0Jn0QvZ1GswXKr5-Gl5jZ-0GGpJDHErg_NDKNvLx1_GsjdPPqe2XddoP7vrUxPZ8XhducdwJHomtelkpGqa9J/w640-h428/Confetti2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with some dispensed by an angel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRf42HHncPc4kPznn70Svy5kY0_7tA0mz15xifZBUDjBWtuLa9Zbs7iwfVPUq423-Ezlv2QjU_UNoqY9DRpbRvpEW2X928C1R-M68_42ffYt-tC1XCcjEEgoSoElrbtpgsPwHua_KEDUzpizTi2TjFcv_yIesYjJCTjANXQOWWAKJ5vnXY54Iz0CkWGYn/s2297/Confetti3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="2026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRf42HHncPc4kPznn70Svy5kY0_7tA0mz15xifZBUDjBWtuLa9Zbs7iwfVPUq423-Ezlv2QjU_UNoqY9DRpbRvpEW2X928C1R-M68_42ffYt-tC1XCcjEEgoSoElrbtpgsPwHua_KEDUzpizTi2TjFcv_yIesYjJCTjANXQOWWAKJ5vnXY54Iz0CkWGYn/w564-h640/Confetti3.jpeg" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Spiderwoman was part of the parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5_D_GXhp-ux4b9ND530XkKXpCtXpx7jWfWb-VuzFKhQKNDghfoy6dbkC3towkajVwt3fmJmxLF6t3s_tz0s0kIIIINL4t3XdSpPTfcgRpJfQnikGlhocdAqJJt549_pVB37hj3RHgUid7t75B3tpzTgyRfhMAVZLltXBNNIskGFUboupOL4wGdxA1M0n/s3872/Dragon.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5_D_GXhp-ux4b9ND530XkKXpCtXpx7jWfWb-VuzFKhQKNDghfoy6dbkC3towkajVwt3fmJmxLF6t3s_tz0s0kIIIINL4t3XdSpPTfcgRpJfQnikGlhocdAqJJt549_pVB37hj3RHgUid7t75B3tpzTgyRfhMAVZLltXBNNIskGFUboupOL4wGdxA1M0n/w640-h428/Dragon.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los seis esquinas (six corners) had a dragon in the parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOctLrF9qumpZfmpxKQCMAIJQPyURCy-yNaAwGYONVi4GkHkDe4C78c-8EfKo4KuqPhB4tkYputohmqFtzI9kTs7QMBO6736T4mqQVVHYJQf8Xn69ubegh0USbA6ss_pG8z8FdwHk_4DaB8qalJA8VZnzoqoW9SCFoWcU7BOVywk_woeBtIudxOXAWMcI/s3872/El%20Toro%20cohetes.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOctLrF9qumpZfmpxKQCMAIJQPyURCy-yNaAwGYONVi4GkHkDe4C78c-8EfKo4KuqPhB4tkYputohmqFtzI9kTs7QMBO6736T4mqQVVHYJQf8Xn69ubegh0USbA6ss_pG8z8FdwHk_4DaB8qalJA8VZnzoqoW9SCFoWcU7BOVywk_woeBtIudxOXAWMcI/w640-h428/El%20Toro%20cohetes.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "torito" or bull frame with firecrackers attached was on the hood of this vehicle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf7xmqaF0PqeDhfSm-4YPfrEWAbw935JARxvrPa229KUE4oyfvZGyoirA3m4MFa7yUNLoOhWAAHgKwR6-oDPMei3K2c1Nv4vsyilQFCQ1ysvfmOeuOZ48gzfHGMXYCPqFDrW3udyKgqBhFr2l6hPiij9lRfyAcC-CwKjhDJZt3AzAZTN2mjbUmO2SVP-K/s3201/Elf.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3201" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf7xmqaF0PqeDhfSm-4YPfrEWAbw935JARxvrPa229KUE4oyfvZGyoirA3m4MFa7yUNLoOhWAAHgKwR6-oDPMei3K2c1Nv4vsyilQFCQ1ysvfmOeuOZ48gzfHGMXYCPqFDrW3udyKgqBhFr2l6hPiij9lRfyAcC-CwKjhDJZt3AzAZTN2mjbUmO2SVP-K/w640-h518/Elf.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cute pair look like they are ready for their performance in the Nutcracker.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOgWH_c9QN9kV_mVV245tI5w92D60yBU-95_KG272GaLISxD5APU0616iKPOvli7NqC6PgKxSHmULfEnc4XZE2WunT4Z7jC8UwdHR-yvFtoJ6AXh1w4IiP0LUUu817oKmGuFwi1WpjObY7MDxuDBGg-83-uFwhR_ENvp43ltV1TIjpdzpMeyR8ulrYRXk/s3872/Fairies1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOgWH_c9QN9kV_mVV245tI5w92D60yBU-95_KG272GaLISxD5APU0616iKPOvli7NqC6PgKxSHmULfEnc4XZE2WunT4Z7jC8UwdHR-yvFtoJ6AXh1w4IiP0LUUu817oKmGuFwi1WpjObY7MDxuDBGg-83-uFwhR_ENvp43ltV1TIjpdzpMeyR8ulrYRXk/w640-h428/Fairies1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are either supposed to be young fairies...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2ROINSSyPEg9eHHGO0azg9quKvJDMSZqLH784DFk_PlMtLG5MJ8UcEOHSaCPEo0oMxCHg8UQ5arw2UytI6Xoktm1HZl2AIlOeABBM2cI4j42ThoVF-pZ4JdpdDwMUa4mf89k7yDk6N4by5IY-JrZv7rOUiLz-qO3IVNIBakXAuQQ5jytQGYCzH0Jb2CA/s3872/Fairies2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2ROINSSyPEg9eHHGO0azg9quKvJDMSZqLH784DFk_PlMtLG5MJ8UcEOHSaCPEo0oMxCHg8UQ5arw2UytI6Xoktm1HZl2AIlOeABBM2cI4j42ThoVF-pZ4JdpdDwMUa4mf89k7yDk6N4by5IY-JrZv7rOUiLz-qO3IVNIBakXAuQQ5jytQGYCzH0Jb2CA/w640-h428/Fairies2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">or mariposas (butterflies).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlkCHZwMCSAQOuvIg4258Z0zB6VHzjp6lQDe-AFlfK4diKSRx_sWABJkQODvkMwmC4wAwA0yEJtXvcVdukx5vmPzd1Il4HKlAfCi-ABOYsWTWa9HsExr7_jJ2guTx4tjfu2n2bx9Z0Kez4xOEKTywf-IWzUh2V5xA9FuuMKXfI8rsalGuA4qEw-ZIsUuj/s3872/Grinch.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlkCHZwMCSAQOuvIg4258Z0zB6VHzjp6lQDe-AFlfK4diKSRx_sWABJkQODvkMwmC4wAwA0yEJtXvcVdukx5vmPzd1Il4HKlAfCi-ABOYsWTWa9HsExr7_jJ2guTx4tjfu2n2bx9Z0Kez4xOEKTywf-IWzUh2V5xA9FuuMKXfI8rsalGuA4qEw-ZIsUuj/w640-h428/Grinch.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO New Year's parade is completer without the Grinch, appearing as the DJ for this event.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yf-U0dwi3X8m3MGzOA0FSqTYt8dHGNK89k6G4i2QhvUk7rOfWEChDufGeNgXqKRBWp2RSIrNDBoV4aZRUYCfFsUpMeosDQp3mtR76udfLjQBFew3rsMZbuX9x6LtAqQJBS08mcKQtPwuNFefnnhizO42ooJa2uFAuN0nJLlduKMednjFEot_6urbD4U/s2592/Hooded%20Figure.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yf-U0dwi3X8m3MGzOA0FSqTYt8dHGNK89k6G4i2QhvUk7rOfWEChDufGeNgXqKRBWp2RSIrNDBoV4aZRUYCfFsUpMeosDQp3mtR76udfLjQBFew3rsMZbuX9x6LtAqQJBS08mcKQtPwuNFefnnhizO42ooJa2uFAuN0nJLlduKMednjFEot_6urbD4U/w492-h640/Hooded%20Figure.jpeg" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll let you use your imagination on this one.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjD-461QVDEdy7DvOB5qislUK3_2dZCC1v-YBlePnfu-WHkJqF9BcAvyVSt6Y8Cu6FhKV8khr0m-z79WzMGt538DOOEovzlDdBoakWIY5R2sbP4C_VhuQ3rfop2onWaN16Tvv8-UKilYuterAitZBvojpve4f_ZiaJkkYQYxzkgw5go3I-ZDHZJYSzq9-/s3872/Horse%20Wrangler.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjD-461QVDEdy7DvOB5qislUK3_2dZCC1v-YBlePnfu-WHkJqF9BcAvyVSt6Y8Cu6FhKV8khr0m-z79WzMGt538DOOEovzlDdBoakWIY5R2sbP4C_VhuQ3rfop2onWaN16Tvv8-UKilYuterAitZBvojpve4f_ZiaJkkYQYxzkgw5go3I-ZDHZJYSzq9-/w640-h428/Horse%20Wrangler.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No parade would in Ajijic would ever be complete without the caballo & caballero.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuc2GkbVG-c6tTl1BRUQF-wEDnly6lLta1IpbtRMnzyck5j0_rYHVZUsq7HJrUFFAEpa6h0Ul0Sd9aXmPzB_3JphR-9AMRM4v6MjgrBZ2BBe5xOdjfEp6SS8BOcwHWxOFjXjrXQ809R7Zdz28GIocpdx0egqxlcX7A8H0367U2ascE-ttedKX1SFqFeNN/s3872/Little%20twirlers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuc2GkbVG-c6tTl1BRUQF-wEDnly6lLta1IpbtRMnzyck5j0_rYHVZUsq7HJrUFFAEpa6h0Ul0Sd9aXmPzB_3JphR-9AMRM4v6MjgrBZ2BBe5xOdjfEp6SS8BOcwHWxOFjXjrXQ809R7Zdz28GIocpdx0egqxlcX7A8H0367U2ascE-ttedKX1SFqFeNN/w640-h428/Little%20twirlers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young children get in on the action as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs_wARTm1KQ6vIKnd12WUJxx0dVdIEyUAFIgFHLCWPJPX4u_t6NitcqjVCC1utHCg58iM_JqpD9VYcYKuHPEjhB6jMs1MGdGfJZtZ1yUaxwn5DHP6F72PpeerAnuIqLimN5I5okJMJ2axLKnmUXuulPsXEDnIe4vaumno216PkUNbytKKSUx0P0UR2IJx/s3872/Nin%CC%83a%20Dulce2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs_wARTm1KQ6vIKnd12WUJxx0dVdIEyUAFIgFHLCWPJPX4u_t6NitcqjVCC1utHCg58iM_JqpD9VYcYKuHPEjhB6jMs1MGdGfJZtZ1yUaxwn5DHP6F72PpeerAnuIqLimN5I5okJMJ2axLKnmUXuulPsXEDnIe4vaumno216PkUNbytKKSUx0P0UR2IJx/w640-h428/Nin%CC%83a%20Dulce2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too many parents NOB (North of the Border) would have their young child....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydoUnvSdidLD3xQ9hZcy3JmdmkeyHRKkDj_djzhQkmPKTSnaxd03Xt_UfxABGCN8kO-cy-T5hFdzFxmbHG3PrD7r7hqygbC7re2d1Ko7GeXS7RUB3VrU9FryxC888HYhRhl27yY4uJHtYi71kuS3iXavHusL-6I_yhXeT5cIahX377U0cCF7p80O_AJiz/s3872/Nin%CC%83a%20Dulce.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydoUnvSdidLD3xQ9hZcy3JmdmkeyHRKkDj_djzhQkmPKTSnaxd03Xt_UfxABGCN8kO-cy-T5hFdzFxmbHG3PrD7r7hqygbC7re2d1Ko7GeXS7RUB3VrU9FryxC888HYhRhl27yY4uJHtYi71kuS3iXavHusL-6I_yhXeT5cIahX377U0cCF7p80O_AJiz/w640-h428/Nin%CC%83a%20Dulce.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding on top of the car, no matter how slow it may be going.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVZYt6WlPPq7ZPArtX6Q_eXrxJ5l3DKRy1YoaIa9psStDnR_uxncs5kUM0eMIegMea-LL2HO-V_Ty6y02CdRe1f6-BlT4dF7OFBDnTULifakN_D55Ei-1mtM96Jc_uu8YYqvMQyKP5he__smxnEvFJ8u53RWHQ60KYMi4toUFtKU1vHRXzkT9YXq_uOhF/s3872/Nuns1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVZYt6WlPPq7ZPArtX6Q_eXrxJ5l3DKRy1YoaIa9psStDnR_uxncs5kUM0eMIegMea-LL2HO-V_Ty6y02CdRe1f6-BlT4dF7OFBDnTULifakN_D55Ei-1mtM96Jc_uu8YYqvMQyKP5he__smxnEvFJ8u53RWHQ60KYMi4toUFtKU1vHRXzkT9YXq_uOhF/w640-h428/Nuns1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As can be seen from these two photos, the "naughty" nuns put in an appearance as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEQSssMqSALcNpgc09wUTNaLZ2ZkCrSWffTW1SbyqMTF2YGyvfHTYLVwkZuOnxBuGK_ab4G9sISHptBYuzeYWbBf-rPprOdfEqhPBJY20p0aqGBDlCpkPIcIUNRheuJDJyykXJ8pE98tqweOcOOh8VaNSS2mrAp34I245kY9c_bad7rplyXV44KceDgsx/s3872/Nuns2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEQSssMqSALcNpgc09wUTNaLZ2ZkCrSWffTW1SbyqMTF2YGyvfHTYLVwkZuOnxBuGK_ab4G9sISHptBYuzeYWbBf-rPprOdfEqhPBJY20p0aqGBDlCpkPIcIUNRheuJDJyykXJ8pE98tqweOcOOh8VaNSS2mrAp34I245kY9c_bad7rplyXV44KceDgsx/w640-h428/Nuns2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhH-QD4q9hA7gflKndrFgLrpvzba5nIL6xuHrm4dXRs5WEyGWBafZF8bVeJxW28G_fAyUDA8B1XS_bG8o9q9pJePFUjLdawcG0A8PAysJXYhAs0-9tOPKUCxKsa2x-OOoEzySwWR-22lpUu_gzLTDZIAZSXH9a4ND7cm4XHiFyLOQwIO-a0N3qzh8Xxak/s3872/Papier%20Mache%20Heads1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhH-QD4q9hA7gflKndrFgLrpvzba5nIL6xuHrm4dXRs5WEyGWBafZF8bVeJxW28G_fAyUDA8B1XS_bG8o9q9pJePFUjLdawcG0A8PAysJXYhAs0-9tOPKUCxKsa2x-OOoEzySwWR-22lpUu_gzLTDZIAZSXH9a4ND7cm4XHiFyLOQwIO-a0N3qzh8Xxak/w640-h428/Papier%20Mache%20Heads1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were many characters with large papier mache heads...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNZCLBfRTXNysInL0vem71_ge9t55wz6nykJuRCBGRcVFEbCgm69hvelhHh71QJDwmKOVBdL3dH5WeMJKbIZWlvFlFu_cbzuUkaCjZH9fcbdfbzOdvjRJmMiM_g3rUaxuguwgMNXwAWEJn8FZtc9pwmpm5dIZRWI-HU6U7B4VMSJxW1Rwt5vVbdA0HN3y/s3872/Papier%20Mache%20Heads2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNZCLBfRTXNysInL0vem71_ge9t55wz6nykJuRCBGRcVFEbCgm69hvelhHh71QJDwmKOVBdL3dH5WeMJKbIZWlvFlFu_cbzuUkaCjZH9fcbdfbzOdvjRJmMiM_g3rUaxuguwgMNXwAWEJn8FZtc9pwmpm5dIZRWI-HU6U7B4VMSJxW1Rwt5vVbdA0HN3y/w640-h428/Papier%20Mache%20Heads2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">of different types...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKQVgwEOTay6wSczs-gl_JdZ1fc-jnCkjsl9g-RQdJfaQoGUF93J9iungtBesf9-qwc4DZtIa3CloTVctiBIYQDXYXkBQlBPwY4yAp4xPHPXicq3spckAEev-Xq1dhvAMBrQSzCEc9ylVfVe7cilCT1Ndli8ffRv-usV4mX48UcofbezsypPy5uutF6MH/s3872/Papier%20Mache%20Heads%20@%20end1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKQVgwEOTay6wSczs-gl_JdZ1fc-jnCkjsl9g-RQdJfaQoGUF93J9iungtBesf9-qwc4DZtIa3CloTVctiBIYQDXYXkBQlBPwY4yAp4xPHPXicq3spckAEev-Xq1dhvAMBrQSzCEc9ylVfVe7cilCT1Ndli8ffRv-usV4mX48UcofbezsypPy5uutF6MH/w640-h428/Papier%20Mache%20Heads%20@%20end1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and varieties.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv6ZgMtfmV4x_Tntie6UYuIwbSgp-TsDtvpc6NCaSfABU44Eqxu1ZO4DzvxGPqEvMsFR5UxJyc5F5gcjkrLwEiCY4sqY4RXRK2rs7q6bHtr3cNiHQhDiaDHBQUxHN4_Dyotm3y2dF9Gha-sCy9ggn1RoZFpakzQNN5qL0NwS-CvsvNg-ojXQtBaI7Exxh/s3872/Papier%20Mache%20Heads%20@%20end2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv6ZgMtfmV4x_Tntie6UYuIwbSgp-TsDtvpc6NCaSfABU44Eqxu1ZO4DzvxGPqEvMsFR5UxJyc5F5gcjkrLwEiCY4sqY4RXRK2rs7q6bHtr3cNiHQhDiaDHBQUxHN4_Dyotm3y2dF9Gha-sCy9ggn1RoZFpakzQNN5qL0NwS-CvsvNg-ojXQtBaI7Exxh/w640-h428/Papier%20Mache%20Heads%20@%20end2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoWENNZOWaopM9FfFEvQTheYwEPfJKWr57XTtuZpwHQ8AznrhBAnSdDYAoDVd7MMsWMSGE2KHTkTwVHkLPlM82wDS-pDv5X9USn6q-e2ihRfGc25DCn6MGV6DcE-AADqSC5FmXiQd-zpby3d6I3RSoOA7fHXyTDnHb_A2pt-DbGEvfK1wZg9NcU8KKLsl/s3872/Riding%20El%20Toro1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoWENNZOWaopM9FfFEvQTheYwEPfJKWr57XTtuZpwHQ8AznrhBAnSdDYAoDVd7MMsWMSGE2KHTkTwVHkLPlM82wDS-pDv5X9USn6q-e2ihRfGc25DCn6MGV6DcE-AADqSC5FmXiQd-zpby3d6I3RSoOA7fHXyTDnHb_A2pt-DbGEvfK1wZg9NcU8KKLsl/w640-h428/Riding%20El%20Toro1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the more intriguing floats was this one with the young man riding...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbHQoMrfHY2y9-4R4rAEcPpjb4nraYIHPTuQg-rWfp0mIwGFVtdC8RWNWOVoIuUf2H9OGzd4TR9OsaAm4RqnYDkbZlyq_IDzPVZgyXIBhyyVM3-Mn3cm0N4x4oFJu81GQDnElEQfTgS9EWswV0VomPRDSrOI_QJtjthnDIqZgZyqgVh6bTmTnwkKM4254/s3872/Riding%20El%20Toro2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbHQoMrfHY2y9-4R4rAEcPpjb4nraYIHPTuQg-rWfp0mIwGFVtdC8RWNWOVoIuUf2H9OGzd4TR9OsaAm4RqnYDkbZlyq_IDzPVZgyXIBhyyVM3-Mn3cm0N4x4oFJu81GQDnElEQfTgS9EWswV0VomPRDSrOI_QJtjthnDIqZgZyqgVh6bTmTnwkKM4254/w640-h428/Riding%20El%20Toro2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and balancing on a large papier mache bull.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVgMx1kOMUXxojxFbfc65kg96ciqyzeq48R-RNtaG6voxVy8dYb4p1TRGRV5PR9LGeAT96urCW8JVdtL0whEhZK2lBSuFWcX1nriDk4dcS4sklwIxTxC3X8vmqHgnda4MhwKEIS8vn7bPwV5c1SSTTUZKuGUHpkCxIGgnOeZJYDq0uAjcnqzKKiy-WhQW/s3872/Santa1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVgMx1kOMUXxojxFbfc65kg96ciqyzeq48R-RNtaG6voxVy8dYb4p1TRGRV5PR9LGeAT96urCW8JVdtL0whEhZK2lBSuFWcX1nriDk4dcS4sklwIxTxC3X8vmqHgnda4MhwKEIS8vn7bPwV5c1SSTTUZKuGUHpkCxIGgnOeZJYDq0uAjcnqzKKiy-WhQW/w640-h428/Santa1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Claus himself put in an appearance having dispensed with his rigorous Christmas duties...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNR1CLjyOZVO3u2EpDVE2BmcT_wNst_WtFrDS7FZL08GSdT_SR8i0TWS92tlP8Jb1g8xVRDzbcKDXaY2upph8CmjvR5pPBZOtgTPU0dPWwSRxe7jcb31zkAzrf0F4A6G3_uYKX0l3FWcY1Di7r42FJsKCEnScEitOK8jlSgNjcB76B7X0712i7sUe62Mo/s3872/Santa2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNR1CLjyOZVO3u2EpDVE2BmcT_wNst_WtFrDS7FZL08GSdT_SR8i0TWS92tlP8Jb1g8xVRDzbcKDXaY2upph8CmjvR5pPBZOtgTPU0dPWwSRxe7jcb31zkAzrf0F4A6G3_uYKX0l3FWcY1Di7r42FJsKCEnScEitOK8jlSgNjcB76B7X0712i7sUe62Mo/w640-h428/Santa2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to help celebrate the New Year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwOcp9EPRp48P6cFoiw5NsJUje2XweVtmKUKW47O2XXwO-ravP4uWopF7jlqP0mbjI0OFUiL_B3EMqM8Mff1beZ8iiAqVYUXP1kOiV_zMujC8SdsHlEi8pYKtafO3YsTw31ZzOwBkItcq0e-d83HGCrbe0aGcTKBoCxWRJB4IEoIcevg_T4bQKHQ0KCHp/s3872/Spaceship.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwOcp9EPRp48P6cFoiw5NsJUje2XweVtmKUKW47O2XXwO-ravP4uWopF7jlqP0mbjI0OFUiL_B3EMqM8Mff1beZ8iiAqVYUXP1kOiV_zMujC8SdsHlEi8pYKtafO3YsTw31ZzOwBkItcq0e-d83HGCrbe0aGcTKBoCxWRJB4IEoIcevg_T4bQKHQ0KCHp/w640-h428/Spaceship.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spaceship with aliens following were also part of the parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlnNh-NqXF-M4cX7iX1NpJF8skgYevlQUGP8Bj1zwxzCSjJgKGKZwdntfMyVcWrbbxyKrfYNAV6l8gIQ-hDQb4xnSM8W-eO5H2ipNoGJ60AAe6f3oraY2-YlSsVKhuqdTXkWdffkb3oqgAif7dRyD7RzG32gOpIotmekHcR1HJc9BmwVaSeJFBGq47HuC/s3872/the%20Queen's%20Wave:Barbie.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlnNh-NqXF-M4cX7iX1NpJF8skgYevlQUGP8Bj1zwxzCSjJgKGKZwdntfMyVcWrbbxyKrfYNAV6l8gIQ-hDQb4xnSM8W-eO5H2ipNoGJ60AAe6f3oraY2-YlSsVKhuqdTXkWdffkb3oqgAif7dRyD7RzG32gOpIotmekHcR1HJc9BmwVaSeJFBGq47HuC/w640-h428/the%20Queen's%20Wave:Barbie.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young girl had perfected the "royal wave".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-845468960313515142023-07-17T18:13:00.000-05:002023-07-17T18:13:12.466-05:00The Last Lap<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> Disclaimer:</p></blockquote><p>This is, we believe, the longest blog we have ever done -- not by intent. There were just so many photos and once you put them in it is really hard to like chop the blog in half and issue two instead of one. So, you may want to break your read in half or you may want to get two beers instead of one. Just warning you..... <u>Heading into the Home Stretch</u></p><p>By now we had gone from Tuscany, down the west coast, across the toe of the boot to Sicily, back across the toe to the heel of the boot on the east coast and now we were heading up to the Alps via Bologna. It had finally stopped raining (praise Allah) and with smiles on our faces and a song in our hearts we headed out for our Agriturismo outside of Bologna.</p><p><u>We Don't Talk About Food... But</u></p><p>Michael had plotted the exact midpoint on our trip to Bologna where we would stop for lunch. Faggio had nothing to recommend it except for its convenient location and by this time we'd eaten so much that we were not being picky. The restaurant opened at 12:30 and we were early so we parked and surveyed the landscape. Hot Damn! There was a street market. It was a big one and the first we had seen that even began to rival the French markets we adore. We spent a blissful half hour admiring giant peppers and lustrous eggplants before tearing ourselves away to dine.</p><p>We entered the charming but unassuming restaurant. We were the first customers. We are ALWAYS the first customers in Europe -- so gauche. A waitress approached and we ordered glasses of wine. Two bottles arrived and it was clear we were supposed to work our way through them -- sober driving be damned. And then it began. Not a word was spoken - a relief considering our linguistic challenges-- and small plate after small plate began arriving. One more amazing than the last. Sea bream in cream, risotto with black truffles-- I'll just let your imagination do the rest. Somewhere around plate three the chef/owner arrived to welcome us. He spoke some English and told us of his family's olive groves on the coast while gifting us with a bottle of the most delicious, spicy olive oil I've ever had. It was fennel that gave it a little kick. Twelve plates, a bottle of wine each and a glass of limoncello and we rolled out of the restaurant and hit the road once more. In our three hours in the town we never saw anyone who looked remotely like a tourist.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK7rSMlXAgBspwDQV1QkG8W7kV1K6OhCLtzBUHbGvT0TzHzFLcf1R0oB7cYghfZL9ItxcHSuLDENcHuq9b7DN7NngIWdfJaPh-QXw0D9e46H3wCAtsQsKNpMCDj0dRjCcvU0Z3QmPJuhv2Ag818JRkuxPZWrsvp-S_QH4tk8ONevuoLk3R0d3ikenD4hB/s2048/1Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK7rSMlXAgBspwDQV1QkG8W7kV1K6OhCLtzBUHbGvT0TzHzFLcf1R0oB7cYghfZL9ItxcHSuLDENcHuq9b7DN7NngIWdfJaPh-QXw0D9e46H3wCAtsQsKNpMCDj0dRjCcvU0Z3QmPJuhv2Ag818JRkuxPZWrsvp-S_QH4tk8ONevuoLk3R0d3ikenD4hB/w640-h480/1Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seafood at the market was plentiful...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-kQtycqkcuOdJGjafiNIPNtH6om8e76bdPenuD_BscDLb3xpQsIArmSCZJNxo2KfTjDXJNXT65I0RF6wEdHcVbIFe5TM1JV3u3GAiL0S9YNE7XROEc_72IPqqh3mC7uvCH8HClS3U1_gMedn7dZ-jpvepT4gjvRDPAahYqbY9w3xT6ooRjzwupCn8UNn/s2048/2Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-kQtycqkcuOdJGjafiNIPNtH6om8e76bdPenuD_BscDLb3xpQsIArmSCZJNxo2KfTjDXJNXT65I0RF6wEdHcVbIFe5TM1JV3u3GAiL0S9YNE7XROEc_72IPqqh3mC7uvCH8HClS3U1_gMedn7dZ-jpvepT4gjvRDPAahYqbY9w3xT6ooRjzwupCn8UNn/w640-h480/2Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as can be seen in these photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIJAgWbgSPkR4DOaljc-MPfvdaZp9xGCUr1N8GZcdQ-QA13-ybfzd3mWbPBxLRmKu9eivex47KfAXuip2yhubg6clJ320xptPAD-45GFM26vPLgtFcjM2ZvLz45Cu01sJGyRmiespZl4ITYcE7KPxhqLsms4IQdmxkWGfLYd8MLAWLklI0uEFqH-CVcDb/s2048/3Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIJAgWbgSPkR4DOaljc-MPfvdaZp9xGCUr1N8GZcdQ-QA13-ybfzd3mWbPBxLRmKu9eivex47KfAXuip2yhubg6clJ320xptPAD-45GFM26vPLgtFcjM2ZvLz45Cu01sJGyRmiespZl4ITYcE7KPxhqLsms4IQdmxkWGfLYd8MLAWLklI0uEFqH-CVcDb/w640-h480/3Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But so was the variety of fruit and vegetables as can be seen in this series of photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYf6rW-ZhWnGG1EQ_WD7xEaxGtP2n41uO4WrpHxx0WGLdTTzFomfljwVZsQty5QfaxAysCn55sNu0Eu5dZRSAh0Po6Sozu8ybwrIUf2qDuQ3Be9XfP_OjeKMrnxqXfoMEOOKmL7z8Y4m4397ZmrIBDTeokfQQBbqvW6MjgGdWFYA3QXHR-uF0NrYAztrJ/s2048/4Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYf6rW-ZhWnGG1EQ_WD7xEaxGtP2n41uO4WrpHxx0WGLdTTzFomfljwVZsQty5QfaxAysCn55sNu0Eu5dZRSAh0Po6Sozu8ybwrIUf2qDuQ3Be9XfP_OjeKMrnxqXfoMEOOKmL7z8Y4m4397ZmrIBDTeokfQQBbqvW6MjgGdWFYA3QXHR-uF0NrYAztrJ/w640-h480/4Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQihD6RlIYsKasQB1iQPxunZexrhElie7duyaiNpQIQ-Oyd1UYQHCPp4YdyBEQFQV764KWmJSW6clQKfdy6ljUF-GFB97aVZ-ACBlRmLvceZoCcqDVHoXWOl4cjp8g6ufIah6CGGCJC4gmKUDOiEZp5sAP_lgkg6DhyvLuWjkJiqcAhP7UCP5LhtHZmBrY/s2048/5Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQihD6RlIYsKasQB1iQPxunZexrhElie7duyaiNpQIQ-Oyd1UYQHCPp4YdyBEQFQV764KWmJSW6clQKfdy6ljUF-GFB97aVZ-ACBlRmLvceZoCcqDVHoXWOl4cjp8g6ufIah6CGGCJC4gmKUDOiEZp5sAP_lgkg6DhyvLuWjkJiqcAhP7UCP5LhtHZmBrY/w640-h480/5Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG-HL-cY32AZUbjuG5E1OSygdW-eAhIL1bxshOSK9xLHLlwOcAtxrDt90rqPerpzrrfn1-g6XRdKjrC9zAEzsRG4XYRU2Dq-quBsxGeQ29jALdTKd6K6doEf_klM2cw_IReL0Ar4SRdO74LOT9ywiEkpYsr1N5dP_lkmfYl5csMCObzAZgrGNNCG6ZswQ/s2048/6Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG-HL-cY32AZUbjuG5E1OSygdW-eAhIL1bxshOSK9xLHLlwOcAtxrDt90rqPerpzrrfn1-g6XRdKjrC9zAEzsRG4XYRU2Dq-quBsxGeQ29jALdTKd6K6doEf_klM2cw_IReL0Ar4SRdO74LOT9ywiEkpYsr1N5dP_lkmfYl5csMCObzAZgrGNNCG6ZswQ/w640-h480/6Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several varieties of cheeses...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvrPRp9Fhaj8pWeCq4RfUcSeKLJOmN5-eG1hxosPuHHdhSSvHAb36B3cm3RaNnEn4oawDNmdWZYprzz26bdyN2rr1jVpT_eZ9CPtC9yTLmYq439bVdToPi484BujAkS9L-i2BgFcxg636hdm1kCNIfKqZhRxRPGmjW00X_OFrqF8hkwdHLhEWvrut3EeT/s2048/7Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvrPRp9Fhaj8pWeCq4RfUcSeKLJOmN5-eG1hxosPuHHdhSSvHAb36B3cm3RaNnEn4oawDNmdWZYprzz26bdyN2rr1jVpT_eZ9CPtC9yTLmYq439bVdToPi484BujAkS9L-i2BgFcxg636hdm1kCNIfKqZhRxRPGmjW00X_OFrqF8hkwdHLhEWvrut3EeT/w640-h480/7Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuts and honey...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPx3D_CSAFM_kkDwcvmBG9KX2wwBYI8MkvIK1Jkh2mTfx1vXROWgB3vOmF7d8VUzuwXqM0V0zRCWjxxpVIzqPfGt49YRruS8RY4PKrsjTr86AsdyROUQMu7Ui4eV2dIMmEbKmqiIiJym7h230AM6T64TWHMW1pTiomkJj3KrFkgLPX05jJwjbhefvH2cq/s2048/8Market.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPx3D_CSAFM_kkDwcvmBG9KX2wwBYI8MkvIK1Jkh2mTfx1vXROWgB3vOmF7d8VUzuwXqM0V0zRCWjxxpVIzqPfGt49YRruS8RY4PKrsjTr86AsdyROUQMu7Ui4eV2dIMmEbKmqiIiJym7h230AM6T64TWHMW1pTiomkJj3KrFkgLPX05jJwjbhefvH2cq/w640-h480/8Market.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and dried fruit as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCg1IVV9mVZPVx-bvN7Vpp91-bVQP8ybzDIE6wHzuR8nx-2a_bJbM7X00UTPoajfJwfeKQ4DLHdzrPmWzqbj87q2l7Soodlfy1oBiHs-s3z7TncR-Ww9bEQAEqmoYrP3YrxOYxND-ThoSIiC0NC1ycUUDtF3kEiW1BmDFK5eXHDfY4m-LGno8KFZcvvfz/s2048/9Restaurante.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCg1IVV9mVZPVx-bvN7Vpp91-bVQP8ybzDIE6wHzuR8nx-2a_bJbM7X00UTPoajfJwfeKQ4DLHdzrPmWzqbj87q2l7Soodlfy1oBiHs-s3z7TncR-Ww9bEQAEqmoYrP3YrxOYxND-ThoSIiC0NC1ycUUDtF3kEiW1BmDFK5eXHDfY4m-LGno8KFZcvvfz/w640-h480/9Restaurante.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the interior of the restaurant where we had lunch - nothing fancy here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHp6JsOlkFjjdcVRrNkHMpkmvfI7kEBtXPDSp_H9VvX7gJG7n33OOetl9dIoVPiQ7aiEyXnw89dpgZpgyywclUpSSPLFP9ZRZ7UWobQgxSn2M-sup0WETvji73JXchEOBKWm5nkJ1XMKRDzZtk-sFJdiXI2DV1nJtdrJaD93Js8uthiIJgDE8WG3pbQXq/s2048/10DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHp6JsOlkFjjdcVRrNkHMpkmvfI7kEBtXPDSp_H9VvX7gJG7n33OOetl9dIoVPiQ7aiEyXnw89dpgZpgyywclUpSSPLFP9ZRZ7UWobQgxSn2M-sup0WETvji73JXchEOBKWm5nkJ1XMKRDzZtk-sFJdiXI2DV1nJtdrJaD93Js8uthiIJgDE8WG3pbQXq/w640-h480/10DSS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However you can see how fantastically delicious our meal was reflected in the smile on Deirdre's face.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAo8AfcClprrA3PZC7btFEVpLtnNFzyBZy6ER8X7FLpuU2Ah_iyDGEwbCJpSgQSPZ2nTumHreWdMdBo91n0zqjkTy50s7dJzmVWUaZ1NiGqoDT2Toeo8yY-xaAG25vHl3JjMkCMFmhBSuP6Q0-Y6NWDJvIObbTt7rEQQZ0Yf5xS-Kvyce2eM26Ue4TDmG/s2048/11Ext.Rest..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAo8AfcClprrA3PZC7btFEVpLtnNFzyBZy6ER8X7FLpuU2Ah_iyDGEwbCJpSgQSPZ2nTumHreWdMdBo91n0zqjkTy50s7dJzmVWUaZ1NiGqoDT2Toeo8yY-xaAG25vHl3JjMkCMFmhBSuP6Q0-Y6NWDJvIObbTt7rEQQZ0Yf5xS-Kvyce2eM26Ue4TDmG/w640-h480/11Ext.Rest..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior of the restaurant did not portend the delightful meal either.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6EZnkqoyCzszyNH8-95RShPGdkvhACBDcz_JjPkSguqCvSAmdJJoI078X-0DpGI-57auWJAggO4x7ug9-tTMZuW6qIp_di-9IHCqtNdD26zl_8biDQ3yttyw8vSK2r6WwmfQ-DD1r_da_E0D5ExAf6BgnokfIaTEy8Kv8YCR1uNlVw2GAT0phGvrw3bM/s2048/12SignRest..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6EZnkqoyCzszyNH8-95RShPGdkvhACBDcz_JjPkSguqCvSAmdJJoI078X-0DpGI-57auWJAggO4x7ug9-tTMZuW6qIp_di-9IHCqtNdD26zl_8biDQ3yttyw8vSK2r6WwmfQ-DD1r_da_E0D5ExAf6BgnokfIaTEy8Kv8YCR1uNlVw2GAT0phGvrw3bM/w640-h480/12SignRest..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should you ever find yourself in Faggio, remember the name of this restaurant, and don't miss the opportunity for a fabulous, unforgettable meal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Two other meals were noteworthy. One was on the beach in Calabria. It was quite chic and offered a tasting menu which we felt we deserved due to our suffering both evil weather and the Amalfi Coast. It was very good but Faggio was better and probably half the price. It was a beautiful setting though. The third meal was in Brindisi and it was actually the appetizers that stunned us. They brought ten small appetizers -- all of which were great. Reminded us of the mezes of Turkey. Enough about food.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLkb1_4kdhagkXSsKZ0cx0oqVd43qljjvRZVRllhuw9RHLDcMdoMvziV4yYtn991opnx2aqX89lDxJklm2gvchznB65qLrvQ4VkSuiNP3eQTGqxVhii4H5sVzvLBhNFDWD5ex09z1GqfDvc0CIsGcVzs9P5lRbjL0Lgn3bm9-1YVbsngciIAGiQDKMnNI/s3872/2Riva%20Restaurant%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLkb1_4kdhagkXSsKZ0cx0oqVd43qljjvRZVRllhuw9RHLDcMdoMvziV4yYtn991opnx2aqX89lDxJklm2gvchznB65qLrvQ4VkSuiNP3eQTGqxVhii4H5sVzvLBhNFDWD5ex09z1GqfDvc0CIsGcVzs9P5lRbjL0Lgn3bm9-1YVbsngciIAGiQDKMnNI/w640-h428/2Riva%20Restaurant%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful view from the Riva Restaurante in Calabria.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Everybody Talks About Bologna</u></p><p>Well, not quite enough about food. Bologna is supposed to be the culinary highpoint of Italy and it may be true. And maybe it was because we were coming off the Faggio meal that we found our three meals in Bologna somewhat lacking. We arrived at our Agriturismo at the appointed check in hour to find the door open but nobody home. After about a half hour (and the arrival of other disgruntled guests) the grouchy brother showed up and grudgingly and slowly conducted the check in procedure. We had planned on having dinner there since they got rave reviews but he growled, "No, tomorrow." Cowed by his attitude, we meekly agreed to dine with them the next night. It was disappointing I'm afraid. Our other agriturismos had been in the country with beautiful views and accommodating hosts. This one was on the fringe of the industrial section of the town and the brothers -- grouchy and semi-grouchy-- had failed the charm course given to hoteliers I think.</p><p>We had to choose whether to go into Bologna the next day or cruise around the countryside. We chose to try to see five very small towns that were touted to be among the most beautiful in Italy. Our theory is while Michael can still drive we should see the places a tour bus will never take you. This day was one of our most delightful of the trip. The first town we reached was La Scola. They were preparing for a festival as Michael's photos will show. It reminded us of Sienna where they set up the tables in the alleys and streets to celebrate or mourn the results of the Palio. It was a weekend and the populace was out and about providing ample opportunity for excellent people watching.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsUi74QZ93rA-hW1o_emznYjbw65ZS2ILXxhQRgs4I02l5jBDtXPlnBAB1dZjae0V_AfqUFrWhVFEqyMLPWa1rHM604ctEk0K2IW1xUc7pZxnfnU_rczkPnm-ax3Ml8MJ_fYVRTkB2yD4Gvz2HVJzrLJQCEC8ihk91iuhPeQAHj8TWYOjc6Y4tUHEj0z-/s3872/1Church.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsUi74QZ93rA-hW1o_emznYjbw65ZS2ILXxhQRgs4I02l5jBDtXPlnBAB1dZjae0V_AfqUFrWhVFEqyMLPWa1rHM604ctEk0K2IW1xUc7pZxnfnU_rczkPnm-ax3Ml8MJ_fYVRTkB2yD4Gvz2HVJzrLJQCEC8ihk91iuhPeQAHj8TWYOjc6Y4tUHEj0z-/w428-h640/1Church.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One common theme throughout Italy, even in the very small towns, was the Church in the main plaza.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClUWUfWUEd3eRSSa5Z-uSqo-RVmRHxdxTmeY5VNhByrTg-t3nTrpyXIOZnDeiM32ihqas00HgaPAx7nQv-Ok0MmSxhMQqaE3dyJlvgiwOqHSXNxsLDq1OxiwzkADVziRkZbK2_21ccRdAdcYcAEcnnB3M8rrIb_nvDhqDQ30BR4sHHlXmPpRew6qh7q-6/s3872/2TownGate.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClUWUfWUEd3eRSSa5Z-uSqo-RVmRHxdxTmeY5VNhByrTg-t3nTrpyXIOZnDeiM32ihqas00HgaPAx7nQv-Ok0MmSxhMQqaE3dyJlvgiwOqHSXNxsLDq1OxiwzkADVziRkZbK2_21ccRdAdcYcAEcnnB3M8rrIb_nvDhqDQ30BR4sHHlXmPpRew6qh7q-6/w428-h640/2TownGate.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the archway leading into the walled portion of the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOocfrUYx375bD0sAV920BTY66Gq5OAZruZHqLh9jlEVlVcdMUFme0FnLAlgvhQc3AZXjZaB2chCDtPn6_-A1v00UrUy0rqmYXKwkHBxbXrajj8H-GYpqU-xNyp8JN3WN24Iv8I6UpifvvvclidALqykqTpGRxd2uEQREV1fpqSdZDqilOTCpyWk_3aIV/s3872/3TownSquare.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOocfrUYx375bD0sAV920BTY66Gq5OAZruZHqLh9jlEVlVcdMUFme0FnLAlgvhQc3AZXjZaB2chCDtPn6_-A1v00UrUy0rqmYXKwkHBxbXrajj8H-GYpqU-xNyp8JN3WN24Iv8I6UpifvvvclidALqykqTpGRxd2uEQREV1fpqSdZDqilOTCpyWk_3aIV/w428-h640/3TownSquare.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best features of these walled towns is the lack of traffic. Friends can stop in the middle of the road to exchange pleasantries without fear of being run over.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa1_yefS9qyZt1BAFy5K_m1YGBqXfPla9mDm6w5HnwFaR_AUA0jY4j98DbwANbK8c0V75PSY2tRWycEWxPK_a0MmFoO-4GNcDPfRKQcg0zWd_bj6yz04S9Ycoh6yTvToWRhOkArOw_8sxilfa2Q5BwCOZztoQMxe9IytWP3A8JTAuEXXco-eQwdn1zzxr/s3872/4VinedBldg.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa1_yefS9qyZt1BAFy5K_m1YGBqXfPla9mDm6w5HnwFaR_AUA0jY4j98DbwANbK8c0V75PSY2tRWycEWxPK_a0MmFoO-4GNcDPfRKQcg0zWd_bj6yz04S9Ycoh6yTvToWRhOkArOw_8sxilfa2Q5BwCOZztoQMxe9IytWP3A8JTAuEXXco-eQwdn1zzxr/w640-h428/4VinedBldg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This building has gone "green".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjGXlVrRU_uJA2YxIWJn3LSOm7oZRq-IBmlBQQU1rBTtKQ6lnWe81OY2rdd5VQt76XOLzOYEG1mBgxDkmz0xLMYmJSDBzpW9wRqLrNnF3cmlwU5wpv68oHyYkjHVIGFlAxxAHoEloSA9r1j0RR6xz_xqUiq_hllUYWv0T6QzVQzq4bwB7QZVisKE19Mg7/s3872/5Archway.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjGXlVrRU_uJA2YxIWJn3LSOm7oZRq-IBmlBQQU1rBTtKQ6lnWe81OY2rdd5VQt76XOLzOYEG1mBgxDkmz0xLMYmJSDBzpW9wRqLrNnF3cmlwU5wpv68oHyYkjHVIGFlAxxAHoEloSA9r1j0RR6xz_xqUiq_hllUYWv0T6QzVQzq4bwB7QZVisKE19Mg7/w428-h640/5Archway.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colonnaded walkways provide respite from the hot sun and protection against rain & snow.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_lwOpj_Cgd5tpJSqaiulvNnHgqvT0dN2Eq6A8wVFidiIdT1K6RD1xN-UEK3lTElsgd-LNfUXgVIUEStalKmzw2d-nglRj2A8P-8nhlpvFrIR_JoLJGe9Z87VvJRwSYV3C5t8KmOufEGMiqqBIWfGDUefF77IeHS-BCXkW67gMZ0sEno-YJjEBpfFz7vp/s3613/6Tables.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2418" data-original-width="3613" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_lwOpj_Cgd5tpJSqaiulvNnHgqvT0dN2Eq6A8wVFidiIdT1K6RD1xN-UEK3lTElsgd-LNfUXgVIUEStalKmzw2d-nglRj2A8P-8nhlpvFrIR_JoLJGe9Z87VvJRwSYV3C5t8KmOufEGMiqqBIWfGDUefF77IeHS-BCXkW67gMZ0sEno-YJjEBpfFz7vp/w640-h428/6Tables.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table are set for the communal feast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNIJsFpD3BgVZ2aGwoMVmMtPMqsmjNzUWSEBCpnSYtb83GLe7OqMycluVSFUP14LK6EqXeWUUNT--dKOaYBnk-_fIwsxQAIAumn-4k85k5LrfXwqLOEaZCHR1j5NAgWqm0TvLk7yXRkZI_i3xvudmiMB9kCycda0Yxpdk0jeUTkRr8FSg8UdjcSaMR5II/s3872/7TownGate2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNIJsFpD3BgVZ2aGwoMVmMtPMqsmjNzUWSEBCpnSYtb83GLe7OqMycluVSFUP14LK6EqXeWUUNT--dKOaYBnk-_fIwsxQAIAumn-4k85k5LrfXwqLOEaZCHR1j5NAgWqm0TvLk7yXRkZI_i3xvudmiMB9kCycda0Yxpdk0jeUTkRr8FSg8UdjcSaMR5II/w428-h640/7TownGate2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of another of the town gates. And the proud Nonnas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>On the way to the second town we had the strangest encounter/coincidence of the trip. We had stopped at a small grocery store to pick up a couple of things. We were the object of much attention since we obviously didn't belong there. As we left the store a woman approached us and asked if we were American. Replying that we were she asked us where we were from. We said Boston. She smiled broadly and said, "Ah, beautiful Wellesley!" We were stunned since we had lived in Wellesley for 30 years and it was not a metropolis that a person in rural Italy would know. Due to our mutual problems with the other's language we smiled and went on our way shaking our heads. While we were driving, I put two and two together. Over a hundred years ago when Wellesley College was being built, the college recruited Italian stone masons from around Bologna to work on the campus. I know this because when I was teaching I had 3 little boys who were descended from one of the workers and their mother told me that they had come from Bologna. To this day, the families of these emigrants live in a close-knit neighborhood near the college. And clearly they maintain their relationships with the "old country". Very fun.</p><p>We proceeded to the second town, San Pietro which was charming but pretty similar to La Scola. We plopped ourselves at a cafe in the Plaza and people watched for a while and then we were on our way once more. Our third village was Bazzano. There was a small old town which had been fought over incessantly by Florence and Sienna. Once Florence captured it, tore it down stone by stone and moved it to Florence and the Sienna came back, captured it and rebuilt it. By far, the most unusual village we visited was Dozza. Perched high on a hill, it was a village totally given over to art. Living in Ajijic, which is a village of murals, we appreciate strolling and being intrigued by the art that surrounds us. And Dozza doesn't disappoint. Michael's photos will provide a much better description than I could offer verbally. We had a hard time pulling ourselves away from Dozza to the extent that we never made it to the last village on our itinerary. Sometimes you just have to chuck the script and go with the flow.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBiEt83EctHkSn-iflbipSSTP3vIgrnZHZSvsneSEMwOU-Ltdw3pZe2k5XQNK3JgQ1mX4yBmKu1fhmCCTvEn_wBRe62Xy29GWRNTeOAfGyUs_v9mdAtNCDPWhGFQ3CK2LFvjP6KoHeAEbUGNgRM_pTPxZKGss0UDx560jMkUKZ7Kv0Iw3DdEW52XAvgoL/s3872/8CasteldelRio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBiEt83EctHkSn-iflbipSSTP3vIgrnZHZSvsneSEMwOU-Ltdw3pZe2k5XQNK3JgQ1mX4yBmKu1fhmCCTvEn_wBRe62Xy29GWRNTeOAfGyUs_v9mdAtNCDPWhGFQ3CK2LFvjP6KoHeAEbUGNgRM_pTPxZKGss0UDx560jMkUKZ7Kv0Iw3DdEW52XAvgoL/w640-h428/8CasteldelRio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking in this town was confined to an area outside a municipal building.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IZMxVhI_PxTdRbaGHTABEomMAZM6O2ivTTMab3D_vkSnSSllTZsYAbaUv5yWnKXxV8BUsI3RRDfrTpBP2YWK53jzpD0TT_aPy2q76RGcRaQhTv_UpSBIKlF9PilvotjfBt-cjAJlEzpRj87O_mciPw9biFwthdldOWjtWbjaH9HViS4apjarVvMIXQcN/s3872/9CasteldelRioBldg..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IZMxVhI_PxTdRbaGHTABEomMAZM6O2ivTTMab3D_vkSnSSllTZsYAbaUv5yWnKXxV8BUsI3RRDfrTpBP2YWK53jzpD0TT_aPy2q76RGcRaQhTv_UpSBIKlF9PilvotjfBt-cjAJlEzpRj87O_mciPw9biFwthdldOWjtWbjaH9HViS4apjarVvMIXQcN/w640-h428/9CasteldelRioBldg..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main municipal building in the town plaza was much more ornate with its large clock, bell and figures adorning the top.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIfhIoBKnRGPCAMUDwQNNc9dHwGb97jmkt8QcnZdcEIVtMxMaI-l9TniejmwmduZrmqjGe22ljUv-VfSaGX_GCJQQEXGUVAVAnIQxfnSTsUBJwa3Kj9iMkEHlklL8u-y4pKQF2W8RvnVuCoLDqjHa45Gp3axpyNrWjZToWpN7pg8n8NqLSQixRDY_V5oT/s3843/10CasteldelRioChurch.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3843" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIfhIoBKnRGPCAMUDwQNNc9dHwGb97jmkt8QcnZdcEIVtMxMaI-l9TniejmwmduZrmqjGe22ljUv-VfSaGX_GCJQQEXGUVAVAnIQxfnSTsUBJwa3Kj9iMkEHlklL8u-y4pKQF2W8RvnVuCoLDqjHa45Gp3axpyNrWjZToWpN7pg8n8NqLSQixRDY_V5oT/w640-h428/10CasteldelRioChurch.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another church in the main plaza, but this one...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2oGqsMQ1jABsKcBZD88YN6jMHCLXFxSrAm4PSXuJZxE_i9UuPD8JDl9hnHlrfKR-0N-XEhhxKRU0wzZN3wHGehuwFu5jzEmNEXcp0AxGp32YuA5jVFNtPEHDHUBY43E92vWKleBI_ugnqObwJBRpD2Ioer-VsdqlGgKo4eMTR01qC8KiItnM00IT8qs9/s3872/11CasteldelRioPadre.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2oGqsMQ1jABsKcBZD88YN6jMHCLXFxSrAm4PSXuJZxE_i9UuPD8JDl9hnHlrfKR-0N-XEhhxKRU0wzZN3wHGehuwFu5jzEmNEXcp0AxGp32YuA5jVFNtPEHDHUBY43E92vWKleBI_ugnqObwJBRpD2Ioer-VsdqlGgKo4eMTR01qC8KiItnM00IT8qs9/w640-h428/11CasteldelRioPadre.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had the priest standing outside observing everyone as they passed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhMpEXqnGVqiAlYTdxm0l5_bkdHMsrlWc-zD83AfZP0HVu8SwuRReqgZKcPxa-Ku3c-3vHN_BbRrRFFlnx_LkOp-WvyWky0oATsynVZ0tl38qLehMY1cMrUSf-x4e-8rTx5YYmxeDZvG2KK8kd-BLkvYvQ-nNOorB3t7gTnCfCgt8mQzQV3oOUCVBOgOy/s3872/12CasteldelRioCityBldg.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhMpEXqnGVqiAlYTdxm0l5_bkdHMsrlWc-zD83AfZP0HVu8SwuRReqgZKcPxa-Ku3c-3vHN_BbRrRFFlnx_LkOp-WvyWky0oATsynVZ0tl38qLehMY1cMrUSf-x4e-8rTx5YYmxeDZvG2KK8kd-BLkvYvQ-nNOorB3t7gTnCfCgt8mQzQV3oOUCVBOgOy/w640-h428/12CasteldelRioCityBldg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the main municipal building with people congregating outside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkykP9Oq4avIcx3qdEzOkUS5F_P56_m6-VJO80giSVfKiekLve3UduRFxpzCuf5UDF-sOR5nym04XCkBYp78XevCSJ5NhlEOpBbCEY19nTGUc-Pk2wy5SRcKVrxIbpjklIzXyAnUGrHFkZzv8HzMgwvO2aj1nd7GMFqAZm-abFsT_ElZNZb3u3Pydxazn/s3588/13Bazzano%20Clock%20Tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3588" data-original-width="2402" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkykP9Oq4avIcx3qdEzOkUS5F_P56_m6-VJO80giSVfKiekLve3UduRFxpzCuf5UDF-sOR5nym04XCkBYp78XevCSJ5NhlEOpBbCEY19nTGUc-Pk2wy5SRcKVrxIbpjklIzXyAnUGrHFkZzv8HzMgwvO2aj1nd7GMFqAZm-abFsT_ElZNZb3u3Pydxazn/w428-h640/13Bazzano%20Clock%20Tower.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clock tower and gate to one of the entrances to Dozza.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu5Rn8quLeoNbaU8dXv2apyWdEUxKEQjgSMk1hFvSuxYvs1BWF2qhLxyFUAdqziJ5Bo5VPnwotpXpU4pBNmzVo1KDH67ETu5lgbsaRWYXrbq0UByq6p6YJBp7E6arXsltniQ6TlDqm1Jekzsy3GLIN51hl5j8B3X8Cyoj-aI-BXGm_b8HbKAi8dDApCER/s3872/14Fondazione%20Rocca%20dei%20Bentvoglio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu5Rn8quLeoNbaU8dXv2apyWdEUxKEQjgSMk1hFvSuxYvs1BWF2qhLxyFUAdqziJ5Bo5VPnwotpXpU4pBNmzVo1KDH67ETu5lgbsaRWYXrbq0UByq6p6YJBp7E6arXsltniQ6TlDqm1Jekzsy3GLIN51hl5j8B3X8Cyoj-aI-BXGm_b8HbKAi8dDApCER/w640-h428/14Fondazione%20Rocca%20dei%20Bentvoglio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old building housed a museum, but is also a popular wedding venue. We saw one wedding party depart as we arrived and another arrive as we were leaving the building.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPEJ4p-jXm0GPi6NqxkEH0UTXmW_hhKEZoBOZTy6F__3-Pk_V_L9Ln5UxgCWLYbOiLUm-gobuMFu3GipDuHVK10uIevhc51EigEuYa2QBY3j1nYvbB4m8CqmXjBk-ttfdCKrLbL0YeBQBajLwyTk1UCTlBkc8NTfPTa255hPtdGAuaXYxlhVyShc8N4wi/s3872/14Int.%20Rocca%20dei%20Bentvoglio1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPEJ4p-jXm0GPi6NqxkEH0UTXmW_hhKEZoBOZTy6F__3-Pk_V_L9Ln5UxgCWLYbOiLUm-gobuMFu3GipDuHVK10uIevhc51EigEuYa2QBY3j1nYvbB4m8CqmXjBk-ttfdCKrLbL0YeBQBajLwyTk1UCTlBkc8NTfPTa255hPtdGAuaXYxlhVyShc8N4wi/w640-h428/14Int.%20Rocca%20dei%20Bentvoglio1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior courtyard is a preferred place to hold a wedding ceremony.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIEKWaEcdL5xOdbrCOv8MHPpeWy3b9d8WtJXDcVVhQLRl4ZgOIq2OWL7nQP_qwggJKCmgaSlIAgZCmdwSU18RQHGeIMb0e0FXA_tIFSEeinuHtYB5jGeoeSKye_0ZRuQHmRRUMoB3tnCoMKyfAAjakGsHnNHjNdSffAoVYkf9iOEsJEgpTCfe5KV-C9aJ/s3872/16Fresco%20RdB%20Cultural%20Center.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIEKWaEcdL5xOdbrCOv8MHPpeWy3b9d8WtJXDcVVhQLRl4ZgOIq2OWL7nQP_qwggJKCmgaSlIAgZCmdwSU18RQHGeIMb0e0FXA_tIFSEeinuHtYB5jGeoeSKye_0ZRuQHmRRUMoB3tnCoMKyfAAjakGsHnNHjNdSffAoVYkf9iOEsJEgpTCfe5KV-C9aJ/w640-h428/16Fresco%20RdB%20Cultural%20Center.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the ancient murals can still be seen (if faintly) on the wall of the interior.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1UeqAIfNHl0FwqFg7Vd0IveFD33DcL-TUafQbkJAPJI6RvMn3z5fUX8dgGhZLRJk6UJ_nET-y84sQdifLqB1GOz3msa2ldgP-cmAxHACKuuep1Hqi8VVP4ugH6xywIKK9NHB0KTdw5u-x2cZ7UQ4zYNyIoz-YGms3UNC_CtoUh8-WHYiHQztQ5Bd9o4W/s3872/17Pitcher1%20RdB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1UeqAIfNHl0FwqFg7Vd0IveFD33DcL-TUafQbkJAPJI6RvMn3z5fUX8dgGhZLRJk6UJ_nET-y84sQdifLqB1GOz3msa2ldgP-cmAxHACKuuep1Hqi8VVP4ugH6xywIKK9NHB0KTdw5u-x2cZ7UQ4zYNyIoz-YGms3UNC_CtoUh8-WHYiHQztQ5Bd9o4W/w640-h428/17Pitcher1%20RdB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The detail included on this pitcher and the one after the mended pot below shows the craftsmanship in the second century.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr5A8q0kA34WUbokxfqeInI2vmz0dTHBRBum9yZXaQwOZ33gcpHc5mkyM7v8EenaJPAZh6cdHL5R47YRQvCbadt7ZDCuZFIA-4g1g0YbDdWHPSpjYCWIKD8NC8xkElCc1ihZntXVcAtAm2i6Vm2SKOVTGVplesRIRkYZdSvncc0oc7O7J_PGNeOglU9BT/s3872/18Pot%20RdB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr5A8q0kA34WUbokxfqeInI2vmz0dTHBRBum9yZXaQwOZ33gcpHc5mkyM7v8EenaJPAZh6cdHL5R47YRQvCbadt7ZDCuZFIA-4g1g0YbDdWHPSpjYCWIKD8NC8xkElCc1ihZntXVcAtAm2i6Vm2SKOVTGVplesRIRkYZdSvncc0oc7O7J_PGNeOglU9BT/w640-h428/18Pot%20RdB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal was so precious that this pot was mended multiple times.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vjejJIifoJYwDE9a4LwxIB8FtCkwuUYVinwRvAPwK-aQnowVztWhsX5h00E3DhXr38oK07D8_zatkjReFBxkfk70i6zD0dxjUM6IgzUU16ChpCK4sILDb5Mxg9abKFtYY_eGBSA_Ey4L6Ovd9pK2DS7iPOz9sgCH_CrJgdTpYAomC_N6MkhVWM4wshn_/s3872/19Pitcher2%20RdB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vjejJIifoJYwDE9a4LwxIB8FtCkwuUYVinwRvAPwK-aQnowVztWhsX5h00E3DhXr38oK07D8_zatkjReFBxkfk70i6zD0dxjUM6IgzUU16ChpCK4sILDb5Mxg9abKFtYY_eGBSA_Ey4L6Ovd9pK2DS7iPOz9sgCH_CrJgdTpYAomC_N6MkhVWM4wshn_/w428-h640/19Pitcher2%20RdB.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoAuFshoi19o8RXNkgp9FlwN2reGYZmL_EEM1F151RHE0NSmQD3mnis9BCAPV6irgi2DCBFKjngV40d17F33JevVR25Amc_RWQ-YZQ5DadLXI9EAC0lJ6qdymv-3pSSKafgDBF7YtmvNn-F9t5dLDLyVlw5tgousUE0iNQsj-DddVWMzRH0BuGjDm3sUj/s3648/20Castelo%20de%20Doza.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3648" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoAuFshoi19o8RXNkgp9FlwN2reGYZmL_EEM1F151RHE0NSmQD3mnis9BCAPV6irgi2DCBFKjngV40d17F33JevVR25Amc_RWQ-YZQ5DadLXI9EAC0lJ6qdymv-3pSSKafgDBF7YtmvNn-F9t5dLDLyVlw5tgousUE0iNQsj-DddVWMzRH0BuGjDm3sUj/w640-h454/20Castelo%20de%20Doza.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Rocca di Sforzesca Dozza (Dozza Castle) with one of its towers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EfI4Lt_nHRQH7jM0-yDk530BrFA5lKF_S-np_kLp49ed-VpHUE6WHFN2o5ML-IuCJgdQdIPs2lhf98Mt_tjFm6atREA_QaF-Pgp-og5A8An7z_VFM36miKQaHWMBcdeOGHP-YbuaUVdc8ooH6S-B8Kp38KNLCYMIOdvb_cyKQF87xdH0bEb7bFpdQY18/s3872/21Head1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EfI4Lt_nHRQH7jM0-yDk530BrFA5lKF_S-np_kLp49ed-VpHUE6WHFN2o5ML-IuCJgdQdIPs2lhf98Mt_tjFm6atREA_QaF-Pgp-og5A8An7z_VFM36miKQaHWMBcdeOGHP-YbuaUVdc8ooH6S-B8Kp38KNLCYMIOdvb_cyKQF87xdH0bEb7bFpdQY18/w428-h640/21Head1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In addition to its many murals, Dozza has some unique and interesting sculptures.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeNhrrptBpHD3B8lYtFvINMaWcd3xtjk88fZswlFA2QR0HxmUIp3nDf8mrXtUgkQTycOIl6LSoZ1nLfCOJu2xRl-5f1gbBmenufwNkP03tfmlQWOP6qFYXuJD6R2KVDgB1aFuAJxYAtMoxhCCTNzyDNQtJMjH9lPSEFqgkB3PMDmm4y4ic_hUxP9QdT8p/s3872/22Head2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeNhrrptBpHD3B8lYtFvINMaWcd3xtjk88fZswlFA2QR0HxmUIp3nDf8mrXtUgkQTycOIl6LSoZ1nLfCOJu2xRl-5f1gbBmenufwNkP03tfmlQWOP6qFYXuJD6R2KVDgB1aFuAJxYAtMoxhCCTNzyDNQtJMjH9lPSEFqgkB3PMDmm4y4ic_hUxP9QdT8p/w428-h640/22Head2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lsgb8tpnPOkGMN1kn6ClaI90It402frMG1Wxnz7IUqJfa_VRymxP6vNAQJUlCy6fpqYy5BlxiscvZUTkEDxy9p5Tw_MV90XMcQtxvEfilyMUPNVhgdoDVqLR9FvZnMr_9LQvTugZAt5zl7t9bfhGtSvE9s90JL9dsGsLMleQoWmZs23VCRKrjLcqiKN4/s3872/23Carved%20Art1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lsgb8tpnPOkGMN1kn6ClaI90It402frMG1Wxnz7IUqJfa_VRymxP6vNAQJUlCy6fpqYy5BlxiscvZUTkEDxy9p5Tw_MV90XMcQtxvEfilyMUPNVhgdoDVqLR9FvZnMr_9LQvTugZAt5zl7t9bfhGtSvE9s90JL9dsGsLMleQoWmZs23VCRKrjLcqiKN4/w428-h640/23Carved%20Art1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rKD_e5q1Unz2I9hbtZi_S0rYwvKTQM_3EwUNokoE07BPj5GjZMgw2R6jUqFn2Gj8ZEi8psQMfK-tOzULDEiEXu0onFVZpBX1XhiKMWFcQe1Kj70k0DCuW9InxT573JkCi5CvE_484i3F0RllF-SiraNfDWlfIPKWfTlXj0nqAYazh2U4L0ASlzo_IupW/s3872/26Knight.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rKD_e5q1Unz2I9hbtZi_S0rYwvKTQM_3EwUNokoE07BPj5GjZMgw2R6jUqFn2Gj8ZEi8psQMfK-tOzULDEiEXu0onFVZpBX1XhiKMWFcQe1Kj70k0DCuW9InxT573JkCi5CvE_484i3F0RllF-SiraNfDWlfIPKWfTlXj0nqAYazh2U4L0ASlzo_IupW/w428-h640/26Knight.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHYOwHwyi2SWtO_tPSnatGldauc8-UY5C0HEuSoLpFvqw3xjxmym0QEQ4eTbmNR5ezcB7QAsN9vLpQYqCVx2nZWJO3DSI8EIlusUlhdaXkH2MUd-QztM_jM-Ef99s0HERWOIIQQzOks8_JdXbaI2FKo1dOwcF8W0CnVgqKLSGSZB-d3-SywRmubldYceN/s3872/24ClockGatetoDozza.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHYOwHwyi2SWtO_tPSnatGldauc8-UY5C0HEuSoLpFvqw3xjxmym0QEQ4eTbmNR5ezcB7QAsN9vLpQYqCVx2nZWJO3DSI8EIlusUlhdaXkH2MUd-QztM_jM-Ef99s0HERWOIIQQzOks8_JdXbaI2FKo1dOwcF8W0CnVgqKLSGSZB-d3-SywRmubldYceN/w428-h640/24ClockGatetoDozza.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As soon as you enter through the town under the clock...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgzMg50Tf-Nrpe5iso5iSWxP8e_Xe9jhdDccKtF7Vj68Sj6Dw3VXxrRSyBLRh7GnICemQa2LJGTbHweBGno7JY3rd80Hlnm-oHb74CF8-RJAv9DYq2l47B61Vn23Oi8dqUie5V4MyyGOhgeo8f_J6o3bi_ev_bhflxKq387FMUuAXcWjFyhGxBwlxIb2g/s3872/25Mouth.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgzMg50Tf-Nrpe5iso5iSWxP8e_Xe9jhdDccKtF7Vj68Sj6Dw3VXxrRSyBLRh7GnICemQa2LJGTbHweBGno7JY3rd80Hlnm-oHb74CF8-RJAv9DYq2l47B61Vn23Oi8dqUie5V4MyyGOhgeo8f_J6o3bi_ev_bhflxKq387FMUuAXcWjFyhGxBwlxIb2g/w640-h428/25Mouth.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you begin to see the murals adorning the walls of Dozza.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOP3e7B4LLyXJq0PjhUdqc1k8VNSEuGOYL--b-Vr-gBtsdJQykcMvqNndfOGGAzCt0qig_AYVXgXUhFrnVMwJAiQxsX2__afmX_fX4cMoHquafF-XxH7X8EIK8vXqnG5XQyWGmZjaGJBbGWuM0RI_OGWEEG0NF0YTIY2XnnaZMxG2TzM0Jy_8ImJs9Zr8/s3872/27Carbineri.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOP3e7B4LLyXJq0PjhUdqc1k8VNSEuGOYL--b-Vr-gBtsdJQykcMvqNndfOGGAzCt0qig_AYVXgXUhFrnVMwJAiQxsX2__afmX_fX4cMoHquafF-XxH7X8EIK8vXqnG5XQyWGmZjaGJBbGWuM0RI_OGWEEG0NF0YTIY2XnnaZMxG2TzM0Jy_8ImJs9Zr8/w640-h428/27Carbineri.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Carabinieri Station has a mural.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboD5zQvJStTvDf6M27EJovv9wuwNzW6KCBs7nAeNaPMJ7OQwnVIwt410QiT6UT3lKONpDX1EJhxXUT3iDgfr_bz-t94TD6mjD_Jmlz720zfeyg3qSlWDgb-BIjAQY97uNhsYvv9gejxjlCcDw2uvoaRlh461MhY6AnxRLUe1pl4lK5Vvcw3PNyYzelLBv/s3872/28TempusFugit.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboD5zQvJStTvDf6M27EJovv9wuwNzW6KCBs7nAeNaPMJ7OQwnVIwt410QiT6UT3lKONpDX1EJhxXUT3iDgfr_bz-t94TD6mjD_Jmlz720zfeyg3qSlWDgb-BIjAQY97uNhsYvv9gejxjlCcDw2uvoaRlh461MhY6AnxRLUe1pl4lK5Vvcw3PNyYzelLBv/w428-h640/28TempusFugit.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every two years the town has an art competition and murals are painted on the walls throughout the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI20qRHFXXCur4nLohb1GB5pw_9DblyJoidS47zrKLnjXnLhrKkuTnPdFcHtGc-y9WKcA20UIP-dxU1Cr3UexRY6nQXnXp1nWinJlM8D0LcTfgS8FZ2eUYZJmS1-nTjfc2TZ3hQGTEy8HeWG9AfOjretO3echJWkyFD2sJQNLyCs5RiDgd1WCV3G55QVhW/s3872/29Vineyard.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI20qRHFXXCur4nLohb1GB5pw_9DblyJoidS47zrKLnjXnLhrKkuTnPdFcHtGc-y9WKcA20UIP-dxU1Cr3UexRY6nQXnXp1nWinJlM8D0LcTfgS8FZ2eUYZJmS1-nTjfc2TZ3hQGTEy8HeWG9AfOjretO3echJWkyFD2sJQNLyCs5RiDgd1WCV3G55QVhW/w640-h428/29Vineyard.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dozza holds a wine festival as well on the first Sunday in May.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMKJ1tToH3WBL5UgdTZ3tORDHSMX2eVanhV93LE89FFvW3tN7aefHfsOP9Y5WBM9HS-kMeztu_imT1zeFvgjvfHHD15WbFdeCTIhuEaC6lpq0PMPjrZtxnBORXxn1fizW_ck5avgNq9WljgMqPAeEqa-I1UgwPOrfuG7JQirvBjGj8OKca9o0Mq9Jon5U/s3872/30%2366.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMKJ1tToH3WBL5UgdTZ3tORDHSMX2eVanhV93LE89FFvW3tN7aefHfsOP9Y5WBM9HS-kMeztu_imT1zeFvgjvfHHD15WbFdeCTIhuEaC6lpq0PMPjrZtxnBORXxn1fizW_ck5avgNq9WljgMqPAeEqa-I1UgwPOrfuG7JQirvBjGj8OKca9o0Mq9Jon5U/w428-h640/30%2366.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJwv0WaCVlsSsxrIW4kp5GSbEihUGGAUPHZ7_qyUF15eqXppBlVwZwzYBkvvo3tTaVbf-nPWXrgTulRLDof5Tbu-8tuD_nBk64bSXElBdSeo-4y6QTPOXGqJy7N5pFzrZ4nw5_PWZuMmaHEcytAjYg48roAAFLU5pxuaPGIKDj1f8ZgZxhx1HU2n-UycJ/s3872/31Cubist.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJwv0WaCVlsSsxrIW4kp5GSbEihUGGAUPHZ7_qyUF15eqXppBlVwZwzYBkvvo3tTaVbf-nPWXrgTulRLDof5Tbu-8tuD_nBk64bSXElBdSeo-4y6QTPOXGqJy7N5pFzrZ4nw5_PWZuMmaHEcytAjYg48roAAFLU5pxuaPGIKDj1f8ZgZxhx1HU2n-UycJ/w428-h640/31Cubist.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2-K0EKEjIEkJY87T3m6CiihOrIdRwsU0i4gbm_rVgCRNoXQLMNULJKSSXCqvETjsFJegwk3kNVUQgsZsEYe4ftflATCQEfKldLQrggC1w5HfZHH0vJAKzJ4mjszNHKCCULDlXw_UtIFY-uP459dB7P3_y14LSEHWLKdAfCkbCU-DM9kkrgIw1GzFziUJ/s3872/32Archway.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2-K0EKEjIEkJY87T3m6CiihOrIdRwsU0i4gbm_rVgCRNoXQLMNULJKSSXCqvETjsFJegwk3kNVUQgsZsEYe4ftflATCQEfKldLQrggC1w5HfZHH0vJAKzJ4mjszNHKCCULDlXw_UtIFY-uP459dB7P3_y14LSEHWLKdAfCkbCU-DM9kkrgIw1GzFziUJ/w428-h640/32Archway.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99xfl-haP0CchICQ3Bhigz5JMQ07A__myzMmfFuWt3utuz0XMhbTdI4wIth8nhU1P8VpSq2SprOFxT5AFWhuNV1MzIgoiehza96vseWGUsWz9C-GlD5BG6c-49XXSf6Sv04RRT0F8AeTCkgoeVB5reIET-KqkvNnq3D7gZAg63D6ikxR0xsj1-_00tDRD/s3872/33LeaneronDoorway.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99xfl-haP0CchICQ3Bhigz5JMQ07A__myzMmfFuWt3utuz0XMhbTdI4wIth8nhU1P8VpSq2SprOFxT5AFWhuNV1MzIgoiehza96vseWGUsWz9C-GlD5BG6c-49XXSf6Sv04RRT0F8AeTCkgoeVB5reIET-KqkvNnq3D7gZAg63D6ikxR0xsj1-_00tDRD/w640-h428/33LeaneronDoorway.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the artists incorporate the buildings into the art.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbzLCLZSRtCqSrKYiYf0qw5E86G0USSSjiiK_5oiaSlpRMWQVRAQR8fKivzir6glEQTJThbpG-n5tOqy7pJ8AVW_EYWwBRXvYnjwXGz_PwNdtso9XWEdhTGWqLBGd8zM46coKgUPmoPzb54O8q_ZKXGYtGo2z4BV6szKItxCUpGGByu_Eruv4O7YocGg1/s3872/34Pieta%CC%81.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbzLCLZSRtCqSrKYiYf0qw5E86G0USSSjiiK_5oiaSlpRMWQVRAQR8fKivzir6glEQTJThbpG-n5tOqy7pJ8AVW_EYWwBRXvYnjwXGz_PwNdtso9XWEdhTGWqLBGd8zM46coKgUPmoPzb54O8q_ZKXGYtGo2z4BV6szKItxCUpGGByu_Eruv4O7YocGg1/w640-h428/34Pieta%CC%81.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This color version of the Pietà is in the Chiesa de Santa Maria Assunta in Piscina in Dozza, as well as the ornate altar below. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN60bSRV8l45Z7zl9o9FEPicHjI2_URvAWzywgTN4jmK68k99Xlpn_MP1C72ODHRWiCbBMojEB9AmXpW0G7tirccbo1ThO9z82bMI1KPX_cB11xTTRqA9pFVZOZD0nv57AovKirubVLhIdeyujsM2l0SIrQzOqM2DjulrG8jPGRDc7ZRncg6BLpR_YbarP/s3872/35Altar.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN60bSRV8l45Z7zl9o9FEPicHjI2_URvAWzywgTN4jmK68k99Xlpn_MP1C72ODHRWiCbBMojEB9AmXpW0G7tirccbo1ThO9z82bMI1KPX_cB11xTTRqA9pFVZOZD0nv57AovKirubVLhIdeyujsM2l0SIrQzOqM2DjulrG8jPGRDc7ZRncg6BLpR_YbarP/w428-h640/35Altar.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmyyfelFEdnvY5BbtuiKjwkhAtZLNsB6ElsqAdqCBWGvOlnK9w-FP8rv0r9lmmkayf6uGuKka-j2ugAGYuDm035yLI523cLlM4LS81n44l5G0SzeQVgxA91JNO7b49Lkdi5-Ip5ElEXKaf0Cxfc38y0plitrycFC9i0Tk9RzSuWnIay4W2lvrfh1hS4Qo/s3872/36Gateway2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmyyfelFEdnvY5BbtuiKjwkhAtZLNsB6ElsqAdqCBWGvOlnK9w-FP8rv0r9lmmkayf6uGuKka-j2ugAGYuDm035yLI523cLlM4LS81n44l5G0SzeQVgxA91JNO7b49Lkdi5-Ip5ElEXKaf0Cxfc38y0plitrycFC9i0Tk9RzSuWnIay4W2lvrfh1hS4Qo/w428-h640/36Gateway2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This entrance to Dozza shows the whimsical nature of some of the murals.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrjlWncsnEBEzlWarBYoScfnRua9h8VvLMb7divTXRbF6mRPuMjQ-ncAPETqqJHIGn4bc7uFp_vsuGbrb7fQOd9FSMJAkS-xNVvb9AQRu0Gg09yUB3JDc5b_rs6PptSAaDaME1jtTSD4OwYekie3qwS34pMYPtJ_SgOI4STyQQRCvnwC9p5E_XM0nuAzg/s3872/37ComicArt.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrjlWncsnEBEzlWarBYoScfnRua9h8VvLMb7divTXRbF6mRPuMjQ-ncAPETqqJHIGn4bc7uFp_vsuGbrb7fQOd9FSMJAkS-xNVvb9AQRu0Gg09yUB3JDc5b_rs6PptSAaDaME1jtTSD4OwYekie3qwS34pMYPtJ_SgOI4STyQQRCvnwC9p5E_XM0nuAzg/w640-h428/37ComicArt.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comics as art in this mural.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmlXYWwfawRUsAOhH5p-DKpDddjZ91eTaW_gXHjAOAsrwkqHJRYu3Ku5695vHcY3_JWyd4uSbZZY7FKODGqn7Q6SRQiKh6zhNtYtj8LJJb4BIimXHl1PznqyDyGa5G7j8Ht0lFDvGu3uQaRRg4-nnZsT7q2RVmdUpiuOcBPbvU6WQjqBLFRm64Sl3Paje/s3872/38SteppingOut.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmlXYWwfawRUsAOhH5p-DKpDddjZ91eTaW_gXHjAOAsrwkqHJRYu3Ku5695vHcY3_JWyd4uSbZZY7FKODGqn7Q6SRQiKh6zhNtYtj8LJJb4BIimXHl1PznqyDyGa5G7j8Ht0lFDvGu3uQaRRg4-nnZsT7q2RVmdUpiuOcBPbvU6WQjqBLFRm64Sl3Paje/w428-h640/38SteppingOut.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three dimensional quality of this mural caught my eye.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc26I2b8KDdbOV68ZSzi5vSgU0kBrj9VIaIjJLBejO58oy3dqc4Hs5HllH66UmzUBM4qyM0qLtKJ3SbB8YkXrGklctL_IC25vg8lUXhYe5S7ZJ1_2-VyXjs0CV5WV5s9KDlf5gtN7GVJXd5FAoIp4rDQO2xUuz4HCeiSzlzQYICobzInKpkklBbbzNOmtJ/s3872/39BldgArt.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc26I2b8KDdbOV68ZSzi5vSgU0kBrj9VIaIjJLBejO58oy3dqc4Hs5HllH66UmzUBM4qyM0qLtKJ3SbB8YkXrGklctL_IC25vg8lUXhYe5S7ZJ1_2-VyXjs0CV5WV5s9KDlf5gtN7GVJXd5FAoIp4rDQO2xUuz4HCeiSzlzQYICobzInKpkklBbbzNOmtJ/w640-h428/39BldgArt.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another example of incorporating elements of the building in the mural.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ztfrNGpU5NqDLmof9VAWPAWsM_l_RQlMv1JnSZrWOgmPeY8SxT23MBFgHosmWg9lE7tRYac5gYKGlhD5slsa3IrIAlHgYD9bsF7ChHhFjCyXbNk8yH5untWk2swXDUojg1f-hf7pjwA0fl7hcRhJWtdptwFj9FpTU41v1KqY4S6UKIp4eRhwKE7NUBXh/s3872/40CarveCouple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ztfrNGpU5NqDLmof9VAWPAWsM_l_RQlMv1JnSZrWOgmPeY8SxT23MBFgHosmWg9lE7tRYac5gYKGlhD5slsa3IrIAlHgYD9bsF7ChHhFjCyXbNk8yH5untWk2swXDUojg1f-hf7pjwA0fl7hcRhJWtdptwFj9FpTU41v1KqY4S6UKIp4eRhwKE7NUBXh/w640-h428/40CarveCouple.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the few sculptures in the walled portion of the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeJ-jyu2y3mm-HOKLjkNEB643EhOUs9K-MA6IkBfZtDDSUJ8ljJkPKmOcNUd6guduQTeFRtViAY86oR_e2t0CukSxnXcjr2791joSqrhnkK5HLu9Rxi79-OvZALatIr1XejBXhM6sWjn9eT0k-kl0M0PuXjh1daB_1RYtVJA31jyb_9JJedXRFQ34vZYF/s3872/41Kite1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeJ-jyu2y3mm-HOKLjkNEB643EhOUs9K-MA6IkBfZtDDSUJ8ljJkPKmOcNUd6guduQTeFRtViAY86oR_e2t0CukSxnXcjr2791joSqrhnkK5HLu9Rxi79-OvZALatIr1XejBXhM6sWjn9eT0k-kl0M0PuXjh1daB_1RYtVJA31jyb_9JJedXRFQ34vZYF/w428-h640/41Kite1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another example of whimsy with this kite flyer at one level...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwTkJs2XyZZyjpv6t21tPHsN0evmDSO6WqY_mpdFGZSIi5SenQdfp8QY_Rn_YptJTxsHidmLnNjbJGvNoTPD73mcqm7XublDkx8xpuzHQ0DyOz_sP4motreiBy75xY_0h12OCFpTeOqK4PAxCf0Lo_rqAJ4spJc7ci38Ck3PQGsiJ_GpAJ9FjjNPTDX-p/s3872/42Kite2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwTkJs2XyZZyjpv6t21tPHsN0evmDSO6WqY_mpdFGZSIi5SenQdfp8QY_Rn_YptJTxsHidmLnNjbJGvNoTPD73mcqm7XublDkx8xpuzHQ0DyOz_sP4motreiBy75xY_0h12OCFpTeOqK4PAxCf0Lo_rqAJ4spJc7ci38Ck3PQGsiJ_GpAJ9FjjNPTDX-p/w640-h428/42Kite2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with the string leading to the kite at the upper level.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRWsYiY9P5Jpl9zX3YO4cOcKiQaWPZ_t99q31fY81W9X2d48qaVJTIUbnDKiAePXCGw0PMOlsV7CpfcKVhn0o-3b0IRDbnDZ9MJm20A8ILQoCQ6MOT7Ns73QddqfOSOAuRHlTB4yHS-ncz5DAvAKQm4127PNHmNbGoBn-pzWbI38aWzsL0Z9y-0VN3uTu/s3872/43MovieArt.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRWsYiY9P5Jpl9zX3YO4cOcKiQaWPZ_t99q31fY81W9X2d48qaVJTIUbnDKiAePXCGw0PMOlsV7CpfcKVhn0o-3b0IRDbnDZ9MJm20A8ILQoCQ6MOT7Ns73QddqfOSOAuRHlTB4yHS-ncz5DAvAKQm4127PNHmNbGoBn-pzWbI38aWzsL0Z9y-0VN3uTu/w428-h640/43MovieArt.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recreation of an old movie poster.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUgtsp9MGsyVLPpNI0tQE7FTCGOnmeJCtP0OUWfPCA4xnljEcnhVWYNFrsBIsYp8PQg7RY6-qxFb_YXrCwL7w_pOBNyrNCXKYLmYXEmqce3FrCLm2Z_3m95pN1udEtqiCArTbdq5YxBClzxx-cGjWT-4rU2iYVOgajj2zbqln-TnLIGxXage8951NVsGP/s3872/44FeatherCrack.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUgtsp9MGsyVLPpNI0tQE7FTCGOnmeJCtP0OUWfPCA4xnljEcnhVWYNFrsBIsYp8PQg7RY6-qxFb_YXrCwL7w_pOBNyrNCXKYLmYXEmqce3FrCLm2Z_3m95pN1udEtqiCArTbdq5YxBClzxx-cGjWT-4rU2iYVOgajj2zbqln-TnLIGxXage8951NVsGP/w640-h428/44FeatherCrack.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The imagination of the artists knows no bounds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Onward to the Lakes (But first a Short Detour)</u></p><p>The next morning it was time to bid adieu to the dour duo of brothers and head to Lake Como. On the way we were to pass San Marino. We felt obliged to stop by and visit the third smallest country in Europe and the fifth smallest country in the world --- which it surely is. Once again, we climbed and climbed -- but at least in a car. At least for a while. And then it was time to once again hoof it up very, very steep and somewhat perilous, scree filled hillsides to reach he three watchtowers guarding the city. Very good views. Rather charming village. But, like Andorra, San Marino's claim to fame is tax free shopping. It is alleged that Italians cannot indulge in the tax free shopping but it looked to us as if they were oblivious/uncaring/defiant about that legality. Since we had no desire to purchase Rolex watches or Cartier jewelry we clambered downhill to our car to resume our journey to the Lakes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVU5LjUyllaI5nBuRCGZt20kFyCRE3SCN17dtRECCdiCXocfk91PEyeshjTMB9baEloNIxgf1Vhkn0IQnJGvnp90kFTfxf3F0dS3dgk7BzQXnpcpiBxtxXpKboBC4if_vUPh2VDKDuAbwe0Yt5fcgL4gPufQEx5sKFIANjBUCGrEqk9Ts_qGBrXxrWkJ2/s4608/1SMview1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVU5LjUyllaI5nBuRCGZt20kFyCRE3SCN17dtRECCdiCXocfk91PEyeshjTMB9baEloNIxgf1Vhkn0IQnJGvnp90kFTfxf3F0dS3dgk7BzQXnpcpiBxtxXpKboBC4if_vUPh2VDKDuAbwe0Yt5fcgL4gPufQEx5sKFIANjBUCGrEqk9Ts_qGBrXxrWkJ2/w640-h480/1SMview1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the countryside from the heights of San Marino.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUCuGuqrUyxx5LFhrLaT8_cJ_VFZIaCj_GKEoeCHd2si2R3EGhNWuRgZC4As514_P5WfnqPtpvGX5kvkHbfBreGSjY16Kzz4O6J6gCX7tl5YDVgqk-eO4S5oy4ma-TLz4XuB-PZQiR-U_3T7mxC3usWBXnA-tPQLxsz8aHOXyZdo85scWwXB4ZrkhYtuV/s4608/2SMview2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUCuGuqrUyxx5LFhrLaT8_cJ_VFZIaCj_GKEoeCHd2si2R3EGhNWuRgZC4As514_P5WfnqPtpvGX5kvkHbfBreGSjY16Kzz4O6J6gCX7tl5YDVgqk-eO4S5oy4ma-TLz4XuB-PZQiR-U_3T7mxC3usWBXnA-tPQLxsz8aHOXyZdo85scWwXB4ZrkhYtuV/w640-h480/2SMview2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe7QQ4LcIXYVQabkadyuVgbXfvKE7bdDgnWD0XtTKJjmiitResrQeL8U1e2RRpfhK8KwRE4wGox_ZG23VX9wA_VoEa6UeTXNkdrDZyg8CXgDnNgrNxLR6R0l_dD5JBDo2pSvkQpiZFXKU8qMeCfBs2NGSw7-d18j08tenM5Amp-GmoekmM_FGvAU3YeYX/s4608/3SMButterfly.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe7QQ4LcIXYVQabkadyuVgbXfvKE7bdDgnWD0XtTKJjmiitResrQeL8U1e2RRpfhK8KwRE4wGox_ZG23VX9wA_VoEa6UeTXNkdrDZyg8CXgDnNgrNxLR6R0l_dD5JBDo2pSvkQpiZFXKU8qMeCfBs2NGSw7-d18j08tenM5Amp-GmoekmM_FGvAU3YeYX/w640-h480/3SMButterfly.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were walking I found this butterfly on the purple thistle flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtFv9qTcx28figvvipOnptRhytn0-Uvc5aMsk80Rmht6u9OPXL3BKbFw2Rx4Cgxi8ZkqclbilwPOCPK0TqUEH9SPiUNV25eAHvbEEhbxCM8MpAXe5R-4LI1V9yXm6Sv7HBp01gA7OJ-vf_xjqEjgDaUzkk57futqUOXhe3e0oOoZHRgBACe2CzAK6pxTJ/s4608/4SMTower1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtFv9qTcx28figvvipOnptRhytn0-Uvc5aMsk80Rmht6u9OPXL3BKbFw2Rx4Cgxi8ZkqclbilwPOCPK0TqUEH9SPiUNV25eAHvbEEhbxCM8MpAXe5R-4LI1V9yXm6Sv7HBp01gA7OJ-vf_xjqEjgDaUzkk57futqUOXhe3e0oOoZHRgBACe2CzAK6pxTJ/w480-h640/4SMTower1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the three towers of San Marino.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyI_m5LtQ3esdSnocqoQFRnfPuUwASMwJhCvjygTjs_MFbwlEa8fVPHnlqypmMWM9lnBlMODitBX4Ab960A-tToYU9bdabIdwgdsxyorrs13G7c5wNr7aWhUblvSeyPMTY6LGdY9_p_rB3YzvQi1O8XCtPinSpqHiEGz_A0tKRouJ4dCJMSzvA-OTbAGfj/s4608/5SMTower2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyI_m5LtQ3esdSnocqoQFRnfPuUwASMwJhCvjygTjs_MFbwlEa8fVPHnlqypmMWM9lnBlMODitBX4Ab960A-tToYU9bdabIdwgdsxyorrs13G7c5wNr7aWhUblvSeyPMTY6LGdY9_p_rB3YzvQi1O8XCtPinSpqHiEGz_A0tKRouJ4dCJMSzvA-OTbAGfj/w640-h480/5SMTower2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second of the three towers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeGStKZZvQR6ze9skA8x-BXblwg2CR1hmeGMa46SHIGjA0Pqd-l4RYLZjTT-pJWEsnfwJxNCpP72HCDELFOQ8m6BB8Itc8jCt4Gmn5ushZr0dsze7MhvFg3VfyzsGMuQFlbtfi3HJcrX_ZNftyRSfWkpSi3QVGacxTB3MPX4YO-hrOQVUN53uITfxz8EK/s4608/6SMArcheologyDig.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeGStKZZvQR6ze9skA8x-BXblwg2CR1hmeGMa46SHIGjA0Pqd-l4RYLZjTT-pJWEsnfwJxNCpP72HCDELFOQ8m6BB8Itc8jCt4Gmn5ushZr0dsze7MhvFg3VfyzsGMuQFlbtfi3HJcrX_ZNftyRSfWkpSi3QVGacxTB3MPX4YO-hrOQVUN53uITfxz8EK/w640-h480/6SMArcheologyDig.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here archeologists were excavating next to one of the towers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj6nEGDWYacxaV3OqduHofNwm_e6g7NM1bxT_-39j12MGFiosNdM-Vz_NtpAcrxlWmM0Lq51ksYnW-0Z84DTfX-xFOyYccjL2dxK0NSIA_HnxhEbd6rALDl4xV2M8u4Asj89dbN45c9gZzkoNKNzPbUOQdBOgBarCVNfYF5Y-Qrqgdj6M0C0tc8NjgwNr/s4608/7SMTower3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj6nEGDWYacxaV3OqduHofNwm_e6g7NM1bxT_-39j12MGFiosNdM-Vz_NtpAcrxlWmM0Lq51ksYnW-0Z84DTfX-xFOyYccjL2dxK0NSIA_HnxhEbd6rALDl4xV2M8u4Asj89dbN45c9gZzkoNKNzPbUOQdBOgBarCVNfYF5Y-Qrqgdj6M0C0tc8NjgwNr/w480-h640/7SMTower3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The third and most impressive tower of San Marino.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpFl1TAdqOPTSOGxmveddF3KhD1hz9iAc5AqUwfjpGGCXLdm5IxhE1RfJ34Oag2TM1mabsK6jPQwKl7ovd6RcFUKk_2XC66wfVC2K-h8vpthc-hpcCfMuIPLLtDMvUksdMIjxTbLUc6r3l1-VjxaTiHBplEA9BkVtprGEdNVV7Vjkieao82PudT_BvjJf/s4608/8SMStreetView.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpFl1TAdqOPTSOGxmveddF3KhD1hz9iAc5AqUwfjpGGCXLdm5IxhE1RfJ34Oag2TM1mabsK6jPQwKl7ovd6RcFUKk_2XC66wfVC2K-h8vpthc-hpcCfMuIPLLtDMvUksdMIjxTbLUc6r3l1-VjxaTiHBplEA9BkVtprGEdNVV7Vjkieao82PudT_BvjJf/w480-h640/8SMStreetView.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shopping street lined with duty free shops...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZSY0A_VJLbCT9vwxLB4QQlgL-ovvKwQATVLzt1r8e5bSBhOLKYv6aXSJZ8ynx7vX5MaompiPjrJFxMDeJzkYpkEKA8qZNvoC5fIhQ-TOe03aCYWr1DoGiM3shfSrx7Ge_5e8BqEJNA-iqLbW51UUZXzM3sdrirkpjh5BFjpzy55QTHNfkFHXWXmjpA0S/s4292/9SMMuseo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4292" data-original-width="3219" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZSY0A_VJLbCT9vwxLB4QQlgL-ovvKwQATVLzt1r8e5bSBhOLKYv6aXSJZ8ynx7vX5MaompiPjrJFxMDeJzkYpkEKA8qZNvoC5fIhQ-TOe03aCYWr1DoGiM3shfSrx7Ge_5e8BqEJNA-iqLbW51UUZXzM3sdrirkpjh5BFjpzy55QTHNfkFHXWXmjpA0S/w480-h640/9SMMuseo.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this Museum of Curiosity...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPSS2srzsYcq0mpXQxjG-tvgLdarGPv0JX3xGfLJH_hC7gSwG-XMLruvhKI3xBnfrUzOsQZmpkMSu0HMAN6gs6_G0E0NyeuixvBieHcgDOn8-BmQOA77uTeJ2yruCEcaHyuKbu5N7IN_sJCtxnu0PFudjbJQM1dbGCG9NRyP_StHjpvHBqEUYQloS9O_F/s4608/10SMMuseoCuriosita.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPSS2srzsYcq0mpXQxjG-tvgLdarGPv0JX3xGfLJH_hC7gSwG-XMLruvhKI3xBnfrUzOsQZmpkMSu0HMAN6gs6_G0E0NyeuixvBieHcgDOn8-BmQOA77uTeJ2yruCEcaHyuKbu5N7IN_sJCtxnu0PFudjbJQM1dbGCG9NRyP_StHjpvHBqEUYQloS9O_F/w480-h640/10SMMuseoCuriosita.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">featuring this reproduction of the 639 kilogram man (1,408.754 lbs). It did not entice us to enter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm69BZT3dru59nv3B70rLNMIKySXonswrnpFdtl2tN6aLiohcA6mv1t40h2PX06VaTKDwrd9-gxzqnGjcnme2obVvMRhcX9zOf30_QDGX-7lGLOn3-UVdZpwlZeSQeq1ubOOoXvgtzZgNTe25pDrssAdOCfYsNddwmXr9hRhu0DeYAmE9EAuXWe6xBG3V6/s4608/11SMClockTower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm69BZT3dru59nv3B70rLNMIKySXonswrnpFdtl2tN6aLiohcA6mv1t40h2PX06VaTKDwrd9-gxzqnGjcnme2obVvMRhcX9zOf30_QDGX-7lGLOn3-UVdZpwlZeSQeq1ubOOoXvgtzZgNTe25pDrssAdOCfYsNddwmXr9hRhu0DeYAmE9EAuXWe6xBG3V6/w640-h480/11SMClockTower.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the clocks harken back to the days when wrist watches were not available.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnTS-9a9TnMVXzDk0D-BjbZRLSSpu-4RbDOoJRhtQQILKQc4JP-QEjiRqkGHEMSr7S8cRtB7kogNPoghKIUIpkUowjMmsgs4JTs8dMKUdpq7D4l6cBCSd-cQyjqnDN_3qrpLTQ9BOOttyPzVhiKAiwpV1_dwXDxeAqWFlBIsB99sBhsvlEYjAgxtfTG7b/s4608/12SMChurch.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnTS-9a9TnMVXzDk0D-BjbZRLSSpu-4RbDOoJRhtQQILKQc4JP-QEjiRqkGHEMSr7S8cRtB7kogNPoghKIUIpkUowjMmsgs4JTs8dMKUdpq7D4l6cBCSd-cQyjqnDN_3qrpLTQ9BOOttyPzVhiKAiwpV1_dwXDxeAqWFlBIsB99sBhsvlEYjAgxtfTG7b/w640-h480/12SMChurch.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Basilica del Santo Marino was started in 1826 & consecrated in 1855.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUc5pRHpPqG1J-L1YiKnFOBdIkNbp9pi9uZG0Qlw5UOKtVrCD8BeM5qkMxJVi29zgfxTsb3vA2vV6hrWea348-6fhBnt78v1SqJPfzlNGcbkSSIcdEi7b-fBNreyq7vDd7hRc0QKkqIXfzMfnNUNXXAQz5OMOyCQ8xTvUqojJOGdneJkp1x3nnT_DMfuJ/s4608/13SM3Faiths.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUc5pRHpPqG1J-L1YiKnFOBdIkNbp9pi9uZG0Qlw5UOKtVrCD8BeM5qkMxJVi29zgfxTsb3vA2vV6hrWea348-6fhBnt78v1SqJPfzlNGcbkSSIcdEi7b-fBNreyq7vDd7hRc0QKkqIXfzMfnNUNXXAQz5OMOyCQ8xTvUqojJOGdneJkp1x3nnT_DMfuJ/w640-h480/13SM3Faiths.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The symbols of the three major faiths are shown, although the small population (4,061) is 97% Roman Catholic.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I had been to Lake Como about 20 years ago when I had taken our sons backpacking through Europe one summer, but Michael had never been there and I was sure he would like it. Getting there involved another interlude with tunnels and twisting narrow roads but it was a piece of cake after Amalfi. Well until we reached Bellagio -- the "Pearl of the Lake". The place was packed. We had to take the ferry across the Lake which was easier said than done, As we approached where the GPS told us to turn a very helpful policewoman gestured that we should go straight. This landed us in a restricted pedestrian only zone - and not for the first time in Italy. After executing an excruciating U-turn we went back to said policewoman and insisted on entering. She yielded and we got to the ferry landing which exemplified the level of efficiency and organization (none) that you would expect from an Italian transportation entity. We had a very sweet apartment right by the Lake with astounding views. The Lakes often have a moody appearance with clouds and mist rising and falling over the Alps and during our visit they did their best to display their full range of emotion.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLVLmsRwG2Rjm2pAQUJVGF-0QjPRJygVlAgWWXnWVa_R63Z42tcac3wFCiCGr7A3CdglWwW_2eRx7hKmNUABB0qdeZ3A6NoRp5hSlJSKB4Wp4YrWHfBJdxJbiAMu_OrUyP-_dXJMfIQHr8z1j46bFDL7GfQ9lMasKVp1jgfUjy10Emqdqzrp4XXYEp-Vj/s3872/1Lake%20Como%20Mtn%20view.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLVLmsRwG2Rjm2pAQUJVGF-0QjPRJygVlAgWWXnWVa_R63Z42tcac3wFCiCGr7A3CdglWwW_2eRx7hKmNUABB0qdeZ3A6NoRp5hSlJSKB4Wp4YrWHfBJdxJbiAMu_OrUyP-_dXJMfIQHr8z1j46bFDL7GfQ9lMasKVp1jgfUjy10Emqdqzrp4XXYEp-Vj/w640-h428/1Lake%20Como%20Mtn%20view.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Como and the surrounding mountains can present as quite moody, with its low hanging clouds and overcast skies, as can be seen in these next series of photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2NXyc3dL48N3XMJ65AjVCwi5mhG2RmuU5HgEZMzx5pyC7LMI8dT-1Pww0yE00Yyx0KHaRzO0KImOc9_BZTziNkumb5I6gIaoE9L3sSVStjwQ8FW7ZNCva96nIIIzog-SzXSS2kG5uu_bAsajXB9XgyijAgjGZq2re-VPAABrlm9xvXEpMWGx3gMlc1Pg/s3872/2Lake%20Como%20view.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2NXyc3dL48N3XMJ65AjVCwi5mhG2RmuU5HgEZMzx5pyC7LMI8dT-1Pww0yE00Yyx0KHaRzO0KImOc9_BZTziNkumb5I6gIaoE9L3sSVStjwQ8FW7ZNCva96nIIIzog-SzXSS2kG5uu_bAsajXB9XgyijAgjGZq2re-VPAABrlm9xvXEpMWGx3gMlc1Pg/w640-h428/2Lake%20Como%20view.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYeVHFegJynYUmU3ZCvAZu72gT0af_VpxbNkkSahiXhz2rfpjaZComUJsEGz27D8M3_nhKISDs1Lv6tau-z7JMhZ4-6WCZ_uw2CRNVst0gFa44mc3awjc-s94zolvnRv8gM_mvx-WrBbNFJ35VQlk9DM1ZGELB3OuBFmBJLdhzRatdYE8aSKa-FXrHoai/s3872/3Lake%20Como%20snow.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYeVHFegJynYUmU3ZCvAZu72gT0af_VpxbNkkSahiXhz2rfpjaZComUJsEGz27D8M3_nhKISDs1Lv6tau-z7JMhZ4-6WCZ_uw2CRNVst0gFa44mc3awjc-s94zolvnRv8gM_mvx-WrBbNFJ35VQlk9DM1ZGELB3OuBFmBJLdhzRatdYE8aSKa-FXrHoai/w640-h428/3Lake%20Como%20snow.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pzV5w3rq0z6D_yXYXixT68eKPMG_9rxHtqjTYBQME3kC21Y-LSfYSSl69y3ATo-_qCxeivZvAnI18NBg7BQlL4r9aWD1PoZJOvwsluLY3jd1X6LvHwmrmnlAbD5QkPluVan8TkcD-6R5-5AUlf3TezzmazNz1sqS5hQn7-D1Y4al6jHj7R1gywMVBU0n/s4608/4Lake%20Como%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pzV5w3rq0z6D_yXYXixT68eKPMG_9rxHtqjTYBQME3kC21Y-LSfYSSl69y3ATo-_qCxeivZvAnI18NBg7BQlL4r9aWD1PoZJOvwsluLY3jd1X6LvHwmrmnlAbD5QkPluVan8TkcD-6R5-5AUlf3TezzmazNz1sqS5hQn7-D1Y4al6jHj7R1gywMVBU0n/w640-h480/4Lake%20Como%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmfhE4YW3fM7Ac9woRp5Ah0mSpZdloXw6mKKfu7HCjvtkqBkR5cOvbixhiri5QEJSgDhnuOVWiVvPfjBJSEccrz4Lc8hRXnSCNXROxDXM0PeC9qwS50BqJOH3hwNnqi39A_Scsz2W3cFyflNgT_7yuPMpm2meRdfg_XbvenRaMLaKYtBxL4yzmDjLimLZ/s4608/5Lake%20Como%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmfhE4YW3fM7Ac9woRp5Ah0mSpZdloXw6mKKfu7HCjvtkqBkR5cOvbixhiri5QEJSgDhnuOVWiVvPfjBJSEccrz4Lc8hRXnSCNXROxDXM0PeC9qwS50BqJOH3hwNnqi39A_Scsz2W3cFyflNgT_7yuPMpm2meRdfg_XbvenRaMLaKYtBxL4yzmDjLimLZ/w640-h480/5Lake%20Como%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQ33iOrXl4X4VHNjbvsHgdy5_j9vEF56H_7MWOhenlhzvb879mIRuD_mc47CP39_hWwEUj9V7GE3zzT0l3LAPICGVz0mZdou8AvSHXFigQVzuMSsROiD2mrdE4KQH1ZfCWnynwqndE10iBw9qlSp-Co7c_f1yt2_TguTpKa-hYZyuPvwJZy5K9Vnjnb5A/s4608/6Lake%20Como%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQ33iOrXl4X4VHNjbvsHgdy5_j9vEF56H_7MWOhenlhzvb879mIRuD_mc47CP39_hWwEUj9V7GE3zzT0l3LAPICGVz0mZdou8AvSHXFigQVzuMSsROiD2mrdE4KQH1ZfCWnynwqndE10iBw9qlSp-Co7c_f1yt2_TguTpKa-hYZyuPvwJZy5K9Vnjnb5A/w640-h480/6Lake%20Como%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later in our stay the skies did lighten, but the clouds were still omnipresent.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNULNPYmRN3EQT_cWhIPwPgAklukvlxHZZP9A9iXjZ_uI9D5hKXyMDzxr2w7TY5xXwsys_GT2RGpDJWwzWy_Vxre6_ikx9UhHBNizMd8hvXXCe8ZgfV4yTxGlFtyx1SV_5fb_ARVw38FrcrAtY1TgbthmgboXmo2ME1wL3lwWsca-dDrY-eUm3IZCQFdn/s4608/7Lake%20Como%20view.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNULNPYmRN3EQT_cWhIPwPgAklukvlxHZZP9A9iXjZ_uI9D5hKXyMDzxr2w7TY5xXwsys_GT2RGpDJWwzWy_Vxre6_ikx9UhHBNizMd8hvXXCe8ZgfV4yTxGlFtyx1SV_5fb_ARVw38FrcrAtY1TgbthmgboXmo2ME1wL3lwWsca-dDrY-eUm3IZCQFdn/w640-h480/7Lake%20Como%20view.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30F6Nq7wVQ-FsA9aB_gQyj_op5GZsEZwpx2ghSchYIarbWRJpi7dvbIT8iJOkMZAMxXD61Wj7tZ2yUPIfLvN0MBXHsmdhmz3R7CXnW3Bd9-YFfsxti9dJQk3u_n8xF47AHmQn3p4IPpE0krwSz_hbK2hjAhKcxezgYp0e8BJV2q1VG3LSXbLcNQ6lr6mD/s4394/8Mennagio%20Church1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4394" data-original-width="3295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30F6Nq7wVQ-FsA9aB_gQyj_op5GZsEZwpx2ghSchYIarbWRJpi7dvbIT8iJOkMZAMxXD61Wj7tZ2yUPIfLvN0MBXHsmdhmz3R7CXnW3Bd9-YFfsxti9dJQk3u_n8xF47AHmQn3p4IPpE0krwSz_hbK2hjAhKcxezgYp0e8BJV2q1VG3LSXbLcNQ6lr6mD/w480-h640/8Mennagio%20Church1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bell tower in the background is on the church of Saint Stefano, whose construction began in 1618.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYtlV2uL9SCeBv8NwJFUarxW1Yl_3ASP82EB9hLe3kmOtwM84TO5J0TNpThrwPVuJVjdxHP_qFYf1tPRdsqbDYmIJAx5SLCZRGzzWfXof-Q1KIFRuLJSgiHG3uF4Db_UBICdA6sqzta9qx4-qyVpxmBvZWbIKsC6Fj70NVua5J-RltPAw03wSrwBASlEK/s4608/9Mennagio%20Church2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYtlV2uL9SCeBv8NwJFUarxW1Yl_3ASP82EB9hLe3kmOtwM84TO5J0TNpThrwPVuJVjdxHP_qFYf1tPRdsqbDYmIJAx5SLCZRGzzWfXof-Q1KIFRuLJSgiHG3uF4Db_UBICdA6sqzta9qx4-qyVpxmBvZWbIKsC6Fj70NVua5J-RltPAw03wSrwBASlEK/w480-h640/9Mennagio%20Church2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the picture above this one on the right you can see the portal. This photo gives you a better view of the facade of the church of Saint Marta. In Italy even a small town like Mennagio can't have too many churches.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhzr_EVe3ZeI3a9PaOElJBcswueZPwT-QJ2CDJ6yIWWwMel5pM3VOO5yNeqjIMmN5fwigsUasyzYWIT5Xcg7VGVyD0qpICDu2XS5MaKPoMD8xWBx6ALhC1MGzs6cvBw4r6RfB17aEmpV6Lqd6vyVSOq7Cl0ILzwWBPLFyKAVHeCVQQKLr1JLFCdp9CUnq/s4608/10Mennagio%20Church3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhzr_EVe3ZeI3a9PaOElJBcswueZPwT-QJ2CDJ6yIWWwMel5pM3VOO5yNeqjIMmN5fwigsUasyzYWIT5Xcg7VGVyD0qpICDu2XS5MaKPoMD8xWBx6ALhC1MGzs6cvBw4r6RfB17aEmpV6Lqd6vyVSOq7Cl0ILzwWBPLFyKAVHeCVQQKLr1JLFCdp9CUnq/w480-h640/10Mennagio%20Church3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer view of the fresco of Madonna and Child above the entrance to Saint Marta.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZszmrUoFFoN0sk1-u427kH1xaaqvlbMHr1hKb_-hRYOZuk2iO3sZDND9920wFRcPmwbQXkVR_afjUiIVTj8ETMdPyCWxiazXVNzPnpRzYczdOcUXn1dC7auKBcNuYI8eCqO6WyKkqf7UihvB0w50gCBmMet8o7cZLykzN9EHYtbnmaUYhURqgT-jIomE/s4608/11Mennagio1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZszmrUoFFoN0sk1-u427kH1xaaqvlbMHr1hKb_-hRYOZuk2iO3sZDND9920wFRcPmwbQXkVR_afjUiIVTj8ETMdPyCWxiazXVNzPnpRzYczdOcUXn1dC7auKBcNuYI8eCqO6WyKkqf7UihvB0w50gCBmMet8o7cZLykzN9EHYtbnmaUYhURqgT-jIomE/w640-h480/11Mennagio1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the walkway and buildings by the harbor of Mennagio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfgejMZ7oj1s_o10KFL70e5Oca6e_00vexQFpIsb23z2oTt5r-3w_XdNKmX_MoTCRpen-QDkznu0QQVbbhCkDte9Ei5VGeoc-ngW_jaodfkurZRYfNZFKW23IXsuuD8wF_4xkvnVLjKPIwqEV2LnfvO_v510caHXWiZFgtKsggTg-lNW8vz5rdPSwpWUU/s4608/12Mennagio2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfgejMZ7oj1s_o10KFL70e5Oca6e_00vexQFpIsb23z2oTt5r-3w_XdNKmX_MoTCRpen-QDkznu0QQVbbhCkDte9Ei5VGeoc-ngW_jaodfkurZRYfNZFKW23IXsuuD8wF_4xkvnVLjKPIwqEV2LnfvO_v510caHXWiZFgtKsggTg-lNW8vz5rdPSwpWUU/w640-h480/12Mennagio2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxROr5lFPH7xBpHYUFY1X_ynXKD_FwqKwpTrWfUKlFgBM4EAqLSRUOJ5W9YFg-ZBhmuvw0B8suwxEbgBXATFRwmBQaYFkQMskSXigKhIP4KoGxRdTN-YYC7902PoHCzFNM6XEtK2CvR8PiDzLGbpPjpzFVUA6BKs97Z2vi6Ha391KF4s0Ladl5xuEzxMpB/s4608/13Mennagio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxROr5lFPH7xBpHYUFY1X_ynXKD_FwqKwpTrWfUKlFgBM4EAqLSRUOJ5W9YFg-ZBhmuvw0B8suwxEbgBXATFRwmBQaYFkQMskSXigKhIP4KoGxRdTN-YYC7902PoHCzFNM6XEtK2CvR8PiDzLGbpPjpzFVUA6BKs97Z2vi6Ha391KF4s0Ladl5xuEzxMpB/w640-h480/13Mennagio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All along Lake Como are little villages with the requisite church....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaSmcZCONvZbGAEvUCyNwdwoTUQZJSiE80hRcva0aYl6PqHbIrSdCJFTKcyhdF45pzgFheY6n9rN5KLpZ5CDK5euSS-XrJHYE9TGhVFPRv8wk3fn-cmp7NW8Ryo5SNDfHJfRvh-CMBP2zuHUaLqMdDo7JDqAQbjIKi2NSdhqkOYvm-JoCtxqw7-tJ5_Zo/s4608/14Mennagio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaSmcZCONvZbGAEvUCyNwdwoTUQZJSiE80hRcva0aYl6PqHbIrSdCJFTKcyhdF45pzgFheY6n9rN5KLpZ5CDK5euSS-XrJHYE9TGhVFPRv8wk3fn-cmp7NW8Ryo5SNDfHJfRvh-CMBP2zuHUaLqMdDo7JDqAQbjIKi2NSdhqkOYvm-JoCtxqw7-tJ5_Zo/w640-h480/14Mennagio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and buildings hugging the shoreline.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvhHiFypmNUF-J6TbUOTQxeoJXoreA3uQqOXPmfIDDjoOZQOKJBzeoX-lE3ZLE-qQF1dQj-VgFaINhiipma9vuj6-vS0Me_qqBZnbv2ZZZkEEgEXWQGE3kqyos7HceWLVb8JAno5pvNqng0Lej-7DSi4HLnUwOA3RF7vsFVvfaYsZxoazSyd4o-iJq9_T/s4608/15Mennagio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvhHiFypmNUF-J6TbUOTQxeoJXoreA3uQqOXPmfIDDjoOZQOKJBzeoX-lE3ZLE-qQF1dQj-VgFaINhiipma9vuj6-vS0Me_qqBZnbv2ZZZkEEgEXWQGE3kqyos7HceWLVb8JAno5pvNqng0Lej-7DSi4HLnUwOA3RF7vsFVvfaYsZxoazSyd4o-iJq9_T/w480-h640/15Mennagio.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are also some magnificent villas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2iKnmXARMUoPA7VT2DwXRoq0dDKOi4JdGinuSAEfgeKbE4odyMSjs4EZp729aCJqh_0arNusxHzmv6qJSoqbiMESNZuS08sAHjP9gRyRn0Dj1H100pUNHDAsCZ9AyMZPLx4WSDmJtekRTE-Pi_og9hjQKUtFaXv70dhpoDMB4sYa-Rqv9q4FVQhJnI2Q/s4608/16View%20from%20Mennagio%20Apt..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2iKnmXARMUoPA7VT2DwXRoq0dDKOi4JdGinuSAEfgeKbE4odyMSjs4EZp729aCJqh_0arNusxHzmv6qJSoqbiMESNZuS08sAHjP9gRyRn0Dj1H100pUNHDAsCZ9AyMZPLx4WSDmJtekRTE-Pi_og9hjQKUtFaXv70dhpoDMB4sYa-Rqv9q4FVQhJnI2Q/w640-h480/16View%20from%20Mennagio%20Apt..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One morning, after a rainstorm the previous night, this cloud was floating over the lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The following day, we decided to abandon car travel in favor of riding the ferry to visit various ports along the shore of the lake. The great part about the ferries is that you meet a lot of interesting people from all over and you can chat as you glide along. We were relieved to find Bellagio a bit more calm than the prior day which was a Sunday. Clearly a lot of folks from Milan head up to the Lake to relax and clog things up. I'm going to let Michael's pictures take you on a tour of the lake. You will be disappointed to learn that we saw neither George Clooney nor his house. Sigh.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PAuh9_aOaOalvtISMEBR2zj3pj18ordurZRH2as9ZGB-cRmcIpevNZM72BrujjpsGVCGA9A0XS-HpfdFOF6SIu3dbqLwdu1zNZ_liV5H05vSOvDM5rbPNod1_QNgO8kzdx2kFe9Y8nlQr-N12xC_Y8ISroKpzoGX8Dh_LcycRhNNWifr8gaS4wdVUzyo/s4608/17Bellagio%20Steps1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PAuh9_aOaOalvtISMEBR2zj3pj18ordurZRH2as9ZGB-cRmcIpevNZM72BrujjpsGVCGA9A0XS-HpfdFOF6SIu3dbqLwdu1zNZ_liV5H05vSOvDM5rbPNod1_QNgO8kzdx2kFe9Y8nlQr-N12xC_Y8ISroKpzoGX8Dh_LcycRhNNWifr8gaS4wdVUzyo/w480-h640/17Bellagio%20Steps1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steep steps leading up to upper Bellagio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI1EO5K3fRTKyKGPWLpEEHopyOxzf8V2gOer-FnfgWCza73UnGHxA2b65EE_SB3W50mnMDHesmfA-dcg8_ejL6Jpj13Lq5SZ4XfpVMjnpnsvqwIjFxrENmE6VfAZlfcObIqflKwYOe0lpYNKb-X1kpJmXnnfe2ITXm5CID9tUI0wt2yNwpUQ73inVtOcB/s4608/18Bellagio%20Steps2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI1EO5K3fRTKyKGPWLpEEHopyOxzf8V2gOer-FnfgWCza73UnGHxA2b65EE_SB3W50mnMDHesmfA-dcg8_ejL6Jpj13Lq5SZ4XfpVMjnpnsvqwIjFxrENmE6VfAZlfcObIqflKwYOe0lpYNKb-X1kpJmXnnfe2ITXm5CID9tUI0wt2yNwpUQ73inVtOcB/w480-h640/18Bellagio%20Steps2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view looking down the steep steps from upper Bellagio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Qm-OwpBeF8HYc0rSt56jNktOOViRk_HhMvQT371QA7kNIjXu56354d1vHG9OPo5CZfH_duAG92ZJjQ6eIeaQcfTsma9pBJ_jjrS4Qz4RY4fYOrD7-gH-QmBLs852MU9D3mmf1tM8xZwDstql0ncUPG3T4VN42umWLKb2l5qzd_rmj45tC_9TgVsjMlp/s4608/19Bellagio%20Ferry.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="2873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Qm-OwpBeF8HYc0rSt56jNktOOViRk_HhMvQT371QA7kNIjXu56354d1vHG9OPo5CZfH_duAG92ZJjQ6eIeaQcfTsma9pBJ_jjrS4Qz4RY4fYOrD7-gH-QmBLs852MU9D3mmf1tM8xZwDstql0ncUPG3T4VN42umWLKb2l5qzd_rmj45tC_9TgVsjMlp/w400-h640/19Bellagio%20Ferry.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sculpture at the Bellagio ticket office.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkooenmkBO63N7Z4CWqnYi61asZh_ckFaWJic_P4Cmf2rQU_9yYAIrqxzWnanc0Mww8yghPMGumG7RMELLeO1q64LynUfcugUPrI7CdTdk0YiJea3HWjrJ6Yln6-i4O_fN9JcEJ7GOtqBn2gDJZej3bTuResD-ERXwjPr9ABwuvC0lPbrUABDNjmCNqmYn/s4608/20Bellagio%20Estate.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkooenmkBO63N7Z4CWqnYi61asZh_ckFaWJic_P4Cmf2rQU_9yYAIrqxzWnanc0Mww8yghPMGumG7RMELLeO1q64LynUfcugUPrI7CdTdk0YiJea3HWjrJ6Yln6-i4O_fN9JcEJ7GOtqBn2gDJZej3bTuResD-ERXwjPr9ABwuvC0lPbrUABDNjmCNqmYn/w640-h480/20Bellagio%20Estate.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg_uWSz1fUvgXw3u3bfBg9t0AesLI4ueqzp25w4rE2ABaFxSXqzf_bwUZZkMbTO_o0phZ8LTZbCCKvW3pMjGegK9CTkZYM9s396jX4jgTyuIltKWNLs3ZMGtNraTjqIBcKjQ9wOxFGghNEw8-H_IBtVjerWxcZe8giMtVNgjJYjtyOLS4ljOaDq4LXpuU/s4608/21Mountaintop%20Church.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg_uWSz1fUvgXw3u3bfBg9t0AesLI4ueqzp25w4rE2ABaFxSXqzf_bwUZZkMbTO_o0phZ8LTZbCCKvW3pMjGegK9CTkZYM9s396jX4jgTyuIltKWNLs3ZMGtNraTjqIBcKjQ9wOxFGghNEw8-H_IBtVjerWxcZe8giMtVNgjJYjtyOLS4ljOaDq4LXpuU/w640-h480/21Mountaintop%20Church.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church of San Martino was constructed in 1891 and was the first Anglican church in Italy.<br />(No we did not make the hike up to the church.)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEJBFhboR023DQrGkKzMV3MucVLbd2sUKpyTQBDlilk41m2KruAGoxyxm70uLfl7XCiXDXLrGd27LLXVnLjqzbn5cD5dQTap2VV4YxB-Ijabk6ZeJPBh6295g47vkF32F2sq_BdZY2he3LRszHXHTyGn8_uBaUGYtowxgy00hXDRpzNUz18sofXPZ2zpu/s4608/22VillaCarlotta1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEJBFhboR023DQrGkKzMV3MucVLbd2sUKpyTQBDlilk41m2KruAGoxyxm70uLfl7XCiXDXLrGd27LLXVnLjqzbn5cD5dQTap2VV4YxB-Ijabk6ZeJPBh6295g47vkF32F2sq_BdZY2he3LRszHXHTyGn8_uBaUGYtowxgy00hXDRpzNUz18sofXPZ2zpu/w640-h480/22VillaCarlotta1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Villa Carlotta, is now a museum and botanical garden consisting of 70,000 m2 (17 acres) in Tremezzo, on the shore of Lake Como. It was built in 1745 by Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici. After several owners, it was acquired in 1843 by Princess Marianna, wife of Prince Albert of Prussia. Princess Marianna gave the Villa to her daughter Charlotte as a wedding gift. Thus the name Villa Carlotta.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvCX5Lpv3wcXknRnkoJqXBMjsDd3tr_dVeOSGeT9WvmQtdh4xbQHErbsWcVrS8BXBv-64amyYS-0nUNjRXWnMnarMk2hEL1I1tdJiGYE_nw8DaN1g7OLB_SQGpBltGOlkt4YWwTxKqcf_peiY2Pugtz-Ae0McGcjI1D62Sko5awnB8gbOaL3QmXVNBQaN/s4608/23VC%20Fountain.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvCX5Lpv3wcXknRnkoJqXBMjsDd3tr_dVeOSGeT9WvmQtdh4xbQHErbsWcVrS8BXBv-64amyYS-0nUNjRXWnMnarMk2hEL1I1tdJiGYE_nw8DaN1g7OLB_SQGpBltGOlkt4YWwTxKqcf_peiY2Pugtz-Ae0McGcjI1D62Sko5awnB8gbOaL3QmXVNBQaN/w480-h640/23VC%20Fountain.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden around the fountain in front of the villa...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07olTGFwiQApPu7v0pSkluCLqBDyH6SuE5XhShZ201zBoHwvdz_ImPwUoiYHDet2lgViXYTR2TWSZlcijn8p6wDK_1Qka0y4CDct4_h5ckDn2UixdPfzxwAuCG--z6Jcl7etRMNEN-iFB7zy_3YQwADgO8Y34440f2n8IQU4Bf4UTsc7qr9wGF4vAbZJ3/s4608/24VC%20Fountain%20Figure.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07olTGFwiQApPu7v0pSkluCLqBDyH6SuE5XhShZ201zBoHwvdz_ImPwUoiYHDet2lgViXYTR2TWSZlcijn8p6wDK_1Qka0y4CDct4_h5ckDn2UixdPfzxwAuCG--z6Jcl7etRMNEN-iFB7zy_3YQwADgO8Y34440f2n8IQU4Bf4UTsc7qr9wGF4vAbZJ3/w480-h640/24VC%20Fountain%20Figure.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the fountain in the center.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ12ABbfKU5NvtjBLU6OjzAFGXexNvW9t4qvJvUJsbjYEVDfXjHlVB41mphobgzlME8HHgHbgRNKcfPoyrHewVLB1ukO2tvdwXr9XNR6q3RyYX1auZ7S4pUnTzFDG7Ytviwn-c0yA8c83R2mu7zaxUb8-1XhtV8gc2yNBPNQPqCR3F-u7Dy5X6VqTF5xn/s4608/25VC%20Turtle%20Fountain.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ12ABbfKU5NvtjBLU6OjzAFGXexNvW9t4qvJvUJsbjYEVDfXjHlVB41mphobgzlME8HHgHbgRNKcfPoyrHewVLB1ukO2tvdwXr9XNR6q3RyYX1auZ7S4pUnTzFDG7Ytviwn-c0yA8c83R2mu7zaxUb8-1XhtV8gc2yNBPNQPqCR3F-u7Dy5X6VqTF5xn/w480-h640/25VC%20Turtle%20Fountain.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another dripping fountain, below the steps on either side which lead up to the Villa & museum,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIHup00de5PVPPyVgH0S6dm4WSnyJ2IKBoYnxam2GwGsisrb5Kf30zuYNPM0yQFi9h7poQ0gQ4au8BR7K-KJKFA5YfX9ePP_cup0FiTMRP8bMrJAnQZ80jMP6hJThQtPdtY1yIag6InhhVwb5E3EqoF18rbsuAJcju6DPfCFBaMIz_4jhmBquWYRXVVuI/s4608/26VC%20Turtles.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIHup00de5PVPPyVgH0S6dm4WSnyJ2IKBoYnxam2GwGsisrb5Kf30zuYNPM0yQFi9h7poQ0gQ4au8BR7K-KJKFA5YfX9ePP_cup0FiTMRP8bMrJAnQZ80jMP6hJThQtPdtY1yIag6InhhVwb5E3EqoF18rbsuAJcju6DPfCFBaMIz_4jhmBquWYRXVVuI/w640-h480/26VC%20Turtles.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with its resident turtles. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N3kFysDBHHTaEBDtCNitCDqNm9i-uJ1f_bWEX828f96dF22WKO348jPdHu24idE4OVZktuq4V3p_n2PkYPpqnjR4UKScQ1F9mbvSP7P2p8FnWYpBAUQUZR3KYwf4WKfZ8WVx7dyYUG_H0bBbJSp7W6aqQrE_1SM4JMcZa6NKR_XmKBSieMumqFvSFdCa/s4608/28VC%20Fountain%20to%20Lake2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N3kFysDBHHTaEBDtCNitCDqNm9i-uJ1f_bWEX828f96dF22WKO348jPdHu24idE4OVZktuq4V3p_n2PkYPpqnjR4UKScQ1F9mbvSP7P2p8FnWYpBAUQUZR3KYwf4WKfZ8WVx7dyYUG_H0bBbJSp7W6aqQrE_1SM4JMcZa6NKR_XmKBSieMumqFvSFdCa/w640-h480/28VC%20Fountain%20to%20Lake2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the entrance gate, the fountain and garden from the top of the steps.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5mX8cgMaXPnuZlQ8A3dgNSS5BUztnFMXQybkBgIJCcI4fg_89adlscbwvsLAaj4MH7fwqUR89Xkdv1BHzyRIg-r_D75F-u_sxk8BpNFTeATKGPleN4IhkVpyWPu3qwJYUxmgJnIwb8PC0J2eU2pHhB6AHSWDW8-qMBIJApJvOhH8RAggB1HlD3KH4rtN/s4608/29VC%20Statue1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5mX8cgMaXPnuZlQ8A3dgNSS5BUztnFMXQybkBgIJCcI4fg_89adlscbwvsLAaj4MH7fwqUR89Xkdv1BHzyRIg-r_D75F-u_sxk8BpNFTeATKGPleN4IhkVpyWPu3qwJYUxmgJnIwb8PC0J2eU2pHhB6AHSWDW8-qMBIJApJvOhH8RAggB1HlD3KH4rtN/w480-h640/29VC%20Statue1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statue of <i>Mars & Venus</i> by Luigi Acquisiti in 1805, is considered his masterpiece.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPecXEBV-HeYoXBa5Vp-BwLsviBSk_o2ZGfyCqXU9jfvexQ2lwm2JmXRKuWSaR3OznxvoaW7QYvvgP3GEy21vBImR1_lb77jF9eDV_Jx9n6ByaGpTkBrgcTA8Qq6zKkBrkRVDrfnLn-FJm4ybKWuyUpmR2f16O_gxxYDYwkVM1cOrzfO7oUv4UzbR7995n/s4608/30VC%20Statue2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPecXEBV-HeYoXBa5Vp-BwLsviBSk_o2ZGfyCqXU9jfvexQ2lwm2JmXRKuWSaR3OznxvoaW7QYvvgP3GEy21vBImR1_lb77jF9eDV_Jx9n6ByaGpTkBrgcTA8Qq6zKkBrkRVDrfnLn-FJm4ybKWuyUpmR2f16O_gxxYDYwkVM1cOrzfO7oUv4UzbR7995n/w480-h640/30VC%20Statue2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Repentant Magdalene</i> is a copy of the original created by Antonio Canova, by the Canova school of artists.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG91060KPzSMEWd7WTpCmyNhLRLPInFAQps_X8nvTRJ9ZxFGUPv28dcFS2CZtwFzffBM8D-AJNjEgvKMgVC1_wK5B8_kJ3YI0ldfI7Rs4yAWLUk6P30SAn-oLrff_nIbjWaXbxM03_Q5JZuRSyNpFb7r4XGx5K6rbEyWKhsHX7LjXHD2zpq7LgVlvu_8Cm/s4608/31VC%20Statue3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG91060KPzSMEWd7WTpCmyNhLRLPInFAQps_X8nvTRJ9ZxFGUPv28dcFS2CZtwFzffBM8D-AJNjEgvKMgVC1_wK5B8_kJ3YI0ldfI7Rs4yAWLUk6P30SAn-oLrff_nIbjWaXbxM03_Q5JZuRSyNpFb7r4XGx5K6rbEyWKhsHX7LjXHD2zpq7LgVlvu_8Cm/w480-h640/31VC%20Statue3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Palamedes </i>was sculpted by Antonio Canova. It was broken into pieces before it left his atelier when the Tevere River flooded his workshop. Canova restored it and the statue arrived at the Villa in 1819.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPPD5WqrLQN6ZCcxhQQKfF2F09OII9NrpyXRfJHU13qv2q0qtWQlFCuVdmAtcAe_Gw6-A3wHcYAsxh1xqQ-nmzznsN36_q0ewougnmvJsjL57PPD5IGJv6xRBTNCur8SPamWX9zlOeMNpyHAGOR-1qcI24pfrVIzgmjCrLNGmezVF-vB07c0XpahnYP1_/s4608/32VC%20Mirror%20reveal.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPPD5WqrLQN6ZCcxhQQKfF2F09OII9NrpyXRfJHU13qv2q0qtWQlFCuVdmAtcAe_Gw6-A3wHcYAsxh1xqQ-nmzznsN36_q0ewougnmvJsjL57PPD5IGJv6xRBTNCur8SPamWX9zlOeMNpyHAGOR-1qcI24pfrVIzgmjCrLNGmezVF-vB07c0XpahnYP1_/w480-h640/32VC%20Mirror%20reveal.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many mirrors reflect the paintings, busts and statues throughout the Villa.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjMdwNrcz45YDDV-kaZphJGVRqAr7LtWOWgimwKAwFQAXRmsJChUaXSkssKVkr4TRekIie7hG5ymBIs6eRNH4Y_kMmqLCyHzhbRULh4AYzLABZo0IHXVYc6Q1yfCUkc8WICW1OXp9O2mOxCqfyw8gBEzEE1-NrJDiyNpjNxotNOqMOElFBZnD0Z0Gl2Xy/s4608/33VC%20Frieze.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjMdwNrcz45YDDV-kaZphJGVRqAr7LtWOWgimwKAwFQAXRmsJChUaXSkssKVkr4TRekIie7hG5ymBIs6eRNH4Y_kMmqLCyHzhbRULh4AYzLABZo0IHXVYc6Q1yfCUkc8WICW1OXp9O2mOxCqfyw8gBEzEE1-NrJDiyNpjNxotNOqMOElFBZnD0Z0Gl2Xy/w640-h480/33VC%20Frieze.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Villa is also home to 470 plaster cameos created by the Roman artist Giovanni Liberotti.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUZkiUVkcTX1fU4wAl_ENhFECMOgxfftV3WNPLWGYTk0eVB2cKNi_64znGkv75t9SzpxMhZUJk0n-VlQQNDXvSaK9I4wv7zhr6zkXG46QU6p1FBMY3pFj19CA7_EXk4fTm3TunKx04UR_Ziboc6IK8hfuh-drm0uKx-vlvRxXGy3hsC5I6wCtgYnaquEU/s4608/34VC%20Painting1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUZkiUVkcTX1fU4wAl_ENhFECMOgxfftV3WNPLWGYTk0eVB2cKNi_64znGkv75t9SzpxMhZUJk0n-VlQQNDXvSaK9I4wv7zhr6zkXG46QU6p1FBMY3pFj19CA7_EXk4fTm3TunKx04UR_Ziboc6IK8hfuh-drm0uKx-vlvRxXGy3hsC5I6wCtgYnaquEU/w480-h640/34VC%20Painting1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Last Adieu of Romeo & Juliet </i>by Francesco Hayez.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_er4z_EzyxWwXsgHCeg1OEmjMuQ1mdy_cNu7XoEtkBSrE84xy5K7BzPiyYhPSvEsukaAxWuwBtTQH5RXYlRqPNiFN3TCgX52pFgOthcwC5tM6vLMWkwnFXLpm-KQn8BQ-wxzD9VWBTRntrkDOPugoyvIsTU35ZKt6i7rSB3YAeE12L7kJIovzBlq3RZ-/s4608/35%20VC%20Ceiling1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_er4z_EzyxWwXsgHCeg1OEmjMuQ1mdy_cNu7XoEtkBSrE84xy5K7BzPiyYhPSvEsukaAxWuwBtTQH5RXYlRqPNiFN3TCgX52pFgOthcwC5tM6vLMWkwnFXLpm-KQn8BQ-wxzD9VWBTRntrkDOPugoyvIsTU35ZKt6i7rSB3YAeE12L7kJIovzBlq3RZ-/w640-h480/35%20VC%20Ceiling1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the very ornate ceilings in the Villa...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowTvkJLPLjfSVqlv0-A_YPgZPr7fLs2cIAgmZScobnpHHhWkW50TCbWx0NrLPTPJOTfDmC4QHgMVvHQZ866LTY_2y6JPYFAHyGpCo0ARpDsjgQReAnHp-OpSkBT9gAwL7sijApJxlvjZqcejpKMAklrCvzyVH8z6y3qAcWshU5-tIPbUM5oiHcYl7e5uF/s4608/36VC%20Ceiling%20detail.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowTvkJLPLjfSVqlv0-A_YPgZPr7fLs2cIAgmZScobnpHHhWkW50TCbWx0NrLPTPJOTfDmC4QHgMVvHQZ866LTY_2y6JPYFAHyGpCo0ARpDsjgQReAnHp-OpSkBT9gAwL7sijApJxlvjZqcejpKMAklrCvzyVH8z6y3qAcWshU5-tIPbUM5oiHcYl7e5uF/w640-h480/36VC%20Ceiling%20detail.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with this photo showing a small section of the detailed ceiling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dLwSoojlrt4vp3ZBxSNFxw81jnU2Wa7DC3F_9IvmvVFnO2H0N89d9KUJU7Ic8J7uTpE51YT5ECGBPivdLd_8PGb6TtSY20_tkhj2fNgcEi6KTuDLFy6DAeuZLG49EQnBCQv4Mec_D_cqOwcpVcTlhDagpbnsvfOLDLZp6WGaCFHWIzSRDj4WfW2NHUAY/s4608/37VC%20Mirror%20reveal2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dLwSoojlrt4vp3ZBxSNFxw81jnU2Wa7DC3F_9IvmvVFnO2H0N89d9KUJU7Ic8J7uTpE51YT5ECGBPivdLd_8PGb6TtSY20_tkhj2fNgcEi6KTuDLFy6DAeuZLG49EQnBCQv4Mec_D_cqOwcpVcTlhDagpbnsvfOLDLZp6WGaCFHWIzSRDj4WfW2NHUAY/w480-h640/37VC%20Mirror%20reveal2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paintings and furnishings demonstrated the opulence of the Villa.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9eXqm-IfrZKtfY265tpqsvxXKD_OD8pcAFLONCbU2eSm3DIhXGKpYaW2va8BBQ3NDK3RXa5wIb9Vl1yVUgNJnczCI0t5dwcFc7EzxacDwXXW7kmFw3TXOs_wuPB7iHvMbPuoG_URDVUI-hHsaJoTfi2adgWOg0csU8lflj_O-bsVk58ZOPdegVqaLQAA/s4608/38VC%20StatueSeries.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9eXqm-IfrZKtfY265tpqsvxXKD_OD8pcAFLONCbU2eSm3DIhXGKpYaW2va8BBQ3NDK3RXa5wIb9Vl1yVUgNJnczCI0t5dwcFc7EzxacDwXXW7kmFw3TXOs_wuPB7iHvMbPuoG_URDVUI-hHsaJoTfi2adgWOg0csU8lflj_O-bsVk58ZOPdegVqaLQAA/w640-h480/38VC%20StatueSeries.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eros & Psyche </i>is a sculpture by Adamo Tadolini. This is a marble copy taken from the original model used by Antonio Canova for the sculpture commissioned by Prince Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov, a Russian nobleman.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIIKK_ifX7FOL0wkGMToZbWXLF8Nmrf0qR1bdcjkTsGR4jiEE3qrH03o1PenNzqx7bl9W6hBDPcYJX_ot_UGRWgN_I-D-dUBRtBXPW1DFUuNmqTm49KyHluuMBTEK75iOxALzlerTrjCmxYzW15geYLU1BF9b5SBRdBu_LF5rPzM_cyFE2ZLloZnmKHXb/s4608/39VC%20Statue%20Series2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIIKK_ifX7FOL0wkGMToZbWXLF8Nmrf0qR1bdcjkTsGR4jiEE3qrH03o1PenNzqx7bl9W6hBDPcYJX_ot_UGRWgN_I-D-dUBRtBXPW1DFUuNmqTm49KyHluuMBTEK75iOxALzlerTrjCmxYzW15geYLU1BF9b5SBRdBu_LF5rPzM_cyFE2ZLloZnmKHXb/w640-h480/39VC%20Statue%20Series2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original is in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_cGGVV9EuEuNHfRKdL6Dkf_eCFxYpJbJonPAnt62kHmxa3eEOGeFQM--4zyrQxf_L8BxcUaWZ-WitFWrlyIsBnx5SnSByqMqgbvwJgDvdcw__Tcp-NP8b4NG5TwQ-8J2RaM_X4_ekTpJt3PqYL7p-mlwrKOPeICRjrn6n_rYQXbBjYnp2aLs-wV-x4Ui/s4608/40VC%20Statue%20Series3%20Cupid%20&%20Psyche.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_cGGVV9EuEuNHfRKdL6Dkf_eCFxYpJbJonPAnt62kHmxa3eEOGeFQM--4zyrQxf_L8BxcUaWZ-WitFWrlyIsBnx5SnSByqMqgbvwJgDvdcw__Tcp-NP8b4NG5TwQ-8J2RaM_X4_ekTpJt3PqYL7p-mlwrKOPeICRjrn6n_rYQXbBjYnp2aLs-wV-x4Ui/w640-h480/40VC%20Statue%20Series3%20Cupid%20&%20Psyche.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This copy arrived at the Villa in 1834.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>On our last day prior to our flight home we ducked over into Switzerland to visit Lake Lugano. At this point, done with both cars and boats, we relied on our feet to savor the town. There is an absolutely beautiful park by the Lake and we started out by taking a stroll there. In mid- morning the park was very quiet with a few dog walkers and joggers. We walked along the promenade up to a church Michael wanted to see and then back down through the pedestrian shopping area which was not unlike 5th Ave. Those Swiss must really earn the big bucks. By the time we brought our picnic lunch back to the park the place was rocking. The schools must either get out early or have a lunch break because literally hundreds of kids were in the park. There were picnic blankets spread everywhere and mothers (and a surprising number of business attired fathers) were relaxing and chowing down. It seemed that Lugano would be a very civilized and pleasant home town. If expensive....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjhpcPchbJgTIH8u8U1b5oJY02I4fXBdx4xEgARdv11K7JGToBjn_Vm49cTXpcyaCotmidbPl_k9QVMFg6GN0vLZ6NBokqmuD1rsj0bt9xpGtOHb1OnZzEzgRoaIqqPHnsUh0DGXmklPRnEwunWYzTClHU-eqXpR6WWeY3Nl4VLqDPWPVKc2Z4E1_NbNf/s4608/1Lugano%20Lake%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjhpcPchbJgTIH8u8U1b5oJY02I4fXBdx4xEgARdv11K7JGToBjn_Vm49cTXpcyaCotmidbPl_k9QVMFg6GN0vLZ6NBokqmuD1rsj0bt9xpGtOHb1OnZzEzgRoaIqqPHnsUh0DGXmklPRnEwunWYzTClHU-eqXpR6WWeY3Nl4VLqDPWPVKc2Z4E1_NbNf/w640-h480/1Lugano%20Lake%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre admires the floral arrangement while looking at Lake Lugano.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X3TZVNqonz14wkotc7mIUqfCt7lD8LlnsGU6eC8iOAVpk2a5c54x73qZJdMQhA3M6rjtGKjIrR233pd2ZejZn4pMmPQHtdMT1CSW-4yE4sgKWxCuwCgzuOH81lr8hfyRgIBiZUiKMaKvEc56mm_7cIFkYhJeiuVAoOU_hqIekVlwsmuVDZAaGPHBBtm6/s4608/2View%20from%20Lake.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X3TZVNqonz14wkotc7mIUqfCt7lD8LlnsGU6eC8iOAVpk2a5c54x73qZJdMQhA3M6rjtGKjIrR233pd2ZejZn4pMmPQHtdMT1CSW-4yE4sgKWxCuwCgzuOH81lr8hfyRgIBiZUiKMaKvEc56mm_7cIFkYhJeiuVAoOU_hqIekVlwsmuVDZAaGPHBBtm6/w640-h480/2View%20from%20Lake.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the lake to Villa Ciani.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Hr8rm937IaxuvOpQyxSblUOMN3BfEQdcWa1JnnAUKN05ZJBdpQ_tZXQzmmtQQFE92SUtr4axawB-_Ch00kpUNn_SuaPeaT56_GUQQ2hrlvuLcxavimnvvTTtj9QSnSEiHmbe5xCYlfvX2eVDjwYCdUxNFVYRbg_isP01_p3cDvKHPbsDuqTTV_N5ahxJ/s4608/3Drunk%20or%20Napping.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Hr8rm937IaxuvOpQyxSblUOMN3BfEQdcWa1JnnAUKN05ZJBdpQ_tZXQzmmtQQFE92SUtr4axawB-_Ch00kpUNn_SuaPeaT56_GUQQ2hrlvuLcxavimnvvTTtj9QSnSEiHmbe5xCYlfvX2eVDjwYCdUxNFVYRbg_isP01_p3cDvKHPbsDuqTTV_N5ahxJ/w480-h640/3Drunk%20or%20Napping.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is hard to tell whether this figure of Socrates is supposed to be napping or is drunk.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ySmaYXo4fnSfxwZPKICqbse-6ZXhqohTSOUaJNOQAL9BCJnRc4loYJDWByyk3TRSGqShoWseeO2xsgI9dlmWttNMQVw09WN4ASurxYcDCY4DGeJimPvJqQrHbuzl3OmBcTQ0dPLH0fTQVMC6hHyDRxO8qziwkmsOub6zMNpy0g_ISK-3LfohhVf3D1yr/s4608/4StainlessBall1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ySmaYXo4fnSfxwZPKICqbse-6ZXhqohTSOUaJNOQAL9BCJnRc4loYJDWByyk3TRSGqShoWseeO2xsgI9dlmWttNMQVw09WN4ASurxYcDCY4DGeJimPvJqQrHbuzl3OmBcTQ0dPLH0fTQVMC6hHyDRxO8qziwkmsOub6zMNpy0g_ISK-3LfohhVf3D1yr/w640-h480/4StainlessBall1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stainless steel sphere required two photos....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilVGZVOImXKuA1YFT1wxyLlP8OeIJqN26mcnm6ee9V2EJ9p-ZXfPS_jtq1UawW09HwucmbS_nrL78Y2zqv1PoOJJFrlCYI44JRhySuSRGlWccLyOhxh1WSBJJcYrjW-Vj9E-BCLl-jY5K0Umw2khW7Q_sRcmH1-Hr7rKsiZQsDBCsQRIhPNhEBbb85ChO/s4608/5StainlessBall2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilVGZVOImXKuA1YFT1wxyLlP8OeIJqN26mcnm6ee9V2EJ9p-ZXfPS_jtq1UawW09HwucmbS_nrL78Y2zqv1PoOJJFrlCYI44JRhySuSRGlWccLyOhxh1WSBJJcYrjW-Vj9E-BCLl-jY5K0Umw2khW7Q_sRcmH1-Hr7rKsiZQsDBCsQRIhPNhEBbb85ChO/w640-h480/5StainlessBall2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to appreciate, not only its reflective nature, but also the chunks missing from the sphere.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQRy53UX0beDwCdIJcIWd5pVYIS006qqm3zSfhNDySMjFw48OiunAvr0j92Ocef1oJoSKAcoybJwGT91IxNhEVl0hJQH6hSvIMAOf1vObjasZfhNfQ-GYr0hcvRlS7s1iE9t4t-UDbJsBIkDm1y5zYQCVNHwJKaG0lFDFcgMk6hYvAX54Rjq93gakAVST/s4608/6Stone%20Sculpture.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQRy53UX0beDwCdIJcIWd5pVYIS006qqm3zSfhNDySMjFw48OiunAvr0j92Ocef1oJoSKAcoybJwGT91IxNhEVl0hJQH6hSvIMAOf1vObjasZfhNfQ-GYr0hcvRlS7s1iE9t4t-UDbJsBIkDm1y5zYQCVNHwJKaG0lFDFcgMk6hYvAX54Rjq93gakAVST/w480-h640/6Stone%20Sculpture.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This carved stone was another of the interesting objects in the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvhBAJ0X4cpaaJLXGugE9NTOqld7LYP-lfwwh7k-qHNJ2C-gyU66C-z7ntUa8RDr-SRs19ChQqJtvlWY3NRnopGdVr3aSJNxeKpIOeZXwT7-XNq1hEUolvrPm8uqmBjIT8aYnoIFecJABwL9g2QGLdkITYQVSvHu_tfzYtHbateEThsfGY_rWuZbYBNJg/s4608/7Sparrow.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvhBAJ0X4cpaaJLXGugE9NTOqld7LYP-lfwwh7k-qHNJ2C-gyU66C-z7ntUa8RDr-SRs19ChQqJtvlWY3NRnopGdVr3aSJNxeKpIOeZXwT7-XNq1hEUolvrPm8uqmBjIT8aYnoIFecJABwL9g2QGLdkITYQVSvHu_tfzYtHbateEThsfGY_rWuZbYBNJg/w640-h480/7Sparrow.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bold sparrow in the park allowed me to take its photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPQ_iBn2ChRKVzqXs9idreGhoOQ2Mzh5hlCkdjFxOPmt6n0mvo0TH3FPKpKTtMVtFuJMtiJr4qH-BlLkmmJGQDi80ChZSNP7eNSxCww9Zxa7iG5Tx6UCl_sChkrvoNWQSSmIOhTEi1QQDLvrroAmSlO9MOy9yfN2E6hBgJGQEcV5j__FtRpikY1VmnhDT/s4608/8ChurchExt..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPQ_iBn2ChRKVzqXs9idreGhoOQ2Mzh5hlCkdjFxOPmt6n0mvo0TH3FPKpKTtMVtFuJMtiJr4qH-BlLkmmJGQDi80ChZSNP7eNSxCww9Zxa7iG5Tx6UCl_sChkrvoNWQSSmIOhTEi1QQDLvrroAmSlO9MOy9yfN2E6hBgJGQEcV5j__FtRpikY1VmnhDT/w480-h640/8ChurchExt..jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior of Chiesa Santa Maria degli Angeli.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr9LdQnlC-PoMGq6dnGZ0fb_i134P5RvrVXljJBywdkxyJiinht4GhJtQqYwVNZXIL7A4d_i7_G_iy8qJYGq4CF79-AXTCnr0dJARh1hIA00R4N6wtcV2x5IdgK4Hn45M_QW5H4zLLVl82JbZNHDMZFQtrEqf6XshxbcTHCEajUYHeFNLQ9xwy45AFi6l/s4608/10ChurchInt..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr9LdQnlC-PoMGq6dnGZ0fb_i134P5RvrVXljJBywdkxyJiinht4GhJtQqYwVNZXIL7A4d_i7_G_iy8qJYGq4CF79-AXTCnr0dJARh1hIA00R4N6wtcV2x5IdgK4Hn45M_QW5H4zLLVl82JbZNHDMZFQtrEqf6XshxbcTHCEajUYHeFNLQ9xwy45AFi6l/w640-h480/10ChurchInt..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a photo of the ornate altar.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG6LcUctGL6kSBCjTUfC8V7mx8mAThNr7oPR5PQstaVrDHkxk37YXyqY7n6njyAK0lFXjO0nozA9MZ8ICNZKQZ2Cs2reF3iiZ6YQZb8MMAm29A-Z9VCA17cfSjr709x54TKgppnWEoSE5eW5evAtPwppvmx-CUiy6f9WeMgRSF9ampjCj21eqlWQZnl-1/s4608/9Grand%20Palace.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG6LcUctGL6kSBCjTUfC8V7mx8mAThNr7oPR5PQstaVrDHkxk37YXyqY7n6njyAK0lFXjO0nozA9MZ8ICNZKQZ2Cs2reF3iiZ6YQZb8MMAm29A-Z9VCA17cfSjr709x54TKgppnWEoSE5eW5evAtPwppvmx-CUiy6f9WeMgRSF9ampjCj21eqlWQZnl-1/w640-h480/9Grand%20Palace.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOcSxaoLtHijtaYOSdQFj9nvZmnJuSTEi_nwglC7QoePios-ma1tkaZzokRQZPncSCit78Uz_YZjKDhaHI1v-frap51UjufDu-Uebe15yGnA2_6348kD1Kh6_2PG_lilpMYn-YBNRXHTlUmGwgKb1hjJldzL2H6PGarMxAGnSROJZeFstkbxIeMWJct0q/s4608/11Statue.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOcSxaoLtHijtaYOSdQFj9nvZmnJuSTEi_nwglC7QoePios-ma1tkaZzokRQZPncSCit78Uz_YZjKDhaHI1v-frap51UjufDu-Uebe15yGnA2_6348kD1Kh6_2PG_lilpMYn-YBNRXHTlUmGwgKb1hjJldzL2H6PGarMxAGnSROJZeFstkbxIeMWJct0q/w480-h640/11Statue.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the monument to Carlo Battaglini, who was Mayor of Lugano from 1878 until his death in 1888.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOib-T45OdmdPWeHfPZdqwMWdBgduM-ASeBQzrBUOMVAgemEqMWtxCaunYypBvYy29fFyxUK5gMNgTEualZag1CMkfOPGSzDZbU0bXG5TjFUa7sHVBwhopVanI_3u1PSvQ4gWlL_S_Ex3SQcgvx8-SoCmqT0RotFKrx9FR_WiGkUi84Qo7PN1ifRK10tMP/s4608/12Street%20Scene.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOib-T45OdmdPWeHfPZdqwMWdBgduM-ASeBQzrBUOMVAgemEqMWtxCaunYypBvYy29fFyxUK5gMNgTEualZag1CMkfOPGSzDZbU0bXG5TjFUa7sHVBwhopVanI_3u1PSvQ4gWlL_S_Ex3SQcgvx8-SoCmqT0RotFKrx9FR_WiGkUi84Qo7PN1ifRK10tMP/w480-h640/12Street%20Scene.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the main pedestrian shopping streets in Lugano.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqu6Hh8ilsEbmDnJvheXE2SpGQpEhDFNxxqyiwtlhv0--UBwWIRfVbtVbbeqmDY20411MANu6qpMhuYkQqmcSgcGy-Ayesq4jAMVzybqbuwrSl6x0WN6IuPWYzra6qEQbD_H4QflnT0ifY6wZDWUhRLcRpwJ6CGdiwd5d8teq3cqpCxrOALaCknq7Uc5p/s4608/13Building.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqu6Hh8ilsEbmDnJvheXE2SpGQpEhDFNxxqyiwtlhv0--UBwWIRfVbtVbbeqmDY20411MANu6qpMhuYkQqmcSgcGy-Ayesq4jAMVzybqbuwrSl6x0WN6IuPWYzra6qEQbD_H4QflnT0ifY6wZDWUhRLcRpwJ6CGdiwd5d8teq3cqpCxrOALaCknq7Uc5p/w640-h480/13Building.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along this stretch were some very interesting buildings...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm-5dKD8nxyc1gWicAIwNrp-fyXr3FFDAl7vd2VGYS3xrLdWjepYOrJF2SNbtf4tJw7CKuem4Ti8-5vTwOoSxTk_quKnzwwo__F3_QSWCCEGWWbvJlS5MaN2PDcvsH8CbtnQY_KBHJ9WBUl3nE9FmYsjVDXzsIa-Iko8zwZy9pcqlWRlUYi4HHP_cgoT2/s4608/14Arcade.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm-5dKD8nxyc1gWicAIwNrp-fyXr3FFDAl7vd2VGYS3xrLdWjepYOrJF2SNbtf4tJw7CKuem4Ti8-5vTwOoSxTk_quKnzwwo__F3_QSWCCEGWWbvJlS5MaN2PDcvsH8CbtnQY_KBHJ9WBUl3nE9FmYsjVDXzsIa-Iko8zwZy9pcqlWRlUYi4HHP_cgoT2/w480-h640/14Arcade.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and an early shopping arcade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSRgDtuwOyahoSQQj5i9L4V6eQbuM2QSMAvvweONhu0yOKOOgMNpYQEYTBESLoZ5avC9NS2Ei0e4Yha-NOgcdh91EQaNt-l5pd_vGV2ioh3NuZdyLGWrUO-Lgy96V44zEsg5mtkM3EY3NvkM9eMlz7mniocnzvnxHvslQYy6_MGecgjirBkbw2USEBVmM/s4169/15Head%20Sculpture.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3150" data-original-width="4169" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSRgDtuwOyahoSQQj5i9L4V6eQbuM2QSMAvvweONhu0yOKOOgMNpYQEYTBESLoZ5avC9NS2Ei0e4Yha-NOgcdh91EQaNt-l5pd_vGV2ioh3NuZdyLGWrUO-Lgy96V44zEsg5mtkM3EY3NvkM9eMlz7mniocnzvnxHvslQYy6_MGecgjirBkbw2USEBVmM/w640-h484/15Head%20Sculpture.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a lot of statues, including this on of <i>Eros Blinded.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8l3uXzz5x1wkcDXub14wJyWNMaFzV7AbOPigz-cYqoEIWoquYvLWsp2wQ_48coYDiZmib9HxViifXcwd_pUrZl5LsRDr1rqZ1gob2FTZxyW5604Bj-W7kcWOSG-yb42VlhGz0jYNvrF69R8I8ABuoExzo_kONi18D6lrm5m1upLROYJse_xzN8b9T244f/s4608/16%20Bldg2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8l3uXzz5x1wkcDXub14wJyWNMaFzV7AbOPigz-cYqoEIWoquYvLWsp2wQ_48coYDiZmib9HxViifXcwd_pUrZl5LsRDr1rqZ1gob2FTZxyW5604Bj-W7kcWOSG-yb42VlhGz0jYNvrF69R8I8ABuoExzo_kONi18D6lrm5m1upLROYJse_xzN8b9T244f/w480-h640/16%20Bldg2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This building on the far side of the park...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHZg2cFMworIpw-zECHRWyuKI45977sI8aD_FPP57R5A0ZiLIdzzYzvlb0x0Zz7Ss-pUVF_yGD7eEwEAqUV1EZaN_IrS3DLijhsP7owPFltg-PtVV64fsHPzWbLa263npMplRV4Ia2mqlqKWKfzISio8Wp0f2-pzRcX-EK25jL3_XKuulKzAJXFjnPY06/s4608/171st%20Centenary%20of%20Freedom%20in%20Ticino.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHZg2cFMworIpw-zECHRWyuKI45977sI8aD_FPP57R5A0ZiLIdzzYzvlb0x0Zz7Ss-pUVF_yGD7eEwEAqUV1EZaN_IrS3DLijhsP7owPFltg-PtVV64fsHPzWbLa263npMplRV4Ia2mqlqKWKfzISio8Wp0f2-pzRcX-EK25jL3_XKuulKzAJXFjnPY06/w640-h480/171st%20Centenary%20of%20Freedom%20in%20Ticino.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">was erected to celebrate the first centenary of the freedom of Ticino, the canton in which Lugano is located.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>The End of the Road</u></p><p>From there it was back to Milan, a flight to Newark (always a delight) and a connection to Ajijic. I will not regale you with the joys of air travel since you probably have your own horror stories to tell. A week to recuperate and we were off to Los Angeles to visit Justin and now we are on our way to a wedding in the Hill Country in Texas for a few days. After that we are committed to remaining in Ajijic. We'll see how long that lasts.... Happy summer to you all. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JEpiTQ0PHSenwqspXKWjhigzJ3vpepDfi7ZEsKh_WMIuPTk4kKTm1b-qK5R6lQMgPphF1s61-mKxyvgg0sfArKTDSG_VL6ivd_gZVNnw33MJOgxZvejXfh8yt1ajL7VjiY8py5NKbp-_4Qodokbu68sZoYJXYJXhxA_K1wR9BDtpNKJLeQ7hDfTk_RPD/s3872/1Villa%20Front.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JEpiTQ0PHSenwqspXKWjhigzJ3vpepDfi7ZEsKh_WMIuPTk4kKTm1b-qK5R6lQMgPphF1s61-mKxyvgg0sfArKTDSG_VL6ivd_gZVNnw33MJOgxZvejXfh8yt1ajL7VjiY8py5NKbp-_4Qodokbu68sZoYJXYJXhxA_K1wR9BDtpNKJLeQ7hDfTk_RPD/w640-h428/1Villa%20Front.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very last stop was at the Villa Verganti Veronesi.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNUnE8Dvm2_DcxeaoDkf6KrSIFGFvrIbx1Yd9S6mZ_kUPL0O5oF0JaEuDInOlWmqnoJoRZQr_VTFFrsBVf2SxiAi7rjOulDo1QyUOBk_We0cN6FjqC4ndsue1wgRcIWeY6NCxtTcDpMiWNmZipUMkpvDJqstqAgtfp9bIErUnnlILio812Qs69Lt4NRD0/s3872/2Reception%20tent.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNUnE8Dvm2_DcxeaoDkf6KrSIFGFvrIbx1Yd9S6mZ_kUPL0O5oF0JaEuDInOlWmqnoJoRZQr_VTFFrsBVf2SxiAi7rjOulDo1QyUOBk_We0cN6FjqC4ndsue1wgRcIWeY6NCxtTcDpMiWNmZipUMkpvDJqstqAgtfp9bIErUnnlILio812Qs69Lt4NRD0/w640-h428/2Reception%20tent.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Villa is a favorite destination location for weddings...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz_2ryOI22mTKryJAYaA1B8gPAOtz0-K4zKRoyeMoXCdVyNmL0Enz8WDTuXTi6cion0Sm1QB2NvSnWV9FMl-ba6zxB7brpz5uHv7ptFnhEBxSvD3nofOTzkrIefwh0xOu1JOJdDGNne7qp5QK2b0clMg1-kwTj6fIQMIuhGXiC55B6eS_h5RLIWXQRwkp/s3872/3Bower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz_2ryOI22mTKryJAYaA1B8gPAOtz0-K4zKRoyeMoXCdVyNmL0Enz8WDTuXTi6cion0Sm1QB2NvSnWV9FMl-ba6zxB7brpz5uHv7ptFnhEBxSvD3nofOTzkrIefwh0xOu1JOJdDGNne7qp5QK2b0clMg1-kwTj6fIQMIuhGXiC55B6eS_h5RLIWXQRwkp/w640-h428/3Bower.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with all of the appropriate bowers...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitapavEhMuEzDqmCq1vUx9lRXxNzXyTcozBU2yP-PcwGZyub2t7WU-xC5gFuosdTXFhS7t9Smwp92BSsuZ9Zeh4feu8BhP40RAfz_4-NbXzX8jqZ4ytuC4KbaCLSqsC6VgxXmMBwjqUuF2zYncSO_1CSBw7k8deuslR55ZXv3p_OBwteEM-ZE-GsxgAec0/s3872/4Lawn.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitapavEhMuEzDqmCq1vUx9lRXxNzXyTcozBU2yP-PcwGZyub2t7WU-xC5gFuosdTXFhS7t9Smwp92BSsuZ9Zeh4feu8BhP40RAfz_4-NbXzX8jqZ4ytuC4KbaCLSqsC6VgxXmMBwjqUuF2zYncSO_1CSBw7k8deuslR55ZXv3p_OBwteEM-ZE-GsxgAec0/w640-h428/4Lawn.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very beautiful, large lawn...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_Y-zt39O85IRnhVTMeClTncXTFTcBkmG4bRKUxsPovojG4i-D8KvxnZp-enVt2sgPTJFYp7FzEstHeUssXmkHxxALoVVdwwU46flYduT0mMAE0bPHZ3XiaOx6ojbJb7c_EnGbNWrcbNyxIkvXOcO7au27jgrTYGnq465xnyiFzf0WxT8p-hHTrSuij_X/s3872/5Pool.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_Y-zt39O85IRnhVTMeClTncXTFTcBkmG4bRKUxsPovojG4i-D8KvxnZp-enVt2sgPTJFYp7FzEstHeUssXmkHxxALoVVdwwU46flYduT0mMAE0bPHZ3XiaOx6ojbJb7c_EnGbNWrcbNyxIkvXOcO7au27jgrTYGnq465xnyiFzf0WxT8p-hHTrSuij_X/w640-h428/5Pool.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a magnificent pool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><u><br /></u><p></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-35860473470695783262023-06-13T15:32:00.000-05:002023-06-13T15:32:22.900-05:00Puglia - A Quirky Paradise<p> <u>Please God Make It Stop</u></p><p>We struck off for Puglia negotiating the same terrifying road used for our ascent. Yes, it was still raining. Intermittently, but determinedly three and a half hours later we turned into our next VRBO in Cisternino. Finally! Our lodging was located in a charming little village of Trulli houses (more in a minute) and the Guest house sat perched on a hill. From our patio we looked out over the Valley of Itria which was blanketed in red poppies and yellow and purple wildflowers. Our host Giovani was wonderful and life was good. Except for laundry.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_2gUfaCl02Bi_dpyOVW0zgATUkJ222wJLVkqGfmBE-WdxEf3Peq-yz-kbLAZa5teXMvAN6eagrFoTyRdJEdZC0T5POvzv-X-WLGueoV1sPdGxDbKascvLLWgFllxP1aposl3lmoptwAv5KP0OB8s05Z_lc17iomAlXwAXvaeTZX093i9Npi5vA36kw/s3872/22MenacingSkies.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_2gUfaCl02Bi_dpyOVW0zgATUkJ222wJLVkqGfmBE-WdxEf3Peq-yz-kbLAZa5teXMvAN6eagrFoTyRdJEdZC0T5POvzv-X-WLGueoV1sPdGxDbKascvLLWgFllxP1aposl3lmoptwAv5KP0OB8s05Z_lc17iomAlXwAXvaeTZX093i9Npi5vA36kw/w640-h428/22MenacingSkies.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menacing skys greeted us at our Cisternino accommodations.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p> Those of you who follow the blog know that we seem to have challenges with laundry. Incomprehensible European washing machines. Incomprehensible laundromats. Laundry left behind... it goes on. Well, here is the Italian thing, They all seem to suffer from a pathological avoidance of clothes dryers. It is not that they can't afford them. It is not that they don't have room for them. Frankly, I don't know what the problem is but it is certainly annoying when you have been traveling for weeks in somewhat unremitting rain. Finally, in Syracuse, we capitulated and did the wash and then shared the living room with a cumbersome drying rack for days as our clothes dried at a glacial pace.</p><p><u>Trulli Houses are Truly Cool (Couldn't help it)</u></p><p>On our first day in Puglia it was, of course, still raining but we headed directly to Alberobello - the epicenter of Trulli architecture. Trulli (singular Trullo) are corbeled limestone structures with a unique appearance as you'll see in Michael's photos. Trulli have been present in Southern Puglia since the 1400's and 1,500 of them still exist and are lived in in Alberobello today. Beyond this they are scattered throughout the countryside as was true in our village. </p><p>They are constructed with double walls with rubble placed between the walls. That is true of the roof as well and the "topper" on the roof provides a water seal. These houses are constructed entirely without mortar which is pretty impressive. Michael and I saw similar structures in the Dordogne in France last year but never in such numbers. The trulli served as shelters and storehouses in the fields or as dwellings for small landowners. Michael's photos show the trullo of a major landowner which consisted of numerous rooms. This landowner had complete control over the small farmers who worked the land and could, with any or no justification, move in and destroy their trullo and force them to move on. Today, most of the trulli in Alberobello have been :"modernized" while retaining their architectural integrity.We found the town so interesting we returned the following morning to investigate a different part of the village which encompasses 11 hectares.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRYGvEJSl3CivHsvi2zb4NQdeZfXHpAIofnBg3QWagX5q0vHrhu1N69sGWXPBtpmAm4XheRoEPEwQE1-k0cs7GHGxPFOyKlV7J1DEh42pdnqZLpGP_4VUwafHifLuzwFZVXfsFG1rt6aVjqq9U8BIuUwba1ezfurzhJkzvIwlVoERragZhSk_ZYBsog/s3872/1TrulloRustico.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRYGvEJSl3CivHsvi2zb4NQdeZfXHpAIofnBg3QWagX5q0vHrhu1N69sGWXPBtpmAm4XheRoEPEwQE1-k0cs7GHGxPFOyKlV7J1DEh42pdnqZLpGP_4VUwafHifLuzwFZVXfsFG1rt6aVjqq9U8BIuUwba1ezfurzhJkzvIwlVoERragZhSk_ZYBsog/w640-h428/1TrulloRustico.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This very simple Trullo house was next to the parking lot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2g8T2YQutF2xserRVK4bdQoAwDFkTf2hFw4_7hwddu7SQinC5hdHpuT0HezvwQ1YRLEgIFn0BLTfl3QBh5QEQdZMfR_itTQaZoI31mso1JoUa-1eoa1zyQO649rW-vGB5ipWsDK_nq9v_qxEAr4x5sDZ-MeFVTBqNTONhLgDan5LXI86JQlbaIof-A/s3872/2Trulli.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2g8T2YQutF2xserRVK4bdQoAwDFkTf2hFw4_7hwddu7SQinC5hdHpuT0HezvwQ1YRLEgIFn0BLTfl3QBh5QEQdZMfR_itTQaZoI31mso1JoUa-1eoa1zyQO649rW-vGB5ipWsDK_nq9v_qxEAr4x5sDZ-MeFVTBqNTONhLgDan5LXI86JQlbaIof-A/w640-h428/2Trulli.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much more elaborate trulli were seen throughout Alberobello.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTVHsnqAjJXMrwa9sRC-Nlqvc8HYmOPTeGo4SRUM5py09d2wlgCtx6HSoq63_ybixJxMTkqsc28JGh-4CS1c-TsaWRBOblWuGBAuIlBAgUyKHvW_LKmbmbtHoF-ggu6NnMp3yqjsswXGTDNdnjDtW1UwwMd7Yzzwd4aGe3IboyV3WxZT6HcCMxLkKFg/s3872/3Lichen%20on%20Trullo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTVHsnqAjJXMrwa9sRC-Nlqvc8HYmOPTeGo4SRUM5py09d2wlgCtx6HSoq63_ybixJxMTkqsc28JGh-4CS1c-TsaWRBOblWuGBAuIlBAgUyKHvW_LKmbmbtHoF-ggu6NnMp3yqjsswXGTDNdnjDtW1UwwMd7Yzzwd4aGe3IboyV3WxZT6HcCMxLkKFg/w640-h428/3Lichen%20on%20Trullo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This roof had sprouted an accumulation of lichen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sQc4IJ4-bBsn7odOiws4u--i5Q2f5xdNRLim34iMVqmBg5uTzFwhZm060-VOltkLL7foKggU_LWJKpSe5z6gotNKnzGUH-3L4HtYRZoFUy0iKXHjlOGv_l7Q5o3jCjeWLcWrumxm2hM_htkZ7g-24wGTQls81GcC32G8RLz1q6EVce5YqBdMxl8nXQ/s3872/4Trullo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sQc4IJ4-bBsn7odOiws4u--i5Q2f5xdNRLim34iMVqmBg5uTzFwhZm060-VOltkLL7foKggU_LWJKpSe5z6gotNKnzGUH-3L4HtYRZoFUy0iKXHjlOGv_l7Q5o3jCjeWLcWrumxm2hM_htkZ7g-24wGTQls81GcC32G8RLz1q6EVce5YqBdMxl8nXQ/w428-h640/4Trullo.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doorways of each Trullo...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaNp4KVMfyF3F4NVoDR5CRj3DUZJjgRKNB9ErFPxgFt0fOT_Nn64OUM5XXZVaWLE5ug51sKp1lLKH-3gKttZUv4fZ7f4gAn-0Q0IVDyr2jN2l14SV0pDbCk2xn3wXVci5zquq7Trlf4KaB0zTHjt6CQgLtSn2p1VEaDTBpqzCtKDCjJ-aPO6FOSiBgg/s3872/5Trullo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaNp4KVMfyF3F4NVoDR5CRj3DUZJjgRKNB9ErFPxgFt0fOT_Nn64OUM5XXZVaWLE5ug51sKp1lLKH-3gKttZUv4fZ7f4gAn-0Q0IVDyr2jN2l14SV0pDbCk2xn3wXVci5zquq7Trlf4KaB0zTHjt6CQgLtSn2p1VEaDTBpqzCtKDCjJ-aPO6FOSiBgg/w428-h640/5Trullo.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">took on their own distinctive look,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpudGupsNgsQtiELcuJjfOs0tTyubpZNS8Q9qp-25eUBuTxZdvPoq6oriuXv-GmMh6Dh6DOI0lLZ6NWC2aNFjxpG8IZdymE2ByfVc3zc9HukSPcGqTrKv93NKL08fwVKnUIRvQ2pk_1reVNKYaN7BNheRLiYCcvVO0q_kb-I7CDsr0EDYccMOLIHctlA/s3872/6Trullo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpudGupsNgsQtiELcuJjfOs0tTyubpZNS8Q9qp-25eUBuTxZdvPoq6oriuXv-GmMh6Dh6DOI0lLZ6NWC2aNFjxpG8IZdymE2ByfVc3zc9HukSPcGqTrKv93NKL08fwVKnUIRvQ2pk_1reVNKYaN7BNheRLiYCcvVO0q_kb-I7CDsr0EDYccMOLIHctlA/w640-h428/6Trullo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">despite, or because of the sameness of the trulli.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQGjPo81LZN8EfDLxPmZVHGSDORAXsB7tSlD-O5f5vBASdkuZPg8dWyflewuaXe-s6ZqUQpyOZTiSPsQYonyE9Gzy_O_rdHr0C7t1GsvgYCrtpsMqU8T274RnHxw-mtY3JQoDa4W2SOvnXKIopH_RZBNQMNsHYR7hHhWHQJo1vfhny4uUyhvZL4QfVg/s3872/7Uphill:Downhill.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQGjPo81LZN8EfDLxPmZVHGSDORAXsB7tSlD-O5f5vBASdkuZPg8dWyflewuaXe-s6ZqUQpyOZTiSPsQYonyE9Gzy_O_rdHr0C7t1GsvgYCrtpsMqU8T274RnHxw-mtY3JQoDa4W2SOvnXKIopH_RZBNQMNsHYR7hHhWHQJo1vfhny4uUyhvZL4QfVg/w428-h640/7Uphill:Downhill.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Italian hill town that required walking up or down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW549tL2r-WejmpJF5QS4gDttPv748A-82Jp48iYXeVHRYXW6NDHDpR38UwS5IE2JvnHkVTAk8zaFPU7utwSJTQKmPxFP5Ct7zNHAkK59ZfHm4TkRMc5DH_5oIRPXb52wNEMpwq-VA8CizZ6rVahRKXhDNv_Ch8zFZxAnjK4hto2gN2GL7Py1ZL8boqQ/s3872/8Flowers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW549tL2r-WejmpJF5QS4gDttPv748A-82Jp48iYXeVHRYXW6NDHDpR38UwS5IE2JvnHkVTAk8zaFPU7utwSJTQKmPxFP5Ct7zNHAkK59ZfHm4TkRMc5DH_5oIRPXb52wNEMpwq-VA8CizZ6rVahRKXhDNv_Ch8zFZxAnjK4hto2gN2GL7Py1ZL8boqQ/w428-h640/8Flowers.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful flowers lined the outside of this Trullo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqPbPVP2i_5EbN57m9ByvTlG7FxUKbTcI-3f1Fn9h4Jo-us6wp0FYH2rBn2RRwbra3whieU_Udc347tlJL5sEeXKoufoW7AErG6-TjCrG5w73MlD5QVToousFBGUjo0fHr72qZevmK4G6jpOH4JwvoZQ2vKGYGAg9N5Ctn-KxiRpJG-eCZo0wup1myQ/s3872/9TrulliSymbols.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqPbPVP2i_5EbN57m9ByvTlG7FxUKbTcI-3f1Fn9h4Jo-us6wp0FYH2rBn2RRwbra3whieU_Udc347tlJL5sEeXKoufoW7AErG6-TjCrG5w73MlD5QVToousFBGUjo0fHr72qZevmK4G6jpOH4JwvoZQ2vKGYGAg9N5Ctn-KxiRpJG-eCZo0wup1myQ/w640-h428/9TrulliSymbols.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the ancient custom, some of the Trulli had symbols painted on the conical shaped roofs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTkJX5Cc1uVlNNaooWTzV3Vdy8lAGkT-39wiHIByIJFmvNVT9Q7L-eIyQG8Ulk7HUxEB173KGkStTQMU1jIujxU2JhF5pkvhTpB2diKQdRuJBaYSPPy1_JaI2We-iRMtgUDeMVq3HArpLiXQBZcVLWEmFaj5CctA4_b4l7Ws6x7ji4fkrSxgjeGa1IA/s3872/10TrulliSymbols2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTkJX5Cc1uVlNNaooWTzV3Vdy8lAGkT-39wiHIByIJFmvNVT9Q7L-eIyQG8Ulk7HUxEB173KGkStTQMU1jIujxU2JhF5pkvhTpB2diKQdRuJBaYSPPy1_JaI2We-iRMtgUDeMVq3HArpLiXQBZcVLWEmFaj5CctA4_b4l7Ws6x7ji4fkrSxgjeGa1IA/w640-h428/10TrulliSymbols2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvURDzfOxvGo9Sfq7nfRJ5vTwvXIianLp1YywGXnnXAaNpS_RG05pU-PoAD_lvZ4qnTRsWterCDlFliCFl5l7IMQ4PGGgo9u74TpU-J8BgdW-uuuFENrXQC7eXjzfdkvESf8LO3DWtRptWYntf1Y3l_Y4KTAoNrzcnmO6HOlJr82Ei6kUkk0x1HyRbA/s3872/11Poppies1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvURDzfOxvGo9Sfq7nfRJ5vTwvXIianLp1YywGXnnXAaNpS_RG05pU-PoAD_lvZ4qnTRsWterCDlFliCFl5l7IMQ4PGGgo9u74TpU-J8BgdW-uuuFENrXQC7eXjzfdkvESf8LO3DWtRptWYntf1Y3l_Y4KTAoNrzcnmO6HOlJr82Ei6kUkk0x1HyRbA/w640-h428/11Poppies1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back from our first visit to Alberobello we spotted this field of poppies...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvatNML_RrkLMaki5J2iXslCMKQp07Inru8axl1q5IopzKxZ4VpWyXqjwb_q_fa7uHhcdEBFj4GCVdrrCfu5niZP0k9ZwuafMUkYznpTigIeCtChSoGyj9cAnVs5XUoiAZM3jErsZidVC8xNPRukF7ZWcXQ6aR-k3Oh8Kq4Qkn8yUZ41CGP_Nwusugw/s3872/12Poppies2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvatNML_RrkLMaki5J2iXslCMKQp07Inru8axl1q5IopzKxZ4VpWyXqjwb_q_fa7uHhcdEBFj4GCVdrrCfu5niZP0k9ZwuafMUkYznpTigIeCtChSoGyj9cAnVs5XUoiAZM3jErsZidVC8xNPRukF7ZWcXQ6aR-k3Oh8Kq4Qkn8yUZ41CGP_Nwusugw/w640-h428/12Poppies2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which we saw an abundance of during our Italian trip, but never so many together as here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2fslRv6jH2OQzpqupzGZAdzC88dOuI_7c9J6Q7Dq4PcXuekgJYf0di2TNN0oHP3ugDDRtltvSu2QJi4tRcc9SsalTED08ZxHABQB3lKMDouqqNiDVYrvhbWOmjDfZfX-vf2ib6oTc_YzZECMgJCoJ3t_uGzv3bHvj9cbA3WEz1F2VFxqUuSjlodekA/s3697/13%20Parrochia%20Santuario%20Basilica%20S.S.%20Cosma%20E%20Damiano.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="2521" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2fslRv6jH2OQzpqupzGZAdzC88dOuI_7c9J6Q7Dq4PcXuekgJYf0di2TNN0oHP3ugDDRtltvSu2QJi4tRcc9SsalTED08ZxHABQB3lKMDouqqNiDVYrvhbWOmjDfZfX-vf2ib6oTc_YzZECMgJCoJ3t_uGzv3bHvj9cbA3WEz1F2VFxqUuSjlodekA/w436-h640/13%20Parrochia%20Santuario%20Basilica%20S.S.%20Cosma%20E%20Damiano.jpeg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our second visit to Alberobello we saw the Parrochia Santuario Basilica S.S. Cosma E Damiano (Saints Cosma and Damian are the patron saints of Alberobello).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpxdFfEi4ghnt4g-FGs0dBgMHAq4fhULY_tj9aXvDjoq4vR8qr_VobXatP3DIydiVwKDIVogHPhjrnVXMcr18zYit9gJn-mkrxsaUXJOlyo4B75bwRFtdbq1zRITshBQxw2d_mvbQHmqisisPHESoTYTsZaUbKX7cNvKwFd6Gcm7LQKPeEiSnO2Qo6g/s3872/14TrulloSovrano.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpxdFfEi4ghnt4g-FGs0dBgMHAq4fhULY_tj9aXvDjoq4vR8qr_VobXatP3DIydiVwKDIVogHPhjrnVXMcr18zYit9gJn-mkrxsaUXJOlyo4B75bwRFtdbq1zRITshBQxw2d_mvbQHmqisisPHESoTYTsZaUbKX7cNvKwFd6Gcm7LQKPeEiSnO2Qo6g/w640-h428/14TrulloSovrano.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the outside of Trullo Sovrano (Sovereign), because it is the only two story Trullo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8KPzU-BFgKfm04RiDptLKDUEGMOydhiuT0gVkS5uzc4uCi7sKu7hFKpb8BxL8BkDfQNLNW1qJcH4VXp1E3V72gvEZYX5YRo-4X1xCZ3avs9Vnwj7R9s5YCJ5n40maxUeYrKp2X6w9DnGPyZeJVRfS1rKbj8ve2e82MDOqEqEB1Ea3J05NVprsjSktw/s3872/15Int1TrulloSovrano.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8KPzU-BFgKfm04RiDptLKDUEGMOydhiuT0gVkS5uzc4uCi7sKu7hFKpb8BxL8BkDfQNLNW1qJcH4VXp1E3V72gvEZYX5YRo-4X1xCZ3avs9Vnwj7R9s5YCJ5n40maxUeYrKp2X6w9DnGPyZeJVRfS1rKbj8ve2e82MDOqEqEB1Ea3J05NVprsjSktw/w640-h428/15Int1TrulloSovrano.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was originally built in the first half of the 18th century by the wealthy family of a priest.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXYITCA0BW8JHV0qlJWKSa9P4s_FyD6MZv-NzxjdQRtlrmk582OPUYUiu-tcGgE5-P8riFCOPTiezbZqOsLZdBQVbrbhvihV_-EMngJxdUtnidq_aGhem85XLW0hO5Iw82EQLlT09NnSpZ6pgxNcW_8KEWvRf_iCFoSPl-n082BvspnnBQ1LJ46lK5Q/s3872/16Int2TrulloSovrano.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXYITCA0BW8JHV0qlJWKSa9P4s_FyD6MZv-NzxjdQRtlrmk582OPUYUiu-tcGgE5-P8riFCOPTiezbZqOsLZdBQVbrbhvihV_-EMngJxdUtnidq_aGhem85XLW0hO5Iw82EQLlT09NnSpZ6pgxNcW_8KEWvRf_iCFoSPl-n082BvspnnBQ1LJ46lK5Q/w640-h428/16Int2TrulloSovrano.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trullo has served as a court, chapel, grocer's shop, monastery, oratory and finally a private dwelling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMmJ_639RKp20YWY44gmHL5_ftHOXemRbTB0fvF4t8Bv2zIDIRubYvsk3eF4Rip28FAhv4ts1ZD1c8_S5cDkcZiTxHcZm2m3QwMOjaSAhLyGU3aMz5WVKQdXhYcp0AN3YpO_zavcidj-tPXoFpLwz8bEvxkw1MkY3r82b-jVwsnjtnjw_ZpAySdjtlQ/s3872/17Int3TrulloSovrano.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMmJ_639RKp20YWY44gmHL5_ftHOXemRbTB0fvF4t8Bv2zIDIRubYvsk3eF4Rip28FAhv4ts1ZD1c8_S5cDkcZiTxHcZm2m3QwMOjaSAhLyGU3aMz5WVKQdXhYcp0AN3YpO_zavcidj-tPXoFpLwz8bEvxkw1MkY3r82b-jVwsnjtnjw_ZpAySdjtlQ/w640-h428/17Int3TrulloSovrano.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the early 1800s it was home to the relics of Cosmo & Damian, the patron saints of Alberobello.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1oPOV0OlrxB-2WkMgEcaaeo0rQc14IYiA-p_GuSZ7MZZVAg25p2X9rawp3sIrERCtGgwIR9PVf43TRKndsZuMFY-8hKQI98yrlVuOBKKz5JWIn4W4Z8x4clAlfkrjOHRZ9tnTiwfxP0Yp2vCvWSTRJlyVHIx_x-xHU7haW2nXEPPuauSLN7PR6yhig/s3872/18Int4TrulloSovrano.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1oPOV0OlrxB-2WkMgEcaaeo0rQc14IYiA-p_GuSZ7MZZVAg25p2X9rawp3sIrERCtGgwIR9PVf43TRKndsZuMFY-8hKQI98yrlVuOBKKz5JWIn4W4Z8x4clAlfkrjOHRZ9tnTiwfxP0Yp2vCvWSTRJlyVHIx_x-xHU7haW2nXEPPuauSLN7PR6yhig/w428-h640/18Int4TrulloSovrano.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steep stairs leading up to the second story.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2IXF3Y2LjuvOa9TQ1y_3eT06sZ02UwFeTOtNp_7w41eUTEiXzQS9Zq3cn1yZyXwEQUmEJ2nbtYauSk07uCvBbofoawDro3QzP2cns3rexNjbom3d-ZT9TMwGsZZ2zLOc-a1oWusEK2fK80LmEw2KELjZD9yGtTANSXN-o6QE5j1NS9W5M_TkPMx1JA/s3872/19PlantsoutsideTrullo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2IXF3Y2LjuvOa9TQ1y_3eT06sZ02UwFeTOtNp_7w41eUTEiXzQS9Zq3cn1yZyXwEQUmEJ2nbtYauSk07uCvBbofoawDro3QzP2cns3rexNjbom3d-ZT9TMwGsZZ2zLOc-a1oWusEK2fK80LmEw2KELjZD9yGtTANSXN-o6QE5j1NS9W5M_TkPMx1JA/w640-h428/19PlantsoutsideTrullo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Trullo owner obviously enjoyed potted gardening and sharing the garden with passersby.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5o2ZQOTD4GauOJSn99iTqp5-tTlvuUmMgzCQAHX-9eq7KwCaIzuaO1WymjhnBYZucXv6boPrGF_Q4uikRQtuCa-40nM9mCWQVeK4uPEp6YBjatQ3VRy0ALtga5Ka5bbJXmOwFmUHh3GupnewO1jpW7AzZsZIryh4sPYXXJNYwm-MW3OuLas_6VGk2A/s3663/20RainamidthePlaneTrees.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3663" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5o2ZQOTD4GauOJSn99iTqp5-tTlvuUmMgzCQAHX-9eq7KwCaIzuaO1WymjhnBYZucXv6boPrGF_Q4uikRQtuCa-40nM9mCWQVeK4uPEp6YBjatQ3VRy0ALtga5Ka5bbJXmOwFmUHh3GupnewO1jpW7AzZsZIryh4sPYXXJNYwm-MW3OuLas_6VGk2A/w640-h452/20RainamidthePlaneTrees.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were leaving the rain came once more and we headed for the shelter of the sculpted trees.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrHhQG8yxQ45krGHdH5I5f4Lgenw8qzQHokE7e-eB2sQ9b0GjhyYlnHTETHQf_k8XqJVO0NiXKDTInT6bBINMbwu55ftW4nDQJE3_Z3iBMN6xy99iyaHzBHH9oVQ0Wrd1Ee04Odg97jgQvNflqlkba8DpgIxwv8sYPtvapScYkpx_Nqwz120F5-r14g/s3872/TrulliGalore.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrHhQG8yxQ45krGHdH5I5f4Lgenw8qzQHokE7e-eB2sQ9b0GjhyYlnHTETHQf_k8XqJVO0NiXKDTInT6bBINMbwu55ftW4nDQJE3_Z3iBMN6xy99iyaHzBHH9oVQ0Wrd1Ee04Odg97jgQvNflqlkba8DpgIxwv8sYPtvapScYkpx_Nqwz120F5-r14g/w640-h428/TrulliGalore.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trullis galore!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We moved on from Alberobello to Ostuni--the "White City. An absolutely beautiful town perched atop a significant hill-- it was once more time to get our billy goat on and ascend. We try to get out early in the morning to avoid the worst of the tour group crowd and we had a peaceful hour or so sipping cappuccino and watching a funeral at an adjacent church. People, even in Italy, don't dress for funerals anymore. Shocking. And then they came. Tour group after tour group with small flags flying in the breeze. Just a word here. It was "shoulder season (May) and we were in a "forgotten corner" of Italy and still the tourist quotient was astounding. So, if you are traveling this summer brace yourselves.</p><p>Beyond being just flat out beautiful, Ostuni is known for its ceramics. We window shopped and actually caved and bought a small piece unique to Ostuni. By that time the tourists were circling like sharks and we realized it was time to retreat. We visited Martina Franca briefly and Brindesi where we had a very nice lunch but not much to report on either of them in terms of unique sites or memorable experiences.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsdF1O0ljPeaQJFcrIRj7YkJb_6GKcM_FI4XHEm-7qoK6qlHxIuDeYFOhqIzPRhiiPt8PF0wFfwHTOzGjtVCh7J3brxXTMtLDHf-VQakgs_X47zrn7I1HIyKITuzzg2fhwhVZ67aWwfpXMYfNwhDkCSdUc52froC0l1NUcn_fRAjhCx1oXDCJ4JtbzQ/s4608/22SantaMariadelMonteCarmelo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3239" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsdF1O0ljPeaQJFcrIRj7YkJb_6GKcM_FI4XHEm-7qoK6qlHxIuDeYFOhqIzPRhiiPt8PF0wFfwHTOzGjtVCh7J3brxXTMtLDHf-VQakgs_X47zrn7I1HIyKITuzzg2fhwhVZ67aWwfpXMYfNwhDkCSdUc52froC0l1NUcn_fRAjhCx1oXDCJ4JtbzQ/w450-h640/22SantaMariadelMonteCarmelo.jpeg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ostuni seemed to have a surfeit of churches, from Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX4ZIu7h6h5fYpm-_o3MzxVj4pnExEfeibYOHtEvR5FLzec3mCgbHBphef0BuYioJzuEXsP53ZJClWi2m4uL-d7KIwehnnj5IzyANbRB7bAANH1o4oOGmxyW92wPbl3JoZqNRj7cRTUgnOkpt3xwQT3K-Ct21OME6tboeswWhHd0Kp9it-dGty0XShA/s4608/24SanFrancesco%20d'Assisi.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX4ZIu7h6h5fYpm-_o3MzxVj4pnExEfeibYOHtEvR5FLzec3mCgbHBphef0BuYioJzuEXsP53ZJClWi2m4uL-d7KIwehnnj5IzyANbRB7bAANH1o4oOGmxyW92wPbl3JoZqNRj7cRTUgnOkpt3xwQT3K-Ct21OME6tboeswWhHd0Kp9it-dGty0XShA/w480-h640/24SanFrancesco%20d'Assisi.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to San Francesco d'Assisi (where we witnessed a funeral in process)...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscD7J27G6GfZn0UzhKZNcghsmdF0cT-4h0KBV50g_95kxZ3HLqlRgwpQyG0TRy1yrZOR5uSx2erukHpaeQ5O3-9AOXi_TTW7wt9YiDqlS0MtECfOBNp249vJAwRdMpdBtJptg8lGl7BFAUjJAB8o9rMU42ACtUcb7zLlLSmHE7ucsNAkChr3CNgQCAQ/s4608/25CathedralofSantaMariaAssunta.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscD7J27G6GfZn0UzhKZNcghsmdF0cT-4h0KBV50g_95kxZ3HLqlRgwpQyG0TRy1yrZOR5uSx2erukHpaeQ5O3-9AOXi_TTW7wt9YiDqlS0MtECfOBNp249vJAwRdMpdBtJptg8lGl7BFAUjJAB8o9rMU42ACtUcb7zLlLSmHE7ucsNAkChr3CNgQCAQ/w480-h640/25CathedralofSantaMariaAssunta.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to the magnificent Santa Maria Assunto.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecQz0WxQkQyVixtN9FbcTQ0VrmBD6-iw6vKogL-EKAyy3HvcT-fQUKA2P0NZRs7ouQtJpZZbh1OJ7VB7VW2z-MgzGoRtAkpo2GaUV5YCYaVTUbW5PEB3_Ind-QJQS85cM-KWjkm-vQAZqe3yAy3xspDUzb3nCm0bfnxuzpEHqKqouqALFuOorbTzlkA/s4608/26Stoneworkon%20Santa%20Maria%20Assunta.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecQz0WxQkQyVixtN9FbcTQ0VrmBD6-iw6vKogL-EKAyy3HvcT-fQUKA2P0NZRs7ouQtJpZZbh1OJ7VB7VW2z-MgzGoRtAkpo2GaUV5YCYaVTUbW5PEB3_Ind-QJQS85cM-KWjkm-vQAZqe3yAy3xspDUzb3nCm0bfnxuzpEHqKqouqALFuOorbTzlkA/w480-h640/26Stoneworkon%20Santa%20Maria%20Assunta.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ornately carved stone rose window...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVVS-E_nmdxG2vK4o_vrvO0r1fLeO1Ny1ziwKZXBFCZPQZG9bVi56H9tcRC7-g9anJMPjKF4NmRXMC2lwMWGOJpgqV_51f1dYULBwMfVSWeZgP0tlJVoc3wZ5JyGiITJtoTORvxpuBx0kjICpba27qy9qbv616p45HRyCbFiaeuJexTf--U5E3way1A/s4608/27InteriorCeiling1%20SMA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVVS-E_nmdxG2vK4o_vrvO0r1fLeO1Ny1ziwKZXBFCZPQZG9bVi56H9tcRC7-g9anJMPjKF4NmRXMC2lwMWGOJpgqV_51f1dYULBwMfVSWeZgP0tlJVoc3wZ5JyGiITJtoTORvxpuBx0kjICpba27qy9qbv616p45HRyCbFiaeuJexTf--U5E3way1A/w480-h640/27InteriorCeiling1%20SMA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the equally ornate painted ceilings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0XtKGns301N1tEIjiSKoTnaDeVOSWG0inKSKiaX4nG9oK9419ZfbyZ_IH3dQ-xQIm0ltTmnzGbjwRmvTB75TAMPeuaxH7XwlCXjlEEM6wDxDsS0CL5YpjpSkoY0zfAFCmaUl1SKasdXdZdiZgDD3FCe7NuyHP8hbKg-JCG-mA7QA0qi5Ih158nfZ2w/s4608/28Interior%20ceiling2%20SMA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0XtKGns301N1tEIjiSKoTnaDeVOSWG0inKSKiaX4nG9oK9419ZfbyZ_IH3dQ-xQIm0ltTmnzGbjwRmvTB75TAMPeuaxH7XwlCXjlEEM6wDxDsS0CL5YpjpSkoY0zfAFCmaUl1SKasdXdZdiZgDD3FCe7NuyHP8hbKg-JCG-mA7QA0qi5Ih158nfZ2w/w640-h480/28Interior%20ceiling2%20SMA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">were a marvel to behold.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ6YpZMs3scWqCoxUVfyzTknCDhH0fXnEYbFpqMzUTdzKBEukuvf1cSDcRjHxoleyisB3nb6lJTtYzYTZZYQ4m-7r712G7rX3fih9QHC47R35xOz_8tru1lG2NNR3PESicOzi6X1JO8rtbX8uV45w-tr5kjpZVyVG7YLBgNP0pylMsrpz3liWEUcndQ/s4608/30Ostuni%20White%20City.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ6YpZMs3scWqCoxUVfyzTknCDhH0fXnEYbFpqMzUTdzKBEukuvf1cSDcRjHxoleyisB3nb6lJTtYzYTZZYQ4m-7r712G7rX3fih9QHC47R35xOz_8tru1lG2NNR3PESicOzi6X1JO8rtbX8uV45w-tr5kjpZVyVG7YLBgNP0pylMsrpz3liWEUcndQ/w640-h480/30Ostuni%20White%20City.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows how Ostuni got its name as the White City.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>However, Lecce, our next stop, was filled with unique sites. This is a beautiful town (maybe a city) featuring fantastic Baroque architecture. Your head just swivels as you walk through the narrow, winding streets. Michael's photos of the Cathedral will reveal the level of ornamentation and detail that is found throughout the town. After the Cathedral, our next stop was the Jewish Museum. It was interesting in many ways. First, there are no Jews in Lecce. A non-Jewish family felt it was important to highlight the role the Jews had played in the town prior to their expulsion in 1492. Many headed to Greece and others to Northern Italy which was not subject to the excesses of that period. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAxp-ZLphivjUiSVy_8It_dCmSZEOgtT0tUlpd4asJG0Eo1sVX5iUqvvfJmjQZG-8OkOcW2h-3arip5WD6icWZnPhXnaCvUJLPPAZKSDAUj7PYuQcWkWJHnGSSH9Uws0EcPw3boV1nB_okiIctTmXxaWXK2e1Oj8-u1Z05vwmOFOz2_st5mYpe6nmVg/s4608/32Basilica%20Santa%20Croce%201695.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAxp-ZLphivjUiSVy_8It_dCmSZEOgtT0tUlpd4asJG0Eo1sVX5iUqvvfJmjQZG-8OkOcW2h-3arip5WD6icWZnPhXnaCvUJLPPAZKSDAUj7PYuQcWkWJHnGSSH9Uws0EcPw3boV1nB_okiIctTmXxaWXK2e1Oj8-u1Z05vwmOFOz2_st5mYpe6nmVg/w640-h480/32Basilica%20Santa%20Croce%201695.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baroque Basilica Santa Croce was completed in 1695.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpwwOX3jyqcIQXteDI_SNf6_jtXsgSjGWsez4mB5-IrAjYoO1hAgVOE6jhB2w7YlOBG93zg58upn36-RGtX7teKYebvcTAcZicTGRAX0c4TcAGzmKds2AyR4rdJXHqpvOmMIPV04NQ5PJh9RZm1mAJ29d8vYIycTW3GyCMvuAFR7wv2475wCuWktsMQ/s4608/33%20Rose%20Window%20Basilica%20SC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpwwOX3jyqcIQXteDI_SNf6_jtXsgSjGWsez4mB5-IrAjYoO1hAgVOE6jhB2w7YlOBG93zg58upn36-RGtX7teKYebvcTAcZicTGRAX0c4TcAGzmKds2AyR4rdJXHqpvOmMIPV04NQ5PJh9RZm1mAJ29d8vYIycTW3GyCMvuAFR7wv2475wCuWktsMQ/w640-h480/33%20Rose%20Window%20Basilica%20SC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's rose window was even more ornate...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQuPCv71yO23IPhaPs9kbMUUXPZN9VFfiG76SfH5lPlqsyNqTIo9J3PHjaM98lJkfgn_DQ7z8HiAcHvuDZ4FmVtZSl7lpta7fbFb8Hj6GZJGULq9jutegx8FeHh59iZnHHnkm7kRaUVFvoKF5cF1mvZNo624IG5h57ZeOJggU-0CY93z4x8Y9MqCprg/s4608/34Support%20figure%20BSC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQuPCv71yO23IPhaPs9kbMUUXPZN9VFfiG76SfH5lPlqsyNqTIo9J3PHjaM98lJkfgn_DQ7z8HiAcHvuDZ4FmVtZSl7lpta7fbFb8Hj6GZJGULq9jutegx8FeHh59iZnHHnkm7kRaUVFvoKF5cF1mvZNo624IG5h57ZeOJggU-0CY93z4x8Y9MqCprg/w640-h480/34Support%20figure%20BSC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the detailed stone carvings on the exterior showed the craftsmanship of the stone carvers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiRci_lFxqRmgsMiTZFnGhuPiIrCJzol07-ui8WAHbLz01aMpucQqLk99sQx6sBdX8lw__BPwR602r-krTxNIPIUlhRx7D3g8qbGqpxhV5QOMXxuupEwb5Eoe1XHpahwBcyvDbetkgMwVpnx3dw-K912zDRPm7rG9Hl-HKDh7PsIh9-2N4EQBjcnY1w/s4608/35Wooden%20caisson%20ceiling%20BSC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiRci_lFxqRmgsMiTZFnGhuPiIrCJzol07-ui8WAHbLz01aMpucQqLk99sQx6sBdX8lw__BPwR602r-krTxNIPIUlhRx7D3g8qbGqpxhV5QOMXxuupEwb5Eoe1XHpahwBcyvDbetkgMwVpnx3dw-K912zDRPm7rG9Hl-HKDh7PsIh9-2N4EQBjcnY1w/w480-h640/35Wooden%20caisson%20ceiling%20BSC.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wooden caisson ceiling with the inset painting was spectacular. The construction on the basilica started after the Jews had been expelled in 1510.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> No Jews returned to Lecce until the end of WWII when a large resettlement camp was located outside the town. Apparently the townspeople readily adopted the refugees supplying them with food, clothes and medical care. Whether it was guilt over being part of the Axis powers, guilt over the expulsion or just human kindness is hard to tell. Anyway, they all left for Israel and once again no Jews lived in Lecce. We met a Dutch woman there who was saying that the Netherlands is grappling with how to come to peace with their attitudes toward the displaced persons who ended up in Holland after the war. Apparently their experiences were less welcoming. She said that when they were finally released from the camps the refugees were fined for past taxes. Hmmmm.</p><p>Onward to the Museo Faggiano. This is a pretty fun story. A family was suffering from a recurrent plumbing problem involving sewage. The owner proceeded to rip up the floor to access the pipes. When he did he discovered layers of archeological finds dating back 2,000 years. Layer by layer the father and his sons continued to excavate and discover not just the history of the house but of the town. Michael's photos will display what we saw and provide some context. You entered on the street level but soon realize that 2,000 years ago that floor was on the second level and the basement was on street level. They just kept building on top of previous buildings. A brief, but excellent, guide led you through the four levels of the building. I think this was the best museum we saw on the whole trip.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00-Oe2ZfFU2vly8Verig_QLguFE5P-DpKoPvAzgYaQtDbgo8Dljz-z2celKmh3d8cF-BE-H1QzJNAsehqLUDQ4C4iN2WOA9xRkfqKllqHWWnpdTe4L9UF-STns-1V54zuRYdX4dV38FEkQ-76QADQgMTlSXIoHHEbxXVH6AFHtdULwq_QrbI3zh91dA/s4608/36Faggiano%20Museo1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00-Oe2ZfFU2vly8Verig_QLguFE5P-DpKoPvAzgYaQtDbgo8Dljz-z2celKmh3d8cF-BE-H1QzJNAsehqLUDQ4C4iN2WOA9xRkfqKllqHWWnpdTe4L9UF-STns-1V54zuRYdX4dV38FEkQ-76QADQgMTlSXIoHHEbxXVH6AFHtdULwq_QrbI3zh91dA/w480-h640/36Faggiano%20Museo1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the detailed tile work uncovered during the excavation.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuA5xn5ihkrljdtPkeF8wjyNuO5Lx6zS7xn23nPNe-rI9CWvxKMZEJvCXnwFalCyG9E0WXuVDeme12EWEO7z1JOzqBEhyQR5kP1sGMeQ29FeA8LH3HH6UN8W92hsG_vc2CAHyL2mqerL0IelhbPa0ZnAP6_CHKGplPb6WFllm9SRbu3KR9-QoqyJ9OQ/s4608/45Faggio1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuA5xn5ihkrljdtPkeF8wjyNuO5Lx6zS7xn23nPNe-rI9CWvxKMZEJvCXnwFalCyG9E0WXuVDeme12EWEO7z1JOzqBEhyQR5kP1sGMeQ29FeA8LH3HH6UN8W92hsG_vc2CAHyL2mqerL0IelhbPa0ZnAP6_CHKGplPb6WFllm9SRbu3KR9-QoqyJ9OQ/w640-h480/45Faggio1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a photo looking up to the floor from the bottom. Deirdre declined to take the winding stairs down, being content to wait for the photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpClmudh4zPlxezFfXUejItpQ1eqpZVlIa2JYCQp71JUa8A4H7KsaaaPP5H7iOE0lUYTkJ87PX9oSQEpDBhwL4z_v-_SZ7tjTMNc166N0ZfhdBqi9EvEN-fvx-zzWZTP5vAO4Wke_SJgsh7_vWY5JzqRQ_aX9GdUi4Gk45qwDO6iQLV81td72D8MiQbQ/s4608/46Faggio2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpClmudh4zPlxezFfXUejItpQ1eqpZVlIa2JYCQp71JUa8A4H7KsaaaPP5H7iOE0lUYTkJ87PX9oSQEpDBhwL4z_v-_SZ7tjTMNc166N0ZfhdBqi9EvEN-fvx-zzWZTP5vAO4Wke_SJgsh7_vWY5JzqRQ_aX9GdUi4Gk45qwDO6iQLV81td72D8MiQbQ/w480-h640/46Faggio2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peering through the break in the stones reveals a whole other room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rFS2Ei5kwTVgSibGrHx53meQhkUgMzEmmM5nsNxYj_oCFuqt4Beu8eKqRMYATDiWJNt-Ioxn10AFvg2TmIeddxeA-_n9qPz4vXWfJ7l8ZAJRmcmiUwV7nqjVVn-EjjH0uzJRxrlzA63Trobhw8bFddL6Ta59VFKk9KnIkGHhs41v7lUHj2HJdfTF-g/s4608/47Faggio3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rFS2Ei5kwTVgSibGrHx53meQhkUgMzEmmM5nsNxYj_oCFuqt4Beu8eKqRMYATDiWJNt-Ioxn10AFvg2TmIeddxeA-_n9qPz4vXWfJ7l8ZAJRmcmiUwV7nqjVVn-EjjH0uzJRxrlzA63Trobhw8bFddL6Ta59VFKk9KnIkGHhs41v7lUHj2HJdfTF-g/w640-h480/47Faggio3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down to one of the cisterns.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6Z-kls4c6atgEdKmrUwR8TTfcYJQYZjlLPBIAUH44F6rcO9i44VFXQT2T1tc0ygHLnfjPIiPjcCTSxf8FfLZz1k3qFB5w4-wv6JeIcuwwBSl-eZ9uO7xJQdSRo4TXAtEXDAV16ZZiAk7vzfDaDUfRpFAepgS-WT4fllBUo0yNl0vpIfB_ZFUD6HyYQ/s4608/48Faggio3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6Z-kls4c6atgEdKmrUwR8TTfcYJQYZjlLPBIAUH44F6rcO9i44VFXQT2T1tc0ygHLnfjPIiPjcCTSxf8FfLZz1k3qFB5w4-wv6JeIcuwwBSl-eZ9uO7xJQdSRo4TXAtEXDAV16ZZiAk7vzfDaDUfRpFAepgS-WT4fllBUo0yNl0vpIfB_ZFUD6HyYQ/w640-h480/48Faggio3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In an upper room were artifacts uncovered during the excavation.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaypEfkc28eThmDqJ8NbBATNwSicuMMrqJXRFIOohPzaOY0R4v-ZxnhAYPO9F6pomZX8I2pRYHvYQOg2Shb106nMgMT--mFhql_UyCFj4t1FSInBDtCbNCsieK9wAAVLHG1cVMRj754TBUKG7HYBUL1AaQ2wasZ4xiPmntsCbXhWeYZyRtGI3E8KE_9w/s4608/48Faggio4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaypEfkc28eThmDqJ8NbBATNwSicuMMrqJXRFIOohPzaOY0R4v-ZxnhAYPO9F6pomZX8I2pRYHvYQOg2Shb106nMgMT--mFhql_UyCFj4t1FSInBDtCbNCsieK9wAAVLHG1cVMRj754TBUKG7HYBUL1AaQ2wasZ4xiPmntsCbXhWeYZyRtGI3E8KE_9w/w640-h480/48Faggio4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While more modern, the detailed needle work on these chair cushions caught our attention.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcFo0VIbEATk0qWW6foq5XQDTMEUf3z_edgnZeQkjHIh6cz3q9vAsAvT_6LB0dFWOllg6jb-DUldOPde-xZsxCFfjgQ0jqqbbb7VnAoYgkn_orja1iEY_euGw0swTIyQdid3t_Opox5M1xncr00dBIHnlguznWuIvmx12gjqbgL5bGYHbvBI2579lQw/s4608/37Faggiano%20Bicycle.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcFo0VIbEATk0qWW6foq5XQDTMEUf3z_edgnZeQkjHIh6cz3q9vAsAvT_6LB0dFWOllg6jb-DUldOPde-xZsxCFfjgQ0jqqbbb7VnAoYgkn_orja1iEY_euGw0swTIyQdid3t_Opox5M1xncr00dBIHnlguznWuIvmx12gjqbgL5bGYHbvBI2579lQw/w640-h480/37Faggiano%20Bicycle.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old wooden bicycle was outside the museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><u>The Cave of the Poets</u></p><p>About a half hour south of Lecce resides the Cave of the Poets. I was not prepared for what an amazing place this was. Ha, Amalfi Coast! Take this! There is a peninsula sticking out into azure blue waters with cliffs falling off on all sides. As you walk to the point you pass a series of caves and, honestly, I was thinking it was pretty pedestrian cave-wise until we got almost to the point. There below us was a Grotto with water rushing in from a gap in the rocks with each wave. Young people (as opposed to us) had descended a treacherous staircase, then climbed up a boulder, and then threw themselves into the water. </p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ7X8o2CyHd_PH0gCaym17GQb89m0pPBzqQFUMeDYhJpphteh_jeJUKZkhpG1BT_coKT1_fpUlxenSl9lXvTr40paPg9yUFYfoZZcgBoGixiTAnGnsT4FnRtoJczlSO1U0pbO_eaF1kYDApubCn2IY8JGmJdIqV0UPEDM0_-evziCOOcEo2-FrqdrvQ/s4035/44CPS%20tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4035" data-original-width="3026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ7X8o2CyHd_PH0gCaym17GQb89m0pPBzqQFUMeDYhJpphteh_jeJUKZkhpG1BT_coKT1_fpUlxenSl9lXvTr40paPg9yUFYfoZZcgBoGixiTAnGnsT4FnRtoJczlSO1U0pbO_eaF1kYDApubCn2IY8JGmJdIqV0UPEDM0_-evziCOOcEo2-FrqdrvQ/w480-h640/44CPS%20tower.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The column of Madonna of Roca Vecchia was on the grounds of the Cave of the Poets.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJqiRxHpixtRybY7RO5a4dJjgcCQDHlwi9nsjDOLd0D0HdL92AoDeqMn9-VnBXLsKDQgK-2BdPGIIcET4LMzZs1uPPvEZHomMeKM0dJESW7t9HeTTUpfyHU4b7sHomVyMSa0JztJjKI3TFfITFrFw4sn4BoqCnjpIQ82v_NI_XSfJaTCF-K0Gg-S-Rg/s4608/43Virgin%20Saint%20in%20the%20caves%20of%20the%20Basilian%20monks.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJqiRxHpixtRybY7RO5a4dJjgcCQDHlwi9nsjDOLd0D0HdL92AoDeqMn9-VnBXLsKDQgK-2BdPGIIcET4LMzZs1uPPvEZHomMeKM0dJESW7t9HeTTUpfyHU4b7sHomVyMSa0JztJjKI3TFfITFrFw4sn4BoqCnjpIQ82v_NI_XSfJaTCF-K0Gg-S-Rg/w480-h640/43Virgin%20Saint%20in%20the%20caves%20of%20the%20Basilian%20monks.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beneath the column was the Madonna who appeared in the cave of the Basilian monks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsNVD2A0RaBzTzyZfBeXE7a1_U3x_m8kqGsJ43Z_4CIpHC7OR5RtzQoizj-DgOI78afhnfK39ftyQ7ihz-5ftI50k3Wbu68DZEYM7iwBQwQJRnwlYn-C56LHH_6K26OJmdqhANNwPgZFWbw4gacFD9xSsxcw3LHLsZTBkIDJoQC4l4rApZ9iXAMFYog/s4608/42CaveofthePoets5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsNVD2A0RaBzTzyZfBeXE7a1_U3x_m8kqGsJ43Z_4CIpHC7OR5RtzQoizj-DgOI78afhnfK39ftyQ7ihz-5ftI50k3Wbu68DZEYM7iwBQwQJRnwlYn-C56LHH_6K26OJmdqhANNwPgZFWbw4gacFD9xSsxcw3LHLsZTBkIDJoQC4l4rApZ9iXAMFYog/w640-h480/42CaveofthePoets5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water in several karst caves attracts swimmers to this area. Note the steps on the upper right leading down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xYX736sMcuvdoK5VE3mlp8Zd43B0ywkD9XlbIyGzxHKHYE2pl72ztwOOjzBJsQudULKLqzqKhkhHp-j11R_d4wYQ9l8UXGG3ku9vON910XMkGaiJ1b2pIR8EwJV9fvknh3Q65K4Vcf9PtFqpvncwrQNgmZHgwkqQHbHefm7wEpg5rKenEhl42Y9r0w/s4608/41CaveofthePoets4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xYX736sMcuvdoK5VE3mlp8Zd43B0ywkD9XlbIyGzxHKHYE2pl72ztwOOjzBJsQudULKLqzqKhkhHp-j11R_d4wYQ9l8UXGG3ku9vON910XMkGaiJ1b2pIR8EwJV9fvknh3Q65K4Vcf9PtFqpvncwrQNgmZHgwkqQHbHefm7wEpg5rKenEhl42Y9r0w/w640-h480/41CaveofthePoets4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can view the sea in the background, with the water flowing under the rock above. One person took the shortcut jumping from the rock on the left, rather than taking the stairs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lGH7txF-exX-h940oMon45Q_2cKk37ug8dXa7_PSbzB8q61h1eIDSLEJeu2xaYeYcQO30r_EtYvEWsdzyQ6YzLg7rgtJvMK3IOyawUnHQUSs4fjvghlUEyPk--I2phzoIAbl0E_i8SEM0C0J8FU1VPxiTVG3Kx3-64WShR8akNAvlL20GugSHVMZfA/s4608/40Cave%20of%20the%20Poets3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lGH7txF-exX-h940oMon45Q_2cKk37ug8dXa7_PSbzB8q61h1eIDSLEJeu2xaYeYcQO30r_EtYvEWsdzyQ6YzLg7rgtJvMK3IOyawUnHQUSs4fjvghlUEyPk--I2phzoIAbl0E_i8SEM0C0J8FU1VPxiTVG3Kx3-64WShR8akNAvlL20GugSHVMZfA/w640-h480/40Cave%20of%20the%20Poets3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see the water was crystal clear.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENNhFZj28gaRow0rCfEmGfvPL5oLg200OHByo3RK-allmX7Fq7esCMiOQw9liyk1kWDazdjy2VQuLKUEWgMAkUcxtfKGXmFSLm3mFVclYot04fuFsXHXhhzMnwEYjgUJm1Hs_URUr6m6A0pRJRq2R12Krcge-FVAbf26hR4imBKHaw6oT6P0JNxwYAg/s4608/39Cave%20of%20the%20Poets2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENNhFZj28gaRow0rCfEmGfvPL5oLg200OHByo3RK-allmX7Fq7esCMiOQw9liyk1kWDazdjy2VQuLKUEWgMAkUcxtfKGXmFSLm3mFVclYot04fuFsXHXhhzMnwEYjgUJm1Hs_URUr6m6A0pRJRq2R12Krcge-FVAbf26hR4imBKHaw6oT6P0JNxwYAg/w640-h480/39Cave%20of%20the%20Poets2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Torre dell'Orso was a defensive structure and watchtower from medieval times. The beach on the far side of the tower is one of the most popular on the east coast of Italy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5deDT_Ybfbv2W3H8B7CPVfkNsZF6fWHHol91lkixbtZVs6nUklHQ9yXYn22pvmEqCyVspwQGnMyv1U-Wcst6oGcsyjDhipkbjV9ZqGvaGtcbyp5CbH2DZjuJjUO_CLWXHs31itAEUzNqCZ9ESxtLDSTLo4FWH-9vnKdUIXcr2mbQdiPDz3xGde7OwdQ/s4608/38Cave%20of%20the%20Poets1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5deDT_Ybfbv2W3H8B7CPVfkNsZF6fWHHol91lkixbtZVs6nUklHQ9yXYn22pvmEqCyVspwQGnMyv1U-Wcst6oGcsyjDhipkbjV9ZqGvaGtcbyp5CbH2DZjuJjUO_CLWXHs31itAEUzNqCZ9ESxtLDSTLo4FWH-9vnKdUIXcr2mbQdiPDz3xGde7OwdQ/w640-h480/38Cave%20of%20the%20Poets1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'll leave you with this view of the Adriatic and the cliffs, as we head on to our next adventure near Bologna.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-1336527271460636782023-06-10T13:54:00.001-05:002023-06-13T15:32:42.929-05:00. A Slice of Sicily<p><span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>A Slice of Sicily</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, it's several weeks since the last blog was written and I will just say that it continued to rain through Calabria, thru Sicily, back thru Calabria and into Puglia. Rain. Not as bad as up north in Bologna, where epic flooding had friends and relatives inquiring about our location & health. "Fine but soggy", we replied. But enough moaning (for now).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We escaped the Amalfi Coast after one more mercifully short coastal drive and headed for Catanzaro --- our mid-point stop headed to Sicily. Michael & I tend to be somewhat contrarian vis a vis preferred locations. Most people prefer Tuscany. We prefer Umbria. Most people adore Sicily. We prefer Calabria. And forget the Amalfi Coast -- we love Puglia. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In Catanzaro we stayed at a country house that started out as a Spanish watch tower. This area has been conquered (as has Sicily) a zillion times. Greeks, Romans, Saracens, Normans, Spanish & French (briefly). There may have been more but my attention lapsed. So, Carmen, our host, had inherited the house that her great, great grandfather crafted out of the Spanish tower, and it is beautiful. It sits high on a hill overlooking the sea. Marvelous. We went into town for dinner after a walk along the promenade soaking up local color.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCZwXbSweV8QygqaHG-SAY3QfXo9nD444xzh6xVpDF9zN7WHWiYiduGIT_56r6b6-JU8fNUGQRxGwpW-Cx3lvde54xOD8P23vvt-bY0SXodxqJTZDeO-ohv-p2Gq_fhR4kSK7cogRBirv5dZlfzmzBYS23ajQsEHIHh6Z5_sg5GNhQiYngRY-t8e7aw/s3872/1Cat%20Colorful%20Sea%20Wall.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCZwXbSweV8QygqaHG-SAY3QfXo9nD444xzh6xVpDF9zN7WHWiYiduGIT_56r6b6-JU8fNUGQRxGwpW-Cx3lvde54xOD8P23vvt-bY0SXodxqJTZDeO-ohv-p2Gq_fhR4kSK7cogRBirv5dZlfzmzBYS23ajQsEHIHh6Z5_sg5GNhQiYngRY-t8e7aw/w640-h428/1Cat%20Colorful%20Sea%20Wall.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While strolling the promenade before dinner in Catanzaro, we saw this colorful seawall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUK3LfKGFQOnt8IYZOnlnB-He9btfx2-Ip_oLgs09sp1m8Hxo_y0A1hqNhpGxtwTcFzkmzvEFmLQhADxujGl-q_sCfPhilzX7w1SO7eyy2ICxVBzvKFZvRcAmAP5x0loQo1QsSlpkEWg4nO9IKCZK8krK_D2tNw598XiXwdZ1ncDbEhBE8jCUXUc4pw/s3872/2Cat%20Sea%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUK3LfKGFQOnt8IYZOnlnB-He9btfx2-Ip_oLgs09sp1m8Hxo_y0A1hqNhpGxtwTcFzkmzvEFmLQhADxujGl-q_sCfPhilzX7w1SO7eyy2ICxVBzvKFZvRcAmAP5x0loQo1QsSlpkEWg4nO9IKCZK8krK_D2tNw598XiXwdZ1ncDbEhBE8jCUXUc4pw/w640-h428/2Cat%20Sea%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had this great view of Catanzaro, the sea and the mountains from the Spanish tower.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dinner was a bit of an introduction to Italian adult/child interaction. We had seated ourselves and were enjoying a glass of wine when the silence was shattered by five young boys (8 - 10) running shrieking back & forth through the restaurant over and over. They were ultimately joined by another dozen hooligans (a favorite word of my Moms) who also indulged in the screaming, running melee. Eventually they sat, but the noise level continued to escalate. At one point the ringleader stood on his chair shouting "Mama Mia!" --- really! The 3 adults accompanying them seemed to find nothing at all wrong with their behavior. Civilization is doomed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day (still raining) we arrived in Sicily after completing the world's shortest ferry ride across the Strait of Sicily. A bridge would be a good idea. Before we reached the ferry we negotiated over 100 tunnels from Catanzaro to the ferry. We averaged over 25 tunnels per hour. People always think that Switzerland is the world leader in tunnels but the Italians are crazy for tunnels. Not just in the South either. The Lakes region also boasts dozens of tunnels. We had a place in Siracusa (Syracuse). At week's end I suggested to the property manager that he recommend the owners spend several nights in the rental and see how THEY like it. I won't bore you with the details.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I also won't go into every trip we took in Sicily. I will say that we most enjoyed the small towns like Noto & Ragusa Ibla, which afforded charming strolls, good food and local color. In Noto we lunched at a great restaurant and noticed teenagers charging up & down the hill carrying pails of water. After lunch we strolled down to investigate what all of the activity was about. They were using flower petals to create intricate "paintings". On our walk back up we stopped in at the restaurant to inquire about the "paintings". They have a five day festival each May and decorate the streets. We told them about our same ritual for Day of the Dead and they replied, "No one dies at our festival." Something got lost in translation.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWHL2T3r-4OtTgqYLERS_O663YGVgy3LYjou-pHz9iZhAOAClxM82tdQmkd4XpaAv9wAKoYXLje_NxBUhdzCYcjVgS3oU_XH9_seyB58UOPw2VEDLHlrqIZkqDLAZXL_xAFfRH3VtI0wrgPi_pMuBi0lKvC6emRbdcRJs59B4bDi2PInk1PSxOvbO1g/s3872/1Noto%20Steps.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWHL2T3r-4OtTgqYLERS_O663YGVgy3LYjou-pHz9iZhAOAClxM82tdQmkd4XpaAv9wAKoYXLje_NxBUhdzCYcjVgS3oU_XH9_seyB58UOPw2VEDLHlrqIZkqDLAZXL_xAFfRH3VtI0wrgPi_pMuBi0lKvC6emRbdcRJs59B4bDi2PInk1PSxOvbO1g/w640-h428/1Noto%20Steps.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noto, like a lot of hill towns, had steep stairs leading from one section of the town to another.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPxv1MmPV4q8FI0lTbWN9MJp8JRskTI_xQ17AxRy1K9GbxhU8OmiRKtIgJO971mwV1xxOdX7kj5K_iXZ-DFEp7EGccUHYZqYpzhX-lBqe_kjm_S9eTmHwssJ7tRGIrjS-WIoOkoFXc0cSLv7aaUSV_-w4UF2Az8iBs22lt4nz-1jg4mk0imKaD30EHw/s3872/2Noto%20ceramics1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPxv1MmPV4q8FI0lTbWN9MJp8JRskTI_xQ17AxRy1K9GbxhU8OmiRKtIgJO971mwV1xxOdX7kj5K_iXZ-DFEp7EGccUHYZqYpzhX-lBqe_kjm_S9eTmHwssJ7tRGIrjS-WIoOkoFXc0cSLv7aaUSV_-w4UF2Az8iBs22lt4nz-1jg4mk0imKaD30EHw/w640-h428/2Noto%20ceramics1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceramic pine cone is seen throughout Sicily representing good luck and prosperity.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueTRZ7aPyT296WqXyAljeBOVnyrMTWGDh59TII1Ea2kAEIUt_BsjVrSz7-QWK_zzTzzDvSNezpeYkOpkLKH89sVXFjQclEXo9bKux71hbeKbNFEZ28tEcqaM8y9WrzlLEl7uJq9pWcenWm5AOvCuswcjsTzlBSA_cjITtTYKlIwsbLBUnvRsA4RpH2Q/s3872/3Noto%20ceramics2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueTRZ7aPyT296WqXyAljeBOVnyrMTWGDh59TII1Ea2kAEIUt_BsjVrSz7-QWK_zzTzzDvSNezpeYkOpkLKH89sVXFjQclEXo9bKux71hbeKbNFEZ28tEcqaM8y9WrzlLEl7uJq9pWcenWm5AOvCuswcjsTzlBSA_cjITtTYKlIwsbLBUnvRsA4RpH2Q/w640-h428/3Noto%20ceramics2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceramic heads as flower pots were also quite a common site in Sicily.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOliAMvEYIs3Zo29iThFrauYe0sTrfqBYuNrUfFBxlMVXhnBaXXAULVB1QZH7oatE8RkOfp770cnbB1JrxyJL24UHrgf8zvtIDa8N7RUCxy-Chg79cixPY0DbHG0augl-xtp_P7Yjk-ZalW0PpM0SdCMFIRMekv9eqUT50xdh-U7ssnjchESb3uxXYLA/s3872/3Noto%20DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOliAMvEYIs3Zo29iThFrauYe0sTrfqBYuNrUfFBxlMVXhnBaXXAULVB1QZH7oatE8RkOfp770cnbB1JrxyJL24UHrgf8zvtIDa8N7RUCxy-Chg79cixPY0DbHG0augl-xtp_P7Yjk-ZalW0PpM0SdCMFIRMekv9eqUT50xdh-U7ssnjchESb3uxXYLA/w428-h640/3Noto%20DSS.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre, in a whimsical moment, waiting for our lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eevx5zf9Qi3NhkSRcGXNOKxat69PQ4IvyZb537_Ax7VyzlordAoqhuOppgqevc3T92nUskZnvZGErx7X7pKBP6ed1O-zhioLWKVa3Hr8oCoSstoAzeyH7YByIyS-6zbNnQHFzZyDamL1rlQM-JFPLMKLXkwimmHXvoyrVR6synl8G_-PpBrbBI5g4A/s3872/4Noto%20Cat.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eevx5zf9Qi3NhkSRcGXNOKxat69PQ4IvyZb537_Ax7VyzlordAoqhuOppgqevc3T92nUskZnvZGErx7X7pKBP6ed1O-zhioLWKVa3Hr8oCoSstoAzeyH7YByIyS-6zbNnQHFzZyDamL1rlQM-JFPLMKLXkwimmHXvoyrVR6synl8G_-PpBrbBI5g4A/w640-h428/4Noto%20Cat.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cat was around our table during lunch, and having secured a treat, was ready to curl up for an afternoon siesta.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALccvw9mc6PyrSUlID-4lW5dL6KfzsNKFRq-aY_KGQ_CwdTdTPPXjymBKBIALWy8hblnu4l8ZTd2k-0Cv00AG2tXlivdjGC8pi_cYMr2UyzVoqhPCNtzirO2vn3Fhny2GcpeWP1iXnaYhHdsayj2ra8c5T37e3RBnshqxi8TZ8SOxu7ttuGr2JJslNw/s3872/5Noto%20festival1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALccvw9mc6PyrSUlID-4lW5dL6KfzsNKFRq-aY_KGQ_CwdTdTPPXjymBKBIALWy8hblnu4l8ZTd2k-0Cv00AG2tXlivdjGC8pi_cYMr2UyzVoqhPCNtzirO2vn3Fhny2GcpeWP1iXnaYhHdsayj2ra8c5T37e3RBnshqxi8TZ8SOxu7ttuGr2JJslNw/w640-h428/5Noto%20festival1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was one of the uncompleted street artworks...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP47g-bwXn278_khq6kU2RGi19Zvi-gnyKs080kvkdl3sGqEK3E7LdJFOUlz8cc2uNKS4hoiLv6bCJZ6F01UO21NysRhbGfRhe6K8jkLJHJ4n2ba5L2DfyxMGEqhg8dffp5uzghBT-dFUquCjHnT84hwfTtDoby4j4KtnEgCyclbVBEycISRbQrTKlXA/s3872/6Noto%20festival2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP47g-bwXn278_khq6kU2RGi19Zvi-gnyKs080kvkdl3sGqEK3E7LdJFOUlz8cc2uNKS4hoiLv6bCJZ6F01UO21NysRhbGfRhe6K8jkLJHJ4n2ba5L2DfyxMGEqhg8dffp5uzghBT-dFUquCjHnT84hwfTtDoby4j4KtnEgCyclbVBEycISRbQrTKlXA/w428-h640/6Noto%20festival2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the many young people working to complete them for the festival.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp8OHfQ7G8pOzrnaTFYFoYFm6D5dDc_q0K4EuYD2Xme8R-Wgcwz71YzPbvWYmA3tlPNK8Bt7SMVWcYaY59GN60V86Kfy5NWOIrFmNppVbXjKoR62BDTQU2AdueKfLWjqDMK9p3oIF9WF75QljJtvYqIRuBoqcGPVZ_4Bc_7cPV9wsapzyb0PVEbsS8A/s3872/7Noto%20Church%20Interior.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp8OHfQ7G8pOzrnaTFYFoYFm6D5dDc_q0K4EuYD2Xme8R-Wgcwz71YzPbvWYmA3tlPNK8Bt7SMVWcYaY59GN60V86Kfy5NWOIrFmNppVbXjKoR62BDTQU2AdueKfLWjqDMK9p3oIF9WF75QljJtvYqIRuBoqcGPVZ_4Bc_7cPV9wsapzyb0PVEbsS8A/w428-h640/7Noto%20Church%20Interior.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ducked inside this church in Noto and captured this interesting interior.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYTTJ5ntSYMg6e78cZGIAiWvJ-B5pSLg9g7LR9be6N6AwDEVUf2kZUR5HBAWgOzxtM-HWSCjbmjkshxauW41mBnVSiMxpCiq5rpFPl9dEE_QM8PlkyjzdUkKyXU7t4yMepJoTrvkkFtQzGYoeDjvglWtsokGYNUPOezT5msGLOHLa-Z1ZkdgIm17Dag/s3872/8Noto%20bell%20tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYTTJ5ntSYMg6e78cZGIAiWvJ-B5pSLg9g7LR9be6N6AwDEVUf2kZUR5HBAWgOzxtM-HWSCjbmjkshxauW41mBnVSiMxpCiq5rpFPl9dEE_QM8PlkyjzdUkKyXU7t4yMepJoTrvkkFtQzGYoeDjvglWtsokGYNUPOezT5msGLOHLa-Z1ZkdgIm17Dag/w428-h640/8Noto%20bell%20tower.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steeples with bell towers were a common sight in all of the hill towns.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FRY_yOlCinNUj4_XUCGpxxxhI7XgVzbFWbiPUbsYwOHwfwCYZM1A02ZWoNzkjw2W4eWv5Pzpkr9q3xxvChJnOhtKF8aTVyZCqGxYUkez-o_aHm4uDdJkmT9zZ1OHAtmdsN7KIa11z34RcaPhGEPw_40LyMftYeINt3Y98fdfSM3lFPyaGTSdgy6Vtw/s4608/1Ragusa%20river.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FRY_yOlCinNUj4_XUCGpxxxhI7XgVzbFWbiPUbsYwOHwfwCYZM1A02ZWoNzkjw2W4eWv5Pzpkr9q3xxvChJnOhtKF8aTVyZCqGxYUkez-o_aHm4uDdJkmT9zZ1OHAtmdsN7KIa11z34RcaPhGEPw_40LyMftYeINt3Y98fdfSM3lFPyaGTSdgy6Vtw/w480-h640/1Ragusa%20river.jpeg" width="480" /></a>, </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On to Ragusa Ibla, with this small river flowing past the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQIYH2UHN5DsLAOewPuOYfdyGgQCACaxjKi43TfTswVxsPm-fm2-MNc8AtlWdJ_g5RnRZj0M9W2G4rgtuu31AaSQ6UOb675cU8wq-j2Dja47EJm6AS3oeInJALAgwHMfIn1PPhYGABfP2F1FZ9qKZBq0PgeDVoT9eSQXsKakUOiBCs3_AN_admt_U8g/s4608/2Ragusa%20ChurchA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQIYH2UHN5DsLAOewPuOYfdyGgQCACaxjKi43TfTswVxsPm-fm2-MNc8AtlWdJ_g5RnRZj0M9W2G4rgtuu31AaSQ6UOb675cU8wq-j2Dja47EJm6AS3oeInJALAgwHMfIn1PPhYGABfP2F1FZ9qKZBq0PgeDVoT9eSQXsKakUOiBCs3_AN_admt_U8g/w480-h640/2Ragusa%20ChurchA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral of San Giorgio, at one end of the Piazza Duomo, is a dominant feature of the piazza.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfpOgaI53O_riT6lpmca94Pu4Zy2ET2eBytg8eFAgAG14c_DrBhPclNah9oJwrYj_iuABd9r9XhkWdtvTCLuS-rEHj9hrBYpW07Wn4JfstcXt4Ck1tquBWaOVgNiZOJtS06WPgdLceHWzLYItKU-k-A-YgKdod23CwF5u5X2nz8GHZUllsbjSbw_lFg/s4608/3Ragusa%20Church%20stature1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfpOgaI53O_riT6lpmca94Pu4Zy2ET2eBytg8eFAgAG14c_DrBhPclNah9oJwrYj_iuABd9r9XhkWdtvTCLuS-rEHj9hrBYpW07Wn4JfstcXt4Ck1tquBWaOVgNiZOJtS06WPgdLceHWzLYItKU-k-A-YgKdod23CwF5u5X2nz8GHZUllsbjSbw_lFg/w480-h640/3Ragusa%20Church%20stature1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup reveals the detail on the statues on the Cathedral.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRLfWnO9pUbteHFOqAayDCBdBk2_efEvL-Idq2GyHkD_fzBiZDF3gFyD5sp__h2bt7osb5G5wW9mYlpzPOL8yIsr8hBdw8DKp0uV5-oLS1NZTErpP96IVAoC0JUlhKyIXhFM8FfiR1L0pkpCuk8r0xc5VXoPuqO7mUhKyKlK2lyhzPhzjgUhkzlKIGw/s4608/Ragusa%20Church%20statue2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRLfWnO9pUbteHFOqAayDCBdBk2_efEvL-Idq2GyHkD_fzBiZDF3gFyD5sp__h2bt7osb5G5wW9mYlpzPOL8yIsr8hBdw8DKp0uV5-oLS1NZTErpP96IVAoC0JUlhKyIXhFM8FfiR1L0pkpCuk8r0xc5VXoPuqO7mUhKyKlK2lyhzPhzjgUhkzlKIGw/w480-h640/Ragusa%20Church%20statue2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragusa Ibla is a Unesco World Heritage Baroque site in the Val di Noto of Sicily.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgPmm2fsHRyouZk1uFw9CHvjFtQk43-b1fyjoPd79qdXwB2KCQnWFWFcS8Q1_EOWAfCQXVlIKYKO5N-IJSYfuaPVl0UF836cBlAXZ6SlLAd4W9pR29x_iP4_vGGE97p8iV1Jjwk5YyiBsujmv5PHzar9EX0pdoKNP5SCnsocxeGZBf5PTg2yBYOaSaQ/s4608/5Ragusa%20colorful%20wagon.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgPmm2fsHRyouZk1uFw9CHvjFtQk43-b1fyjoPd79qdXwB2KCQnWFWFcS8Q1_EOWAfCQXVlIKYKO5N-IJSYfuaPVl0UF836cBlAXZ6SlLAd4W9pR29x_iP4_vGGE97p8iV1Jjwk5YyiBsujmv5PHzar9EX0pdoKNP5SCnsocxeGZBf5PTg2yBYOaSaQ/w480-h640/5Ragusa%20colorful%20wagon.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cart maker is famous for his brightly painted, detailed carts.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLOD1OBi0oRzL1ivjvAEsYrczLAZRzBXnPoBiL-IR7LR9KmpTSU2pN5INCTEXK3bIK1mgmYVzRcpWjiv0Jx1yz40t1g5uNq_jo4Qn-N-s86wFMeac-6LjKWGg8RUSNM-MfFnqty7BnPNeChX-Kb2zUBMqcsjn0pwLgVUvlYoFW5ZPUK-gBgMHs8WJZQ/s4608/6Ragusa%20steps.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLOD1OBi0oRzL1ivjvAEsYrczLAZRzBXnPoBiL-IR7LR9KmpTSU2pN5INCTEXK3bIK1mgmYVzRcpWjiv0Jx1yz40t1g5uNq_jo4Qn-N-s86wFMeac-6LjKWGg8RUSNM-MfFnqty7BnPNeChX-Kb2zUBMqcsjn0pwLgVUvlYoFW5ZPUK-gBgMHs8WJZQ/w480-h640/6Ragusa%20steps.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering through the town required navigating many staircases.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ll_BbbDvjtkjR1x0OzpXIhPrUB0-9Mdf1kwd-tpk0j5QXNW8ZgzGM4CeHGHcspVvrBcKIYfTSxTHQg8SLnWYPyQrxDnzy8zWqbsFSafHNUD14NDeUR0xgpqKqZZMJ4IiRQZ8F_7dew4Bi8bf9qlNheWByktB_SfFHSH9bTvBi8JOU2vI2iXE8bMsyQ/s4608/7Ragusa%20upper.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ll_BbbDvjtkjR1x0OzpXIhPrUB0-9Mdf1kwd-tpk0j5QXNW8ZgzGM4CeHGHcspVvrBcKIYfTSxTHQg8SLnWYPyQrxDnzy8zWqbsFSafHNUD14NDeUR0xgpqKqZZMJ4IiRQZ8F_7dew4Bi8bf9qlNheWByktB_SfFHSH9bTvBi8JOU2vI2iXE8bMsyQ/w640-h480/7Ragusa%20upper.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture shows why they need all those staircases.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0FRBDnZB4BaUKOSqfg1h5AnTJjy21FfQbJaipWvIGZLHDLgf2cr_KpNyQvNgyUvnJ0v2tw4IpGuGhtrfDtg4thDCTOHcjkOp79wHTZn_56c4WrmouZW4KBApRr9XShOut5h0sbG-Kf4t17ppV2xY9Ov2uiGpWUTzICmCH6jy6Aly2ZoZQY3e9KQdRQ/s4608/8Ragusa%20Tile%20roof%20w.%20hair.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0FRBDnZB4BaUKOSqfg1h5AnTJjy21FfQbJaipWvIGZLHDLgf2cr_KpNyQvNgyUvnJ0v2tw4IpGuGhtrfDtg4thDCTOHcjkOp79wHTZn_56c4WrmouZW4KBApRr9XShOut5h0sbG-Kf4t17ppV2xY9Ov2uiGpWUTzICmCH6jy6Aly2ZoZQY3e9KQdRQ/w640-h480/8Ragusa%20Tile%20roof%20w.%20hair.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This colorfully tiled roof on one of the many churches could use a trim...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZJi7kOldwEKZdWnQsFY_cyUo4rCXT5ucgD0tyjcWtcq4tI6V7Ipw0LFR0iqjG2qHMogPJM25gWZyL_TtbgkS9iX5YQPwEt7YUQ30TarVaqoOSRQVuNxEzd18YIbL27tEBZMZnv-xqs-QCm5xaAaT6DismMxlGXXDQ9fDJ1ON-m7OtO0c7VZiXotDUA/s4608/9Ragusa%20church%20with%20plants.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZJi7kOldwEKZdWnQsFY_cyUo4rCXT5ucgD0tyjcWtcq4tI6V7Ipw0LFR0iqjG2qHMogPJM25gWZyL_TtbgkS9iX5YQPwEt7YUQ30TarVaqoOSRQVuNxEzd18YIbL27tEBZMZnv-xqs-QCm5xaAaT6DismMxlGXXDQ9fDJ1ON-m7OtO0c7VZiXotDUA/w640-h480/9Ragusa%20church%20with%20plants.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as could this church with the vegetation growing on the balcony and the tower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgyZ3hJsAqoGmR0be4uUzbjEbOHjmQaJf3bu1wCYmd3SzNkZ4AsE6sZ7sGTo895xH48J7GO2-nrwMQJ5WuyIUcvq3BlGfatB207K48qr1C6vr6KQxc5b4r4_5E7YUuGxEfcqrqn03bKaZMB8hKDyZ7ZjKz9PkBGGr2WhV_dR4y01FQXa8yO4Uy4VjPg/s4608/10%20Ragusa%20rose.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgyZ3hJsAqoGmR0be4uUzbjEbOHjmQaJf3bu1wCYmd3SzNkZ4AsE6sZ7sGTo895xH48J7GO2-nrwMQJ5WuyIUcvq3BlGfatB207K48qr1C6vr6KQxc5b4r4_5E7YUuGxEfcqrqn03bKaZMB8hKDyZ7ZjKz9PkBGGr2WhV_dR4y01FQXa8yO4Uy4VjPg/w640-h480/10%20Ragusa%20rose.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a garden where I spotted this beautiful yellow rose.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKutef7KWvBmvsrJHLQwpXFTXPfIeJ2-GM_OdgZLeNX3zQh0o0kkeaN7xtNOAWB3Y-caonH_Gv-aoiMS6RczQylwE9CUjTv3E1LS7ElulcbgQpA3z9eNCgACCj9inuv3PtFwzQzLakZRTRIZDZPG3oMpcEg8k8WJA3xXLKGYsDqjtCv6VXokwMpr20bQ/s4608/11Ragusa%20view.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKutef7KWvBmvsrJHLQwpXFTXPfIeJ2-GM_OdgZLeNX3zQh0o0kkeaN7xtNOAWB3Y-caonH_Gv-aoiMS6RczQylwE9CUjTv3E1LS7ElulcbgQpA3z9eNCgACCj9inuv3PtFwzQzLakZRTRIZDZPG3oMpcEg8k8WJA3xXLKGYsDqjtCv6VXokwMpr20bQ/w640-h480/11Ragusa%20view.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo will give you an idea of the elevation of the town. The hill towns were very defensible from invaders, and make for a lot of exercise for tourists.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIJzypOj6AOuSjSTGzDOgoE03cPQGdufZPryJSTvj8niKSKteAqdsKxW3rhwiGCwyFc04XF9pbNjtUUHCAJm3GBZgVVFD4PZNl8lBylXoWOAAecO--LwXZ-4opA7BJoKpfTFF1C1b8jUEVUJtCpYCwOB85YLQDc71oIRLgwUw54EifF9s4TOJjlbEMg/s4608/12Ragusa%20colorful%20house.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIJzypOj6AOuSjSTGzDOgoE03cPQGdufZPryJSTvj8niKSKteAqdsKxW3rhwiGCwyFc04XF9pbNjtUUHCAJm3GBZgVVFD4PZNl8lBylXoWOAAecO--LwXZ-4opA7BJoKpfTFF1C1b8jUEVUJtCpYCwOB85YLQDc71oIRLgwUw54EifF9s4TOJjlbEMg/w480-h640/12Ragusa%20colorful%20house.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This colorful three story house was designed to fit neatly between the intersection of two streets.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5-OspZXUliwU9vglPH2-kcJSMz-joYAeIBP5oyk-50nrv4odErcWT4xMY9NhSf98CETIjb-6NliuHlE2N-IStc6fJ1KcK3-cgxipP0mwXNiCX8ULrmP5PlyGhJIIG8Yb9qylY-kSSWS5CY7HxK2IN59g0kAyHadJ6j-dikIJojh-dPzDkXe6TTixDQ/s4608/13Ragusa%20mural.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5-OspZXUliwU9vglPH2-kcJSMz-joYAeIBP5oyk-50nrv4odErcWT4xMY9NhSf98CETIjb-6NliuHlE2N-IStc6fJ1KcK3-cgxipP0mwXNiCX8ULrmP5PlyGhJIIG8Yb9qylY-kSSWS5CY7HxK2IN59g0kAyHadJ6j-dikIJojh-dPzDkXe6TTixDQ/w640-h480/13Ragusa%20mural.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This whimsical mural caught my eye as we were leaving the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first day we went to Ortigia Island (linked by a bridge to Siracusa) the wind was fierce and it was raining (off & on). Michael's photos will give you an idea. We decided against the boat cruise to the sea caves, although I am sure it would have been exciting. Ortigia was so interesting we went back on the one semi-nice day we had. We <u>did</u> take the boat cruise that day and it was terrific. The skipper showed admirable seamanship in maneuvering the boat into and out of several sea caves with no lost limbs or damage to the boat.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcF9U82d6n3f79Jg_8C53UlmhM7bR95LREfuSNk-_1hSmhjTUzRpoKwK_iQzLMU-5q6P02JsgijUQeQVG5nvqF1dP_na0yCwbI5MP4hM1_DS1jTIxmR1rc9V0mN0kFz6L5QdPQrQsVStcE1OKSTAkbj-iPmJy8KtC4YhwZrDOadJNT_X1xxSsRgJTIQ/s4608/1OrtigiaBigWave.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcF9U82d6n3f79Jg_8C53UlmhM7bR95LREfuSNk-_1hSmhjTUzRpoKwK_iQzLMU-5q6P02JsgijUQeQVG5nvqF1dP_na0yCwbI5MP4hM1_DS1jTIxmR1rc9V0mN0kFz6L5QdPQrQsVStcE1OKSTAkbj-iPmJy8KtC4YhwZrDOadJNT_X1xxSsRgJTIQ/w640-h480/1OrtigiaBigWave.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will give you an idea of the ferocity of the wind and waves on our first visit to Ortigia Island, just off </td></tr></tbody></table> Siracusa.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU8SFr2WLOLy1gW2PfHs9NQZNxHjcxRrP2UL4c7QjxdYfe1rvjHUcksRZLgoiLbwgV1FoOi1StcBROS4BRrRXNT-uD0wEUC5jdoKCdhrJa-PTDBb5U2OQN1_MsY23j2xkFSGb2a8a8xU9jAS38PDyf61KN6qa_sRAA8a1ANlPx9sjnUJsIfAXX-I8kw/s4608/3OrtigiaTile1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU8SFr2WLOLy1gW2PfHs9NQZNxHjcxRrP2UL4c7QjxdYfe1rvjHUcksRZLgoiLbwgV1FoOi1StcBROS4BRrRXNT-uD0wEUC5jdoKCdhrJa-PTDBb5U2OQN1_MsY23j2xkFSGb2a8a8xU9jAS38PDyf61KN6qa_sRAA8a1ANlPx9sjnUJsIfAXX-I8kw/w640-h480/3OrtigiaTile1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A house had several tiles embedded in the brick, but this one was the most unusual.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzSNh-hrDQiwBi9UqUmWODzOf6xeQ8P0q47PwtcY41j9Lb7CwTyi752P8YLlPp0D7-BdqmqWQM1PEfgrwborwb-DyWTO2iacOXu2esCeEDJd1eWfoMFmJcrHGswkSLbZye5rQts8usfVTOHz4Ea_f2sKsSPe4EEHlMAILsYzY13GuAkgvwDZAHNICsA/s4608/4OrtigiaBldgs.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzSNh-hrDQiwBi9UqUmWODzOf6xeQ8P0q47PwtcY41j9Lb7CwTyi752P8YLlPp0D7-BdqmqWQM1PEfgrwborwb-DyWTO2iacOXu2esCeEDJd1eWfoMFmJcrHGswkSLbZye5rQts8usfVTOHz4Ea_f2sKsSPe4EEHlMAILsYzY13GuAkgvwDZAHNICsA/w640-h480/4OrtigiaBldgs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the seawall, one of the many churches and buildings on Ortigia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUms6Pw-WgbZq9woAcpNAbg9QsjucCYEqu6ToFKhD2Q71N-WtfzI_UtLGcw6qO_HWRknntVM2TCAkcIZ846njsr0vcw-9dKXQu8zokQuNmqAVwt_LiLl4W-hVaA4TKyPcG26f73_I2I2zoeSBUvz2YTer4sGKn-c-nDdc69o3Gyi39-OgMm2l_NiWuQ/s4608/6Ognina%20Cove%20Wave.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUms6Pw-WgbZq9woAcpNAbg9QsjucCYEqu6ToFKhD2Q71N-WtfzI_UtLGcw6qO_HWRknntVM2TCAkcIZ846njsr0vcw-9dKXQu8zokQuNmqAVwt_LiLl4W-hVaA4TKyPcG26f73_I2I2zoeSBUvz2YTer4sGKn-c-nDdc69o3Gyi39-OgMm2l_NiWuQ/w640-h480/6Ognina%20Cove%20Wave.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we got back to where we were staying, I took these pictures of Ognina Cove and the terrific wave action there.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qWP7pGZSWkNQmT2mMKGLvyQfhVlDVwC4AXMmp7cG4eD4pZ_Zs0Kk3WSmJr1arOIOkh-71Ph-iCxw6F0Gql_E_3vCpV55fNLlDHo1xBnZJThBV8MwG9AF6BCdTT5dOssHoJ6bsWZwPuWS-GQ8NeK4eF1-YMXx7xi5UV2mZT8qzZJ1-lEUGYbgElEvJg/s4608/7Sea%20Cave%20Wave.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qWP7pGZSWkNQmT2mMKGLvyQfhVlDVwC4AXMmp7cG4eD4pZ_Zs0Kk3WSmJr1arOIOkh-71Ph-iCxw6F0Gql_E_3vCpV55fNLlDHo1xBnZJThBV8MwG9AF6BCdTT5dOssHoJ6bsWZwPuWS-GQ8NeK4eF1-YMXx7xi5UV2mZT8qzZJ1-lEUGYbgElEvJg/w640-h480/7Sea%20Cave%20Wave.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how sea caves like this are formed by this intense wave action.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyd1mSw3J35tErygAphN4TNqmJqXdRd2wijxS_kP9pEEvhjFB-kfzjwfeHLus4MeOO6LgRI_vmRku6hE0YgtM-3TlbzbLCmEAqNPJDEPxi-OeU1qHVR0PYFPAIof7zcJAj4s-XCe2m3ZZKmgIbPvTWLV7KlRV_br3eKgd6eTRJGNepSQg9penjxWoqMA/s4608/2OrtigiaBigWave2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyd1mSw3J35tErygAphN4TNqmJqXdRd2wijxS_kP9pEEvhjFB-kfzjwfeHLus4MeOO6LgRI_vmRku6hE0YgtM-3TlbzbLCmEAqNPJDEPxi-OeU1qHVR0PYFPAIof7zcJAj4s-XCe2m3ZZKmgIbPvTWLV7KlRV_br3eKgd6eTRJGNepSQg9penjxWoqMA/w640-h480/2OrtigiaBigWave2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final picture of the intense wave action on our first visit to Ortigia, coming all the way up the seawall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We went back to Ortigia for a second day when the wind & waves were calmer and spent the whole day exploring the island.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcgbikW6GPeVEFb2y8RdXkRmUZ2YTz52o2v2ri9O6K5yaAChQrvBmw8CAupXiNH5fD2klCkz2NDwX2BZtoo-8KqVlJwAXCqMPt28Cs009TQAeWDztLRWefknPKkmm3nExWD8eZFT6iXoLGoM3rYyIYl7rIzuErkzDlJiwwa4MCMXgkB21-KCt1ddUQQ/s4608/1OrtigiaAlley.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcgbikW6GPeVEFb2y8RdXkRmUZ2YTz52o2v2ri9O6K5yaAChQrvBmw8CAupXiNH5fD2klCkz2NDwX2BZtoo-8KqVlJwAXCqMPt28Cs009TQAeWDztLRWefknPKkmm3nExWD8eZFT6iXoLGoM3rYyIYl7rIzuErkzDlJiwwa4MCMXgkB21-KCt1ddUQQ/w480-h640/1OrtigiaAlley.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the narrow walkways on Ortigia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3pBrSvRi39yBWPsKz5ZmTofeRGyQq78PS-xiq1Do57coAc2LmAjXgqFOONLbdQyo5s6XZDR_Ok8AIMh9i-sPzYJ4C8rWfzKJCVeQ5EoR3DAtva4Mk7xqhIzoLPJNnZYIc84eS6ZlREk4GD-K7Gd9zqhWJjcorFLH-i3H8Zg1FOmvtjJLICqVDjN_Qg/s4608/2St.%20John%20Baptist%20Front.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3pBrSvRi39yBWPsKz5ZmTofeRGyQq78PS-xiq1Do57coAc2LmAjXgqFOONLbdQyo5s6XZDR_Ok8AIMh9i-sPzYJ4C8rWfzKJCVeQ5EoR3DAtva4Mk7xqhIzoLPJNnZYIc84eS6ZlREk4GD-K7Gd9zqhWJjcorFLH-i3H8Zg1FOmvtjJLICqVDjN_Qg/w640-h480/2St.%20John%20Baptist%20Front.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the facade of St. John the Baptist church...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiss8C9yk0zTjGc5M9p6YPEZYi2ri2unPsHi_yjT5jc5MzoJ3QtsKFwYlZvzCccESGnHjpdTdffvXWlrN9yJ8kEp78OR_2NR43sZKYKI2XfJNESQ0TRKiMIO1FmJi5KYWlhjnHJTc4Okjp7mnhy2ta-0rJuERJvJA5cZOQ6T0Zmrub1QvhPLhnkMvVOg/s4608/3St.%20John%20Baptist%20Interior.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiss8C9yk0zTjGc5M9p6YPEZYi2ri2unPsHi_yjT5jc5MzoJ3QtsKFwYlZvzCccESGnHjpdTdffvXWlrN9yJ8kEp78OR_2NR43sZKYKI2XfJNESQ0TRKiMIO1FmJi5KYWlhjnHJTc4Okjp7mnhy2ta-0rJuERJvJA5cZOQ6T0Zmrub1QvhPLhnkMvVOg/w640-h480/3St.%20John%20Baptist%20Interior.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this is the interior. The roof was lost in an earthquake and it is now an open air church.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2klZ_sPZN2j_FMDFNa4xYmbKEC7n0LsM_zzstemoL8tdQucHlV0jfbLyJyeUDr4yYDX3pOR_uCjU78yKM4vrglxPLkt8qRPv-RLZRIbe2sXnhzJCTLd302NhMnZXML3OB6cho9SrAEtBtEKU9ARVeJmUFmmfXeDGncwvFT1KbJtu4VEUWkkorjQuNg/s4608/4Granita%20ca%CC%82%20brioscia.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2klZ_sPZN2j_FMDFNa4xYmbKEC7n0LsM_zzstemoL8tdQucHlV0jfbLyJyeUDr4yYDX3pOR_uCjU78yKM4vrglxPLkt8qRPv-RLZRIbe2sXnhzJCTLd302NhMnZXML3OB6cho9SrAEtBtEKU9ARVeJmUFmmfXeDGncwvFT1KbJtu4VEUWkkorjQuNg/w640-h480/4Granita%20ca%CC%82%20brioscia.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Sicilian summer breakfast of granita câ brioscia, which we enjoyed on Ortigia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgurkW6Wt3LH6b0CIEB22frA9ylv_Z-1HMqPcXKzYqEewzPchh2b-HMgp3zM4aDsRp9NXnvGzFMdStUaoECWBpd-pbMbKdqy02fFKw5cOJJTKitpxTWf8QLRJMXR7PpazB_zOcfoj1Q-TLH77qkHoUfo2oRh1EgaLyE0Ucv2j4xlThmZ23RSZgMaME1A/s4608/5Puppets1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgurkW6Wt3LH6b0CIEB22frA9ylv_Z-1HMqPcXKzYqEewzPchh2b-HMgp3zM4aDsRp9NXnvGzFMdStUaoECWBpd-pbMbKdqy02fFKw5cOJJTKitpxTWf8QLRJMXR7PpazB_zOcfoj1Q-TLH77qkHoUfo2oRh1EgaLyE0Ucv2j4xlThmZ23RSZgMaME1A/w640-h480/5Puppets1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most interesting things we saw was the puppet theater museum (Museo dei Pupi).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5hgBJQDv5W60AoL1ltXwgaDhDWcVuqLWm540l4Sm6oSVH1W4xQvzWgcX2ltPOzFrmBZSfPUjvaN3RzRgbxU4VQK83Npog-UhyqhOfjZvmlCvHIxvTdkQESgnJGb8IGEgWE9aL3us4DOV7_QxdzhOTvaLgkiz9mGogYfSwWjmocoJvKRnxAZMnkBItQ/s4608/6Pinnochio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5hgBJQDv5W60AoL1ltXwgaDhDWcVuqLWm540l4Sm6oSVH1W4xQvzWgcX2ltPOzFrmBZSfPUjvaN3RzRgbxU4VQK83Npog-UhyqhOfjZvmlCvHIxvTdkQESgnJGb8IGEgWE9aL3us4DOV7_QxdzhOTvaLgkiz9mGogYfSwWjmocoJvKRnxAZMnkBItQ/w480-h640/6Pinnochio.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we saw Pinnochio...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoOWmxnYxe_tr4Doj_pSwlH8is2ckHukuqi1_PNKxbfIdAD97wUT9kX0bdSbAaYwW_vWgA8UELoE8Y6O23gexCBurWKpJ-xMgcpDQ5jeUVnOL3XbyUaaOCHC1YCz4cVXRHJp9JGmRvFqE0_mAfPEUzP1r-OQILuuDEACh0XXk-HpKdLkpXWWzMyP4wQ/s4608/7Puppets3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoOWmxnYxe_tr4Doj_pSwlH8is2ckHukuqi1_PNKxbfIdAD97wUT9kX0bdSbAaYwW_vWgA8UELoE8Y6O23gexCBurWKpJ-xMgcpDQ5jeUVnOL3XbyUaaOCHC1YCz4cVXRHJp9JGmRvFqE0_mAfPEUzP1r-OQILuuDEACh0XXk-HpKdLkpXWWzMyP4wQ/w480-h640/7Puppets3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and an amazing assortment of other handmade puppets.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAW2uIHHpTIPsC_EUaFwXYT_wSW22MnllY-s8d4luhBzimh3uy0A2Lj6AuM6HQ-6xXn90W5wmDInwyHbgepEXysiOEA2Pav_LpTZT7w2UvAFzbO4QvtM-yWqCvEzO5DHmSiKd8Rq0pSEvDrjB0R1TEpzjkrtTOvs1OFOh3C78eBvDbgpiD9tc9Nh2Dw/s4608/8Puppets4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAW2uIHHpTIPsC_EUaFwXYT_wSW22MnllY-s8d4luhBzimh3uy0A2Lj6AuM6HQ-6xXn90W5wmDInwyHbgepEXysiOEA2Pav_LpTZT7w2UvAFzbO4QvtM-yWqCvEzO5DHmSiKd8Rq0pSEvDrjB0R1TEpzjkrtTOvs1OFOh3C78eBvDbgpiD9tc9Nh2Dw/w480-h640/8Puppets4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The variety of puppets...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyIfjJcsDpFGnSfz16rycGobCmA0QFQAF_sofGe4_9JvPB7hQ2szUa6h__iacfrptVwL0zubY8Cg0xztA67M6WsmPmEaI5omevjmwckgCqEwpzQ158SHuML4c4ov30YSXQi16H7mJ5YeRDDNjpYVWET67ZVHRM71yEiQ5IDeXrkDgI-xOCnvCYFe6Tg/s4608/9Puppets5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyIfjJcsDpFGnSfz16rycGobCmA0QFQAF_sofGe4_9JvPB7hQ2szUa6h__iacfrptVwL0zubY8Cg0xztA67M6WsmPmEaI5omevjmwckgCqEwpzQ158SHuML4c4ov30YSXQi16H7mJ5YeRDDNjpYVWET67ZVHRM71yEiQ5IDeXrkDgI-xOCnvCYFe6Tg/w480-h640/9Puppets5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and costumes was mind boggling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9z80Sk0fB0QNX3sfgMBs2OVDHmTT9DU_of27FLl_iwTYzqOA1xGkfpoOPONmZusTUQhYwgsnSAsB0bizp8_r1jASGmvqPauAF2X9NyY77Dioeyg0V-k2xDjqeHdnmdqSQVFxK30gcsCqRJz6MHdWCDpZLRFNxSMzQw35cbZlJJIgfVZme2D1R6DVww/s4608/10Puppets6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9z80Sk0fB0QNX3sfgMBs2OVDHmTT9DU_of27FLl_iwTYzqOA1xGkfpoOPONmZusTUQhYwgsnSAsB0bizp8_r1jASGmvqPauAF2X9NyY77Dioeyg0V-k2xDjqeHdnmdqSQVFxK30gcsCqRJz6MHdWCDpZLRFNxSMzQw35cbZlJJIgfVZme2D1R6DVww/w640-h480/10Puppets6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKGFJlZNnG_oFV6l_MfXLC0tStcGUhO-C9xruOBULKTxeQS9IPjzNImJBSEQOb6m-4XSPTxsSOciwH4aN7FCfhb-JQa5uxLLUwtVxHTAi6yhwzjPbSRX-yMX-vlcvm5ka5gtobx_aYUTS8QTMsL9RFbRklmek76rGEZIMVPOpzhSoAZ7NEw1HvzpBqQ/s4608/11PuppetBrothers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKGFJlZNnG_oFV6l_MfXLC0tStcGUhO-C9xruOBULKTxeQS9IPjzNImJBSEQOb6m-4XSPTxsSOciwH4aN7FCfhb-JQa5uxLLUwtVxHTAi6yhwzjPbSRX-yMX-vlcvm5ka5gtobx_aYUTS8QTMsL9RFbRklmek76rGEZIMVPOpzhSoAZ7NEw1HvzpBqQ/w480-h640/11PuppetBrothers.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vaccaro brothers who were responsible for all of the puppets in the museum and the puppet theater. The legacy they left behind still thrills & amuses to this day, and for many years to come.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypw1g3elN11YG0YFJMwYQ3tzS-yBLi6FWw71agHocjAixhpvZyHDQshuVUjXZ4ml82kqznPyBx3gh7MEharTzWaY9pVVwFTue2O20LaX2bc4FXkI_IaJ2eTz0TT7nEfO5ZvV-rEcLeaNJq_-1tPT8qTga0K-wxzFG0SUa0w1aj-TR291OdiT0V3q6Iw/s4608/13Man,horse&cart.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypw1g3elN11YG0YFJMwYQ3tzS-yBLi6FWw71agHocjAixhpvZyHDQshuVUjXZ4ml82kqznPyBx3gh7MEharTzWaY9pVVwFTue2O20LaX2bc4FXkI_IaJ2eTz0TT7nEfO5ZvV-rEcLeaNJq_-1tPT8qTga0K-wxzFG0SUa0w1aj-TR291OdiT0V3q6Iw/w480-h640/13Man,horse&cart.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The intricate design and craftsmanship speaks to the devotion that went into making each of the puppets.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg-dKN2RqYcFp7OpOTwMfCllD0lKrjCI6KoeslBts7Urxri-cKjC-Y6A04fop8FSnzSWAzxt5-wCYL0jKQEiw7YV0kgS9ry4r-1KRdAQD-Ceg5PYejmHJ5p9wwplIsSL32VNcv1K0FOYxpJyLvVzxlQn9r6RcINw1PUJeP_kJNH5kmpHlC10dxbmH2g/s4608/13PuppetTheater2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg-dKN2RqYcFp7OpOTwMfCllD0lKrjCI6KoeslBts7Urxri-cKjC-Y6A04fop8FSnzSWAzxt5-wCYL0jKQEiw7YV0kgS9ry4r-1KRdAQD-Ceg5PYejmHJ5p9wwplIsSL32VNcv1K0FOYxpJyLvVzxlQn9r6RcINw1PUJeP_kJNH5kmpHlC10dxbmH2g/w640-h480/13PuppetTheater2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This miniature shows how various scenes were changed in the puppet theater.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAqI3HrQBX7baUqy8hvB9Y_MsUErU8QD4fC_Kr_oD_nKZuHR0GIVVrtJ96nQSXf0VhF1LwZVg_gfB3jB5GNAOkHz7-Xm9xTWEeAC7sAEFLBOVXLBy-cbc7idRDu-q3z69tSgHiUi0BewlbV9vftrtlig7kNdVKfkXiifi1K2xGZSIWpIp0b_dIF0g5A/s4608/14Puppets10.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAqI3HrQBX7baUqy8hvB9Y_MsUErU8QD4fC_Kr_oD_nKZuHR0GIVVrtJ96nQSXf0VhF1LwZVg_gfB3jB5GNAOkHz7-Xm9xTWEeAC7sAEFLBOVXLBy-cbc7idRDu-q3z69tSgHiUi0BewlbV9vftrtlig7kNdVKfkXiifi1K2xGZSIWpIp0b_dIF0g5A/w640-h480/14Puppets10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monsters, a mermaid...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lbspusddPjFCxGHo9CvBHkrDhVi37JT0yOpzuTzjnjfLsLWeQxHrusqRT3Hj6cLPS_NPPyB3ZLTcq-IDb5H8esahubcYqmxEgxcEHu_VGDK8iJouFVBcYtVJ3ajoqXYxxogpK-36Dpi-PxWIMdBu7f5TOGbGVwGfQxCweGOC9mo87183omyUTqpWPg/s4608/15Puppets11.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lbspusddPjFCxGHo9CvBHkrDhVi37JT0yOpzuTzjnjfLsLWeQxHrusqRT3Hj6cLPS_NPPyB3ZLTcq-IDb5H8esahubcYqmxEgxcEHu_VGDK8iJouFVBcYtVJ3ajoqXYxxogpK-36Dpi-PxWIMdBu7f5TOGbGVwGfQxCweGOC9mo87183omyUTqpWPg/w480-h640/15Puppets11.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and even a fairy godmother were on display.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t-cYC_3MYMd1frvDxkJ5gvIjlAQ0-w_yVnlC1dilQC7tsR5zefIyfIWKwYGJrDKYJMVzN0n5FGBI9AiRHKhhMs1k1ILPPpZwY_cAFNsup7OtQApTjhOxfLZdJU3q-SB1Gv_97imLevPBzfNA5VxG3eBC-ClqoIXVNIv9jcw8sTNGTQWuzX5GvGQzeQ/s4608/16Puppets12.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t-cYC_3MYMd1frvDxkJ5gvIjlAQ0-w_yVnlC1dilQC7tsR5zefIyfIWKwYGJrDKYJMVzN0n5FGBI9AiRHKhhMs1k1ILPPpZwY_cAFNsup7OtQApTjhOxfLZdJU3q-SB1Gv_97imLevPBzfNA5VxG3eBC-ClqoIXVNIv9jcw8sTNGTQWuzX5GvGQzeQ/w640-h480/16Puppets12.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was even a smurf band!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1C0ThRwzSfq63uwbYcusKiF-1qlwO1JIS5ayd5kb47Uickd7ze4VEF332uIXOLtvava-ecXNgL0pv1i6QoONgeS5uEIYkf4AjAzhSmMuPLpCxQO3un1u-6rr33TbDSVr1WNMCYIMQc7u59bo40V8XjiFKcJkKECmwIfK7CcsLDBSX97exxt-0-bV_g/s4608/17PuppetWorkshop.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1C0ThRwzSfq63uwbYcusKiF-1qlwO1JIS5ayd5kb47Uickd7ze4VEF332uIXOLtvava-ecXNgL0pv1i6QoONgeS5uEIYkf4AjAzhSmMuPLpCxQO3un1u-6rr33TbDSVr1WNMCYIMQc7u59bo40V8XjiFKcJkKECmwIfK7CcsLDBSX97exxt-0-bV_g/w640-h480/17PuppetWorkshop.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The workbench with its tools...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVWxrdjsGMwYqPDe6nRb0MHIbiKVTtigGpi0YNLJ2wfv7I2eUY4YdtWruajsynlv3vs1aFZ1RPdB1fPnYRY8FwBMcp8uiVharfrrob3OBn-lOi-yHSDJOCQBU68L3vxq4zzImsfIHunwHxKcQQYWa7uNnfA1--ckLYXSwuh3PRRLVujishMsPixDvPQ/s4608/18PuppetMolds.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVWxrdjsGMwYqPDe6nRb0MHIbiKVTtigGpi0YNLJ2wfv7I2eUY4YdtWruajsynlv3vs1aFZ1RPdB1fPnYRY8FwBMcp8uiVharfrrob3OBn-lOi-yHSDJOCQBU68L3vxq4zzImsfIHunwHxKcQQYWa7uNnfA1--ckLYXSwuh3PRRLVujishMsPixDvPQ/w640-h480/18PuppetMolds.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the molds to make some of the puppets were on display as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw39hlH2WyOUS2VUotMTmOK1HO2kUVuvXgPRaoAHZDQcIIjoqlE9o1f3oHV3cJSOe_Pl9ysVIVdWNOOW_luaoFc7a-NFNvaOs5svn_45fAZqhtuG68GeAjt6KZcqNk8lZT7b2oRNNInpZPYibbedQFzi5chwnA0rMo_JdIo4MndFJdjnbHiRtuohq7g/s4608/19JewishBaths.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw39hlH2WyOUS2VUotMTmOK1HO2kUVuvXgPRaoAHZDQcIIjoqlE9o1f3oHV3cJSOe_Pl9ysVIVdWNOOW_luaoFc7a-NFNvaOs5svn_45fAZqhtuG68GeAjt6KZcqNk8lZT7b2oRNNInpZPYibbedQFzi5chwnA0rMo_JdIo4MndFJdjnbHiRtuohq7g/w480-h640/19JewishBaths.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puppet museum and the puppet theater are located in the Guidecca, the old Jewish section of Ortigia. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOcf415h1K6dGbG78bwh-Ms5DYzEU4pMADQffIrgocJu5iw5g8V9-Qu9gQreuYqovEUYNn_eW4bULFJPs9yShVSeHOqKm7GpnNOZO9iIjBbQLJ_L44_VKxPNnMo5r8fuBh4YstnUwW8z6t1PUlXdUCThlNmecwt99D290qX8qBPEfqFvOTUlPdVTTGg/s4608/20Ortigiatunnel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOcf415h1K6dGbG78bwh-Ms5DYzEU4pMADQffIrgocJu5iw5g8V9-Qu9gQreuYqovEUYNn_eW4bULFJPs9yShVSeHOqKm7GpnNOZO9iIjBbQLJ_L44_VKxPNnMo5r8fuBh4YstnUwW8z6t1PUlXdUCThlNmecwt99D290qX8qBPEfqFvOTUlPdVTTGg/w480-h640/20Ortigiatunnel.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the walkways were domed, with open sections in between.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksJQmAvpF171eh-GE31c4KTHsafX6n3y4a42MHQKQjf1SSYRqv_-DX7OMFZS1RVrjFz0TjZO7Ha6dLeffg9iBM2Mnu4XV8UK7i-NpMNeDEswEum71-hp9oYK5ORgbpKpXk6j8GJiuA01Ij0Kt37u7OkLqV0HCJeV7f2Y9wCRKb4Ho5D8aufsGgKh1dw/s4608/21OrtigiaChurch.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksJQmAvpF171eh-GE31c4KTHsafX6n3y4a42MHQKQjf1SSYRqv_-DX7OMFZS1RVrjFz0TjZO7Ha6dLeffg9iBM2Mnu4XV8UK7i-NpMNeDEswEum71-hp9oYK5ORgbpKpXk6j8GJiuA01Ij0Kt37u7OkLqV0HCJeV7f2Y9wCRKb4Ho5D8aufsGgKh1dw/w480-h640/21OrtigiaChurch.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cathedral is located in the Piazza Duomo, which dates to the 5th century B.C. The cathedral was built on the site of a temple to Athena, with one of the columns from the temple used in building the cathedral.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGVjapKotE44NX-3rxEqx0_qvbO3TiSaT0HhU0acvW_0h_KO9PpqKgW6ZpXPwPriDU2Oee8f_ubP9RR6EJ0Ju5EFAP29T-UEZcU82LwO5GTuIp_xLyp56AcaG6yqvWDeNwScI_R3uMAaS9DYkcy-kdNRIXY6aetHbsVxVpj52PXrt5ojRTgdif9F2PQ/s4608/22OrtigiaChurch2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGVjapKotE44NX-3rxEqx0_qvbO3TiSaT0HhU0acvW_0h_KO9PpqKgW6ZpXPwPriDU2Oee8f_ubP9RR6EJ0Ju5EFAP29T-UEZcU82LwO5GTuIp_xLyp56AcaG6yqvWDeNwScI_R3uMAaS9DYkcy-kdNRIXY6aetHbsVxVpj52PXrt5ojRTgdif9F2PQ/w480-h640/22OrtigiaChurch2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the far end of the Piazza Duomo is the Chiesa di Santa Lucia (Church of Saint Lucia). Saint Lucia is the patron saint of Siracusa and was martyred near this site in 304 A.D.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnc0gRQy7Jdz7JVqC7fgYX2XIX1oZRIyEky5alVmEB6zVudpXtp8JwtmFYH_mx-r2pDrV9yk8ezLNOMvzf2OSrzWMd41vpoNJqgnNpPxNFbWWVsMKt8BOkGTxfiM1-c6Kqk--MSyiSq8r9Hh1upayLC3XdSNykYfSpKkiqSPJ9tp2887N3DkqbVmBg/s4608/23OrtigiaCameradiCommercio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnc0gRQy7Jdz7JVqC7fgYX2XIX1oZRIyEky5alVmEB6zVudpXtp8JwtmFYH_mx-r2pDrV9yk8ezLNOMvzf2OSrzWMd41vpoNJqgnNpPxNFbWWVsMKt8BOkGTxfiM1-c6Kqk--MSyiSq8r9Hh1upayLC3XdSNykYfSpKkiqSPJ9tp2887N3DkqbVmBg/w640-h480/23OrtigiaCameradiCommercio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of the fascinating buildings is the Camera di Commercio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxhwX8z5Xat3foogldWLMH8hltrV4inwod6Yu3o18o2DkT8qYfyy3QP2mw4Vmt_uvRmLLoty8ReqCAYVHSd87kHNaCFaz2mqJt98w1HLJV8-G-KhBJ-aM97s2lUSigE6OoySXx6_sJtLWy4SaILvBcGgvBzP3jxf8P03DnMtygF81Cb17iTIYJAZxEA/s4608/24JacquesCartier.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxhwX8z5Xat3foogldWLMH8hltrV4inwod6Yu3o18o2DkT8qYfyy3QP2mw4Vmt_uvRmLLoty8ReqCAYVHSd87kHNaCFaz2mqJt98w1HLJV8-G-KhBJ-aM97s2lUSigE6OoySXx6_sJtLWy4SaILvBcGgvBzP3jxf8P03DnMtygF81Cb17iTIYJAZxEA/w640-h480/24JacquesCartier.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Jacques Cartier was anchored at Ortigia. It is reputed to offer "adventure with 5 star travel".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgfqtv1PZPnurYG8hiStbQvRcBrj4aVWbPQPO9ULCeUqxLBO-TffFjfr-Ak8h7HB5EwHiDXP1z7KoIYZd3_QfAkjyg1mRlIPxUNbwkYqTl9zJwWV18-VqeUk6Fj7WbhmrmP_xcEqCs3SqO1xgSaG5A1ClfArpQHOwb4TGpOT7Yh4FeRSAeti3wMc_bw/s4608/25OrtigiaBridge.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgfqtv1PZPnurYG8hiStbQvRcBrj4aVWbPQPO9ULCeUqxLBO-TffFjfr-Ak8h7HB5EwHiDXP1z7KoIYZd3_QfAkjyg1mRlIPxUNbwkYqTl9zJwWV18-VqeUk6Fj7WbhmrmP_xcEqCs3SqO1xgSaG5A1ClfArpQHOwb4TGpOT7Yh4FeRSAeti3wMc_bw/w640-h480/25OrtigiaBridge.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of 5 star ... the hotel in the left background is a 5 star hotel on Ortigia. The second bridge in the background required us to duck as low as possible, lest we be decapitated.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ19aWhaHYE-Tp4WLIFloNHDuB-sV1v8ejZH8vJ09MyVpYXRX8MdObcGUVraJe-B1lYDK-7ZxSHyfsP2-tnYsolTr1MeyDcRSk5ttXH3koz6Zye5JtQ40i45Vjs-s84miZVQFrq0XoFCW-DA2SaK_PpWDxnLy48ZCOaV0Xp7G96logjWV9dwAOYnrinA/s4608/26Ortigiaviewfromwater.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ19aWhaHYE-Tp4WLIFloNHDuB-sV1v8ejZH8vJ09MyVpYXRX8MdObcGUVraJe-B1lYDK-7ZxSHyfsP2-tnYsolTr1MeyDcRSk5ttXH3koz6Zye5JtQ40i45Vjs-s84miZVQFrq0XoFCW-DA2SaK_PpWDxnLy48ZCOaV0Xp7G96logjWV9dwAOYnrinA/w640-h480/26Ortigiaviewfromwater.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the island from our boat on the way to the sea caves.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28_Jfv3bzbJReVpLP8e5-kQsb1UooCxG0QOxy4Bd0FMf3U9B_pwqlFYiETCMU7EV6aFLMC4qIcoWhombqrxwgxqooOMo647qjDC-LCBpHXhLNNZVYcjRRbJ6MLgwAdkD2dqXNs1uixpHfn74iILJDooKICx2F10Pt7husDk-J50fIkes5Yc5TtALzeA/s4608/27OrtigiaFort.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28_Jfv3bzbJReVpLP8e5-kQsb1UooCxG0QOxy4Bd0FMf3U9B_pwqlFYiETCMU7EV6aFLMC4qIcoWhombqrxwgxqooOMo647qjDC-LCBpHXhLNNZVYcjRRbJ6MLgwAdkD2dqXNs1uixpHfn74iILJDooKICx2F10Pt7husDk-J50fIkes5Yc5TtALzeA/w640-h480/27OrtigiaFort.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castello Maniace was constructed by Emperor Frederick II between 1232 & 1240. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNP_KyNUcXmfJ7COswK6DY2Lxyj-xnDBzdUA6azALrxh-u2J8QxRdHeL4Grhs49gdUa0EMLBqzOqdcoZAs3z_wh0XPDn9GlLtm9kISlrch8qpPcMg-qhbsnOtmTlgmCTE0_VPwWsCWUQPl7Z-6pV-KN8PAqSoSJewC1HotFJVUC-VstgWav3MzyDbxA/s4608/28SantissimedeLacrime.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNP_KyNUcXmfJ7COswK6DY2Lxyj-xnDBzdUA6azALrxh-u2J8QxRdHeL4Grhs49gdUa0EMLBqzOqdcoZAs3z_wh0XPDn9GlLtm9kISlrch8qpPcMg-qhbsnOtmTlgmCTE0_VPwWsCWUQPl7Z-6pV-KN8PAqSoSJewC1HotFJVUC-VstgWav3MzyDbxA/w480-h640/28SantissimedeLacrime.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basilica santuario Madonna delle Lacrime (Our Lady of the Tears) is a modern 20th century basilica, termed the upside down ice cream cone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ibm4xhPb725I_76-VuU_Ek8jzoBQH27abA4w-eA9ZTxPe5QwWJExjKIqoEBTS4spEMMoXUktrjT5nZ61S-sncroLk2IomvBqI4r2qiQWAXUCUYnzrg-vHir7h7qgNONYpA0OXj_9Ya5aE8vQgRh4IYXsGyIZBwOxf0vVhjn2NsCZyDPEkYh1DLsdqw/s4608/29SeaCave1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ibm4xhPb725I_76-VuU_Ek8jzoBQH27abA4w-eA9ZTxPe5QwWJExjKIqoEBTS4spEMMoXUktrjT5nZ61S-sncroLk2IomvBqI4r2qiQWAXUCUYnzrg-vHir7h7qgNONYpA0OXj_9Ya5aE8vQgRh4IYXsGyIZBwOxf0vVhjn2NsCZyDPEkYh1DLsdqw/w480-h640/29SeaCave1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the first sea cave we approached...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe4AosBrkLBYx_3MQlfWchOu05k6ppZoFYv_kEdYiJW2U-IKXGZP5cpuCCT8z2SVjnekp4yQCxCvxhp2ADAvedPOtDAaPJ0igW8WEH0YSQjdl6Lbqxvs8nZ4yf66eoTnvdC-pJuBdnr6OlYqD35dkgKS-RoT1bh0nitT2Z-wuKgCzmDvjpKV4vds2Cg/s4608/30SeaCave2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe4AosBrkLBYx_3MQlfWchOu05k6ppZoFYv_kEdYiJW2U-IKXGZP5cpuCCT8z2SVjnekp4yQCxCvxhp2ADAvedPOtDAaPJ0igW8WEH0YSQjdl6Lbqxvs8nZ4yf66eoTnvdC-pJuBdnr6OlYqD35dkgKS-RoT1bh0nitT2Z-wuKgCzmDvjpKV4vds2Cg/w480-h640/30SeaCave2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the view looking out from the second sea cave.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ3w4-oQMHqb3VwD5gIIJ7aVctimX8Cx0lT4kDaNosAGBghnrIdFQjA1eOuZVtM9YMrf3Z7B88VcIdDLhPq1zuVrwVRcfGqXlH2W6olym6Mk8U_RT9C7feDtW6OqZGZACQaIrUSVIvs_lWacMkLwBQjwLe80Ehr2mlht8mhcO-LfjylRtbRWKmH0MKQ/s4608/31Cliff.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ3w4-oQMHqb3VwD5gIIJ7aVctimX8Cx0lT4kDaNosAGBghnrIdFQjA1eOuZVtM9YMrf3Z7B88VcIdDLhPq1zuVrwVRcfGqXlH2W6olym6Mk8U_RT9C7feDtW6OqZGZACQaIrUSVIvs_lWacMkLwBQjwLe80Ehr2mlht8mhcO-LfjylRtbRWKmH0MKQ/w640-h480/31Cliff.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocks on this cliff looks like an animal preparing to leap into the sea.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqe_1w1oxBnIgMMLo-Xd0NnF7J_3qiOFHDDYy4zuYMPmP-3jc-ABEF-RUxE3-BP5SmAGxIqF0HihrHGndSBAtlzpZYlNtb8S7wwVSaYkKZF5ORXJRiNJKdLdNKOuTLn5GcVf1WJez-vtBUDhAwIXK0bg9G8z_fFs3baTIQpVwasL52CSQlQcKYaDxSg/s4608/32SeaCave3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqe_1w1oxBnIgMMLo-Xd0NnF7J_3qiOFHDDYy4zuYMPmP-3jc-ABEF-RUxE3-BP5SmAGxIqF0HihrHGndSBAtlzpZYlNtb8S7wwVSaYkKZF5ORXJRiNJKdLdNKOuTLn5GcVf1WJez-vtBUDhAwIXK0bg9G8z_fFs3baTIQpVwasL52CSQlQcKYaDxSg/w640-h480/32SeaCave3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we approached this sea cave,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQp_o4N4EyhvPII-zt5VXHEVINO7C-a2OyXPFAQcBDsWpSkxyCw7NBJzwrleCxsJxhKON1dOk4rD_I0PUEj_7Zu3UxXiEkDCYQhk3sF793Pii4ZXE3CJTFoB1ExK2aCz8qTQC-I5w6UVbrbJJqG-CUpyBroNajvCVAb7iTrVPnS4bwQh1xiG537GP_g/s1024/33SeaUrchins1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQp_o4N4EyhvPII-zt5VXHEVINO7C-a2OyXPFAQcBDsWpSkxyCw7NBJzwrleCxsJxhKON1dOk4rD_I0PUEj_7Zu3UxXiEkDCYQhk3sF793Pii4ZXE3CJTFoB1ExK2aCz8qTQC-I5w6UVbrbJJqG-CUpyBroNajvCVAb7iTrVPnS4bwQh1xiG537GP_g/w640-h480/33SeaUrchins1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had no idea of the colors inside. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSenjMF_L_5q9QGCzuAx8Qi27sDAWPLtCfgQPCpMYiHzgFR2fZfT8DhSX9nUEMIG7U4wkKxTsfs5iMsokW-Ln1YUbce6sWCC0jU__nxevZDpeWz64xI6febLeXwB64i7Ai4Zad9xU5w56Onnp05v3aMlBwhfJUEg7YROeLSljVOOdJ00Sz9xcyv9LgvQ/s2048/34SeaUrchins2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSenjMF_L_5q9QGCzuAx8Qi27sDAWPLtCfgQPCpMYiHzgFR2fZfT8DhSX9nUEMIG7U4wkKxTsfs5iMsokW-Ln1YUbce6sWCC0jU__nxevZDpeWz64xI6febLeXwB64i7Ai4Zad9xU5w56Onnp05v3aMlBwhfJUEg7YROeLSljVOOdJ00Sz9xcyv9LgvQ/w640-h480/34SeaUrchins2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The orange color are sea urchins below the water on the rocks.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R8P64rXOFDc1r2LD1Er79SWG2H2treK8vMKp8c9QLgbjdwfauH5ZMGOxInBZUz4-qtv62Mi_4m3t21ZLddYeRll_oWuaKAPtB63fCt1fj1vk4zsmdGKchOzJ1oQaPUC1NryxNLPgPI7bFaUGm0lv5MaFgEHrtlQR8cn9iBYJKDwpwGjw0vOtImOKDA/s1024/35SeaCavebifurcate.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R8P64rXOFDc1r2LD1Er79SWG2H2treK8vMKp8c9QLgbjdwfauH5ZMGOxInBZUz4-qtv62Mi_4m3t21ZLddYeRll_oWuaKAPtB63fCt1fj1vk4zsmdGKchOzJ1oQaPUC1NryxNLPgPI7bFaUGm0lv5MaFgEHrtlQR8cn9iBYJKDwpwGjw0vOtImOKDA/w640-h480/35SeaCavebifurcate.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The variety of sea caves, cliff formations, stalactites and colors almost made up for our aborted Amalfi coast tour of Capri and the Blue Grotto.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGDMdIBQgpG2Y6JWNgTeFD_IXLaGOft2dVFKWMDPt0ehoFgTxD92mtTTLYIywLH2lRipPUFabTfQurxg47dr_ZuLZGwXdz5N18VS6zYlRo-hmnGtQH4x3CQopRXJwRvcSCXvspVHaOQzbtXg0gc6-Fc821vzRBHHGR8ops36Kv8t4Mu83tDK-ngzWsg/s1024/36SeaCave4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGDMdIBQgpG2Y6JWNgTeFD_IXLaGOft2dVFKWMDPt0ehoFgTxD92mtTTLYIywLH2lRipPUFabTfQurxg47dr_ZuLZGwXdz5N18VS6zYlRo-hmnGtQH4x3CQopRXJwRvcSCXvspVHaOQzbtXg0gc6-Fc821vzRBHHGR8ops36Kv8t4Mu83tDK-ngzWsg/w640-h480/36SeaCave4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1wzGTi6_5fuLEkQu6pxAHL4xiiZsCLUtf90eQ-yzn3y-IOlkq1rZK-GLoZ3OJ2OAJR0ngRm8YOI-MuuNw1Q3Oxao3jIvkS40LiBJCC0WysLJKl1uc0nhx9rHouYB1N1wNdwwOgoUcBEx7-WSLs5ZjesUXNmS06JUCjl5K_NlEIN9CXVnJ7UwGtcY5g/s4032/37SeaCave5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1wzGTi6_5fuLEkQu6pxAHL4xiiZsCLUtf90eQ-yzn3y-IOlkq1rZK-GLoZ3OJ2OAJR0ngRm8YOI-MuuNw1Q3Oxao3jIvkS40LiBJCC0WysLJKl1uc0nhx9rHouYB1N1wNdwwOgoUcBEx7-WSLs5ZjesUXNmS06JUCjl5K_NlEIN9CXVnJ7UwGtcY5g/w640-h480/37SeaCave5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cNeXuKQcNqsbbNOPGAgyrlNBT_CrJrOUOhmkhIVpOPgKh7y2eKx4-0OJFsWaBSAIFKeUunl2eDgW5Ytzuyj6Jf1Ghv4buFu81BwqBdlL8i2BEE1GeoVLa1iTtt1ZW0hN3TtoMxXZTKiLYcWN6xJ89kBUuc6QzsMhh6SrzgBld7XUyBMILgPOw_ZZ2g/s4032/38SeaCave6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cNeXuKQcNqsbbNOPGAgyrlNBT_CrJrOUOhmkhIVpOPgKh7y2eKx4-0OJFsWaBSAIFKeUunl2eDgW5Ytzuyj6Jf1Ghv4buFu81BwqBdlL8i2BEE1GeoVLa1iTtt1ZW0hN3TtoMxXZTKiLYcWN6xJ89kBUuc6QzsMhh6SrzgBld7XUyBMILgPOw_ZZ2g/w640-h480/38SeaCave6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n47juFA_QbITHgf3gJi_fF7nYnvuwF_iy070robP9Ki9umApvSHXKA-rat3pZrPSVMbaMd08EKsjAO3JGm4eWlGxLSlV_PxkjFQUWi5prS1G-Oey0FtrL1gjPHg75dBMy4MPm6adUud8-PK9YZvrtm9lx8g83pXm6hGzmEOrMLomkqYhTARmOtLShg/s4032/39SeaCave7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n47juFA_QbITHgf3gJi_fF7nYnvuwF_iy070robP9Ki9umApvSHXKA-rat3pZrPSVMbaMd08EKsjAO3JGm4eWlGxLSlV_PxkjFQUWi5prS1G-Oey0FtrL1gjPHg75dBMy4MPm6adUud8-PK9YZvrtm9lx8g83pXm6hGzmEOrMLomkqYhTARmOtLShg/w640-h480/39SeaCave7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC5IWHA7RJFaokQzF3yJ813YVkrEhR24chmI55mQjmgN5195seREHyGKw7gcL77PGoBCP6H-YEeYisonc0bjlLHvdOXFPYxDlRBMYMBgFrOYdcLyMGcpps-OPZbiuqDvpay7e-v5kfcVs9yBDG4me2gvRo03SzTfsfqFaaVP5FvQzLvo4BMPATYnLEQ/s4032/40SeaCavelookingout.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC5IWHA7RJFaokQzF3yJ813YVkrEhR24chmI55mQjmgN5195seREHyGKw7gcL77PGoBCP6H-YEeYisonc0bjlLHvdOXFPYxDlRBMYMBgFrOYdcLyMGcpps-OPZbiuqDvpay7e-v5kfcVs9yBDG4me2gvRo03SzTfsfqFaaVP5FvQzLvo4BMPATYnLEQ/w640-h480/40SeaCavelookingout.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofU1gf-HExPd6UkKVdUdFfOYX93UnCs3kM6wFcJzTKqURF0AOOLtS1Qdy40GOAjjrjizpI4bcA-asNkkhfX9_qu5PoaO4_Dut67h-gSPN-uzOxejCeRjJkC8X-Mzy1MprhslemeM1hmugdDbYRD6bGUFgqnNCTGk5a7_jfrTtUJ-nrXYp5DlWfFwNZA/s4032/41SeaCave8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofU1gf-HExPd6UkKVdUdFfOYX93UnCs3kM6wFcJzTKqURF0AOOLtS1Qdy40GOAjjrjizpI4bcA-asNkkhfX9_qu5PoaO4_Dut67h-gSPN-uzOxejCeRjJkC8X-Mzy1MprhslemeM1hmugdDbYRD6bGUFgqnNCTGk5a7_jfrTtUJ-nrXYp5DlWfFwNZA/w640-h480/41SeaCave8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_6twAN_jcgMXFh_8g28RVG3aFPKRapF2pQmnYXGE1MQ9Ym7BCGuTwSOB0RN9gjctfNIQQe2T18gXIJb-LYWT8tK-GhclrER1b-_5YnYhPIJAohCDb8_i9IKgbU1SDG7rZEY_1bQiIBng2QkDXyUKVq7ZUPGGs6z-7m7UIhMVQ9woNIL2Y9kq-y4Agg/s1024/42Lion.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_6twAN_jcgMXFh_8g28RVG3aFPKRapF2pQmnYXGE1MQ9Ym7BCGuTwSOB0RN9gjctfNIQQe2T18gXIJb-LYWT8tK-GhclrER1b-_5YnYhPIJAohCDb8_i9IKgbU1SDG7rZEY_1bQiIBng2QkDXyUKVq7ZUPGGs6z-7m7UIhMVQ9woNIL2Y9kq-y4Agg/w640-h480/42Lion.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This rock island is termed the "Lion" by the locals.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We have discovered that Italian is not as closely related to Spanish as we thought. It's not that tough to understand the written language, but when spoken it is tough to catch the meaning. A couple of times I've defaulted to French, which seems to do better. In direct opposition to most countries we've visited we've found Northern Italians to be a bit more friendly & helpful (in general) than Southern Italians. There is more screaming & horn honking down here. Even the dogs bark at each other just walking down the street.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One day we drove quite far to the Valley of the Temples. It was quite impressive and we managed to avoid being rained on most of the time. The great part about traveling a lot is the range of people and experiences you enjoy. A possible downside is getting jaded. We try not to, but ...maybe. Leaving the Valley I said, "Well, that was interesting." "Yes", said Michael. "Five hours of driving interesting?, I asked. "No", said Michael. See. Jaded.</span></p><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KdH2MhMPNwzR03YCCrlqpii_o4Ha_r2SuDDwGBtuLM_7cDcGwbex_Rt7jWkh3FetJsRmhYjMGTeymLjST7KEqwJq0lCi_yh6ndkoUBQMN46BCQhHWpVJmzqLn2TpE2ASl4qyGdFD4qeRH7rHMOpdPXWydSnXVD3eFjeWGN5nknd_RMmkXHWJRNF2Bg/s4608/1TempleA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KdH2MhMPNwzR03YCCrlqpii_o4Ha_r2SuDDwGBtuLM_7cDcGwbex_Rt7jWkh3FetJsRmhYjMGTeymLjST7KEqwJq0lCi_yh6ndkoUBQMN46BCQhHWpVJmzqLn2TpE2ASl4qyGdFD4qeRH7rHMOpdPXWydSnXVD3eFjeWGN5nknd_RMmkXHWJRNF2Bg/w640-h480/1TempleA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There wasn't much left of one of the first temples we saw.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cqcGSCJNZD3pcn0Pn0Jd2WM3m9raZT2RMGz5DKXrqnjcXz_dNLkl5-ds4twbDP7vKRSJ2Q3RV6SiG4u9HoXKYapXK-5qr759tjrEBaTfodHRxMRrWxsm_fwpwUQNSWIUuALkIvr2xgsXIDQXTTOuNyp-yfSCqFYwJz8xntf4r7-NF-Bboc4mDb-OCQ/s4608/3Crypt1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cqcGSCJNZD3pcn0Pn0Jd2WM3m9raZT2RMGz5DKXrqnjcXz_dNLkl5-ds4twbDP7vKRSJ2Q3RV6SiG4u9HoXKYapXK-5qr759tjrEBaTfodHRxMRrWxsm_fwpwUQNSWIUuALkIvr2xgsXIDQXTTOuNyp-yfSCqFYwJz8xntf4r7-NF-Bboc4mDb-OCQ/w640-h480/3Crypt1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crypts carved out of the rock were interesting...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQj8KyJ15XNptonSr4pkqAfzFz9niHkDvsGHdjbJnJ8AhFFXfe2TohE00pzmB-zMuUukSXufYY8EH437GkPRhOcE_UNlteWvEyXJ9h2kXUk-JnflC7i9cOWz0XAKh5XcxoSvLYfLCSP-nttvQ_Cos1CA69o5BIsY3efYP81qCr1eBzZi3UYUFPt0jUg/s4608/4Crypt2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQj8KyJ15XNptonSr4pkqAfzFz9niHkDvsGHdjbJnJ8AhFFXfe2TohE00pzmB-zMuUukSXufYY8EH437GkPRhOcE_UNlteWvEyXJ9h2kXUk-JnflC7i9cOWz0XAKh5XcxoSvLYfLCSP-nttvQ_Cos1CA69o5BIsY3efYP81qCr1eBzZi3UYUFPt0jUg/w640-h480/4Crypt2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but some have experienced the ravages of time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEPvmfb9xnptIWHuSM469zWClM-CyfA9glNbOc1_R0E4-oe7zutN4q_Yit_BBVQL7UzKghYQVHkL8qVmhsSfzGSM1VxF6tCt5na1T1eIJPVs8LQErcUvO4OS7z0hA_c9XyqYYorZxMa-1V5HbLAHtUcs1Rqz4ERU-4C5ZAQzQ8qW8HHvtlT8DZsnMtg/s4608/5CenturyPlant1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEPvmfb9xnptIWHuSM469zWClM-CyfA9glNbOc1_R0E4-oe7zutN4q_Yit_BBVQL7UzKghYQVHkL8qVmhsSfzGSM1VxF6tCt5na1T1eIJPVs8LQErcUvO4OS7z0hA_c9XyqYYorZxMa-1V5HbLAHtUcs1Rqz4ERU-4C5ZAQzQ8qW8HHvtlT8DZsnMtg/w480-h640/5CenturyPlant1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This century plant was as interesting as the temples...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy6L38iBehtGlhooMYftZbGZQUeNauvj1gjgecbZ_BdR1NbUjCrQiTMw_9BLGQl-ACSBxXQ2sUNGQqqllUS2Pa5EgOiDTJgqprZrNq2pePnBx-9EsTNxC2CATIxvNvmFFkilyVqcSQyHfcRmJamH3hlCJ738e1TAz-6lDqHdVs7JyLCDO7w06zPiN0A/s4608/6CenturyPlant2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy6L38iBehtGlhooMYftZbGZQUeNauvj1gjgecbZ_BdR1NbUjCrQiTMw_9BLGQl-ACSBxXQ2sUNGQqqllUS2Pa5EgOiDTJgqprZrNq2pePnBx-9EsTNxC2CATIxvNvmFFkilyVqcSQyHfcRmJamH3hlCJ738e1TAz-6lDqHdVs7JyLCDO7w06zPiN0A/w480-h640/6CenturyPlant2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with amazing flowers..</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9M2Ap9tFdA510rd0QDPjyh7X0IPzK5AU3MstSYgzvs5AP64ILj_0hNR8luR0a7ZC50b1TMvK8bxQUro_LEbxZOFS8P6jR3vAtJmWcxOcz7jxB8y0xRh4okerRoisZKzPV3TnSpdNHgZMk5jNF21WgVFHvRc5iT7g5IPx_IkQ8yKK2lUTeUxjrttnmg/s4608/7CenturyPlant3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9M2Ap9tFdA510rd0QDPjyh7X0IPzK5AU3MstSYgzvs5AP64ILj_0hNR8luR0a7ZC50b1TMvK8bxQUro_LEbxZOFS8P6jR3vAtJmWcxOcz7jxB8y0xRh4okerRoisZKzPV3TnSpdNHgZMk5jNF21WgVFHvRc5iT7g5IPx_IkQ8yKK2lUTeUxjrttnmg/w480-h640/7CenturyPlant3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which were just beginning to open.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW7vI9O1rDDZrdG5j3qcDlrulJbf4dAX9dYBzILLU2lFh50qVN_uesMuonTEgSihZlIlvXNdGu_1Yb_hZDqP3yvgS8vALYAVDx31AT_P4-eFnhdW65G4w_5PlfTAEVvPigGDrkYOPDOHydSe2w1EYLpDNXvg6Iy5kAVOo0JbAiAfVC0jz7L6SvQASuQ/s4608/8Temple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW7vI9O1rDDZrdG5j3qcDlrulJbf4dAX9dYBzILLU2lFh50qVN_uesMuonTEgSihZlIlvXNdGu_1Yb_hZDqP3yvgS8vALYAVDx31AT_P4-eFnhdW65G4w_5PlfTAEVvPigGDrkYOPDOHydSe2w1EYLpDNXvg6Iy5kAVOo0JbAiAfVC0jz7L6SvQASuQ/w480-h640/8Temple.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the more intact temples...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q1tcq3J7irBEcVPo5hZxC-X749M6aRzhNO2LjSOg5jnPU6BUdtSjJRQeyki_KLfyw3ZG_w3bioZGPREBaz3R_ctjtZVJhoQrBvWn73mWggzsMGKa7DtAUT69skhkQ94KJt13gS1LxWIWXisqWG6st2qyAbOhjfzBYeLn0XuLWWwLTN6cFZNY12tRcA/s4608/9Temple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q1tcq3J7irBEcVPo5hZxC-X749M6aRzhNO2LjSOg5jnPU6BUdtSjJRQeyki_KLfyw3ZG_w3bioZGPREBaz3R_ctjtZVJhoQrBvWn73mWggzsMGKa7DtAUT69skhkQ94KJt13gS1LxWIWXisqWG6st2qyAbOhjfzBYeLn0XuLWWwLTN6cFZNY12tRcA/w640-h480/9Temple.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">offered a more detailed view...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp-FVot09eCSjM3Q21uQKQIwTh-P4VvefBDy6ORX6kYpeuVLBxBde6Oss9DZ8EDnyzfGUoprLRh53tGI1vgvPLjkT_wGRTaGdUM34AggUUt9nkIStttnqwK7CJWO4YofeboCDCUIs1qLofJzL4nEZLg-iBUhGz-Ou-ROIBUurrNLB37wiLgJUrEfuZg/s4608/10Temple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp-FVot09eCSjM3Q21uQKQIwTh-P4VvefBDy6ORX6kYpeuVLBxBde6Oss9DZ8EDnyzfGUoprLRh53tGI1vgvPLjkT_wGRTaGdUM34AggUUt9nkIStttnqwK7CJWO4YofeboCDCUIs1qLofJzL4nEZLg-iBUhGz-Ou-ROIBUurrNLB37wiLgJUrEfuZg/w480-h640/10Temple.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">of what the original temple might have looked like before the ravages of time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyq2iFP2TrfF2yFnURr3Xj24Plp1mqdAuipQoi1V1C46cHYfMlr6uxfuNL4p35f4ti9kjMrgXOh8MdFcg5WHgIU8svQ4slbhjmjwO5upWUTtrdgNU8Yl_cbwq8nf-u5Rdkvo4Rb0T9mjzFxk2BqPVM9M2f-Gl1TMkMFzh1dSW8Ohg8D8rA6K_bNzzkw/s4608/11Temple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyq2iFP2TrfF2yFnURr3Xj24Plp1mqdAuipQoi1V1C46cHYfMlr6uxfuNL4p35f4ti9kjMrgXOh8MdFcg5WHgIU8svQ4slbhjmjwO5upWUTtrdgNU8Yl_cbwq8nf-u5Rdkvo4Rb0T9mjzFxk2BqPVM9M2f-Gl1TMkMFzh1dSW8Ohg8D8rA6K_bNzzkw/w640-h480/11Temple.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see from the photos how the sky kept changing throughout the day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WBA6GCyz9t2Ru9l_wdEHJUa46LWe8vU4wIvEZg3lsc7KAh2u4_nuGZ68PSSM3aNi017Wh89mFlULoeHmc0s7aJv6DdPc_pKeNfTTdb0fvugZmqtjfx-ILphZz1A-J-sefxzexeZ0jppi8KVSXi50MHvXWp6vwaMICnHhfAUqMehxfoJER0bM_N0yyQ/s4608/12Goats.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WBA6GCyz9t2Ru9l_wdEHJUa46LWe8vU4wIvEZg3lsc7KAh2u4_nuGZ68PSSM3aNi017Wh89mFlULoeHmc0s7aJv6DdPc_pKeNfTTdb0fvugZmqtjfx-ILphZz1A-J-sefxzexeZ0jppi8KVSXi50MHvXWp6vwaMICnHhfAUqMehxfoJER0bM_N0yyQ/w640-h480/12Goats.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girgentana goat with its twisted horns can be seen at the Valley of the Temples.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW5tuFLYpm22PxNJSTBcL-RJ2ivqgu7gqwwb-FtaUtwQTU--hdf7VGS7sBuptIQpwI5KoFRNdCXXYcmu6UVSIlGF8gfcStJ7aPGwDJnXvlA93FjFA2ld_CwKrJ92uqFN6K04gjcOwSmXO8ku0hCPXLVQi6Ibs8MlEVmVHrHhjWo8b087Q9gI9oOPEXw/s4608/13FallenStatue.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW5tuFLYpm22PxNJSTBcL-RJ2ivqgu7gqwwb-FtaUtwQTU--hdf7VGS7sBuptIQpwI5KoFRNdCXXYcmu6UVSIlGF8gfcStJ7aPGwDJnXvlA93FjFA2ld_CwKrJ92uqFN6K04gjcOwSmXO8ku0hCPXLVQi6Ibs8MlEVmVHrHhjWo8b087Q9gI9oOPEXw/w640-h480/13FallenStatue.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fallen statue of Icarus by the Concordia Temple.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ezm24Ivi2wtdnkI9lFHDcGtbYIC_iYx1PrHeSAWOT17OGzXGKn6TTsJC8mGCffW25UjCy7NiFb-NgwU5pmH95t5bqpmXhYVKZ3yj4ixBOTZdt4Wm45BWYItlkhrUIN66c4ldbu8bLQyaRxp4WP7T0F2Q2PQ08g-_JBilg_B222llrzY77dDSJCF8Aw/s4608/14Temple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ezm24Ivi2wtdnkI9lFHDcGtbYIC_iYx1PrHeSAWOT17OGzXGKn6TTsJC8mGCffW25UjCy7NiFb-NgwU5pmH95t5bqpmXhYVKZ3yj4ixBOTZdt4Wm45BWYItlkhrUIN66c4ldbu8bLQyaRxp4WP7T0F2Q2PQ08g-_JBilg_B222llrzY77dDSJCF8Aw/w640-h480/14Temple.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Concordia Temple.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo4cf3NRSGgUD_S9HE9J-nnCcqQOoEMMJafXRUErOH-cZVmw_xlQUMIBrZUqfdmMaUHVWer8AcaTmWQS0raAVlblkWUDnM7EXsBIxD2pL63OhZvQB_-bjsEbLKI2Fo6UF9GT_MgeaGVjruZzl4aLM_wPWw4bwpjRPKcN_W66XUEqCsvNKj45w8qkNRA/s4608/15CactiFlowering.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo4cf3NRSGgUD_S9HE9J-nnCcqQOoEMMJafXRUErOH-cZVmw_xlQUMIBrZUqfdmMaUHVWer8AcaTmWQS0raAVlblkWUDnM7EXsBIxD2pL63OhZvQB_-bjsEbLKI2Fo6UF9GT_MgeaGVjruZzl4aLM_wPWw4bwpjRPKcN_W66XUEqCsvNKj45w8qkNRA/w640-h480/15CactiFlowering.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cacti were in bloom while we were there.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhedGsFjkKt_t8E2fNGnnCSfJJk1Xqnz9wU7zbE1NIRq60dQDnSalw-m13YWK-O3PBtXJD7CR2iX8zaezqhzn0A6az7949sTgM39ZDvvp_JT9lOP2jxr39EqsxjfUOPZ76zpJIBTuDNnqfV6TZUKyqVKBKeBVB4WImX1MqDKH-Dic0_VHyeNR0AlROg/s4608/16OldOliveTree.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhedGsFjkKt_t8E2fNGnnCSfJJk1Xqnz9wU7zbE1NIRq60dQDnSalw-m13YWK-O3PBtXJD7CR2iX8zaezqhzn0A6az7949sTgM39ZDvvp_JT9lOP2jxr39EqsxjfUOPZ76zpJIBTuDNnqfV6TZUKyqVKBKeBVB4WImX1MqDKH-Dic0_VHyeNR0AlROg/w640-h480/16OldOliveTree.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This olive tree, based on the girth of the truck, may be as old as the Temples.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7afaUWrjaksBGx1m9wkwfyrxrzJCJCMBxmo8BIdOvbufyoY2Eiz3iEuT3Ugg6Hson0GSiNTg3As4KyrP7UjDnqCrN_YGY1DYU6p91v7PHT2jtJEzA-MUsYRI27Bt2CTxpUTWUCr_-g2vdNC0oxVUADHcoUHSJLquOlkMhD2i8p0LAeX6YID5Ha4BLg/s4608/17Wildflowers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7afaUWrjaksBGx1m9wkwfyrxrzJCJCMBxmo8BIdOvbufyoY2Eiz3iEuT3Ugg6Hson0GSiNTg3As4KyrP7UjDnqCrN_YGY1DYU6p91v7PHT2jtJEzA-MUsYRI27Bt2CTxpUTWUCr_-g2vdNC0oxVUADHcoUHSJLquOlkMhD2i8p0LAeX6YID5Ha4BLg/w640-h480/17Wildflowers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colorful wildflowers were also in bloom, to Deirdre's delight.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>Talking Trash In Sicily</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of you know that a member of our family (not Justin, Alex or me) is deeply interested and committed to recycling. That member was deeply distressed in Sicily. At almost every pull over on the highway random trash & even bags of trash were deposited. We had noted up North many recycling bins. Strangely it appeared people had to have a card to use them --- that would seem counterproductive to encouraging the correct behavior, but they seemed to do it. No bins in the South that we saw. Actually Calabria was a lot cleaner. Enough about trash.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So, Sicily was behind us. As we drove past, Mt. Etna signaled its joy in our leaving by gently belching a stream of smoke and ash into the air. Michael asked if I thought that was normal and I opined that I thought it was always doing that. The next day Mt. Etna erupted for the first time in over thirty years scattering ash over half of Sicily. Guess I was wrong.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> So we were back to Calabria on our way to Puglia. Still raining. We stayed in an agriturismo so high up over the water I thought my nose would bleed. The road leading to it triggered at least two of my phobias -- perhaps three. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the most adorable man ever who spoke no English, but was committed to communicating with us. He toured us through the farm & lodging (views amazing), made us have our photo taken behind cutouts dressed in who knows what style and then settled us on the terraza. He brought us wine made right there from their own grapes. It was delicious. They make about 2500 liters each year and have groves of olive trees as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">How do we know all this? Finally we hit on the fact that he and I both knew French --- school French, but it worked. It turns out the school children learned French until a couple of decades ago when they switched to English. Thus he speaks French and his son speaks English He was a professor and he and his son run the farm. The family has been in the town since 1720 and owned the farm since the 1950's. Meeting nice people is the best, or one of the best, aspects of travel.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3HW7J77KOARJs4t1K2kStpXLWy5448JWQ4KLG8iavWDATXCdLnvfu78s72XlvrL-udIVw_0XiYhw8o0wM8PR7tL_ppkcsbpaq8LYLbIl7VgKPYC2WRQUFmFGigDI7dKRgk5CxDU-olYr96m1SYxXnVqU88J2mgm_f4YjzJPxss24zpKkppZJkF1q5A/s2365/1Tenuta%20Mauri%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="2365" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3HW7J77KOARJs4t1K2kStpXLWy5448JWQ4KLG8iavWDATXCdLnvfu78s72XlvrL-udIVw_0XiYhw8o0wM8PR7tL_ppkcsbpaq8LYLbIl7VgKPYC2WRQUFmFGigDI7dKRgk5CxDU-olYr96m1SYxXnVqU88J2mgm_f4YjzJPxss24zpKkppZJkF1q5A/w640-h360/1Tenuta%20Mauri%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the heights of Tenuta Mauri Agriturismo were stunning, even with the overcast skies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS76eZCxkb3j1bkPFPBMtIsmI5Zcrz7f_Kp7DxxhufDkk4hC-DrRxizEqly3ObPqZdV_OQcZ7GWPqGROjkY4pQP43i9HuFR8t5DBQx9Eoyfy-x3YVKCOD5Rtb9mOwAzdMIcwEqn1y6w7nmcZvUtXj0B0wEllmRlmPqiz3fMLwjH5UdTw8X7IPvPUBpjw/s3872/2DSSVota.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS76eZCxkb3j1bkPFPBMtIsmI5Zcrz7f_Kp7DxxhufDkk4hC-DrRxizEqly3ObPqZdV_OQcZ7GWPqGROjkY4pQP43i9HuFR8t5DBQx9Eoyfy-x3YVKCOD5Rtb9mOwAzdMIcwEqn1y6w7nmcZvUtXj0B0wEllmRlmPqiz3fMLwjH5UdTw8X7IPvPUBpjw/w428-h640/2DSSVota.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "adorable old man", who may have been younger than we are, insisted on taking our photos...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnm053LHe3UtnidG5kEP7gsdPCtrAcF-_9uY3XPWykW1qnQze8qHV-f18V1Q9udEv_vaSlY4cqXpcqXI9NaiwZj5qGEebibWKb1ek8X7dT6XPbEjzWNkQEwtPndf3X0ZrB1XLt8wlJ8-SA41uUcr7kjNo0XuMssXT8Kq0XCnTbdn_I5U5DsNPxSnIQg/s2592/3MRSVota.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnm053LHe3UtnidG5kEP7gsdPCtrAcF-_9uY3XPWykW1qnQze8qHV-f18V1Q9udEv_vaSlY4cqXpcqXI9NaiwZj5qGEebibWKb1ek8X7dT6XPbEjzWNkQEwtPndf3X0ZrB1XLt8wlJ8-SA41uUcr7kjNo0XuMssXT8Kq0XCnTbdn_I5U5DsNPxSnIQg/w296-h640/3MRSVota.jpeg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as Italian farmers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXm8Ba5HYyhhZaOc_dmTFI7VongunEbBgDgaDoqK67mxYTftb82zmvI6mcRSWdvyI4zZCuak6JlXOBZzud2H3bLRNpCwvp4BhkG50J7REwz-C_PRWlSvJk6if8Kz_UrKvEitUYjvkRbMmlkICLtYhvDhQ8e2CylmpiYRgO4txyX1GA284xoHNeljH0Q/s3872/4Gato.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXm8Ba5HYyhhZaOc_dmTFI7VongunEbBgDgaDoqK67mxYTftb82zmvI6mcRSWdvyI4zZCuak6JlXOBZzud2H3bLRNpCwvp4BhkG50J7REwz-C_PRWlSvJk6if8Kz_UrKvEitUYjvkRbMmlkICLtYhvDhQ8e2CylmpiYRgO4txyX1GA284xoHNeljH0Q/w640-h428/4Gato.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This adorable cat was part of the greeting party at the agriturismo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4rBQhzs_tfonSsBZR6AG1si1-Ycq2FHPPO9KGi1qgp814VrpYTFDv9TqRazq06j8BQBTQlksg6PGMBn0xgrjDfUFfLa4eDEowBo24-9HRAVfYwuanyPjTy-IjTcNG9GQqVkWCNzLHezJo_M_u7c_CsvdMFebzRkOjl2CzjqErtjWxosapYzNgoxO4A/s3872/6View3w.clouds.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4rBQhzs_tfonSsBZR6AG1si1-Ycq2FHPPO9KGi1qgp814VrpYTFDv9TqRazq06j8BQBTQlksg6PGMBn0xgrjDfUFfLa4eDEowBo24-9HRAVfYwuanyPjTy-IjTcNG9GQqVkWCNzLHezJo_M_u7c_CsvdMFebzRkOjl2CzjqErtjWxosapYzNgoxO4A/w640-h428/6View3w.clouds.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds were hanging just above the mountain tops...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByxZ-LeKuWc8c_lljZtW8OYt2rrXBPODG7g3YT46M8Kd1cHcMVe3tzv-QadUuZ3A-3WEEhUHmvrrIOrHWKccZrMmWhCArROQF7KYyzuMxUozzglbgRASUbjp57VygXOV5h720ZljaqKiMny3mvem2WnAIaDpyFfPHqjC_sa6d1Fds7g1uPgrIqQyPHg/s3872/7SeaView.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByxZ-LeKuWc8c_lljZtW8OYt2rrXBPODG7g3YT46M8Kd1cHcMVe3tzv-QadUuZ3A-3WEEhUHmvrrIOrHWKccZrMmWhCArROQF7KYyzuMxUozzglbgRASUbjp57VygXOV5h720ZljaqKiMny3mvem2WnAIaDpyFfPHqjC_sa6d1Fds7g1uPgrIqQyPHg/w640-h428/7SeaView.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the overcast skies gave a soft look to the landscape and sea from our vantage point.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUzxM4mE_fhRuw5OEPmDzzK6M6FtwceUSBNRU0XZ5draf15mqeSZDRbc2q49X-I2qltE3xxsJCBeQXWj7wJjMZwQFBDWsDRiVioPU2ipGobllsZpD-mGcYbe22UVndP35NzPzER7J8ECU1OOaRqRbpQfL8lbhKll1XhFkY1CiCH7hwR3_SU_Oa6C2SA/s2387/8CactusBloom.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="2171" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUzxM4mE_fhRuw5OEPmDzzK6M6FtwceUSBNRU0XZ5draf15mqeSZDRbc2q49X-I2qltE3xxsJCBeQXWj7wJjMZwQFBDWsDRiVioPU2ipGobllsZpD-mGcYbe22UVndP35NzPzER7J8ECU1OOaRqRbpQfL8lbhKll1XhFkY1CiCH7hwR3_SU_Oa6C2SA/w582-h640/8CactusBloom.jpeg" width="582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another amazing cactus bloom about to fully open.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Heading to Puglia next. Take care.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p></div>Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-18366566083178462892023-05-16T11:18:00.000-05:002023-05-16T11:18:03.301-05:00Ciao Italia<p> <span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>The Prequel</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Never has a simple (for us) trip proven so vexing. A fly-drive 8 day trip extended to a month via an agency we have used with zero trouble for over a dozen trips. A recounting: 1) Call to book trip. Request an extension. "Impossible." Hang up. 2) Call back. Same request. "Certainly Deirdre. Would you like Plan A or Plan B hotels?" Plan A, but we'll take Plan B if there is a problem. 3) Receive email & simultaneous call that trip has been cancelled because Plan A hotel is not available. 4) Trip reinstated with Plan B. New documents show our flight has not been extended. Oh, and we have to extend the rental car ourselves, but we get no rental car reservation number and only a voucher for 8 days. 5) Fight & get flight extended - cost agency $500. 6) Fight about car extension and despite their protestations that they can't extend the car, voila, miraculously they do. However it now shows our pick up & drop off at Naples not Milan, where we are flying into Italy. More fighting to get corrected. And that is BEFORE the trip. Onward!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>No Trouble in Tuscany</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Arriving in one piece and with a car awaiting us we conclude we have paid our travel pain dues in the States and Tuscany reinforces this belief. The weather is gorgeous. The countryside is dazzling and sprinkled with wildflowers, vines waking up and beginning their journey to wine and olive groves with silvery leaves glistening in the wind. We cruise through Chianti visiting tiny towns & imbibing copious amounts of its most famous product. We billy goat up & down hill towns best suited to agile 20 year olds. We reach Lucca & I say to Michael, "This town seems different. It has a different feel." "It's flat", Michael replies. Oh yeah - that's it. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMUKaHYVouELPp60Rlghejr6_CuW6YrKee8YxS0K1WqGhB6DY0RyFeE3ybIKPGGhPhADJG4JXKKLDokxDJqdyhnowR-LLNenBwUEaoZQ36WvjVKWw2B6BVFi5K8sO-GqqxaumL75xadCYt29wjtXP2E9N4ls_g7XMdB-qzaKWBELNjUKepyguvZjP1w/s4608/Carousel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMUKaHYVouELPp60Rlghejr6_CuW6YrKee8YxS0K1WqGhB6DY0RyFeE3ybIKPGGhPhADJG4JXKKLDokxDJqdyhnowR-LLNenBwUEaoZQ36WvjVKWw2B6BVFi5K8sO-GqqxaumL75xadCYt29wjtXP2E9N4ls_g7XMdB-qzaKWBELNjUKepyguvZjP1w/w640-h480/Carousel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spotted this carousel in Montecatini Terme as we were walking through the town,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1tnE95URf-Fn3SxP9xhZ0aMxDLMkbYAAkr_cR0lUOoQN9WQqspudOABT9gqiPpScyI3qCG5Y1W_BJK8AUYNhWHB--jf4AtGXcKDdyAVOJfBAdfLKlwiibwB6kIhk8vcoO9UP3Yd2ZRNFW2ZXIQWChEFsqm-3nSTFO5ChTLpBSd8dm08d0cYbkJDUMw/s4608/Countrside1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1tnE95URf-Fn3SxP9xhZ0aMxDLMkbYAAkr_cR0lUOoQN9WQqspudOABT9gqiPpScyI3qCG5Y1W_BJK8AUYNhWHB--jf4AtGXcKDdyAVOJfBAdfLKlwiibwB6kIhk8vcoO9UP3Yd2ZRNFW2ZXIQWChEFsqm-3nSTFO5ChTLpBSd8dm08d0cYbkJDUMw/w640-h480/Countrside1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to San Gimignano we had to stop to admire the Tuscan countryside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBa4gkyf1e6OA46_ShtFalifnDxSHsy8_RwIr3gSggWiXEnvX3k0DXYfym1lM3j978aONcw78giZDMsLzjxTr0wLgnnP_WAL6M9dQf_6gped6_p0Ui97i4NCCjTJCD_YHmgix3YcDaZjsBlmCv3lgRGzA36Xe-w35AhgpuC_Kr7h9CCkW-Vce5W-NbA/s4608/Casa%20Torre%20Bedroom.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBa4gkyf1e6OA46_ShtFalifnDxSHsy8_RwIr3gSggWiXEnvX3k0DXYfym1lM3j978aONcw78giZDMsLzjxTr0wLgnnP_WAL6M9dQf_6gped6_p0Ui97i4NCCjTJCD_YHmgix3YcDaZjsBlmCv3lgRGzA36Xe-w35AhgpuC_Kr7h9CCkW-Vce5W-NbA/w480-h640/Casa%20Torre%20Bedroom.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Torre e Casa Campatelli in San Gimignano was a must see. An upper middle class family managed to acquire the "tower house". The Campatelli Tower House is 28 meters high and was erected in the 12th century. It was purchased in the 19th century by the family for which it is now named.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ282eGzxk0LUSUfHTerB-aIggHMxPECCmhs03oB4u1hfJttxwNBEkozUqr8HsTd9jWN66syqUT_zx3TvYCHE8IKANRC9Wf12JYDz13qAKIVHSyZZckINGTpHTFNpN-0Hs7EhxBFbWWHXldy3CK5t2qDE1emDNWCWKHN3nPo0ZGUOs_ALK_jtY4X5a-Q/s4608/Casa%20Torre%20boudoir.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ282eGzxk0LUSUfHTerB-aIggHMxPECCmhs03oB4u1hfJttxwNBEkozUqr8HsTd9jWN66syqUT_zx3TvYCHE8IKANRC9Wf12JYDz13qAKIVHSyZZckINGTpHTFNpN-0Hs7EhxBFbWWHXldy3CK5t2qDE1emDNWCWKHN3nPo0ZGUOs_ALK_jtY4X5a-Q/w640-h480/Casa%20Torre%20boudoir.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house is furnished with original 18th century pieces.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JVPqQ6W5rtHOs2hc0v6wpqKnLR_zMCv7JzvH8GFaKW1nPtnanPyklx-2kun5AyR5KJ2_GHbBsTFTR5g2DJs_iTyrcmscMDogq-2bJHoB6SKBpR-08CCJhVIwMD20rrDbr-_gTtHjiU2uQB_BTnT1b0TQL5mMuYyPGXKJlYbZ_JtxLx68cagtePozfw/s4377/Casa%20Torre%20Chapel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4377" data-original-width="3283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JVPqQ6W5rtHOs2hc0v6wpqKnLR_zMCv7JzvH8GFaKW1nPtnanPyklx-2kun5AyR5KJ2_GHbBsTFTR5g2DJs_iTyrcmscMDogq-2bJHoB6SKBpR-08CCJhVIwMD20rrDbr-_gTtHjiU2uQB_BTnT1b0TQL5mMuYyPGXKJlYbZ_JtxLx68cagtePozfw/w480-h640/Casa%20Torre%20Chapel.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the interesting features of the house was its own private chapel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLZe4OmRVZ9Bd6vkVBvkEgKUcsRDOsFB_dvgkfZoHfxsnHWHXhznSuDAR7QjsJW2e3vaT69X5zsWYH9SsRPOLBMM1hiWB7k4sliCvfgAS4EN4XIz0yPxeAisEKZRtXOSkEMtbq7fWGhApufWitaGia0AVDfnwqZP7WfuZXIQr2G-WzzVeTBGaZDylOg/s4608/Casa%20Torre%20House%20Doorway.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLZe4OmRVZ9Bd6vkVBvkEgKUcsRDOsFB_dvgkfZoHfxsnHWHXhznSuDAR7QjsJW2e3vaT69X5zsWYH9SsRPOLBMM1hiWB7k4sliCvfgAS4EN4XIz0yPxeAisEKZRtXOSkEMtbq7fWGhApufWitaGia0AVDfnwqZP7WfuZXIQr2G-WzzVeTBGaZDylOg/w480-h640/Casa%20Torre%20House%20Doorway.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doorways, floors and furnishings have all been preserved...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEZVI1AUn125zADcA6PsU-Ifgje703ddaF2aqN8LevfYaOJfCZaWWUaM7Jo8tq6epp5A4-y40-wTvKRtdNpN4nwXfpUNR67oU2YE0XZiwu7E0o4rnYGeOtZTVfVouxl0yjzXxUc5gNLHYJH_g2gzbOx9kKSuVc7pIzTjukTbm-FV0_veTrQacX1NBjg/s4608/CT%20Artwork.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEZVI1AUn125zADcA6PsU-Ifgje703ddaF2aqN8LevfYaOJfCZaWWUaM7Jo8tq6epp5A4-y40-wTvKRtdNpN4nwXfpUNR67oU2YE0XZiwu7E0o4rnYGeOtZTVfVouxl0yjzXxUc5gNLHYJH_g2gzbOx9kKSuVc7pIzTjukTbm-FV0_veTrQacX1NBjg/w640-h480/CT%20Artwork.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the artwork acquired by the family still hangs on the walls. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AFtV8axYDevzRW5D-TdNOHkRVuSu4VmHvkTcNYyhCEblhVSSjtIym7u-YO23Rzk3jYHp8rV7B3Me7lPav_P5BKIxDgdz-gMAjp5JjC57FAdX8cUJ4lLoHj9i-Pthveu7BFg1pxftWTSeYM3QFQziu9_P0vDB5i_TXPPi3DQ4YqL-qINySM_m-4dCGg/s4608/CT%20Remington.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AFtV8axYDevzRW5D-TdNOHkRVuSu4VmHvkTcNYyhCEblhVSSjtIym7u-YO23Rzk3jYHp8rV7B3Me7lPav_P5BKIxDgdz-gMAjp5JjC57FAdX8cUJ4lLoHj9i-Pthveu7BFg1pxftWTSeYM3QFQziu9_P0vDB5i_TXPPi3DQ4YqL-qINySM_m-4dCGg/w640-h480/CT%20Remington.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the preserved furnishings was this very old Remington typewriter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBQuYj1ySWlBfGHE7NveCtLJvP69i5uoRQhEw09gXUJUsCIonX5Nhwk7hbERPJb4yHU26Z9MVYhdZG4GsD9IRlHLoiKkh0yfQQBTh0R58_1oTqn8oTSRwrJF7RoZokn_E8oaXUccBqrobXTX_yKAPa_28GISPkVhl4RJbVBMtLZ5VIODLt-TStq0A1g/s4608/CT%20Stairway.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBQuYj1ySWlBfGHE7NveCtLJvP69i5uoRQhEw09gXUJUsCIonX5Nhwk7hbERPJb4yHU26Z9MVYhdZG4GsD9IRlHLoiKkh0yfQQBTh0R58_1oTqn8oTSRwrJF7RoZokn_E8oaXUccBqrobXTX_yKAPa_28GISPkVhl4RJbVBMtLZ5VIODLt-TStq0A1g/w640-h480/CT%20Stairway.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We managed to ascend the many stairs to view the various rooms, including the attic.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rBfiINztAjiiX58HhCDIcom3CH2iHp6FjPBeyqY318aNvxh-bRoJH6kKjnqCedj18Q9rPw1sJP6KB0TLsJyrbT0GYaMDcvNKiE8m6ICeM_ShAjmEVvT-PvHuyhmK1aTpHBi1LekdMqeoE-cTTYoOIwCka0tyVbSRoNFjoSTNU9bRlaXRLtrAn9cfIg/s4608/CT%20Terrace%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rBfiINztAjiiX58HhCDIcom3CH2iHp6FjPBeyqY318aNvxh-bRoJH6kKjnqCedj18Q9rPw1sJP6KB0TLsJyrbT0GYaMDcvNKiE8m6ICeM_ShAjmEVvT-PvHuyhmK1aTpHBi1LekdMqeoE-cTTYoOIwCka0tyVbSRoNFjoSTNU9bRlaXRLtrAn9cfIg/w640-h480/CT%20Terrace%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the Tuscan countryside from the terrace of the Tower was magnificent.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzloKOc6fEseNin1-9ASMEsDzItY6gDIBQvUTVw2lOQqPwpHaLnGrpq1L0j49oA3S0MWcJiIsHzR_HvaT7TFqAh0AoLmNRg_-zyTRsLhxczKQIRCQz_4XInoicvkrHgHVgTzP55wpwFkTWN1sAoae0gZkvomAxml9JAHEfva6-WEmfszNrt2B9zv7tkw/s4608/SG%20Door%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzloKOc6fEseNin1-9ASMEsDzItY6gDIBQvUTVw2lOQqPwpHaLnGrpq1L0j49oA3S0MWcJiIsHzR_HvaT7TFqAh0AoLmNRg_-zyTRsLhxczKQIRCQz_4XInoicvkrHgHVgTzP55wpwFkTWN1sAoae0gZkvomAxml9JAHEfva6-WEmfszNrt2B9zv7tkw/w480-h640/SG%20Door%20.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were surprised to see this doorway with the "hands of Fatima" as door knockers. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJURV5zgohtyzSMEoi49eNr1EDnDn69mB4Dp3QfNwk61Bt3fLGdYhKLU0-Hs2U0QtIxnoAznBN7pChx4p-gCbX19pSb0d887LGv7xCXfE5gzi2Vh2gHyyjYDQKgt80lyyaBITaukCcLXLMSuUF9mJ4aqYyVhZNOErXyrjhTmbE78eX5hB1Q04iK0MSg/s4608/SG%20Map.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJURV5zgohtyzSMEoi49eNr1EDnDn69mB4Dp3QfNwk61Bt3fLGdYhKLU0-Hs2U0QtIxnoAznBN7pChx4p-gCbX19pSb0d887LGv7xCXfE5gzi2Vh2gHyyjYDQKgt80lyyaBITaukCcLXLMSuUF9mJ4aqYyVhZNOErXyrjhTmbE78eX5hB1Q04iK0MSg/w640-h480/SG%20Map.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map of the walled city of San Gimignano.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yvnh-FiYWkKIBx5Nh5514waQi-C-BZZaD-KKEGfAL6nDB-nzE1xb6P6N8nkX42cbxvvpvR09s3UNMJkS3O1qtmXkZZrkd3uWUMRzyIImm3FqAPQeEQC01dzI_rxsaIKHXCmbgeTF7xdap2PSlvaWJVspLhKlxMTd_yKZ1qGMnYy7ML5Rf744uonBOA/s4608/SG%20Torre.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yvnh-FiYWkKIBx5Nh5514waQi-C-BZZaD-KKEGfAL6nDB-nzE1xb6P6N8nkX42cbxvvpvR09s3UNMJkS3O1qtmXkZZrkd3uWUMRzyIImm3FqAPQeEQC01dzI_rxsaIKHXCmbgeTF7xdap2PSlvaWJVspLhKlxMTd_yKZ1qGMnYy7ML5Rf744uonBOA/w480-h640/SG%20Torre.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Gimignano has managed to preserve fourteen towers of varying heights. The taller the tower the wealthier the individual. The tallest, Torre Grossa, built in 1311 is 54 meters tall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BmBHGH9NGe4J-y45RKB4ucsNcpNyDsNnKSaDlzlED0nX4jxTO_L1GiaAIpiUkinP1o8AFCGuXPZJ797Fi_qAqaItFTY0BE4pU4tsbDiWO-6Ddojkl9zTZBiSomqc8ysz7fVaSGsVj_mfe1-FuYKrVi_idLv2uXCcpJQX3kDvKbwHKqlDl8JcDWHXSA/s4608/Virgin%20&%20Child.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BmBHGH9NGe4J-y45RKB4ucsNcpNyDsNnKSaDlzlED0nX4jxTO_L1GiaAIpiUkinP1o8AFCGuXPZJ797Fi_qAqaItFTY0BE4pU4tsbDiWO-6Ddojkl9zTZBiSomqc8ysz7fVaSGsVj_mfe1-FuYKrVi_idLv2uXCcpJQX3kDvKbwHKqlDl8JcDWHXSA/w480-h640/Virgin%20&%20Child.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This well preserved picture of the Virgin & Child was on the outside of a church.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>LUCCA<br /></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPahmXe8BOVcHE9SGsDq1ZNhWClErVrZMTudsXWdygx35cJNIhOAZ-hF-wK4ihQvBr5kLLEUqKQB_CxQ0Td_eDooUvGBEmOs1a5AXrmzYMP9ZQqAZphvJdMWZ8kOjGHUiYJMqcbdB9QZpUjfnZ9j6nQgHn2My8bli05hhqvpbsrVJJCn46d8jp9Jt2eQ/s4608/1Lucca%20Door.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPahmXe8BOVcHE9SGsDq1ZNhWClErVrZMTudsXWdygx35cJNIhOAZ-hF-wK4ihQvBr5kLLEUqKQB_CxQ0Td_eDooUvGBEmOs1a5AXrmzYMP9ZQqAZphvJdMWZ8kOjGHUiYJMqcbdB9QZpUjfnZ9j6nQgHn2My8bli05hhqvpbsrVJJCn46d8jp9Jt2eQ/w480-h640/1Lucca%20Door.jpeg" title="One of the many interesting doors in Luca." width="480" /></a></div>One of the many interesting doors in Lucca - the crown at the top would seem to be of some significance.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoAYTUsDr2Bew2qCpoCOQz71Y0G-T1Xrd7s0AN24jDQDdbs7n3UIvM7zdNpmO_K9zUX5GMbearkcrvOviyeMLYGRDCTAznaUi69UlH-aqtewUObsGBKTFzod5prgqr0Hkomf-qCkAGwYwbJA26JCQzU5vVPohUngpoU0mhKJDMe-OEZIf6EM_fpX19w/s4608/Lucca%20Courtyard.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoAYTUsDr2Bew2qCpoCOQz71Y0G-T1Xrd7s0AN24jDQDdbs7n3UIvM7zdNpmO_K9zUX5GMbearkcrvOviyeMLYGRDCTAznaUi69UlH-aqtewUObsGBKTFzod5prgqr0Hkomf-qCkAGwYwbJA26JCQzU5vVPohUngpoU0mhKJDMe-OEZIf6EM_fpX19w/w640-h480/Lucca%20Courtyard.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The door was open allowing us to get a glimpse of this amazing courtyard.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxh80Rsz7xM--F_3iHh9BBaJx5T6-o5yKOxr_ZWYBxSKyfIYrlEKT8ng8PhuIxFH5cmjIIheaqgkn8LPCA-ge1wn3glrXOPmDJAfm1P7ZTrJlyRRPo4c-o5zd7rO2ZfhZIiPg4q3WzkNMAgniCD56VXVwq57VeC-tbb83SkVucrRO2ME8UpgR96OjnQ/s4608/Pfanner%20Ceiling2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxh80Rsz7xM--F_3iHh9BBaJx5T6-o5yKOxr_ZWYBxSKyfIYrlEKT8ng8PhuIxFH5cmjIIheaqgkn8LPCA-ge1wn3glrXOPmDJAfm1P7ZTrJlyRRPo4c-o5zd7rO2ZfhZIiPg4q3WzkNMAgniCD56VXVwq57VeC-tbb83SkVucrRO2ME8UpgR96OjnQ/w480-h640/Pfanner%20Ceiling2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>In Lucca we visited the Palazzo Pfanner with its ornate ceilings...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCt0Y6aAQZNhdqQgkxAkL6rUfbRo0wtOcpBMLRlmSzt1Aw2XCk1pcHtppb0n5RAxQeHfr5tVkrDU7ztAhWia51iRZF6bxYLqg7ItMFP9xKjdkakhwi3z5QRP4qffOhRT3kP8Ee9fcnmhi3vtlnwFvzyRwN2o68HDOYy-u_Chb1nIPi2exmpRZclF4Ug/s4608/Pfanner%20Ceiling.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCt0Y6aAQZNhdqQgkxAkL6rUfbRo0wtOcpBMLRlmSzt1Aw2XCk1pcHtppb0n5RAxQeHfr5tVkrDU7ztAhWia51iRZF6bxYLqg7ItMFP9xKjdkakhwi3z5QRP4qffOhRT3kP8Ee9fcnmhi3vtlnwFvzyRwN2o68HDOYy-u_Chb1nIPi2exmpRZclF4Ug/w480-h640/Pfanner%20Ceiling.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LgogqnJO1pRrUTRH7_m3-ve4kYz8ptG_6Rc7-jedwMf-keRHXEYwKbWEjoFnP2fNB9MJRXgPCVdWKQBF5yV0Oz7G225IvueTlxSJu97msoOeySXdYioxjJvB_tc7SD4cfxVer7uyBaJLKojei_UDiNXizOAyr2u2IsQ5708XXE5EHPADwII7dYhdCg/s4608/Pfanner%20Gold%20Table.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LgogqnJO1pRrUTRH7_m3-ve4kYz8ptG_6Rc7-jedwMf-keRHXEYwKbWEjoFnP2fNB9MJRXgPCVdWKQBF5yV0Oz7G225IvueTlxSJu97msoOeySXdYioxjJvB_tc7SD4cfxVer7uyBaJLKojei_UDiNXizOAyr2u2IsQ5708XXE5EHPADwII7dYhdCg/w480-h640/Pfanner%20Gold%20Table.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>and even more ornate furnishings.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88PovRj-JFvhBps0QrWNAJ0_bn9opgTtXBU-Eg5yD4mmxDvWG-c0ItM-cQNgSmPN8Bk4NboL1pZO_eyVsbeWFOr0goa5VqZ1Cns2dBTmSDuL7KiCenduGnT6Zu9-CZqTROYARyDQor2ahtSrDlXoiEdBKIZ0jFzSQZccHjUIO5h2Ya7GUxs3FMXuTZA/s4608/Pfanner%20Houe%20Garden.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88PovRj-JFvhBps0QrWNAJ0_bn9opgTtXBU-Eg5yD4mmxDvWG-c0ItM-cQNgSmPN8Bk4NboL1pZO_eyVsbeWFOr0goa5VqZ1Cns2dBTmSDuL7KiCenduGnT6Zu9-CZqTROYARyDQor2ahtSrDlXoiEdBKIZ0jFzSQZccHjUIO5h2Ya7GUxs3FMXuTZA/w640-h480/Pfanner%20Houe%20Garden.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The gardens of the Palazzo & the fountain with its statues of Roman gods was an outstanding part of the tour.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtK0LO_KhD0muW4Q07tNjIz6RbLww22NdVqZULFqKL-aHPzpBFUpTNXeNIRAT2QBYIA7Ntb-mPHK_xeLEdG3CzNmYvBtEZb3PcX-x8nJYI3HNdCMr-a1aG5NlAYcg7Ub0qnyFU-x5kJYecpGcpsRqGPsyTjHqNStZxNVC8zyjk93uNDfQXS5dbxgv_A/s4608/Pfanner%20Kitchen.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtK0LO_KhD0muW4Q07tNjIz6RbLww22NdVqZULFqKL-aHPzpBFUpTNXeNIRAT2QBYIA7Ntb-mPHK_xeLEdG3CzNmYvBtEZb3PcX-x8nJYI3HNdCMr-a1aG5NlAYcg7Ub0qnyFU-x5kJYecpGcpsRqGPsyTjHqNStZxNVC8zyjk93uNDfQXS5dbxgv_A/w640-h480/Pfanner%20Kitchen.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Deirdre remarked: "After the kitchens of the Royal Palace in Madrid, no other kitchen can compare to its size and magnificence."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFIGDpWZuWZ5WB6sSRg_Ty9Dez20ZhuDOzvqCkAMa0M0IHDaMSvb80OZ6FaFAGWXMWl1C6UjL5El5QlDZYP3rsupplr4cFCg691gmSFHUwe4fyDQqEJF7Y-7ceWynJo9UgR9XcUFaQYomwu_KcFtipfoGxdLJfKEjHzBTCWUhDaned8WOTmJvTw7WhA/s4608/Water%20Fountain.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFIGDpWZuWZ5WB6sSRg_Ty9Dez20ZhuDOzvqCkAMa0M0IHDaMSvb80OZ6FaFAGWXMWl1C6UjL5El5QlDZYP3rsupplr4cFCg691gmSFHUwe4fyDQqEJF7Y-7ceWynJo9UgR9XcUFaQYomwu_KcFtipfoGxdLJfKEjHzBTCWUhDaned8WOTmJvTw7WhA/w480-h640/Water%20Fountain.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>In Italian towns you can still go to the town water fountain to get drinking water. This young man was filling up quite a few bottles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkDjS7K1imLbec52DW22EK1_VTo8kZ1207SUyBQQE0f8CRw078nhxdCcFLq8dtxftwEK3jTodZtMUaxDrvlugz1t-_1UcVILIWEKOfc15Emy8YMoauXWBTz-P3kSqB5HYnZWyaYuT6QwJDY-KkiXwXTnQLdJwmWWMEnLrmEN0ggnISF0q-TCeUgmZdg/s4608/1San%20Michele%20in%20Foro%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkDjS7K1imLbec52DW22EK1_VTo8kZ1207SUyBQQE0f8CRw078nhxdCcFLq8dtxftwEK3jTodZtMUaxDrvlugz1t-_1UcVILIWEKOfc15Emy8YMoauXWBTz-P3kSqB5HYnZWyaYuT6QwJDY-KkiXwXTnQLdJwmWWMEnLrmEN0ggnISF0q-TCeUgmZdg/w640-h480/1San%20Michele%20in%20Foro%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>While wandering the streets of Lucca we came upon the San Michele in Foro Basilica (dedicated of course to Michael the Archangel). It was originally built on top of the Roman Forum in 795.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOlhzerAOWtZIYLGmiHcp8TEsKdN8xM2CFJe5vKKiLcaccbokjOXMGf04F9gzNMpBtUFSjA2DLtgoD1Lkg3YxfGRJ822qEwl1jgxv0_9Axpqddo_Guhk5MKfqlUHlRWy9upuGT7B9LEnrvLQPzjAmS3JgpsVBVS2rZ371V6ITGAm9relg4MnU99qTpA/s4608/2SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOlhzerAOWtZIYLGmiHcp8TEsKdN8xM2CFJe5vKKiLcaccbokjOXMGf04F9gzNMpBtUFSjA2DLtgoD1Lkg3YxfGRJ822qEwl1jgxv0_9Axpqddo_Guhk5MKfqlUHlRWy9upuGT7B9LEnrvLQPzjAmS3JgpsVBVS2rZ371V6ITGAm9relg4MnU99qTpA/w480-h640/2SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>In 1070 Pope Alexander II started the rebuilding of the Basilica.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeAlRq-GODi0NkL9o3p3f6AkJ9ZfDeE_BYfZKz_D4Q_mSMAOVrmMAh7VSw_M5WUHC4rWQ214tk2BQdT_D8vkBbBcC4y3YKs_kfz0ANK6ZFkXjwbRhnORxvFiJP_XxXcHu-JDWb27HItcY3HHeW9YDjXOST9b86cm2OS7cAP_vB0iMq-zHJiUThkEx2w/s4608/3SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeAlRq-GODi0NkL9o3p3f6AkJ9ZfDeE_BYfZKz_D4Q_mSMAOVrmMAh7VSw_M5WUHC4rWQ214tk2BQdT_D8vkBbBcC4y3YKs_kfz0ANK6ZFkXjwbRhnORxvFiJP_XxXcHu-JDWb27HItcY3HHeW9YDjXOST9b86cm2OS7cAP_vB0iMq-zHJiUThkEx2w/w640-h480/3SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The ornate facade of the Basilica dates to the 13th century ...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz30-SScscLkhmRgNDPX5V7D-nqsMs7UfM_BiVzjKptxy3alrZSrzIrjLabFvaYo9xTSgOTg-gUMbsMoAUhrUYPhR9Sb4gqKbicQEP85FIZNdFgvvBYQC92iMH7n5p68uzQIQlwPgx0qFwmiH_mdxwW3oYxnjns7scFaS7sUJYXyTYVhj5yPAYOilzFw/s4608/4SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz30-SScscLkhmRgNDPX5V7D-nqsMs7UfM_BiVzjKptxy3alrZSrzIrjLabFvaYo9xTSgOTg-gUMbsMoAUhrUYPhR9Sb4gqKbicQEP85FIZNdFgvvBYQC92iMH7n5p68uzQIQlwPgx0qFwmiH_mdxwW3oYxnjns7scFaS7sUJYXyTYVhj5yPAYOilzFw/w640-h480/4SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>and was redone in the 19th century.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUavP05T9cnkqAQAN2wuwlFk-Tl4QWyzsebWCzHngRFIChez64gf-vl-pdaferH5PFor4b0jQoh6fEB3KIqqPe2ZnS1cZTIZSl9TrpSYyFLPJCYxxej_e2AC08lotuMkZbcWrraUaG2cEoSG8g1142acUEFXWTYoyTQVojr5NX4dS16P6buylMM2BCg/s4608/5SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUavP05T9cnkqAQAN2wuwlFk-Tl4QWyzsebWCzHngRFIChez64gf-vl-pdaferH5PFor4b0jQoh6fEB3KIqqPe2ZnS1cZTIZSl9TrpSYyFLPJCYxxej_e2AC08lotuMkZbcWrraUaG2cEoSG8g1142acUEFXWTYoyTQVojr5NX4dS16P6buylMM2BCg/w640-h480/5SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The statue of Michael is 4 meters tall.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS1mVuo38ZEujNx4J_6cfip2Hk6i4yQgafDh54gLyhoXXKw7Alg8X1L2irgKys66ZGENf8LIMJCEXCRIv9hILzO98lh7_Gds04MCHra9_DskJxibdB1ni2gIau0S2OGF2lq0StZGVzRRdRAJV_b-O0gVtJhRBippWnvPU1_UBfs2sA-UhJZESbMvvHQ/s4608/6SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS1mVuo38ZEujNx4J_6cfip2Hk6i4yQgafDh54gLyhoXXKw7Alg8X1L2irgKys66ZGENf8LIMJCEXCRIv9hILzO98lh7_Gds04MCHra9_DskJxibdB1ni2gIau0S2OGF2lq0StZGVzRRdRAJV_b-O0gVtJhRBippWnvPU1_UBfs2sA-UhJZESbMvvHQ/w480-h640/6SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>The Basilica shown with its tower is quite impressive.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o0KlrdAWlcpoDbUURTP7LrIkceVg1e_Xwey_9iigRpMfyHdj2HNH3YWKFNYnRbEfXxgAC3Ht-s-kGsVUcvPFI27dnCJKQ8IfsSZAg1nJjHpxE7bY79OhEisCKozactV51FWhav0a9si6XzLZhoJAKU6AfYogDJTChXyKsZSaOFlefdxPjA--aiLcHQ/s4608/7Madonna%20@%20SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o0KlrdAWlcpoDbUURTP7LrIkceVg1e_Xwey_9iigRpMfyHdj2HNH3YWKFNYnRbEfXxgAC3Ht-s-kGsVUcvPFI27dnCJKQ8IfsSZAg1nJjHpxE7bY79OhEisCKozactV51FWhav0a9si6XzLZhoJAKU6AfYogDJTChXyKsZSaOFlefdxPjA--aiLcHQ/w480-h640/7Madonna%20@%20SM%20in%20Lucca.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>This statue of the Madonna was added to the Basilica in 1480 & was sculpted by Matteo Civitali to celebrate the end of the 1476 plague.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirzp9DFHnnqN0B-aC1EKEyXSgAsILi4kV111LRw-5jxxeag0DluWERMCs8beWO8Dr-TVUBUGEtkL2xIhbtnCuOoB_qU9SB_YYRoE6umbMQ8GxKz0Rj9lOcl5NPQmj8cTd024gQgftnSSPat8y8im1e_JrNUfP8VL_gmnPM-h3hFb9iTS_TSkKXeKrdA/s4608/1GiacomoPucini.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirzp9DFHnnqN0B-aC1EKEyXSgAsILi4kV111LRw-5jxxeag0DluWERMCs8beWO8Dr-TVUBUGEtkL2xIhbtnCuOoB_qU9SB_YYRoE6umbMQ8GxKz0Rj9lOcl5NPQmj8cTd024gQgftnSSPat8y8im1e_JrNUfP8VL_gmnPM-h3hFb9iTS_TSkKXeKrdA/w480-h640/1GiacomoPucini.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>Also in Lucca we came across this statue of Giacomo Puccini...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rAGK8zEMYg7HmwLyjDgkTmL8rO71kWswVASdEtbs8nxq4scX6yo7-tmPqjfoenB_LTx2xErCfgSxae8OWDVhsgz_CzpBeaS-293t9xSV3vw-m7BPgkObwn9fL09E0QdwKoAVuCF2lwjBeCT3dEmHWzfT8gH8-AMZAHUrVSS0B54T0XUuttipbEsOFQ/s4608/2PuciniHouse.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rAGK8zEMYg7HmwLyjDgkTmL8rO71kWswVASdEtbs8nxq4scX6yo7-tmPqjfoenB_LTx2xErCfgSxae8OWDVhsgz_CzpBeaS-293t9xSV3vw-m7BPgkObwn9fL09E0QdwKoAVuCF2lwjBeCT3dEmHWzfT8gH8-AMZAHUrVSS0B54T0XUuttipbEsOFQ/w480-h640/2PuciniHouse.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>which was conveniently placed in front of Puccini's house.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Secular One"; font-size: large;">See It On a Sunday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Secular One"; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I always say if you want to see Mexico at its best, see it on a Sunday. On Sunday all the families fill the parks, restaurants & bars and you see the culture on full display. It's true elsewhere as well. Sunday, after Lucca, found us in seaside Viareggio - with not a tourist in sight. After a terrific seafood meal we ambled along the promenade enjoying the Art Deco & Empire style buildings. Surrounded by kids on trikes, dogs of all shapes and sizes and everyone parading with gelato in hand, it was the perfect way to pass a Sunday afternoon.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifje9tb64fiGc9_jYE7wS8jV_00rJvXw8lJIohQeScXoySmPJG81EWoHKb70OEADuiN3yW9W9WgtYWaz-5mc9ju-PmIdzRqFUONn4OFGo3Vqx1olr6Bu-bDQ9sYQsm30zg_TY5_c7vcxvidwNy0IlYU1hhX0gKagMy-AcWlBDLH1uWG6DmbGJ49bGtfA/s4608/3Viareggio%20Harbor.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifje9tb64fiGc9_jYE7wS8jV_00rJvXw8lJIohQeScXoySmPJG81EWoHKb70OEADuiN3yW9W9WgtYWaz-5mc9ju-PmIdzRqFUONn4OFGo3Vqx1olr6Bu-bDQ9sYQsm30zg_TY5_c7vcxvidwNy0IlYU1hhX0gKagMy-AcWlBDLH1uWG6DmbGJ49bGtfA/w640-h480/3Viareggio%20Harbor.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The port of Viareggio had several very impressive sailboats.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BnhjxWkMRxqiVdnVDmMfvOkiolqaFWgeFlBn7uD9BWyIjd6Z8NHrgkk3rriY2tQ_F0ba0n8WZoxyO56YS1d9MDzoAXkkC7P-tpSGNoBdqG-vyiWoCy9ZbzA-5oKzSaBsIIFmeqsZiv3j86jnKkgYsRP5IaiAg9Zg7wnw4DcjeU4jgXswr949gmjKKw/s4608/4Viareggio%20Tiled%20Roofs1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BnhjxWkMRxqiVdnVDmMfvOkiolqaFWgeFlBn7uD9BWyIjd6Z8NHrgkk3rriY2tQ_F0ba0n8WZoxyO56YS1d9MDzoAXkkC7P-tpSGNoBdqG-vyiWoCy9ZbzA-5oKzSaBsIIFmeqsZiv3j86jnKkgYsRP5IaiAg9Zg7wnw4DcjeU4jgXswr949gmjKKw/w640-h480/4Viareggio%20Tiled%20Roofs1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The tiled roofs along the promenade...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvzfhVe0VyUdMqArfpFuWNULN7-fZ5DoJg4z_FNSGRlOxIwTM2gXVWgSgwF0HjpSd1D5-2f2mw66InSjTEj-BVKICrkJ4u6RCTe5JGiSazcNvogmlmrGIVws-K9oz5s0RW_M_0j70lUO6uVMF3bNMIjLGq8E2mYyfLaD03tAXEfnxH1Q8fmTnlGw1vg/s4608/5Viareggio%20Detail.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvzfhVe0VyUdMqArfpFuWNULN7-fZ5DoJg4z_FNSGRlOxIwTM2gXVWgSgwF0HjpSd1D5-2f2mw66InSjTEj-BVKICrkJ4u6RCTe5JGiSazcNvogmlmrGIVws-K9oz5s0RW_M_0j70lUO6uVMF3bNMIjLGq8E2mYyfLaD03tAXEfnxH1Q8fmTnlGw1vg/w640-h480/5Viareggio%20Detail.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>and the detailed woodworking on this building...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYrjw1PTGzEt4rKCTLBN-Y0s-PYnnJeCj9_nHidjta00JgJo8AkHg7VwRvNxZ2xQ4jo4p7wcOO7Xk_IAv_D1_e9AcGnV3cfq1BGHSrZIX6ELaEo5B6bDsJuB8egjm874JRVKZ41zT9zHca2IixVEqG3yhYCaYYNrs5UWCap-eB6dDbAANsgvwed1KOQ/s4608/6Viareggio%20Tiled%20roof2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYrjw1PTGzEt4rKCTLBN-Y0s-PYnnJeCj9_nHidjta00JgJo8AkHg7VwRvNxZ2xQ4jo4p7wcOO7Xk_IAv_D1_e9AcGnV3cfq1BGHSrZIX6ELaEo5B6bDsJuB8egjm874JRVKZ41zT9zHca2IixVEqG3yhYCaYYNrs5UWCap-eB6dDbAANsgvwed1KOQ/w640-h480/6Viareggio%20Tiled%20roof2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>along with another colorfully tiled roof stood out as we strolled.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsUU5gix5vIC43rYKjnN8_jMUuBHEE5LxdkwdLseB9QkE7Cywa4W6MxmMK4AdFeSsc0MFFpfnYHtloksvrjOn_RUWkyNok5m1AKh0Gatvf0jsC-Fa_Q8IW5iXVUrRO2dyBx1R6wxelAWG1LYwsLYU8WJp5fn3CmNROWaVh-D8zo6-WXj_j3MmrZJKtg/s4608/7Burlamacco.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsUU5gix5vIC43rYKjnN8_jMUuBHEE5LxdkwdLseB9QkE7Cywa4W6MxmMK4AdFeSsc0MFFpfnYHtloksvrjOn_RUWkyNok5m1AKh0Gatvf0jsC-Fa_Q8IW5iXVUrRO2dyBx1R6wxelAWG1LYwsLYU8WJp5fn3CmNROWaVh-D8zo6-WXj_j3MmrZJKtg/w480-h640/7Burlamacco.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>This is a statue of Burlamacco who presides over Carnavale in Viareggio & is the town's mascot.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrAc9ks9hLAYKu30A_yZ8AAF9KE8zLAzhjPKUKI_26WPDuc6CL1ukurl6mQBCBvRVAjY-62Ku4BY_0YBRgoZodTgZCb-McyP4CNfyUVUnLA40wrcNsd6hYzvA4cDV2R4AcmdZE-wduzv6KY4Vs0xWcdHcXnVaFLRF2MFNIDPOTzxIZdmipCSEUJP3aQ/s4608/8Viareggio%20Carnavale.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrAc9ks9hLAYKu30A_yZ8AAF9KE8zLAzhjPKUKI_26WPDuc6CL1ukurl6mQBCBvRVAjY-62Ku4BY_0YBRgoZodTgZCb-McyP4CNfyUVUnLA40wrcNsd6hYzvA4cDV2R4AcmdZE-wduzv6KY4Vs0xWcdHcXnVaFLRF2MFNIDPOTzxIZdmipCSEUJP3aQ/w640-h480/8Viareggio%20Carnavale.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Viareggio is already promoting Carnavale 2024!<br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><br /></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our last day in Tuscany we stay in our home base of Montecatini Terme. It's claim to fame is it's thermal baths & healing waters. In its lovely, sprawling park are the various baths & fountains that provided/provide "the cure". When you see the infrastructure of hotels, ex-casinos, etc. surrounding the spas, you realize this was big business. Michael's photos will show the elegance and scope of one of the spas. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT1zs9MfRJaXF6u9maV4RcXZRqRdJtuKgsBxztAFaS-1EHq4Dv5loLqOeV5Dxbmkh_cf_qng0sfszLeACQ9rlZE6Dbg3C4lDYB_oma7lHMi9H_GdHS4WFg-HgA1ohOUYBKMzoRJkUu5-rpeCtuow8qvjbkop6CnXRKDA84YgTEaUyxspkU_DH00_jnQ/s4608/1Casino.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT1zs9MfRJaXF6u9maV4RcXZRqRdJtuKgsBxztAFaS-1EHq4Dv5loLqOeV5Dxbmkh_cf_qng0sfszLeACQ9rlZE6Dbg3C4lDYB_oma7lHMi9H_GdHS4WFg-HgA1ohOUYBKMzoRJkUu5-rpeCtuow8qvjbkop6CnXRKDA84YgTEaUyxspkU_DH00_jnQ/w640-h480/1Casino.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the Excelsior Casino back in the day when Montecatini attracted many people to its thermal spas (and casinos).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwEyqkLnSzWnx8uKoFldCrzB1RUvnUw4DidOqSaxYurMb7pP-STJEE8vDS0JHQvkvtgaaskr-l5x1EPpG_FoxIU5XT_GVFVC_tqT1bhOV8ev2Wk0injZfVonIcjQThdN5C-l6jBDQv4cHw6unnE5OuIlF19NcwV5JaBilcoHcZQ7YuiCSAvSydyUrKg/s4568/2Spa%20Front.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3426" data-original-width="4568" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwEyqkLnSzWnx8uKoFldCrzB1RUvnUw4DidOqSaxYurMb7pP-STJEE8vDS0JHQvkvtgaaskr-l5x1EPpG_FoxIU5XT_GVFVC_tqT1bhOV8ev2Wk0injZfVonIcjQThdN5C-l6jBDQv4cHw6unnE5OuIlF19NcwV5JaBilcoHcZQ7YuiCSAvSydyUrKg/w640-h480/2Spa%20Front.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tetuccio Spa in the art noveau and art deco style is the most magnificent of the spas in Montecatini Terme.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0a3KR1UgT1HZUfDvvkAtuQ4p3GcAKjqFyWX8bWzZlb4rfP3DaHXBcDrTZlKmDgw6aTVRagSTuqgY99gLNby5SnJFsqF65n4wc_zRokxYuuU3Mvo6_dcZzDiJ9fmurU6I8ELUStxBTpj0aCS0Vv93fn_vihFK4MFaHwgl--mDB-qXx4bl50KS-ZvGMQ/s4608/3SpaDetail.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0a3KR1UgT1HZUfDvvkAtuQ4p3GcAKjqFyWX8bWzZlb4rfP3DaHXBcDrTZlKmDgw6aTVRagSTuqgY99gLNby5SnJFsqF65n4wc_zRokxYuuU3Mvo6_dcZzDiJ9fmurU6I8ELUStxBTpj0aCS0Vv93fn_vihFK4MFaHwgl--mDB-qXx4bl50KS-ZvGMQ/w640-h480/3SpaDetail.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The art work on the ceilings...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_O6s5vZus1_m3bWhLrMbMYITqK8CoeURzNs_TveqrBkfqjhMc14L5sh8fyXT_0L6k8I2riiIKjv6h0SLM0F9gFjHENomaa96oA3rsxTAoYEo9mO7mv0EHLcJTLibk13scksg7_z0S6TZfJI9mY4gUIDFaeyTxRttYBo0knOAyJp1aLt0ecjEdtrnBw/s4608/5SpaInterior1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_O6s5vZus1_m3bWhLrMbMYITqK8CoeURzNs_TveqrBkfqjhMc14L5sh8fyXT_0L6k8I2riiIKjv6h0SLM0F9gFjHENomaa96oA3rsxTAoYEo9mO7mv0EHLcJTLibk13scksg7_z0S6TZfJI9mY4gUIDFaeyTxRttYBo0knOAyJp1aLt0ecjEdtrnBw/w480-h640/5SpaInterior1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the marble colonnaded interior is quite something.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMa-eq3ZuIToGXUG42YzaRIxABcwi6djvpSD_YxazpNlzBgq2J2ygGKhfr3GzWYKbD4Npy-JSob43tBwRbWNebQph8FikyS8IzeWXIlUDgDrNtug8qJcaXwLCxio11A7o3baOEUluE0CUD0hEX_koJZqh9qCLqCuPmPimn5YfBK7hhI_yIY3xyLd2Nw/s4608/6SpaFountain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMa-eq3ZuIToGXUG42YzaRIxABcwi6djvpSD_YxazpNlzBgq2J2ygGKhfr3GzWYKbD4Npy-JSob43tBwRbWNebQph8FikyS8IzeWXIlUDgDrNtug8qJcaXwLCxio11A7o3baOEUluE0CUD0hEX_koJZqh9qCLqCuPmPimn5YfBK7hhI_yIY3xyLd2Nw/w640-h480/6SpaFountain.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This art deco fountain in front of the pool caught our attention as we wandered through the spa.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDMmugQANKaHxRXlP58tnW8GPkAKqOy58IJ7ulolPgEb1Gilx2jAtG-gDFBxIVWgntuIcJ1CDzzZAZi1ti4Vl7VBx_jbOJAkFMZjYmpSenQ4NR6lidJKj_Riyf8yOdLna0YfBDWDFd6W5KtikFDPWmvM8O80Uh9fxGPVoSEouB65TlILV186MUUAnjg/s4186/7Infanzia.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4186" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDMmugQANKaHxRXlP58tnW8GPkAKqOy58IJ7ulolPgEb1Gilx2jAtG-gDFBxIVWgntuIcJ1CDzzZAZi1ti4Vl7VBx_jbOJAkFMZjYmpSenQ4NR6lidJKj_Riyf8yOdLna0YfBDWDFd6W5KtikFDPWmvM8O80Uh9fxGPVoSEouB65TlILV186MUUAnjg/w528-h640/7Infanzia.jpeg" width="528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above each of the various fountains (with different waters for different ages and ailments) were these beautifully colored tiles starting with infancy,....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JaU8AmeGm4YK6d-MoJcSUDAWOMpbGWd5NWttzen-H6gmzFjGGfJmpwdBiFoXo0hbaP7MQzEmPDN_nxFl1et7rqTYczgWdKlN8Pt0yZM9BSgpC37UW47gTy9FWSA2TFZz90zDd8EcGkwpzBpNF6RaUdz5pIQea9v4ZbAnCYySLxX5alS-PRNNGP3zVg/s4446/8Adolescenza.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4446" data-original-width="3335" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JaU8AmeGm4YK6d-MoJcSUDAWOMpbGWd5NWttzen-H6gmzFjGGfJmpwdBiFoXo0hbaP7MQzEmPDN_nxFl1et7rqTYczgWdKlN8Pt0yZM9BSgpC37UW47gTy9FWSA2TFZz90zDd8EcGkwpzBpNF6RaUdz5pIQea9v4ZbAnCYySLxX5alS-PRNNGP3zVg/w480-h640/8Adolescenza.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then adolescence,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSWFu9gWq6TFlD5bl-ajHSsWyVOSQ7Xym4tl2zIe-JbLxiOYitcAcFTkOhMJKWXYdfMTenJSmX906oK93AjlQ7jekjjCQvC6lq6i5Jn2pkuDYR8_J1rbbvf9J8etTKJgpN10q1Wg3wdbFeZ2jFnARNNMrS8zk6rjVF5juDBLRgzS2BCrJ95l1sKK6Hg/s4444/9Bellezza.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4444" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSWFu9gWq6TFlD5bl-ajHSsWyVOSQ7Xym4tl2zIe-JbLxiOYitcAcFTkOhMJKWXYdfMTenJSmX906oK93AjlQ7jekjjCQvC6lq6i5Jn2pkuDYR8_J1rbbvf9J8etTKJgpN10q1Wg3wdbFeZ2jFnARNNMrS8zk6rjVF5juDBLRgzS2BCrJ95l1sKK6Hg/w498-h640/9Bellezza.jpeg" width="498" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beauty,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjH5ZEdZRlFXH6mzxuytzjokrlJvU8EjFInhueGqArHFTF5emb3y_hpa9NverieTC7qpVuLz9YjGduAPxnc-cyTecRBBVCBIcEQVr3TwGgcXkXobQEJrh7Pc8p2Bqc9LlrZh2fAVqW_-dyd2VDe3woT3lBVcj4528Rb-czIB_t4pMxtX35UdGHF8qJQ/s4475/10Fonte.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4475" data-original-width="3356" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjH5ZEdZRlFXH6mzxuytzjokrlJvU8EjFInhueGqArHFTF5emb3y_hpa9NverieTC7qpVuLz9YjGduAPxnc-cyTecRBBVCBIcEQVr3TwGgcXkXobQEJrh7Pc8p2Bqc9LlrZh2fAVqW_-dyd2VDe3woT3lBVcj4528Rb-czIB_t4pMxtX35UdGHF8qJQ/w480-h640/10Fonte.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the source,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvtV-nLg3cFMlJ391qrU8qQFsfcJH0eu_RKP4sgzotPYd94nzMFz5Qs2RRH8P7i3DZWDUxdxlIAvuajGuWz272yFmzBsh4KzHnMt9-rr_GE-ruKt5w1K8oIyddkQAl-p73CrJkwQE0BMc7t-V6vd7WsuPAkapeFCp8ZmU-jYq22c-pH9mVg6yFZuZ1A/s4471/11Forza.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4471" data-original-width="3415" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvtV-nLg3cFMlJ391qrU8qQFsfcJH0eu_RKP4sgzotPYd94nzMFz5Qs2RRH8P7i3DZWDUxdxlIAvuajGuWz272yFmzBsh4KzHnMt9-rr_GE-ruKt5w1K8oIyddkQAl-p73CrJkwQE0BMc7t-V6vd7WsuPAkapeFCp8ZmU-jYq22c-pH9mVg6yFZuZ1A/w488-h640/11Forza.jpeg" width="488" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the force,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDVOxwe1Xe3yZC7FUlXi4smdE83iTsV8-O-IIp5MCdE688aWhJnInXaamyCvsVm6TFN44G1gt6u3X-813TPMgZ9QY313IqNcy_WDDd0M9HKZlauIHciQPL_GpD03MO1wtbXJC74pRkBWJml7vmhGapujnSDz1MLlqTFx6LM4mqD8ztXQzhtPmfbfqrw/s4294/12Maturita.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4294" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDVOxwe1Xe3yZC7FUlXi4smdE83iTsV8-O-IIp5MCdE688aWhJnInXaamyCvsVm6TFN44G1gt6u3X-813TPMgZ9QY313IqNcy_WDDd0M9HKZlauIHciQPL_GpD03MO1wtbXJC74pRkBWJml7vmhGapujnSDz1MLlqTFx6LM4mqD8ztXQzhtPmfbfqrw/w516-h640/12Maturita.jpeg" width="516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maturity,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduMcmn5IoL_1MbpCy8qNcojLldFclLrvu0fkcsHGwecYr7eOm5zSfXMBW6OmQCBoUNYzUIhexjUkexfnpZz7eCAodysj9TMcod-7I_SJgRAIWw4kdtdJrx7Q_oD_Soz6wcRzGPoRSI0OwqEKeWRow_xzJg9biyWu8p9ES3MaQSlCD5i3DsaEKd0TSog/s4536/13Vecchaiai.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4536" data-original-width="3402" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduMcmn5IoL_1MbpCy8qNcojLldFclLrvu0fkcsHGwecYr7eOm5zSfXMBW6OmQCBoUNYzUIhexjUkexfnpZz7eCAodysj9TMcod-7I_SJgRAIWw4kdtdJrx7Q_oD_Soz6wcRzGPoRSI0OwqEKeWRow_xzJg9biyWu8p9ES3MaQSlCD5i3DsaEKd0TSog/w480-h640/13Vecchaiai.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and finally old age.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT3R68Etf1aPC_PjOBjUnFCZ2Qdsur920ZtCsMgym9VzlwlmriYiWiN9iB1pP-8uEo0afOXL9Ccx5IHhZH48ImgXwctEeYeXM1Z_l01Ub-3FZp70iYx0t4aCAyo1qO0WjRsmCipUaCtcXEc049j5oYS9BmqbtyCOsgBt2n5ZtGtXiSOhPk8VJYeZrpQ/s4608/14SpaClock.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT3R68Etf1aPC_PjOBjUnFCZ2Qdsur920ZtCsMgym9VzlwlmriYiWiN9iB1pP-8uEo0afOXL9Ccx5IHhZH48ImgXwctEeYeXM1Z_l01Ub-3FZp70iYx0t4aCAyo1qO0WjRsmCipUaCtcXEc049j5oYS9BmqbtyCOsgBt2n5ZtGtXiSOhPk8VJYeZrpQ/w640-h480/14SpaClock.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everywhere we looked there was something to catch the eye.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dzOCgFaeaG__j1xI_y7f6HVgeY9awGYCYm0opIgNElulb5vTP-5CX5DQna9PpQit55ziiockMa1kEjCwyxrkzv5yzBS9TfkmNCj8mw2NJk12_P7eT3tAJMhxBtSVtzakPfPMwxyrcgemv7PPmJDtkk-TwX7vCz_qu0xn-ZIXNHeW41wMYgkSPjGDUA/s4608/15SpaStalactites.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dzOCgFaeaG__j1xI_y7f6HVgeY9awGYCYm0opIgNElulb5vTP-5CX5DQna9PpQit55ziiockMa1kEjCwyxrkzv5yzBS9TfkmNCj8mw2NJk12_P7eT3tAJMhxBtSVtzakPfPMwxyrcgemv7PPmJDtkk-TwX7vCz_qu0xn-ZIXNHeW41wMYgkSPjGDUA/w640-h480/15SpaStalactites.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This speaks to the various minerals contained in the water which has created these stalactites and colored the stone in different hues.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZdmtPBqScHjCkcVib1lBsAbcfC7AxwW6b1Hyaq_NSQlxZasgeqhAxgJvbwmv2NXoK3sxBMfsMod-YOgrhMiteSS7Zt0G2xpEP-9U69J2Hyr_5-fpuRBeJxSV_6UM5ofD8F1gt3vxcUkhHJvsP45gn2bwz9v5cARY6dEhdpTxF2YgjGj0YuT0fFBSpQ/s4608/16FloorIllusion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZdmtPBqScHjCkcVib1lBsAbcfC7AxwW6b1Hyaq_NSQlxZasgeqhAxgJvbwmv2NXoK3sxBMfsMod-YOgrhMiteSS7Zt0G2xpEP-9U69J2Hyr_5-fpuRBeJxSV_6UM5ofD8F1gt3vxcUkhHJvsP45gn2bwz9v5cARY6dEhdpTxF2YgjGj0YuT0fFBSpQ/w640-h480/16FloorIllusion.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor in this are of the spa was enough to make anyone stop drinking and take the cure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIsoUb7ZAeHi_nM6p3j0iqUim4cXbyz7ljZjmlWFssDpJKATvE-qD56hxvbMjY0j-MAH7-wu6WtBLQty8yGIAasTtGjUs81cpzTrKUDQKBdreyTujB9_JAnkDQCL1BnZ_PJ1t2586TLLtKNyEdtoUWUZ__wg1UWYVdfU0vzuvNCbgchxpYZAvpH4Dfg/s4608/17BranchSupports.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIsoUb7ZAeHi_nM6p3j0iqUim4cXbyz7ljZjmlWFssDpJKATvE-qD56hxvbMjY0j-MAH7-wu6WtBLQty8yGIAasTtGjUs81cpzTrKUDQKBdreyTujB9_JAnkDQCL1BnZ_PJ1t2586TLLtKNyEdtoUWUZ__wg1UWYVdfU0vzuvNCbgchxpYZAvpH4Dfg/w480-h640/17BranchSupports.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roof supports were ingeniously created to look like trees in a forest.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbr5Jz3cziTMg9JOlyAKH65P41xFLQLVcm3KUknJJQGpvr_oZUvmr2lumYRX89gGyF56LwFSUzyUftT9KSEnZB8ekx-wdLMNjQfRRcHXLTB_hDaQHy-Vhq9SF6UCK67D3oznfS5goPzNLMN-KYHyeKRy2S6BrEltFbYX3smeaTyOW1Ip6Y6hKU5bSxw/s4608/1SPA%20Library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbr5Jz3cziTMg9JOlyAKH65P41xFLQLVcm3KUknJJQGpvr_oZUvmr2lumYRX89gGyF56LwFSUzyUftT9KSEnZB8ekx-wdLMNjQfRRcHXLTB_hDaQHy-Vhq9SF6UCK67D3oznfS5goPzNLMN-KYHyeKRy2S6BrEltFbYX3smeaTyOW1Ip6Y6hKU5bSxw/w640-h480/1SPA%20Library.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The details everywhere in the spa...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPYGacN5Np-fy7Q4QzIPonp-tNeRL2fcG18O8Ru4OfcXaIBWwKL9-BqjHjS3ZPgHjwhRQvKgo57WLwnNoNhZCU10vFuJ_7UHSH_E8d6eYZr12csUFAydgomDPNoXck9Y9FXniHmnDN0vknKdcA_bWwM6je4uQRbz_qUdGig2NEATZo_dD33uPNXLwlA/s4608/2Spa%20Library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPYGacN5Np-fy7Q4QzIPonp-tNeRL2fcG18O8Ru4OfcXaIBWwKL9-BqjHjS3ZPgHjwhRQvKgo57WLwnNoNhZCU10vFuJ_7UHSH_E8d6eYZr12csUFAydgomDPNoXck9Y9FXniHmnDN0vknKdcA_bWwM6je4uQRbz_qUdGig2NEATZo_dD33uPNXLwlA/w640-h480/2Spa%20Library.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made you want to spend more time looking...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevsffabxt6do4ydRSizGrNWLzYIPN4QrYq11ElQX0sb-SaiYD575ro1JPPWnoJyEmV7tVbMh5FY2IkBSgAj2pSCJ1EBzKhji00l-dGXVRX2wY5eh4yg0bGQTM1NiFsd-273XRzENftY2d_ViNYFJkTqiL8b_7YdK7Oj25dX7mLQoT7PRW-Ol9GQMbgw/s4608/3Spa%20Library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevsffabxt6do4ydRSizGrNWLzYIPN4QrYq11ElQX0sb-SaiYD575ro1JPPWnoJyEmV7tVbMh5FY2IkBSgAj2pSCJ1EBzKhji00l-dGXVRX2wY5eh4yg0bGQTM1NiFsd-273XRzENftY2d_ViNYFJkTqiL8b_7YdK7Oj25dX7mLQoT7PRW-Ol9GQMbgw/w640-h480/3Spa%20Library.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at each section of every room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwklDpoqKVg0NzscFxLPVraPAvJbhf-fyF34S5VOIn7A_VRnDMEIpbUB_dPyvx7r3eZOLcN8r9_nbjMR2lDS9TwQ893xM05IbZmOOGCBCi0nQipoEb_NZ8RB05FX8Uu7R1Wo6EuYBiflYgEW7_cZqz_8SlkApWi_ZbL5aWT5niA1oyjR3xQ5PLfZPSDA/s4608/4Spa%20Library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwklDpoqKVg0NzscFxLPVraPAvJbhf-fyF34S5VOIn7A_VRnDMEIpbUB_dPyvx7r3eZOLcN8r9_nbjMR2lDS9TwQ893xM05IbZmOOGCBCi0nQipoEb_NZ8RB05FX8Uu7R1Wo6EuYBiflYgEW7_cZqz_8SlkApWi_ZbL5aWT5niA1oyjR3xQ5PLfZPSDA/w480-h640/4Spa%20Library.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the view from the windows to the outside courtyard were amazing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y200uawjcBae4WxgR40ZBiKXHpgJoGk4jAYDUOb0K-b0LB1eFrH_ArmgnbBa4Ct1i1oD4vDhwBF1iubBOWIJ1UB6zayCRh6jzWGTWqRhrtAc3LVNX5LWPz55shVaVjdIN8rbnXhKUEuV2nCgTQeIJ6KAj32VCNmXrYbaL4STdLfqGg0n6wnb2jztjg/s4608/5MA%20Puppy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y200uawjcBae4WxgR40ZBiKXHpgJoGk4jAYDUOb0K-b0LB1eFrH_ArmgnbBa4Ct1i1oD4vDhwBF1iubBOWIJ1UB6zayCRh6jzWGTWqRhrtAc3LVNX5LWPz55shVaVjdIN8rbnXhKUEuV2nCgTQeIJ6KAj32VCNmXrYbaL4STdLfqGg0n6wnb2jztjg/w640-h480/5MA%20Puppy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we took the funicolare to Montecatini Alto we stopped to have lunch at a great restaurant where we encountered this very cute labrador puppy who also attracted the attention of a passing golden retriever.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggc9OFbHokmIDffEIfGxQXORCkLLfHMVoJFusAIix3rMHUz0KBRkWO7jzsd_RRx6MvgK4CL3D01S5_aMEoOSOgQmaFWtxvZJ0b87tsBAO1Xb0ArIodcRsxa-qTuO-byhZOebZmsn_ESBLPaTwXFIHraJYSpcrS13pAkh0Sf-sMpjy2_6BaMD-QrMwZQ/s4608/6Funicolare.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggc9OFbHokmIDffEIfGxQXORCkLLfHMVoJFusAIix3rMHUz0KBRkWO7jzsd_RRx6MvgK4CL3D01S5_aMEoOSOgQmaFWtxvZJ0b87tsBAO1Xb0ArIodcRsxa-qTuO-byhZOebZmsn_ESBLPaTwXFIHraJYSpcrS13pAkh0Sf-sMpjy2_6BaMD-QrMwZQ/w480-h640/6Funicolare.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last section of the funicolare was a 38.5 degree grade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv3EtXsKf4Y2OZZ4psIV2ByOXOiazEzpD1NUWGGNLWkNLQxxiQ3yUjWPZRRfEaewzYiMveLvleirT6bc14OrN6CYrHLNhGE_-jEC36Yq9IKl1sLlbHfbwl-30tgdGHLmquiANHhsiwAoNEPNQYgiNhdGOOBvAfb86JVHswZ9a9ZZuATcPDRdSwJe4OQ/s4608/7MT%20from%20MA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv3EtXsKf4Y2OZZ4psIV2ByOXOiazEzpD1NUWGGNLWkNLQxxiQ3yUjWPZRRfEaewzYiMveLvleirT6bc14OrN6CYrHLNhGE_-jEC36Yq9IKl1sLlbHfbwl-30tgdGHLmquiANHhsiwAoNEPNQYgiNhdGOOBvAfb86JVHswZ9a9ZZuATcPDRdSwJe4OQ/w640-h480/7MT%20from%20MA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top of Montecatini Alto were magnificent views of Montecatini Terme.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_O590hqLiV9HXPzBYjj3d4ods1HpH-XtBY4M2VS-pdUy0F1z5pcmF1CamBFcODMznmA4MgrMi-VqdCP8u_k4ca9ktZV4b9f-MFiEonb-KHUWdHR0U6EZAux8Jd07aNc2P9EFI4gA_zBLkapO80jVJ8abjf9Uk7bwaq3qhMufMFHLuwg_xYLRqBl8tA/s4608/8MA%20Teatro.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_O590hqLiV9HXPzBYjj3d4ods1HpH-XtBY4M2VS-pdUy0F1z5pcmF1CamBFcODMznmA4MgrMi-VqdCP8u_k4ca9ktZV4b9f-MFiEonb-KHUWdHR0U6EZAux8Jd07aNc2P9EFI4gA_zBLkapO80jVJ8abjf9Uk7bwaq3qhMufMFHLuwg_xYLRqBl8tA/w480-h640/8MA%20Teatro.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old theater was in the main piazza of Montecatini Alto.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>Pushing On to Pompei</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We had been gloating about our beautiful weather in Tuscany. Our friends traveling in Europe were complaining of cold & rainy weather. By the time we reached Pompei it was drizzling - well, raining. But we were not deterred. Even on a dank day, Pompei was stunning. As impressive as the Forum & large houses were, I found the infrastructure equally intriguing. There were raised sidewalks and stepping stones to cross streets to avoid walking in water or horse droppings. There were communal ovens & "laundromats", elaborate sewage systems and fountains for drinking water at regular intervals. Blithely hopping from one wet lichen encrusted stone to the next for blocks on end reinforced my belief those balance exercises were worth it as I envisioned my slipping and concussing. The only other negative was a lack of exit signs leading us to wander pathetic and sodden until Michael navigated us to freedom.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EbKVUg22e4AKA5AmY6YlcPmVKQQTrFj08nktAYsLb2xS3g_ao_9elh4xkg_l82yu3qIXg-SwVMX5fImhNRa84CxuzboLzw5tMpCj8wHo07NQHAa3pbIl64619_8t7SFAOsfLXspZJusn7hH4vBMw5_4FwN6tc9TOLAFOE3FK6aYjhPS9lcA4e-mAlw/s4608/1Stepping%20Stones.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EbKVUg22e4AKA5AmY6YlcPmVKQQTrFj08nktAYsLb2xS3g_ao_9elh4xkg_l82yu3qIXg-SwVMX5fImhNRa84CxuzboLzw5tMpCj8wHo07NQHAa3pbIl64619_8t7SFAOsfLXspZJusn7hH4vBMw5_4FwN6tc9TOLAFOE3FK6aYjhPS9lcA4e-mAlw/w640-h480/1Stepping%20Stones.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clever Pompeians had sunken streets with elevated sidewalks and stepping stones to cross at the intersections. For we of an advanced age this made for a little more of a challenge given the rain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6sHNaENPYePIKndOJKV-AULxcVAsEyvcTzGGMFc-pyHXCqzagQNzEDjBhlw-BQF226OtcDmNiDRt7DQdWWeiwMd05ebOCWHpQKLdRCEfZ-kv0zuNqX6LLM9kWg5rwYAHGBKKMvk_joMgO4bboazbZyCdA7vXpK81PwGRUVVq6fp6pb7S7BCJRPdNTQ/s4608/2Roman%20plumbing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6sHNaENPYePIKndOJKV-AULxcVAsEyvcTzGGMFc-pyHXCqzagQNzEDjBhlw-BQF226OtcDmNiDRt7DQdWWeiwMd05ebOCWHpQKLdRCEfZ-kv0zuNqX6LLM9kWg5rwYAHGBKKMvk_joMgO4bboazbZyCdA7vXpK81PwGRUVVq6fp6pb7S7BCJRPdNTQ/w640-h480/2Roman%20plumbing.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pompeians also had very advanced plumbing...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZigm8mdPiY8C3OUe9WxTgr2B0I6GtCwDYvlEFltyHxqG5VpnM93QVmBhLbE9Nvg3cz-LH6aB8RhvFUimkauW3G0WjNnfePm3hiOcx-Cc5PKix1P39r94nYkCmIsGh7WcaSoxXbEcoXNshjIAkRfmwZB6Ed4ch9SfZgZYg2QOGg89nObHl2gZL_xbdqw/s4608/3Roman%20fountain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZigm8mdPiY8C3OUe9WxTgr2B0I6GtCwDYvlEFltyHxqG5VpnM93QVmBhLbE9Nvg3cz-LH6aB8RhvFUimkauW3G0WjNnfePm3hiOcx-Cc5PKix1P39r94nYkCmIsGh7WcaSoxXbEcoXNshjIAkRfmwZB6Ed4ch9SfZgZYg2QOGg89nObHl2gZL_xbdqw/w480-h640/3Roman%20fountain.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and many public fountains for quenching one's thirst.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6L8MTLaKlymUKKlhwEV7BNrV_UcmcX5xBZm3mR5g5zzRdCFiH3ALbtabyXWTO0B1FSRQtVwPfGs-q57MxCvdBph_IVKrq1AQcPCzVTKjffm0S0wLsIok5nNH57ObYWrsAGgxvS6MLvPq5tScxNfIk13bynMtDityCTOj5u7LIVgXqm7QE9OQB4Dx8Q/s4608/4Poppies%20at%20Pompei.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6L8MTLaKlymUKKlhwEV7BNrV_UcmcX5xBZm3mR5g5zzRdCFiH3ALbtabyXWTO0B1FSRQtVwPfGs-q57MxCvdBph_IVKrq1AQcPCzVTKjffm0S0wLsIok5nNH57ObYWrsAGgxvS6MLvPq5tScxNfIk13bynMtDityCTOj5u7LIVgXqm7QE9OQB4Dx8Q/w640-h480/4Poppies%20at%20Pompei.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowering poppies and other wildflowers among the ruins of Pompei made for quite a contrast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40pJhTPI2FyaHrkh-Z4ceGcNU7Ql-a4ru07TVrrrfqpOEKpPx4tSFPWQTPomifhUuDIc7pn0heCSdO2spEGnHcm-LBm0jcdinNlGaeAk5PcYISpBy1hZytDU6izCcCcslljutJs6aNflHpCltidxBAL-LWWqnFUGymvoerTkSjPinTsxTwE8br0Mt1A/s4608/5Umbrellas%20&%20Ponchos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40pJhTPI2FyaHrkh-Z4ceGcNU7Ql-a4ru07TVrrrfqpOEKpPx4tSFPWQTPomifhUuDIc7pn0heCSdO2spEGnHcm-LBm0jcdinNlGaeAk5PcYISpBy1hZytDU6izCcCcslljutJs6aNflHpCltidxBAL-LWWqnFUGymvoerTkSjPinTsxTwE8br0Mt1A/w640-h480/5Umbrellas%20&%20Ponchos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many umbrellas and ponchos gave testimony to the wet weather.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1hMmemSw7_8EX3iVl4P8c5HjVd7_OP5yC9gVqcFPlvehenEfmDiVLUFG4ci4YLbq1lnr9vdpTUnDJfz5LRXrwxxiVRnDVLkAkUCm50SZlmdqchh4rB02BGHeWB5E1ZLOAgYL4MMLqIFvKHNP6jugJ_OQp-1t06XYdZRY2VVhJNoQ-IN2btCWymjrNQ/s4608/6Centaur%20Statue.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1hMmemSw7_8EX3iVl4P8c5HjVd7_OP5yC9gVqcFPlvehenEfmDiVLUFG4ci4YLbq1lnr9vdpTUnDJfz5LRXrwxxiVRnDVLkAkUCm50SZlmdqchh4rB02BGHeWB5E1ZLOAgYL4MMLqIFvKHNP6jugJ_OQp-1t06XYdZRY2VVhJNoQ-IN2btCWymjrNQ/w640-h480/6Centaur%20Statue.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the rain there were significant crowds touring the ruins.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgbnTZZRwuKmoj-tb4t8OkstAjyEx6LLEK6NjiNke94ZxfNhU0S9u9UE_AJ1PfYOzqA_TeQhCw70bCYlYnM5VXIuWZlKgihpv9LFhqx1FrXSpj_ozejgx9YrPJ0l7iEuKSexH8g95ErL42pV5DFP5VT3_0ORkxCDGUPOBgkUd9vCjTWhRI49ynawP4Q/s4608/7Rain%20at%20Pompei.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgbnTZZRwuKmoj-tb4t8OkstAjyEx6LLEK6NjiNke94ZxfNhU0S9u9UE_AJ1PfYOzqA_TeQhCw70bCYlYnM5VXIuWZlKgihpv9LFhqx1FrXSpj_ozejgx9YrPJ0l7iEuKSexH8g95ErL42pV5DFP5VT3_0ORkxCDGUPOBgkUd9vCjTWhRI49ynawP4Q/w480-h640/7Rain%20at%20Pompei.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture shows the rain falling on the ruins.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU0NriHUwcJ4LuHIy2as8jQbKC372w0L3iUNN-i_IChInnh0EFHZ1cW5RBcUZ1gYQTvajLayhoBeze4XxLaAywWjGndrPYyxG8kWkVb_gpBBAcf5Qxj6kC_fymfM0bP6W6Y8GTIxZO0fEOOGsOtNCAc576D9ZbTnOELchemf6oYXv4bLq_kkkzBEsXg/s4608/8Fresco1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU0NriHUwcJ4LuHIy2as8jQbKC372w0L3iUNN-i_IChInnh0EFHZ1cW5RBcUZ1gYQTvajLayhoBeze4XxLaAywWjGndrPYyxG8kWkVb_gpBBAcf5Qxj6kC_fymfM0bP6W6Y8GTIxZO0fEOOGsOtNCAc576D9ZbTnOELchemf6oYXv4bLq_kkkzBEsXg/w480-h640/8Fresco1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was very interesting to see how well preserved some of the frescoes were....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpfgWFAqw6QkosTmJENiQ8p4r_hJN85lH1ZHBvHGPMTGIaroG4wGGtznKuG8EsGk0tPIj0wyQ1ytJP6RNw1LSBZxqS-EKu-ioGnEfuxz94-cWZbw7mMDzkrL-G8WNtFIJomepOAqEiA2ZKH1uTGLfuOCJHG_hLRv6HOVU-nBG4Z1KRdiCplfx0x08ug/s4608/9Fresco2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpfgWFAqw6QkosTmJENiQ8p4r_hJN85lH1ZHBvHGPMTGIaroG4wGGtznKuG8EsGk0tPIj0wyQ1ytJP6RNw1LSBZxqS-EKu-ioGnEfuxz94-cWZbw7mMDzkrL-G8WNtFIJomepOAqEiA2ZKH1uTGLfuOCJHG_hLRv6HOVU-nBG4Z1KRdiCplfx0x08ug/w480-h640/9Fresco2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as can be seen from these photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5ZazIJn9_Q_s5JMmsBhnQuPBWxyTCl7mawx7F-URVoWmAy5oVLbbrqh4kNW2ZkghFGVMQiz8kJwvQ61q8-IgniL74t5pqehQmp2wPTvyyawDE6Jqe8irmAvbMpfBDVLzGRuG59-cBzHmi3JlXM1Xmw4KHtzTwdOhAX8n_VcZ_l7KOrptHxJXO_U8uw/s4608/10Frescos3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5ZazIJn9_Q_s5JMmsBhnQuPBWxyTCl7mawx7F-URVoWmAy5oVLbbrqh4kNW2ZkghFGVMQiz8kJwvQ61q8-IgniL74t5pqehQmp2wPTvyyawDE6Jqe8irmAvbMpfBDVLzGRuG59-cBzHmi3JlXM1Xmw4KHtzTwdOhAX8n_VcZ_l7KOrptHxJXO_U8uw/w640-h480/10Frescos3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7IrjtSdckRK1e2EKkTJCdx1BAisxowTdznNmDnEppQvG1zcEqdJv8l-ljKDCAybqtXliLgtRN7zpjTRPs9VEC01YAgGChZyAPfK7pXE6iZQqfwWpiPP5_E_m0IzFcR1a57iX4oezTbuvqfUJwPnr6hDrzqTA8iWcNF5iwkJZ83fvkgDBBN6Z7UeuA/s4608/11Floor%20&%20Red%20Wall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7IrjtSdckRK1e2EKkTJCdx1BAisxowTdznNmDnEppQvG1zcEqdJv8l-ljKDCAybqtXliLgtRN7zpjTRPs9VEC01YAgGChZyAPfK7pXE6iZQqfwWpiPP5_E_m0IzFcR1a57iX4oezTbuvqfUJwPnr6hDrzqTA8iWcNF5iwkJZ83fvkgDBBN6Z7UeuA/w480-h640/11Floor%20&%20Red%20Wall.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the mosaic floors were also in amazing shape.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcy9kjTLTsvBQVbrvEPG3QSSWsV6VIBDKWfJGw0QnGCRtHFNmigkupzPn3aNhVOXuwbucjqvGKkovDgS8egbIJJJRZ1J_gApwvTK4xzZpMFWWgqIvaSdKfxUbS9JBYpC7N0FFneUBiid_m6iL_oUxQbTTrWLPRwBZ2YVAe-OsTHRFvOsYhaFgfnK8Vw/s4608/12Colonnaded%20walk.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcy9kjTLTsvBQVbrvEPG3QSSWsV6VIBDKWfJGw0QnGCRtHFNmigkupzPn3aNhVOXuwbucjqvGKkovDgS8egbIJJJRZ1J_gApwvTK4xzZpMFWWgqIvaSdKfxUbS9JBYpC7N0FFneUBiid_m6iL_oUxQbTTrWLPRwBZ2YVAe-OsTHRFvOsYhaFgfnK8Vw/w480-h640/12Colonnaded%20walk.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors of the house of the wealthy must have been quite something...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7eeX6Kjweha5UDAQNljIAt0FWtBQzhuIFXrkRdbEKRJ697Ig6dxwjmfItecPOCdr2Qu5BDvr--rs9Rk6QGG4X5V-Afmw8qVadajvXbpmTRZjzRATsDUQewVfb0YtpBU1jZJwuxUrJ-1Wx8ZTLOtaXIL9BF4lbpwc17BxznSu2VJafQEjTG4q0DjLnw/s4608/13Exterior%20walkway.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7eeX6Kjweha5UDAQNljIAt0FWtBQzhuIFXrkRdbEKRJ697Ig6dxwjmfItecPOCdr2Qu5BDvr--rs9Rk6QGG4X5V-Afmw8qVadajvXbpmTRZjzRATsDUQewVfb0YtpBU1jZJwuxUrJ-1Wx8ZTLOtaXIL9BF4lbpwc17BxznSu2VJafQEjTG4q0DjLnw/w640-h480/13Exterior%20walkway.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not to mention the colorful frescoes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNgoJNL4Sj-XxfBvabNhhY2xn1PpPUWbRRKVMEq3B4A86Uj2hJWsEXyjwL7qX1TJHWiHdBlNiJNu5TFSGdcEilIyZBLuKXUqVR3TyeM-ZsqM5ch2q8uOBvU5o7jDrGgVfESJpcT2T7yoqnm8ce_TjxeDI5uBZ2g65buu0l5wGCSebsjvTMrwT0BHk7A/s4608/14Sunken%20garden.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNgoJNL4Sj-XxfBvabNhhY2xn1PpPUWbRRKVMEq3B4A86Uj2hJWsEXyjwL7qX1TJHWiHdBlNiJNu5TFSGdcEilIyZBLuKXUqVR3TyeM-ZsqM5ch2q8uOBvU5o7jDrGgVfESJpcT2T7yoqnm8ce_TjxeDI5uBZ2g65buu0l5wGCSebsjvTMrwT0BHk7A/w480-h640/14Sunken%20garden.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wealthy household had a hidden garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQte939NAKlM4wjtvKeyB5x4neGYOwzJHQNp20YNkQAH36LmRBUZ3IKZAufUshu6rLZ6RJR6EOMDfxr-eKu-wtHH13Ek4aK3yvCaZyvRI3TYnVmkN6ujeb9aWeg3ynQo9YfO865BM6329iWJxhOU50d8TYQJWb5BuGlB4LFo_CKIgBq9ncitc1SukoQ/s4608/15Pool%20Statue1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQte939NAKlM4wjtvKeyB5x4neGYOwzJHQNp20YNkQAH36LmRBUZ3IKZAufUshu6rLZ6RJR6EOMDfxr-eKu-wtHH13Ek4aK3yvCaZyvRI3TYnVmkN6ujeb9aWeg3ynQo9YfO865BM6329iWJxhOU50d8TYQJWb5BuGlB4LFo_CKIgBq9ncitc1SukoQ/w480-h640/15Pool%20Statue1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without anything to compare to the statue, it is difficult to understand the scale,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sPDNlkkYDauH4bqX2Jxr2EUCWyFb8VueeshyCBex4lrRjMK2gOpXV3GcYWkLjHKFKPUKUHI1cqr-Hr57E8qysyuEWbsFMD3CrGhhNrDm9B87Yte8p_oJUqj3OEFm2sSzFUniTBBUgWb9lgssyHXj2CIrnQUQdABipS17qaCTR7j544OY0CODQXaaBQ/s4608/16Pool%20Statue2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sPDNlkkYDauH4bqX2Jxr2EUCWyFb8VueeshyCBex4lrRjMK2gOpXV3GcYWkLjHKFKPUKUHI1cqr-Hr57E8qysyuEWbsFMD3CrGhhNrDm9B87Yte8p_oJUqj3OEFm2sSzFUniTBBUgWb9lgssyHXj2CIrnQUQdABipS17qaCTR7j544OY0CODQXaaBQ/w640-h480/16Pool%20Statue2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but in this instance the pool and the statue were quite small.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg96RNtopgs5R9DLGUyq6AMF3AYzH3UBChNI7s6QsQsPcOVhkoC_KRVpySE6j3y30u9_fS2L5MsRGZ_LWZQXLLeDYVn_HYFgTXMJUnUUNLYG2Y3TpjvRvc_Y2EiTUdc-GK42dBFOixz-MG_fLdDk6ILv32ompquLlIfuE7NAuIbrPbR5VxbmJNiuOtg/s4608/17Three%20Dimension%20Floor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="4608" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg96RNtopgs5R9DLGUyq6AMF3AYzH3UBChNI7s6QsQsPcOVhkoC_KRVpySE6j3y30u9_fS2L5MsRGZ_LWZQXLLeDYVn_HYFgTXMJUnUUNLYG2Y3TpjvRvc_Y2EiTUdc-GK42dBFOixz-MG_fLdDk6ILv32ompquLlIfuE7NAuIbrPbR5VxbmJNiuOtg/w640-h280/17Three%20Dimension%20Floor.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tetuccio Spa in Montecatini Terme copied the Pompeians for their floor. The Pompeians floor was more colorful though.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4bQWJ4Wj0zw-KLeOTqU3zx17JsU1Yy4PUGesHVCZeU5-F--Q8TgOUQWlQlM8Zisri8sa6XzZpAsHFRxtnToKI6HTi0tiyyGwCDtq3OkXxj_Ss-lqnl0Qb2U8leUx4LHkfLxo-JY5TIf3_M9537Gh6R_cZrGEW2OUDTtmAcnUOKMdoMwj-qkXV1tX-Q/s4608/18Mosaic%20Floor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4bQWJ4Wj0zw-KLeOTqU3zx17JsU1Yy4PUGesHVCZeU5-F--Q8TgOUQWlQlM8Zisri8sa6XzZpAsHFRxtnToKI6HTi0tiyyGwCDtq3OkXxj_Ss-lqnl0Qb2U8leUx4LHkfLxo-JY5TIf3_M9537Gh6R_cZrGEW2OUDTtmAcnUOKMdoMwj-qkXV1tX-Q/w640-h480/18Mosaic%20Floor.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the floor mosaics were very well preserved.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJosX23C-occNzaL1RZlMEf6Do8OGmo-4hyLlAYZNkneEHbldxnIU6-O5xY5tSKbw4xoa-vE44_Nv3V0GCAOr0eDaYQeDJfx_yEw7O4UPjdiN_nJZYJiJ5yla0gMr_urMmXa41nrieby_VB0Yd1JnwBDt4UO1hXOGGK0ZvbM6rUjZBZhizWUePSRWP1A/s4608/19LAUNDRY.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJosX23C-occNzaL1RZlMEf6Do8OGmo-4hyLlAYZNkneEHbldxnIU6-O5xY5tSKbw4xoa-vE44_Nv3V0GCAOr0eDaYQeDJfx_yEw7O4UPjdiN_nJZYJiJ5yla0gMr_urMmXa41nrieby_VB0Yd1JnwBDt4UO1hXOGGK0ZvbM6rUjZBZhizWUePSRWP1A/w640-h480/19LAUNDRY.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wealthy Pompeians sent their clothes out to be laundered.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZOzlYviR4d5KCO2NSWvwqUnbWrgjNfSw8owkLXbo81wTAGzcmvYk72pLQuWaNip8QC7BFI_UMvvDuBsCcofTJoC6bvtaqW-1DPA2SNw9uYPFsY6NHj7yiwGcsRwaetekyfC3MRviVQmOY7e_jZWHkOCwrqNfqo92vitb4Wza8RIRWJ3tTTyopT7QBw/s4608/20Pompei%20resident.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZOzlYviR4d5KCO2NSWvwqUnbWrgjNfSw8owkLXbo81wTAGzcmvYk72pLQuWaNip8QC7BFI_UMvvDuBsCcofTJoC6bvtaqW-1DPA2SNw9uYPFsY6NHj7yiwGcsRwaetekyfC3MRviVQmOY7e_jZWHkOCwrqNfqo92vitb4Wza8RIRWJ3tTTyopT7QBw/w640-h480/20Pompei%20resident.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This individual did not flee the eruption in time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KeDzWaRwiUfD_purDZxbI_8wiV3WI3D-adx08g3bapJiCaqNyg2Zu7lSW3eAKC06_eyPx_Y05TfPENvIVjnCsVZSXW8iZzQbXPXM11vjOtEMgq9f5kioLjRlhagl9OR94jA1q45UqJDwj2RacB3-gpfyAhwB2v_FMbf4a-Ym7d3Y2G6nmCD8_aOCoQ/s4608/21Coliseum.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KeDzWaRwiUfD_purDZxbI_8wiV3WI3D-adx08g3bapJiCaqNyg2Zu7lSW3eAKC06_eyPx_Y05TfPENvIVjnCsVZSXW8iZzQbXPXM11vjOtEMgq9f5kioLjRlhagl9OR94jA1q45UqJDwj2RacB3-gpfyAhwB2v_FMbf4a-Ym7d3Y2G6nmCD8_aOCoQ/w640-h480/21Coliseum.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coliseum was the last thing we saw before finally making our exit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Secular One; font-size: medium;"><b>Ah, Amalfi - Curse Your Soul</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We were always ambivalent about the Amalfi coast. Yes, it was purported to be beautiful, but also noted for its crowds and constricted motorways. We decided we'd give it a go. So here's some advice if you contemplate visiting the area: 1) Don't. Even off season it is overwhelmed & it is <u>way</u> expensive. 2) If you go rent no car bigger than a Smart car or Fiat Panda (or just take a bus tour). 3) Take at least 2 Xanax 4) Put on your soil proof big boy pants & hit the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We left Pompei with our GPS telling us we'd arrive in Ravello 1 1/2 hours later. Seven hours later we checked into a hotel in Meta near Sorrento. Seven grueling, evil hours later. But why? Why didn't we reach our B & B in Ravello? We were a mere 2.5 kilometers away from our B & B when a policeman stopped us and said the road was closed. There had been a terrible accident the day before & no one could pass. Sorry. Our B & B had not mentioned this when she texted us that morning about our check-in time. Odd. And, excuse me, not to be insensitive but it has been 36 hours! Even in Mexico you clean up a wreck faster than that. With Google Translate & elaborate gestures we were sent on our way with very vague directions. Therein ensued 5 hours of utter frustration trying to find an alternative route and trying to talk to our host, who was no help at all. Finally, we gave up and drove to Sorrento (50 kilometers of alternate terror & annoyance) to be positioned for our trip to Capri the following day. It was raining ...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Everyone wants the Amalfi Coast and, I assure you, they will pay for it. One hotel we checked out in Sorrento wanted 120 Euros for a room (OK) and 80 Euros to park the car (not OK). Michael suggested we sleep in the car, but found a reasonable alternative in Meta. Our ferry tickets to Capri were 105 Euros, but we just ate the cost because, yes, it was raining again. We decided to cut our losses & just retreat to our seaside room and do things like write this blog - oh and continue to fight with the B & B host who was unable to provide us alternate directions to the B & B but somehow thinks we should pay her - ha!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yXopbadiu-BkfXCj2pqUaUEMDl5LC7HylUb62OIW555ik-wJSVVEGMhcl6sGXE4yaZ5pK76RyZ4M76k01Hydp1_-uAcitFtPA1EAxep1xeZubqFWHsav-yZd1QU-127hNjS4dgPj7IhzhhS8jiEaIuVi2FEzONh0ttrqabOayT4hpPnod9nJVYGSvg/s3872/1Amalfi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yXopbadiu-BkfXCj2pqUaUEMDl5LC7HylUb62OIW555ik-wJSVVEGMhcl6sGXE4yaZ5pK76RyZ4M76k01Hydp1_-uAcitFtPA1EAxep1xeZubqFWHsav-yZd1QU-127hNjS4dgPj7IhzhhS8jiEaIuVi2FEzONh0ttrqabOayT4hpPnod9nJVYGSvg/w640-h428/1Amalfi.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds give testimony to our continued poor weather,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphUCYR6JQUlSswV37LyPf-M4muV6i8zsjtfKn9Ft3AnrO40gfy2c9sVJYgkVu6vHM_snvcK8EWoMW0xh-6qowHl_Ls5grVYedHLXT2viADOVw8GQJKrJb5fgydH-DBMUIIPlTlIO3sxZD05HjNPylAeZUbtHsG9cJdCrw_QmvwKEdDShhgkHqbIRT6w/s3872/2Amalfi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphUCYR6JQUlSswV37LyPf-M4muV6i8zsjtfKn9Ft3AnrO40gfy2c9sVJYgkVu6vHM_snvcK8EWoMW0xh-6qowHl_Ls5grVYedHLXT2viADOVw8GQJKrJb5fgydH-DBMUIIPlTlIO3sxZD05HjNPylAeZUbtHsG9cJdCrw_QmvwKEdDShhgkHqbIRT6w/w640-h428/2Amalfi.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but I was able to capture these two photos as we were attempting to reach our B & B. It was impossible to capture any photos along the Amalfi Coast. We just felt lucky to reach Meta finally without any mishaps. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpFj6V28yKCPnd4O052JPwkRtLATCBhx3uQu9Zj88qfyFEp8nvKNdijuw41uDL18DVrWVidC_S2C5eYA4qSPu54WIKLZ8ko9KEL1uqYjNOYvOCKXKAu7LH64Yc2XTWgPKeOE2Y3w7HKt1_b4GjdqMeAaKGvC6OCrPVNk44Co0QJUTk7G6I1pXp9c4DA/s3872/3Meta%20kayakers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpFj6V28yKCPnd4O052JPwkRtLATCBhx3uQu9Zj88qfyFEp8nvKNdijuw41uDL18DVrWVidC_S2C5eYA4qSPu54WIKLZ8ko9KEL1uqYjNOYvOCKXKAu7LH64Yc2XTWgPKeOE2Y3w7HKt1_b4GjdqMeAaKGvC6OCrPVNk44Co0QJUTk7G6I1pXp9c4DA/w640-h428/3Meta%20kayakers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the poor weather, these young people were out kayaking. These following photos were taken from the balcony of our hotel room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdXe8gDRBpwq50SxOYh0dmf5sh2Ed4gEdm9fgH5yI1NKyw_NNrwakfSiK17xr8LPQ7DZXclHwhA-TW9DJgMmP5UByYix9QdKoFkzSOkV7JYNyZNctzHMyvtHL_Paa9VqygKT-cQqP8dOwXfRnieI1JEhsdti8MRRSA6r8QACs_xa5zksiiWx_PSXAbQ/s3872/4Meta%20Cave1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdXe8gDRBpwq50SxOYh0dmf5sh2Ed4gEdm9fgH5yI1NKyw_NNrwakfSiK17xr8LPQ7DZXclHwhA-TW9DJgMmP5UByYix9QdKoFkzSOkV7JYNyZNctzHMyvtHL_Paa9VqygKT-cQqP8dOwXfRnieI1JEhsdti8MRRSA6r8QACs_xa5zksiiWx_PSXAbQ/w640-h428/4Meta%20Cave1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the cove was beautiful,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABFaglpG5-eQzIYuqHap10j82lFWsjuNNxZ7c6gM0cwzrVyQsG9oVpmGG1G6EVr7Pf-m5KCrDTVq4P3emvYGF7WUvHrZgHxCN5GkaeEAiLhccXykCiosw2slDRO5W0uEBbrkcwe8-9ukQgp6wTu6PSdcZqWHpfBAtDZpZoDQPXmn2lNAP1JGU2VVPpw/s3872/5Meta%20Cave2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABFaglpG5-eQzIYuqHap10j82lFWsjuNNxZ7c6gM0cwzrVyQsG9oVpmGG1G6EVr7Pf-m5KCrDTVq4P3emvYGF7WUvHrZgHxCN5GkaeEAiLhccXykCiosw2slDRO5W0uEBbrkcwe8-9ukQgp6wTu6PSdcZqWHpfBAtDZpZoDQPXmn2lNAP1JGU2VVPpw/w640-h428/5Meta%20Cave2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and we speculated this must have been a smuggler's cave at one time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34UUB4WMbcR9hRev7ggi9yCu0Zqbn8EXUMp_fjMzY4aVsQd7BzPZZyb84zhCSvZaPQpQW5kMnopiSvpaAYXmODmimou31dvPWCIijXu_x5k7ehZU-ZByHj8qOv3WE8lCzIGAOJpUOfXupEiTxUdJQSG4K9_PDVSEsemlKPk_FR3guup1NsIE8fbr9WQ/s3872/6Meta%20swimmers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34UUB4WMbcR9hRev7ggi9yCu0Zqbn8EXUMp_fjMzY4aVsQd7BzPZZyb84zhCSvZaPQpQW5kMnopiSvpaAYXmODmimou31dvPWCIijXu_x5k7ehZU-ZByHj8qOv3WE8lCzIGAOJpUOfXupEiTxUdJQSG4K9_PDVSEsemlKPk_FR3guup1NsIE8fbr9WQ/w640-h428/6Meta%20swimmers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only the Germans would consider this good weather for swimming!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9S6uWA7ZlVWXuM8oHStOnEOJ-bq-ok_-JwLY1HdfDrLJbGQrbbtLw49jAzrgTMhDxlC7k2v0lgfXIXcV-E4qcGJ_o_R6NW7oOzr8t7EQXyQxvU1z0h_Syl73sszGso78DtP31hQe2Y7Dhi-Xi68KcfaveZRWVPbWD6fY6PTP76S5gcaSudWtJhtxvg/s3872/7Meta%20beach.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9S6uWA7ZlVWXuM8oHStOnEOJ-bq-ok_-JwLY1HdfDrLJbGQrbbtLw49jAzrgTMhDxlC7k2v0lgfXIXcV-E4qcGJ_o_R6NW7oOzr8t7EQXyQxvU1z0h_Syl73sszGso78DtP31hQe2Y7Dhi-Xi68KcfaveZRWVPbWD6fY6PTP76S5gcaSudWtJhtxvg/w640-h428/7Meta%20beach.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the black sand beach below.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCAwLlHCUwrgo9GXTb642Y3TcZw40WPjs8Ev7cbgrVHLdwqm_5wp2OU-L_0I0aC7Vw1v7afC20Ytq1T_C0e_4ZiQ4zwF-6wcgrp6JuRiRPq6opeLQm6Fejjkue8kLlfOhakqfhpc3nz-aOmduyDDaWfrYNfExCp5Djn5AXqKwfXVi1oLOocmof2SOmw/s3872/8Meta%20Seaview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCAwLlHCUwrgo9GXTb642Y3TcZw40WPjs8Ev7cbgrVHLdwqm_5wp2OU-L_0I0aC7Vw1v7afC20Ytq1T_C0e_4ZiQ4zwF-6wcgrp6JuRiRPq6opeLQm6Fejjkue8kLlfOhakqfhpc3nz-aOmduyDDaWfrYNfExCp5Djn5AXqKwfXVi1oLOocmof2SOmw/w640-h428/8Meta%20Seaview.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>This gives you an idea of what the skies looked like when we finally checked into the hotel.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytLlNn9cijKroOB242X0qHbSWrrFRup8fct2h1KfRigAPpkk0yyY7xcU1zCMKWr-Kp-DbPA69CBcDXyHoft2jIClHEPOjwDIZDgJMFIzS6CB7KRBTaIS-Eb4vXPpuoQyusc5mjdhDj8Rol7WsxKguXWgn8iNeY2U4RaewAA8JRq44RTevG91lLgCmag/s1024/8F8C640C-E304-49D7-9A57-9E99018D42CB_1_105_c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytLlNn9cijKroOB242X0qHbSWrrFRup8fct2h1KfRigAPpkk0yyY7xcU1zCMKWr-Kp-DbPA69CBcDXyHoft2jIClHEPOjwDIZDgJMFIzS6CB7KRBTaIS-Eb4vXPpuoQyusc5mjdhDj8Rol7WsxKguXWgn8iNeY2U4RaewAA8JRq44RTevG91lLgCmag/w640-h480/8F8C640C-E304-49D7-9A57-9E99018D42CB_1_105_c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least the clouds made for some interesting sunset photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE79ydS-UOiLgI6Ro2Dy7kx4OBi3qvfP7x9P3d1vGxs5iXid0ofu_q3Ha5aYDzJ2HMtw4G-xkXssAIhR_BADtmTLjg6ouyEli62tOgfNf0rIKZ-YRH4iCqLgmnL0vUgARLRqL6Xq3R2JfN06UFvNVnq1kuuQkve5N6pWRCES_mBuBmjeDGezYsKNOJA/s1024/9Sunset1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE79ydS-UOiLgI6Ro2Dy7kx4OBi3qvfP7x9P3d1vGxs5iXid0ofu_q3Ha5aYDzJ2HMtw4G-xkXssAIhR_BADtmTLjg6ouyEli62tOgfNf0rIKZ-YRH4iCqLgmnL0vUgARLRqL6Xq3R2JfN06UFvNVnq1kuuQkve5N6pWRCES_mBuBmjeDGezYsKNOJA/w640-h480/9Sunset1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLhzmRwkTHGSVqixmzQ3l8ZW9E5wphllcXavCDz1BzyDfQo8XuV-ZyQ6qg7FHNmirRqqDDzXKJ98uIGu0WSY0-Fc6jXVcTZHZklqv2YktLZzF-gZBfhgQmo8XX6ftqLc-drDSOegVwSNkiwIK_1guTovfknH8kZjvvm0ZyfkdFGlhxsaX5OUJI9bTxQ/s1024/10Sunset2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLhzmRwkTHGSVqixmzQ3l8ZW9E5wphllcXavCDz1BzyDfQo8XuV-ZyQ6qg7FHNmirRqqDDzXKJ98uIGu0WSY0-Fc6jXVcTZHZklqv2YktLZzF-gZBfhgQmo8XX6ftqLc-drDSOegVwSNkiwIK_1guTovfknH8kZjvvm0ZyfkdFGlhxsaX5OUJI9bTxQ/w480-h640/10Sunset2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiFH20JpGzUtDkzqkmkIOeAoKZ9N0ntmUcOg0TGqDLGrBk-Bo_oT1uIC3LrQ1G4unY6rqlKnGPPw7KdJZL2KTf0ULz624PVZdUAIdnM81f1WOxVE4iW20TNSXQ6Dgs-up33fTquzo88MlxaKQDbOwh-K_SxjMjIc4gQwnrqDladlr93qjephOCJi1GQ/s1024/11Sunset3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiFH20JpGzUtDkzqkmkIOeAoKZ9N0ntmUcOg0TGqDLGrBk-Bo_oT1uIC3LrQ1G4unY6rqlKnGPPw7KdJZL2KTf0ULz624PVZdUAIdnM81f1WOxVE4iW20TNSXQ6Dgs-up33fTquzo88MlxaKQDbOwh-K_SxjMjIc4gQwnrqDladlr93qjephOCJi1GQ/w640-h480/11Sunset3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Dn8WHfzHD26cllpMlxlyleXScyD9NF6VbU1ZY5ko_sclTG8l0OyQm7nzFzdTjzb2dgZHr9vjQ9PefssIx3dzVybSutsWm-CDP6iFKUPmjYmk0xIOp8xsjsBj72kEf4tRq--4f33xi6Rhhll-5H8bOgNWvDXq0uuabMArwph-DImoLj6GTs7rQ8tag/s1024/12Sunset4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Dn8WHfzHD26cllpMlxlyleXScyD9NF6VbU1ZY5ko_sclTG8l0OyQm7nzFzdTjzb2dgZHr9vjQ9PefssIx3dzVybSutsWm-CDP6iFKUPmjYmk0xIOp8xsjsBj72kEf4tRq--4f33xi6Rhhll-5H8bOgNWvDXq0uuabMArwph-DImoLj6GTs7rQ8tag/w480-h640/12Sunset4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tomorrow it is onward to Sicily...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-86695538408905141722023-04-25T18:09:00.001-05:002023-04-25T18:09:51.092-05:00Mardi Gras Madness and Two Week Long Easter<p> <u>A Note of Explanation</u></p><p>We have failed to blog for almost four months... a record. We really don't have any good reasons but rather a basket full of boring or pedestrian excuses. We shall not take up shelf space in your mind by reiterating them. Suffice it to say that we are back in the saddle. Even though some of you may have read of our Lenten and Easter festivities in past years we're bringing them back on stage just because they exude color and come as close to religion as you'll ever get from us. So, onward.</p><p><u>We Can Make this Celebration last for Four Months</u></p><p>In most countries Easter is either not celebrated at all or it lasts for a day. In some Catholic countries it goes for six weeks with varying amounts of rigorous observance. Mexico (or at least our Village) has managed to elongate the fun to almost four months. The ball gets rolling in January with the weekly appearance of the Sayacas. Starting in January the Sayacas run the streets chasing young boys and showering them with copious amounts of flour. Bystanders are perfectly fair game. </p><p>The Sayacas are men who have dressed up as women in flowery frocks and beguiling wigs. Some race down the cobblestones in heels which even a twenty year old woman wouldn't attempt. This is no L.G.B.T.Q event so calm down any far-right culture warriors. Macho villagers have been performing this bizarre celebration before that cumbersome abbreviation was even imagined. The origins of this charming tradition are vague/contradictory/fragmented but it has something to do with a village woman imprisoned in a mental facility who adored all men and when she escaped (frequently) and would be rebuffed. she would chase the man tossing flour or face powder at him in anger. It's all quite unclear but no one obsesses about it and the fun continues. The culmination of the Sayacas' shenanigans is the Mardi Gras celebration when they are joined by floats, bands, and not a small number of drunks in a marvelous parade.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLPEbps3m7284nsZ3_jA4wWkUIZkNVTc-kSo774-5eVWpaPEvVI1j669zB7OZNMDZpw71SFzPFUo3hsUmVJwFxh1q8csjEnnINZg_lOLLSBkfFe52KAWgtG2c4KJSLN3ZbV2o73dYn9mKTdxpvRvdVD2VmtLOjKnxMdlJltbhJUfoHl_Ruc3e1ZyHlQ/s3872/ParadeAnticipation.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLPEbps3m7284nsZ3_jA4wWkUIZkNVTc-kSo774-5eVWpaPEvVI1j669zB7OZNMDZpw71SFzPFUo3hsUmVJwFxh1q8csjEnnINZg_lOLLSBkfFe52KAWgtG2c4KJSLN3ZbV2o73dYn9mKTdxpvRvdVD2VmtLOjKnxMdlJltbhJUfoHl_Ruc3e1ZyHlQ/w640-h428/ParadeAnticipation.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always a lot of anticipation before any of the parades, because one can never predict exactly when they will start. However this gives the vendors time to peddle their treats.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzpNMUk8pqrG2rNHwCH3dRq5FOS8TvRk8sxtIyu9y5M9fr9hUAnntV5E4jwu1oIoiQdNpmxAyM9LXRppahX6O1tFgJ7ofgsCTPwHNf5rUizOrSYCsGOCnPcOfMLjGYngU6XDsMkjhsE6RMtGzJmM4IumLfVivtwYvOmtvfbcRuCL6D9_965oytOyK2w/s2974/Fleeing%20the%20Sayacas.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2974" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzpNMUk8pqrG2rNHwCH3dRq5FOS8TvRk8sxtIyu9y5M9fr9hUAnntV5E4jwu1oIoiQdNpmxAyM9LXRppahX6O1tFgJ7ofgsCTPwHNf5rUizOrSYCsGOCnPcOfMLjGYngU6XDsMkjhsE6RMtGzJmM4IumLfVivtwYvOmtvfbcRuCL6D9_965oytOyK2w/w640-h558/Fleeing%20the%20Sayacas.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running, or at least walking rapidly, away from the Sayacas in order to avoid a face full of flour.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHEaXyADVhZ0cby3bGX595oVSL2i22K4KVhKXtZA-Nw2udm3lO_UtYLZzooMbgDGwDITm1NDhim04694vveX70cDMjyixo3j5c-7q48vzYappd8y0WkJu7ltMuEmQx-dUUqyrZv14ivOdKYwdKymD2qKMlVkkb4Ao9KxrIavcnvZFG43ISa-6rYtOqA/s2592/Sayaca%20Big%20Boobs.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2387" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHEaXyADVhZ0cby3bGX595oVSL2i22K4KVhKXtZA-Nw2udm3lO_UtYLZzooMbgDGwDITm1NDhim04694vveX70cDMjyixo3j5c-7q48vzYappd8y0WkJu7ltMuEmQx-dUUqyrZv14ivOdKYwdKymD2qKMlVkkb4Ao9KxrIavcnvZFG43ISa-6rYtOqA/w590-h640/Sayaca%20Big%20Boobs.jpeg" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Sayaca demonstrated a great hook shot flour toss.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWFarab3AmIKcJcY98CQzKeo7lIcYRE_B8ymQXjwvktgngR7YK8IaJddqdxTCUMHKRay9aefuuPKR8hcyB-oT6j8Ok0V93uA0Fj2gdxe3FSfS89Z-cfvTHpkn0ryXYVkCU5uIjlnLXO_ULlGY7iczq8qxMMIRcJUuC0GNm5QwrMQFdo06NGFYRT1ouA/s3872/Sayacas%20on%20the%20march1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWFarab3AmIKcJcY98CQzKeo7lIcYRE_B8ymQXjwvktgngR7YK8IaJddqdxTCUMHKRay9aefuuPKR8hcyB-oT6j8Ok0V93uA0Fj2gdxe3FSfS89Z-cfvTHpkn0ryXYVkCU5uIjlnLXO_ULlGY7iczq8qxMMIRcJUuC0GNm5QwrMQFdo06NGFYRT1ouA/w640-h428/Sayacas%20on%20the%20march1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the spectators have already received a liberal coating of flour.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYPREACzKRcX3GFlFlEhUjkl_2BpG0ZsvrHfAjpcOPCsBoh75AkjK0vzei4vIbjGRAiAqLN4BucesnrR_JCZnRPHiQMlv-BoAQ7i5VVDPPM0ZAjMHwwz0_DIc3Ng7Xme9Ie0-Gwvw78k8rDnpOa2T8FpahO75ixh2ZW-1Yejc6A4ik5BH29uBp-SDDg/s3872/Sayacas%20on%20the%20march2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2460" data-original-width="3872" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYPREACzKRcX3GFlFlEhUjkl_2BpG0ZsvrHfAjpcOPCsBoh75AkjK0vzei4vIbjGRAiAqLN4BucesnrR_JCZnRPHiQMlv-BoAQ7i5VVDPPM0ZAjMHwwz0_DIc3Ng7Xme9Ie0-Gwvw78k8rDnpOa2T8FpahO75ixh2ZW-1Yejc6A4ik5BH29uBp-SDDg/w640-h406/Sayacas%20on%20the%20march2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amount of flour makes for a challenge in photographing the parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TIinKd5gAovrJ_abUdy06wfno928u_iicjRWzlF_zN0OjC207ZE2Bv-Y563xW6M7YbGQVUHhzlVXoqTjQ-03H6ESUsgyx17DqAN5ZzDRkzRdUhj7f9vcESdTrjau93i9U8Z9ByGEgK5v7ZHOng8Muf8Jy4VpHFfB-hcBD8NSKZB467_PdW-WCNuYdw/s3872/Crowd%20Shot1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TIinKd5gAovrJ_abUdy06wfno928u_iicjRWzlF_zN0OjC207ZE2Bv-Y563xW6M7YbGQVUHhzlVXoqTjQ-03H6ESUsgyx17DqAN5ZzDRkzRdUhj7f9vcESdTrjau93i9U8Z9ByGEgK5v7ZHOng8Muf8Jy4VpHFfB-hcBD8NSKZB467_PdW-WCNuYdw/w640-h428/Crowd%20Shot1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not even the little ones are immune...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjoSyBfPv7-HjueTSHmKa4YtPA8BYdvUYbBve2eHcjv_aNiarvCDvkjH36alK1aJv9_0TGzGycsomocHAU7N4JKQQEMFJ5_xEyVqh5BaA6ocAuGwgkdcyzi0kuv7C5Y8QBqJ23wQBShhT1IXaugIJ3Wt6wmh_d8Dom3yiTYREd2bdE0PAkIFNNwbu2Q/s3872/Crowd%20Shot2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjoSyBfPv7-HjueTSHmKa4YtPA8BYdvUYbBve2eHcjv_aNiarvCDvkjH36alK1aJv9_0TGzGycsomocHAU7N4JKQQEMFJ5_xEyVqh5BaA6ocAuGwgkdcyzi0kuv7C5Y8QBqJ23wQBShhT1IXaugIJ3Wt6wmh_d8Dom3yiTYREd2bdE0PAkIFNNwbu2Q/w640-h428/Crowd%20Shot2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and young women are also a favorite target of the Sayacas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xo7NQy0d-rog9sS7F3nlsEvH3RbD2SMli-XPa51jmKaAsjVxWIfOQZcm8sDOKWFAiOA4_tIfllugH4T6HCJh36ze9K6rt5bx8zyXt9dtZe-eQAhJ2QxgbmSXHRC9qJgwAAvaMjtrqcejrgQ1qlDH9HkwBKD7MlkAy8CrGvdhLmkJ2Cnef9Zr2O_Hag/s3872/Carnaval%20Queen1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2355" data-original-width="3872" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xo7NQy0d-rog9sS7F3nlsEvH3RbD2SMli-XPa51jmKaAsjVxWIfOQZcm8sDOKWFAiOA4_tIfllugH4T6HCJh36ze9K6rt5bx8zyXt9dtZe-eQAhJ2QxgbmSXHRC9qJgwAAvaMjtrqcejrgQ1qlDH9HkwBKD7MlkAy8CrGvdhLmkJ2Cnef9Zr2O_Hag/w640-h390/Carnaval%20Queen1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Carnaval parade is complete without its queens...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCl2bWFHTa3ptKbQZs3WZaAOzFPhDegLGr817Ica4O1jrHrze5e3Qzkw98Bsfwxozcp2NMZKE5U6PJoi_4-8wJgULKOZnF3mAx5wgduaxaIDY4ruxiRp3REho4xEm5oony-Cmecig_1QtOngZGjBMLh9Tc2x-90q770Ajj1qM-7VDOBLAPTRRCwUF1g/s2989/Carnaval%20Queen2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2989" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCl2bWFHTa3ptKbQZs3WZaAOzFPhDegLGr817Ica4O1jrHrze5e3Qzkw98Bsfwxozcp2NMZKE5U6PJoi_4-8wJgULKOZnF3mAx5wgduaxaIDY4ruxiRp3REho4xEm5oony-Cmecig_1QtOngZGjBMLh9Tc2x-90q770Ajj1qM-7VDOBLAPTRRCwUF1g/w640-h554/Carnaval%20Queen2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with this one riding on top of the car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBIh0YKST1kwrrJ_PAYbbTYE49LPEFl7Yov13BzgQPnS9Ay4gQr2fqZK6_Tl7002dqSbS1nCRBJIvc9eaq5PCuNput_IzQXT93tgwIhO8uSrxgXamYE275y4cp41YSOZxGzxLkSYG5TX3BzqA2P235MJWc0AG-YTFILQZEoHpNNJJsljl58tiANnQyg/s3188/Float2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3188" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBIh0YKST1kwrrJ_PAYbbTYE49LPEFl7Yov13BzgQPnS9Ay4gQr2fqZK6_Tl7002dqSbS1nCRBJIvc9eaq5PCuNput_IzQXT93tgwIhO8uSrxgXamYE275y4cp41YSOZxGzxLkSYG5TX3BzqA2P235MJWc0AG-YTFILQZEoHpNNJJsljl58tiANnQyg/w640-h520/Float2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brightly colored wigs are also de rigueur for the parade participants.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIpeJKnit0RGo1dRsQn4PZGmPh4QnHieZrQrHLv58AEUoac-h7PKGsK33MpPUR7I6hvW8lR1zEIqoy66wKzLtwCmNvjaz6GR1cx8STi51w43bWdyQXRpEa8lv0Aj6q4LhnTMm19nyU2D4paqCqtxfHGVSZFvsNOuNV23vZuVpMPqKcGho24En4B_jjQ/s3872/Float%20Queen.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIpeJKnit0RGo1dRsQn4PZGmPh4QnHieZrQrHLv58AEUoac-h7PKGsK33MpPUR7I6hvW8lR1zEIqoy66wKzLtwCmNvjaz6GR1cx8STi51w43bWdyQXRpEa8lv0Aj6q4LhnTMm19nyU2D4paqCqtxfHGVSZFvsNOuNV23vZuVpMPqKcGho24En4B_jjQ/w640-h428/Float%20Queen.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This queen had no court...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1QcFp0xXukCDfOuefidKcE_Oaudk8AUZ9Dr_rAMl7DUKWaxrpTkEfZxUWjcH3EJ7JbiPdCljOO4bcgdxjrJ_r8Ywpi6se7dtJHYXeoPpeAPKXI9f9Ae4vcJq2vS0e1UMCPpVirBqh0MKpfPnQ9vYqOTuEoFEzI85Yp7Laf_OWvxbAOIozPz9oxbwXg/s3872/Jester%20Float2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1QcFp0xXukCDfOuefidKcE_Oaudk8AUZ9Dr_rAMl7DUKWaxrpTkEfZxUWjcH3EJ7JbiPdCljOO4bcgdxjrJ_r8Ywpi6se7dtJHYXeoPpeAPKXI9f9Ae4vcJq2vS0e1UMCPpVirBqh0MKpfPnQ9vYqOTuEoFEzI85Yp7Laf_OWvxbAOIozPz9oxbwXg/w640-h428/Jester%20Float2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but the jesters were right behind her on another float.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi0QsVwtW1HpMgDPI8xGq9xAS420EfryBY8_SmJ52a2dXwDim7si5ihN4ROunp0waO9cIx5YoIELHTDcjCPk13ACzX2zATZ1NViJO1UmFzy9Gp4G9x3adRXISm_KlTVRnb22xzsfOpTzUGLc23moBd8IcfMgLucpRedTRfRe5cfcIBBitBNrb7jCIwA/s2732/Horsewoman1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2732" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi0QsVwtW1HpMgDPI8xGq9xAS420EfryBY8_SmJ52a2dXwDim7si5ihN4ROunp0waO9cIx5YoIELHTDcjCPk13ACzX2zATZ1NViJO1UmFzy9Gp4G9x3adRXISm_KlTVRnb22xzsfOpTzUGLc23moBd8IcfMgLucpRedTRfRe5cfcIBBitBNrb7jCIwA/w640-h608/Horsewoman1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Ajijic parade is finished until the caballeras...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmY8LOGtRJFXIlbthPDUxNVini27CUs8oMPkuBj5oRz_ELa25I5ZPoRoXRA9T6C9ZTcRL0iM8IjrP9t06X7ObBIsupfW99ca1NDI8T9OyOYcYdjvgjb0zqUpuSlwE7BMV-oH_Wmw94RR3yf2aeL5PKKMbcvmkq0PWz8wCrKb9GBiqXE3QRjrYesknMw/s2906/Young%20Girl%20on%20Horse2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2906" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmY8LOGtRJFXIlbthPDUxNVini27CUs8oMPkuBj5oRz_ELa25I5ZPoRoXRA9T6C9ZTcRL0iM8IjrP9t06X7ObBIsupfW99ca1NDI8T9OyOYcYdjvgjb0zqUpuSlwE7BMV-oH_Wmw94RR3yf2aeL5PKKMbcvmkq0PWz8wCrKb9GBiqXE3QRjrYesknMw/w640-h570/Young%20Girl%20on%20Horse2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and caballeros come.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>It's Time to get Serious </u></p><p>OK, the party's over. It's Lent. The Village is almost quiet. No Ranchero music blasting at the Eventos at 1 AM on Saturday nights. No cojetes firing off to celebrate who knows what. The carnecerias (butchers) are closed on Fridays and the fish markets are jammed. Everyone is resting up for the two week extravaganza of Semana Santa and Semana Pascua. The first week, Semana Santa, is supposed to be solemn and religious. The second week, Semana Pascua, is supposed to be celebratory (read wild) as we joyfully embrace Jesus' resurrection. In reality it is hard to tell week 1 from week 2. Essentially every Mexican who can afford it flees from wherever they live and go somewhere else to celebrate for two weeks. Many, many, many of them choose our sweet little Lakeside nirvana as the site of their revelry.</p><p>But we adjust. We perform all grocery shopping and errand running before 10 AM and then sequester ourselves in our abodes for the duration of do you wanna call them and ask her scenes does accessories Deatrick oh that's fine keeps flipping back up why OKthe day. The main road through town must be avoided at all cost. It took a friend an hour to get from West Ajijic to the Walmart -- no more than 5 miles. You must assume that all the Tapatios (people from Guadalajara) will be driving down the streets in the wrong direction and at high speed. They will not say buenas tardes to you when you say it to them. They are quite a bit like New Yorkers. It's like being under siege but with a known end date and the invaders are not truly hostile.</p><p><u>The Spectacle</u></p><p>Ajijic puts on an amazing Passion Play for multiple days and nights. The first couple of years we lived here we attended all of them -- including following Jesus up to the mountain in the pitch dark over cobblestones with torches flickering and providing the only illumination. Not doing that again. Now this is a little village and all the prop construction, costume creation and actors are volunteers from town. It was always performed in the forecourt of the main village church which suffered from a tremendous lack of shade and a less than happy or cooperating priest. So this year they moved the performance to the bullring and we felt we had to go to see how it translated. </p><p> Also we knew we could sit in the shade. It worked pretty well. If you squinted you could believe you were in a coliseum rather than a bull ring and the sound system was much better than in years past. It was interesting that for the first time they gave a summary of what was going on for each act of the play -- in Spanish and English. Clearly bible study is on the downswing in Ajijic. The other big difference between the Church and the Bull Ring was in decorum. At the Church everyone knew not to clap (I mean consider what is going on). At the bull ring, despite numerous pleas from the persons summarizing the events the crowd clapped and cheered. Odd. Plus refreshments. No refreshments at the Church even if you were passing out from dehydration and heat exhaustion. At the bullring they were pacing the aisles selling doughnuts, popsicles, coke, candy. I didn't see any beer but I wouldn't be surprised. The state police (clad in body armor) were chasing the vendors away but they persisted. No armed guards at the Church.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2-JEqimRxe50ro2wwkvRTE75CLL8vBvWncyKAsK-1VyProiPJSoKi-nxhgOxHX55pQ9IigfLbN708__318Xq_6UOpzaWPp8o1uai-hvkP34rT_PMvOAW27UnBTOh-rsmiledNzidAfrb5m0yO94Hv-CvmH7A5kKtyOu9_eicojNJu40_j7cOUYbvXw/s3253/Stadium2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3253" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2-JEqimRxe50ro2wwkvRTE75CLL8vBvWncyKAsK-1VyProiPJSoKi-nxhgOxHX55pQ9IigfLbN708__318Xq_6UOpzaWPp8o1uai-hvkP34rT_PMvOAW27UnBTOh-rsmiledNzidAfrb5m0yO94Hv-CvmH7A5kKtyOu9_eicojNJu40_j7cOUYbvXw/w640-h510/Stadium2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting there early guaranteed a shady spot to view the Pasión de Cristo,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvmHfo7Fkqg2F98Jim41lO2sKUDBs9vLLCXtIUiDLHjV8_3dypgXlqNFoeHBEpXwSmqNYBY_ZrVmTJX2U2hS-ZLMKoN75kqIOqU1TaHdOeEyFluwrqxETw9lGch36lhI-yoiZfRpf9wlRn22ewpKYKCgqn4ZjE4rkZWTP7pmjnEzF6jFlFbBxryOuBg/s3872/Stadium3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvmHfo7Fkqg2F98Jim41lO2sKUDBs9vLLCXtIUiDLHjV8_3dypgXlqNFoeHBEpXwSmqNYBY_ZrVmTJX2U2hS-ZLMKoN75kqIOqU1TaHdOeEyFluwrqxETw9lGch36lhI-yoiZfRpf9wlRn22ewpKYKCgqn4ZjE4rkZWTP7pmjnEzF6jFlFbBxryOuBg/w640-h428/Stadium3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but some hardy souls braved the full sun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV923MMARNwzQDq2Ax9yun7-YEIimHyoN-kcwC43DW4_Y9aT0igRePmbMT6_l9CChJ6fYMjnXa7o_gD5OTXyau8U7m67ZyUSp8VxwDvQ4wlfrylqpT8hEHf9VR1lM2JGpO6Fry7c9T8MOMkAQfHzQH1FtdFqO2sLdDlbmWi6K50SYUhfaRvyTN1Cu5nw/s3872/Dale2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV923MMARNwzQDq2Ax9yun7-YEIimHyoN-kcwC43DW4_Y9aT0igRePmbMT6_l9CChJ6fYMjnXa7o_gD5OTXyau8U7m67ZyUSp8VxwDvQ4wlfrylqpT8hEHf9VR1lM2JGpO6Fry7c9T8MOMkAQfHzQH1FtdFqO2sLdDlbmWi6K50SYUhfaRvyTN1Cu5nw/w428-h640/Dale2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dale Palfrey, our intrepid local reporter, had a great viewing location, but it was in full sun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYGLCs7D-B820IZdKjTjQCBCE-wI9ik3poLxeiuGgwErUqgqbnZR6xZydSjuJcFyK9yadwABFvP3mGa0W16BvQScVRE8qIQXIWSVgNlxVf_ZB2QnNsQI6P6QgH7i8HXN0ZTw1AK78LgGnpoEoQSG7sjmI9Gb7NSAr0ZcLZwEOakcjTh-PwkxpbqXSRw/s3872/PhilR1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYGLCs7D-B820IZdKjTjQCBCE-wI9ik3poLxeiuGgwErUqgqbnZR6xZydSjuJcFyK9yadwABFvP3mGa0W16BvQScVRE8qIQXIWSVgNlxVf_ZB2QnNsQI6P6QgH7i8HXN0ZTw1AK78LgGnpoEoQSG7sjmI9Gb7NSAr0ZcLZwEOakcjTh-PwkxpbqXSRw/w428-h640/PhilR1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend Phil Rylett provided the English translation before each of the acts.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd7nlppz8J4k4Nm_uCv6E5OSALqD14B82GglYBHvGXnn6mRIIB0a0xW4rDDEyhom20hJRaLw1b6CWnpQMvUyie0izGQpAdo8MqE-X9QFRs3edLoS4r6BTHfpbk5l4JxMW5CA3IF_DYWOOgqfItAkWwja_41hqTUuMAYNH16DzpDGMm3qrwUYhiW0S1Q/s2940/Claudia1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="2940" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd7nlppz8J4k4Nm_uCv6E5OSALqD14B82GglYBHvGXnn6mRIIB0a0xW4rDDEyhom20hJRaLw1b6CWnpQMvUyie0izGQpAdo8MqE-X9QFRs3edLoS4r6BTHfpbk5l4JxMW5CA3IF_DYWOOgqfItAkWwja_41hqTUuMAYNH16DzpDGMm3qrwUYhiW0S1Q/w640-h502/Claudia1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claudia Procula, wife of Pontius Pilate, wore a dress to match the curtain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHV7nSwZ5wPYI_zEGFM2Y2dz-qps06OPQvKcK9PXvDSUdDSXvdrGdMszeKDi6a4jcybYNMGh4KnQIudWF9LQXUe1Q2e929sjcqE4a_y_sno6suhGH8LIH7rTIRPQtqmhSxlKUMyB54ezU2DjgaqXu9zadKXYJ9pYDYZHT-NtRlvtlU5u1j9ulXPsRXw/s3872/DSC_4296.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHV7nSwZ5wPYI_zEGFM2Y2dz-qps06OPQvKcK9PXvDSUdDSXvdrGdMszeKDi6a4jcybYNMGh4KnQIudWF9LQXUe1Q2e929sjcqE4a_y_sno6suhGH8LIH7rTIRPQtqmhSxlKUMyB54ezU2DjgaqXu9zadKXYJ9pYDYZHT-NtRlvtlU5u1j9ulXPsRXw/w640-h428/DSC_4296.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pontius Pilate and Claudia receive the Sanhedrin...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCtjOi-zk4YGY2aI-4Tw_Ggm66ouEXpMZiCav4jmYrtRddtqk_KWCoJj84D_LegNC3ou9XZtScgav8MFnIKccBc2haRBpIliv_AnTQwh4tBijd2UGzcufHV5v0G9p4tHJogRU0EK3jzys6ouJPmN6bav0f-RUpKH7j-Zs8vruB7kADdiBxmO2XTkstg/s3872/DSC_4310.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCtjOi-zk4YGY2aI-4Tw_Ggm66ouEXpMZiCav4jmYrtRddtqk_KWCoJj84D_LegNC3ou9XZtScgav8MFnIKccBc2haRBpIliv_AnTQwh4tBijd2UGzcufHV5v0G9p4tHJogRU0EK3jzys6ouJPmN6bav0f-RUpKH7j-Zs8vruB7kADdiBxmO2XTkstg/w428-h640/DSC_4310.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but keep them at bay with the spears of their guards.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH1u-etEyR9WnTNRemFVoKB9fTIlMykE30U_qxIVvTLQJUmFFokmEBrATOdIuVxmLM6UUYyvkwYzn9zuiCh6ED6NywETT1XhznGJe1S1LJWQZplSTsOrxmjAZ894L5MCXM0AGV_ZVWnN0w3h-2FdvYt93-nsf5nLRofn7Wvg8S_6lJxtnpM3zDFBL3g/s3872/DSC_4316.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH1u-etEyR9WnTNRemFVoKB9fTIlMykE30U_qxIVvTLQJUmFFokmEBrATOdIuVxmLM6UUYyvkwYzn9zuiCh6ED6NywETT1XhznGJe1S1LJWQZplSTsOrxmjAZ894L5MCXM0AGV_ZVWnN0w3h-2FdvYt93-nsf5nLRofn7Wvg8S_6lJxtnpM3zDFBL3g/w640-h428/DSC_4316.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herod's court featured more hangers on...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk69C84qRNVIiUPtUjf-P3vcq_EI0B86A0qrlcLshB0bNXebccIudBQ1mmrCrZavKUYSKAwak8-PVfK9kk-1kRCoF0z4UskBB9PRz-JMTxf60DR7HJ6EHzOV4OHRyFKdWsbMi8EO1rcoN4b0Q5i5b2jtTvu8YiUWTak3V0X-EkdUpUlZISFt7v_rM3CA/s3872/DSC_4317.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk69C84qRNVIiUPtUjf-P3vcq_EI0B86A0qrlcLshB0bNXebccIudBQ1mmrCrZavKUYSKAwak8-PVfK9kk-1kRCoF0z4UskBB9PRz-JMTxf60DR7HJ6EHzOV4OHRyFKdWsbMi8EO1rcoN4b0Q5i5b2jtTvu8YiUWTak3V0X-EkdUpUlZISFt7v_rM3CA/w640-h428/DSC_4317.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some standing, some sitting & some lounging.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHO3W0_0J9w4gpmFe29cUVLdGIJM0F4FOKL4zlpe6t-IIe08aZYA3OA9wt4o-Q-Qb2292cu5vSIM27SLJs8OGyQI45dvmEx1XVrVBjJCOyghCLgPzQMIKziIFDC0r7dGBI4A_x6KUD9KpevKhwkCNvsgaCgaHe6ZVXoSf_VKZwg_jfDhUyPatwpaZnQ/s3872/DSC_4331.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHO3W0_0J9w4gpmFe29cUVLdGIJM0F4FOKL4zlpe6t-IIe08aZYA3OA9wt4o-Q-Qb2292cu5vSIM27SLJs8OGyQI45dvmEx1XVrVBjJCOyghCLgPzQMIKziIFDC0r7dGBI4A_x6KUD9KpevKhwkCNvsgaCgaHe6ZVXoSf_VKZwg_jfDhUyPatwpaZnQ/w640-h428/DSC_4331.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus appears before Herod,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRk_Gok_wPErcpwErIZXxEV_fDlpgMohT7ruFOuQXtneJVEt5MrdBuqC5aa2VUKAaWnFcBBrfRpXEy6G2v0_oMykpBUxZiB9xJxKc9hXcL_TwgTVtuH7TbFZZAfnIec4mvz27_MF8gcpAXChW6KELBlnXnYHNzqmcdEFyicoH-6QvI5AY0lbVEYesOg/s3872/DSC_4344.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRk_Gok_wPErcpwErIZXxEV_fDlpgMohT7ruFOuQXtneJVEt5MrdBuqC5aa2VUKAaWnFcBBrfRpXEy6G2v0_oMykpBUxZiB9xJxKc9hXcL_TwgTVtuH7TbFZZAfnIec4mvz27_MF8gcpAXChW6KELBlnXnYHNzqmcdEFyicoH-6QvI5AY0lbVEYesOg/w640-h428/DSC_4344.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who appears to admire his cloak,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu29OfBXosj3opfc7sxNlPoHzCvnyZPycQonZKfhbQQcBmmbWIXuqPcdibvEqyr6v39xZt0SKtEb_6sW5Tks54UxACiZWsii6-RmCsIQe5j5m6AqRQvzOUie89Bxmyrn3flpf1J60zq85Ij-YFLiIQaQgQ14qvsjirZodVs_X_5AOkFQSPgoMoMyH4g/s3872/DSC_4346.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu29OfBXosj3opfc7sxNlPoHzCvnyZPycQonZKfhbQQcBmmbWIXuqPcdibvEqyr6v39xZt0SKtEb_6sW5Tks54UxACiZWsii6-RmCsIQe5j5m6AqRQvzOUie89Bxmyrn3flpf1J60zq85Ij-YFLiIQaQgQ14qvsjirZodVs_X_5AOkFQSPgoMoMyH4g/w640-h428/DSC_4346.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raises a glass of wine in a toast...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1ldl2uoprHAf9X3FwmhQ1ghrA3eJx2J7-Z_N77lb3lqZ633SLs1OY-0HBni7eqw7gweUseppTzGPUcXgoKnBvoprMafzdeWNWLnwcpyxOnFhdWyy5A5ML9ISPRDQdm2aZxgYKmKgg9KTvgCSgmO4eummwenrsIWxSmns7vXp-W0UVFoKTO25q6E1vw/s3872/DSC_4364.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1ldl2uoprHAf9X3FwmhQ1ghrA3eJx2J7-Z_N77lb3lqZ633SLs1OY-0HBni7eqw7gweUseppTzGPUcXgoKnBvoprMafzdeWNWLnwcpyxOnFhdWyy5A5ML9ISPRDQdm2aZxgYKmKgg9KTvgCSgmO4eummwenrsIWxSmns7vXp-W0UVFoKTO25q6E1vw/w640-h428/DSC_4364.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then allows the hangers on to mock Jesus, before sending him back to Pontius Pilate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2fk_FEKVuIyZ18s8gIWtihUIRrijlW8WeUT7AUz06OifTGnItI9mULBhAE21WHeF-1YcG-UZMH17McDE9jJlF0T2HX0udgbRAdeQGhTxgB0MZdpuI7E_k6RdxLDcO2DcjjPdk3yImbKj7YGD8y70RmkMJClwzpnIvl1eh6yxa-Pwdo2tXgw48j5gtg/s3872/DSC_4380.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2fk_FEKVuIyZ18s8gIWtihUIRrijlW8WeUT7AUz06OifTGnItI9mULBhAE21WHeF-1YcG-UZMH17McDE9jJlF0T2HX0udgbRAdeQGhTxgB0MZdpuI7E_k6RdxLDcO2DcjjPdk3yImbKj7YGD8y70RmkMJClwzpnIvl1eh6yxa-Pwdo2tXgw48j5gtg/w640-h428/DSC_4380.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the addition of the "live" gold statuary...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv04va8xG12x1P1CWI270_nL7hfXHinFdWiu52tWt9R-Ro42trAzZOJ3Rgs5ZnkuxdrsRT2YuNp_KfQci_EM3j2puyiPnZlZud-aT3yoqqXz8k1tTJ8NdcSycuNoL1MIbBFqRpOKhZwQ-oWiLu0CYCMIz3RD63jspn9JlY0L58YSppna-syyWuJEkHw/s3872/DSC_4394.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv04va8xG12x1P1CWI270_nL7hfXHinFdWiu52tWt9R-Ro42trAzZOJ3Rgs5ZnkuxdrsRT2YuNp_KfQci_EM3j2puyiPnZlZud-aT3yoqqXz8k1tTJ8NdcSycuNoL1MIbBFqRpOKhZwQ-oWiLu0CYCMIz3RD63jspn9JlY0L58YSppna-syyWuJEkHw/w640-h428/DSC_4394.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as Jesus in escorted back to Pontius Pilate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB64LGOwmALLxqUyP1gI34wmvMIzWK6rhFebY3YlqwzTXc89WN4Pue3cPOZl-6_5TiKJCVSzoW2U-r8B4MFFF-D89mfaDiLG9XQyF_xF7EOX0aaXRXmN_OjRo_VA3vL5qS5gUOKhwZj81e18gqsH4_KCLFooRvD91abEajacW1FpXX0Pg1tye7yX4b1g/s3872/DSC_4400.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB64LGOwmALLxqUyP1gI34wmvMIzWK6rhFebY3YlqwzTXc89WN4Pue3cPOZl-6_5TiKJCVSzoW2U-r8B4MFFF-D89mfaDiLG9XQyF_xF7EOX0aaXRXmN_OjRo_VA3vL5qS5gUOKhwZj81e18gqsH4_KCLFooRvD91abEajacW1FpXX0Pg1tye7yX4b1g/w640-h428/DSC_4400.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pontius Pilate now has to ponder what to do...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG5keWAV0qG7_9X8USf4QO76zjOzXIMyRucxtgVkK3fFa7ulZJpQ0NnpP8Tth0LIL-mDSWiXmneUHvYa2wPaviP1MXRuoBJJlJevRpWKyNxVjMQJp3DEny9-1XM0Zr_RPe785zN0PKqY2233-T0GEQFJnDtqxRjJcfIkK7MdgE6IIdM6e-6GJuKNAQQ/s3872/DSC_4414.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG5keWAV0qG7_9X8USf4QO76zjOzXIMyRucxtgVkK3fFa7ulZJpQ0NnpP8Tth0LIL-mDSWiXmneUHvYa2wPaviP1MXRuoBJJlJevRpWKyNxVjMQJp3DEny9-1XM0Zr_RPe785zN0PKqY2233-T0GEQFJnDtqxRjJcfIkK7MdgE6IIdM6e-6GJuKNAQQ/w640-h428/DSC_4414.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">while the Sanhedrin shout for crucifixion.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScxFmRlgZW0cQ_TFddwqSZWH98OeRnAX43n-ltzC2VnfQJwrCNzoykec6-agXuf77zxeDZUH4vUT6wTpgzYdNQ42bOonv7WUxKXyZlBtXYggZqTYWpmwPzOmIaaCW9hB__pYt4G9WaoPKFzXFROCEWZzTNlzTnZCxw0AElhvh3Nwm68j_Z67HGHetoA/s3872/DSC_4458.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScxFmRlgZW0cQ_TFddwqSZWH98OeRnAX43n-ltzC2VnfQJwrCNzoykec6-agXuf77zxeDZUH4vUT6wTpgzYdNQ42bOonv7WUxKXyZlBtXYggZqTYWpmwPzOmIaaCW9hB__pYt4G9WaoPKFzXFROCEWZzTNlzTnZCxw0AElhvh3Nwm68j_Z67HGHetoA/w428-h640/DSC_4458.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe a little flogging will satisfy the Sanhedrin...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z7CiFu-3_O6zswFZHmdW8bRI5nmBntt3zuDYeU4r5k5TpbpYitXaPc51uYOKxy5YkjB7DK31J8aPI2G17jJI3lzxhc4qNe6rhorA9X20cdi5KJ_225Sx2HGvrfdUNt0bFo8_9sUE-g2b2wD_OSmgeX15gKiKwvWPt5ppPVc6mMXZF0lgHZfFa5CIXg/s3872/DSC_4460.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z7CiFu-3_O6zswFZHmdW8bRI5nmBntt3zuDYeU4r5k5TpbpYitXaPc51uYOKxy5YkjB7DK31J8aPI2G17jJI3lzxhc4qNe6rhorA9X20cdi5KJ_225Sx2HGvrfdUNt0bFo8_9sUE-g2b2wD_OSmgeX15gKiKwvWPt5ppPVc6mMXZF0lgHZfFa5CIXg/w640-h428/DSC_4460.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then drag Jesus back,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWkkSUMRqWkJFHclhws7zDRmjgTvA2Dy16Ux9PPdEYot4TRwJZ1q0-VS1RwZKFbXYqjfZGZQhaQ8K8cyYPhZi7lqNELs9WJ3vN0ADxQeJ005NZJvcVUgmpzFuTSpKInKBf2Z4a6Yug60by8i-BkZnM77nRd2m5XnNUBvBuJ8UhZmORv8wZhir8CKOLg/s3872/DSC_4477.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWkkSUMRqWkJFHclhws7zDRmjgTvA2Dy16Ux9PPdEYot4TRwJZ1q0-VS1RwZKFbXYqjfZGZQhaQ8K8cyYPhZi7lqNELs9WJ3vN0ADxQeJ005NZJvcVUgmpzFuTSpKInKBf2Z4a6Yug60by8i-BkZnM77nRd2m5XnNUBvBuJ8UhZmORv8wZhir8CKOLg/w428-h640/DSC_4477.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crown him with thorns and allow the soldiers to beat him up....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwpYNeWfJg_dc_jR8oln8XzsfTLLjmwOGa80aQDB20jqL9Xej-pSHDtWFvsFL5NtlloE71y1dA0Xx3V1gswpFE6TTo6Mc1eOSLA5VNu2jOBfIddo-BdJ6E-ctYqsZw7-fjdnAdnI931VmVRCaclGVBBWMHf1UVWgHQRhbwCASNj3nchsO2bilaBZXlA/s3872/DSC_4475.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwpYNeWfJg_dc_jR8oln8XzsfTLLjmwOGa80aQDB20jqL9Xej-pSHDtWFvsFL5NtlloE71y1dA0Xx3V1gswpFE6TTo6Mc1eOSLA5VNu2jOBfIddo-BdJ6E-ctYqsZw7-fjdnAdnI931VmVRCaclGVBBWMHf1UVWgHQRhbwCASNj3nchsO2bilaBZXlA/w640-h428/DSC_4475.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for their obvious amusement.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HCWQiBHMOjsiuBptnRdCMur_7Zcna7sDaiLUetWEvJjmInL4JmNBkQBQDEg7RUMV5toLRY7MsmqJHx7BsUNhKF_lMeXvUkdFTB3FMzdPKy9NpYYWNzldihDhL3ilfB1_jSwJz18KR3fO_B-FbQdsyB1v-brR2A2vcbUOHllcGhuz-rJBMfP3igQsfA/s3872/DSC_4506.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HCWQiBHMOjsiuBptnRdCMur_7Zcna7sDaiLUetWEvJjmInL4JmNBkQBQDEg7RUMV5toLRY7MsmqJHx7BsUNhKF_lMeXvUkdFTB3FMzdPKy9NpYYWNzldihDhL3ilfB1_jSwJz18KR3fO_B-FbQdsyB1v-brR2A2vcbUOHllcGhuz-rJBMfP3igQsfA/w640-h428/DSC_4506.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pontius consults with Claudia (who has changed her dress). Notice the shift in the statues position....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFz6FWPNmpg3EejZzhxoek75OwB3UowrrhBQ3Q1p8HjtnxoY6DYWTBERsO8w0NY7S5cjuRTJ-eTuwtxIGpOgeWnbjtosc1K3nWAne2ddmltXYAcsWV9yHm5geX_wfVbRG4E4p6CRNK4bIvtyyNX5W7GKTNPOq-tomYoW6XxNUUmPicJ9aBmwbLtOmtw/s3872/DSC_4507.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFz6FWPNmpg3EejZzhxoek75OwB3UowrrhBQ3Q1p8HjtnxoY6DYWTBERsO8w0NY7S5cjuRTJ-eTuwtxIGpOgeWnbjtosc1K3nWAne2ddmltXYAcsWV9yHm5geX_wfVbRG4E4p6CRNK4bIvtyyNX5W7GKTNPOq-tomYoW6XxNUUmPicJ9aBmwbLtOmtw/w640-h428/DSC_4507.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as the statue is no longer holding the bottle up in this photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQOdvNsEoEPZByc2L1CdzwYgDPQ5nFf56OdHzX4YTm2sEGYCnOcwdonjisAszSJQQVPbNup05sUHLdS9-V2cRrfyu3TItlKdtaLiFbIEgZ93GnZ0t9WEe2LMmbLZ3yI6VFMS2fu7-Cwzw0NyZu6aD3jU2UfXibKi2V0Sxhv03qdJ3OZRePbgtYxSXTw/s3872/DSC_4519.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQOdvNsEoEPZByc2L1CdzwYgDPQ5nFf56OdHzX4YTm2sEGYCnOcwdonjisAszSJQQVPbNup05sUHLdS9-V2cRrfyu3TItlKdtaLiFbIEgZ93GnZ0t9WEe2LMmbLZ3yI6VFMS2fu7-Cwzw0NyZu6aD3jU2UfXibKi2V0Sxhv03qdJ3OZRePbgtYxSXTw/w640-h428/DSC_4519.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilate tries to convince the Sanhedrin that Jesus...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT-jNiuxywA7W42ls6bp33AqS5jdPCXynaGqlWTwxsl_SZnbT_e8ksVsYi-SR4f8N_kPtguVYG8Es9Ewn2z6s4JSq3VMwuKReKq5vL9OvXT1aFeh0aHhEq9sBCsZ0I9RJdZ5jacXkXZXkhduWzpDfmgApEnaSdM7dfO32v04TLFTQeE2m_JsCv1sUIg/s3872/DSC_4522.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT-jNiuxywA7W42ls6bp33AqS5jdPCXynaGqlWTwxsl_SZnbT_e8ksVsYi-SR4f8N_kPtguVYG8Es9Ewn2z6s4JSq3VMwuKReKq5vL9OvXT1aFeh0aHhEq9sBCsZ0I9RJdZ5jacXkXZXkhduWzpDfmgApEnaSdM7dfO32v04TLFTQeE2m_JsCv1sUIg/w640-h428/DSC_4522.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">has suffered enough and should not be crucified.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA-GLzkytYWay4uYk5lKB4LwRdSOYARp_lLMrDAPQX_1vRwGnLTnFZa0E37PCeRUKnzQsM8u8HZHO5oYLq0531oSvl7E3AauBjkZOdORV-RvISiN6zFB6QanJb5JWJ3uVtMf7sSfEkrumBaOWplU9a8Nc7Bjo-80pkU6DM5xwbKSZB58IV3Uk8WraQQ/s3872/DSC_4529.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA-GLzkytYWay4uYk5lKB4LwRdSOYARp_lLMrDAPQX_1vRwGnLTnFZa0E37PCeRUKnzQsM8u8HZHO5oYLq0531oSvl7E3AauBjkZOdORV-RvISiN6zFB6QanJb5JWJ3uVtMf7sSfEkrumBaOWplU9a8Nc7Bjo-80pkU6DM5xwbKSZB58IV3Uk8WraQQ/w640-h428/DSC_4529.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a final attempt to spare Jesus he has the mob choose between letting the the thief and murderer Barrabas free or Jesus (and we all know how this one ends).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUsIymCa0GZodMvmXrYtu4Jqus4bXwOL7ghY-cC3xTszPdZCCuwm2wiOESWI1wCQ577fmATOQ4R9CJsYebuQv1XhLj68rXiADf7lofXpgJA7LcVlWSow_sY6Yim5CdPtiK-6f4rvxyjY8oIrho-740h2pH-pjs04WlnFZRAJT8ReiVuoTjRBAMcZflg/s3872/DSC_4552.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUsIymCa0GZodMvmXrYtu4Jqus4bXwOL7ghY-cC3xTszPdZCCuwm2wiOESWI1wCQ577fmATOQ4R9CJsYebuQv1XhLj68rXiADf7lofXpgJA7LcVlWSow_sY6Yim5CdPtiK-6f4rvxyjY8oIrho-740h2pH-pjs04WlnFZRAJT8ReiVuoTjRBAMcZflg/w640-h428/DSC_4552.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilate receives the proclamation of crucifixion from the scribe...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IQvAo8vUANIlgnyiI4q41LBXkNmRul9jMxhkhtqMC-bzPiNr9pLB4AVldKec_1p8T_kLhXRY-NEbACQCB-Z7SsWMgL0MYZ1tkPQFygPHmvt4dB_yk-6UMXZ_0V8ylF_egwfj15OadVr1jGJ0zOY2h38T7hNUKn-l8uSBKgzvP2sSAOtr8yiAmXGbBg/s3872/DSC_4560.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IQvAo8vUANIlgnyiI4q41LBXkNmRul9jMxhkhtqMC-bzPiNr9pLB4AVldKec_1p8T_kLhXRY-NEbACQCB-Z7SsWMgL0MYZ1tkPQFygPHmvt4dB_yk-6UMXZ_0V8ylF_egwfj15OadVr1jGJ0zOY2h38T7hNUKn-l8uSBKgzvP2sSAOtr8yiAmXGbBg/w640-h428/DSC_4560.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">declares the sentence...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVCoyPnl5KYpptkgCBEtA5FmQKUJjv1SaPhB287dvZBCUJ2o1KQakpCSiuM_FiFH1te-WL0O80ncqjZzaeCtSl0u5mW_O7vSIkPE1wcdfSaEvoBZqDU41uXlj7UO0FC0zVERqb_wd5-QZaHjdD03Y_OejCLdrJsB8m7EAKWh0gx9KYqSunuF21cAYaA/s3872/DSC_4567.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVCoyPnl5KYpptkgCBEtA5FmQKUJjv1SaPhB287dvZBCUJ2o1KQakpCSiuM_FiFH1te-WL0O80ncqjZzaeCtSl0u5mW_O7vSIkPE1wcdfSaEvoBZqDU41uXlj7UO0FC0zVERqb_wd5-QZaHjdD03Y_OejCLdrJsB8m7EAKWh0gx9KYqSunuF21cAYaA/w640-h428/DSC_4567.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Claudia hands back the outer garment of Jesus to cover him.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1D5aI5ZOT4wMHDLrhYgFaAYal9o8o92FEVJ0ti3F4sU1o5UGz56kVeRQ3PKolE8PU253IGyEotij6IwUfwwceSSq9CyHpuT1JUn_2m-7EYEf3mfHNfhrmsz0IenDt2eMtJMjVgMhys7Gt_diC7MtMPp-fkGnDtPHC5S83iiQ8N4ZKt25l2ijWSyamw/s3872/DSC_4576.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1D5aI5ZOT4wMHDLrhYgFaAYal9o8o92FEVJ0ti3F4sU1o5UGz56kVeRQ3PKolE8PU253IGyEotij6IwUfwwceSSq9CyHpuT1JUn_2m-7EYEf3mfHNfhrmsz0IenDt2eMtJMjVgMhys7Gt_diC7MtMPp-fkGnDtPHC5S83iiQ8N4ZKt25l2ijWSyamw/w640-h428/DSC_4576.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5h-w0YtSQMkCkG0JTttdtIzyppwEnZvShx-CwqJCnOJTJ60tHmlcEzbrs1JcE87155gK2gta0tFapc_1OexfAwbsiokaZ5OgRwsF7eMgc9Qs9IPwoP9b0Q9gT8qXaYX-SLZt5cWJwhnplc1ZAPlj9ybM-zIadcyLE7eFrXjj2fLbsaB4aZrKrABDaA/s3872/DSC_4589.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5h-w0YtSQMkCkG0JTttdtIzyppwEnZvShx-CwqJCnOJTJ60tHmlcEzbrs1JcE87155gK2gta0tFapc_1OexfAwbsiokaZ5OgRwsF7eMgc9Qs9IPwoP9b0Q9gT8qXaYX-SLZt5cWJwhnplc1ZAPlj9ybM-zIadcyLE7eFrXjj2fLbsaB4aZrKrABDaA/w428-h640/DSC_4589.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The soldier whips Jesus to take up the cross...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPd3DTtpmI2VQujWB50c-K45tOsyc1JcgrwqfP08tg6yHTIN13HNuBoZBT2s5_UkO9SLKp48LGPLLM0EFLJ4zLjPtPbIt7CUggOi-4a_WB215HBTsSXBO9qR8f_H_LHJ1W_OeL7zjSQQrtKbWWbw0RbJkh3AMXqjNX_Rsrn2R70YLI9bmjWQwPkDZGA/s3872/DSC_4592.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPd3DTtpmI2VQujWB50c-K45tOsyc1JcgrwqfP08tg6yHTIN13HNuBoZBT2s5_UkO9SLKp48LGPLLM0EFLJ4zLjPtPbIt7CUggOi-4a_WB215HBTsSXBO9qR8f_H_LHJ1W_OeL7zjSQQrtKbWWbw0RbJkh3AMXqjNX_Rsrn2R70YLI9bmjWQwPkDZGA/w428-h640/DSC_4592.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and make the strenuous journey to Calvary.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISCB4mnwM3yP-gQ8mjRKtrbukSulhTNl1vW3CkRbf9xMQqdmlMEzPd7AumEe0OvewBsSP5awBJEOfiFiJfQR9PIZA-v6NxxYSOF4rPRjiUy_PtKtNUsK6WjMqOBj55XQNQWvZEUQBmrPxBMqhUTRd_3hmaGDG-o_5pFvFv6uVnFq4dyFo0qvKr7F4UA/s3872/DSC_4607.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISCB4mnwM3yP-gQ8mjRKtrbukSulhTNl1vW3CkRbf9xMQqdmlMEzPd7AumEe0OvewBsSP5awBJEOfiFiJfQR9PIZA-v6NxxYSOF4rPRjiUy_PtKtNUsK6WjMqOBj55XQNQWvZEUQBmrPxBMqhUTRd_3hmaGDG-o_5pFvFv6uVnFq4dyFo0qvKr7F4UA/w640-h428/DSC_4607.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authenticity is important in the Pasión de Cristo, and so the two thieves crucified with Christ carry their cross beams to their crucifixion.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>We Set Forth Once More</u></p><p>After an abnormally long, but pleasant, stint at home base we are hitting the trail once more. We are leaving on May 1st for a month on a driving tour of Italy. We have encountered a number of SNAFUS. even prior to departure so, dear readers, I feel you are in for yet another helping of our travel mishaps and adventures. We hope you are all well and enjoying spring. Take care and we'll keep you in the loop as we mount our assault on Italy.</p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-52210519364921073692022-12-26T15:22:00.000-06:002022-12-26T15:22:59.001-06:00The Divine Day of the Dead<b></b><b><u>This One's for you Linda...</u></b><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>My cousin Linda was all psyched to come down with her daughter Kelly to immerse themselves totally in the Day of the Dead. However, the U.S. Passport Agency and the State of New Jersey Bureau of Records had other plans and thus they had to cancel. So, as a consolation prize we are going to include a brief blog on the Day of the Dead for all of your viewing pleasure.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Picture (If you can and you probably can't) American Kids Doing This</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Our first stop was the Malecon in Chapala where high school students were busily constructing alters to honor the Dead. Each year there is a contest with a theme as to whom the alters are honoring. One year it was environmentalists that were killed by cartels (long story -- has to do with illegal logging and animal trade), This year it honored Mexican feminists. I don't believe any of them were killed by cartels. So, there they all were. Maybe 150 to 200 high school kids totally concentrated on creating these very elaborate altars each honoring their favorite feminist. The carpets and designs on them are created out of flower petals using stencils and a great deal of patience. They have 6 hours to create them and then the judging occurs. At five o'clock the finished products are displayed and at sundown each alter is lit by candles creating an amazing street scene.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lKtghpBZ9y3BGQ6bxzBaxBrMM8AJP1ufXnbWrVcu1cRxzjrQgXiehtVAgaBxKLuFETRlC0FGvnGIEz3ebxs0jaN9YjlY6TbA1UpiAKWayTQVtSqucIVIHf1tMba051180TKsABy1ciiA5YTwlZQB61T_lwHnnFF_0ja-RfCudLnA-FC2PyQt0kPE8w/s3872/1DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lKtghpBZ9y3BGQ6bxzBaxBrMM8AJP1ufXnbWrVcu1cRxzjrQgXiehtVAgaBxKLuFETRlC0FGvnGIEz3ebxs0jaN9YjlY6TbA1UpiAKWayTQVtSqucIVIHf1tMba051180TKsABy1ciiA5YTwlZQB61T_lwHnnFF_0ja-RfCudLnA-FC2PyQt0kPE8w/w428-h640/1DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The care, time and attention devoted to creating the altars is quite astounding, as can be seen in these photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFh6-KxjJRtsxVNyJR8M4fYQcAMQecs46SF79jqef9Tgc9RQfIsWq35PS3Qp_p-lMMa2asHUlq9SQjuc5cwel7025ErZHsCxdPG7FMDj_dQP31VODja6BVU7Ib-ns4ic4PBIiw_GG28B9hfWOwdhMnMD1esNQ5xQZVuzAhhUPkUsFZucHVX1K-6Mxvw/s3872/2DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFh6-KxjJRtsxVNyJR8M4fYQcAMQecs46SF79jqef9Tgc9RQfIsWq35PS3Qp_p-lMMa2asHUlq9SQjuc5cwel7025ErZHsCxdPG7FMDj_dQP31VODja6BVU7Ib-ns4ic4PBIiw_GG28B9hfWOwdhMnMD1esNQ5xQZVuzAhhUPkUsFZucHVX1K-6Mxvw/w428-h640/2DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This includes the items that are made specifically for the altars.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TecR7X7Cm6HAmMVZVdrSqWWMi73dbic_XgHUarc4wi5q_w1SlfoqwoI3u7XdP_ax7OaOp2pcW_-5bdX35J2sgWelLG5R42TMjiqnJgFFIOjzVGPXMR2j8sUJAWWbAsTuT6QKe_2xqi3nKf2NY8V7EP6prdsQdiOPqKYDxtEp0jwai4od6nxGXVk2qQ/s3872/3DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TecR7X7Cm6HAmMVZVdrSqWWMi73dbic_XgHUarc4wi5q_w1SlfoqwoI3u7XdP_ax7OaOp2pcW_-5bdX35J2sgWelLG5R42TMjiqnJgFFIOjzVGPXMR2j8sUJAWWbAsTuT6QKe_2xqi3nKf2NY8V7EP6prdsQdiOPqKYDxtEp0jwai4od6nxGXVk2qQ/w428-h640/3DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV70VbSsL1OE31Z1dkP_bwwYBQ1IRNUToDPu_v702XD6OcrqyouILmnQaCVeBeYpKjFnTkqxc__5LNYrG9AxUziMs70XHb5w7Rd_tNjoArr1aJvETw7jt2drbR1mcchvrPW4ItSNAfOSNXwNBg0uek5q4EG3k1Runpw_eXNhS_kGsOMi-5UhEeZpqrg/s3872/4DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV70VbSsL1OE31Z1dkP_bwwYBQ1IRNUToDPu_v702XD6OcrqyouILmnQaCVeBeYpKjFnTkqxc__5LNYrG9AxUziMs70XHb5w7Rd_tNjoArr1aJvETw7jt2drbR1mcchvrPW4ItSNAfOSNXwNBg0uek5q4EG3k1Runpw_eXNhS_kGsOMi-5UhEeZpqrg/w640-h428/4DdM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O_ZBEHupUM6CElpAadczU1z5WhfHGfsyB-UeEfBJ0KMI67M9iPswAT_OEBV7kBEYwGi8Nn_0DtkoAwpPj-WSefz8vEOaxaRQ9urA75X2wV58-6aht55OK0UM5U1FquDsDZoOQAcSOW_wSPfM9EkuwCGjJa6h-esbtaJP3pblMjMAqSKidnu5mRNdZQ/s3872/5DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O_ZBEHupUM6CElpAadczU1z5WhfHGfsyB-UeEfBJ0KMI67M9iPswAT_OEBV7kBEYwGi8Nn_0DtkoAwpPj-WSefz8vEOaxaRQ9urA75X2wV58-6aht55OK0UM5U1FquDsDZoOQAcSOW_wSPfM9EkuwCGjJa6h-esbtaJP3pblMjMAqSKidnu5mRNdZQ/w640-h428/5DdM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs9nvcbmTVpggIEy66qESE5rRSvCaeqy3m1ts7usjz2IG8RKn27V28BiMW4WXW5wQPvIPQJMrU0yGwwGJECzrBatcIGeD_IETcdcDD6K_dvGRWxhKsG1EE1-AdlVq4Ww3Q-PCz9cYt7-EbgCQKomYh-2kaP6fd_-mb-euhlB0h5aRF1I58F_oTiyEAA/s3872/6DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs9nvcbmTVpggIEy66qESE5rRSvCaeqy3m1ts7usjz2IG8RKn27V28BiMW4WXW5wQPvIPQJMrU0yGwwGJECzrBatcIGeD_IETcdcDD6K_dvGRWxhKsG1EE1-AdlVq4Ww3Q-PCz9cYt7-EbgCQKomYh-2kaP6fd_-mb-euhlB0h5aRF1I58F_oTiyEAA/w428-h640/6DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYkjD46jyjLjsBeh3Y6zsoSuGKxzY2WuXfDfvAwLPqHZKTzcv1UGJJZhYcVWQVLkGZD_s5JrlYS0JtK0raumq6jXqwHyx44bcEpSbIeX8EY4tNNrFCb7SRs1toZex4xYAxRqy1Ab_WaRqNQJmT1i92QkpJHPz5bMUawn7aFbDglwskdf4dHBNNvenLA/s3872/7DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYkjD46jyjLjsBeh3Y6zsoSuGKxzY2WuXfDfvAwLPqHZKTzcv1UGJJZhYcVWQVLkGZD_s5JrlYS0JtK0raumq6jXqwHyx44bcEpSbIeX8EY4tNNrFCb7SRs1toZex4xYAxRqy1Ab_WaRqNQJmT1i92QkpJHPz5bMUawn7aFbDglwskdf4dHBNNvenLA/w428-h640/7DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSnHZR6wFZ9i388BLTiUHmpJr8xofiFo5Uizt_bmHT-KY4J4jEzRM08o_snyINSiLKMGu0bavRmVA4Sh_RypTPpCbP2mrksEGxpEoBKm7fRy4ypWfgq3MOr0d6FMoLj6jBwhjnWQxjR9yU90f2j5P1MP6qZy0I3Rx52A8QxIubt8bShTJqRPB0v7VBw/s3872/8DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSnHZR6wFZ9i388BLTiUHmpJr8xofiFo5Uizt_bmHT-KY4J4jEzRM08o_snyINSiLKMGu0bavRmVA4Sh_RypTPpCbP2mrksEGxpEoBKm7fRy4ypWfgq3MOr0d6FMoLj6jBwhjnWQxjR9yU90f2j5P1MP6qZy0I3Rx52A8QxIubt8bShTJqRPB0v7VBw/w428-h640/8DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOtx0qBTZpa-j0c7ab4GbnhFIgrcWhuCHVs0k66ek7sOhd1wvm-Kt__iisSYdkx4BZSK-BqBhvZMhjLAa0NUeX6N8L_91lgQcGzSnKUpin5nVqn9hAk4KIahf2pdKurPUT5UcJze3UVmHmz6jhLaomu3IjWJ-RlMpXwdAk790ktTan43-FbcJaIc_9w/s3872/9DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOtx0qBTZpa-j0c7ab4GbnhFIgrcWhuCHVs0k66ek7sOhd1wvm-Kt__iisSYdkx4BZSK-BqBhvZMhjLAa0NUeX6N8L_91lgQcGzSnKUpin5nVqn9hAk4KIahf2pdKurPUT5UcJze3UVmHmz6jhLaomu3IjWJ-RlMpXwdAk790ktTan43-FbcJaIc_9w/w640-h428/9DdM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKt5j3ScofFxCME2YQM2goX6Uhh3zkSkxDO_YKFzIEWChgStVnNAg5jpZjHKSAqKiYeesCmH8eZk5akCfq39mRnPkOy49DYuY46NspVzEdM-HtsMp7Oiua4_8-gZLgmM9aTnGpKBiidB3vcTgMck8vjcI0q-RpgHBw-Co1BqDAgzV2BMf7-SkVwP6glg/s3872/10DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKt5j3ScofFxCME2YQM2goX6Uhh3zkSkxDO_YKFzIEWChgStVnNAg5jpZjHKSAqKiYeesCmH8eZk5akCfq39mRnPkOy49DYuY46NspVzEdM-HtsMp7Oiua4_8-gZLgmM9aTnGpKBiidB3vcTgMck8vjcI0q-RpgHBw-Co1BqDAgzV2BMf7-SkVwP6glg/w428-h640/10DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two photos show how stencils are used to create the intricate patterns and words on the altars.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNMQbO5XHXQUDXUqmbgWM-zIaeCuGrJAeB8pPae6J7zHS1OXpTCpS1GMLCeOk-2wwXT5W-kSHZ3ElfNlj-c2czHjcxEUyhX37y_tUSKRyneIXFEJTDKvw9Ve0C5koXkgv37hbrXDMhmSIq5faA9g8U6l-D4D7rrl_lglX-FKNof4VI19R77APLmJ_vA/s3872/11DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNMQbO5XHXQUDXUqmbgWM-zIaeCuGrJAeB8pPae6J7zHS1OXpTCpS1GMLCeOk-2wwXT5W-kSHZ3ElfNlj-c2czHjcxEUyhX37y_tUSKRyneIXFEJTDKvw9Ve0C5koXkgv37hbrXDMhmSIq5faA9g8U6l-D4D7rrl_lglX-FKNof4VI19R77APLmJ_vA/w428-h640/11DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOfyvY4IyzFtoFwrTrtM_Mfaltv3NGvFGdp_vnA738lSgn_94hRJv6Cd7FR5I0FGJWdxsiIOqn1wJ8x9bI7RNQ_Mz-vsKeR7WxNy__uElUUKW4Wm3xppJHQgXPDQNplSIrnHLgOsHkuFvsxkf0kqKZ-aBjW0V-IGeJmZj5PXkZjD8LCw1u0lE7fG-qw/s3872/12DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOfyvY4IyzFtoFwrTrtM_Mfaltv3NGvFGdp_vnA738lSgn_94hRJv6Cd7FR5I0FGJWdxsiIOqn1wJ8x9bI7RNQ_Mz-vsKeR7WxNy__uElUUKW4Wm3xppJHQgXPDQNplSIrnHLgOsHkuFvsxkf0kqKZ-aBjW0V-IGeJmZj5PXkZjD8LCw1u0lE7fG-qw/w428-h640/12DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catrinas also decorate the area around the altars.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz9LKAOIK-Vbuv3r0bbxTvTpRLmGS6cyhL4UxejNaRmSUxAmNOfPwq5ApORWEUUOej-GHTBkPhoSdVSSfh6HvkZJ46bepHPsq45hiKlOGH8BOVdMC5rGmO1UDr6c_z7qWW1evfBYCTFNPwMeEhPfjE8qBa9M98gjpgio_3d7KS29thZdQCdKZgQAqNg/s3872/13DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz9LKAOIK-Vbuv3r0bbxTvTpRLmGS6cyhL4UxejNaRmSUxAmNOfPwq5ApORWEUUOej-GHTBkPhoSdVSSfh6HvkZJ46bepHPsq45hiKlOGH8BOVdMC5rGmO1UDr6c_z7qWW1evfBYCTFNPwMeEhPfjE8qBa9M98gjpgio_3d7KS29thZdQCdKZgQAqNg/w640-h428/13DdM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1184bts3gqRdSDYMUku5oPoGT0m3TRwm5nvj9ilxcbX3mjlldfrBOzJoCToYeZHCY8gJfXlN-Or9HFYTU7J_qJs4ovn30F1151-mRAp5SRSf2cno-cLYtyC4tXL_MTOed6_s96uGXioDT9Hs2ygyaMg7KOFUV_YI3t9lsRB5UNnIQ5_iKLvUczBNldA/s3872/14DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1184bts3gqRdSDYMUku5oPoGT0m3TRwm5nvj9ilxcbX3mjlldfrBOzJoCToYeZHCY8gJfXlN-Or9HFYTU7J_qJs4ovn30F1151-mRAp5SRSf2cno-cLYtyC4tXL_MTOed6_s96uGXioDT9Hs2ygyaMg7KOFUV_YI3t9lsRB5UNnIQ5_iKLvUczBNldA/w428-h640/14DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the young people are made up as living Catrina & Catrin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvsrAhKU4uBnFENfMuWq3natiN0zWOd17mxAIikSBLzzL_MVf7q9k4_k-foelkIWrFk81FZSSwL8d_bxVVrxXGnq2YOdmyWsAZCesX7jK0jiIA4F1oDJd6gXCxiZ1qzv7qjhPgaOlhEY5OPKm7NosKiPiD5GrYaIUxfGQbqSd0bHXzjU3Fq652maokg/s3872/15DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvsrAhKU4uBnFENfMuWq3natiN0zWOd17mxAIikSBLzzL_MVf7q9k4_k-foelkIWrFk81FZSSwL8d_bxVVrxXGnq2YOdmyWsAZCesX7jK0jiIA4F1oDJd6gXCxiZ1qzv7qjhPgaOlhEY5OPKm7NosKiPiD5GrYaIUxfGQbqSd0bHXzjU3Fq652maokg/w640-h428/15DdM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUzw5ELVGgnOY5LuVmaDmqX5JyQqbxrzC_jdAG2r-004SpKoZ6yazLC2ij5pjDXyTWlLX16voxb0EPNtQ5238rn1iHNmMEsqPyim9q3JE_pjfOF5o2Txgk5TRJHol9P6VEodSj9nOS07AYBV_jnHwge_WwbDK-gqswtOWXBqULGlt9cXF3gJELdEK6Q/s3872/16DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUzw5ELVGgnOY5LuVmaDmqX5JyQqbxrzC_jdAG2r-004SpKoZ6yazLC2ij5pjDXyTWlLX16voxb0EPNtQ5238rn1iHNmMEsqPyim9q3JE_pjfOF5o2Txgk5TRJHol9P6VEodSj9nOS07AYBV_jnHwge_WwbDK-gqswtOWXBqULGlt9cXF3gJELdEK6Q/w640-h428/16DdM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Pan de los Muertos made for Dia de los Muertos. It is a form of pan dulce (sweet bread).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_d5mvPXsKrI9fFyZRvvLDwNfzNFymAsREiW1r4sATmpE-cDkXOFCYg7_Rs4c7za-P52r7VMFTeFL7onr-QarelyI3VPMP4bSlYBuqWkBhgAsimmWJ-j3IHdfeiAvLd0iwcxMS3Nu_884Ml5-tLGSD8gKXWNxoywL0hFExXav22ew3MeKfKjAzb2AyA/s3872/17DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_d5mvPXsKrI9fFyZRvvLDwNfzNFymAsREiW1r4sATmpE-cDkXOFCYg7_Rs4c7za-P52r7VMFTeFL7onr-QarelyI3VPMP4bSlYBuqWkBhgAsimmWJ-j3IHdfeiAvLd0iwcxMS3Nu_884Ml5-tLGSD8gKXWNxoywL0hFExXav22ew3MeKfKjAzb2AyA/w428-h640/17DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrlPVf6Dh7frKRqjiJItoHbRapLDIkivz4kXKuosf92m-cky9F6J5XxHJIjhxZsTC4-0bPyPQk3GT99i6LPTlhoYLrQANYBsR86Km9v4eZyRRmjao5IboUUUpZYk7Mo3bLomlaaxWSKPVRzOhztJ5V5ATC9Mb9v54nftGlBcGi9A2L4le7MvXddJTJw/s3872/18DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrlPVf6Dh7frKRqjiJItoHbRapLDIkivz4kXKuosf92m-cky9F6J5XxHJIjhxZsTC4-0bPyPQk3GT99i6LPTlhoYLrQANYBsR86Km9v4eZyRRmjao5IboUUUpZYk7Mo3bLomlaaxWSKPVRzOhztJ5V5ATC9Mb9v54nftGlBcGi9A2L4le7MvXddJTJw/w428-h640/18DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J964V71SEZCfttMtHHuJuLp415jCK2VG1OD5itq7ZsIBd3F-DHYMAkJhClQwwihZyy9sPWHyR1XwOT0yE4tQunGzKcFieECYeKqLAK76ZjWDeOKWiTLUP8iJ8Z6YTRqs3c3rLUDG9bHmfb31cNPdo9VIalu5jMr3AeLbNdlZNzuyL7jw0HdBmfKElg/s3872/19DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J964V71SEZCfttMtHHuJuLp415jCK2VG1OD5itq7ZsIBd3F-DHYMAkJhClQwwihZyy9sPWHyR1XwOT0yE4tQunGzKcFieECYeKqLAK76ZjWDeOKWiTLUP8iJ8Z6YTRqs3c3rLUDG9bHmfb31cNPdo9VIalu5jMr3AeLbNdlZNzuyL7jw0HdBmfKElg/w428-h640/19DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Catrina is very modern as she clutches her cell phone (perhaps to better communicate with the dead).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcTnL8gVK52Q7bMuTW1ud5xwhI1uTCFEwDBoVm7UKqN035avcyOX1qQ9brZ0_mktNGV9r4sFrAqXKGuvZcyegrMSgNV5m08F5ujD4RZt7w87_BsguISOlVQkejOYsTnMsSLrlEn7gARIpuuVd8dJr_JzphuAocsrIQx8nO9iJeZrml-Nj4WIMVr4xyw/s3872/20DdM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcTnL8gVK52Q7bMuTW1ud5xwhI1uTCFEwDBoVm7UKqN035avcyOX1qQ9brZ0_mktNGV9r4sFrAqXKGuvZcyegrMSgNV5m08F5ujD4RZt7w87_BsguISOlVQkejOYsTnMsSLrlEn7gARIpuuVd8dJr_JzphuAocsrIQx8nO9iJeZrml-Nj4WIMVr4xyw/w428-h640/20DdM.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This individual is getting his Catrin makeup.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Next Stop: The Cemetery of Course</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Mmid afternoon we decided to stop by the Ajijic Panteon. For a couple of days we would pass people as we were driving who would be carrying giant wreaths of flowers or bouquets or both walking in the direction of the cemetery. By the afternoon of November 2 you couldn't park within 1,000 feet of the panteon (cemetery). Outside the gates food vendors were set up complete with tables and chairs and large expanses of marigolds (the official Day of the Dead flower) were spread out to be bought and placed on the graves.</div><div>Inside the gates Mariachi band members were gathering having been summoned by families to serenade their loved ones.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Mexico death is regarded as merely another phase of life and is not as feared as it is in some other parts of the world. While they don't believe in reincarnation, they do believe that on the days of Nov. 1 and 2 the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead are in the closest proximity. As they say,"the veil is thinnest at this time and it is possible to reach out to your departed family members." So, entire families will bring or buy food and sit at the grave (sometimes with the food balanced on the crypt) and eat and chat with the deceased. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavOaP3Hi-uweHsJ1vFYYcPkdz8wKJhdBFR3VU9ImrZvHoRsC8WNmqfoGnMRvMgSAyFd-SEXLSdIQ_6pOrz82SkGZkAloAe7CUmiiDPDxcndAtKVFBZIjSOmSqP2lR8YrbDrvyxicmGysC2va-Gi8YyG6ds_ltoC6bZvkghJqhVtz_XNON1RbnsTbRIQ/s3872/1P.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavOaP3Hi-uweHsJ1vFYYcPkdz8wKJhdBFR3VU9ImrZvHoRsC8WNmqfoGnMRvMgSAyFd-SEXLSdIQ_6pOrz82SkGZkAloAe7CUmiiDPDxcndAtKVFBZIjSOmSqP2lR8YrbDrvyxicmGysC2va-Gi8YyG6ds_ltoC6bZvkghJqhVtz_XNON1RbnsTbRIQ/w428-h640/1P.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These photos show how colorfully the panteon is decorated for Dia de los Muertos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0Q8QvNN9SazJdIXBNrjxCBmzlxlEXOePgHwJYHBSQsSWuOOtOAJp5mS6Lh9pQGMUi7vZyQ7qEzPelXR4yEnOKENtVC3_Z8NHhG4DyjpWSeSu87LOIHfiH27DVJO2iWQMqELcCMKkrZdWs56-iqyL3Dyje2xXo3wDiCow0jT_9xyugxnsOWg7FJUKaw/s3872/2P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0Q8QvNN9SazJdIXBNrjxCBmzlxlEXOePgHwJYHBSQsSWuOOtOAJp5mS6Lh9pQGMUi7vZyQ7qEzPelXR4yEnOKENtVC3_Z8NHhG4DyjpWSeSu87LOIHfiH27DVJO2iWQMqELcCMKkrZdWs56-iqyL3Dyje2xXo3wDiCow0jT_9xyugxnsOWg7FJUKaw/w640-h428/2P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUccqwaJD3uxZxxODdyd5K_lM11Iw-MpJyPMtv_3Kr0hsujCvxHTBnU56kwkFCYyx2dk1c5odhTyehGIUTj3AMR2R4UKRIfQ0gpjaPDGalKlmV8GQOWnGW7eXqhZNx1Mw6o8VwOMEUfARKA7dJ8Gsh5gn8wTcR61TlwVHuBCp-gtpcpjpCnJKhGg-7_A/s3872/3P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUccqwaJD3uxZxxODdyd5K_lM11Iw-MpJyPMtv_3Kr0hsujCvxHTBnU56kwkFCYyx2dk1c5odhTyehGIUTj3AMR2R4UKRIfQ0gpjaPDGalKlmV8GQOWnGW7eXqhZNx1Mw6o8VwOMEUfARKA7dJ8Gsh5gn8wTcR61TlwVHuBCp-gtpcpjpCnJKhGg-7_A/w640-h428/3P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCzio9I8VIS2p7hQFV0tA4Ha_dpfGZXcYh62ugvbqg9CRPhkDSiTJYk98t9nqjmHxELFbZyzgnC_Hi_HeZkMzeBRLamPZeF_eP_ERD4lczcIYT19EuRLd4_fYpX3N64Sn5mq0PA2h7qFp7fjbXLuxnSepujQLPycMLZjMTkG9V2StqgLHT09vIjOxBQ/s3872/4P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCzio9I8VIS2p7hQFV0tA4Ha_dpfGZXcYh62ugvbqg9CRPhkDSiTJYk98t9nqjmHxELFbZyzgnC_Hi_HeZkMzeBRLamPZeF_eP_ERD4lczcIYT19EuRLd4_fYpX3N64Sn5mq0PA2h7qFp7fjbXLuxnSepujQLPycMLZjMTkG9V2StqgLHT09vIjOxBQ/w640-h428/4P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB_mBx_zVk8YbP9fPqBrShAlnwKA_XEddgu5xfdthNgTfQOLw2xBxCIijQmDGSyQcsrSvjsDCPMDkCM3EnKSVZ7uhPVPMB8SjXDdIp1VRjMocLjF7E0fBT_Lnzdk6UojuoLfu4xBTJZeVhIpqd7zoqwv86lUTb2tdwqpkO1CxhqTZkqTw2Tc9o_WVbQ/s3872/5P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB_mBx_zVk8YbP9fPqBrShAlnwKA_XEddgu5xfdthNgTfQOLw2xBxCIijQmDGSyQcsrSvjsDCPMDkCM3EnKSVZ7uhPVPMB8SjXDdIp1VRjMocLjF7E0fBT_Lnzdk6UojuoLfu4xBTJZeVhIpqd7zoqwv86lUTb2tdwqpkO1CxhqTZkqTw2Tc9o_WVbQ/w640-h428/5P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkHu7Hpvztl_pjGKMfydHWg1AfK7QWCPHTm31HxSxxJ2_GD8F-KGAvS9r-WZi9giRjVIBIrOzt-t306570MduNjpucrv_XVdgE1X2mu6h0oy4tLR5cSJgk0zSyvFcBZHtZhFtb-QIUW8HdBMyfrWTPX4N60l5ASInmklbnjlwliXE6HXjYUzwPgJnfw/s3872/6P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkHu7Hpvztl_pjGKMfydHWg1AfK7QWCPHTm31HxSxxJ2_GD8F-KGAvS9r-WZi9giRjVIBIrOzt-t306570MduNjpucrv_XVdgE1X2mu6h0oy4tLR5cSJgk0zSyvFcBZHtZhFtb-QIUW8HdBMyfrWTPX4N60l5ASInmklbnjlwliXE6HXjYUzwPgJnfw/w640-h428/6P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeoEutUp6aZIJi0V1mTR5anDKP0xwcKeG8H65_WVFIUrtLSgb93TZF013ZfdMLpjw8SJaxA2beLQbgkWi6y3YEkRNkR9-5lc8mD7ErvFJW07WQG9DytyiKjw5BeiaRgBBFDJlMagfmM73jfXAYlafHDA5hWeDcAIINCSZTfe4d6iORWAXTaPEDjWflg/s3872/7P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeoEutUp6aZIJi0V1mTR5anDKP0xwcKeG8H65_WVFIUrtLSgb93TZF013ZfdMLpjw8SJaxA2beLQbgkWi6y3YEkRNkR9-5lc8mD7ErvFJW07WQG9DytyiKjw5BeiaRgBBFDJlMagfmM73jfXAYlafHDA5hWeDcAIINCSZTfe4d6iORWAXTaPEDjWflg/w640-h428/7P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhzxmmxAHcOhVFP-69oj7t_CO9nOJbT8rUbj65Uui-t0crDlS_G3pIS2ZCNzWtLvSw-MU9ZeaHWk_OQWTT8eww154MTBZ_hFP1juddBViX9lGq29DTzAFQ9ld4aZs1zz6pNbvfQmpJWyNfG2F2fAoUo9eWMducy74N5Z2RjlTUgnXK3OazKnbV4Z9HA/s3872/8P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhzxmmxAHcOhVFP-69oj7t_CO9nOJbT8rUbj65Uui-t0crDlS_G3pIS2ZCNzWtLvSw-MU9ZeaHWk_OQWTT8eww154MTBZ_hFP1juddBViX9lGq29DTzAFQ9ld4aZs1zz6pNbvfQmpJWyNfG2F2fAoUo9eWMducy74N5Z2RjlTUgnXK3OazKnbV4Z9HA/w428-h640/8P.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnbn6aEueTpPDsCBf-SqfwF35wufH9WMI-D2zt4ZCrHnDYNgJM6MZRDtUoJCEkutfMrPyiTZlojjJmVfvfRsyIQB_MUEnQTVCvxb19kzdbff4Ng_MsOcdvsbC1a1q6Ajkwd32jDoNFxLs0_RJMPyu0sdWaWp0Aev1OzRUs4krs-HUewGdiI9S-yYYdw/s3872/9P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnbn6aEueTpPDsCBf-SqfwF35wufH9WMI-D2zt4ZCrHnDYNgJM6MZRDtUoJCEkutfMrPyiTZlojjJmVfvfRsyIQB_MUEnQTVCvxb19kzdbff4Ng_MsOcdvsbC1a1q6Ajkwd32jDoNFxLs0_RJMPyu0sdWaWp0Aev1OzRUs4krs-HUewGdiI9S-yYYdw/w428-h640/9P.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy-f_zJvjQbMCg6gpGRI_ehTd4cGCWW3EGq4KykvarzB0SM4LhCAftJcrDc-5iSa-plCJR2kGgLXaem__cT4bRKKlAr831zh5bkRMUlXCq7i9xCaLDROb4iJz8Lljv3xiEE_hzW1uEkAfW5U-cKiwwagiR1rw2hvAd2T4vaIPOq6MhR-aIiK-6fCiGA/s3872/10P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy-f_zJvjQbMCg6gpGRI_ehTd4cGCWW3EGq4KykvarzB0SM4LhCAftJcrDc-5iSa-plCJR2kGgLXaem__cT4bRKKlAr831zh5bkRMUlXCq7i9xCaLDROb4iJz8Lljv3xiEE_hzW1uEkAfW5U-cKiwwagiR1rw2hvAd2T4vaIPOq6MhR-aIiK-6fCiGA/w640-h428/10P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YLXU8JfKIMyMclFqi3rWkuk6HwKMkPux44RH9oy9GHcaekkNQswk-Q_AWYdUpi5wX5zR1LivZCdQvDnmVtHy9NfiaHlqLOszXW44DOF9705vMGkxalMUiN9IjXnHP6YAjzLKtImK_21wZQqumf5MQX9TWHkgLSqrDqTreKHiAHRSGJAwRB4S_7uN-A/s3872/11P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YLXU8JfKIMyMclFqi3rWkuk6HwKMkPux44RH9oy9GHcaekkNQswk-Q_AWYdUpi5wX5zR1LivZCdQvDnmVtHy9NfiaHlqLOszXW44DOF9705vMGkxalMUiN9IjXnHP6YAjzLKtImK_21wZQqumf5MQX9TWHkgLSqrDqTreKHiAHRSGJAwRB4S_7uN-A/w640-h428/11P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoayPDXE5c4a1syCP-VKMESFI_nLATnf94bOzRgAvcFp_QtFeXP1bR0IwVBMhJgMHqt0_87wEqyKEgulpV83nbWgn-G6IT5P_rAJXUDjNH3Z8hsK9X1YAyqeliEslNGUaSD0qeG_n2E7LLMURHlXV50-0Yi5UkNMO9gkn_uIDqSehOw-NxYymtMM6pw/s3872/12P.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoayPDXE5c4a1syCP-VKMESFI_nLATnf94bOzRgAvcFp_QtFeXP1bR0IwVBMhJgMHqt0_87wEqyKEgulpV83nbWgn-G6IT5P_rAJXUDjNH3Z8hsK9X1YAyqeliEslNGUaSD0qeG_n2E7LLMURHlXV50-0Yi5UkNMO9gkn_uIDqSehOw-NxYymtMM6pw/w640-h428/12P.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Finally, We Made Atlas Obscura!</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Devoted blog readers will be familiar with the Atlas Obscura which is a website (and book) that lists off beat, interesting and sometimes just really strange events, locations, museums etc. around the world. Two of my favorites were the Froggy Museum in Split and the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb. Well, it was only a matter of time until Ajijic scored and entry... and we have arrived. A local artist, Efren Gonzalez created an entire wall of death masks (you could purchase your very own mask & our friends Allan and Barbara did). These masks were affixed to the outer wall of a primary school -- a tad macabre-- and are lit every year at the Day of the Dead. It is just the kind of thing the Atlas Obscura loves and thus our entry made the cut. Michael will include a photo.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCaIkiTrfySzLERHT1y93je_Lj1jqybc4sDt10_fsL6KjYb97Hhn7IIjsSscyTEVgJRFFgSvBti3v4Ik7hAkcHudX147wNwzoKWhlu7BzoTf_hAS4tNY17tPZ0Zzv-9A10pspx_W055Vnw4LSlKnhFfj0eOrVRN5gbwQfSud8xXf82kEEquQR56zRag/s4032/1Skull%20Wall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCaIkiTrfySzLERHT1y93je_Lj1jqybc4sDt10_fsL6KjYb97Hhn7IIjsSscyTEVgJRFFgSvBti3v4Ik7hAkcHudX147wNwzoKWhlu7BzoTf_hAS4tNY17tPZ0Zzv-9A10pspx_W055Vnw4LSlKnhFfj0eOrVRN5gbwQfSud8xXf82kEEquQR56zRag/w640-h480/1Skull%20Wall.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two photos show just a portion of the skull wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDQBjD3zId_AQ149IuZt2YbQb3aHX59Z1927UZE3wEeqgkuFFnCZAc2FreccpPe_PAjhrB--nkNAP-cVIk4jVHRBqeSjeAHhR852ESqQ_CFQGYlW5q3UCjCf85YldFoTnUS8vnHjZB9wGzwY2szyURlbB0XhCzjrYbrrqSQqdtG4I1-W18jRXWaL3Jg/s4032/2Skull%20Wall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDQBjD3zId_AQ149IuZt2YbQb3aHX59Z1927UZE3wEeqgkuFFnCZAc2FreccpPe_PAjhrB--nkNAP-cVIk4jVHRBqeSjeAHhR852ESqQ_CFQGYlW5q3UCjCf85YldFoTnUS8vnHjZB9wGzwY2szyURlbB0XhCzjrYbrrqSQqdtG4I1-W18jRXWaL3Jg/w640-h480/2Skull%20Wall.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Due to Michael's having a terrible cold we had to bail on the evening activities at the Plaza and the nighttime parade but (God willing) there is always next year. And hopefully next year Linda, Kelly and all our other friends who want to indulge in the Day of the Dead will be able to visit with us. </div>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-61241115067370845312022-11-12T16:38:00.002-06:002022-11-12T16:38:38.982-06:00<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Gloria Hallelujah; font-size: large;"><b>MICHAEL GOES TO CHESTERFIELD</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know you are asking where is Chesterfield and why would Michael want to go there and leave Deirdre in Ajijic. Well Michael at the tender young age of 13 thought he had a vocation to become a priest. Not just any priest. He decided to become a Maryknoll missionary (obviously a desire to travel to foreign lands even back then). Puberty hit at 14 and Michael decided maybe he did not want to be celibate for the rest of his life (much to Deirdre's later relief). After the first quarter of my sophomore year I made the fateful decision to leave the seminary.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However the bonds formed at that young age have somehow extended over the years and due to the efforts of some of my classmates, there have been several reunions at Chesterfield (and, with the advent of COVID, reunions over Zoom). The organizers finally decided to have an in-person reunion again in Chesterfield, MO (the former site of Maryknoll Junior Seminary). One interesting side note is that none of the members of our original freshman class went on to become priests.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The site is now Logan University, a Chiropractic College. Logan University acquired the 112 acres from the Maryknoll order in 1973 for the grand sum of $1.8 million. Quite a bargain considering the growth of Chesterfield. In 1963 Chesterfield consisted of mostly farmland and had a population of 450. According to the 2020 census Chesterfield now has a population of 49,999. It is a thriving bedroom community of St. Louis with very upscale housing, a shopping mall, etc.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The folks at Logan University were kind enough to give us the grand tour of what was formerly the seminary. All of the buildings which we inhabited in 1963 have been repurposed, but the Tower (minus the cross at the top) is still there. More buildings have been added to accommodate the needs of Logan University and its students. What was formerly the Chapel where we attended daily Mass is now the library of the University (complete with the original stained glass windows).</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Due to the difficulty of flying from Guadalajara to St. Louis, I arrived Thursday afternoon and had most of Friday to explore St. Louis. I decided to go to Gateway National Park and take one of the little pods to the top of the Gateway Arch (one that Deirdre never would have entered due to phobia #4 - claustrophobia), followed by a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River. I also tried to tour the original St. Louis Basilica, but it was closed for a private event.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKJ4YSK5e2-eurswDi8p2HhHpB1iEZCdestkii7G-UK4IatredgkyKnIFYvEJK2hCg6ouuFuHWEMv9Aq2hUxEhWi8cwQ9VMDNeUfZgv7n7L4o_2PNMkjDMEBvoUVdqmPUww4wW0ppKRr3Vf9Pu_GmMxxeBIWDO0a6f2-NxvaUAIiwNHd9v4BsDywHzQ/s4252/1%20Old%20STL%20Courthouse.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4252" data-original-width="3189" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKJ4YSK5e2-eurswDi8p2HhHpB1iEZCdestkii7G-UK4IatredgkyKnIFYvEJK2hCg6ouuFuHWEMv9Aq2hUxEhWi8cwQ9VMDNeUfZgv7n7L4o_2PNMkjDMEBvoUVdqmPUww4wW0ppKRr3Vf9Pu_GmMxxeBIWDO0a6f2-NxvaUAIiwNHd9v4BsDywHzQ/w480-h640/1%20Old%20STL%20Courthouse.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old St. Louis Courthouse completed in 1828 is now occupied by the National Park Service and is part of the Archway National Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi870UnHqsjy6UZVHUevEBOskqEI93tVBWNnjzKaXicv2zu17WfvXppAwK30KxmbtgnQir1v21K9tMiB85XO5diM93g9SuOo26BHJJArmBj1xFOKufw6iRKMdm7cj66n_Bd7ipXphZ4tNMAmJcV7uSE0fVd669xxPwDnl6u-lNcH_YGXuXLwQg2A9wArA/s4608/2%20M%20River%20Barges.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi870UnHqsjy6UZVHUevEBOskqEI93tVBWNnjzKaXicv2zu17WfvXppAwK30KxmbtgnQir1v21K9tMiB85XO5diM93g9SuOo26BHJJArmBj1xFOKufw6iRKMdm7cj66n_Bd7ipXphZ4tNMAmJcV7uSE0fVd669xxPwDnl6u-lNcH_YGXuXLwQg2A9wArA/w640-h480/2%20M%20River%20Barges.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of the Arch looked down on the Mississippi River with these barges passing by, one empty and one filled with coal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7Vi87cVN235RjqvTwv3wxBIpI1Gg--fWcQi_wf3mvPWPwTMQPy0oje5zQf-6C-_KyGUM7n2fyDkUBCxfcz5iFlA2M0UlFR_pQnX7n28fhxkuXg8hSiFkLpYbSipPe6R8p9hP4kyOnXYqk-Y1Lc4fUeJONAtGPbSv6G04066EvZcNyC79YGdMszTnsw/s4608/3%20Cardinals%20Stadium.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7Vi87cVN235RjqvTwv3wxBIpI1Gg--fWcQi_wf3mvPWPwTMQPy0oje5zQf-6C-_KyGUM7n2fyDkUBCxfcz5iFlA2M0UlFR_pQnX7n28fhxkuXg8hSiFkLpYbSipPe6R8p9hP4kyOnXYqk-Y1Lc4fUeJONAtGPbSv6G04066EvZcNyC79YGdMszTnsw/w640-h480/3%20Cardinals%20Stadium.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side offered birds eye views of St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuILXlU_Z-7sEvwAXcwYQ0PMNmVb6du-wMlykFDmqNZrZMB_qfmWXco2iN43C0xvsGHxPC32O1ksuOKQZfrS4bi3f4PmTT2VY3k6oEYABDTW7HRDsSmAUqS7M1tX2kPA33bT0Cu94bl8eV4y9bTH5mxISSs7LseDOiOdsgQcoCGXTIkGxTg3vUq2SpA/s4608/4%20Old%20STL%20Courthouse%20below.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuILXlU_Z-7sEvwAXcwYQ0PMNmVb6du-wMlykFDmqNZrZMB_qfmWXco2iN43C0xvsGHxPC32O1ksuOKQZfrS4bi3f4PmTT2VY3k6oEYABDTW7HRDsSmAUqS7M1tX2kPA33bT0Cu94bl8eV4y9bTH5mxISSs7LseDOiOdsgQcoCGXTIkGxTg3vUq2SpA/w640-h480/4%20Old%20STL%20Courthouse%20below.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the old St. Louis Courthouse...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEqjuPc4DeMbnThvopHr6bdm2LOvIHIq3C8YL1Q3Dsf2B9-s9OEQcuel3rNVz9qxTjeBgP3k033RYyJW8lATTi7gJa_fuA4b807g5oM2mvFYvvj5v1OIj7NwssSITek2QX3WYrlSPlKL-f2XKVShiokkbGmU6k4p0aw7MklisAu8hndpw_CugWkT6Ew/s4608/5%20Old%20STL%20Cathedral.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEqjuPc4DeMbnThvopHr6bdm2LOvIHIq3C8YL1Q3Dsf2B9-s9OEQcuel3rNVz9qxTjeBgP3k033RYyJW8lATTi7gJa_fuA4b807g5oM2mvFYvvj5v1OIj7NwssSITek2QX3WYrlSPlKL-f2XKVShiokkbGmU6k4p0aw7MklisAu8hndpw_CugWkT6Ew/w640-h480/5%20Old%20STL%20Cathedral.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the original St. Louis Basilica.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEayiE2BwsJHZQZnkbupJisJ1KevytU6B37Rqul2EY5Sx5ZrG1HsMwJ5M-PRVSB5jET9pMemVVkPJoNThEnSkJkDZcbpoNFqthlhHpr7F9KGtjEB8mORQnBZNzH4swXaKT5ALqVg9oPEIfLHGYT0mkVgH-_RAZM4cVMAwLkIaBv4_DuP52aMGc8EtiZA/s4608/6%20GNP%20w.%20Arch%20shadow.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEayiE2BwsJHZQZnkbupJisJ1KevytU6B37Rqul2EY5Sx5ZrG1HsMwJ5M-PRVSB5jET9pMemVVkPJoNThEnSkJkDZcbpoNFqthlhHpr7F9KGtjEB8mORQnBZNzH4swXaKT5ALqVg9oPEIfLHGYT0mkVgH-_RAZM4cVMAwLkIaBv4_DuP52aMGc8EtiZA/w640-h480/6%20GNP%20w.%20Arch%20shadow.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shadow cast by the Arch caught my eye as I was looking down on the area around the Gateway National Arch Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiXaZluCu50dNvaCLa65vDRFxkRN5QGPn8IEdhhO3dh2nblCsJ5OlBoLhj2F5fBHrgTtjXfLeY3VKV3rqZ8D6aGBJ-AyZGTt0cbnv9n-uY1T7EAwwHeIWsx6eGE8hlVuGJHM9NPxGLT07Un7oJxadBRqH1WFxQ_byqNM8Vu0kZ5GPje7s0QfWpkONtQ/s4608/7%20Arch%20View1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiXaZluCu50dNvaCLa65vDRFxkRN5QGPn8IEdhhO3dh2nblCsJ5OlBoLhj2F5fBHrgTtjXfLeY3VKV3rqZ8D6aGBJ-AyZGTt0cbnv9n-uY1T7EAwwHeIWsx6eGE8hlVuGJHM9NPxGLT07Un7oJxadBRqH1WFxQ_byqNM8Vu0kZ5GPje7s0QfWpkONtQ/w640-h480/7%20Arch%20View1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I was walking around I was intrigued by the different ways the Arch presented itself.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXnjlwSHSQUaPSdiUdyVtL2jkO18UsCFdXQaI-wwDTYmVj-gLaTvKz3hG4sC6d7m0Qoiw0hwMyv44dSZyfowT2mQB7TsEXGa0OdslqpMSDxpO_-ukadyge58hqiSIgAKAgaDhKREOXJL96LQZtStdVueGOzLGP47ftVOF_HMeXMJ9xuLjyLhHxl8A2g/s4608/8%20Clearance%20Marker%20on%20Bridge.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXnjlwSHSQUaPSdiUdyVtL2jkO18UsCFdXQaI-wwDTYmVj-gLaTvKz3hG4sC6d7m0Qoiw0hwMyv44dSZyfowT2mQB7TsEXGa0OdslqpMSDxpO_-ukadyge58hqiSIgAKAgaDhKREOXJL96LQZtStdVueGOzLGP47ftVOF_HMeXMJ9xuLjyLhHxl8A2g/w640-h480/8%20Clearance%20Marker%20on%20Bridge.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a clear indication of how low the Mississippi River was as we cruised up the river. The markers allow river traffic to show the clearance going under the bridge. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy9VaNAFz9XleEUBjQLzRn3gm4c-Y6Yq8VX6G2HWRgEOhWv3om4UorqQoTmJNtQfO143D42hp3u0Mfm4kwSkXwWBclJYUgfz4Wc0WF25xW8vV3FFgS5ATumX2osdWcac4Ge5mBuxoKDH7hl5cyJahC4DD5KWzpf2D5IzlVbzwgTBX6ArlothkMy48ww/s4608/9%20M%20River%20Bridge1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy9VaNAFz9XleEUBjQLzRn3gm4c-Y6Yq8VX6G2HWRgEOhWv3om4UorqQoTmJNtQfO143D42hp3u0Mfm4kwSkXwWBclJYUgfz4Wc0WF25xW8vV3FFgS5ATumX2osdWcac4Ge5mBuxoKDH7hl5cyJahC4DD5KWzpf2D5IzlVbzwgTBX6ArlothkMy48ww/w640-h480/9%20M%20River%20Bridge1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bridge reminded me of the Zakim bridge in Boston.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRk4b1qwLFFFkezAacu8_8izAzZ6eQFHt2BuJGCcIabms5ifB3Hd5LVPJ-Rzl7IfZ5FHnT-B69jgcLYC0n1DQwD1ceW3C_UQxv0K4Murz-aMvcYAInxceftAuUbUVNHkDhk6SLB8NI3EfZlobhigN5K1SqhK4IvM4j-15Aza5idC3SNzyIDuuCQQurw/s3796/10%20Union%20Electric.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3796" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRk4b1qwLFFFkezAacu8_8izAzZ6eQFHt2BuJGCcIabms5ifB3Hd5LVPJ-Rzl7IfZ5FHnT-B69jgcLYC0n1DQwD1ceW3C_UQxv0K4Murz-aMvcYAInxceftAuUbUVNHkDhk6SLB8NI3EfZlobhigN5K1SqhK4IvM4j-15Aza5idC3SNzyIDuuCQQurw/w640-h582/10%20Union%20Electric.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This building of the Union Electric Light and Power was built in 1904 as a generating station...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExwGos41UH7HIgQTF0tvNc88gy0VzYr-hHh6IaPsfhkdjYx-DAOkBnc-uRN1reSGrTli1EKObU1kvW0W1SA8_w_c8IFChVSrwIoZkXTWDOc2yvWWRxBZqPw4ZWhM1m_XkYc-eDASB-Nq_bvpOYtg7aRNoELY2OlT3hnSOoYH-3DBA87M6N3RxyKvRQQ/s4608/11%20Union%20Electric%20total.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExwGos41UH7HIgQTF0tvNc88gy0VzYr-hHh6IaPsfhkdjYx-DAOkBnc-uRN1reSGrTli1EKObU1kvW0W1SA8_w_c8IFChVSrwIoZkXTWDOc2yvWWRxBZqPw4ZWhM1m_XkYc-eDASB-Nq_bvpOYtg7aRNoELY2OlT3hnSOoYH-3DBA87M6N3RxyKvRQQ/w640-h480/11%20Union%20Electric%20total.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and, as can be seen in this photo, was massive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0rddjYtWmIrefKwdHoq6czla6Mh7elbjIJ-bGjw2Ix6oIKlrZwGqIqPIEAX_FJKTPvgHtH3g8V8z0zauoSfRqhzTpRaVUkLY81QW4bs18O5jAKCE9Du6h9YnR-MHzhTAZlpqxLxaaiipEyyLHYUK-wIiwBumGtSXlDli6JbK3hOHQorUA1pqDjwc2Q/s4608/12%20Arch%20Riverview.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0rddjYtWmIrefKwdHoq6czla6Mh7elbjIJ-bGjw2Ix6oIKlrZwGqIqPIEAX_FJKTPvgHtH3g8V8z0zauoSfRqhzTpRaVUkLY81QW4bs18O5jAKCE9Du6h9YnR-MHzhTAZlpqxLxaaiipEyyLHYUK-wIiwBumGtSXlDli6JbK3hOHQorUA1pqDjwc2Q/w640-h480/12%20Arch%20Riverview.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back from the riverboat toward the Arch and the old Courthouse.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHNtGqfAF1J5ZRYfDMsaIZG2HUTu41ZbeBRqZAVn88ApVXBGt_j3lEdcbDfNy9tiWw31MUUcdJWmtxnH6IrpSvyxY-Tp-EKJDt9499T2AR_FOQ0sggoXVv209l01zgjKaugJBeoWdvTsdZu1nAFu-6vL_9lcP18LDTF5461kUQjXXzUimfVtdlyZRnA/s4608/13%20Arch%20view%20from%20below.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHNtGqfAF1J5ZRYfDMsaIZG2HUTu41ZbeBRqZAVn88ApVXBGt_j3lEdcbDfNy9tiWw31MUUcdJWmtxnH6IrpSvyxY-Tp-EKJDt9499T2AR_FOQ0sggoXVv209l01zgjKaugJBeoWdvTsdZu1nAFu-6vL_9lcP18LDTF5461kUQjXXzUimfVtdlyZRnA/w640-h480/13%20Arch%20view%20from%20below.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The different way this Arch presented itself depending on where you were standing was really intriguing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt25cRW_1fZHbsDmPL6O0BYHw2WPvrvetpa2kVe7q8MNKvUv42tShIrCK39Kx3CisxTCGFiHS3KL0g8oRe1yapocnJ0M9sztV54vXaNfdfdef6kpp0cxyX6cGlAjMLW8ZhKX3EI3jCeXLkGtjjoCkLGSwRZhgJE0qGAPM50U1YrOxRbHwDH9rJosLN0Q/s4608/14%20Arch%20View2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt25cRW_1fZHbsDmPL6O0BYHw2WPvrvetpa2kVe7q8MNKvUv42tShIrCK39Kx3CisxTCGFiHS3KL0g8oRe1yapocnJ0M9sztV54vXaNfdfdef6kpp0cxyX6cGlAjMLW8ZhKX3EI3jCeXLkGtjjoCkLGSwRZhgJE0qGAPM50U1YrOxRbHwDH9rJosLN0Q/w480-h640/14%20Arch%20View2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtReQLieBLY2Mxi-CFliQOgwW2_e_3sXMhLR6ASYBbyTSFgtAecKTjGPHHJeHVrCTgJyD6cPuqVSfIOTqQEA6j_1Zt9XYtvZ6xbjTZuWmzPsZGPnLj_h3NC0_QbqgbujnCwr6XPLO5nHIzZEmPYax9wwwxPbtMpQlslyOff-8tm_WhZMsaRZ3ClaRzZw/s4608/15%20Arch%20View3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtReQLieBLY2Mxi-CFliQOgwW2_e_3sXMhLR6ASYBbyTSFgtAecKTjGPHHJeHVrCTgJyD6cPuqVSfIOTqQEA6j_1Zt9XYtvZ6xbjTZuWmzPsZGPnLj_h3NC0_QbqgbujnCwr6XPLO5nHIzZEmPYax9wwwxPbtMpQlslyOff-8tm_WhZMsaRZ3ClaRzZw/w480-h640/15%20Arch%20View3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDoBERPN-Ccvq6StGut5Vpp6izggeLTVQdH2qnuhbJrJEXF2abdyJM6F2HHt9Kl_DJw49unb_CZhL3PbdE_8VKZJM0XeYZvXH7kxQaLHFfwFWbP1QlCCrMAqMobGEhpypbYdrO7XFgzwLxY0QctLwlPHhexIaUgDJTc5IU49Ta-aVFHsgxs9PEv80Pg/s4608/16%20Arch%20View4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDoBERPN-Ccvq6StGut5Vpp6izggeLTVQdH2qnuhbJrJEXF2abdyJM6F2HHt9Kl_DJw49unb_CZhL3PbdE_8VKZJM0XeYZvXH7kxQaLHFfwFWbP1QlCCrMAqMobGEhpypbYdrO7XFgzwLxY0QctLwlPHhexIaUgDJTc5IU49Ta-aVFHsgxs9PEv80Pg/w640-h480/16%20Arch%20View4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu7v350IWIxHNu5VbEtRaFYPNyInJ0gTdrt0FVYkwE1CP2tFMEGKO-mO-YpFut-BoeXMWABg0LVMmkIlwhT7I8tDZ8B6XU22SLAVsTUY8pHvmPBPNlERpZ-O8k19XBHwGSnueYx_S8uPLjzuitlwpkMvAQAKVUsVwviuU9hBS4VcVp9-Llu9EgMvddQ/s4608/16%20Basilica%20of%20STL%20King.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu7v350IWIxHNu5VbEtRaFYPNyInJ0gTdrt0FVYkwE1CP2tFMEGKO-mO-YpFut-BoeXMWABg0LVMmkIlwhT7I8tDZ8B6XU22SLAVsTUY8pHvmPBPNlERpZ-O8k19XBHwGSnueYx_S8uPLjzuitlwpkMvAQAKVUsVwviuU9hBS4VcVp9-Llu9EgMvddQ/w480-h640/16%20Basilica%20of%20STL%20King.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original St. Louis Basilica.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That evening one of our former classmates (along with his wife) hosted a dinner for us at their house in St. Louis. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzYMmZ2GFHX8q35dxmoP5Lr_xw0MIH1slgbiZKkVJmBRCOQm4fhhPJyeq1RgpZ_QV679qY8yN1_rIcI1XmtBgAv3qlov--7LavdVvvEym_fPF-krPoAfM33e8zAYklaawjirO2nZustYw_Wzu9viVEaE_ImER2bxK-AqvbY0hilqIStx3klt6O_I1Hg/s3872/1%20Rick%20&%20Bill%20&%20chow%20line.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzYMmZ2GFHX8q35dxmoP5Lr_xw0MIH1slgbiZKkVJmBRCOQm4fhhPJyeq1RgpZ_QV679qY8yN1_rIcI1XmtBgAv3qlov--7LavdVvvEym_fPF-krPoAfM33e8zAYklaawjirO2nZustYw_Wzu9viVEaE_ImER2bxK-AqvbY0hilqIStx3klt6O_I1Hg/w640-h428/1%20Rick%20&%20Bill%20&%20chow%20line.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick (our host) & Bill chat while the rest go for the food.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbkrelhE0PHlIeibxLHkraf9uZgiS1eoQFn_Kbe1HqZXaVsR_XIb1gX1ubrDfqK6FVP6Mk80xdZZTyzysJX247kGfq0GLVGHKJopWCw6pAFzDJMsn6OszGpwVxmb2Bbv_bYQihcPP40sujI83I06Qeio3kPmIfMGgsJss3KUOSQ9-D-oxmJr1eMfx_g/s3872/2%20Mike%20&%20Chris%20@%20chow%20line.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbkrelhE0PHlIeibxLHkraf9uZgiS1eoQFn_Kbe1HqZXaVsR_XIb1gX1ubrDfqK6FVP6Mk80xdZZTyzysJX247kGfq0GLVGHKJopWCw6pAFzDJMsn6OszGpwVxmb2Bbv_bYQihcPP40sujI83I06Qeio3kPmIfMGgsJss3KUOSQ9-D-oxmJr1eMfx_g/w640-h428/2%20Mike%20&%20Chris%20@%20chow%20line.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Chris loading up their plates.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM2VaFw7VSgXIiMx3cNs7pqNypXL8Y1ak7y_-OAn5lN-zJ2FozjgLJ7jSRpHnYd6FyZPJPzgnA5xGXa2O_TSAkAeP-mT081PmfE0cUEClEo6ebmT4JNsD_V9N58OemmDFemoUcNbY3luMgFyUp0K3j1pQCQk7m-cdcovWc8sDgH_ew0WsetXjV24eyQ/s3872/3%20Group%20Shot1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM2VaFw7VSgXIiMx3cNs7pqNypXL8Y1ak7y_-OAn5lN-zJ2FozjgLJ7jSRpHnYd6FyZPJPzgnA5xGXa2O_TSAkAeP-mT081PmfE0cUEClEo6ebmT4JNsD_V9N58OemmDFemoUcNbY3luMgFyUp0K3j1pQCQk7m-cdcovWc8sDgH_ew0WsetXjV24eyQ/w640-h428/3%20Group%20Shot1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The temperature was so delightful we were able to enjoy the outdoor patio as we ate & caught up with what everyone had been up to lately.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next day we all gathered at Logan University for a tour of what was our former campus. The Tower was still there, although with a wall added around the Tower by Logan University to protect it. On the plaque recognizing those who had donated to the wall, some or our party recognized the name of former classmates from Maryknoll Junior Seminary. Although many of the buildings have been transformed, the tour still brought back memories of our time here when we all much, much younger.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRVRPEF10Ugs3K6HYJdTX6O4-RFC-Id6CWhErpXn8m3qFI7DQ47uYI-Ka4djbQUgjvgQvCpU4vtKFSgqYNQ0n2Cp6TBnbDb2x4EZgo50U9rzRhKSyEddaSMmxYLXKHGLtK9oqmaqK67oUzkuiEQJJ7-UY00HhtXBZaQqpor7reh1r6ALVJHdb_aNdkQ/s3872/4%20Tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRVRPEF10Ugs3K6HYJdTX6O4-RFC-Id6CWhErpXn8m3qFI7DQ47uYI-Ka4djbQUgjvgQvCpU4vtKFSgqYNQ0n2Cp6TBnbDb2x4EZgo50U9rzRhKSyEddaSMmxYLXKHGLtK9oqmaqK67oUzkuiEQJJ7-UY00HhtXBZaQqpor7reh1r6ALVJHdb_aNdkQ/w428-h640/4%20Tower.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tower no longer had its cross at the top, but the bells in the Tower still sound at 9, 12, 3 & 6 according to our Logan U. guide.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMI0Qc3PeXRA303weQPSBszroRfc9xI6ow4Vh6ferWYgJ9OWQk_a_-_yX76NY8dBnbCB6dp_-XacL-1XQGBCtpj3YwTKo0a9mSxIHYqrbLUjBOUySdIGeuqp_G8ikdWbvX9_vkBLLaVvj7kNWlSjJjlJ0z8vfi7rbScXtI5satZL0ZZtzQVCXEC8Y3A/s5230/MRSEdit1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3480" data-original-width="5230" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMI0Qc3PeXRA303weQPSBszroRfc9xI6ow4Vh6ferWYgJ9OWQk_a_-_yX76NY8dBnbCB6dp_-XacL-1XQGBCtpj3YwTKo0a9mSxIHYqrbLUjBOUySdIGeuqp_G8ikdWbvX9_vkBLLaVvj7kNWlSjJjlJ0z8vfi7rbScXtI5satZL0ZZtzQVCXEC8Y3A/w640-h426/MRSEdit1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra, the Logan U photographer, was kind enough to take this photo of our reunion group.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfj5_vxuRu2cBM3yei__TxVzI1VbOJcH5rdx8Z6baY1Of-OZQPB84gD1SwAtHr_JeDHyzh-VeAUEdTZuqJxSNEevb1eouyDnWl6tSER8nqEQVmq-BAT2dButjpzS4wkE599C76Ug4BMuthqSUU7XAUtw0uEAieZgKBwm9ILIybZrJMOX8DEkuO072Hw/s3872/5%20Purser%20Center%20Auditorium.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfj5_vxuRu2cBM3yei__TxVzI1VbOJcH5rdx8Z6baY1Of-OZQPB84gD1SwAtHr_JeDHyzh-VeAUEdTZuqJxSNEevb1eouyDnWl6tSER8nqEQVmq-BAT2dButjpzS4wkE599C76Ug4BMuthqSUU7XAUtw0uEAieZgKBwm9ILIybZrJMOX8DEkuO072Hw/w640-h428/5%20Purser%20Center%20Auditorium.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the new buildings Logan U added.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffxaAJ8XcTz6LWGPedUxv_VlkmG7-QFKqA-GHIyGswq1k3iYd1cAmYgwx6GDag9SrG_4-eYsyHGHOqy8YQSxk7V1BHNnI9JTsbgcCb9dQqvi-VfbcM-VeOEWwRv-k5U7DZAveahHNBEDOU2PITRMWdBNF-Qg1To8MCcSrWtJ701jI0yGuMU1yrjVQ2Q/s3872/6%20Guide%20w.%20Group1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffxaAJ8XcTz6LWGPedUxv_VlkmG7-QFKqA-GHIyGswq1k3iYd1cAmYgwx6GDag9SrG_4-eYsyHGHOqy8YQSxk7V1BHNnI9JTsbgcCb9dQqvi-VfbcM-VeOEWwRv-k5U7DZAveahHNBEDOU2PITRMWdBNF-Qg1To8MCcSrWtJ701jI0yGuMU1yrjVQ2Q/w640-h428/6%20Guide%20w.%20Group1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cynthia of Logan U. was our guide for the day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx-GxCNR9Y1DozBIdmhkTH4u7_dD5m3A6oWY8pAy2lfSKxGpkC9gIrA5apOrx5QTeog76IaMkKaiFuR5_0WiFvEXE_y0WNh36BmZcsE9S4h5U3D_8qj8lrXkBDbrPpPTYnglg17nLYncXtu-6NBAyRNkxl9ENStvAPjv7Vfh6v9GWEF6xODCrFCF1ew/s3872/7%20Purser%20Center%20Lobby.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx-GxCNR9Y1DozBIdmhkTH4u7_dD5m3A6oWY8pAy2lfSKxGpkC9gIrA5apOrx5QTeog76IaMkKaiFuR5_0WiFvEXE_y0WNh36BmZcsE9S4h5U3D_8qj8lrXkBDbrPpPTYnglg17nLYncXtu-6NBAyRNkxl9ENStvAPjv7Vfh6v9GWEF6xODCrFCF1ew/w640-h428/7%20Purser%20Center%20Lobby.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lobby of the Purser Center, the new building above, was quite nice...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtt5FjZ5buTwui7EHYtnBcj3-aGN-SoTbSTz58MCBZU3j1W4yI6k7awEfIpwxSpLXfFAjvCSHCfL92NNKPvCU4Agmx0ukt_b17ZjPPII7tg0YlQjvigr8Wq2qqGJSotP5SwN2xPVF1ZfWUMFnTDEOqwUToS1qSD7_ZBe1ziVjSFfX39d-2LzrZ4_c99g/s3872/8%20Purser%20Auditorium.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtt5FjZ5buTwui7EHYtnBcj3-aGN-SoTbSTz58MCBZU3j1W4yI6k7awEfIpwxSpLXfFAjvCSHCfL92NNKPvCU4Agmx0ukt_b17ZjPPII7tg0YlQjvigr8Wq2qqGJSotP5SwN2xPVF1ZfWUMFnTDEOqwUToS1qSD7_ZBe1ziVjSFfX39d-2LzrZ4_c99g/w640-h428/8%20Purser%20Auditorium.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but the state of the art auditorium was even more so. We were there during Future Leopard </td></tr></tbody></table>Weekend, when the campus was showcased for new applicants or potential applicants to Logan U.<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I0EEP2trX2OfMABl72QEDbb8n1HhiCZ2Wl0F-J28Wt6A0DhNVqPBs3z5MD8gCRvZ06gONi-ofmnJgIGLWmC8ATB2vXfpT8od92pBk3z4Np21zO7XsXU4cu_tKxIDpaQSZ3pewTx5_oFBDOSMfwUdy_q9_5_dffNamsmxny6iLEmrorx99zKGhZ__KQ/s3872/9%20Chapel:Library1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I0EEP2trX2OfMABl72QEDbb8n1HhiCZ2Wl0F-J28Wt6A0DhNVqPBs3z5MD8gCRvZ06gONi-ofmnJgIGLWmC8ATB2vXfpT8od92pBk3z4Np21zO7XsXU4cu_tKxIDpaQSZ3pewTx5_oFBDOSMfwUdy_q9_5_dffNamsmxny6iLEmrorx99zKGhZ__KQ/w640-h428/9%20Chapel:Library1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former Chapel when we attended is now the Library (note the lack of books but the many computers).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CopLUz8q0jx6e_MxVCd1lOVyjJM33InvxgH9296pED4f-E4MQG-80dFydjAX6AYY0Kq-XNx3UV1EIIMQpVuZWX-0q7YbNHvB3zHMBn_PU0tMZPc9CguCNwEJVpQNoVmIKf66LVeu7xwIdHQ2y0ZsW5NX0u7oRs6_qmAD6GDws4fkMYCLjAPgfagXCA/s3872/10%20Chapel:Library%20Stained%20Glass.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CopLUz8q0jx6e_MxVCd1lOVyjJM33InvxgH9296pED4f-E4MQG-80dFydjAX6AYY0Kq-XNx3UV1EIIMQpVuZWX-0q7YbNHvB3zHMBn_PU0tMZPc9CguCNwEJVpQNoVmIKf66LVeu7xwIdHQ2y0ZsW5NX0u7oRs6_qmAD6GDws4fkMYCLjAPgfagXCA/w640-h428/10%20Chapel:Library%20Stained%20Glass.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stained glass windows in the former Chapel were retained in the now Library.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iqkxaBgQIpB64391kJJIboO2D7r11gZf6FclJ2w-av5dgNhSiw5NJlVtdaANtNpmJpIYj56YMfOXCjPwNOTKI3gqs0Hxe5FIo7R3PRiJ_EOyI-s9LL-nqCqfU9Caq9QMlEEkVmeBA3acydACDYxUF13OaKCIVUYWPWFicceqyjyPHNvFlMRNW7GkBQ/s3872/11%20Sacristy:Bone%20Room.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iqkxaBgQIpB64391kJJIboO2D7r11gZf6FclJ2w-av5dgNhSiw5NJlVtdaANtNpmJpIYj56YMfOXCjPwNOTKI3gqs0Hxe5FIo7R3PRiJ_EOyI-s9LL-nqCqfU9Caq9QMlEEkVmeBA3acydACDYxUF13OaKCIVUYWPWFicceqyjyPHNvFlMRNW7GkBQ/w640-h428/11%20Sacristy:Bone%20Room.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former sacristy now houses spines, skeletons, skulls, etc. related to chiropractic studies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxfx7nrLQvr5a5GU8I5oIU1pi-WsloJM6_DVgdDgSeZ4wTpHV_6caaDlioCj8Lv3gkDs0w50JgP0Z1sVcmC6yRFMxKVOpRQFwlTGAk-FVLgjGo27pBoNUqKB8XidBcF2RKWmA1eqsO6IK5XQzNUdzgrqamZ1rJIWC5yDgZrE77eV1yPHXo5G5tD-UGQ/s3872/12%20Chapel:Library2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxfx7nrLQvr5a5GU8I5oIU1pi-WsloJM6_DVgdDgSeZ4wTpHV_6caaDlioCj8Lv3gkDs0w50JgP0Z1sVcmC6yRFMxKVOpRQFwlTGAk-FVLgjGo27pBoNUqKB8XidBcF2RKWmA1eqsO6IK5XQzNUdzgrqamZ1rJIWC5yDgZrE77eV1yPHXo5G5tD-UGQ/w640-h428/12%20Chapel:Library2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the sacristy, Cynthia leads us back into the Library.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l4I4KhPSERNBK9ICfE6-XweRfE2naoPUpyXIz6R1x4ycgUGURuA73HypGfCLiH_zBfvjrg5znu9iFPaMeSjB1fYQMu4E_qEpJIp-zsRs5c1Cyu1lUcJ-1u4lk1JdO32yQmWusYv0l1I08NhStQWmsbXCurV1xt4ZzGRdHYvZmd88XQxoXdjnCprKSw/s3872/13%20Former%20handball%20courts.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l4I4KhPSERNBK9ICfE6-XweRfE2naoPUpyXIz6R1x4ycgUGURuA73HypGfCLiH_zBfvjrg5znu9iFPaMeSjB1fYQMu4E_qEpJIp-zsRs5c1Cyu1lUcJ-1u4lk1JdO32yQmWusYv0l1I08NhStQWmsbXCurV1xt4ZzGRdHYvZmd88XQxoXdjnCprKSw/w640-h428/13%20Former%20handball%20courts.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we were students these were the handball courts where we used to play. They have obviously been repurposed and are no longer used for handball.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Sunday some of us met up for brunch at Sassafras Restaurant & Cafe, which is located at the entrance to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. When I arrived I noticed all of these costumed children running around. Families were encouraged to bring their children in their Halloween costumes for a special event at the Gardens. After brunch we toured the gardens before wishing everyone a fond farewell until next time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp58sLHOFRSzEBGURaggHyvZzYpSr5XNOwmNe0QTzNMlI-RFWTDnOwaKCD5JgJtfn-kqLAxmXxMFhI0LbDZ20SmAd4fJIvOKZxKz9p7-MFsL9gPA1o1MxmBldCMu75BYb2BboS8Cbk3PZROP4uyWf92_wSy-eP5x7YuW-YnoHg7DiTI2KYnvUK2N5cQ/s4608/1%20Superboy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp58sLHOFRSzEBGURaggHyvZzYpSr5XNOwmNe0QTzNMlI-RFWTDnOwaKCD5JgJtfn-kqLAxmXxMFhI0LbDZ20SmAd4fJIvOKZxKz9p7-MFsL9gPA1o1MxmBldCMu75BYb2BboS8Cbk3PZROP4uyWf92_wSy-eP5x7YuW-YnoHg7DiTI2KYnvUK2N5cQ/w640-h480/1%20Superboy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the costumed children at the Gardens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5c22flzyv0iRNgn9qfN0V68SidkQbmom8r29f0SleAa2GYHzGU1Ll645twfJsl_NAp9I_i9yNWAvipa3bvziqAosh43qxBVQOlj_PoW7MjUyQcMGwMzZP7T3QACnU8kwQGzp9QDCvUVIdfmclODAx86yxrSDz_8ctXKMwMS3rkZOuqm7du8bqPfrUA/s4608/2%20Skeleton%20on%20Spider.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5c22flzyv0iRNgn9qfN0V68SidkQbmom8r29f0SleAa2GYHzGU1Ll645twfJsl_NAp9I_i9yNWAvipa3bvziqAosh43qxBVQOlj_PoW7MjUyQcMGwMzZP7T3QACnU8kwQGzp9QDCvUVIdfmclODAx86yxrSDz_8ctXKMwMS3rkZOuqm7du8bqPfrUA/w640-h480/2%20Skeleton%20on%20Spider.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The skeleton on the spider in the garden with the pumpkins below was part of the Halloween decorations.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUXEn_TBkMyOYEFF8r32wxm5Hf17B_aUwNySvEVw91QYJLRY-P28ZE_MfDtfxL1zP8YIgJDVESGSHGjUFvc0tBfOV5bet2oqH7p8LnWIbvqJRItXQRTCJ1i4xLUAIodN9rKLTeTIQwvPPgQLyQfbPhlf3-U5vgNhHdl68VQM78bOpFT2FjlBw7y6bbw/s4608/3%20Maple%20over%20Pond.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUXEn_TBkMyOYEFF8r32wxm5Hf17B_aUwNySvEVw91QYJLRY-P28ZE_MfDtfxL1zP8YIgJDVESGSHGjUFvc0tBfOV5bet2oqH7p8LnWIbvqJRItXQRTCJ1i4xLUAIodN9rKLTeTIQwvPPgQLyQfbPhlf3-U5vgNhHdl68VQM78bOpFT2FjlBw7y6bbw/w640-h480/3%20Maple%20over%20Pond.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>There are 79 acres of gardens, but we spent most of our time strolling through the 14 acre Japanese garden.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0GiimMtIt-Z6e8Y_4pPjpQvsGrgIZrvm20nxMeogZXILQmw8CoWjnbt1648jPTNV_nEOgB5rVw8zg3jBG0mVdKQp_9ARHAUNVucXNkpB7XdKQFY78yR90BZqUN2TkAWDmd00XI3x5Agb6laOUGznDSyPsmQpRHGGBv-meiFgPPAphu373lNCYonmLQ/s4608/4%20Maple%20against%20Sky.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0GiimMtIt-Z6e8Y_4pPjpQvsGrgIZrvm20nxMeogZXILQmw8CoWjnbt1648jPTNV_nEOgB5rVw8zg3jBG0mVdKQp_9ARHAUNVucXNkpB7XdKQFY78yR90BZqUN2TkAWDmd00XI3x5Agb6laOUGznDSyPsmQpRHGGBv-meiFgPPAphu373lNCYonmLQ/w480-h640/4%20Maple%20against%20Sky.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldBoMsGVbydls4U75PJ9FCKmNCF83_JAbPrCZ2LLriGWdCyB0NnpmXTxgvu_yPVJRFbfOhLLrXY46Ql1Ty75CdM91GDwnq6W8B5k_Lw1SQ29Q36AZHBVls_UJFaRtNVeGuKgGDABWW7UUkG3CSR_9fn1hbS7hD1o4-Ivyn6_QlJ_8PycNm9ZwiWheeA/s4608/5%20Goose%20&%20Fish1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldBoMsGVbydls4U75PJ9FCKmNCF83_JAbPrCZ2LLriGWdCyB0NnpmXTxgvu_yPVJRFbfOhLLrXY46Ql1Ty75CdM91GDwnq6W8B5k_Lw1SQ29Q36AZHBVls_UJFaRtNVeGuKgGDABWW7UUkG3CSR_9fn1hbS7hD1o4-Ivyn6_QlJ_8PycNm9ZwiWheeA/w640-h480/5%20Goose%20&%20Fish1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>We came across a young girl feeding the ducks & geese, while the fish with open mouths waited for anything to drop their way.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VqXx8OdDPKKH2KJO2Tto5DMW_mYYhEWcJPjOHzZwjLO6_AUe4kxo4rTfZuXhA5R7q0CNUujvsZo7ttOaK5Mcejs7wqKsAxnM-QrQE6ot536SABqJiwGB1_DF4sXqa2zvMj-2TYe-pZqd0H9WrfgYfmaxC3TR5JZZVOZmPxDMOfw6lmYND_WacZzaYg/s4608/6%20Duck%20&%20Fish.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VqXx8OdDPKKH2KJO2Tto5DMW_mYYhEWcJPjOHzZwjLO6_AUe4kxo4rTfZuXhA5R7q0CNUujvsZo7ttOaK5Mcejs7wqKsAxnM-QrQE6ot536SABqJiwGB1_DF4sXqa2zvMj-2TYe-pZqd0H9WrfgYfmaxC3TR5JZZVOZmPxDMOfw6lmYND_WacZzaYg/w640-h480/6%20Duck%20&%20Fish.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The size of the carp were most impressive, as can be seen when compared to the size of the duck.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtRiTE0FhMF0w_OzvdzMtA3WBQ206DwSOpw8218Pv8i_ZtKVmX8qB-Rfesc0gsZ9PystIzhBtyxAZf9DfS4D8OuYKtyicpcKw43HfDI_wTwEhipFDwKocvFPn7b0E0gfrdcXhRpOh5zsJFIbdeGB4y0d66Cj4ePQRbqq4S56QkyN-FXxJYyrwQmYBDQ/s4364/7%20Fall%20Colors.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4364" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtRiTE0FhMF0w_OzvdzMtA3WBQ206DwSOpw8218Pv8i_ZtKVmX8qB-Rfesc0gsZ9PystIzhBtyxAZf9DfS4D8OuYKtyicpcKw43HfDI_wTwEhipFDwKocvFPn7b0E0gfrdcXhRpOh5zsJFIbdeGB4y0d66Cj4ePQRbqq4S56QkyN-FXxJYyrwQmYBDQ/w640-h506/7%20Fall%20Colors.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxJU4PToKA4KuGFPtca8F6e_7zeF2N6CithPmswFaofK9r2NGcFlqBafL2stG_iGp5deJ5UDLd2ywY2qSrFdrM9g6r9mLuOgSWLSGoM7xnc_b931UxAWk41Z9gGa5iSMgcAMN0wZ3_Ya3D9Hnzor5WdD0qaUvp-fpG1WNFCLEhGb6aJ_xgrFv7Zh3lg/s4608/8%20Zen%20Garden.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxJU4PToKA4KuGFPtca8F6e_7zeF2N6CithPmswFaofK9r2NGcFlqBafL2stG_iGp5deJ5UDLd2ywY2qSrFdrM9g6r9mLuOgSWLSGoM7xnc_b931UxAWk41Z9gGa5iSMgcAMN0wZ3_Ya3D9Hnzor5WdD0qaUvp-fpG1WNFCLEhGb6aJ_xgrFv7Zh3lg/w640-h480/8%20Zen%20Garden.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>No Japanese garden would be complete without the Zen garden.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsFO8BwWzBfnlLRuC3LmRu31Ib1VnRc5IIYuGZH2XQoorCii-VwWOxYu-0A_hGlk6FCZ3-7fP-kWtH49KXJa3Yt34oMI4PD6C1LCKE7wRTEGhj9WiBVzyBqOXMZ9d39pi1jx5IgYfwpPXTCBYcvGevjPD3HsIjrr9TKLaQ4iKt60BDuiES74wwhS7Jg/s4608/9%20Japanese%20Bridge%20over%20Pond.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsFO8BwWzBfnlLRuC3LmRu31Ib1VnRc5IIYuGZH2XQoorCii-VwWOxYu-0A_hGlk6FCZ3-7fP-kWtH49KXJa3Yt34oMI4PD6C1LCKE7wRTEGhj9WiBVzyBqOXMZ9d39pi1jx5IgYfwpPXTCBYcvGevjPD3HsIjrr9TKLaQ4iKt60BDuiES74wwhS7Jg/w640-h480/9%20Japanese%20Bridge%20over%20Pond.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The bridge over the water is a constant theme in Japanese gardens...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhij1xcPhqyZqgQDEPKVkJ1nmFWRPrWSFs8cJSca3M45u96_vANociYTJfEVY-rtJ6xOOOCS3TxQ7W04JFftcYswIitK-zL3UIPE90ldGChuOAPIoStGNQp3o6WGBt37zm8kGqiDgwDjdqwoslqvzMD5zjMYw-XoSunxQ-tuB-Em3qRxRB8gvOMrLsufw/s4608/10%20Japanese%20Bridge.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhij1xcPhqyZqgQDEPKVkJ1nmFWRPrWSFs8cJSca3M45u96_vANociYTJfEVY-rtJ6xOOOCS3TxQ7W04JFftcYswIitK-zL3UIPE90ldGChuOAPIoStGNQp3o6WGBt37zm8kGqiDgwDjdqwoslqvzMD5zjMYw-XoSunxQ-tuB-Em3qRxRB8gvOMrLsufw/w640-h480/10%20Japanese%20Bridge.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">although this bridge was blocked so we could not walk across. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV4ubh7eH0fUo6RVxVFD3__B619kOtE7u_0qwNM-wRU_k6yny9Izbo2iRpoRoMaPVE1dZ2fDwExQW3MtcLjWnaWBtzGm__fPaIIwJJioo5MUskXDFxDKp1MHdiiUWf_9irKISNd2fQ9cUuPL_TifP1_o6qC8yFD3J-rwJ2-4ruI4ABUbCbDsVXx0KCg/s4608/11%20Waterfall.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV4ubh7eH0fUo6RVxVFD3__B619kOtE7u_0qwNM-wRU_k6yny9Izbo2iRpoRoMaPVE1dZ2fDwExQW3MtcLjWnaWBtzGm__fPaIIwJJioo5MUskXDFxDKp1MHdiiUWf_9irKISNd2fQ9cUuPL_TifP1_o6qC8yFD3J-rwJ2-4ruI4ABUbCbDsVXx0KCg/w480-h640/11%20Waterfall.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>Flowing water with a waterfall is also a common theme.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcnUJxip-s969mV6hHjZnemyLXq7UOTlq0YsSbH4PMX0CnMlh2hqYQGOwlk2PZViFlr-4RjRWpbiIlHhzHcqnqADgkNId5SePPV34S6sTAhnd4fHzgi2cIxhqkFsAdjTnMq4hPyqvfLjMU-9shiKeSVNBgXydAWmXqZNhCU4wazvuFoR8JMFOE57Jcg/s4608/12%20Sculpture.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcnUJxip-s969mV6hHjZnemyLXq7UOTlq0YsSbH4PMX0CnMlh2hqYQGOwlk2PZViFlr-4RjRWpbiIlHhzHcqnqADgkNId5SePPV34S6sTAhnd4fHzgi2cIxhqkFsAdjTnMq4hPyqvfLjMU-9shiKeSVNBgXydAWmXqZNhCU4wazvuFoR8JMFOE57Jcg/w640-h480/12%20Sculpture.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>As we left this sculpture caught my eye.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next day I was scheduled to fly out from St. Louis to DFW and then catch a connecting flight to Guadalajara. On my return I experienced all of the wonderful "joys" of air travel. Before I checked out of my hotel, I received a notice from American Airlines that my flight from St. Louis to DFW was delayed. Realizing I would miss my connection at DFW to Guadalajara, I contacted American Airlines. After finally getting a customer service agent and going through the many prompts from the auto-attendant, I let them know I wanted to rebook on another airline and get a refund for the St. Louis to DFW portion of my flight. After much back & forth between the customer service agent and her supervisor, I was told this would be possible. (Although the refund I finally received was a pittance.)</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I managed to find a flight from St. Louis to Love Field in Dallas on Southwest Airlines that would allow me to get to DFW in time to make my connection. Fortunately I have a very understanding sister & brother-in-law in Dallas. They picked me up at Love Field and we had enough time to have dinner together before they dropped me off at DFW. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While waiting for my flight, I first received a notice it would be delayed from 8:53 PM to 11:20 PM and the gate had changed. I schlepped down to the new gate and by the time I arrived at the new gate I received three quick notices. The flight was delayed until 3 AM, then 6 AM and finally 8 AM. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I called my sister and she and her husband drove back out to DFW to pick me up so I would not have to sleep in the airport overnight. When I arrived at my sister's house I received another notice from American offering to put me up at one of three motels which were all at least ten miles away from the airport and none of which offered shuttle service to or from the airport. My beloved sister and her husband got up at 4:30 AM the next morning to take me back to DFW.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I finally arrived back in Guadalajara, Deirdre asked me if the trip had been worth it given the difficulties of getting back home. I unequivocally answered yes. It was fantastic to be able to reconnect with my classmates, some of whom I had not seen since leaving the seminary almost sixty years ago.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-47026931549963722512022-11-07T13:51:00.000-06:002022-11-07T13:51:43.224-06:00Fabulous Fiji...But First...Getting there is Half the Fun?<p>This trip grew like topsy. It started out as a brief jaunt to see Justin in LA and to attend a family wedding. Then we added a visit to friends who moved to Ensenada. Then, (why not) we added Fiji. So...we are off again.</p><p> <u>First Stop: Ensenada</u></p><p>Our good friends Wes and Ron traded one piece of paradise for another by moving from Lake Chapala to Ensenada and they were anxious to show us their new digs. So we started our trip by flying into Tijuana. All was smooth until we landed and 4 Guardia National blokes entered the plane, stared with laser intensity at the plane's denizens and then left. No explanation was given. Then we deplaned...very, very slowly. Ten at a time. Why? Why? Because at the foot of the stairs our same Guardia National blokes were detaining every man under 50 and rigorously searching them and their luggage. Why? Why? You never get an explanation in Mexico so you just shrug, be glad it isn't you and move on. </p><p>We were told it was a simple luxury bus ride from Tijuana to Ensenada. After much dialogue in my broken Spanish we hopped in a cab and drove (and drove) to the ABC bus station in downtown Tijuana. Only to discover that we were at the wrong station and that there was a station RIGHT AT the airport. Due to my ability to look truly pathetic and confused the station master took pity on us and we boarded a bus which did, indeed, get us to Ensenada. This part of our journey was emblematic of the travel obstacles we would encounter as we moved forward on the trip.</p><p>Ensenada is an attractive city of approximately 350,000 people right on the Pacific Ocean. It is booming for a number of reasons but the most interesting one has to do with water. Ensenada is about to bring online a desalinization plant. This increased capability for providing fresh water will allow the city to double in size without suffering from the type of water scarcity that most of the West Coast is and will endure. So, if Ensenada can do it, why can't San Diego? Or LA? What does California need more -- a proposed train linking several cities which never seems to get built and only increases exponentially in cost or water? I leave you to ponder that one.</p><p>Wes and Ron's new house is jaw dropping. It is perched above the Ocean with amazing views in all directions. For obscure, Mexican reasons the house stood, almost finished but unoccupied, for fourteen years before Wes and Ron found it. With all the infrastructure in place (plumbing, electrical etc.) the guys saw an opportunity to make it their own without having to build from the foundation up. And the results are impressive as Michael's photos will show.</p><p>We spent three days with them touring their area (Bufadora), venturing into the Guadalupe Wine Country (marvelous lunch at a vineyard) and catching up on events since their move. They dropped us at the ABC bus station one morning and off we went on yet another leg of the journey.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zRB3oxoWdCayXjkxMH0gvSTsUtazWsLoQ5kvPftGjAYDTvq8uSMmvPcHE9FeL5fG7P_XoDVHi_FbSndGMwXYxrcPXpQzPfn2v6LMKCy6uLaFkKcKk_v8S8QQbZq8lEjh5Cld9Bqotyz8-xw716l3JVpumX6AUTLkazucWvnTJ4Bsv21T2BQ6fFjvpg/s3872/1Fish%20Farm.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zRB3oxoWdCayXjkxMH0gvSTsUtazWsLoQ5kvPftGjAYDTvq8uSMmvPcHE9FeL5fG7P_XoDVHi_FbSndGMwXYxrcPXpQzPfn2v6LMKCy6uLaFkKcKk_v8S8QQbZq8lEjh5Cld9Bqotyz8-xw716l3JVpumX6AUTLkazucWvnTJ4Bsv21T2BQ6fFjvpg/w640-h428/1Fish%20Farm.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluefin tuna pen aquaculture visible from their patio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNnz1xwGbRcooMQK_bPiVMuoSUaEIioemClU-CkijE7yUF-T7S5GqYf0QdkcABCPlfhU6qXzjHDTsoWrV599snu6FpcFko1roUHizbMPexzh94hGWYV1BPIPzERqK8xuO4iYVDjDZ-wWizoKl4b7pDom02H1oeoQzdn7wPrMAbQWRe6-soVYG5_ORcA/s3872/2Wes%20on%20Patio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNnz1xwGbRcooMQK_bPiVMuoSUaEIioemClU-CkijE7yUF-T7S5GqYf0QdkcABCPlfhU6qXzjHDTsoWrV599snu6FpcFko1roUHizbMPexzh94hGWYV1BPIPzERqK8xuO4iYVDjDZ-wWizoKl4b7pDom02H1oeoQzdn7wPrMAbQWRe6-soVYG5_ORcA/w640-h428/2Wes%20on%20Patio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wes lounging on their patio...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n31-4bbvP3OGjOc-aaZRbtiFX9JC0Cvvd9tLzk97AoAcQ5qDvgjE870ogHwuk-jaLPLGqAYzeVpA0qnvJRTj02GdHONFbYcU8dysg7YNy3vSTZPPDNT5Dof_9GwJNmJ5HrhLNQiSltXPZ9dJsfT1ulqD1GrkXQhEraNBzj3Zjp7HY6CUb9QPPTSAjw/s3872/3Patio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n31-4bbvP3OGjOc-aaZRbtiFX9JC0Cvvd9tLzk97AoAcQ5qDvgjE870ogHwuk-jaLPLGqAYzeVpA0qnvJRTj02GdHONFbYcU8dysg7YNy3vSTZPPDNT5Dof_9GwJNmJ5HrhLNQiSltXPZ9dJsfT1ulqD1GrkXQhEraNBzj3Zjp7HY6CUb9QPPTSAjw/w640-h428/3Patio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and more of the patio & house. The exterior walls have not been painted yet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA3xryhPUFDZ6q8ua9cg_cReauLcCOVeIoAEB0g-YEUMp7CbVT6Pj0mrFgr2f-cSTkZr7CZXRfGlW3CnNf6IKroLPUv7yhs1qMd3w2b-c4uOq5y86_6JKzgn7cv_u3D3hRNxVavDBk-_ftB_OWSrNH7Oadi9aWdS4wP6NBMh6txbGRX5sOi_BfEIk5g/s3872/4La%20Bufadora%20gauntlet.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA3xryhPUFDZ6q8ua9cg_cReauLcCOVeIoAEB0g-YEUMp7CbVT6Pj0mrFgr2f-cSTkZr7CZXRfGlW3CnNf6IKroLPUv7yhs1qMd3w2b-c4uOq5y86_6JKzgn7cv_u3D3hRNxVavDBk-_ftB_OWSrNH7Oadi9aWdS4wP6NBMh6txbGRX5sOi_BfEIk5g/w640-h428/4La%20Bufadora%20gauntlet.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to the blowhole in La Bufadora, you must run the gauntlet of shops & souvenir stands.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OBhGGH2SnqvGxheB91POsBKzXpiQe3vAkyedokVXPK3XvoQ0BXBtlsOVQPL6tvN5RthVo30qBijaxcF7x028pJZFRWwZWO9gy0LCI36CF2LS1JuHhSEUxUZwck6tSLHFvBLfSk91oqqMfyRhWAkyCwnwRyB-53f66G9KAh3UK_vxKwqBLLfi281rWQ/s3872/5Bufadora%20blowhole1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OBhGGH2SnqvGxheB91POsBKzXpiQe3vAkyedokVXPK3XvoQ0BXBtlsOVQPL6tvN5RthVo30qBijaxcF7x028pJZFRWwZWO9gy0LCI36CF2LS1JuHhSEUxUZwck6tSLHFvBLfSk91oqqMfyRhWAkyCwnwRyB-53f66G9KAh3UK_vxKwqBLLfi281rWQ/w640-h428/5Bufadora%20blowhole1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is well worth it though to see the blowhole in action.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLpHAaprixF0QSK4hVK1_K8b0x1T5mikRdGRWU-fTN4hCF9spaW0OrvAxhw4duWvS57qgiTsjjril-MoPYpo5_ZyyMjQYdsFyyqvsvrLi8AecqBicX7OiJ8-KFSOL9Qp8D4rN3chDAh7ZG-5kr7GjltsM9XBmU9gFODkS3NwM8017mXmRby9f7-MzFQ/s3872/6Bufadora%20blowhole2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLpHAaprixF0QSK4hVK1_K8b0x1T5mikRdGRWU-fTN4hCF9spaW0OrvAxhw4duWvS57qgiTsjjril-MoPYpo5_ZyyMjQYdsFyyqvsvrLi8AecqBicX7OiJ8-KFSOL9Qp8D4rN3chDAh7ZG-5kr7GjltsM9XBmU9gFODkS3NwM8017mXmRby9f7-MzFQ/w640-h428/6Bufadora%20blowhole2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnokamclvPeVHfS3WH3HyVBAiTybf6QHgfUoOens-zQhRJlv6VIyCkbPXWe1z5WVJTOOSBHXZtelEWj7JJM8gBPELWSTCjEYWBH7SM_Tw_j0A0ZzFSdF35oGJwhC_WNqB4M13jw8rs9khExtUX-FB9-izTeSNOQTbfbRfwX2QiLmaXgNO7N1fRHa9mVg/s3872/7Bufadora%20blowhole3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnokamclvPeVHfS3WH3HyVBAiTybf6QHgfUoOens-zQhRJlv6VIyCkbPXWe1z5WVJTOOSBHXZtelEWj7JJM8gBPELWSTCjEYWBH7SM_Tw_j0A0ZzFSdF35oGJwhC_WNqB4M13jw8rs9khExtUX-FB9-izTeSNOQTbfbRfwX2QiLmaXgNO7N1fRHa9mVg/w640-h428/7Bufadora%20blowhole3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3zIYDoKyuuPhVxSkIz742qgF1mIPxC2xzzEOEaT8C47y4doMW41AUe-ZMz7R2NEAFPXxygF5L7n229UOKoRCTIHnCJGsBsIAKtd-1-_aIapblhBLfDWyPDw87MgEJrjf8uCmWZ3uOoYu6J-E2mofYvugGnUEVvGcCz4OMU3tCwLO4KIedABexxRNmA/s3872/8Bufadora%20blowhole4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3zIYDoKyuuPhVxSkIz742qgF1mIPxC2xzzEOEaT8C47y4doMW41AUe-ZMz7R2NEAFPXxygF5L7n229UOKoRCTIHnCJGsBsIAKtd-1-_aIapblhBLfDWyPDw87MgEJrjf8uCmWZ3uOoYu6J-E2mofYvugGnUEVvGcCz4OMU3tCwLO4KIedABexxRNmA/w640-h428/8Bufadora%20blowhole4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquKBf9-cij-yzGBiF4_RTtCzsQusmyoXJuG56y4rX8rOCUnzol-QIwjZ3H4-mZPo1OjL3zGADkOB7vrEY3CLeISF9U7w5boLEYfUorlXOk62mcqlxbmMuJkAVJsZlwGTLRmSt1tN5t2rPALRu57C43sMEDHOuN_Ob8o1MSvpJBJSwFFuoCkJadtx4Vg/s3872/La%20Bufadora%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquKBf9-cij-yzGBiF4_RTtCzsQusmyoXJuG56y4rX8rOCUnzol-QIwjZ3H4-mZPo1OjL3zGADkOB7vrEY3CLeISF9U7w5boLEYfUorlXOk62mcqlxbmMuJkAVJsZlwGTLRmSt1tN5t2rPALRu57C43sMEDHOuN_Ob8o1MSvpJBJSwFFuoCkJadtx4Vg/w640-h428/La%20Bufadora%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the coastal rocks and the Pacific was equally magnificent.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hV_fElfNSSCrmWF-vp9m1AixBq8wGflcdrk5IhAb6Qx-MEC_sQ0htX-8k8W9J0wBUylxH0LhGe2aKkwRtsKRF7tit4xi33YDPW4iDPwFp63pvSp1d_MxVdjEZ6rHGA8XDsbMFB5m5LxHvHvSzRoQvXFJ7sPnVnUTYQeaEVXnTtgrDssf2Q61ZRXv4w/s4608/Malva%20Beet%20Rose.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hV_fElfNSSCrmWF-vp9m1AixBq8wGflcdrk5IhAb6Qx-MEC_sQ0htX-8k8W9J0wBUylxH0LhGe2aKkwRtsKRF7tit4xi33YDPW4iDPwFp63pvSp1d_MxVdjEZ6rHGA8XDsbMFB5m5LxHvHvSzRoQvXFJ7sPnVnUTYQeaEVXnTtgrDssf2Q61ZRXv4w/w640-h480/Malva%20Beet%20Rose.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This and the dish below were not only very tasty, but were also works of art in their presentation at the restaurant in the Guadalupe Valley (Malva).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Eithj1lf7MX-aUhGrPmBgWmUBAuN0-Wp__nJ1C5uMValyPn5IppEvbENJhaJK66u125JKAFyJVdnZydLSpQSXZbjsoHquIvZoWwRYK7UtjbDNO6wdIUUq6VOJzcx4Dr0GJFWGDfWpfmGp6Nh-Pmi5swP3q-hpm5fma3CwDi4eaA3aFXu4G1LWBUCpA/s4608/DSCN7686.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Eithj1lf7MX-aUhGrPmBgWmUBAuN0-Wp__nJ1C5uMValyPn5IppEvbENJhaJK66u125JKAFyJVdnZydLSpQSXZbjsoHquIvZoWwRYK7UtjbDNO6wdIUUq6VOJzcx4Dr0GJFWGDfWpfmGp6Nh-Pmi5swP3q-hpm5fma3CwDi4eaA3aFXu4G1LWBUCpA/w640-h480/DSCN7686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Cars, Buses, Taxis, Feet, Trams and Trains</p><p>We started our next trek in Wes and Ron's car to go to the ABC bus station. Two hours on the bus and we were at the airport. While you can walk across the CBX land bridge to the U.S. if you have just flown in that day, if you've been in Mexico more than 24 hours you are out of luck. So, into a cab we went for a drive to where you cross the border by foot. We have Global Entry (worth its weight in gold) so we could jump all the lines and were over the border within a half an hour. Right over the border we picked up the San Diego tram ($2.50 each) and rode it to the end of the line -- which was right in front of the Santa Fe Depot train station. From there onto the Surfliner Train (beautiful ride along the coast) to Union Station in LA. Justin, elder son, met us at the station and via car we arrived at his condo in Studio City. Voila! Mind you, this was carrying all the luggage we would need for our three week trip. A tad exhausting.</p><p>Finally Fiji</p><p>After a few days catching up with Justin and eating our way through LA we were off to Fiji -- a mere 10 1/2 hour flight. What is worse than a 10+ hour flight? A 10+ hour flight in the middle seat next to The Terror from Tonga. Pacific Islanders are very large people -- very, very large in many cases. Now, I am not into body shaming unless that body has draped itself over its seat and well into my seat. Such was the case with the Terror. But it wasn't just body overlap. She had managed to bring onto the plane a vast assortment of things that clearly exceeded any airline limit. Some were strewn under the seat in front of her (OK), some were strewn under the seat in front of me (not OK) some on the floor between us (where IS that flight attendant who loves to chastise errant passengers?) and then she sheds her shoes and heaps them on top of everything on the floor. I stare in mute horror as I contemplate my life for the next 10+ hours. And then the wrestling begins. It is well known that the person unfortunate enough to be in the middle seat gets the arm rest. It just is a given. Not with the Terror. A quick elbow jab on her part renders my elbow and upper arm numb as she quickly seizes the advantage and dislodges me. I tried to fight back...I really did. About two hours and one sleeping pill into the flight I just gave up, crumpled myself into a defensive fetal position and hoped that she would have miraculously disappeared when I awakened. Didn't happen.</p><p>Our driver met us at the airport at 5:45 AM Someday. I started just using Someday as a generic day because I find crossing the international date line so confusing that it is just too much trouble to hone in on what actual day it is. The date is kind of important but honestly, when you're on vacation, does knowing the day of the week justify torturing your brain with specifics? No. As we drove through the Fijian countryside we began to notice certain things. "Look how the mountains look like our mountains at home. I guess it's because it's volcanic like our area," I said. A minute later. "Hey, all these plants look just like ours... really, all of them," said Michael. "And the houses, lots of concrete with rebar sticking out of not yet existing second stories," I added. Silence. "Did we just fly 8.000+ miles to land somewhere that looks like where we just came from....Looks that way." But we would soon find out that Fiji differed from our adop<b>ted home </b>in many significant ways.</p><p>The British have a term for the type of vacation we signed up for. They call it "the fly and flop" in that you fly to some beachy spot, flop by the pool or ocean and call it a day. Our resort certainly fit the bill for that description. It was: a) beautiful -- it had 7 vast pools and raked sand beaches; b) totally self contained (a little inhibiting) and c) mindless -- they thought of everything-- and charged you for it. In summary, it is nothing like the trips we usually take but it pays to mix things up a bit. We took the trip because it was so staggeringly inexpensive (Fiji WANTS post covid business) that I just couldn't resist.</p><p>We can only lounge poolside for so long -- Deirdre for 4 hours, Michael for 35 minutes or until his first layer of skin crackles and falls off (40 minutes). Thus, we needed to find some activities that were beyond the pool. We took a trip on a large sailboat to a private island (not sure how I feel about that) which was really beautiful. We snorkeled (medium to good) and kayaked (well, he paddled) and the water was magnificent. Saw some baby black tipped reef sharks -- wondered where Mom and Dad were but nothing happened. So, that was a good day all in all.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikda7d9Jfjj19q-0GsslWghWDGB9w4t9EDUm6qpwk0A5qJ5Nfy5wGJvONvIl9nPheuKjshAlb3NqfOuVW8EyxQDySl18586yCR2XXVK7kiKyPXrD9W59i7QFJfGsK_Wuo_N8iq4DvPdF9OnQJjV5rhWXi1gVQ5RwYHER_CTtvRvX9k46jb8LZKdDX-sg/s3872/1Coconut%20Man.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikda7d9Jfjj19q-0GsslWghWDGB9w4t9EDUm6qpwk0A5qJ5Nfy5wGJvONvIl9nPheuKjshAlb3NqfOuVW8EyxQDySl18586yCR2XXVK7kiKyPXrD9W59i7QFJfGsK_Wuo_N8iq4DvPdF9OnQJjV5rhWXi1gVQ5RwYHER_CTtvRvX9k46jb8LZKdDX-sg/w428-h640/1Coconut%20Man.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvesting the coconut. Later when we were in the Fijian village we learned not only how to husk the coconut but also how to crack the coconut based on the orientation of the face".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZh5apAjhdAJLXhXx196B9zhK9K1V1c16w6Ehz9F_YE663j_UNneYZPgoFj1YpQlsWAZ7WQHewTXSztCYLwF8HS367uAxCgH8Bhtd4-6av5snN_QR_-g6r5SB5Ij_95Erb1FWfW2pAc-wVE3TXRilSm4iTa56le001yHSVtrg5ltm7TNtJBqayHMwLg/s4608/2Futbol.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZh5apAjhdAJLXhXx196B9zhK9K1V1c16w6Ehz9F_YE663j_UNneYZPgoFj1YpQlsWAZ7WQHewTXSztCYLwF8HS367uAxCgH8Bhtd4-6av5snN_QR_-g6r5SB5Ij_95Erb1FWfW2pAc-wVE3TXRilSm4iTa56le001yHSVtrg5ltm7TNtJBqayHMwLg/w640-h480/2Futbol.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on our back patio we were entertained by this informal futbol game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx77g7fL4MVtCyycpv2bprq3WoRnW4dJocFy6-M4AcoJxRvqaBigtv98fB1Q8q6BEWi8lARp8hgskabaWcmCQzSgDUatAMqubT3VIYYmlohdHhtUexnCRWSY5A0CNYQ7-X03027d98QEbricv1GErYevop7hemdQIiLZllrPFh2ZNCb06dRP-apd6iHw/s4608/3Kite%20surfer1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx77g7fL4MVtCyycpv2bprq3WoRnW4dJocFy6-M4AcoJxRvqaBigtv98fB1Q8q6BEWi8lARp8hgskabaWcmCQzSgDUatAMqubT3VIYYmlohdHhtUexnCRWSY5A0CNYQ7-X03027d98QEbricv1GErYevop7hemdQIiLZllrPFh2ZNCb06dRP-apd6iHw/w640-h480/3Kite%20surfer1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were also entertained by this kite surfer one day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjzgRMdXaZFbUVY_TtBkTljumrA7Rf8GXAnzVdk4A5ApziNOd3xoxGQQZJOJMUwCAPh8mVWjvbsX3lJ4pzF3S5nq9K0hvaRCl_XadX4F5dO69UKCUjrSpX_Z6u2udL1V1bQbsBsTMKSvlL7BMuQKhl_sQJshiDTbiwkCM1xD0R0vUL3bX1FwaNfsxbg/s4608/4Kite%20surfer2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjzgRMdXaZFbUVY_TtBkTljumrA7Rf8GXAnzVdk4A5ApziNOd3xoxGQQZJOJMUwCAPh8mVWjvbsX3lJ4pzF3S5nq9K0hvaRCl_XadX4F5dO69UKCUjrSpX_Z6u2udL1V1bQbsBsTMKSvlL7BMuQKhl_sQJshiDTbiwkCM1xD0R0vUL3bX1FwaNfsxbg/w640-h480/4Kite%20surfer2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbevAumCvpiwZ_3ttdUpzEJFgyICeQqHDcVQZlQ40vzEWGgElvsqQJSwUuJB5CXrsdibJq1JTELnpvQjwiIEp9yRfX1HG4y_z4yfoy_ETkij7lVgiqAxjrovSiHg-ik23n_D_cJcmIiH9e5t8AAb-EH1Ds1NIUwlokVawQ0tW5Svv62VEyn6jAhMX0kA/s4608/5Black%20Reeftip1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbevAumCvpiwZ_3ttdUpzEJFgyICeQqHDcVQZlQ40vzEWGgElvsqQJSwUuJB5CXrsdibJq1JTELnpvQjwiIEp9yRfX1HG4y_z4yfoy_ETkij7lVgiqAxjrovSiHg-ik23n_D_cJcmIiH9e5t8AAb-EH1Ds1NIUwlokVawQ0tW5Svv62VEyn6jAhMX0kA/w640-h480/5Black%20Reeftip1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the black tipped reef sharks we encountered...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqqtl3ynrljXa8p36JOJ9nAtCbVO--GLZGiqbdiyNvzXfJxt06umGsxsjJ_T3x7yxr10ZZ6T7gLJI6oUmsVq3szwiTIhnG7XbGcZuUq0ZU2QsXQKxuT252lExmyJlRzhRyUWxvrxq1ofTg4Y4PCDuzmh1O7k0M4iBa_bhO51AaNDSvzJuAXYctq4abg/s4608/6Black%20Reeftip2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqqtl3ynrljXa8p36JOJ9nAtCbVO--GLZGiqbdiyNvzXfJxt06umGsxsjJ_T3x7yxr10ZZ6T7gLJI6oUmsVq3szwiTIhnG7XbGcZuUq0ZU2QsXQKxuT252lExmyJlRzhRyUWxvrxq1ofTg4Y4PCDuzmh1O7k0M4iBa_bhO51AaNDSvzJuAXYctq4abg/w640-h480/6Black%20Reeftip2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a close up showing the black tip on its dorsal fin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdDD9SEYrzYxVii7erNO7XQ-MxQXYcDLE5vSDySXdMduxkHM8KWz_NJd-GlIFZYmIa-ZlNUFtoF6qPTtAbiyvgmIVZz032w27nTeXS1yUPgcC6yXxSFyXBxqJ9JdHfo66A-pzqQfxMieaVHiBnZMeU9kn060M4W6X04hIE5oxXFKZQ84TiGc-KWjZmA/s4608/7Cabana.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdDD9SEYrzYxVii7erNO7XQ-MxQXYcDLE5vSDySXdMduxkHM8KWz_NJd-GlIFZYmIa-ZlNUFtoF6qPTtAbiyvgmIVZz032w27nTeXS1yUPgcC6yXxSFyXBxqJ9JdHfo66A-pzqQfxMieaVHiBnZMeU9kn060M4W6X04hIE5oxXFKZQ84TiGc-KWjZmA/w640-h480/7Cabana.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our private cabana...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbOX5IWR1boqA2tXp3icAQjOUjjkkR_Cf1OmyNa0XKw3HxmcbSh2yTav_pwQMj7BYPJhcbIopFK_hZprhsUN-dECpFif-m46or-5tx1YpTBPfkAVhMJALaqVV0OguiJRUF-OCm9vyuSkEk59zA3z2vKJCnosUkm9wQCmamYkPMu7kfBAAs6im0YRYUQ/s4608/8Gate1%20Compadres.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbOX5IWR1boqA2tXp3icAQjOUjjkkR_Cf1OmyNa0XKw3HxmcbSh2yTav_pwQMj7BYPJhcbIopFK_hZprhsUN-dECpFif-m46or-5tx1YpTBPfkAVhMJALaqVV0OguiJRUF-OCm9vyuSkEk59zA3z2vKJCnosUkm9wQCmamYkPMu7kfBAAs6im0YRYUQ/w640-h480/8Gate1%20Compadres.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a picture of the Gate 1 travel group. We got special treatment by our guide on the boat and on the island as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3bBkArJ3Z9qS90zbKD8ReW1mVaP6JglFxg5tM1DIJo_q9fZYU_hB8ZY_2tt4Nc0p-o3KXOTVaA1yGl3J4UhOeD3LQBJYgKBiddtrDn8hSYhXR1PJ31jAtY1bbJ8SiMZcwVWHL2_-F8usVyw_-OtfZT2TvTT_Qd6ZzJw-hiZopvhzYgyzxzTxt25oAw/s4608/9Fijian%20Storm%20Cloud.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3bBkArJ3Z9qS90zbKD8ReW1mVaP6JglFxg5tM1DIJo_q9fZYU_hB8ZY_2tt4Nc0p-o3KXOTVaA1yGl3J4UhOeD3LQBJYgKBiddtrDn8hSYhXR1PJ31jAtY1bbJ8SiMZcwVWHL2_-F8usVyw_-OtfZT2TvTT_Qd6ZzJw-hiZopvhzYgyzxzTxt25oAw/w640-h480/9Fijian%20Storm%20Cloud.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Fijian Island onn on our way back to our island. The volcanic nature of the islands is evident from this picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYy4Xq4B3Z0Tn_PuXujefbZXi5XHFON-9DiGWW_c_tzTyk0aTEMhSniezgDsNdyTexFl5GqL8qkZpclihSfgp6XVpP1YnR4k123NwlvlFb16qBL_SMaW1JWmQolbirWXqmfNafQ6Q7ru37jNDKFV3C05RxwXX9uEfY9EzLbeBMb6gg1epr3lFnro-oQ/s4608/10Mangroves.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYy4Xq4B3Z0Tn_PuXujefbZXi5XHFON-9DiGWW_c_tzTyk0aTEMhSniezgDsNdyTexFl5GqL8qkZpclihSfgp6XVpP1YnR4k123NwlvlFb16qBL_SMaW1JWmQolbirWXqmfNafQ6Q7ru37jNDKFV3C05RxwXX9uEfY9EzLbeBMb6gg1epr3lFnro-oQ/w640-h480/10Mangroves.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fijians are trying to protect and expand their mangroves to protect the shoreline from erosion.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Bf1qELZQWeptnudEKqOAXpRTBcxwPMuTCj-PzPkdQv275D-t_tSaHHm3Bcg0Hf-Z9hnYfnCYDJvt6KxvjzxRdLetIc6NDPVgZcnjq4xzdnzruBdCPctsjU0cnaY1ldSkmlq5eaEwWF82AsjWiQyxE8lXyQaictSu0A3JlI5wp_FgspGIprlckvIvHA/s1024/Ice%20Cream%20Contest1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Bf1qELZQWeptnudEKqOAXpRTBcxwPMuTCj-PzPkdQv275D-t_tSaHHm3Bcg0Hf-Z9hnYfnCYDJvt6KxvjzxRdLetIc6NDPVgZcnjq4xzdnzruBdCPctsjU0cnaY1ldSkmlq5eaEwWF82AsjWiQyxE8lXyQaictSu0A3JlI5wp_FgspGIprlckvIvHA/w640-h480/Ice%20Cream%20Contest1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at the resort we encountered this ice cream eating contest designed by the staff of the resort to keep the children occupied.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HqX6RvgrrH-YxQtaQTBjZ-F3B4_Y_ce0p0Al7jmLD6fQLlqLltbTC6y7GIZY2e8z__0yne1lqcamQWEZtRzif2C9dyOchmE-NEEpnIcPhEoh-sjFUd77De-34HGPSIugUXCQciNkbd4LP0TZK57HY618ZUnExSgUDxlg0r_3VZgHDeWfgBQYoxkypw/s1024/Ice%20Cream%20Contest2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HqX6RvgrrH-YxQtaQTBjZ-F3B4_Y_ce0p0Al7jmLD6fQLlqLltbTC6y7GIZY2e8z__0yne1lqcamQWEZtRzif2C9dyOchmE-NEEpnIcPhEoh-sjFUd77De-34HGPSIugUXCQciNkbd4LP0TZK57HY618ZUnExSgUDxlg0r_3VZgHDeWfgBQYoxkypw/w640-h480/Ice%20Cream%20Contest2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some ended up with as much ice cream on their face as in their stomach.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Another day we signed onto a longer adventure -- like 13 hours or so. But only about 5 hours actually involved doing anything since we drove 4 hours in each direction. That was fine though because we saw a lot of the interior of the island (well, kind of the fringe since the roads tend to hug the coast). Once there, we boarded long boats to travel up river to the sight of an amazing waterfall. Shades of David Rockefeller in Papua New Guinea. You all know how that ended. We had to disembark on a rather precarious landing and as our boat idled while the boat ahead of us unloaded I said to Michael, "By God, for once we are not the oldest people on an adventure." Ahead of us was a couple definitely more decrepit than us. I'm actually not sure if this adventure was a good idea for them since Jack (we all became fast friends) had to be piggybacked off the long boat. He is 87 and his wife is 75. I mean there comes a time.....</p><p>Anyway, it was about a half mile hike to the waterfall over somewhat slippery rocks and uneven terrain. Somehow Jack and his wife (they were celebrating their 50th anniversary) made it to the falls and with steadying hands from the group had a delightful wade in the water. Michael's pictures should give you an idea. Going back down river we experienced riding the bamboo rafts that are/were the principal mode of transportation for folks living around there. The most challenging part of bamboo rafting is getting on the raft -- the rest is a piece of cake.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH50Qy1A59IPqkUpRQc08q4bYnQiB0iGvT3Bz6MSYw4pEadP6qZpOvVthniwXDPiDr7Uodb-qI7FcGr5Mw6kV3517WWEhCh1tETIVeTCbXWjwb1NX4sGhhfBQ0DZ2q_AcY499os4KYpusajA1XNsGIuCQ6gpHHarGogE-IoPs3qhdbP2KK4I5hT5CaA/s4608/1Fijian%20Village.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH50Qy1A59IPqkUpRQc08q4bYnQiB0iGvT3Bz6MSYw4pEadP6qZpOvVthniwXDPiDr7Uodb-qI7FcGr5Mw6kV3517WWEhCh1tETIVeTCbXWjwb1NX4sGhhfBQ0DZ2q_AcY499os4KYpusajA1XNsGIuCQ6gpHHarGogE-IoPs3qhdbP2KK4I5hT5CaA/w640-h480/1Fijian%20Village.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gathered in this one village center to get our PFDs (personal flotation devices) aka life jackets prior to boarding the boats.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9hYTfEaibHdKAAYkXMKFgmoFGnS6g32T2Mbj2grGVXVRJ-Iqp2BBdorXJvjkKJa9PfBo6I5aN5ne5CCwlXdFLalg1jsepYlxN-hLy-TqSjp407VTFQlOycW5JRdJvWRaEMQgfTgvNSCi9P5D80eqRIplPJGyB2dssmZxToWQO1Zjrg4CCdYQGqIWsA/s4608/2Longboat.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9hYTfEaibHdKAAYkXMKFgmoFGnS6g32T2Mbj2grGVXVRJ-Iqp2BBdorXJvjkKJa9PfBo6I5aN5ne5CCwlXdFLalg1jsepYlxN-hLy-TqSjp407VTFQlOycW5JRdJvWRaEMQgfTgvNSCi9P5D80eqRIplPJGyB2dssmZxToWQO1Zjrg4CCdYQGqIWsA/w640-h480/2Longboat.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long boats were narrow and designed for the rapids,....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzLvCG1AoxQRxhS-F-Kl3bf9NCa8T3i8g3syqWrZcAC4yXHhPPxu_1SIUZ93nPMWUAt0JhQD6lN2wM1R2R-9aHRnpaYH5j67kQswWuTlZup2PY_N28is-NudA8TEuKyWoMLtJcHEZ_mTqBL1iMkt0j_ZO8VCANTNJhGOIV2otEFDCDejY1U9Kd0GsbQ/s4608/3Up%20the%20Rapids.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzLvCG1AoxQRxhS-F-Kl3bf9NCa8T3i8g3syqWrZcAC4yXHhPPxu_1SIUZ93nPMWUAt0JhQD6lN2wM1R2R-9aHRnpaYH5j67kQswWuTlZup2PY_N28is-NudA8TEuKyWoMLtJcHEZ_mTqBL1iMkt0j_ZO8VCANTNJhGOIV2otEFDCDejY1U9Kd0GsbQ/w640-h480/3Up%20the%20Rapids.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which at one point forced us to leave the boat (except for one person) to walk around the rapids.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IKgkicBT__0GqZAHRflmj3Kk5lEPc7fCbI_MT1rFy0dKHxqgG1mujbv5p5fZTJPalVA1NbIOvmQbWxK5gpALIVkRGukSMW68raciVx3SeXulzUGsH1_vawdUoX07PP0NTKRVG2GS38jMioDkiAGXW-B4uotGeBIAseJM6skyvspl0TlRrEiXWq7aTA/s4608/4Rocks%20Ahead.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IKgkicBT__0GqZAHRflmj3Kk5lEPc7fCbI_MT1rFy0dKHxqgG1mujbv5p5fZTJPalVA1NbIOvmQbWxK5gpALIVkRGukSMW68raciVx3SeXulzUGsH1_vawdUoX07PP0NTKRVG2GS38jMioDkiAGXW-B4uotGeBIAseJM6skyvspl0TlRrEiXWq7aTA/w640-h480/4Rocks%20Ahead.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were other rapids which we were able to just stay in the boat and enjoy the ride.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGap3QcZ30RJb6wWfnbY7JQuBHt84hijmpo9tJZJNc7gCHPUwqw5LXcC3L4bVIpxsMCRNcvOyd5VTFlXpMKXmUWNbzJ73OihpuIfFRs0v3maJOrJCnGtiiwhi-b7Ck6IIwsHeCwAIXXoV_U6FNo5wfG98HwcA9lz9EhzS_SmdC6RxpOQbF0W-WMArAQ/s4608/5Cascada1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGap3QcZ30RJb6wWfnbY7JQuBHt84hijmpo9tJZJNc7gCHPUwqw5LXcC3L4bVIpxsMCRNcvOyd5VTFlXpMKXmUWNbzJ73OihpuIfFRs0v3maJOrJCnGtiiwhi-b7Ck6IIwsHeCwAIXXoV_U6FNo5wfG98HwcA9lz9EhzS_SmdC6RxpOQbF0W-WMArAQ/w480-h640/5Cascada1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fantastic waterfall was our ultimate destination,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLo-E4UHp0so_bFdNqLqCsZY1sjofPnziWy-ZUe-QFd8egrCM_N1ccWQPvEy9g0q47uFInzixApgg0M41oTvRbQ-RWruG7RWDm-Wj0jiCp86FIzjN67Sc2TFPKlJwtVz3tckEES3_cS3Bp7pPYz-4W9bBWmKTID3I2Pva_6I_m2DN9y3GT8389waecQ/s4608/6DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLo-E4UHp0so_bFdNqLqCsZY1sjofPnziWy-ZUe-QFd8egrCM_N1ccWQPvEy9g0q47uFInzixApgg0M41oTvRbQ-RWruG7RWDm-Wj0jiCp86FIzjN67Sc2TFPKlJwtVz3tckEES3_cS3Bp7pPYz-4W9bBWmKTID3I2Pva_6I_m2DN9y3GT8389waecQ/w480-h640/6DSS.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which Deirdre enjoyed with its very cool water.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja60MT1N6FLk8CBVpixGNLLxGyqrR9xJh0pCEslj0hfRcz6cnmQojhIUf6Gvd0qvW0tEyq3itncYQuiNjkV7hxMSHL4ozzjq7ywTG60ovCC-MjBUW0EhEnY0buOpYU1fqKAZlQ4V7nOfKoZqJCgk5cv40Omm9mvt-EaYZHZNEYDMg6Kd8gHtB0P6WNvg/s4608/7Cascadas2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja60MT1N6FLk8CBVpixGNLLxGyqrR9xJh0pCEslj0hfRcz6cnmQojhIUf6Gvd0qvW0tEyq3itncYQuiNjkV7hxMSHL4ozzjq7ywTG60ovCC-MjBUW0EhEnY0buOpYU1fqKAZlQ4V7nOfKoZqJCgk5cv40Omm9mvt-EaYZHZNEYDMg6Kd8gHtB0P6WNvg/w480-h640/7Cascadas2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The force of the waves created by the waterfall made swimming up to the waterfall very difficult.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5eluOcfc2oScN5HAGA8zrDYhAMAosHCLM8DaHhZH0hbx6YH00zkgz_JOOEMGuE8qCt32irHP7Pffwy-x4dxlA7yupOkp1v4PjRvBXryyrKJNuO24BTpFAZU8QbnFzhlYxtOL_51jSjgyGc3-rSK4TIyBZr3SkUJWJVfFbGBnWyiifWdfPHWlozl5VQ/s4608/8Oldsters%20w.%20Nem.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5eluOcfc2oScN5HAGA8zrDYhAMAosHCLM8DaHhZH0hbx6YH00zkgz_JOOEMGuE8qCt32irHP7Pffwy-x4dxlA7yupOkp1v4PjRvBXryyrKJNuO24BTpFAZU8QbnFzhlYxtOL_51jSjgyGc3-rSK4TIyBZr3SkUJWJVfFbGBnWyiifWdfPHWlozl5VQ/w640-h480/8Oldsters%20w.%20Nem.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack, his wife & Nem at the waterfall pool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-CSBWgMEW97jOXrevnljlUoTGTrNpI-VeuDfnLLTuaWeIK3Kx7rRtTyHEHz-DA_rhnlFNsSywXA24tmz2fFUhuXWlliBBRJV61H-stALEae-O--qoynpdYpBif9wXVy71eSBzPEbzbhkQT8AuAeVTcePBEr8fBaStMjXKjE4bjJTDHnvHj2RX4RwAg/s4608/9Cascadas3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-CSBWgMEW97jOXrevnljlUoTGTrNpI-VeuDfnLLTuaWeIK3Kx7rRtTyHEHz-DA_rhnlFNsSywXA24tmz2fFUhuXWlliBBRJV61H-stALEae-O--qoynpdYpBif9wXVy71eSBzPEbzbhkQT8AuAeVTcePBEr8fBaStMjXKjE4bjJTDHnvHj2RX4RwAg/w640-h480/9Cascadas3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were other smaller waterfalls created as the water flowed to the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-XnsHOEr1rP6fPiBHi9XRi1iREPLkauhGmZLUKrS2FfMoC3jDPWkJoE_HgfU_3JNY32JTjI2GRXbpmaEB1tEzgSIfz5Auz1lMt6snD27k7s3UDisPb5fgVq58y5Fhc6_AY56VFKKcIFJofMNrCrcmItXv5XXgDuEvvVAmUGWj94goFFiPcmvejzxAg/s4608/10ANem%20on%20raft.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-XnsHOEr1rP6fPiBHi9XRi1iREPLkauhGmZLUKrS2FfMoC3jDPWkJoE_HgfU_3JNY32JTjI2GRXbpmaEB1tEzgSIfz5Auz1lMt6snD27k7s3UDisPb5fgVq58y5Fhc6_AY56VFKKcIFJofMNrCrcmItXv5XXgDuEvvVAmUGWj94goFFiPcmvejzxAg/w640-h480/10ANem%20on%20raft.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nem commanding our bamboo raft.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo2w6hDRHGa7SKldHQzkbG7wov87ZlDUFhEvg2uFLGe2x8Nwqp-QtKq-IJD7uD9LyusHQ5aOTyLlANeiog768OGMCpE_k2SdJvwpNhY7F0q2sUsSv7den7Dm_FBBpXZjfRnZJ2PycOjl5SVuMuWWBDF-_ibaGNfx67vvXm3sLTClJDbCYKQ6wBXc8yw/s4608/10Lush%20vegetation.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo2w6hDRHGa7SKldHQzkbG7wov87ZlDUFhEvg2uFLGe2x8Nwqp-QtKq-IJD7uD9LyusHQ5aOTyLlANeiog768OGMCpE_k2SdJvwpNhY7F0q2sUsSv7den7Dm_FBBpXZjfRnZJ2PycOjl5SVuMuWWBDF-_ibaGNfx67vvXm3sLTClJDbCYKQ6wBXc8yw/w640-h480/10Lush%20vegetation.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lush vegetation of the rain forest.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1GQCx1nX8R-Pbq8mSvDkUyzkvQJItF-o4g5ItjRDd-elAPJDaAiKiLJpm-D0J35v4Fjqt_W4cYuH2VjupOn4s3T5RQ5M2nc4L4T3uAGRTc7_XX87kAdISehAKOzn7i_F3vN7ZiIfckDXi_BJsEoglxkLLGscpjQlRoZk0uYDnpy3BtBgeBu_yMJz2Q/s4608/11Conch%20blower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1GQCx1nX8R-Pbq8mSvDkUyzkvQJItF-o4g5ItjRDd-elAPJDaAiKiLJpm-D0J35v4Fjqt_W4cYuH2VjupOn4s3T5RQ5M2nc4L4T3uAGRTc7_XX87kAdISehAKOzn7i_F3vN7ZiIfckDXi_BJsEoglxkLLGscpjQlRoZk0uYDnpy3BtBgeBu_yMJz2Q/w640-h480/11Conch%20blower.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the village we were greeted by this villager blowing on a conch shell...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3hYc-qX00txpeyfQJWKRbA1ZklpAdpvAUEj_BwCtwrQPqVNPV1NgOCEnuhGjwqAj4HrLd6D49YOGP_e-4QoIDvPV5Q7qukUdabwUp8CeXQvXmcYtRSVsvG6pgcn9GBKM2JR8ZIVCzFlx4ZkA_uO4wbV82b-9e5X0ZsYVrimclzqLJK0_V420AyOKrQ/s4608/12Fijian%20drummer.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3hYc-qX00txpeyfQJWKRbA1ZklpAdpvAUEj_BwCtwrQPqVNPV1NgOCEnuhGjwqAj4HrLd6D49YOGP_e-4QoIDvPV5Q7qukUdabwUp8CeXQvXmcYtRSVsvG6pgcn9GBKM2JR8ZIVCzFlx4ZkA_uO4wbV82b-9e5X0ZsYVrimclzqLJK0_V420AyOKrQ/w640-h480/12Fijian%20drummer.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this villager beating the log drum and</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo55725jtgVmEG1rJ0zL82dLUMA6fSySmRKqklm1XUnzQ0ZYxa7-sV25z2BBPsVM2tr_jzhuUt13TCTeXJFWH3Tq-4G3OuSg4IwnRbp1bq_eQsJ4cAMZ7_zqna-WjZVXBNwt-fjJ7it-R4YxnSZxxg0nuxqTeJxqIX-JagDq3EmD5fYCqs6qNRaU-zIg/s4608/13Fijian%20warrior.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo55725jtgVmEG1rJ0zL82dLUMA6fSySmRKqklm1XUnzQ0ZYxa7-sV25z2BBPsVM2tr_jzhuUt13TCTeXJFWH3Tq-4G3OuSg4IwnRbp1bq_eQsJ4cAMZ7_zqna-WjZVXBNwt-fjJ7it-R4YxnSZxxg0nuxqTeJxqIX-JagDq3EmD5fYCqs6qNRaU-zIg/w480-h640/13Fijian%20warrior.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this Fijian warrior guarding the "lovo" (the original pit barbecue).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0cnxFT0PQEJG_Ye1623BRruBrASw4lt4L6Dl39M1Soy2ueBGH944x_PGsymnN8NFI-Jd1JO8911QGzcw_9xWiMC4RMm05kh26jS1fx4yogwKaMare4iwh3louhGhbtQoSy_jRWcEoPv_Us-hDK40Ub1Wu5YQPya7NC5jQcWbeI1xhbD_ez72JY4llw/s4608/14Lovo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0cnxFT0PQEJG_Ye1623BRruBrASw4lt4L6Dl39M1Soy2ueBGH944x_PGsymnN8NFI-Jd1JO8911QGzcw_9xWiMC4RMm05kh26jS1fx4yogwKaMare4iwh3louhGhbtQoSy_jRWcEoPv_Us-hDK40Ub1Wu5YQPya7NC5jQcWbeI1xhbD_ez72JY4llw/w640-h480/14Lovo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening up the lovo to put the cooked contents in the palm frond basket. We later had a demonstration of making a palm frond basket (in a matter of minutes), which was capable of supporting the weight of a 240 lb. man.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk6Y9Euufs9sfnPAFtwUOPj1xZMyQm6hyiCWrPaABz69eq3C6Mz4AZhklGcvKT4yPvz5jhNx9rj5xeU1-_7XrKBJfavwVvcTKP-pn4SYDqLS-Qkp091yJ3TIZZtosoNVyJ_5NXaGN31yID4sbpBSSJ8THWWrmqilXPfaE2daNkJslTWDnT0KXypAZ8Q/s4608/15Chief's%20throne.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk6Y9Euufs9sfnPAFtwUOPj1xZMyQm6hyiCWrPaABz69eq3C6Mz4AZhklGcvKT4yPvz5jhNx9rj5xeU1-_7XrKBJfavwVvcTKP-pn4SYDqLS-Qkp091yJ3TIZZtosoNVyJ_5NXaGN31yID4sbpBSSJ8THWWrmqilXPfaE2daNkJslTWDnT0KXypAZ8Q/w480-h640/15Chief's%20throne.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The village head's chair.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hReqWAkxBsLt5-lT0rcNhZZhrcxvCmr7Duc4Ptg5cGXRM6juJ9Y7p3LSdRtj1Otq56bff1OVHo_ALL4tjze_3D7qNCISAQzu_lPfupgA08dQC2ddsgU8Rp1TdqFFqjPxdEK1395sphdJjldGp0FhiOnXAGr1PMNJMuATXVDfTRkjmhs0oq7V4f59ig/s4608/16Ceiling1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hReqWAkxBsLt5-lT0rcNhZZhrcxvCmr7Duc4Ptg5cGXRM6juJ9Y7p3LSdRtj1Otq56bff1OVHo_ALL4tjze_3D7qNCISAQzu_lPfupgA08dQC2ddsgU8Rp1TdqFFqjPxdEK1395sphdJjldGp0FhiOnXAGr1PMNJMuATXVDfTRkjmhs0oq7V4f59ig/w640-h480/16Ceiling1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling was all hand painted using stencils on the mats, which are then attached to the ceiling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAk64AvYx2Io0VpGfTh5RF-y_yKDHyYoPQj9PT9tq209_tET25tUlNGF9VzmShHjOOnCClfHD3cttgQREKO5FZGnWa1Q9Mm_t-zvgEnp1DyEAA6WTEV5XtcRqhLNWqpP6h39IYXrUpHb7OgRZHuR7aimOKR21QouiNorWLxHPd8EEBRnSlyZO0fOKmQ/s4608/17Ceiling2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAk64AvYx2Io0VpGfTh5RF-y_yKDHyYoPQj9PT9tq209_tET25tUlNGF9VzmShHjOOnCClfHD3cttgQREKO5FZGnWa1Q9Mm_t-zvgEnp1DyEAA6WTEV5XtcRqhLNWqpP6h39IYXrUpHb7OgRZHuR7aimOKR21QouiNorWLxHPd8EEBRnSlyZO0fOKmQ/w640-h480/17Ceiling2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hKpcUislM33bPVGQZ9FIlihqiu-7kBgOCyBhvgTQ9ZffiC09OLWtrDMVLtNeOLlJLnGA0hwtObuYFhAMFJ2AkdlaWODnTeIx7H2oy002jr5RG5AvQHLBN1RcNwTjWuP850ZwYuGwZRZozK3G2377IMnmUQMxZhKkrRDRgLWXeIPWPD6lvKLBdvrUUg/s4608/18Kava1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hKpcUislM33bPVGQZ9FIlihqiu-7kBgOCyBhvgTQ9ZffiC09OLWtrDMVLtNeOLlJLnGA0hwtObuYFhAMFJ2AkdlaWODnTeIx7H2oy002jr5RG5AvQHLBN1RcNwTjWuP850ZwYuGwZRZozK3G2377IMnmUQMxZhKkrRDRgLWXeIPWPD6lvKLBdvrUUg/w640-h480/18Kava1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We go to witness a kava (yaqona in Fijian) ceremony.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1mP_9LPXJtJNiCDDefHCBE3hj794d19k8vdidWL07fad7ThmaNgc9oEdGITN0U5XWmCMp-qckZsFgqE6smvw_qXvI_HLr9hYAgR1E2-c5NmEuemHbQBrwa23Y1yEucvDiIqpiFLkUXliowoTqoZA2NQds6OPfYgzVDQcpDKs03jRtDi4FoTYFJAGtg/s4608/19Kava2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1mP_9LPXJtJNiCDDefHCBE3hj794d19k8vdidWL07fad7ThmaNgc9oEdGITN0U5XWmCMp-qckZsFgqE6smvw_qXvI_HLr9hYAgR1E2-c5NmEuemHbQBrwa23Y1yEucvDiIqpiFLkUXliowoTqoZA2NQds6OPfYgzVDQcpDKs03jRtDi4FoTYFJAGtg/w640-h480/19Kava2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the ceremony one of our lucky number had the opportunity to partake of the kava (most passed up this bitter brew).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTieaoeZpNWucyQo0_tBnREaddoulq8CjZJ6NFCNanLZWE-L9y00rKkZOPmNzfLJzi9mG_fr7aPTTSM0z4QDpv0pods4tHFv00Pu1lYfVEVxdxbQkRd1FKpw5rvSbmc5YSodbbLUrfMR7aPAegMfdapswlxAtIRXXhe7kOVMiubct7GDYbULBiFzHPQ/s4608/20Children.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTieaoeZpNWucyQo0_tBnREaddoulq8CjZJ6NFCNanLZWE-L9y00rKkZOPmNzfLJzi9mG_fr7aPTTSM0z4QDpv0pods4tHFv00Pu1lYfVEVxdxbQkRd1FKpw5rvSbmc5YSodbbLUrfMR7aPAegMfdapswlxAtIRXXhe7kOVMiubct7GDYbULBiFzHPQ/w640-h480/20Children.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nem led the villagers in song...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFwE8qAvpBgq65bCv8LHdMdTT4t-O4Lv9pR1k9q2Ckh-vz0zHsWrNRkFsm0arbfWHj64B8pCxdLGdPuz5FvcSobnKRgLVcZl5a8yXWZBZDTFH3gLXv6fw2jkpdbxpDFVBeR76y3kM8ns3TOb2MWwmbRIVJmbCGMRnkOVcyks3jc4gT_PMbPrAlYWT5Q/s4608/21Fijian%20warriors.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFwE8qAvpBgq65bCv8LHdMdTT4t-O4Lv9pR1k9q2Ckh-vz0zHsWrNRkFsm0arbfWHj64B8pCxdLGdPuz5FvcSobnKRgLVcZl5a8yXWZBZDTFH3gLXv6fw2jkpdbxpDFVBeR76y3kM8ns3TOb2MWwmbRIVJmbCGMRnkOVcyks3jc4gT_PMbPrAlYWT5Q/w640-h480/21Fijian%20warriors.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then the warriors performed a Fijian war dance, followed by the women singing a Fijian song which you can listen to by clicking on the link below.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This link will take you to a video recorded at Koromakalli Village: <a class="style-scope ytcp-video-share-dialog" href="https://youtu.be/qJhhvMSduZU" id="share-url" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: var(--ytcp-font-subheading_-_font-size,15px); line-height: 24px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/qJhhvMSduZU</a></p><p><u>Speaking of David Rockefeller</u></p><p>Returning to the Village we got the full dose of local culture education. Fierce warriors dancing, women singing, kava drinking, basket weaving -- you get the idea. Through it all, Nem, our guide kept making jokes and allusions to the "cannibals lurking around the corner" etc. Michael and I discussed when back at the hotel the veracity of the cannibal stories. Well, they weren't "stories". Yep, another trip where we learn of prior cannibalism. Now we have been to so many countries where this appears a common vice that we now categorize the motivation of the cannibals to help us bracket them in terms of our disdain and /or horror. We are least critical of those who eat others because they are truly starving and it's the only solution; next come the ones who devour their enemies because they want to transfer the bravery and spirit of the enemy into their own souls; and least laudable those who munch out of sheer revenge. Unfortunately, it turns out that the Fijians fell into bucket three. Oh well. </p><p>Our final trip out of the calm bosom of our resort was to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. The orchid garden was established in 1977 by Raymond Burr (Ironsides, Perry Mason) to house his own collection of orchids. Since then, the collection has expanded and the entire Garden is filled with a wide range of tropical plants. We were told that it is now owned by the Kroc (McDonald's) Foundation but I can't find anything to verify that. It would be an ounce of redemption for the Krocs after their unleashing fast food on the entire globe. The garden was great but the fruit punch they gave us was PHENOMENAL. I have never, ever raved about fruit punch but....well, now I have.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoVpwRDJeAOmtpYAaS18k2mtzFFFH8tkE3DIVV53UvnrHJSKVhJ5BpjHev0G5ryaZMILGtgptSaCuWA3HUk-dg-bL80F7Ux4v7y08MLLQArKqi52hKbSNAZhrvHqXpodAQZ5Bqdp8OwdthckrZwtVPEZVJKxiM7DfgNU5NpJ6_hOS0AhOTjLpce4p8w/s3872/1Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoVpwRDJeAOmtpYAaS18k2mtzFFFH8tkE3DIVV53UvnrHJSKVhJ5BpjHev0G5ryaZMILGtgptSaCuWA3HUk-dg-bL80F7Ux4v7y08MLLQArKqi52hKbSNAZhrvHqXpodAQZ5Bqdp8OwdthckrZwtVPEZVJKxiM7DfgNU5NpJ6_hOS0AhOTjLpce4p8w/w640-h428/1Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the views of the orchids in the garden, as well as the other flora.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kwzC6V2cvmJC2i_WjtqbrrxLzcKKMbj2bgW3jMOaTEAc6yLXEekSilljDOrnq05EKI5S570Hl72xNjNgeJXwihp4MyHM7ciXSM_WFF5YC7SZ7H69pcDIq9-Bal2MXJ-8kwhQQIqFUwtwLTHNBKIzii6O5EdTPgRHxgjVC-JO4Jsg09DR8M4zrpzLKA/s3872/2Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kwzC6V2cvmJC2i_WjtqbrrxLzcKKMbj2bgW3jMOaTEAc6yLXEekSilljDOrnq05EKI5S570Hl72xNjNgeJXwihp4MyHM7ciXSM_WFF5YC7SZ7H69pcDIq9-Bal2MXJ-8kwhQQIqFUwtwLTHNBKIzii6O5EdTPgRHxgjVC-JO4Jsg09DR8M4zrpzLKA/w640-h428/2Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14eO-556eNb5OI5ISy5A3F-br2npfkHGMU531cn2WzuP1O30wB4pvqlYU2dBfpgvSX9yjlzWR9KJkgO_P6p0haKA4scKeMYurxwgtZ_0-ZYV3IzcAjfSoIlaCL_A6UGnhwk462y2f5g1677hxFdGftWAXzsKwGYGWHvXO2KDQqhefjDLhopLSHGCuwQ/s3872/3Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14eO-556eNb5OI5ISy5A3F-br2npfkHGMU531cn2WzuP1O30wB4pvqlYU2dBfpgvSX9yjlzWR9KJkgO_P6p0haKA4scKeMYurxwgtZ_0-ZYV3IzcAjfSoIlaCL_A6UGnhwk462y2f5g1677hxFdGftWAXzsKwGYGWHvXO2KDQqhefjDLhopLSHGCuwQ/w640-h428/3Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5_5mPdbiYSAWBsA8RZ_Cu_wsDewUOv7eHaDdULMbVVIgcpw1D2pqlLZBZSWrV07mZIdZwnu1lNyg6tgVI-1jjGXwYTNWiT2YGxoL0gVZsv2vlShfIZdOt1KW_xYV8BiEIG03mFKW_LbfKE2KUPwyjJRXEN052sZo_3Vr417UMpvoYioOuk3fwdFfUw/s3872/4Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5_5mPdbiYSAWBsA8RZ_Cu_wsDewUOv7eHaDdULMbVVIgcpw1D2pqlLZBZSWrV07mZIdZwnu1lNyg6tgVI-1jjGXwYTNWiT2YGxoL0gVZsv2vlShfIZdOt1KW_xYV8BiEIG03mFKW_LbfKE2KUPwyjJRXEN052sZo_3Vr417UMpvoYioOuk3fwdFfUw/w640-h428/4Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ej06j7naXN2o_7HLR0fUq1kXk22mr_knvS14gAWPNMH-BLqqTAuG0PKyqXMAI-0Ipo6p7gz4RVWMXPa8vAOIdBlpX7jzfj3hdqcQ9USIME-v93z-EyrW5vqWkwwLJCZ4e6Qa3lwwAg4jVTmaXtwJOvkQtC-BOOr2REgAmV9SWmdFLWBboQCdxsG2lw/s3872/5Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ej06j7naXN2o_7HLR0fUq1kXk22mr_knvS14gAWPNMH-BLqqTAuG0PKyqXMAI-0Ipo6p7gz4RVWMXPa8vAOIdBlpX7jzfj3hdqcQ9USIME-v93z-EyrW5vqWkwwLJCZ4e6Qa3lwwAg4jVTmaXtwJOvkQtC-BOOr2REgAmV9SWmdFLWBboQCdxsG2lw/w640-h428/5Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMc1uWKGth1rGPXS2ndMSUbyXSnUhHQbT11tiui41P8rYhjnvSr-eLjU6dKYm4iTD3lPHPsfw1Tbd7fdgNnVBlPXgx5smPqskLJGOL3VizlZNI98wXYHExHMbhl-SDToQ88XVNKpx1Y4bopwBTZtMuTC0Hx7rytmqS2pC4ibbNEA6vXww7ztL6tozwQ/s3872/6Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMc1uWKGth1rGPXS2ndMSUbyXSnUhHQbT11tiui41P8rYhjnvSr-eLjU6dKYm4iTD3lPHPsfw1Tbd7fdgNnVBlPXgx5smPqskLJGOL3VizlZNI98wXYHExHMbhl-SDToQ88XVNKpx1Y4bopwBTZtMuTC0Hx7rytmqS2pC4ibbNEA6vXww7ztL6tozwQ/w640-h428/6Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXIQ2ndzRYkTN84RBmMXk9QDHVaXOKHxw3zId0lQyJPaifq60brW8PvWcEZrzIJpqH5DLu1cH4QxVRBn99ES9oiy_b6KKBPEk_ighD5LAphaRvdZtGaNrGk5n2dhS_RD-BioRnWzTZvjCNETcSbRKB87_I2_PD_ImjP58xcxCrChf8EEnXfVtPexY8A/s3872/7Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXIQ2ndzRYkTN84RBmMXk9QDHVaXOKHxw3zId0lQyJPaifq60brW8PvWcEZrzIJpqH5DLu1cH4QxVRBn99ES9oiy_b6KKBPEk_ighD5LAphaRvdZtGaNrGk5n2dhS_RD-BioRnWzTZvjCNETcSbRKB87_I2_PD_ImjP58xcxCrChf8EEnXfVtPexY8A/w428-h640/7Orchid.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ovdf8wS10Esywu0R-9Qh5tbr3l1nZZUD0Hbtjaq_cOtkKdqnO7EpRojBMyAHyV7hL8L0Qr11-nENXd-at8AJYzc8RF7IU1dA2hkO7St8zbZ5uD4P6NcPMUtu5S68veh8NRekchIRaWbYP0XNpR-icH6ci8BemqHk5aw6g9rTbfqdWHUqVrFjzsHm4w/s3872/8Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ovdf8wS10Esywu0R-9Qh5tbr3l1nZZUD0Hbtjaq_cOtkKdqnO7EpRojBMyAHyV7hL8L0Qr11-nENXd-at8AJYzc8RF7IU1dA2hkO7St8zbZ5uD4P6NcPMUtu5S68veh8NRekchIRaWbYP0XNpR-icH6ci8BemqHk5aw6g9rTbfqdWHUqVrFjzsHm4w/w428-h640/8Orchid.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByCqYtz8CHFdkcLc300yx0abWBBzlJNQ_4K9tPT5VYNpY-66nL1S2Vcpdrl0qM4ELWVFWV4DH4LLj9jeB0AjnxnD2cYd3z4WAb4NTd8PrG-k0yKsZ90FVaAZ9vt1hd6iZn3CC4xsE-bXomehm19W4Y8PH-OTp6otwj3BM6rYyUMLFh1WjeQiibixHNg/s3872/9Orchid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByCqYtz8CHFdkcLc300yx0abWBBzlJNQ_4K9tPT5VYNpY-66nL1S2Vcpdrl0qM4ELWVFWV4DH4LLj9jeB0AjnxnD2cYd3z4WAb4NTd8PrG-k0yKsZ90FVaAZ9vt1hd6iZn3CC4xsE-bXomehm19W4Y8PH-OTp6otwj3BM6rYyUMLFh1WjeQiibixHNg/w640-h428/9Orchid.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0uG8iWZ3Zd4q2KOTIl0ZmTvRDD3blmYKa1gAeac8URTnV9DjdKPVDqcGody-6rKLO87H9ukV-5ZUFeeMut2i0AfK4FR-OyZCrGa7rzRXRC16OpIFNflEUeFZegTnaK4hnWTD0pJDFXYmtu6w3wblc6ewS0MFA1ZUA2AR563GycxIprzAzKdwb6i1qQ/s3872/10Flora.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0uG8iWZ3Zd4q2KOTIl0ZmTvRDD3blmYKa1gAeac8URTnV9DjdKPVDqcGody-6rKLO87H9ukV-5ZUFeeMut2i0AfK4FR-OyZCrGa7rzRXRC16OpIFNflEUeFZegTnaK4hnWTD0pJDFXYmtu6w3wblc6ewS0MFA1ZUA2AR563GycxIprzAzKdwb6i1qQ/w640-h428/10Flora.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT_5biFOwS1nFRUsBamso7-_epc2Ykthslmba_yUv9241yY9wi1qk-WflXhWKdtc3zVFHvst3gb1cPCq7vSsGy_lvTRYI6QHG2NiYe2Vxa7GkgRbEu9JjLTKvCZ_jWknySu2ctp4AEr9CRSy2WsBg7gLxqjYJVcYrLcAORaPYLudvQM5IyLNDzL4w7A/s3872/11Flora.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT_5biFOwS1nFRUsBamso7-_epc2Ykthslmba_yUv9241yY9wi1qk-WflXhWKdtc3zVFHvst3gb1cPCq7vSsGy_lvTRYI6QHG2NiYe2Vxa7GkgRbEu9JjLTKvCZ_jWknySu2ctp4AEr9CRSy2WsBg7gLxqjYJVcYrLcAORaPYLudvQM5IyLNDzL4w7A/w640-h428/11Flora.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfJxyTHPdzi0rJY7TR4bo9lULa7KCGarjOCy81Vx5VWJwQ3Sr-2F7k4bHfz4k8BTDt0NqcHUJhRhmi-gPtcWqntJaltRH8bi9Y-vX_-mmzDMqDs8ylYdSvCg7LeRk1xQzRdIHAQQhKJBFLdlGX6pGlGKKBy_tzkbCoiylClutitnIsjF8MJeV5LY6VQ/s3872/12TreeHugger.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfJxyTHPdzi0rJY7TR4bo9lULa7KCGarjOCy81Vx5VWJwQ3Sr-2F7k4bHfz4k8BTDt0NqcHUJhRhmi-gPtcWqntJaltRH8bi9Y-vX_-mmzDMqDs8ylYdSvCg7LeRk1xQzRdIHAQQhKJBFLdlGX6pGlGKKBy_tzkbCoiylClutitnIsjF8MJeV5LY6VQ/w428-h640/12TreeHugger.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we wandered through the garden we ran into this "tree hugger"...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoV1NQzHyA148XQ5MHOW7Lcihpn7ge7HnheNtNaxqMlFck3H5_7ktI1cFagcrDKkEtW-z4se4sbTOq02AGweracwjuoiq0Mdiwh1bhd0P8vOVA-oxZ011-ZM7Uw4TDwAjg2bB5318-Uj4vNMtNyO9-Mcob6xuTYq2Ffa6Quwcea7-ayvfhvxBu2ljOw/s3872/13Froggy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoV1NQzHyA148XQ5MHOW7Lcihpn7ge7HnheNtNaxqMlFck3H5_7ktI1cFagcrDKkEtW-z4se4sbTOq02AGweracwjuoiq0Mdiwh1bhd0P8vOVA-oxZ011-ZM7Uw4TDwAjg2bB5318-Uj4vNMtNyO9-Mcob6xuTYq2Ffa6Quwcea7-ayvfhvxBu2ljOw/w640-h428/13Froggy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this frog by the pond...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XZuPu4iKtCT3mitiF6hiwIEZYUgP7dZjOb2xQBnxqbTa12MI_Wt0Hb8o-YP1mspdp1ZJhF9sPV7UcWCoy9ex2JXwPxkBTGXv_vQCBaKV51Un304zq-AXu7uWJBWsrRMDEov7EIz_0lpwI-SpAm38e24uOiLGJ-ZIKZz1m5oKNJdilU5JIW641pqgFw/s3872/14%3FFruit%3F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XZuPu4iKtCT3mitiF6hiwIEZYUgP7dZjOb2xQBnxqbTa12MI_Wt0Hb8o-YP1mspdp1ZJhF9sPV7UcWCoy9ex2JXwPxkBTGXv_vQCBaKV51Un304zq-AXu7uWJBWsrRMDEov7EIz_0lpwI-SpAm38e24uOiLGJ-ZIKZz1m5oKNJdilU5JIW641pqgFw/w640-h428/14%3FFruit%3F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this fruit that even a native Fijian could not identify. A prize to any of our blog readers who can identify the name of the fruit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Fijian Folk - BULA!</u></p><p>It is not fair to generalize about a people but I say it's OK if you say nice things...or offer disclaimers. First of all, no matter where you go or what the situation is someone in Fiji will be yelling BULA! at you. This seems to mean hello, good day, goodby, I love you or anything else. Caught unawares it can make you jump. Except for the heartiness of their bulaing, the Fijians are very gentle and somewhat quiet people. They are very tranquil and prefer it if you are also. Nem, our guide, told us that the Fijians are so calm and slow moving that the British gave up trying to make them work the cotton fields and brought in Indians as indentured field workers. The Fijians considered this a coup on their part.</p><p>Fijians speak English -- well, most do. They are taught it in school. It is a highly accented English (not British) and that, combined with their quiet voices, can result in some difficulty in communicating. Another driver we had pointed out a school as we drove. "Oh, that is the school for the Japanese students," he said. "Oh, what are they here to study?" we asked. "English", he replied. "Who teaches them?" Michael asked. "Oh, we Fijians," he answered. Michael and I looked at each other. The concept of Fijians teaching highly accented English (it sounds Caribbean) to Japanese students seems fraught with problems. I would love to hear a graduate.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxpuhaz4hnAuKjV9BknBRGZlRoCtCxu_APOjMHm89ii2b8G2pyqoecsNoUY6-7yoE6ZNHRvJHPKfgiw73Wlfyj6a7Pcex_BuxOLDhLqhhf_oklSRSk1SyxvW3A45Y1hwzpJxU4qQSwQ0_N9MHLi7Hw597H3gh8OlLoXX8f1yqaW9v-CAWi1UO0sr8fQ/s1024/Lobby.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxpuhaz4hnAuKjV9BknBRGZlRoCtCxu_APOjMHm89ii2b8G2pyqoecsNoUY6-7yoE6ZNHRvJHPKfgiw73Wlfyj6a7Pcex_BuxOLDhLqhhf_oklSRSk1SyxvW3A45Y1hwzpJxU4qQSwQ0_N9MHLi7Hw597H3gh8OlLoXX8f1yqaW9v-CAWi1UO0sr8fQ/w640-h480/Lobby.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our open air lobby at the resort.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Back to L.A. and a Lovely Wedding</u></p><p>The flight back was SOOO much better. I had a whole seat to myself and an empty middle seat! It was almost like business class...or what it was like to fly 30 years ago...except you can't smoke now, or drink to excess, or have a decent meal. But hey, it was much better. We spent a couple of days with Justin in LA. Lately, due to the spread of pestilence and improved serums, we have taken the opportunity to get vaccinations when visiting Justin. Before Fiji we got the 5th (can you believe it?) Covid shot and a flu shot On the return we got the first (new, improved) shingles shot and Michael doubled up by getting the grown up TDAP shot. Michael has virtually no reaction to these shots. I go into immediate decline featuring immense fatigue, fever, chills and grumpiness which lasts between 24 and 36 hours. Medical people tell me that it is my robust immune system responding emphatically to the invading whatevers. I don't bother to ask why, if I have this amazing immune system, I have to have these stupid shots. Just be quiet and settle down Deirdre.</p><p>So, upon my recovery we were off to San Diego for the wedding. We had received news while in Fiji that the Surfliner train was having problems because a section of track had eroded. Due to this we would train to Irvine, detrain and bus to Oceanside, retrain and continue on to San Diego. On top of this, while hauling our luggage to the bus we got stuck in an elevator (don't ask why we were on an elevator) which just made the trip more pleasurable. But it was all worthwhile. What a beautiful wedding. The setting was a field overlooking the Pacific in La Jolla and the reception followed in a mansion in the same town. David and his bride Michelle were everything you'd want in a bride and groom and it gave us a chance to see most of Michael's family twice within 3 months. It is quite amazing how much babies grow in three months-- just an aside. So, the trip was complete. With only minor travel struggles we made it back to Ajijic by mid October. Just in time to gear up for Day of the Dead. More on that later.....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIP6f3PhUt3E4nm4DOFl_HYvygVVZUnFcIN8I7tlL1NQnBvyMMkrBwKxmgYuZKrYjETHQfHT6lOpP0FCc8W0TMg0NlNP839OFPptmi3m90znoj-YJz-3534kE98ZJ8Djmxc_-ng6IG2BCHF8RyD17oLUT91FjsZLHCBYGZI5eBdr_JUyuGVOZ-brPiw/s398/1Bride%20Entrance.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="359" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIP6f3PhUt3E4nm4DOFl_HYvygVVZUnFcIN8I7tlL1NQnBvyMMkrBwKxmgYuZKrYjETHQfHT6lOpP0FCc8W0TMg0NlNP839OFPptmi3m90znoj-YJz-3534kE98ZJ8Djmxc_-ng6IG2BCHF8RyD17oLUT91FjsZLHCBYGZI5eBdr_JUyuGVOZ-brPiw/w578-h640/1Bride%20Entrance.jpeg" width="578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The father escorts Michelle, the bride.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFKYgiQ7xlSvGKPZq6ABeS19_sKPb5f1f0tdGXYa6pfGU6SvAUOiYduHGOWgiEUQBY5QAGuOeP_2Ue1Wgci2cInoBmAA-puXzmQ8ot6PxBUzLs5eqYCZZXcE-DrHYyEQJCx0BJY6QkNmm0Gw_clh_xD4NdhTBJGHO6UCMv9JQ__NfRnpUpYZ3k3Fu2g/s1024/3Groom%20Vows.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFKYgiQ7xlSvGKPZq6ABeS19_sKPb5f1f0tdGXYa6pfGU6SvAUOiYduHGOWgiEUQBY5QAGuOeP_2Ue1Wgci2cInoBmAA-puXzmQ8ot6PxBUzLs5eqYCZZXcE-DrHYyEQJCx0BJY6QkNmm0Gw_clh_xD4NdhTBJGHO6UCMv9JQ__NfRnpUpYZ3k3Fu2g/w640-h480/3Groom%20Vows.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David reading his vows to Michelle...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCplAIKVO-aUR8tuCThw8CCxQJqljrNk3A9lVLWGZkZoDV5hokV0ZS3YXOzM1B4LeprDx3NVP6FOpBCFjJSydrHg7xIJ3WKLHwo_SprAtnqAUsCHve9hw7othYM9QAgpoi6jl-hdOOeiDj_LuYRf8TTockXC1_bbE52Bx7sOqwQui97JI32fz_SDxqIQ/s800/4The%20Kiss.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="800" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCplAIKVO-aUR8tuCThw8CCxQJqljrNk3A9lVLWGZkZoDV5hokV0ZS3YXOzM1B4LeprDx3NVP6FOpBCFjJSydrHg7xIJ3WKLHwo_SprAtnqAUsCHve9hw7othYM9QAgpoi6jl-hdOOeiDj_LuYRf8TTockXC1_bbE52Bx7sOqwQui97JI32fz_SDxqIQ/w640-h616/4The%20Kiss.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the "kiss" after the officiant pronounces them "man & wife".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8Ay_0Q1h-l1w_4-sHeEN03Hjyx7EhnjFiw-Xx9jB-CqdSSqys6iRDteG9pTpuEYDY55OqBxv29Ut177ySDJdO_-5ipMnZBRpUNH5wPnXm0n2ARS67WzGNTxwRCCl-rMrK1_OCwrXf6GWEJmmdBOkbJYQWWVhd0v7omKpdaNXVsCGFOkOJ1GWL4yauQ/s830/5The%20Union.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="830" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8Ay_0Q1h-l1w_4-sHeEN03Hjyx7EhnjFiw-Xx9jB-CqdSSqys6iRDteG9pTpuEYDY55OqBxv29Ut177ySDJdO_-5ipMnZBRpUNH5wPnXm0n2ARS67WzGNTxwRCCl-rMrK1_OCwrXf6GWEJmmdBOkbJYQWWVhd0v7omKpdaNXVsCGFOkOJ1GWL4yauQ/w640-h592/5The%20Union.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The married couple leaving to attend the reception.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlK2Li4apiZdOGeogwxGTkQyyM09zovkpYUBGmGXbV_plHXPPLi-5g9PRxedKLpgDjwSvX_wxIRos-1zgozwasDrqDeAdEPQGsgqEi9ab3KT2AncsFaq2jUGFaeY8M8YYs_H8otxswgKWNO5J4C3BVBWG5inoiEN6NJlQXsDKl4dRMsxpPRa6IqLz8GQ/s1024/6The%20Exit.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlK2Li4apiZdOGeogwxGTkQyyM09zovkpYUBGmGXbV_plHXPPLi-5g9PRxedKLpgDjwSvX_wxIRos-1zgozwasDrqDeAdEPQGsgqEi9ab3KT2AncsFaq2jUGFaeY8M8YYs_H8otxswgKWNO5J4C3BVBWG5inoiEN6NJlQXsDKl4dRMsxpPRa6IqLz8GQ/w640-h480/6The%20Exit.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMnYOTVZi6gPFq-dGFnmcqIFheea1-pjy5lJkEIz24CxDZzc-alQDXFtC_fTPuP5fYbHVGkGkuSBfeDefz4rmBc8mxRgGpXZpsDzdSNYY2j20lecrk2uRwK7t-vpfz9BFjhtQ8mxDfDnoCwXa-FYOdWHocJE9Vnp89rBp-cn_EfvZg-ZTwVNKmzBEhw/s1024/7Devin%20&%20Carrie.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMnYOTVZi6gPFq-dGFnmcqIFheea1-pjy5lJkEIz24CxDZzc-alQDXFtC_fTPuP5fYbHVGkGkuSBfeDefz4rmBc8mxRgGpXZpsDzdSNYY2j20lecrk2uRwK7t-vpfz9BFjhtQ8mxDfDnoCwXa-FYOdWHocJE9Vnp89rBp-cn_EfvZg-ZTwVNKmzBEhw/w640-h480/7Devin%20&%20Carrie.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our niece Carrie & her husband Devin playing at the reception as the guests entered.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_gyNX8GExghJhWjOgfjTASIEIpbc8pCAzpYas1E7twsqu6jQ2TJI8edgkKvKkN-fTgozCmRtrRAwctzo1-FCPJXWun8JUu22ZuabVc-_h6_mbUVzvfINV_FvVwFa1GEE1AhjEoyrcy-Egvvuo1JyZNHgA6GolKJcv3lsE8H4l1BQi_Al2uH3OHLxrg/s1024/8Gathering%20for%20the%20Photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1024" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_gyNX8GExghJhWjOgfjTASIEIpbc8pCAzpYas1E7twsqu6jQ2TJI8edgkKvKkN-fTgozCmRtrRAwctzo1-FCPJXWun8JUu22ZuabVc-_h6_mbUVzvfINV_FvVwFa1GEE1AhjEoyrcy-Egvvuo1JyZNHgA6GolKJcv3lsE8H4l1BQi_Al2uH3OHLxrg/w640-h368/8Gathering%20for%20the%20Photo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next day the two extended families gathered for a group photo. At this point the elders down below were slowly gathering for the photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aj2kADdeuPMKxYkbHad_pcME8k1HPoAwXgzflTLOmcRWkTf9wPAndkxQKZVv_cHoPfRyhk1F0RnYoEQLlhLhaMRVWboDMFBFYj9SWs80Axdlgl43BSnxZIzS3fWLA_aFJGaMtdJaPFEzyX2AtWnTZWmUQrlK1jCBNW2KCZugGTp0j89ad-F4Xraj5w/s1024/1Donkey%20Feeding.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aj2kADdeuPMKxYkbHad_pcME8k1HPoAwXgzflTLOmcRWkTf9wPAndkxQKZVv_cHoPfRyhk1F0RnYoEQLlhLhaMRVWboDMFBFYj9SWs80Axdlgl43BSnxZIzS3fWLA_aFJGaMtdJaPFEzyX2AtWnTZWmUQrlK1jCBNW2KCZugGTp0j89ad-F4Xraj5w/w640-h480/1Donkey%20Feeding.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre had never been to Old Town in San Diego so we took some time out and encountered these donkeys.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfgr6Kyzt8eleT4W2F_t8Uj3u6uKQxuE1j8-hp_2lQHompBznYHl7ntuAuwbksO0kdel3nEh6Yyyp5tq87wlqTBWxs59sR6gepmOqYFr_NQlIjs2XOkB48LxRy6hD7Mae25K5VWO9lDZTh1bW7THZdQS6WIkcw22sVvJp-5Jhu8gCMHXZlhPMPLTVcQ/s856/2Donkey%20Feeding.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfgr6Kyzt8eleT4W2F_t8Uj3u6uKQxuE1j8-hp_2lQHompBznYHl7ntuAuwbksO0kdel3nEh6Yyyp5tq87wlqTBWxs59sR6gepmOqYFr_NQlIjs2XOkB48LxRy6hD7Mae25K5VWO9lDZTh1bW7THZdQS6WIkcw22sVvJp-5Jhu8gCMHXZlhPMPLTVcQ/w640-h480/2Donkey%20Feeding.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGDdpQft4nNsCDfELaUEmaBp4U5fcFsh2LfabHpsvvP0N_6sx2JdNPE1hKVCgvebZz5auzIOsHSDhZjGG7ttQ22WrQUoOWYBwJlTmUS1_V8hGROoDNIyLfSBNw3iEHVsxoyrE1T1XmjKUDHSnZQ9dum6m-ZICrwvLmwEbwEUGfjeqbUjmdZQRdXVHnQ/s1024/3Dia%20de%20Los%20Muertos.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGDdpQft4nNsCDfELaUEmaBp4U5fcFsh2LfabHpsvvP0N_6sx2JdNPE1hKVCgvebZz5auzIOsHSDhZjGG7ttQ22WrQUoOWYBwJlTmUS1_V8hGROoDNIyLfSBNw3iEHVsxoyrE1T1XmjKUDHSnZQ9dum6m-ZICrwvLmwEbwEUGfjeqbUjmdZQRdXVHnQ/w480-h640/3Dia%20de%20Los%20Muertos.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing their Mexican heritage, Old Town was already decorated for Dia de Los Muertos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYF8gTqnBMXBy5P8Ui6XIf6fv0JSwTFRNgnEFKKsgDRwgz3yrXV_YxDMnGiC1Fz49ayCbtb0F0-uw4PEZXWzG8TGVACFBILDi1JdMUa6riHuRuufHm_6BVoR7YEtVALuaFkgnT8UwakGqSSMq0ILyDpOc8vlcL6vRvhp_eucNz5CuKjzFb7agRNSMFw/s1024/4Dia%20de%20Los%20Muertos.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYF8gTqnBMXBy5P8Ui6XIf6fv0JSwTFRNgnEFKKsgDRwgz3yrXV_YxDMnGiC1Fz49ayCbtb0F0-uw4PEZXWzG8TGVACFBILDi1JdMUa6riHuRuufHm_6BVoR7YEtVALuaFkgnT8UwakGqSSMq0ILyDpOc8vlcL6vRvhp_eucNz5CuKjzFb7agRNSMFw/w640-h480/4Dia%20de%20Los%20Muertos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JxBtJ0u4jpfgAT_G36uMJqCXN05foz22SM3WkCMz9qay5dHaOoLehe0m_tfrPJdQxeDUBEcO5FT6gOiYxjXeWdcqQwFcC2mSYW0OknrhJmG4f8Qd5iFZLDE1kecFtSrPQGxemIskqfKVxyhM1rgQAwwTiLu6g8oVopMz1j6wHvNSJuTvsG9YTVXlHg/s1024/5Dia%20de%20Los%20muertos.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JxBtJ0u4jpfgAT_G36uMJqCXN05foz22SM3WkCMz9qay5dHaOoLehe0m_tfrPJdQxeDUBEcO5FT6gOiYxjXeWdcqQwFcC2mSYW0OknrhJmG4f8Qd5iFZLDE1kecFtSrPQGxemIskqfKVxyhM1rgQAwwTiLu6g8oVopMz1j6wHvNSJuTvsG9YTVXlHg/w480-h640/5Dia%20de%20Los%20muertos.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJpjWjhZocpjg_S9Lm6G-Ho5Z5UV7CKck9i-U_GXnKe7PRZlEfOtk74wWYmXOlzg-HLRMp6hQ4rlcqPO-pPpYZvJUsYujUYiDYft5BFMUxYQb3tp-ksVMRxq6i2hz2Y47efkzpylosWCOrwbZFcxMWZ88HAfMbdyy0VJYHhcdeJI0Rgr0YXfl4QR7jw/s1024/6Dia%20de%20Los%20Muertos.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJpjWjhZocpjg_S9Lm6G-Ho5Z5UV7CKck9i-U_GXnKe7PRZlEfOtk74wWYmXOlzg-HLRMp6hQ4rlcqPO-pPpYZvJUsYujUYiDYft5BFMUxYQb3tp-ksVMRxq6i2hz2Y47efkzpylosWCOrwbZFcxMWZ88HAfMbdyy0VJYHhcdeJI0Rgr0YXfl4QR7jw/w480-h640/6Dia%20de%20Los%20Muertos.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI-o647bPWTmLwSbNi5kQuB5AYRAMOR5AC7be_lSQCr5WmUKAFEG4bQAeXjXoOvLLwpZTemb9k499ZzA3y6O-80caEIr0YypEOLY-bnAOz9mgTQc1AFwSlalBjCJOQKA3ztcWrYcGoWhSbrSlMoVPB7If0tbXaS4Xu0k674j4ftz_YZSkjgIxURWvug/s1024/7%20Dos%20Catrinas.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI-o647bPWTmLwSbNi5kQuB5AYRAMOR5AC7be_lSQCr5WmUKAFEG4bQAeXjXoOvLLwpZTemb9k499ZzA3y6O-80caEIr0YypEOLY-bnAOz9mgTQc1AFwSlalBjCJOQKA3ztcWrYcGoWhSbrSlMoVPB7If0tbXaS4Xu0k674j4ftz_YZSkjgIxURWvug/w480-h640/7%20Dos%20Catrinas.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbIqav5DC3Z8ieof_p16tHYnbbAy6sMQpSnq4-DOUfUbnU8WdLvFfZFY0vwjTq00vEG0vyjvl5L-GsiYFuOlA9I5ETMc8zTP760O2FFBV3Fx9-OWQV5mdrDJ_xFGCALJE9ELbhrhj0i_saD16ikh5iyrCe3hSGT2oFlDgKEHYHkiCBbA9bVv5U-cc4Q/s1024/8Cosmopolitan%20Hotel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbIqav5DC3Z8ieof_p16tHYnbbAy6sMQpSnq4-DOUfUbnU8WdLvFfZFY0vwjTq00vEG0vyjvl5L-GsiYFuOlA9I5ETMc8zTP760O2FFBV3Fx9-OWQV5mdrDJ_xFGCALJE9ELbhrhj0i_saD16ikh5iyrCe3hSGT2oFlDgKEHYHkiCBbA9bVv5U-cc4Q/w640-h480/8Cosmopolitan%20Hotel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: "Crimson Text", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 22px;">The Cosmopolitan has watched San Diego unfold around it for nearly 200 years. From a state-of-the-art adobe home built in 1827 by a young, revolutionary Don Juan Bandini to a modern two-story hotel, restaurant and stagecoach office in 1869 to an olive cannery in 1900 and a popular Mexican restaurant in the latter half of the 20th century, the Cosmopolitan has seen San Diego grow. Now, returned to its 1870s glory, it has a story to tell.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-7346266224124940832022-09-21T16:20:00.003-05:002022-09-21T16:20:42.801-05:00A Little Visual Snack<p> <u>The Glorious Globos</u></p><p><u><br /></u></p><p>Since 1945, the Ajijic Villagers (and Gringo interlopers) have gathered on the Saturday preceding Independence Day (September 16th) to celebrate the Globos Festival. Businesses, sports teams, groups of friends or a family will get together and build hot air balloons out of tissue paper. These can be large or small but all of them are quite creative. The crowd gathers on the soccer field in close proximity to the balloons as they are being inflated and their flames set alight. This can result is a sprinkling of mayhem as a number of balloons will catch on fire even before they gain height spewing embers and pieces of burning balloon among the admiring crowd. It pays to be quick and vigilant while attending. The honor (there is no prize per se) goes to the team that manages to build and fly one the highest and furthest -- although how that is determined is quite vague. So, enjoy the photos. We'll check in again during or after our next journey. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNHMs9UVOLJTZN-25GxNnQewh5hloOMSEUGJMpDr4IEaeQoPrfdY74vSdFJi4FebJetRehJUrKfeKqTcT6rL6id95RvzkF3KaCsdiQEwlIOo3u1jCNjKGCgD5hyoTCOW-WqCnV7MBS0GuJuSfXLODQSzljYv6PWGxxxHeRoZ1WPW_pBgMOtgeE50e9g/s4608/1Globos%20Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNHMs9UVOLJTZN-25GxNnQewh5hloOMSEUGJMpDr4IEaeQoPrfdY74vSdFJi4FebJetRehJUrKfeKqTcT6rL6id95RvzkF3KaCsdiQEwlIOo3u1jCNjKGCgD5hyoTCOW-WqCnV7MBS0GuJuSfXLODQSzljYv6PWGxxxHeRoZ1WPW_pBgMOtgeE50e9g/w480-h640/1Globos%20Prep.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a team effort to launch the globos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYylqy4UgfqYR-pQMIzncYzbbgKD-DSjplWuarVltt8A2nrl3tlAAlxRZH5ccbrmOS9wmu47cvSQHyQ6s6PwAzdruWSosqLa3xX_7jqqWPgcOaK8ypM-2Au341DdrWKpa64u7YkELcIKZ7PdQ-_CbcsX7pcdDW0lO3KoKxYxOYjBMNu6ciZQS_CWZkA/s4608/2Globos%20Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYylqy4UgfqYR-pQMIzncYzbbgKD-DSjplWuarVltt8A2nrl3tlAAlxRZH5ccbrmOS9wmu47cvSQHyQ6s6PwAzdruWSosqLa3xX_7jqqWPgcOaK8ypM-2Au341DdrWKpa64u7YkELcIKZ7PdQ-_CbcsX7pcdDW0lO3KoKxYxOYjBMNu6ciZQS_CWZkA/w480-h640/2Globos%20Prep.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3Y07pUhu21G6BSiaNzyw7SmqS2i10ZQlg3oBkMQZU0CRQydD1VXY4nswTTzAbYYPx6OImT3UVHcB3_MLBr_cjNEphDnKVhVsP1C_g7Zg4enw4gbzn8lvkoLVo9e5QTJm7HrVjPdHfMSIEbs_qdeh_0tpwjV-QXD2omQb6OJlTw6CFR_iH99-eMHOKA/s4608/3Globos%20Vendor.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3Y07pUhu21G6BSiaNzyw7SmqS2i10ZQlg3oBkMQZU0CRQydD1VXY4nswTTzAbYYPx6OImT3UVHcB3_MLBr_cjNEphDnKVhVsP1C_g7Zg4enw4gbzn8lvkoLVo9e5QTJm7HrVjPdHfMSIEbs_qdeh_0tpwjV-QXD2omQb6OJlTw6CFR_iH99-eMHOKA/w480-h640/3Globos%20Vendor.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vendors hawk their wares, taking advantage of the crowds gathered to watch the launches, in this case stacks of cotton candy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE37UO4SKHdgv0XxD6DvF_C_bUZDA0JQfFTpp0Pn9rohU9cPC4y1ZfuUrMlYKicqM5tp_Nfk0RmhpA6Qs7ID4clU7LXgGuuJ738ZffAY3oUCkNR2vAcktbQ7NXfiiwEqjaxBn7wYe5yqSMeqfi9BVtMFth7sUE5PqLQfItY79K0j2CLym6KuV8Dl9gxg/s4608/4Globos%20Prep%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE37UO4SKHdgv0XxD6DvF_C_bUZDA0JQfFTpp0Pn9rohU9cPC4y1ZfuUrMlYKicqM5tp_Nfk0RmhpA6Qs7ID4clU7LXgGuuJ738ZffAY3oUCkNR2vAcktbQ7NXfiiwEqjaxBn7wYe5yqSMeqfi9BVtMFth7sUE5PqLQfItY79K0j2CLym6KuV8Dl9gxg/w480-h640/4Globos%20Prep%20.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This next series of photos shows the total team effort required to launch a single globos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkarsZSs2GbclDASfSSjUuZaLuKxqFk_8EbDxhSoihVlHuTvMUu4q6T7SYM7hLtlKgAFq_Dhu9d14noASm6AA-lbDIvYTZKxH8gNzfu0Y7A7y8qbMF-Q9I206oAyqwnV1mvTAZk522Hjy_EFQY3M2Mtaluglfwdm86Q-skCr9Je7nE3w9bIQf8LYFVg/s4608/5Globos%20Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkarsZSs2GbclDASfSSjUuZaLuKxqFk_8EbDxhSoihVlHuTvMUu4q6T7SYM7hLtlKgAFq_Dhu9d14noASm6AA-lbDIvYTZKxH8gNzfu0Y7A7y8qbMF-Q9I206oAyqwnV1mvTAZk522Hjy_EFQY3M2Mtaluglfwdm86Q-skCr9Je7nE3w9bIQf8LYFVg/w480-h640/5Globos%20Prep.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsbuQfX5fGq1XjeVejMxPZsAZuqdHwLIovKsAps7Wi8Y1p6jaCG8q-l8ts_LaHvvNGAutup0cNWqrlDT6WerL7DIqPXafzv2SlQ8c2SNBjOeEbsmanpPpyKNBRhMbOREDujg29bhVGHHbJBqrGDGuKS13RZ8HlwV448yOCdMg3dBiUCCPGvXsF7zZHQ/s4608/6Globos%20Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsbuQfX5fGq1XjeVejMxPZsAZuqdHwLIovKsAps7Wi8Y1p6jaCG8q-l8ts_LaHvvNGAutup0cNWqrlDT6WerL7DIqPXafzv2SlQ8c2SNBjOeEbsmanpPpyKNBRhMbOREDujg29bhVGHHbJBqrGDGuKS13RZ8HlwV448yOCdMg3dBiUCCPGvXsF7zZHQ/w480-h640/6Globos%20Prep.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxALuNGszhsq9QyQKJVjqZcS9tQf3kA82F_zDJBQmj3vppVFTIGUdacfYVCmyCpiYpu3_qa0P4gda-42hnhzAo42MLhgzo4VJLccXm8MTasuHcl2SK3ZuRLZn-M9tSWlOlu5nVwCR18e5qvqlGbZXEIr-5tDorsN8uV9dgPp-yYxSuUQ_cfTzevkJYIA/s4608/7Globos%20Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxALuNGszhsq9QyQKJVjqZcS9tQf3kA82F_zDJBQmj3vppVFTIGUdacfYVCmyCpiYpu3_qa0P4gda-42hnhzAo42MLhgzo4VJLccXm8MTasuHcl2SK3ZuRLZn-M9tSWlOlu5nVwCR18e5qvqlGbZXEIr-5tDorsN8uV9dgPp-yYxSuUQ_cfTzevkJYIA/w480-h640/7Globos%20Prep.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_BF90mYOBiipTQZVKfo_t-MgRRhtUBFp-7iYpiZcttInF6SIWj4OlP6KMZw3XJeoRAnmfO9Yw42Vz3lOoli0AT3Rbb67CUJM-m7N6tbkQAXh8r-c6WqVtutBtioOtxO0dxbcrFv3VCKZSUXkc5XcvUgbjnnpDuk10kxYGtexVKcyNILM0DpHX0L3dQ/s4608/8Globos%20Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_BF90mYOBiipTQZVKfo_t-MgRRhtUBFp-7iYpiZcttInF6SIWj4OlP6KMZw3XJeoRAnmfO9Yw42Vz3lOoli0AT3Rbb67CUJM-m7N6tbkQAXh8r-c6WqVtutBtioOtxO0dxbcrFv3VCKZSUXkc5XcvUgbjnnpDuk10kxYGtexVKcyNILM0DpHX0L3dQ/w480-h640/8Globos%20Prep.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5biqQQc1Izcg4ZgBMCdNYTpC5d3Csff0F-qyhjCcn9zlZf1PjIX0Ba8nsKBLln7Ylg9wBoLAUxQhpaEFSW_Vqm2lnE9lLcSpNb0PkEZKLMhBFKW7gNONASNypnLRhXiMJF2xYywiy_mcU8M9E5hgRh2FkKiYzTa5Ny9P4E9bTP5YzV1ggxQszxBS9Q/s4608/9Globos%20Take-off.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5biqQQc1Izcg4ZgBMCdNYTpC5d3Csff0F-qyhjCcn9zlZf1PjIX0Ba8nsKBLln7Ylg9wBoLAUxQhpaEFSW_Vqm2lnE9lLcSpNb0PkEZKLMhBFKW7gNONASNypnLRhXiMJF2xYywiy_mcU8M9E5hgRh2FkKiYzTa5Ny9P4E9bTP5YzV1ggxQszxBS9Q/w480-h640/9Globos%20Take-off.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A successful launch at last!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX_c6MwOd0c74ALWWpzJnhADQJOLOEPJyr09s8zz5z2oXj4vBUx99M92YqBib4ATpevt4p9HPnMa4fG8EK5pY1Rzqrke-r8a37KJST9clVxXBR549rIB5mpZdRkDl7kxdIaz0jK2EpOJDUBmvlgLc-fkkJrwg8gghzpe65fPe5hnMYd0-YR3r3vi_8A/s4608/Globos1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX_c6MwOd0c74ALWWpzJnhADQJOLOEPJyr09s8zz5z2oXj4vBUx99M92YqBib4ATpevt4p9HPnMa4fG8EK5pY1Rzqrke-r8a37KJST9clVxXBR549rIB5mpZdRkDl7kxdIaz0jK2EpOJDUBmvlgLc-fkkJrwg8gghzpe65fPe5hnMYd0-YR3r3vi_8A/w480-h640/Globos1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the photos of some of these colorful globos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK_0c2iFi-3C_eFlQT6TVa5NHL8CxyDcTH5UfEhyIEKQh1bwOQF4O7On1IAn19grPGU5HXpJ6v3cCeg857fMLarqskC7pSVedNPx7iHnShgi4dXdnw8sePonaAdFli4ufVg3cr6EkqudwNE6YlNuPJGx9IKU1VI1EtgVRa3jpN1eqnu6jILgD9so_RA/s4608/Globos2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK_0c2iFi-3C_eFlQT6TVa5NHL8CxyDcTH5UfEhyIEKQh1bwOQF4O7On1IAn19grPGU5HXpJ6v3cCeg857fMLarqskC7pSVedNPx7iHnShgi4dXdnw8sePonaAdFli4ufVg3cr6EkqudwNE6YlNuPJGx9IKU1VI1EtgVRa3jpN1eqnu6jILgD9so_RA/w480-h640/Globos2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BqiTUuFswmrHPWzj6HqrIoFmiXQvtI-GG46rgREcAKiJ2D1pEwG_Km9Jlm4uUCRULUP79WguPlmQg23JjHWNNyyBsVVaTNWiYVPoCBJ0EX1egU6PwFAOld0VSGO7lbhKPdcSV8z1b_KOK8RzfojpZyQmKP-zKwinPchOSNt173S2Yiz0cr5o0hrnqw/s4608/Globos3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BqiTUuFswmrHPWzj6HqrIoFmiXQvtI-GG46rgREcAKiJ2D1pEwG_Km9Jlm4uUCRULUP79WguPlmQg23JjHWNNyyBsVVaTNWiYVPoCBJ0EX1egU6PwFAOld0VSGO7lbhKPdcSV8z1b_KOK8RzfojpZyQmKP-zKwinPchOSNt173S2Yiz0cr5o0hrnqw/w640-h480/Globos3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKtsW_3-mbNRNpT74HrydLjdAW3Y1t0zIbVU2MAgrzuFep6fqTiAposXK2GBE0honhPo8aB1TbNeC_4Iv4A8kXXXK8BFSVv2v1HH2SKbh6stn9NxcXPGiHzEbcc-FaMjthnfuHVuYsqp-AYaaHq4YnLJkispGQ77XEqv9gGWCZcI3PVc7ebu0-ODqhw/s4608/Globos4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKtsW_3-mbNRNpT74HrydLjdAW3Y1t0zIbVU2MAgrzuFep6fqTiAposXK2GBE0honhPo8aB1TbNeC_4Iv4A8kXXXK8BFSVv2v1HH2SKbh6stn9NxcXPGiHzEbcc-FaMjthnfuHVuYsqp-AYaaHq4YnLJkispGQ77XEqv9gGWCZcI3PVc7ebu0-ODqhw/w480-h640/Globos4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwWoEdVUbV8kDCn94ClZCVMUp17esCWVtsgRD-ibhzA7fQ80Z3W03Rp02R-ABU0IH2p7_SB_yrFI8T_YRonxPPho4UExoVAe1UWKxFmOAN-3Vb2RVv60e8BxIoxBmx-idGs33m4633VC2GKxjoGjBeLhAhFBEAPNGfbCAiNqtjnD1_8KHX9QHN3z2sQ/s4608/Globos5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwWoEdVUbV8kDCn94ClZCVMUp17esCWVtsgRD-ibhzA7fQ80Z3W03Rp02R-ABU0IH2p7_SB_yrFI8T_YRonxPPho4UExoVAe1UWKxFmOAN-3Vb2RVv60e8BxIoxBmx-idGs33m4633VC2GKxjoGjBeLhAhFBEAPNGfbCAiNqtjnD1_8KHX9QHN3z2sQ/w640-h480/Globos5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This globos met an untimely demise.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWDa0Jod_lrSh9em9D_rS-SpDqsf1ij9mPNy31aq_W4jWKVusH0FsCZLhObC8sGmSt_kXetWGdlkXccux3k_bvwOXzBrCANV-9j9xYaeWYKw89IZh8TQ9QCvQDykE3DG5ujPsKmwPAxZzlqDBUFkQB0Fx-DdHZnkQj4xHIHYloVEk4xv_4ewqs9g9oQ/s4608/Globos6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWDa0Jod_lrSh9em9D_rS-SpDqsf1ij9mPNy31aq_W4jWKVusH0FsCZLhObC8sGmSt_kXetWGdlkXccux3k_bvwOXzBrCANV-9j9xYaeWYKw89IZh8TQ9QCvQDykE3DG5ujPsKmwPAxZzlqDBUFkQB0Fx-DdHZnkQj4xHIHYloVEk4xv_4ewqs9g9oQ/w480-h640/Globos6.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwZO_2bt5676HyK1yrGMTZOEyMIECrq4qs25V5cEqefX_7KYDE_Qz2q_FVXNSzOwPF7BKW_X0EbSkwPO2eduDBMaNs9VH9UEc-QutEveZZRnexTmBrZPOu-eJRlV5QKAVnCLXm49_ctzT1OdV05Y7hmyZ0IKT_lzkkbHNvPvl9FnTY9P-B2vRudrAvA/s4608/Globos7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwZO_2bt5676HyK1yrGMTZOEyMIECrq4qs25V5cEqefX_7KYDE_Qz2q_FVXNSzOwPF7BKW_X0EbSkwPO2eduDBMaNs9VH9UEc-QutEveZZRnexTmBrZPOu-eJRlV5QKAVnCLXm49_ctzT1OdV05Y7hmyZ0IKT_lzkkbHNvPvl9FnTY9P-B2vRudrAvA/w640-h480/Globos7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDRhfipm91MGsbb_XlZfX8IjeAFtrU6BbfNSp01qhoGYITIsYsfuqW4lhU5wfscfjGPy8CELm8SSBBa7ASF4CHakYepv_1G_PeXeX7gOnE4hJgBdL8PbUUx7uQxjriXtMPjeVF0OeZOEOQHD75W42juZdOEtPU47Bs4swpyAtns2PV35Rclnl1XSRgg/s4608/Globos8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDRhfipm91MGsbb_XlZfX8IjeAFtrU6BbfNSp01qhoGYITIsYsfuqW4lhU5wfscfjGPy8CELm8SSBBa7ASF4CHakYepv_1G_PeXeX7gOnE4hJgBdL8PbUUx7uQxjriXtMPjeVF0OeZOEOQHD75W42juZdOEtPU47Bs4swpyAtns2PV35Rclnl1XSRgg/w640-h480/Globos8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwTMa9T8gl6vieWKgmeRGubKnmGWMW6-X0JYTbEZptA3qe6lhy5CFq5pH_JmT9DrOHs_wypDh_01ql62JwNz_jcZhhcLeq2_ZD1WolKciyPIKcakFdk_6h_d86AdBBoYuC5Gb9nokqLeVRfOEHs9Zq5z1fBQPtNoBZ3PuInhtvyjId82XWQ4Kq1Jsxw/s4608/Globos9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwTMa9T8gl6vieWKgmeRGubKnmGWMW6-X0JYTbEZptA3qe6lhy5CFq5pH_JmT9DrOHs_wypDh_01ql62JwNz_jcZhhcLeq2_ZD1WolKciyPIKcakFdk_6h_d86AdBBoYuC5Gb9nokqLeVRfOEHs9Zq5z1fBQPtNoBZ3PuInhtvyjId82XWQ4Kq1Jsxw/w640-h480/Globos9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbaUNh9NFPXKy3zqPMh42qyBoMv_SEgpH8Z3qAtPdmZQWb9Yr4u9mzMs6NS3-Yb8QCWBmTF5_pwxhpbrEZOHbbESCK5VPdpFeLMZW4CQbkikR1ieeA_JnRSkBqGAtf0D8NB4I0Xz-CUX3j0HAkPmmxOps5vqsMEFsKF9jUBd_OzajmLgMpP3GZygo3Q/s4608/Globos10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbaUNh9NFPXKy3zqPMh42qyBoMv_SEgpH8Z3qAtPdmZQWb9Yr4u9mzMs6NS3-Yb8QCWBmTF5_pwxhpbrEZOHbbESCK5VPdpFeLMZW4CQbkikR1ieeA_JnRSkBqGAtf0D8NB4I0Xz-CUX3j0HAkPmmxOps5vqsMEFsKF9jUBd_OzajmLgMpP3GZygo3Q/w640-h480/Globos10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Adios for now. We're off on our next adventure. Enjoy the beginning of fall or the end of rainy season depending on your locale.</p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-65790579460518793432022-09-15T16:31:00.001-05:002022-09-15T16:31:44.169-05:00That Long and Winding Road....<p> <u>The Home Stretch</u></p><p>We left the reunion with the emotions we always leave with (pardon the dangling participle). Gratitude for the warmth and laughter and coziness of people who have known you basically forever and a tinge of sadness that some of us may not make the next one. It is ever thus. But it was time for us to gird ourselves for the final sprint to home. The next stop was Michael's sister in Louisville for a brief follow up visit with Patricia and Michael. They were attending a reunion of Michael's fraternity on their way home so we actually beat them to Louisville -- a rather boring and arduous 9 hour drive from Harbor Springs. However, nestled in the sumptuous guest room beneath down coverlet and luxurious sheets we recouped and were ready for the next event.</p><p><u>You Go Van Gogh </u></p><p>Patricia and Michael had gotten tickets for the Van Gogh exhibit (immersive it was billed) at the Louisville Convention Center venue. Our friends, Sally and Mike, had seen it in Guadalajara and thought it was outstanding so we were psyched. Laura and Daryl had seen it in Houston but the venue had to be moved for some reason and they were less than impressed so we weren't sure what to expect. It was marvelous. If you can see it, do. Michael's photos will give you a better idea but photos are static and this exhibit was constantly shifting and moving. You were in the sunflower fields, you were swept up into the starry night. Just terrific. I opined that if we were our younger selves this would be an excellent artistic opportunity to be seriously stoned. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzy8EMOJMaFxZbs01RR5R7FbAW_VEHUyR0t1eE3RQMUrumoLIk1sNmaSFgzQjgHYLhb1Eaz8SZmzN0Ni63x9PitWGfbsTmVfgqEPBdyntG_Iy0Is1mZUXuYkjB2o3ZR52mEG3AqpWGpYfCVxtiT6WwTKwSmwfkgU1_WO8d76IdJLvE0dAw9ORRLSTmA/s4032/1People%20Viewing%20VG.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzy8EMOJMaFxZbs01RR5R7FbAW_VEHUyR0t1eE3RQMUrumoLIk1sNmaSFgzQjgHYLhb1Eaz8SZmzN0Ni63x9PitWGfbsTmVfgqEPBdyntG_Iy0Is1mZUXuYkjB2o3ZR52mEG3AqpWGpYfCVxtiT6WwTKwSmwfkgU1_WO8d76IdJLvE0dAw9ORRLSTmA/w640-h480/1People%20Viewing%20VG.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People enjoying the visual experience of Van Gogh.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mc6OZ1btWeFEVxPXej8QDxwqvVYCP3aJOsxKBTXJ-IdXBhI9IMbm4RnU-DATdbnDXe4rN0bFlsMENaEZBXdtCFEzCeDRxg-b48oH0l--j-jDlrysCecB-qbqvjJ-Y0o0mOtmWwV1F9_bUyN9bPdSPz1qAnq8-ZDXh4HwLKR0eN7IgFTuO1-HWUvnow/s4032/2House%20w.%20brush%20strokes.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mc6OZ1btWeFEVxPXej8QDxwqvVYCP3aJOsxKBTXJ-IdXBhI9IMbm4RnU-DATdbnDXe4rN0bFlsMENaEZBXdtCFEzCeDRxg-b48oH0l--j-jDlrysCecB-qbqvjJ-Y0o0mOtmWwV1F9_bUyN9bPdSPz1qAnq8-ZDXh4HwLKR0eN7IgFTuO1-HWUvnow/w640-h480/2House%20w.%20brush%20strokes.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was an immersive experience which allowed you to see the detail & the evolution of Van Gogh's art.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1ykZa7jTGi6lxaVexUt4f75ZTLkPRQoyAh_oKHDGfxw-ZJZqb5-biYYNoFSpZdZsf7OoO9U9_nbsWVRGi9Sa_F463OGRsidY9lryC0XZg-A48nNqH41xDb3loCG4JNNS9eD47q1oEDng9rWm9A0dGPpxGM5fd01KFprYZD1kxtJG38u3lfHsW3Dbww/s4032/3Here%20comes%20the%20Sun.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1ykZa7jTGi6lxaVexUt4f75ZTLkPRQoyAh_oKHDGfxw-ZJZqb5-biYYNoFSpZdZsf7OoO9U9_nbsWVRGi9Sa_F463OGRsidY9lryC0XZg-A48nNqH41xDb3loCG4JNNS9eD47q1oEDng9rWm9A0dGPpxGM5fd01KFprYZD1kxtJG38u3lfHsW3Dbww/w640-h480/3Here%20comes%20the%20Sun.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30mQk9JN1PBNBFxbNI2VtX3Ya_gCPAcoONmBlqKSz8PPSv_fBgY-pl5P1np18_DMz6z8JFGafzpO9ylgdRAGRVAolSa5VB2th8ukd3a26kdBeKEM6EPWzjmVVxG4_HTSqpHD4p6i-NUKjMq0TrrwqEG610NqsW8CARkqQaSv1lwNuEBvHujP5mfQFkg/s4032/4Sails%20on%20the%20Seine.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30mQk9JN1PBNBFxbNI2VtX3Ya_gCPAcoONmBlqKSz8PPSv_fBgY-pl5P1np18_DMz6z8JFGafzpO9ylgdRAGRVAolSa5VB2th8ukd3a26kdBeKEM6EPWzjmVVxG4_HTSqpHD4p6i-NUKjMq0TrrwqEG610NqsW8CARkqQaSv1lwNuEBvHujP5mfQFkg/w640-h480/4Sails%20on%20the%20Seine.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp_jcHoki-0MGGgHtkbg2UXag9FAIYSo6sJDxPnmfBvbRKDskfeESBYKrR8aomnK2_UX-UDfHv2vqhrUnOJq6aXPYl_gJ-vzQwoPrRN3c1DhRffaEfP2dsdAeCRudTF6m80v1kPLbkWr6tHCgDBLtV1TffB8vNbQtrR50BaYVzL1DLe2nHXvMwiGX5g/s4032/5People2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp_jcHoki-0MGGgHtkbg2UXag9FAIYSo6sJDxPnmfBvbRKDskfeESBYKrR8aomnK2_UX-UDfHv2vqhrUnOJq6aXPYl_gJ-vzQwoPrRN3c1DhRffaEfP2dsdAeCRudTF6m80v1kPLbkWr6tHCgDBLtV1TffB8vNbQtrR50BaYVzL1DLe2nHXvMwiGX5g/w640-h480/5People2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTiU2IX8OHbSWBce9Pf07Mg-qFZEmoI0GieoxkSgP4b_NTICnrJNtjNwc2fZSE6lcYoKUlA9QZpsazweYtLvUlsMdIGd-LW3ed9LvaM3wvWdDIgvKakTgmQL0sL84p90yzNMZ6J1TbObNcNqEIL7UlGb4KYxiq3Sxf5ZvShxW7rTBve6U6bzc9E__2A/s4032/5Self%20Portrait1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTiU2IX8OHbSWBce9Pf07Mg-qFZEmoI0GieoxkSgP4b_NTICnrJNtjNwc2fZSE6lcYoKUlA9QZpsazweYtLvUlsMdIGd-LW3ed9LvaM3wvWdDIgvKakTgmQL0sL84p90yzNMZ6J1TbObNcNqEIL7UlGb4KYxiq3Sxf5ZvShxW7rTBve6U6bzc9E__2A/w640-h480/5Self%20Portrait1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfQcXAKuoewNIY7BIEWR-p77KBaXEjpVPBOAjtS59jUflObzDoXtNJFzf7K3sFGr8iWEGmO5I7MXCEojIs4LZyOVzhL628zM6pJduZ7SvzubhpPc9nbpIkfLcKAjBvM_d54s_F2S370Dg2g2HITkWciHRzDGXLpKB0OQurXluYxBUpVD_zYm5h83UxQ/s4032/6Room%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfQcXAKuoewNIY7BIEWR-p77KBaXEjpVPBOAjtS59jUflObzDoXtNJFzf7K3sFGr8iWEGmO5I7MXCEojIs4LZyOVzhL628zM6pJduZ7SvzubhpPc9nbpIkfLcKAjBvM_d54s_F2S370Dg2g2HITkWciHRzDGXLpKB0OQurXluYxBUpVD_zYm5h83UxQ/w640-h480/6Room%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbx1MMwfc0AsPkZ3EQm0FCkvUS8d-IRAo7okQnKZS9tj_caKgqlYfuuA9anmLxIS67jSCrPGiMizKJRWR1_4S1pf3w9_cqKBwa0Ks1_yRcUj_IdIp11a9nnJMbm1Z18gQtuzp1jiT4fbbomYV8WoXw79-xMdcgjQVT-LgHl41JFXmkQf2gXEzMo6Djw/s4032/7Self%20Portrait2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbx1MMwfc0AsPkZ3EQm0FCkvUS8d-IRAo7okQnKZS9tj_caKgqlYfuuA9anmLxIS67jSCrPGiMizKJRWR1_4S1pf3w9_cqKBwa0Ks1_yRcUj_IdIp11a9nnJMbm1Z18gQtuzp1jiT4fbbomYV8WoXw79-xMdcgjQVT-LgHl41JFXmkQf2gXEzMo6Djw/w640-h480/7Self%20Portrait2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ6mdUTrvNgOWBhdrf3lLABvpSP7J-kWubej7QKNDGXQ73ACb8V4Yzg-hhx0E4QK9x2eRqIsQG8iPBFdQ1RrSKN67a9fUXbdTBkLJes6-8DDrcFbUA7Vr_vI4krQtineVak4QP-a1bRpNa84d84tDj2I6bhIvzgpEcGKiVKB1KlN605mzTbV3vPMKNQ/s4032/8Self%20Portrait3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ6mdUTrvNgOWBhdrf3lLABvpSP7J-kWubej7QKNDGXQ73ACb8V4Yzg-hhx0E4QK9x2eRqIsQG8iPBFdQ1RrSKN67a9fUXbdTBkLJes6-8DDrcFbUA7Vr_vI4krQtineVak4QP-a1bRpNa84d84tDj2I6bhIvzgpEcGKiVKB1KlN605mzTbV3vPMKNQ/w480-h640/8Self%20Portrait3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFbkCmMWOyNCkc3FTeMZebLCHpPvt9hVDlIofukI_qAb60KgWlEMbGSexmmtOBP2XdegW-oJIcgHhFshaNr_qcYrIu6q-2XP_UkBuUSTidr6I8wfN0cgucw_i7fFaXdBYjFEttiag8_HZ1dCKtl2BezJDEIYhlY9y936MrksIWJGj54Q0aumSgpMFlA/s4032/9Self%20Portrait%204.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFbkCmMWOyNCkc3FTeMZebLCHpPvt9hVDlIofukI_qAb60KgWlEMbGSexmmtOBP2XdegW-oJIcgHhFshaNr_qcYrIu6q-2XP_UkBuUSTidr6I8wfN0cgucw_i7fFaXdBYjFEttiag8_HZ1dCKtl2BezJDEIYhlY9y936MrksIWJGj54Q0aumSgpMFlA/w640-h480/9Self%20Portrait%204.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XDloIFKCxEaB2t-9UiijDBUUqL0WfIZ6W3x31ifVzVA7oa__png-NgjDg5Dkfgq4uSFjXnbzT6XOoV99-4289atdTs0WD5j41TEe2XG656QRFXk4SkHHeBv5qjZ3vsmziVUkUvLv-E2fA8iWbN39JCtsxvHvI5VANvGp5IhluDXunX6NqVhJhcoGWQ/s4032/10Flowers.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XDloIFKCxEaB2t-9UiijDBUUqL0WfIZ6W3x31ifVzVA7oa__png-NgjDg5Dkfgq4uSFjXnbzT6XOoV99-4289atdTs0WD5j41TEe2XG656QRFXk4SkHHeBv5qjZ3vsmziVUkUvLv-E2fA8iWbN39JCtsxvHvI5VANvGp5IhluDXunX6NqVhJhcoGWQ/w640-h480/10Flowers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPso1dZfPwNblFPzxxiqNzK4481kFG_Ql5tgthrC8u42ZYhCBW_XmOZwirmhEwIdiu50gwWljDsjYQPHzePfBDFpv_2qt5WRP6W9VEy7Hnj5yoBINTQh5FLim9SEnFvUL5txiVLYZ4bKBL9HUC3TRKFrzPrYW_PeXbIVL_2MuWnWm9VvZcUVv9KCOSYA/s4032/11Flowers2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPso1dZfPwNblFPzxxiqNzK4481kFG_Ql5tgthrC8u42ZYhCBW_XmOZwirmhEwIdiu50gwWljDsjYQPHzePfBDFpv_2qt5WRP6W9VEy7Hnj5yoBINTQh5FLim9SEnFvUL5txiVLYZ4bKBL9HUC3TRKFrzPrYW_PeXbIVL_2MuWnWm9VvZcUVv9KCOSYA/w480-h640/11Flowers2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOHIqw7Nt-0mlQnehOnTpZ0jW2_OhkA2IUfLGALKZJ-P0MdR8TCUIa5LIqwZdfoyf2sio_GM4n3AwwZK6QEaD9Xjk_KM6n0AOcFBniXmn_9s5UWKrOog7ZAZFLiKKS1vKzGMexDWVbk-dq4gilQrCeIgR9FvUNSj30OYtU7o0o8ORRu5q6lFGXidxLg/s4032/12Two%20Portraits.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOHIqw7Nt-0mlQnehOnTpZ0jW2_OhkA2IUfLGALKZJ-P0MdR8TCUIa5LIqwZdfoyf2sio_GM4n3AwwZK6QEaD9Xjk_KM6n0AOcFBniXmn_9s5UWKrOog7ZAZFLiKKS1vKzGMexDWVbk-dq4gilQrCeIgR9FvUNSj30OYtU7o0o8ORRu5q6lFGXidxLg/w640-h480/12Two%20Portraits.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AazCv0gC1A" target="_blank">Van Gogh Video</a><br /></p><p>To get an idea of the unique nature of the exhibit, click on the Van Gogh Video above. All the scenes moved like this one but I thought this was the most striking. </p><p><u>From Van Gogh to a visit to The King</u></p><p>Next stop Memphis. At first we were just going to breeze through Memphis but then we realized we couldn't traverse Memphis without visiting the home of Rock and Roll (not to mention the Blues) and the King of Rock Elvis. We decided to go full in and stay at The Guest House at Graceland. I anticipated being surrounded by Elvis impersonators and assorted weirdos but was disappointed to only find rather boringly dressed, devoted Elvis folk. The hotel is a bit over the top -- although the pool was outstanding. </p><p>The first afternoon we did a pilgrimage to Sun Records. Anyone who was anyone recorded there (Elvis, Johnny Cash, B.B.King, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison etc.) In the 60s the studio moved next door and the original studio was sealed up and remained "as was" until they opened it up for tours. One of the best tours we've ever taken. Apparently, one night (December 4, 1956) Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all just dropped by Sun. Of course they jammed. And, of course, Sam Phillips -- who owned Sun-- couldn't resist recording them on the sly. By that time Elvis was recording with RCA so what Sam did wasn't really kosher. The jam session didn't see the light of day for more than a decade. We called Justin and Alex to see if they wanted T-shirts from Sun and their answers were so emblematic of the two of them. Justin: "My God, Sun Records? Of course!" Alex: "Sun Records? What? Oh, Jeez you mean the studio The Trailer Park Boys stopped at?" The Trailer Park Boys is a TV series of very dubious artistic merit that Alex and I love. When I told the tour guide about Alex's reply he said, "Oh yeah! That was a ripping episode." I almost felt young.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3djOMjOyE-vQZjm7mZDJyeKCw0xg_TIr2ljuE3KnrbjVQVdZaNsIqbCrpn4FIQS1KdgBdCroDvuKJsNBkpczGBfMX7bstbLWWg-V9hTApCksDQrP-Z0xsHPQ9dhqtLGilE4AjhGE2pne-TdvIJfBUGdv3Fymfg3Mp4Y64VYD176-ONRgNy7hH0GuLqQ/s4032/1WHBQ%20Studio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3djOMjOyE-vQZjm7mZDJyeKCw0xg_TIr2ljuE3KnrbjVQVdZaNsIqbCrpn4FIQS1KdgBdCroDvuKJsNBkpczGBfMX7bstbLWWg-V9hTApCksDQrP-Z0xsHPQ9dhqtLGilE4AjhGE2pne-TdvIJfBUGdv3Fymfg3Mp4Y64VYD176-ONRgNy7hH0GuLqQ/w640-h480/1WHBQ%20Studio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the original broadcast booth where "Daddy-O" Dewey Phillips broadcast his "Red, Hot & Blue" radio shows from 1953-1959 from inside the Hotel Chisca. The studio was carefully removed from the abandoned hotel and reconstructed at Sun Studio in January 2014.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ziHjOeJEMG-TiBZFjGQgDkLNjjLuJSd_8lyauZxAnCncIJ8RAfLNQdb_hbEiRJitoeZT-MlWZag7Uu4XLcATUtv6bicY28Y0_JeZwktCrFThrguxtdq28pwl_PkABcXBvZgvYqEBpxJO1QuHMEbOZOhHNWBLQbkVCdmS0Pq7dJ6VoQ11KTwP-tQOzQ/s4032/2Memphis%20Recording%20Service.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ziHjOeJEMG-TiBZFjGQgDkLNjjLuJSd_8lyauZxAnCncIJ8RAfLNQdb_hbEiRJitoeZT-MlWZag7Uu4XLcATUtv6bicY28Y0_JeZwktCrFThrguxtdq28pwl_PkABcXBvZgvYqEBpxJO1QuHMEbOZOhHNWBLQbkVCdmS0Pq7dJ6VoQ11KTwP-tQOzQ/w640-h480/2Memphis%20Recording%20Service.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Phillips (no relation to Dewey) founded Memphis Recording Service, later named Sun Studio. Sam recorded Elvis Presley's first record, "That's All Right". In 1954 Sam gave the recording to Dewey Phillips to play on his wildly popular radio show. After nearly fifty phone calls, fourteen telegrams and spinning the record over a dozen times, the song was an instant hit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTH99QkrKby688aGjc9oakYbUERj2stzloYPYu5eeoPoLHxBpThQrrlzf9i16-eiwDHPTSsYfBuoptH7qX8YsZRidwvlprpr9ClBtIaOPq0TqmqsUpxHf4psiSR3Sl0OsEsLVWOaueH370s_6yxPcb9h-YxKDdKjJXiiN7creai5V69cD9DJM140ntA/s4032/3Sun%20recording%20studio.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTH99QkrKby688aGjc9oakYbUERj2stzloYPYu5eeoPoLHxBpThQrrlzf9i16-eiwDHPTSsYfBuoptH7qX8YsZRidwvlprpr9ClBtIaOPq0TqmqsUpxHf4psiSR3Sl0OsEsLVWOaueH370s_6yxPcb9h-YxKDdKjJXiiN7creai5V69cD9DJM140ntA/w640-h480/3Sun%20recording%20studio.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual Sun Studio recording booth and room, with musical instruments scattered around the studio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtdM-6HlM84sbODZ7SqURmq-_LgToXIBz6aRJH_OEJLFf1YUHNke_vWTIm6jE336RWbgS8S7pMyEJhEw_jUr_kyAPlHa0XLzfSb5OVtV4x3i3gov07cQ1T9wuG5mH0vR8Q_Ae064_NnOsqx4BgFklLEaf9lqt3pGKcpJWtQqU-J5O4q1C6NNplZBxSw/s4032/4Sun%20studio%20instrumentnts1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtdM-6HlM84sbODZ7SqURmq-_LgToXIBz6aRJH_OEJLFf1YUHNke_vWTIm6jE336RWbgS8S7pMyEJhEw_jUr_kyAPlHa0XLzfSb5OVtV4x3i3gov07cQ1T9wuG5mH0vR8Q_Ae064_NnOsqx4BgFklLEaf9lqt3pGKcpJWtQqU-J5O4q1C6NNplZBxSw/w640-h480/4Sun%20studio%20instrumentnts1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFeRvvfv5AYGYnCuaRjD-_kxpD1emZwot0I29dlDFrItNU0IbxxkQLmPA_jjdRcyGcH5VbRoGod4ZSVg52ivuYysGnaq06WqfJEnrTaT7Y4DzDNnyOG95nuejX8OHoBC4xs1Lqn6EzAFbdXZxCmYmsdsSWHsTUK0H3Zfbq-xfUpsdRPBj42GlyPbv_g/s4032/5Sun%20studio%20guitars.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFeRvvfv5AYGYnCuaRjD-_kxpD1emZwot0I29dlDFrItNU0IbxxkQLmPA_jjdRcyGcH5VbRoGod4ZSVg52ivuYysGnaq06WqfJEnrTaT7Y4DzDNnyOG95nuejX8OHoBC4xs1Lqn6EzAFbdXZxCmYmsdsSWHsTUK0H3Zfbq-xfUpsdRPBj42GlyPbv_g/w640-h480/5Sun%20studio%20guitars.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDHruOEaLNsCPU7Xw1R2KQBpbiPNfyQWiP4kIkymkGb72XN-WPfjSToyq-sZ1PW1vyIboo-RxrfhK2dPOvEgY5hK3q3CnMV5ozsFQZ_6KILuqEWbJYHO7lLIsik63lA31D4_fKAzwaa8DkDskVVlA7Z_QcV-khJU6DrwBA75wLvxrmfTRBy5Q0FIBg/s4032/6DSS%20@%20mic.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDHruOEaLNsCPU7Xw1R2KQBpbiPNfyQWiP4kIkymkGb72XN-WPfjSToyq-sZ1PW1vyIboo-RxrfhK2dPOvEgY5hK3q3CnMV5ozsFQZ_6KILuqEWbJYHO7lLIsik63lA31D4_fKAzwaa8DkDskVVlA7Z_QcV-khJU6DrwBA75wLvxrmfTRBy5Q0FIBg/w640-h480/6DSS%20@%20mic.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre getting an opportunity to use the mic at Sun Studio.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next day was devoted to Elvis. All Elvis, all day. And there was a lot of Elvis to explore. I do believe the man never threw away anything. I mean anything. For instance, do you still have your Middle School Diploma? And everything was displayed. First there was the mansion. the mansion was quite strange. From the outside it looked like Tara and the inside looked like a boat. Where there should have been a grand, sweeping staircase and entry hall there was a narrow little slit of a stairway that looked like you were headed to the galley of a boat. The pictures will further clarify some of the more unusual facets of the house. Then we were off to the addition to the mansion housing thousands of items (i.e. Middle School Diploma). Then there was the plane. Then there was the display of Elvis' cars -- he really liked cars. Then Elvis in the Army. Then Elvis' outfits -- he really liked outfits. We started at about 9:30 and by 2:30 I was pleading with Michael to call an end to our homage to the King. He of greater stamina relented.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYFqvwlJdXdE8IPN5Q-Trtn0lSX2MlNgOKrUlJvaTZlUM47n9mF01GRwLn79jc-eBDvqNipBu-yMXTKP9XcgTPNmZ4-kGW89-iPRGAKbJDdoj7wE0COhcTGcK2loeXcAhJnerm7zGuJMAxfCfXHjT3C42x3MzB44eqxQIGlH8-Np81MuscSCqmDUszg/s4032/1Graceland%20LR.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYFqvwlJdXdE8IPN5Q-Trtn0lSX2MlNgOKrUlJvaTZlUM47n9mF01GRwLn79jc-eBDvqNipBu-yMXTKP9XcgTPNmZ4-kGW89-iPRGAKbJDdoj7wE0COhcTGcK2loeXcAhJnerm7zGuJMAxfCfXHjT3C42x3MzB44eqxQIGlH8-Np81MuscSCqmDUszg/w640-h480/1Graceland%20LR.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The formal living room at Graceland,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlWgtsdLQ8ZEyPHQIkK_D3-czfxHibN5xjsFmFApwEHL4qbupi49xHKDaTVp8NZd8lSShxCNRskwm5YEs9O0Oqa3BbWGDHU1pwWg9zAv1a9xrLCIenbmVC7DH87SCCVO_myzSkbsSqkVAkAlEx4y2eN_MFm2fmue9lPpGe5oRvieXO-erYSlfHufELA/s4032/2Graceland%20Kitchen.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlWgtsdLQ8ZEyPHQIkK_D3-czfxHibN5xjsFmFApwEHL4qbupi49xHKDaTVp8NZd8lSShxCNRskwm5YEs9O0Oqa3BbWGDHU1pwWg9zAv1a9xrLCIenbmVC7DH87SCCVO_myzSkbsSqkVAkAlEx4y2eN_MFm2fmue9lPpGe5oRvieXO-erYSlfHufELA/w640-h480/2Graceland%20Kitchen.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kitchen,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJCvLpLAXD8x00pX_4FxGQWm7K9U2awcYEftpKa7K_SeZhVV1bfgxZumWkgznVbaFrqY440IVHa-9rJ6f3G637TBfGMY7eG1vV_ztcHMH9FA7D66sekyrBvhSnT3U4bKWNJIKOdH-wfaqtiX0dlnrOHJx-dv5_P-LPJQrbTYnMS0hsyvSkzUIWPOXsQ/s4032/3Graceland%20TV%20room.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJCvLpLAXD8x00pX_4FxGQWm7K9U2awcYEftpKa7K_SeZhVV1bfgxZumWkgznVbaFrqY440IVHa-9rJ6f3G637TBfGMY7eG1vV_ztcHMH9FA7D66sekyrBvhSnT3U4bKWNJIKOdH-wfaqtiX0dlnrOHJx-dv5_P-LPJQrbTYnMS0hsyvSkzUIWPOXsQ/w640-h480/3Graceland%20TV%20room.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "media" room, with its multiple TVs,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIMaxbloIDSgusOfzwiRKPNXKmWIS2cs3mgCowfimV1cXeKRkNPaJHEG8qJCU_WhqKYT8MlrOt_4kFlVIHlELvH0puIZLkzlovQxLXpRhwslKkMjsGcKNZX01GvHeJnIFEQL56HQUdliXGRsTS_LOyHtTnEe2y947J6MpB7ppmveut3wPf_IlSHGubQ/s4032/4Billiards%20Room.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIMaxbloIDSgusOfzwiRKPNXKmWIS2cs3mgCowfimV1cXeKRkNPaJHEG8qJCU_WhqKYT8MlrOt_4kFlVIHlELvH0puIZLkzlovQxLXpRhwslKkMjsGcKNZX01GvHeJnIFEQL56HQUdliXGRsTS_LOyHtTnEe2y947J6MpB7ppmveut3wPf_IlSHGubQ/w640-h480/4Billiards%20Room.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the billiards room with folded fabric...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPAoz7amaXU-ze8IaWwiZxlL_0WlOV8PcoLTiysDixZ1E7lo6h3UXgaxt8l60bakwZ55Hv22i9nkE-j7dGGVnsximoJUbNroxLLJ_-YUd83zrjEQ5nXX585Rpx4_SkxA9QmZY3eg5To0f3u9TuVQgmYlhBdAewk31w3888tZe22k-Z-tk4-rDzqUSig/s4032/5Folded%20fabric.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPAoz7amaXU-ze8IaWwiZxlL_0WlOV8PcoLTiysDixZ1E7lo6h3UXgaxt8l60bakwZ55Hv22i9nkE-j7dGGVnsximoJUbNroxLLJ_-YUd83zrjEQ5nXX585Rpx4_SkxA9QmZY3eg5To0f3u9TuVQgmYlhBdAewk31w3888tZe22k-Z-tk4-rDzqUSig/w640-h480/5Folded%20fabric.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which covered the walls and ceiling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7EKpfcHsKug3gCzB_rWh55VycZCqtVIlUDSwrEesJz8nALQIohcZg_syoivgNMWcnM8iOCoQFJ6KdtvMgZMRN7qa0HNHkRKUwKFW1PfnOM4ObDd8SiY7Gf4fY_Qz1EP224AnK223t4YwajnnMu6ReOdoUMtIfv7R5073LlcFkSKpKRF6hsCu0IFDUA/s4032/6Green%20Shag.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7EKpfcHsKug3gCzB_rWh55VycZCqtVIlUDSwrEesJz8nALQIohcZg_syoivgNMWcnM8iOCoQFJ6KdtvMgZMRN7qa0HNHkRKUwKFW1PfnOM4ObDd8SiY7Gf4fY_Qz1EP224AnK223t4YwajnnMu6ReOdoUMtIfv7R5073LlcFkSKpKRF6hsCu0IFDUA/w640-h480/6Green%20Shag.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green shag carpet covered the walls on the way up the stairs...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsk7xMGkcVTWYf00jRFvIpKwqDvmV7PPaiTtf0ayBu5CDowd7sLmW6LugLcGdD_I-wVjvd6-skrICQ39JnZ30XSX4YoVYSJLtMJ_MqPsjPaYOLRGmFa60MxG2_Ef9np-z4JpJH_os-l9Qw7RRq4Blvz4YuC7EBjFFtCb2-0dJyxB1eQPUicS6re6U1HA/s4032/7More%20Green%20shag.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsk7xMGkcVTWYf00jRFvIpKwqDvmV7PPaiTtf0ayBu5CDowd7sLmW6LugLcGdD_I-wVjvd6-skrICQ39JnZ30XSX4YoVYSJLtMJ_MqPsjPaYOLRGmFa60MxG2_Ef9np-z4JpJH_os-l9Qw7RRq4Blvz4YuC7EBjFFtCb2-0dJyxB1eQPUicS6re6U1HA/w640-h480/7More%20Green%20shag.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to the den with more green shag carpet on the floor and on the ceiling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki6tRVm9gEJ1JyE89ir4DI-aN9J77oEfHeSW_i1i_7Df0TOy61uCImdhzDIiX6GOcaecfWBfAm6j80_NRPM_oxNEegp_9g3XJ2dB9I0WTl8QGhaXMiYWuXfpNo49ZICeOsHDlzJx7QCTZcSL7QiOPIdzolPoOPpY3nDaDOOea5OL-H_2JeEQeqBXftA/s4032/8Rear%20house%20view.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki6tRVm9gEJ1JyE89ir4DI-aN9J77oEfHeSW_i1i_7Df0TOy61uCImdhzDIiX6GOcaecfWBfAm6j80_NRPM_oxNEegp_9g3XJ2dB9I0WTl8QGhaXMiYWuXfpNo49ZICeOsHDlzJx7QCTZcSL7QiOPIdzolPoOPpY3nDaDOOea5OL-H_2JeEQeqBXftA/w640-h480/8Rear%20house%20view.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rear view of Graceland.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMNvCVDzyFTR__BvXpqW9AtHAR34TwRrhYTyraBGcdpCprR5lUcyqGMvGvP0EGsTdQQGmylndQXmWnUE82YOiShb31Slqtilq5SNyrGeH1jFZT-xjnbqfnX1XuYnigWGj1C2L2hWqE8A3MpQXW3jdSTPa21FfDHqg0CehLHmozIDI6qopq4R3M7WitQ/s4032/9Exercise%20&%20Pinball.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMNvCVDzyFTR__BvXpqW9AtHAR34TwRrhYTyraBGcdpCprR5lUcyqGMvGvP0EGsTdQQGmylndQXmWnUE82YOiShb31Slqtilq5SNyrGeH1jFZT-xjnbqfnX1XuYnigWGj1C2L2hWqE8A3MpQXW3jdSTPa21FfDHqg0CehLHmozIDI6qopq4R3M7WitQ/w640-h480/9Exercise%20&%20Pinball.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a separate building was an exercise room, pinball machine...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_nMapmDV7LS3N6LLsEAwPMIHVZBw8kVgjoYXH5k-uSngVo3dHoUY82YxqxLDJS-ygp6cQbl2MhzPYyhqM9TOlRyMVxdBDAnYhmMqPvjXx06rO3YujUAF2KH_O3poTCo0L_2cLn3KetqAB7L8nQFTtBHMNyRK6Hrj-ePXXzwCYha2r1HdEKRGoe_OJw/s4032/10%20Squash%20Court.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_nMapmDV7LS3N6LLsEAwPMIHVZBw8kVgjoYXH5k-uSngVo3dHoUY82YxqxLDJS-ygp6cQbl2MhzPYyhqM9TOlRyMVxdBDAnYhmMqPvjXx06rO3YujUAF2KH_O3poTCo0L_2cLn3KetqAB7L8nQFTtBHMNyRK6Hrj-ePXXzwCYha2r1HdEKRGoe_OJw/w640-h480/10%20Squash%20Court.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Elvis's own personal squash court.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs9mNPaG_vHgXrlRzDAEPiSA1DvSBLgd3IdWZRsWQWBHfsGRYIB7hkNCSJjh4uj0D1lEaATPyh8U1ifumDza23V1bk1dwuMcC8HnWDYSvB40hJ_7Wb8ikdA_6ZdRkieF6N7YyDwS3h7BmNYETgGU9DFHri_frxxntEVK9pG36K09r9jeIhP2ReeTaGw/s4032/12%20Presley%20burial%20plaques.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs9mNPaG_vHgXrlRzDAEPiSA1DvSBLgd3IdWZRsWQWBHfsGRYIB7hkNCSJjh4uj0D1lEaATPyh8U1ifumDza23V1bk1dwuMcC8HnWDYSvB40hJ_7Wb8ikdA_6ZdRkieF6N7YyDwS3h7BmNYETgGU9DFHri_frxxntEVK9pG36K09r9jeIhP2ReeTaGw/w480-h640/12%20Presley%20burial%20plaques.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the side of the house just beyond the pool were the Presley family burial plots...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V99DOXaHxv3_WU53_xGd-ZzJfGY-T1X3C7e7rWO-RqCifJuFXTelWr0lttMy6PSpsqXsCdO8Aweyz53VUZioQIF3hd45cbirJbYZQ1mvU_7BjJH_KrlgUzYeuqu6wUlGRfTOw2evQKkFuF1iWw-M428xuh6_QngTRjShhcmyTSxDNwBm97XuU2HkXg/s4032/12Elvis%20Aron%20Prelsy%20burial%20plaque.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V99DOXaHxv3_WU53_xGd-ZzJfGY-T1X3C7e7rWO-RqCifJuFXTelWr0lttMy6PSpsqXsCdO8Aweyz53VUZioQIF3hd45cbirJbYZQ1mvU_7BjJH_KrlgUzYeuqu6wUlGRfTOw2evQKkFuF1iWw-M428xuh6_QngTRjShhcmyTSxDNwBm97XuU2HkXg/w480-h640/12Elvis%20Aron%20Prelsy%20burial%20plaque.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">among which is Elvis's grave.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV0yosqZJQhxQ8L-k0IW4OubSiB8XNeRZ4EzmsJ2TR-6Jy_F46jdi59wN4WXk8xnmnSejy8akg-OYpGvqKjww2g_r4-bQF30ve-z0GdMDhoZqspYe09CbRtyiSdKbYNQayQwhydH9ADJ8FkXdv2RytJ_Li20n6AhDHgDkWi7iTdc-N-mMo8xcmnl1rQ/s4032/13%20Graceland%20Front.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV0yosqZJQhxQ8L-k0IW4OubSiB8XNeRZ4EzmsJ2TR-6Jy_F46jdi59wN4WXk8xnmnSejy8akg-OYpGvqKjww2g_r4-bQF30ve-z0GdMDhoZqspYe09CbRtyiSdKbYNQayQwhydH9ADJ8FkXdv2RytJ_Li20n6AhDHgDkWi7iTdc-N-mMo8xcmnl1rQ/w640-h480/13%20Graceland%20Front.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A front view of Graceland.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3jowGoQEtN9lYnqPs3CnGDnBDqcuS_aBYyhPMlom5yAtoBi_30I5XfB-A0AwjtwAakAbxHbV1Qvbq4m59yYfW9qWW67hpi544CxVBgkUUTX6-NvtXGKzWtnwtSBOMzwbNCn7Qzppd1Q1VbuXnSvQ4QEgFci_MyMSmq899eKeRBYaNdAhjl9EmkhSpQ/s4032/14%20Cadillac1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3jowGoQEtN9lYnqPs3CnGDnBDqcuS_aBYyhPMlom5yAtoBi_30I5XfB-A0AwjtwAakAbxHbV1Qvbq4m59yYfW9qWW67hpi544CxVBgkUUTX6-NvtXGKzWtnwtSBOMzwbNCn7Qzppd1Q1VbuXnSvQ4QEgFci_MyMSmq899eKeRBYaNdAhjl9EmkhSpQ/w640-h480/14%20Cadillac1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Graceland experience is the collection of automobiles accumulated by Elvis over the years, including this purple Cadillac...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfFU2XWdBM9ZFbg46YBqgl6-x3Bsrx95ebpHEIB6ZzAensiFKW1faxsmMFDkIjvpzBRDjLZl_6TIi3YwkVgirk2jftRjAKJn7_WvjF3pQ8tWr2GZRoWZS-dP2xlqySrKScIc5B6SEKIZ2bskRtdkGN1jN8tIHYgShlegaU6b-oFK0LqYUh3YSNyb4kA/s4032/15%20Rolls%20Royce1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfFU2XWdBM9ZFbg46YBqgl6-x3Bsrx95ebpHEIB6ZzAensiFKW1faxsmMFDkIjvpzBRDjLZl_6TIi3YwkVgirk2jftRjAKJn7_WvjF3pQ8tWr2GZRoWZS-dP2xlqySrKScIc5B6SEKIZ2bskRtdkGN1jN8tIHYgShlegaU6b-oFK0LqYUh3YSNyb4kA/w640-h480/15%20Rolls%20Royce1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this sporty Rolls Royce,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjideuAKqB-5dP0rNd2mmRnqq_xpdLSII-zLieKhDHfCBB8SEDTqeOQdcUE5c6TXNSItExVLC369l2r-RWauJJUb2UyD3vq0WiG48RpN7iuhoCfa4mBprePXo4gxppPzA9UVyYreuUD4UPodLYjjvxEFbmZEhn_2tzGqGjKXLk68te3BL2xEyWi2HV--w/s4032/16Pink%20Cadillac.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjideuAKqB-5dP0rNd2mmRnqq_xpdLSII-zLieKhDHfCBB8SEDTqeOQdcUE5c6TXNSItExVLC369l2r-RWauJJUb2UyD3vq0WiG48RpN7iuhoCfa4mBprePXo4gxppPzA9UVyYreuUD4UPodLYjjvxEFbmZEhn_2tzGqGjKXLk68te3BL2xEyWi2HV--w/w640-h480/16Pink%20Cadillac.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this pink Cadillac...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz3VnPM5lU1dDaPxytwOIe7sSpIcUEZlUL7R5dgSbn8lGYh7Ll71R1k8HO1l0LcEgM5O8_4I3H8TGXUslWlJ4aHLmPDLJGAW7Xkm_JOgkDYCfoVWECdZ-HMPyE6QzxYtE_fkDgWjLjyNBkf7lq9DmIKP1eixw1q92XvDSdCJIpF0FDKCdPOphrJEasA/s4032/17RR.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz3VnPM5lU1dDaPxytwOIe7sSpIcUEZlUL7R5dgSbn8lGYh7Ll71R1k8HO1l0LcEgM5O8_4I3H8TGXUslWlJ4aHLmPDLJGAW7Xkm_JOgkDYCfoVWECdZ-HMPyE6QzxYtE_fkDgWjLjyNBkf7lq9DmIKP1eixw1q92XvDSdCJIpF0FDKCdPOphrJEasA/w640-h480/17RR.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a more traditional Rolls Royce. There were also Mercedes, a Ferrari, Jaguar and limousines, in addition to come non-traditional vehicles.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Oh, but Memphis wasn't over yet. There was still time for a meal at B.B. Kings with some good music. And time for a meal at the Rendezvous which is the best barbecue I have eaten short of Alex's barbecue. And the ducks. You cannot go to Memphis and not see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel unless you are a Communist. Watching the ducks march out of the pond in the lobby of the Peabody and into the elevator to ascend to their duck penthouse after a long day is a ritual not to be missed in Memphis. We were particularly fortunate to have an in person encounter with the Duck Master -- really there is one. Having crammed a weeks worth of entertainment into two days we once more jumped into the Subaru to head westward to Dallas.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-nGGveNQR371Veig0NHtrP6f-FopD5r6nluLVfZ4JibLiGCh-r46UBuO_5Awg5P6km9mEbZJhh6dKk_Q3LQyQ0c-oQapG8vAnYzrRj6XFtVA8QeUSjSl8kSy-9rlnlsf0giyFWxNCHhyhpQGk_qVJOfqXxxA7ulFspq44-W00GsQ8wki7c3kH7lx1Q/s4032/1Memphis%20Street%20Scene1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-nGGveNQR371Veig0NHtrP6f-FopD5r6nluLVfZ4JibLiGCh-r46UBuO_5Awg5P6km9mEbZJhh6dKk_Q3LQyQ0c-oQapG8vAnYzrRj6XFtVA8QeUSjSl8kSy-9rlnlsf0giyFWxNCHhyhpQGk_qVJOfqXxxA7ulFspq44-W00GsQ8wki7c3kH7lx1Q/w480-h640/1Memphis%20Street%20Scene1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beale Street in Memphis is a traditional tourist destination...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaPt5a_35kntjPKTpDPlaErGGbsCQ-N9cvPby0RmjBVNvuFzoTSI7A1R4N6h71GfpWEbX0etw26CDB2GzMJOR-wEs3eyfFxSqPXsujPXr59TqBWB4GSekHyb17Bo4GFfFdGfGrfTJyK8O1WRgvlMK0qv1vV6vTs7-f9KWk2UD1cwh82LhBQNpifs7bQ/s4032/2BB%20Kings.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaPt5a_35kntjPKTpDPlaErGGbsCQ-N9cvPby0RmjBVNvuFzoTSI7A1R4N6h71GfpWEbX0etw26CDB2GzMJOR-wEs3eyfFxSqPXsujPXr59TqBWB4GSekHyb17Bo4GFfFdGfGrfTJyK8O1WRgvlMK0qv1vV6vTs7-f9KWk2UD1cwh82LhBQNpifs7bQ/w480-h640/2BB%20Kings.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with BB King's Blues Club a necessary stop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IWg5-5kVLs9w0fPTF0EtkjUun3dMdrRg7C8IsEYg_SKpTRHpmYY4ci0CyZwJzyil9sw0XFM0Rzc1Z9X7qQpXtLSP60MbPsti6-2d7N-bck9OSYpiWVdOJf2ySr0G-QMf8Zv-XAw2-uk9-uwlQZpD5H_Z61DZ_HSVDyGXkqJKqx0cHUIa9lNLdF9kVg/s4032/3Beale%20Street%20sign.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IWg5-5kVLs9w0fPTF0EtkjUun3dMdrRg7C8IsEYg_SKpTRHpmYY4ci0CyZwJzyil9sw0XFM0Rzc1Z9X7qQpXtLSP60MbPsti6-2d7N-bck9OSYpiWVdOJf2ySr0G-QMf8Zv-XAw2-uk9-uwlQZpD5H_Z61DZ_HSVDyGXkqJKqx0cHUIa9lNLdF9kVg/w640-h480/3Beale%20Street%20sign.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIkS3mnHToL9GS26o4J3r3-vvMUll9zvqE5xwImK2R3mNe946EN3Bm_5WWjGqHWLPIArj3RY0b65C-joZuSsCmYVyNutIi538gvRxO_PS3-BuK9cMfU0UyP65kC3ZG8nVxiYVDIGt1ALIg36kz8JpB8qSaLjlI3E_-36QtNCOq1eA9ownsTppSMzR-Q/s4032/4Pig%20Pork%20w.%20attitude.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIkS3mnHToL9GS26o4J3r3-vvMUll9zvqE5xwImK2R3mNe946EN3Bm_5WWjGqHWLPIArj3RY0b65C-joZuSsCmYVyNutIi538gvRxO_PS3-BuK9cMfU0UyP65kC3ZG8nVxiYVDIGt1ALIg36kz8JpB8qSaLjlI3E_-36QtNCOq1eA9ownsTppSMzR-Q/w640-h480/4Pig%20Pork%20w.%20attitude.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The signs along the street also add to its charm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQH4FDJ5GjCsjNqA4vxf1q2rOaWBFYWKIc_XsoJnIMz34KXa_YWy6V-XIULi3jNqJ5Ph5Gi9dqDzYc2ddj10gr2MlYPpCF3ygHZ_Dg3OBYwZl11WkhdaTSVui9qB4zM42KqdZgBVCy6cNmHJMPzTgKkPJnF6Zb9Obhydr-b2fnK3_nGJYTnVDZpyGdg/s4032/1rendezvous.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQH4FDJ5GjCsjNqA4vxf1q2rOaWBFYWKIc_XsoJnIMz34KXa_YWy6V-XIULi3jNqJ5Ph5Gi9dqDzYc2ddj10gr2MlYPpCF3ygHZ_Dg3OBYwZl11WkhdaTSVui9qB4zM42KqdZgBVCy6cNmHJMPzTgKkPJnF6Zb9Obhydr-b2fnK3_nGJYTnVDZpyGdg/w640-h480/1rendezvous.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rendezvous Restaurant has been serving BBQ in an establishment off a downtown Memphis alley since 1948. It has an extremely loyal staff and reputedly the best Memphis BBQ.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrUcQ9iA2WWW_Gy_0MNZ77kHjzceRGPGSZyjUZs2-SopuPAhijeH7W-frdBAbdwhMPwY0NRDweCbjAXW6ZtRtCS3QLzdbBGps5QQMvKbU8geWfVz4m53z_BAKlipMFJfeS71AyujwYovYt8iDzCr_TajBo3GanNs1j4lKDn2wo0H3VgN2fZuwqhvixQ/s4032/2rendezvous.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrUcQ9iA2WWW_Gy_0MNZ77kHjzceRGPGSZyjUZs2-SopuPAhijeH7W-frdBAbdwhMPwY0NRDweCbjAXW6ZtRtCS3QLzdbBGps5QQMvKbU8geWfVz4m53z_BAKlipMFJfeS71AyujwYovYt8iDzCr_TajBo3GanNs1j4lKDn2wo0H3VgN2fZuwqhvixQ/w640-h480/2rendezvous.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The decor may be eclectic, but the food is delicious.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5ZjiHTN811Lf2BTtwrqg2zHfsf4ypwkoVG2lkkwOeoF8PmxcsZ20rmKEEi-WjcrinHHvOF6SI8_CLfKGvs8LoJJzywEZWabHN-35HyKRWcGXbUw4u2RUTQ6RIi_TwGscl597ebuXJpP4_Q0iApCAhSxA-Lxa8oivwa9pcJ-1Eoi_Hp-7P7ji6aHDFQ/s4032/3MemphisMural.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5ZjiHTN811Lf2BTtwrqg2zHfsf4ypwkoVG2lkkwOeoF8PmxcsZ20rmKEEi-WjcrinHHvOF6SI8_CLfKGvs8LoJJzywEZWabHN-35HyKRWcGXbUw4u2RUTQ6RIi_TwGscl597ebuXJpP4_Q0iApCAhSxA-Lxa8oivwa9pcJ-1Eoi_Hp-7P7ji6aHDFQ/w640-h480/3MemphisMural.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mural was just outside the restaurant in the alley.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpvIOuX4h9zC9IIuEvaYlJ9rzU57OVUpcF8DIMycOYzoCNf8e3PoIBfQPH_Gu5GxYUHpb4rF2ek4dJ77tM6C0luzENnqjYKvIMeCXIiYoFt9wyp50jV_aAUgnQtVfgWruXZjzpDn2YR35eSNMLpdmMKYd0GM-1WDj8Gpcr1GHXlt4Ad6LJJkIlRUkPQ/s4032/1Peabody%20Lounge%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpvIOuX4h9zC9IIuEvaYlJ9rzU57OVUpcF8DIMycOYzoCNf8e3PoIBfQPH_Gu5GxYUHpb4rF2ek4dJ77tM6C0luzENnqjYKvIMeCXIiYoFt9wyp50jV_aAUgnQtVfgWruXZjzpDn2YR35eSNMLpdmMKYd0GM-1WDj8Gpcr1GHXlt4Ad6LJJkIlRUkPQ/w640-h480/1Peabody%20Lounge%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the lobby of the Peabody Hotel...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48tQta9DMkfOZb1mIp01m9k2bU9oMf6fTxTlv2nFeimvsc0puYWkVl2XWc39-pjClvay-35w8Fn-zWlxjWn-8N84eg65sSDB2idsdcs2geU6k-uEr8wpnKWU0uN35qPnVLYRzGWrzJtJ6zMKrBEj8_eoUjzohlvxRjQuwcHfzkvX41IP_W3sfU9k5Lw/s4032/2Peabody%20Hotel%20Sign.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48tQta9DMkfOZb1mIp01m9k2bU9oMf6fTxTlv2nFeimvsc0puYWkVl2XWc39-pjClvay-35w8Fn-zWlxjWn-8N84eg65sSDB2idsdcs2geU6k-uEr8wpnKWU0uN35qPnVLYRzGWrzJtJ6zMKrBEj8_eoUjzohlvxRjQuwcHfzkvX41IP_W3sfU9k5Lw/w640-h480/2Peabody%20Hotel%20Sign.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and its famous rooftop sign.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyXzCjqTltytb7BHB67Y6jlTB1DgAtC7CdO_XOLmHw34UMoYW_Zd6FFRnhrTEiPoRa7x9TgMt-ygju0PyayULNu9jrgYJzwCwfXPJiKp92ldJFhdhDcm3UDuNvrVVHgJgq6-xrDoz2ZGPY6-KQm3d24SLDOK2gieZSgD5S4m5OYaBncFw6gOW60vrVA/s4032/3Peabody%20Lounge%20ceiling.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyXzCjqTltytb7BHB67Y6jlTB1DgAtC7CdO_XOLmHw34UMoYW_Zd6FFRnhrTEiPoRa7x9TgMt-ygju0PyayULNu9jrgYJzwCwfXPJiKp92ldJFhdhDcm3UDuNvrVVHgJgq6-xrDoz2ZGPY6-KQm3d24SLDOK2gieZSgD5S4m5OYaBncFw6gOW60vrVA/w640-h480/3Peabody%20Lounge%20ceiling.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling of the lobby is a spectacular work of art.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjElN5a3xeNWfLDCgeAgekGtvnSiLdpMRBJAhVFdWBOMDaymAopTtEWtL298hT8JGokpBET2Bz1-LwZXebKcZs8sbDEq4ewnFfIahUDDfkGZGyZ69USU8bPPXJEQgsUY5_j1otiBHdIEC04AUd_DcdzSDLPWSUoaqNhruuKkTNRon4OH34YkGNPh-2A/s4032/4rolling%20out%20the%20red%20carpet.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjElN5a3xeNWfLDCgeAgekGtvnSiLdpMRBJAhVFdWBOMDaymAopTtEWtL298hT8JGokpBET2Bz1-LwZXebKcZs8sbDEq4ewnFfIahUDDfkGZGyZ69USU8bPPXJEQgsUY5_j1otiBHdIEC04AUd_DcdzSDLPWSUoaqNhruuKkTNRon4OH34YkGNPh-2A/w640-h480/4rolling%20out%20the%20red%20carpet.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The duckmaster rolls out the red carpet as the ducks prepare for their journey from their pool in the lobby during the day to their rooftop abode for the night.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK1R52h3T4HZJCze7beCVd9mY22Bj64DnOGgSNwcGQei0dHpmKZTcch7rykBqeDxRqPKRzonG-GPPO7H3DjeHCLglxBZBs3kcMSlHI3ODT4SqGXZ_-MzUa0-usQhLGjp6V7ifSZixnDVqZ5ctHDBDLbw6ja2LYnfgckS1So9Z_VdmWd6tky0csYf-4A/s4032/5Duckmaster1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK1R52h3T4HZJCze7beCVd9mY22Bj64DnOGgSNwcGQei0dHpmKZTcch7rykBqeDxRqPKRzonG-GPPO7H3DjeHCLglxBZBs3kcMSlHI3ODT4SqGXZ_-MzUa0-usQhLGjp6V7ifSZixnDVqZ5ctHDBDLbw6ja2LYnfgckS1So9Z_VdmWd6tky0csYf-4A/w480-h640/5Duckmaster1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The duckmaster explaining the history of the ducks at the Peabody.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUCl-EWpsT6-HAkq3UGqG2FSe4RJgEIkAMSruSiH5h_6qr_NYrXK8GTmMLW1fpmquvRnUxn7942gXElbQZf25Zk8DiUHwTEqRN7V9OZixG83jTdr8sAwooXZTEeG1GTb5nBwiDBP5cnfWFV8f_b6yMD2sut23x4bDBdDi4OQySt7p-ZPMxSxOz5gnWA/s4032/6Ducks%20leaving%20pool.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUCl-EWpsT6-HAkq3UGqG2FSe4RJgEIkAMSruSiH5h_6qr_NYrXK8GTmMLW1fpmquvRnUxn7942gXElbQZf25Zk8DiUHwTEqRN7V9OZixG83jTdr8sAwooXZTEeG1GTb5nBwiDBP5cnfWFV8f_b6yMD2sut23x4bDBdDi4OQySt7p-ZPMxSxOz5gnWA/w480-h640/6Ducks%20leaving%20pool.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody is gathered around as the ducks leave the pool for their march down the red carpet...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79afagKbHsdVL8QylTydCP9rx28zRufmRF2xllLzHomdWeA6LKFVQoQ34GKLfYYJncdq6srJOynTo5bk4A_4qpIMZGH-MxDWIoOuVODFvRmQnkb-hXLh50TVo9G6Lu1CI69wcypDv9JUr90yrslyprpQIzSr0XABOQdjQUAcSiCbzgMV5gEEP_bkj6g/s4032/7Ducks%20on%20the%20carpet.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79afagKbHsdVL8QylTydCP9rx28zRufmRF2xllLzHomdWeA6LKFVQoQ34GKLfYYJncdq6srJOynTo5bk4A_4qpIMZGH-MxDWIoOuVODFvRmQnkb-hXLh50TVo9G6Lu1CI69wcypDv9JUr90yrslyprpQIzSr0XABOQdjQUAcSiCbzgMV5gEEP_bkj6g/w480-h640/7Ducks%20on%20the%20carpet.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGKkRyTfXkpoIfKpD-OAEs4RLbafEqsXAHDcLQl_GbOQo9ZSVSbi6pGefX8IHXk-LRDmxYTU_srOaFM0EnLcWiSwGno8InNDll35gPJ68DcwBwfiPhEJuF3vyeVRcJvMClO8QOOu4wj2KT1ha_c9EEBImYiWmzJVSUmJc_Sr0oxgD_6R1yzETGOOF6A/s4032/8Ducks%20to%20the%20elevator.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGKkRyTfXkpoIfKpD-OAEs4RLbafEqsXAHDcLQl_GbOQo9ZSVSbi6pGefX8IHXk-LRDmxYTU_srOaFM0EnLcWiSwGno8InNDll35gPJ68DcwBwfiPhEJuF3vyeVRcJvMClO8QOOu4wj2KT1ha_c9EEBImYiWmzJVSUmJc_Sr0oxgD_6R1yzETGOOF6A/w640-h480/8Ducks%20to%20the%20elevator.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and into the elevator...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTm9bUkFm2DgdhwaAWVKyDtP8RCs2vjLsTTCUhZ4inA79q1oH9Xj-rJJDyXRLgwW5DSOJCLosbNxbJfSC-v_xKxI-TkwGuaPbu7u1GN1XEFFIlXdinlcuNFsq9Z7vhQFJnUC7ljxjyU3bcOg8uAHwutOjkYwbEf-Yv3AmwgiG5wa55XzKIl7x7WbrOw/s4032/9Ducks%20in%20the%20elevator.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTm9bUkFm2DgdhwaAWVKyDtP8RCs2vjLsTTCUhZ4inA79q1oH9Xj-rJJDyXRLgwW5DSOJCLosbNxbJfSC-v_xKxI-TkwGuaPbu7u1GN1XEFFIlXdinlcuNFsq9Z7vhQFJnUC7ljxjyU3bcOg8uAHwutOjkYwbEf-Yv3AmwgiG5wa55XzKIl7x7WbrOw/w480-h640/9Ducks%20in%20the%20elevator.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">where the duckmaster will take them to their rooftop abode.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Deirdre Does Dallas</u></p><p>I just couldn't resist that title. We landed in Dallas and had a quick visit with Marshall and Theresa who you met in the Reunion blog. We were just overnighting there but we managed to do a review of the goings on at the Reunion and Marshall (prince that he is) did a thorough examination of the poor, overworked Subaru which landed us at the dealership (briefly) the next day. But before the dealership (which by the way looked like a high end club-- so NOT Mexico) we carved out time for a breakfast with old pals.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8SYM9YspbHYQUL-X1IMeh_69xEXJlomv4avarymLCk6VMZruXcvRcNa5wfwgcBSJX7sZqyKoFVtpbVMSDqhf5RMKfv4SvLDTd0j_Dv2-8sQpvDGaSPO2bezvm_w_oK6gxxyKaPQyovPtu93Y96eq4eW8SmNxNVUnxXGpIkV1Z-tFLPezH-W_HC8M0g/s4032/Theresa,%20Marshall,%20Maggie%20&%20Tucker.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8SYM9YspbHYQUL-X1IMeh_69xEXJlomv4avarymLCk6VMZruXcvRcNa5wfwgcBSJX7sZqyKoFVtpbVMSDqhf5RMKfv4SvLDTd0j_Dv2-8sQpvDGaSPO2bezvm_w_oK6gxxyKaPQyovPtu93Y96eq4eW8SmNxNVUnxXGpIkV1Z-tFLPezH-W_HC8M0g/w480-h640/Theresa,%20Marshall,%20Maggie%20&%20Tucker.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theresa & Marshall with their dogs Tucker & Maggie.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Featured Guests: Betsy and Betty </p><p>Length of Relationship: Betty - 44 years, Betsy 36 years</p><p>Background: Betty was the wife of my boss, Dan, at a company called Datapoint. It was a wild company in any number of ways and Dan's division kept growing at 40+% a year ensuring that all of us had a very good time. These were the days of flying first class, expense account lunches and having a SECRETARY. I never had a better boss nor a better job. Later, Dan and the family moved to Wellesley and I worked for Dan again and the families became good friends.</p><p>Anecdote: Betsy went to Wellesley College in our town. One summer, when Michael was looking to start his own business he hired Betsy to research possible franchise opportunities and write up reviews of them and then discuss the pros and cons with him. So, she was responsible in part for Michael's selecting Mailboxes Etc. to invest in. Dan hired me, Michael hired Betsy. It's not nepotism but it's sort of close.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5DszPrO0KXV1YUX2A4TGwQMj9wVDsXnY_HAwFiikpxgc8zXxuKIRNEOMtrydTKy69ho4nY7QnL-a-lubsMWkjGcXoWWo3gjNZu1kBt3nL21iX1xunFCF3ylx9_0MfCKVSB7fLgTESX7cH-eOL7-0eTkvBTqQhpPPN5lqrzJkLMEBDm7jv5JjDIRu6w/s4032/Betsy,%20Betty%20&%20Deirdre.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5DszPrO0KXV1YUX2A4TGwQMj9wVDsXnY_HAwFiikpxgc8zXxuKIRNEOMtrydTKy69ho4nY7QnL-a-lubsMWkjGcXoWWo3gjNZu1kBt3nL21iX1xunFCF3ylx9_0MfCKVSB7fLgTESX7cH-eOL7-0eTkvBTqQhpPPN5lqrzJkLMEBDm7jv5JjDIRu6w/w640-h480/Betsy,%20Betty%20&%20Deirdre.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betssy, Betty and Deirdre.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Going to the Land of Willy Nelson</u></p><p>We've always liked the Hill Country since the time we lived in San Antonio. So we decided to take a few days to recuperate in Seguin and take advantage of seeing some friends and relaxing a bit. Our friends Kent and Kari came out from Austin and another friend, Bob joined us from San Antonio for a long lunch at the Grist Mill in New Braunfels. We had decided that we had plenty of time (obstinate optimism again) to do a tube float down the Comal River before lunch. They assured us it would take two and a half hours. We arrived a tad late due to a trailer truck stuck under an underpass but we were sure it would be fine. We were to meet at 2 PM.</p><p>It was the usual 100+ degrees out which meant that EVERYONE decided to tube the river which looked a lot like the Mass Pike at 5 PM on a Friday. And the tube ride wasn't 2 and 1/2 hours -- more like 3 and 1/2. Three hours in with the clock ticking, Michael hopped out of his tube and in a stunning display of stamina alternately pulled and swam dragging the tubes to the take out point. Thereupon we leapt up 50 stairs, threw ourselves in the bus, changed clothes in the car and stumbled into the Grist Mill to meet our buddies.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9iyefK1Dnkj9d8Wv8ftrk_Uyr59Rjo0MP3i2QX1EJ_2LD6Wgy2R8CJhJjMTZf3MWu8aSTC2pSOdkeWkEzUwTjuPqJMaR6Gjy3S_Etb62zumb-ZF1bJvQh1caQik5aD1Txd9MJvI20_1a26P1TIMUv-MeLP4O1hMHkQJ4E5BKjpRP0T48Jp09OldkHA/s4608/1DSS%20in%20tube.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9iyefK1Dnkj9d8Wv8ftrk_Uyr59Rjo0MP3i2QX1EJ_2LD6Wgy2R8CJhJjMTZf3MWu8aSTC2pSOdkeWkEzUwTjuPqJMaR6Gjy3S_Etb62zumb-ZF1bJvQh1caQik5aD1Txd9MJvI20_1a26P1TIMUv-MeLP4O1hMHkQJ4E5BKjpRP0T48Jp09OldkHA/w640-h480/1DSS%20in%20tube.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre relaxing in her tube with water near at hand as we drift down the Comal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l5FM21e6F60Gli8dyfCTWBUpbqjbPc0cCNI7xwUD8tJVSMaIP8-u7TArakxHvl58lvsZsYrE2Q7WgoW95sc04i5bD4OyH41M6SIB3mJiwgpTNeYeeYJPFkZDSBFRVTQSzeBlQ73j_YXM0ZObtTMG1udnPH1oXBPco5hhtbC5dYxHrVcdIDdAsKuWbQ/s4608/DSCN0562.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l5FM21e6F60Gli8dyfCTWBUpbqjbPc0cCNI7xwUD8tJVSMaIP8-u7TArakxHvl58lvsZsYrE2Q7WgoW95sc04i5bD4OyH41M6SIB3mJiwgpTNeYeeYJPFkZDSBFRVTQSzeBlQ73j_YXM0ZObtTMG1udnPH1oXBPco5hhtbC5dYxHrVcdIDdAsKuWbQ/w640-h480/DSCN0562.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one point there was a rope swing, much to the delight of these children.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfkNvTESDyomgUZP7RLySCr2XSfPk0_VBq4h3wL1jOafWuUUe18M5m2DUSQlIE-y-oUBjDgxxVSlXv5DG4KMztO3ReafeONa1vvIrwl4bV96IMIaqZx1CI1tN6FscdNm5eL-jRARD3O78CL7ABR66KEjiBKJ_ixNLgR-5uKydX7bKCGxmsDOosTOYZw/s4608/DSCN0567.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfkNvTESDyomgUZP7RLySCr2XSfPk0_VBq4h3wL1jOafWuUUe18M5m2DUSQlIE-y-oUBjDgxxVSlXv5DG4KMztO3ReafeONa1vvIrwl4bV96IMIaqZx1CI1tN6FscdNm5eL-jRARD3O78CL7ABR66KEjiBKJ_ixNLgR-5uKydX7bKCGxmsDOosTOYZw/w640-h480/DSCN0567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We encountered one man who has a unique was of walking his dogs. He walks and they swim.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_gaz26JKxZT3tZr2shmTq8Rmmft2tUfAC6CXJXNmezNcUjtWJa0sCi_kVKrpLO0nzrIJpl3UacUXUfin3yUaDRmRjmNqbhHlcNvibClvdhoRvHh5B-ibVGHNbwoQQNtvw_kaFG3X7CiB8hzs7tUf4WTFG93umkq3ZA6ghuI39GLzNEbAfLRzClHTlQ/s4608/DSCN0569.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_gaz26JKxZT3tZr2shmTq8Rmmft2tUfAC6CXJXNmezNcUjtWJa0sCi_kVKrpLO0nzrIJpl3UacUXUfin3yUaDRmRjmNqbhHlcNvibClvdhoRvHh5B-ibVGHNbwoQQNtvw_kaFG3X7CiB8hzs7tUf4WTFG93umkq3ZA6ghuI39GLzNEbAfLRzClHTlQ/w640-h480/DSCN0569.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tubes, tubes everywhere as everybody was in the water trying to beat the heat.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Featured Guests: Kent, Kari and Bob</p><p>Length of Relationship: Kent - 44 years, Kari- 25yrs. approx, Bob -44 years</p><p>Anecdotes: Kent and I always had to do a trade show in San Diego each September - which we hated. At one point we decided we needed to find Black Beach -- the nudist beach in La Jolla. I do not know why. Well, year after year (drink after drink) we tried to find it and always ended up on the green of the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines golf course overlooking the Ocean. It became a quest. Never fulfilled.</p><p>Bob worked for me doing P.R. and was often involved with Kent and me in strange exploits. Also working with us was Cindi who did Advertising. They became enamored of each other and desperately tried to remain discrete but, of course, everyone in the office knew. One day, I returned from lunch to find them sitting on my office couch looking nervous. "Yes?" I said. They both started talking at once, stopped, started, looked at each other and stared at me. "Yeah, I know. We all know. Just keep it cool." They visibly sighed with relief and left. And married. And had two fine kids. Things work out, si?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUv_nEYyJuYNB0JfOqeK7EsMuTmz-qW2p_ryUT-R27P2eDKwb3ERFDv_cFk1p6yZOMk5w_m2cz_Lqdk1wDVthDmj_a3c7mWPrvhEPaBH31IFuuQgdamTtJPGdn_EJIOqNHFrZXRa9FHotbRsNBfeA-cwY4tcwX3ZIsTMqC7Ih3fS4avbvBRNvq7dwyQ/s4032/Kent,%20Kari,%20Bob,%20DSS%20&%20MRS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUv_nEYyJuYNB0JfOqeK7EsMuTmz-qW2p_ryUT-R27P2eDKwb3ERFDv_cFk1p6yZOMk5w_m2cz_Lqdk1wDVthDmj_a3c7mWPrvhEPaBH31IFuuQgdamTtJPGdn_EJIOqNHFrZXRa9FHotbRsNBfeA-cwY4tcwX3ZIsTMqC7Ih3fS4avbvBRNvq7dwyQ/w480-h640/Kent,%20Kari,%20Bob,%20DSS%20&%20MRS.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kent, Kari, Bob, Deirdre and Michael outside the Grist Mill Restaurant.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>From The Hill Country the only imperative was to make it to Ajijic as quickly as possible and in one piece. A night in Laredo (not memorable) and a night in a motel in Matahuela (that looked like Ricky and Lucy just checked out) and we were finally back home.</p><p>The Stats: We passed through 24 states plus Washington DC in the U.S. and 5 in Mexico. We put 14,366 kms/ 8,905 miles on the car. We stayed in 25 cities and visited a total of 100+friends and relatives. It was a massively fun and rewarding trip.</p><p><u>And So...</u></p><p>"The long and winding road that leads to your door. Will never disappear-- I've seen that road before. It always leads me here...leads me to your door." - The Beatles. Let's hope that we will have the chance to be led once more to those doors that we were lucky enough to visit on our Sentimental Journey, The End.</p><p><br /></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-73391277272451338422022-09-05T15:43:00.000-05:002022-09-05T15:43:32.423-05:00The Sentimental Journey: The Fabulous Fowler Family Reunion<p> <u>The Backstory:</u></p><p>In the early 1970s Michael's maternal grandmother died in Vermillion, South Dakota. The whole clan came together to both mourn her and to have a good, old fashioned Irish wake. Being from a very WASP background, I was, at first, taken back by the festivities which included touch football, water skiing, poker and a lot of beer and whiskey. But I soon got with the program. Michael opined that it was a shame that we only got together for weddings and funerals and thus the idea of the every third year reunions began.</p><p>This is no small undertaking. We start with the first generation of three sisters that were the offspring of Michael's maternal grandparents. Sarah Anne (Washburn), the oldest, had six children. Margaret (Nelson), in the middle, had three children and Pat (Searles) (Michael's Mom and the. youngest) had five children. Even at the inception (1978) it was a sizable group. But over the decades people, as they will, keep marrying and breeding and now the clan is about 80 people. It was decided that every three years we would converge in a different place across the country and hunker down for a week and trade tales, party and engage in various pursuits athletic and/or amusing. This year was the 15th Fowler Family Reunion--yes, that is roughly 44 years. It was held in Harbor Springs, Michigan. We have had reunions in states spanning from New Hampshire to California. At this point, the organizational baton has been passed from the second generation (Michael's siblings and cousins) to the third generation (their offspring) and the fourth generation babies and young kids are watching carefully and getting ready to step up to the plate when their parents give out.</p><p><u>So, What Happens There?</u></p><p>Every reunion is a little different but there are some traditions that are always upheld. No matter what we do during the day, we all come together in the evening for dinner. Each subgroup of the family is responsible for feeding the group for one night. It is not easy to feed 70 to 80 people -- particularly in a family where no one is in the restaurant industry. Everyone plans ahead and then, on our way there or upon arrival, each group gathers vast quantities of whatever and waits for their turn in the barrel. This year we had pizza, tacos, build your own bowl, fried chicken -- well you get the idea. Basic, kid friendly food.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IbxLBQy7ghPm0TxxE0TgSrmgIX6EME70-jvDDBLI7FfMZaKBcUtHYD3WgLJKQ6x8NgcP4zB8iGdrHn3XXtG0AG2Q0-HrV1Q6AR_fM40W47dPNwDqNYQD3oEIVFJP2-MK_DJFJ_qO17wzcOQrZJrZvTvYlTrsd1U8JfcSU_Aix738fJV79ByWNhoy_Q/s3872/1DSS%20bringing%20in%20the%20food.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IbxLBQy7ghPm0TxxE0TgSrmgIX6EME70-jvDDBLI7FfMZaKBcUtHYD3WgLJKQ6x8NgcP4zB8iGdrHn3XXtG0AG2Q0-HrV1Q6AR_fM40W47dPNwDqNYQD3oEIVFJP2-MK_DJFJ_qO17wzcOQrZJrZvTvYlTrsd1U8JfcSU_Aix738fJV79ByWNhoy_Q/w640-h428/1DSS%20bringing%20in%20the%20food.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre pitching in as we prepare for our turn to make the meal for the group.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tiwhyy_if9aEUGaLPlOVIcefhWGpCFdTbsS79b2sqVxwVn3I-umLqjpK2eajMzvoRCuJvNcE1qw5hVdpmHrKiwtXF1dfKts2uqXoqnpfxTdLHgFanbbu7NKZHBqqqPhn19cSVRqfNg0RXAAT5xqQUrDFaXBRI0jb_s9X4t9eRdqjWTFSDR3HEHbA8w/s3872/2Bringing%20in%20the%20Food.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tiwhyy_if9aEUGaLPlOVIcefhWGpCFdTbsS79b2sqVxwVn3I-umLqjpK2eajMzvoRCuJvNcE1qw5hVdpmHrKiwtXF1dfKts2uqXoqnpfxTdLHgFanbbu7NKZHBqqqPhn19cSVRqfNg0RXAAT5xqQUrDFaXBRI0jb_s9X4t9eRdqjWTFSDR3HEHbA8w/w640-h428/2Bringing%20in%20the%20Food.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother-in-law Marshall & my youngest sister Theresa...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7063j1hFRlnsC6cMuvkwyI98dKMMXOITAZLUPxNqLvbuNKu1pk_90s4EcAPfdM9jADR5es3a4FPnTxxfTGuC6Hc_mLie5-66bhkNHzzv2zSZw9H8ANT__HqGmQdkQfBVe3F54b6hVc1vfXQqOmtqATYnLGpnO6-bwwSypQMfTI1qMm0GBGBTEeyvp5Q/s2936/3Lizzie%20brigning%20in%20Food.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2936" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7063j1hFRlnsC6cMuvkwyI98dKMMXOITAZLUPxNqLvbuNKu1pk_90s4EcAPfdM9jADR5es3a4FPnTxxfTGuC6Hc_mLie5-66bhkNHzzv2zSZw9H8ANT__HqGmQdkQfBVe3F54b6hVc1vfXQqOmtqATYnLGpnO6-bwwSypQMfTI1qMm0GBGBTEeyvp5Q/w640-h566/3Lizzie%20brigning%20in%20Food.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campbell's (our nephew) girlfriend Lizzy...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgQgpv0eGwOZbLPqHXVu7oFfXRunFhbcaT82kbiJMz-zlf_3C4Jsx7QlDxluhymrFs6wCw4YsB11-94PLEQ0BFAVDnJq9pjuKZU2iobt0ur90PZxw0eX2y_9r0MYsUvThx5mZLy6r-E6YNeP2kz30gIDxIIRr8GTpOfvjJXNPKR9d7LjIzSIUXznsXQ/s3872/4Campbell%20w.%20lemonade.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgQgpv0eGwOZbLPqHXVu7oFfXRunFhbcaT82kbiJMz-zlf_3C4Jsx7QlDxluhymrFs6wCw4YsB11-94PLEQ0BFAVDnJq9pjuKZU2iobt0ur90PZxw0eX2y_9r0MYsUvThx5mZLy6r-E6YNeP2kz30gIDxIIRr8GTpOfvjJXNPKR9d7LjIzSIUXznsXQ/w640-h428/4Campbell%20w.%20lemonade.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Campbell...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKulwjsE0YpXfVhz5tFQTE2oBjAPJIoYjI0rfeHou5NK2aiNU1k9_TtuvmbgSPiGSRSz94suR7WaD2LQiqtshPTpsj7-GOWxNhFQhgwQZd0S2OkxIcPH88WqKqhI8FjEdBFnlmBt1L4KV6oDO8Jvh68JyRFNc5Qkflmj-YCHSNovpKP3lz-sq_-dwWdg/s3872/5Brian%20the%20Techie.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKulwjsE0YpXfVhz5tFQTE2oBjAPJIoYjI0rfeHou5NK2aiNU1k9_TtuvmbgSPiGSRSz94suR7WaD2LQiqtshPTpsj7-GOWxNhFQhgwQZd0S2OkxIcPH88WqKqhI8FjEdBFnlmBt1L4KV6oDO8Jvh68JyRFNc5Qkflmj-YCHSNovpKP3lz-sq_-dwWdg/w640-h428/5Brian%20the%20Techie.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and my brother Brian...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPqXu73-fehx9crwkY6BbHhTWq8cy1_GTLo383utwa9ZqsRI6n9zMpvr_DZYiOsFQMtx91VjWgsZntJVrABDjVX6gyGKuSnsZS_2C6hn-7oc49Qd0tH3mcgG3ApPeMCJJTJRQO30GUJ9-v-M2X0U6bBNTikK2snPeEak81a4aOh42YE9wuKhNTx1xIA/s3872/5Wes%20@%20Grill.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPqXu73-fehx9crwkY6BbHhTWq8cy1_GTLo383utwa9ZqsRI6n9zMpvr_DZYiOsFQMtx91VjWgsZntJVrABDjVX6gyGKuSnsZS_2C6hn-7oc49Qd0tH3mcgG3ApPeMCJJTJRQO30GUJ9-v-M2X0U6bBNTikK2snPeEak81a4aOh42YE9wuKhNTx1xIA/w640-h428/5Wes%20@%20Grill.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Campbell's older brother Wes manning the grill as we get ready for our turn to prepare the meal for everyone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIDmYsOTVpwSgjbQLSx4BO5gasJB-ZcOFelSIPCWmi_BLkgSRqpdK1WZG-y96J5vbMSU7-QtKaCZeNEau42QNzuDX4dsdvtJZtHFHMYThg8dTZbmz870hTx2d5SUosgtvbOxD9vI2uVnvOFlNhLz2-qGS0VoZAT2Y9pQEFyWgbrw9KjB61L0elcTwYQ/s3872/6Cutting%20up%20Chicken.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIDmYsOTVpwSgjbQLSx4BO5gasJB-ZcOFelSIPCWmi_BLkgSRqpdK1WZG-y96J5vbMSU7-QtKaCZeNEau42QNzuDX4dsdvtJZtHFHMYThg8dTZbmz870hTx2d5SUosgtvbOxD9vI2uVnvOFlNhLz2-qGS0VoZAT2Y9pQEFyWgbrw9KjB61L0elcTwYQ/w640-h428/6Cutting%20up%20Chicken.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devin (our niece's husband) & Campbell in the kitchen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp_VsCBV3POJeTHFb_58P3a-jEMiTCSCDH5r8M-BDydHf7XBTz9HHpkFnj3mWHPtWqsbO5YhOcYgF3VMMLOXHRQqbfBqbxRLUOD5jJTRArrzjcgA4SSbpi-mVqlkaRBuQ8yicSuNp6kF_rI3ZSKVh4r3J_yXIhDujM8_TXhDaPbc2BwhOOO3TQgf9Yg/s3872/7Lizzy,%20Theresa%20&%20Cali%20@%20food%20table.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp_VsCBV3POJeTHFb_58P3a-jEMiTCSCDH5r8M-BDydHf7XBTz9HHpkFnj3mWHPtWqsbO5YhOcYgF3VMMLOXHRQqbfBqbxRLUOD5jJTRArrzjcgA4SSbpi-mVqlkaRBuQ8yicSuNp6kF_rI3ZSKVh4r3J_yXIhDujM8_TXhDaPbc2BwhOOO3TQgf9Yg/w640-h428/7Lizzy,%20Theresa%20&%20Cali%20@%20food%20table.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theresa & Lizzy organizing the food line</td></tr></tbody></table>.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd-ikp4tp5A9NpeOffaCn1_h97ck277OGqPAgx3xQzWt1Q1FP2pfvf1KdfcEl7_LZlglQspZtjvX42bRx0Io9x8nnSv1B3ZdEjaKb45yUd_KVTM4MPda8qU0K3w8xqTdkLdbrMpAF4z1Oczxyh-LyrBuydhvNCk-VOfq-nnh9MJqT7p6kNZ-357A0nw/s3872/8APlanner%20Arrives.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd-ikp4tp5A9NpeOffaCn1_h97ck277OGqPAgx3xQzWt1Q1FP2pfvf1KdfcEl7_LZlglQspZtjvX42bRx0Io9x8nnSv1B3ZdEjaKb45yUd_KVTM4MPda8qU0K3w8xqTdkLdbrMpAF4z1Oczxyh-LyrBuydhvNCk-VOfq-nnh9MJqT7p6kNZ-357A0nw/w640-h428/8APlanner%20Arrives.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave Washburn (the primary organizer for the reunion) & his fiance Michelle greeted by Brian's wife Dian.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl6w2grhC10UccF77kU9S3yfgaFbpcUn9XVhQkHniYOuukvFftyWpGJKR_2aJKpUDWO0hDZyPDwoME6MHb8EiIQ6Ps-GP_JySj5NSpudOLxle268q_kdqOLfyCbObXWfJSHEPgC4WAETjpoWBwip0oTr9w3-os46TTSK-Frmunp-mWcccdp7X35J56w/s2592/8BAmelia%20sleeping.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2449" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl6w2grhC10UccF77kU9S3yfgaFbpcUn9XVhQkHniYOuukvFftyWpGJKR_2aJKpUDWO0hDZyPDwoME6MHb8EiIQ6Ps-GP_JySj5NSpudOLxle268q_kdqOLfyCbObXWfJSHEPgC4WAETjpoWBwip0oTr9w3-os46TTSK-Frmunp-mWcccdp7X35J56w/w604-h640/8BAmelia%20sleeping.jpeg" width="604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia, the youngest member of the family at the reunion, at three months.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0LKdzypojS5nS_YuZxFhCpcqkU0VugaNKNU0SuaH-gtSG9_13a63eqW0zzSr2ndL9xTkAMqSs3eA3wTC0FOd8trUCeiL537xOFotz2DqA-DwLnfgOgmaPDk4yx5CREH7ty1ogvfgh8mw-rMkmuN8FivN7g1SCdu8k_LOnPRiGw-WMJQHi5ZsW0gVCQ/s3872/8Cali%20@%20appetizers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0LKdzypojS5nS_YuZxFhCpcqkU0VugaNKNU0SuaH-gtSG9_13a63eqW0zzSr2ndL9xTkAMqSs3eA3wTC0FOd8trUCeiL537xOFotz2DqA-DwLnfgOgmaPDk4yx5CREH7ty1ogvfgh8mw-rMkmuN8FivN7g1SCdu8k_LOnPRiGw-WMJQHi5ZsW0gVCQ/w640-h428/8Cali%20@%20appetizers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callie, Wes's wife, preparing the appetizers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybY63TKCticSuzDrsptp1zoYhaoMEIsc-EoPw_iQpqQng43Lr0cRH6BLBLV5-Tws9wMFaceMOU6DHnTDKiqszhfNFDfpstpfiBc5lknRqjFCJODGcCRWCZiengjv_CVJDQ2fnvL55WmS6_p73tZ2-qNzP_VqKtHOmzcpXB_LpQzOel5_XqBkp-mAhJA/s2527/8CJosh&Owen.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2527" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybY63TKCticSuzDrsptp1zoYhaoMEIsc-EoPw_iQpqQng43Lr0cRH6BLBLV5-Tws9wMFaceMOU6DHnTDKiqszhfNFDfpstpfiBc5lknRqjFCJODGcCRWCZiengjv_CVJDQ2fnvL55WmS6_p73tZ2-qNzP_VqKtHOmzcpXB_LpQzOel5_XqBkp-mAhJA/w640-h608/8CJosh&Owen.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh (father of Amelia) with Owen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfubCynE6TZHYH_JaoMlyISUm9x3b08aTeLUX6lTw89dNFO4iu0LWfyY2DJGsGGMafZ56UlO700RAsLhCwKdzIi0ncS-pB7-DW5F4iMWb6sZ5lo41tTiHQhgVeAjHSSsf94Fvmf0hThSUyGAssDC28PAley4btzCjuCKo5se06fccDj0zOJiJbVdUBw/s3159/8DGroupPhoto1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3159" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfubCynE6TZHYH_JaoMlyISUm9x3b08aTeLUX6lTw89dNFO4iu0LWfyY2DJGsGGMafZ56UlO700RAsLhCwKdzIi0ncS-pB7-DW5F4iMWb6sZ5lo41tTiHQhgVeAjHSSsf94Fvmf0hThSUyGAssDC28PAley4btzCjuCKo5se06fccDj0zOJiJbVdUBw/w640-h526/8DGroupPhoto1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs & conversation are a common theme.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSpd_QtZV5B7R5VGVwn01FjNwN-ppk_ucWIx7sumNHMuhJyiBcazGfhi3oyIKcYlbmktOvnIOQ4fUnRjcQjL4cc3nGhxc1Toh0x_GAkKcpIeuUKTys0rXbVa4S4GLiLLaKOA-0mA24XsTCUQZWLd9HnLDvhCqP_Qi7GEhHk7-e94cYJT_GsX65JGMsA/s3239/9Embrace1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2356" data-original-width="3239" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSpd_QtZV5B7R5VGVwn01FjNwN-ppk_ucWIx7sumNHMuhJyiBcazGfhi3oyIKcYlbmktOvnIOQ4fUnRjcQjL4cc3nGhxc1Toh0x_GAkKcpIeuUKTys0rXbVa4S4GLiLLaKOA-0mA24XsTCUQZWLd9HnLDvhCqP_Qi7GEhHk7-e94cYJT_GsX65JGMsA/w640-h466/9Embrace1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim greets Amelia as my younger sister Mary looks on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb5MYUSkBr7NEfbQzXyV5pkH4SOA0kF0nW-mzC7phWZvMK0jvPH8g7gleO1-fNbnZO0NqcO66bNhv4MyVpKUg2vRm85PPioP490NkIF3kK1FLiq2_IHaybos03S6B8oNkL6A_kN9AVfhTYnsJ0XbD2GSzXHPcs9WdV63jEV8q53Q0QbNzoe8lOVpArw/s2592/10Marta&Nora.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb5MYUSkBr7NEfbQzXyV5pkH4SOA0kF0nW-mzC7phWZvMK0jvPH8g7gleO1-fNbnZO0NqcO66bNhv4MyVpKUg2vRm85PPioP490NkIF3kK1FLiq2_IHaybos03S6B8oNkL6A_kN9AVfhTYnsJ0XbD2GSzXHPcs9WdV63jEV8q53Q0QbNzoe8lOVpArw/w610-h640/10Marta&Nora.jpeg" width="610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta & Nora (14 months). Marta is married to Jay, son of my brother Brian.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnR0QdYq9Q3B1hjNAeDaDrFqMMJkuaCRnSJS5TjjVjMrJ4F2eBndbagsECJHQATSR0mSbTkt3bGPIsybCa39_C1Kxw7cy7mAnW_xy55L8Zdv3xHPm879GcUdplKh9xNKZ98-vRhdA1M0R2HtMxGaxQB-ZwVr_GN5ddNKHcfHP3G820YtLrf9MF0vlFA/s3872/11GroupPhoto2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnR0QdYq9Q3B1hjNAeDaDrFqMMJkuaCRnSJS5TjjVjMrJ4F2eBndbagsECJHQATSR0mSbTkt3bGPIsybCa39_C1Kxw7cy7mAnW_xy55L8Zdv3xHPm879GcUdplKh9xNKZ98-vRhdA1M0R2HtMxGaxQB-ZwVr_GN5ddNKHcfHP3G820YtLrf9MF0vlFA/w640-h428/11GroupPhoto2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay on the far right is next to Sally (second oldest cousin after Dick).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdbTmcNVYeaSr72o5kMLn7aurkJF8pbKBTm99A8585syaIlo1j0828CmzXIMNJnSoi9N53hn2Qa6SUgu8Uqef_YVntBH6-9OG-9WxaW_6j8SXYjDwGPhFTdjkV6yVRfNBklm-6HgqJonEFDfYH0xzOeoVo8CDJCkGP-K4BnfXCuh6bTf2MFGm2_BrzQ/s3872/12ChowLine1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdbTmcNVYeaSr72o5kMLn7aurkJF8pbKBTm99A8585syaIlo1j0828CmzXIMNJnSoi9N53hn2Qa6SUgu8Uqef_YVntBH6-9OG-9WxaW_6j8SXYjDwGPhFTdjkV6yVRfNBklm-6HgqJonEFDfYH0xzOeoVo8CDJCkGP-K4BnfXCuh6bTf2MFGm2_BrzQ/w640-h428/12ChowLine1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathered at the chow line...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW2DOAAmLqD3WhK8rAsm2c9HREOkFBJ8SdqutqFFHYiZ0B-rk1aTrCk3HTyDBW6cj0YkoY2yURavK7XpKG-egHM0OSbLYhydW8vVq8Lq3sml4ZXU3D4rZssR13nguJycHeqG2FKht2WUlajrbQDe0Ke608pep20Pr5qW8hiESvKcrDxaJLWkqalouEw/s3872/12GroupEat1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW2DOAAmLqD3WhK8rAsm2c9HREOkFBJ8SdqutqFFHYiZ0B-rk1aTrCk3HTyDBW6cj0YkoY2yURavK7XpKG-egHM0OSbLYhydW8vVq8Lq3sml4ZXU3D4rZssR13nguJycHeqG2FKht2WUlajrbQDe0Ke608pep20Pr5qW8hiESvKcrDxaJLWkqalouEw/w640-h428/12GroupEat1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and chowing down at the table.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjivS3O8h32YkySkwJkO2gGDOiSQ8P4hYS-tsAHuPrdgY018uMOzVQcic6GT0oFyOMj9iLt5nKY7PU29BqZcyzSZr_Upsb5PvJ5uwt6ziFa1hsrg2SyjgO9v2bmI48LSvr1fbqKtJF31S0YP5XEOjmrNgP9-tOeBeT5Jg8KPorYLUrCBQkt8dF6F_GQ/s3872/13Frisbee1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjivS3O8h32YkySkwJkO2gGDOiSQ8P4hYS-tsAHuPrdgY018uMOzVQcic6GT0oFyOMj9iLt5nKY7PU29BqZcyzSZr_Upsb5PvJ5uwt6ziFa1hsrg2SyjgO9v2bmI48LSvr1fbqKtJF31S0YP5XEOjmrNgP9-tOeBeT5Jg8KPorYLUrCBQkt8dF6F_GQ/w640-h428/13Frisbee1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam Washburn playing frisbee with Owen. Lisa (Adam's wife) and their youngest child Jackson (10 months old) in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ce2z-TNbmGNkJkFCtRZVNFAMNpWcSLZMSvBPdofOSqlTXJNa3zUJsZcx35rgdzCB0jKIXp-uUZtcWkOnQPqkBwkgG0H04ktlqk9fqvW_M634BoWKhVQURZWqYbZ8g5eJtdtGdNAMwWGU4FfZVW8TueKyVY5Vn0IWboUtS2WLUNS3bXK89574F-E7jA/s3872/14OntheBlanket.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ce2z-TNbmGNkJkFCtRZVNFAMNpWcSLZMSvBPdofOSqlTXJNa3zUJsZcx35rgdzCB0jKIXp-uUZtcWkOnQPqkBwkgG0H04ktlqk9fqvW_M634BoWKhVQURZWqYbZ8g5eJtdtGdNAMwWGU4FfZVW8TueKyVY5Vn0IWboUtS2WLUNS3bXK89574F-E7jA/w640-h428/14OntheBlanket.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa, Jackson and Emma Washburn (daughter of Joe Washburn).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6hZMBlCErRewc9QeoPCkQDBjvg0JR7dg504aLihHz83bbKfAz76yNLTd9PtF6QgxI-QeyLJRl6tszAkq-Cy_DfsS4UIXvDjNtFeCVW6YHtX8TxQDgacUgPCp0DGQvBTkN_4oq4K9M82jMbI9bpG--MrtWxiNCUNeXCM-C06E9yMfS_AEiQqep-6fPQ/s3068/15Anticipation.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3068" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6hZMBlCErRewc9QeoPCkQDBjvg0JR7dg504aLihHz83bbKfAz76yNLTd9PtF6QgxI-QeyLJRl6tszAkq-Cy_DfsS4UIXvDjNtFeCVW6YHtX8TxQDgacUgPCp0DGQvBTkN_4oq4K9M82jMbI9bpG--MrtWxiNCUNeXCM-C06E9yMfS_AEiQqep-6fPQ/w640-h540/15Anticipation.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anticipation!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7A_bSiFBB1fpCyo1x64svqkaUJBJeYpX-RY2NwOLW6fEJwrjX0SQfcrde561S0RQhuquV4V84udX1jCu3vQJy9UNLSo9L61LN2LYaG4IRYBIeICZMMQLk25uE4HAxOF2knWn9ozGAIlpLFFBQ3bQ2Mf5YTc9fVwkbuDsCrihb7GRe6XlsBIKwoerag/s3872/16Dick&Ruby.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7A_bSiFBB1fpCyo1x64svqkaUJBJeYpX-RY2NwOLW6fEJwrjX0SQfcrde561S0RQhuquV4V84udX1jCu3vQJy9UNLSo9L61LN2LYaG4IRYBIeICZMMQLk25uE4HAxOF2knWn9ozGAIlpLFFBQ3bQ2Mf5YTc9fVwkbuDsCrihb7GRe6XlsBIKwoerag/w640-h428/16Dick&Ruby.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dick (the oldest cousin) and his wife Ruby.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfPmQn-I4hus4STPMdcVyIbvdo_rhN8_CHTEX2rHf_nSWOZ4dRCyjkiAFOoAIyIbbv2z8_uwCOYale4nZybhDMBtME9KZt2RU4QhW1J7DNm01kcX8XxpS8tH_sRkDENOvvB3IbpCTnhvHb9hlxkaKCNlzka3JzJ4qPXbtPuG59PubCj8gX20LDNLejg/s3872/17Judy&Sandy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfPmQn-I4hus4STPMdcVyIbvdo_rhN8_CHTEX2rHf_nSWOZ4dRCyjkiAFOoAIyIbbv2z8_uwCOYale4nZybhDMBtME9KZt2RU4QhW1J7DNm01kcX8XxpS8tH_sRkDENOvvB3IbpCTnhvHb9hlxkaKCNlzka3JzJ4qPXbtPuG59PubCj8gX20LDNLejg/w640-h428/17Judy&Sandy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Sally and Cousin Dan's wife Sandy looking at the photos posted on the shared Fowler Family Reunion Photo Album set up by Michelle. Brian then streamed the photos every evening when we gathered to eat.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7msrXMiyiplB6zyWyi0M8bQJaT3anK6-_WSc_IfRri5wk4DNDpgHLp0YqJLnUln2KUQRbE81wrjielzODE9-8lw4JH2WLhb_r0DTne-xGUH9sGFBTGqkM0SAhffTb1S5D438fQHp0FM6fA5KDfHd6hs-r63OhWJnN9FsFO3s_CelJR7x0XyN9A2xTw/s3872/21JimNelson&Family.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7msrXMiyiplB6zyWyi0M8bQJaT3anK6-_WSc_IfRri5wk4DNDpgHLp0YqJLnUln2KUQRbE81wrjielzODE9-8lw4JH2WLhb_r0DTne-xGUH9sGFBTGqkM0SAhffTb1S5D438fQHp0FM6fA5KDfHd6hs-r63OhWJnN9FsFO3s_CelJR7x0XyN9A2xTw/w640-h428/21JimNelson&Family.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As can be seen from the following photos, a good time was had by all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HFpx2X2Nd2Ewmh4LdCMRM2rvgsFE8aGAWc6fwBunWvVxv-B1_VwPk-xR8kkMKlO3UBOZiA79oRQF0XyQCsYOhsWK9wg61Z_oqXArtOF3YDs80QaQBWkrkpH7DHYv6xlpGdla8gbwSjLmm6kHTp_h3PHlmge3mlHGTasNgj3wCrkanoYPhybOD179xA/s3872/22Judy&Jackson.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HFpx2X2Nd2Ewmh4LdCMRM2rvgsFE8aGAWc6fwBunWvVxv-B1_VwPk-xR8kkMKlO3UBOZiA79oRQF0XyQCsYOhsWK9wg61Z_oqXArtOF3YDs80QaQBWkrkpH7DHYv6xlpGdla8gbwSjLmm6kHTp_h3PHlmge3mlHGTasNgj3wCrkanoYPhybOD179xA/w640-h428/22Judy&Jackson.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c4A_kR0qLpD64pAl2s3Sp8kHaqCgZ9d1knAEfcrVPWh9Hy8ANWvBmMmNKopnvCgwSdX8K4RhbzkcSOAd6f2NQbbatDwmARWQACIjdI1tvQWoPy-lOk3HCIfanlKU3VkM4VEBvbGyvWpK-Hqa4_PSBrkAfbJUVKjM8JS0geGXPUaptI6PZA2BY5yxJg/s3872/23Maddy&Danny.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c4A_kR0qLpD64pAl2s3Sp8kHaqCgZ9d1knAEfcrVPWh9Hy8ANWvBmMmNKopnvCgwSdX8K4RhbzkcSOAd6f2NQbbatDwmARWQACIjdI1tvQWoPy-lOk3HCIfanlKU3VkM4VEBvbGyvWpK-Hqa4_PSBrkAfbJUVKjM8JS0geGXPUaptI6PZA2BY5yxJg/w640-h428/23Maddy&Danny.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBggH5MG7rPhyoNZ--yB468WwR_IwGxqETE27H0aQ2AiC7QHSBesTpWDdYC4sRMNwFsJ1x4M_lmOyQsN6OJgglGxnOMSR7uErUebyReWbVBkBXHKls7Jl5Fjg_1sPMAdIkjHbzNlOYrrTaw-plYcVuiWACbj_Ag-p7cVnSGoCPKjw8_TeuII24nOPVYA/s3872/24Matt.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBggH5MG7rPhyoNZ--yB468WwR_IwGxqETE27H0aQ2AiC7QHSBesTpWDdYC4sRMNwFsJ1x4M_lmOyQsN6OJgglGxnOMSR7uErUebyReWbVBkBXHKls7Jl5Fjg_1sPMAdIkjHbzNlOYrrTaw-plYcVuiWACbj_Ag-p7cVnSGoCPKjw8_TeuII24nOPVYA/w640-h428/24Matt.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK88RUltZpKq8P-s3qRZdSO9J-gj8fTtIP2nLJoPwTlxDSsltd2ewEVU2mRNLQFOozt8AzEJStlTpLVeiSXzmXvF64e58LnGCmcuPjJsbDAvlTCJjk2ZgzFPLSswgNrH9UQLCEX7mHQUq4m5q2cYNXAr_FL0dDz3RW5oWXJdyolJ9stJmyqj_wL0-CCA/s3872/25Nancy,Jenna&Amelia.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2051" data-original-width="3872" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK88RUltZpKq8P-s3qRZdSO9J-gj8fTtIP2nLJoPwTlxDSsltd2ewEVU2mRNLQFOozt8AzEJStlTpLVeiSXzmXvF64e58LnGCmcuPjJsbDAvlTCJjk2ZgzFPLSswgNrH9UQLCEX7mHQUq4m5q2cYNXAr_FL0dDz3RW5oWXJdyolJ9stJmyqj_wL0-CCA/w640-h340/25Nancy,Jenna&Amelia.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89G3r2ZabY9ex5LBk-fOHBA3cZXnj7G9eDiyUwmvLYC7sf27zNvNqAHbOqADVAgWsjl8FHTZ0FyjswGp1JcoJrTVVCHgyVTlUE0UNeE5Orw2JbFCUUqtGIaKyzF1y2FQQOBt-rskDwOcZX0WYdK9P3bMtpGAtj_zKXBlqmwsC-tO4rvIOiVlzjAr0pA/s3872/26Group.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89G3r2ZabY9ex5LBk-fOHBA3cZXnj7G9eDiyUwmvLYC7sf27zNvNqAHbOqADVAgWsjl8FHTZ0FyjswGp1JcoJrTVVCHgyVTlUE0UNeE5Orw2JbFCUUqtGIaKyzF1y2FQQOBt-rskDwOcZX0WYdK9P3bMtpGAtj_zKXBlqmwsC-tO4rvIOiVlzjAr0pA/w640-h428/26Group.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-0NQ4P6f68TUOqKZH2zbTR5qrPwqw2UbSbpjnUmnS_SklUaK0Hf94p-gCRY7cmL9G7Xjs4bBYYMLHJSDwGXdg0mqDxrznkj0AMhW72a6K3YKyD0ZVAwYdEiT98WN9ucIjnbl1gvLcbtawVucB8I1NTWobUsDvPOhVq64jyFiAX0fjzPq1-RjwAxyA/s3643/27Group.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3643" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-0NQ4P6f68TUOqKZH2zbTR5qrPwqw2UbSbpjnUmnS_SklUaK0Hf94p-gCRY7cmL9G7Xjs4bBYYMLHJSDwGXdg0mqDxrznkj0AMhW72a6K3YKyD0ZVAwYdEiT98WN9ucIjnbl1gvLcbtawVucB8I1NTWobUsDvPOhVq64jyFiAX0fjzPq1-RjwAxyA/w640-h456/27Group.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2OwMM_zbsr0Q5fOlPybPJ5v2gdjLkz7-MPLiEXtfSVG4rCkIb9xKEmByViHAL4i97Kr6iPkT2e9rvz-MH6IyzB2ffqePTXOKvUpIE5gXaZn4ziHdAhvQU0NavIbsMgS7IW3r4AfmwOh3Ig1-W1RRoiCiTiHiyNbcpJdgudwIHIPlo-BBox1I4P4r_g/s3872/29Dick&Theresa.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2OwMM_zbsr0Q5fOlPybPJ5v2gdjLkz7-MPLiEXtfSVG4rCkIb9xKEmByViHAL4i97Kr6iPkT2e9rvz-MH6IyzB2ffqePTXOKvUpIE5gXaZn4ziHdAhvQU0NavIbsMgS7IW3r4AfmwOh3Ig1-W1RRoiCiTiHiyNbcpJdgudwIHIPlo-BBox1I4P4r_g/w428-h640/29Dick&Theresa.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oldest & the youngest of the first cousins.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>At this point the range of ages is pretty broad. Our youngest participant was Amelia at 3 months and the oldest was Dick at 82. So the trick is to have enough activities that everyone goes away happy. Following are some of the games, events, outings that took place during the week.</p><p><u>Cruising (We Wish) Around Harbor Springs </u></p><p>When I told Betsy (last blog) that we were going to Harbor Springs she chuckled and said: "Wow, you guys are going uptown." I had no idea about the place but I said, "Do tell". Turns out Betsy was vacationing with a friend Kimball at the family's "cottage" in Harbor Point. They went sailing and Betsy fell overboard. Kimball's boat lacked a ladder and she motioned a neighboring boat over. They pulled Betsy out and returned her. As they pulled away, Kimball yelled, "Thanks, Edsel". Yes, THAT Edsel. Those are the folks that summer there. When I told that story to some of the 3rd gen folks they looked at me blankly, Edsel who? So, here are some pictures of that charming little town in which we could never afford a summer "cottage". But it was fun to wander around.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-qytDiMXHXtCr_i5aP1gfRXqmmlOCD5Xw9v8xorDG67EuJy5B7mNwaHlpV9cEfmIKf2zDjyZV6KUVFQ5xx-WzzQxUGfFR-jUC_8voVtPV-wQmFI4eOb5TO18NDp8OLxwrkOJIDCvsjAXk-EicwvRbTodq9lRF0S1exquTh3xd8cpOgdDXJvG95MCVQ/s4608/Boat%20@%20Yacht%20Club.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-qytDiMXHXtCr_i5aP1gfRXqmmlOCD5Xw9v8xorDG67EuJy5B7mNwaHlpV9cEfmIKf2zDjyZV6KUVFQ5xx-WzzQxUGfFR-jUC_8voVtPV-wQmFI4eOb5TO18NDp8OLxwrkOJIDCvsjAXk-EicwvRbTodq9lRF0S1exquTh3xd8cpOgdDXJvG95MCVQ/w640-h480/Boat%20@%20Yacht%20Club.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harbor at Harbor Springs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwMXb73czFY0EQIzyTNw8IrfgBNp7kPyfEN4nKzg4ItBnRJWfs_H4Vev3-IVV3eJiX2FwbS_DRhXRZZIJFCiCaszjf36b9KHzZu6Wa4AYBhVefZeFIVhVnYQA_k0sp315LSYDK-E3Dx9ISW7nUnNd8sLbfqfbVYsXFtcdPWM2HOn5HmGf8lA3ZqTdgg/s4608/Harbor%20Springs%20Clock.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwMXb73czFY0EQIzyTNw8IrfgBNp7kPyfEN4nKzg4ItBnRJWfs_H4Vev3-IVV3eJiX2FwbS_DRhXRZZIJFCiCaszjf36b9KHzZu6Wa4AYBhVefZeFIVhVnYQA_k0sp315LSYDK-E3Dx9ISW7nUnNd8sLbfqfbVYsXFtcdPWM2HOn5HmGf8lA3ZqTdgg/w480-h640/Harbor%20Springs%20Clock.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can tell a town is quaint when they still have the old fashioned clock (with their name) and it actually still functions.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqyPnZ6Szz3lSW3MFBMbxwl9MxZ45iSn1urbs3bQ9nSdIb68TyvBSgxKOnl2GJONpJvFQvwaK-bZOuyo1fG3yyOqcR49LboIshdf_eXuY11-EkKF39tfeuUiD-h45UaWPTAb2bPkHqMfv_okaP9gyriJLXKlO6mlnUW3kwkVSE8NX-aDl4GJbxtqJkw/s4608/Harbor%20Springs%20Street.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqyPnZ6Szz3lSW3MFBMbxwl9MxZ45iSn1urbs3bQ9nSdIb68TyvBSgxKOnl2GJONpJvFQvwaK-bZOuyo1fG3yyOqcR49LboIshdf_eXuY11-EkKF39tfeuUiD-h45UaWPTAb2bPkHqMfv_okaP9gyriJLXKlO6mlnUW3kwkVSE8NX-aDl4GJbxtqJkw/w640-h480/Harbor%20Springs%20Street.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main street in Harbor Springs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuv7w891QwZmGC3DZSM75D9blgdxOf8Lqqd4gF9AdIcg1Cu1k22Tc14kpdQ3sJ4rYZHXvDc1r1q1sv6MDQqaqdqhu7vSr9IMX6u0PrpoaT9rXKJXb3uWPVRAsq8GJww51bQaLJakZYStj1kloIBerrKu2yFhSsBAdm_PtEEjlnPqhlYWrvGR79uL10A/s4608/HS%20House1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuv7w891QwZmGC3DZSM75D9blgdxOf8Lqqd4gF9AdIcg1Cu1k22Tc14kpdQ3sJ4rYZHXvDc1r1q1sv6MDQqaqdqhu7vSr9IMX6u0PrpoaT9rXKJXb3uWPVRAsq8GJww51bQaLJakZYStj1kloIBerrKu2yFhSsBAdm_PtEEjlnPqhlYWrvGR79uL10A/w640-h480/HS%20House1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the small "cottages" in Harbor Springs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEK0klEFT0FlTupX_k5UdqiaZaVYRNiTBqkTN0h7d4hARQKSE1ycY53lWMB1gHs3Gn8bwzfD-Aj_ym15FGbBexfjnU3g-eMk5zHCgGQlxDRlBsoQb7mu-tQVeaxilfsB67JReRdEhHMOyWwidEBVC_EiLHyIh-G7h-dGfnr8PHrhmIcGiZLpmH5rHag/s4608/Sailboat,%20boat%20&%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEK0klEFT0FlTupX_k5UdqiaZaVYRNiTBqkTN0h7d4hARQKSE1ycY53lWMB1gHs3Gn8bwzfD-Aj_ym15FGbBexfjnU3g-eMk5zHCgGQlxDRlBsoQb7mu-tQVeaxilfsB67JReRdEhHMOyWwidEBVC_EiLHyIh-G7h-dGfnr8PHrhmIcGiZLpmH5rHag/w640-h480/Sailboat,%20boat%20&%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>The Golf Scramble</u></p><p>Since the inception of the reunions, this has been a staple. Just for fun, foursomes are concocted to be "roughly fair" which is pretty hard when you're dealing with an age span from 10 years old to who knows how old but somehow it works.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfMYu0Fccw3SBWG37gPZbttSTtJnQ4MxTTOh7D-NfOLb9tivS__nOjKSmNgshGmVBDyu_zm_BeJ2FhCx385l1w-7L3fFGIdFtRnpBwyllIwasiUyd2SK_9L1TUht75qadv-92Vgi2oF0MmmyMqmOex4tIkd_Ow6ydAQeO2lTBSQjcC04JuWxaH2JUmg/s2049/Jay%20by%20JBS.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfMYu0Fccw3SBWG37gPZbttSTtJnQ4MxTTOh7D-NfOLb9tivS__nOjKSmNgshGmVBDyu_zm_BeJ2FhCx385l1w-7L3fFGIdFtRnpBwyllIwasiUyd2SK_9L1TUht75qadv-92Vgi2oF0MmmyMqmOex4tIkd_Ow6ydAQeO2lTBSQjcC04JuWxaH2JUmg/w480-h640/Jay%20by%20JBS.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay Searles getting ready to tee off (photo by J. Brian Searles).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioFq5hOlqMsWwPGAHczAUGgtk1os_UoNhElRQmNyK9Aqs8ck0yvqTJMzhiZRs9j6USgZsHFOusiY0_Brz8whQXNtNK-i3dFH_r5_x9VxfpFzfza_fvTgB6C4HBX1ctuO8OtqN5mA3myPWR7qU55NmXs2aUkoo4k3c53FmSO9K5vJ7EHgHGVDV_ucAbQ/s1024/Josh%20&%20John%20W.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioFq5hOlqMsWwPGAHczAUGgtk1os_UoNhElRQmNyK9Aqs8ck0yvqTJMzhiZRs9j6USgZsHFOusiY0_Brz8whQXNtNK-i3dFH_r5_x9VxfpFzfza_fvTgB6C4HBX1ctuO8OtqN5mA3myPWR7qU55NmXs2aUkoo4k3c53FmSO9K5vJ7EHgHGVDV_ucAbQ/w640-h480/Josh%20&%20John%20W.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Erickson prepares to hit the ball while John Washburn looks on (photo by Devin Odom).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMBs1b_AX1EmKM97G4gXcGIuPKH8Ks2qgJPPd4Nlf_diHTqX-k7u3K502oBZvwEJ7xtygwql_aU7OIoFLsiFRsm13x1KT3HnGqu_t37sa5wwtZifSXMr1snVrzt030Faw9UHWm8x9muQJQjG_H80_FUCdvOFO90E14cLircBWwnD0cs-NLHk1aFEDYA/s2049/Josh%20pitching%20to%20the%20green%20by%20DO.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMBs1b_AX1EmKM97G4gXcGIuPKH8Ks2qgJPPd4Nlf_diHTqX-k7u3K502oBZvwEJ7xtygwql_aU7OIoFLsiFRsm13x1KT3HnGqu_t37sa5wwtZifSXMr1snVrzt030Faw9UHWm8x9muQJQjG_H80_FUCdvOFO90E14cLircBWwnD0cs-NLHk1aFEDYA/w640-h480/Josh%20pitching%20to%20the%20green%20by%20DO.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh pitching to the green (photo by Devin Odom).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKy0Kp3nmxvHp7-fLOQC_EuSybx8yKNvAbQ7-nk2tfz1qbT1N3lV4HY_USDKJjkpdSXFLkUoMzzGBYXnu7ZG5BTpJSWCyjzH5w0N6M-CpP3m1cqeeM_tacI1HUa-h2wtCqFUO11WnuWKaomKX_u_qXgTKtuGaLZVo3gKhU15IxbvYIEWqNQo-lfm1uQ/s2048/Lizzy%20&%20Campbell%20by%20CH.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKy0Kp3nmxvHp7-fLOQC_EuSybx8yKNvAbQ7-nk2tfz1qbT1N3lV4HY_USDKJjkpdSXFLkUoMzzGBYXnu7ZG5BTpJSWCyjzH5w0N6M-CpP3m1cqeeM_tacI1HUa-h2wtCqFUO11WnuWKaomKX_u_qXgTKtuGaLZVo3gKhU15IxbvYIEWqNQo-lfm1uQ/w480-h640/Lizzy%20&%20Campbell%20by%20CH.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizzy & Campbell in the cart (photo by Callie Hiner).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LGiWP2r7ChdkHMU-Jsfjc0OccYuznBgq9ArtwgvlMfNQyRKKZe3QZ31IHHYzhYmEhtmI36KHCAS15fHSEnJWNsABPGZr58w8ywlKTJaOV_ex3VOR2yjMnJv7Elf9rDOEgZIJr2EjN1RnkqwQdhIvmFh5EaoT1OC3zSsXlvf12R9VASXiV6e_w3ZlRA/s2049/Mary%20Couture%20by%20DO.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LGiWP2r7ChdkHMU-Jsfjc0OccYuznBgq9ArtwgvlMfNQyRKKZe3QZ31IHHYzhYmEhtmI36KHCAS15fHSEnJWNsABPGZr58w8ywlKTJaOV_ex3VOR2yjMnJv7Elf9rDOEgZIJr2EjN1RnkqwQdhIvmFh5EaoT1OC3zSsXlvf12R9VASXiV6e_w3ZlRA/w640-h480/Mary%20Couture%20by%20DO.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95DEQkbfPuhKdZXPlhOgan_IqeFhFXIqzijI6vcpvp1cUTlpLBOTxM2EpWsnONLRn9sjjgx3saJnJSdCDDXOE_KpykGzFM3mwsOfhrt9_GAcTSaBOa3NPu3otTcTCLA_TUFsBdpt7zAL7H68RHH6G-_YM719NyOcgLWx7Hw7GKv5IETncatZ8olGTlw/s2048/Maureen%20&%20Trevor%20by%20MD.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95DEQkbfPuhKdZXPlhOgan_IqeFhFXIqzijI6vcpvp1cUTlpLBOTxM2EpWsnONLRn9sjjgx3saJnJSdCDDXOE_KpykGzFM3mwsOfhrt9_GAcTSaBOa3NPu3otTcTCLA_TUFsBdpt7zAL7H68RHH6G-_YM719NyOcgLWx7Hw7GKv5IETncatZ8olGTlw/w480-h640/Maureen%20&%20Trevor%20by%20MD.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maureen & Trevor (photo by Maureen Dyson).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwmnmkkc6234MhQqQt7JHcipaV5GUsjFTjo2uaeyFSo4OHmY6fTuy1v-2Zyib80MvLndczJkXOeHUWzt98DQBPiMKTEDfCYVwYA9cTl4Y6L_DtMWubQ8NleL6iSFZan1Eejte_zy7cRNZkDWq3KdKNznglu3FwBldE7cU1CwTHHASy9fGiLWRnXDmnQ/s2048/Patricia%20Putting.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwmnmkkc6234MhQqQt7JHcipaV5GUsjFTjo2uaeyFSo4OHmY6fTuy1v-2Zyib80MvLndczJkXOeHUWzt98DQBPiMKTEDfCYVwYA9cTl4Y6L_DtMWubQ8NleL6iSFZan1Eejte_zy7cRNZkDWq3KdKNznglu3FwBldE7cU1CwTHHASy9fGiLWRnXDmnQ/w480-h640/Patricia%20Putting.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patricia putting (photo by Michelle Felix).</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Casino Night</u></p><p>Daryl always arrives complete with all the required elements for Casino Night which is highly popular with the teens to 20 to 30 somethings although sometimes geriatrics sneak in. In this particular venue, they had to shut it down at 10 PM but at prior reunions it was known to go into the wee hours and many wickedly hungover participants (usually not the teens) emerged into daylight the next morning - or noon.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuFKUhxbVfrUQBJ_8wV6Ti0fqNSAJrR14MOhqQQX0uLJ9pmuWu8cTP9cXHnW6CydSv-cQZXlwxU8ad3U3w7pMG2jMTJEV7iax64cvEmNvXMhPXdjY6fMjdnv1ZGXPVXt6qHI0pLwYMLH-dcOCEua4i6PpBHPY1IktXIpwcYyb3sqkWCMVN91A2Sgzbw/s2048/Blackjack2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuFKUhxbVfrUQBJ_8wV6Ti0fqNSAJrR14MOhqQQX0uLJ9pmuWu8cTP9cXHnW6CydSv-cQZXlwxU8ad3U3w7pMG2jMTJEV7iax64cvEmNvXMhPXdjY6fMjdnv1ZGXPVXt6qHI0pLwYMLH-dcOCEua4i6PpBHPY1IktXIpwcYyb3sqkWCMVN91A2Sgzbw/w640-h480/Blackjack2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathered at the blackjack table (photo by Laura Lombard).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx0NCXAVCcdcmK6INZEzUoexG2-C8b4KRvlIASUJa1Kgx5xjwCFDsilx7lRk8jUZ04mUHJKF4t6efyFa4QXrU9BoESHMuHUUGbIeoeNJPfSxwMsaYfCwPoKiyD1jlEpuLgndZsB26644QqEO1Xm2XRkTl9dyQ40H_uYxdRiSRgcfJngborUo5ZlYKgA/s2048/Blackjack%20Casino%20Night.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx0NCXAVCcdcmK6INZEzUoexG2-C8b4KRvlIASUJa1Kgx5xjwCFDsilx7lRk8jUZ04mUHJKF4t6efyFa4QXrU9BoESHMuHUUGbIeoeNJPfSxwMsaYfCwPoKiyD1jlEpuLgndZsB26644QqEO1Xm2XRkTl9dyQ40H_uYxdRiSRgcfJngborUo5ZlYKgA/w480-h640/Blackjack%20Casino%20Night.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More blackjack (photo by Maureen Dyson).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixybwCE91vcPJ51qj4LRvPBo4VJuZzM6PiCRCas7oZU4NFHRBd4GlplVASMOFXk_zCHoBexHPIeDTBET1zpgek0EBTSs36u2kHbzNi5N1NVcjpmzVRHcbO0qcTDPYsYDTGqyF-U5onpj7vnbDBY4zZcGWdfJMUfsPSkNK5_0Z1dkmgwyfMuq-YQexcIQ/s2048/Craps%20Table.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixybwCE91vcPJ51qj4LRvPBo4VJuZzM6PiCRCas7oZU4NFHRBd4GlplVASMOFXk_zCHoBexHPIeDTBET1zpgek0EBTSs36u2kHbzNi5N1NVcjpmzVRHcbO0qcTDPYsYDTGqyF-U5onpj7vnbDBY4zZcGWdfJMUfsPSkNK5_0Z1dkmgwyfMuq-YQexcIQ/w480-h640/Craps%20Table.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathered around the craps table (photo by Laura Lombard).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMpHeiAuweiWxhWB22lBnRb0vT6ebc3MEuFq6L03OWexx8i2vQD07ltnMpXYyPTyst54h9om4YWMbctPlOy536PffVoFBuJNrVCStfh5QR0exsQ2TzDUJJcvlUwvW6btGgyuhyfLUTbyl65gEzWDFW1F-k50ZcI8YWIte9CzNrk63WR2VPyNmtdiaEw/s2049/Roulette%20Casino%20Night.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2049" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMpHeiAuweiWxhWB22lBnRb0vT6ebc3MEuFq6L03OWexx8i2vQD07ltnMpXYyPTyst54h9om4YWMbctPlOy536PffVoFBuJNrVCStfh5QR0exsQ2TzDUJJcvlUwvW6btGgyuhyfLUTbyl65gEzWDFW1F-k50ZcI8YWIte9CzNrk63WR2VPyNmtdiaEw/w640-h480/Roulette%20Casino%20Night.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing bets at the roulette wheel (photo by Carrie Odom).</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Wine - In Some Format</u></p><p>This year it was a wine tour of Upper Michigan. It seems like every improbably locale is growing vines these days. In prior years, we held our own wine tastings. Each person/couple brought a favorite white and a favorite red disguised in a plain brown bag. Now, look at the population figures at the reunions. That is a LOT of wine. We would start out carefully judging the bouquet, swirling meditatively and, perhaps, once tasted, spitting it. out. Perhaps. Or not. In order to complete the circuits, people would begin to increase the speed of tasting and decrease the studious contemplation, swilling down small cups in rapid order. By the end of the tasting, a significant portion of the tasters would be flat out drunk. Perhaps that's why they decided on the wine tour this time...</p><p><u>The Softball Game</u></p><p>A family standard. There are no age limits although when you are old it is pretty self-limiting. Scores are always in the double digits, at least, due to the failing talents, eyesight and concentration of the players. Certain defensive plays take on the aura of slapstick in order to allow the youngest of players to reach the base while at other times the aura of slapstick is just the result of trying to field a strong line drive with a beer in your hand.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDkfPXqqywJAmEoxMNwUATGTPSl9TvwZpLiMFey08aCcZCw_o1NF1v1LCme04j439vgQnv8DKLRGYjwARlOyLbitQYiEa_tBJmd3DMHaok-K8jtMt9wJwpdqY8qibDE5xQm9JVrjD6V8lkwVrq_f0U8lIIQz5_rSfZdgwDS68UI7MYSUKsb2FL55G5Q/s3872/A%20Hit.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDkfPXqqywJAmEoxMNwUATGTPSl9TvwZpLiMFey08aCcZCw_o1NF1v1LCme04j439vgQnv8DKLRGYjwARlOyLbitQYiEa_tBJmd3DMHaok-K8jtMt9wJwpdqY8qibDE5xQm9JVrjD6V8lkwVrq_f0U8lIIQz5_rSfZdgwDS68UI7MYSUKsb2FL55G5Q/w640-h428/A%20Hit.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some pictures from the softball game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dgEOlDqqkRjTzE9ZdAIoopWH586mp4vYRLcW7pf8dhL4Xs0W1xNccdl660vL57s9HmQ0YlQO3rAnNRAHYq70PgeiwUNZiNkrXZjzjWFw7sUx3H9gj1NUB5eWUadHUpWlSoI2bhfL5Km3eA1r1A9d61vC_saRRArVgeKkKZPWmOWtQL9rVWrHN1gSZQ/s3872/Daryl%20on%20the%20Run.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dgEOlDqqkRjTzE9ZdAIoopWH586mp4vYRLcW7pf8dhL4Xs0W1xNccdl660vL57s9HmQ0YlQO3rAnNRAHYq70PgeiwUNZiNkrXZjzjWFw7sUx3H9gj1NUB5eWUadHUpWlSoI2bhfL5Km3eA1r1A9d61vC_saRRArVgeKkKZPWmOWtQL9rVWrHN1gSZQ/w640-h428/Daryl%20on%20the%20Run.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijykFKJc77zaH_2GaMluZXN2UhKTilufZsfBi7saPW2kcj9gG2PirlBzMUb8R4lWs6GSSbyJzCGaREHBrSXyK85vGUcePso-_9SYEPJwpdWqEeslYNwUp_EptBO2nKvCPbIzv8tdVxl9Ol8d72Nih3LMxVy2AerWYVdq0pn-X11ekS_cwzg32CL95RQA/s3872/Mike%20on%20the%20Run.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijykFKJc77zaH_2GaMluZXN2UhKTilufZsfBi7saPW2kcj9gG2PirlBzMUb8R4lWs6GSSbyJzCGaREHBrSXyK85vGUcePso-_9SYEPJwpdWqEeslYNwUp_EptBO2nKvCPbIzv8tdVxl9Ol8d72Nih3LMxVy2AerWYVdq0pn-X11ekS_cwzg32CL95RQA/w640-h428/Mike%20on%20the%20Run.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgKX9zUJMWF_oMZVobJjYxmQ8IG4GhK8esF5tfEMXc3hCCZhuvKAcTG2Nv0Su4X0HUzv3VsQ-5fFEt1UlNzgBTAnuL7OnTLClZAkYItboYlekVOk7HaekMPHivbU4btd47zXluH7pnFF2yoAMeUlS8X9_UsuBDPHPNxg7XGfaM24SbJyHS48ipWQxHA/s3872/River%20on%20the%20Run.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgKX9zUJMWF_oMZVobJjYxmQ8IG4GhK8esF5tfEMXc3hCCZhuvKAcTG2Nv0Su4X0HUzv3VsQ-5fFEt1UlNzgBTAnuL7OnTLClZAkYItboYlekVOk7HaekMPHivbU4btd47zXluH7pnFF2yoAMeUlS8X9_UsuBDPHPNxg7XGfaM24SbJyHS48ipWQxHA/w640-h428/River%20on%20the%20Run.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><u>The Family Photo</u></p><p>Just as it is not easy to feed 70-80 people, it is not easy to photograph 70-80 people in one shot. This particular task fell to Michael and I'm sure he'll include a picture. In addition, we take photos of each of the original three sister's offsprings, then their individual families, then all the second cousins.... you get the idea. It is a bit of an ordeal and if you are smart you will bring a camp chair, liquid refreshment, food, sunscreen and a sense of humor. Babies generally are not happy in this situation.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcGdnLFM3XpEz5Ru6LL0hrhcy-3SQg5HeHw5XmkI1pGx839oaBkqA1_S-ueKEWbhZkuYb0QtuTreNeB8VKo0Ds6IVvDrnMbeibBR2GOU7EnQEbZgX3bXUA6t8AJBzVdMRjxP0ilAMFHCFBOgyCiS1e_lj7C7uIRqa0ZQonkPEDdKtpQZ5W2FZwfy_7g/s3872/Everyone.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="3872" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcGdnLFM3XpEz5Ru6LL0hrhcy-3SQg5HeHw5XmkI1pGx839oaBkqA1_S-ueKEWbhZkuYb0QtuTreNeB8VKo0Ds6IVvDrnMbeibBR2GOU7EnQEbZgX3bXUA6t8AJBzVdMRjxP0ilAMFHCFBOgyCiS1e_lj7C7uIRqa0ZQonkPEDdKtpQZ5W2FZwfy_7g/w640-h284/Everyone.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire Family Fowler Clan.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNmVuZL2e_mzWgWRtLO5exGzD-tDrrFostJzCB9JmBPGagYVaeR5JpQl_Hn9vm4c4McIVLnojc_M6NFyDY-qULY4K-syxEUNHvEyxWjT7wtXq-ODHgMDZ40ky7ABo14exn-r4VHb4cLY2ghJW31iTblXn0GW9tsuHNw_W8G8iWFC7SZR83EpOQ4KRfQ/s3872/First%20Cousins%20Photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNmVuZL2e_mzWgWRtLO5exGzD-tDrrFostJzCB9JmBPGagYVaeR5JpQl_Hn9vm4c4McIVLnojc_M6NFyDY-qULY4K-syxEUNHvEyxWjT7wtXq-ODHgMDZ40ky7ABo14exn-r4VHb4cLY2ghJW31iTblXn0GW9tsuHNw_W8G8iWFC7SZR83EpOQ4KRfQ/w640-h428/First%20Cousins%20Photo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the first cousins (except for the baby).</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>A Field Trip</u></p><p>There is usually at least one "field trip". While not mandatory (NOTHING is mandatory at this event), the majority of people usually partake. This time it was a trip to Mackinac Island(pronounced Mackinaw for some obscure reason). Reached by a ferry, there are no cars there on island-- only horse drawn carriages. Well, you can just ride a horse or bike if you want. To say that this island is a tourist attraction is an understatement. To say that the inhabitants have mastered a way to monetize absolutely everything on the island is NOT an understatement. After having enjoyed a $21 Bloody Mary at the Jockey Club across from the world famous Grand Hotel, Michael and I decided to walk across the street to get a shot of the hotel in all its Grand glory. As we walked along the sidewalk fronting the hotel we were stopped by a young woman in a red jacket. "Are you guests of the hotel?" she asked. "Well, no," we politely replied. "Well, then I'm sorry but you will have to go to the lobby and purchase an admission ticket for $10." "But, we're just walking on the sidewalk. We don't want to go into the hotel." "I'm terribly sorry (sure) but those are the rules." I was so put out that I found a secret route onto the grounds and insisted that we visit just on general principle. Sometimes I irk Michael. But the island was lovely and it was probably something you should do once -- but maybe not twice.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSB5-ybqCsw-H7aUKOsMP2rlNpglj1Iu6NdJIFA2Ei1vW-pgAfvCwgI74SboYqQEXLHwiThsEvdL97DXEhIDneg2WQLEghBBHcRGGkYbFELxU-XwvY86rTrjGpcAFbjewVNkNvpeXMuwnGzSO3ygRUt_iZper1aAAr4I6VRTve_-q3Ta36CS8LqNh2A/s4608/1Mackinac%20Bridge.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSB5-ybqCsw-H7aUKOsMP2rlNpglj1Iu6NdJIFA2Ei1vW-pgAfvCwgI74SboYqQEXLHwiThsEvdL97DXEhIDneg2WQLEghBBHcRGGkYbFELxU-XwvY86rTrjGpcAFbjewVNkNvpeXMuwnGzSO3ygRUt_iZper1aAAr4I6VRTve_-q3Ta36CS8LqNh2A/w640-h480/1Mackinac%20Bridge.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mackinac bridge which connects the lower & upper peninsula of Michigan.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKIZNJro531uk4j1uVS1H9j_ZIsDFLn6YruemBCP5xLnkTvH7mO0qmCPBVUxcJtWS3w6aWCMWsnDzSdyocm1V1LqxHQLIiWkyw-3mmkQK-5HyxKW7sl8_vcZinw5_4XX9i9RWM5ZMjK5JzcgzaHB8yvvbQ38p7LU0JhYHzXCI4PCCh02CXckO8bG6sw/s4608/2Fast%20Ferry.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKIZNJro531uk4j1uVS1H9j_ZIsDFLn6YruemBCP5xLnkTvH7mO0qmCPBVUxcJtWS3w6aWCMWsnDzSdyocm1V1LqxHQLIiWkyw-3mmkQK-5HyxKW7sl8_vcZinw5_4XX9i9RWM5ZMjK5JzcgzaHB8yvvbQ38p7LU0JhYHzXCI4PCCh02CXckO8bG6sw/w640-h480/2Fast%20Ferry.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferry we took to Mackinac Island was of the high speed variety.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIVSzzfW3JTgseG89Q5yNPuuZoEJQtp9oZ282cjThtXD_XyGjrvxdMX0uz8rVyVYN4DMBasXNJoA_k-zmLWlEqn1C6e3i24-iomS3Capr4IOhUsU6SSlm6SqC3h1_9pV2QSGEkBmOT7T7oDOoFvXeLVk0KdBX9JlrUVOymVCh9uPhX2KJyOYQkrOXVA/s4608/3Approach%20to%20Mackinac.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIVSzzfW3JTgseG89Q5yNPuuZoEJQtp9oZ282cjThtXD_XyGjrvxdMX0uz8rVyVYN4DMBasXNJoA_k-zmLWlEqn1C6e3i24-iomS3Capr4IOhUsU6SSlm6SqC3h1_9pV2QSGEkBmOT7T7oDOoFvXeLVk0KdBX9JlrUVOymVCh9uPhX2KJyOYQkrOXVA/w640-h480/3Approach%20to%20Mackinac.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scene as we approached Mackinac Island.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfU3sNVB2mXeJ77BGZCG6K0PTyRosflgaE-MWGpe3L3qTz2WxxyVt5R9nSjRG-0Lhbh39QsWpgbCNAZZz2qRYAa6CgwcGDSwgASUgm83Fg2MWOzxr0RUCWdpRD1Z4FMy998bgdu8MOcCtaPHdTmdldu0EBPIIcL9UQF54I1UDm7S6pYmocm7MeT07BA/s4608/4Sailboats%20in%20harbor.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfU3sNVB2mXeJ77BGZCG6K0PTyRosflgaE-MWGpe3L3qTz2WxxyVt5R9nSjRG-0Lhbh39QsWpgbCNAZZz2qRYAa6CgwcGDSwgASUgm83Fg2MWOzxr0RUCWdpRD1Z4FMy998bgdu8MOcCtaPHdTmdldu0EBPIIcL9UQF54I1UDm7S6pYmocm7MeT07BA/w640-h480/4Sailboats%20in%20harbor.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were an amazing number of boats in the harbor, having just completed the race from Chicago to Mackinac Island.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EcYLld9HoIX_n-VyI_nU-BhSvIDHNdQifwC5MlPDp8WrCOzGDU_vM5g0yc97cA1CSIeG6hyTgFuU97X7TNvv6FEiMHAbqwdFx_HB5FGBfTNPZ2S1rOfwlgqiyYo8EZyfp2Owl3cuWpXzQy9v9izakUIBmq-hfjPUMsGSEqUETeN-HhN_UJXnlazqKg/s4608/5Cruise%20Ship%20from%20Majuro.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EcYLld9HoIX_n-VyI_nU-BhSvIDHNdQifwC5MlPDp8WrCOzGDU_vM5g0yc97cA1CSIeG6hyTgFuU97X7TNvv6FEiMHAbqwdFx_HB5FGBfTNPZ2S1rOfwlgqiyYo8EZyfp2Owl3cuWpXzQy9v9izakUIBmq-hfjPUMsGSEqUETeN-HhN_UJXnlazqKg/w640-h480/5Cruise%20Ship%20from%20Majuro.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big cruise ships have even invaded Mackinac Island. This ship is registered in Majuro, which is in the Marshall Islands. I am not quite sure how it got to Lake Michigan.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONFKrUMuxdvf7S0SRJvsgzLv1Q6Za46ktKk2A-SrmGkJcg8iepoFuAU_hzlcn85NP0Udn9Rotn5MzxP6IecNWMUaRCazv9Ha5gax32FujQUbYPlfexe_dGaz5x9LHg5YdXR3K_APCI7t9UhmuhbY189m9TjUX-AKDBQe5XcP-TYMzfB6hwrHO4L_F2w/s4608/6American%20Fur%20Company.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONFKrUMuxdvf7S0SRJvsgzLv1Q6Za46ktKk2A-SrmGkJcg8iepoFuAU_hzlcn85NP0Udn9Rotn5MzxP6IecNWMUaRCazv9Ha5gax32FujQUbYPlfexe_dGaz5x9LHg5YdXR3K_APCI7t9UhmuhbY189m9TjUX-AKDBQe5XcP-TYMzfB6hwrHO4L_F2w/w640-h480/6American%20Fur%20Company.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This woman in period costume and this boy scout (not in period costume) were outside the American Fur Co. Retail Store. The next photo tells the tale in detail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAFWN3UXX0r_J4rsPFIoDJDwbCD3Ja-5N9MZxosxnkCclsdTNJjn_ykJLXgEj_hKr-zrvtGdBjleers28tnsMheWUO9-yPZYs4lOuqFUrrdGh48v0VlwoE3Lz49Ot6kqFzctm6fA6NoxPehHII37enC_06aa_gr30r5zS4e2icEdvcrg5jIwbg9QI8Q/s4608/7Am.%20Fur%20Story.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAFWN3UXX0r_J4rsPFIoDJDwbCD3Ja-5N9MZxosxnkCclsdTNJjn_ykJLXgEj_hKr-zrvtGdBjleers28tnsMheWUO9-yPZYs4lOuqFUrrdGh48v0VlwoE3Lz49Ot6kqFzctm6fA6NoxPehHII37enC_06aa_gr30r5zS4e2icEdvcrg5jIwbg9QI8Q/w480-h640/7Am.%20Fur%20Story.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5mSH49SqV1ZTHXx_qM73i1au5ASUzLiEQef0zGk_Y6iBH_5SmWlgr26EBUaN0zFcNa_vRSexxxiiDvtFAITtspk1McmQ03T4ZWh5cVxIciaQaD2BIe44ijSublrtKkjufTVqboSoLof6y757ZuQFEJaJjPZPPTm-0uIdb-j6g8B7ls-pQT1cSgWXNQ/s4608/8Mackinac%20Taxi.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5mSH49SqV1ZTHXx_qM73i1au5ASUzLiEQef0zGk_Y6iBH_5SmWlgr26EBUaN0zFcNa_vRSexxxiiDvtFAITtspk1McmQ03T4ZWh5cVxIciaQaD2BIe44ijSublrtKkjufTVqboSoLof6y757ZuQFEJaJjPZPPTm-0uIdb-j6g8B7ls-pQT1cSgWXNQ/w640-h480/8Mackinac%20Taxi.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are no powered vehicles on the island unless they are horse powered or human powered.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5IWFsnFFHkxl1O4TrIW556kwnpMBuIU4D5nvwzI_4BZNLCsSMnzjC00gZeCO9fqAYrpJcBl-6xcs7pE2U_2GXs0Gw3Kw-4NxYNlqwtgo8UafP0zMIVBY1WuWEUdUiS26z36d-JmrmYHUnSLnFappg0rXU4csKI0c-fj3q7WZWS9ZGNvOgmboQVMA6g/s4608/9Grand%20Hotel%20Limo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5IWFsnFFHkxl1O4TrIW556kwnpMBuIU4D5nvwzI_4BZNLCsSMnzjC00gZeCO9fqAYrpJcBl-6xcs7pE2U_2GXs0Gw3Kw-4NxYNlqwtgo8UafP0zMIVBY1WuWEUdUiS26z36d-JmrmYHUnSLnFappg0rXU4csKI0c-fj3q7WZWS9ZGNvOgmboQVMA6g/w640-h480/9Grand%20Hotel%20Limo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those staying at the Grand Hotel arrive in this horse drawn coach.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeYwqTtarJnyNxIIZU1wq60qN1B_wYVyl2IV4uDmkUJCz1t3FAQTJx2MsO2czLuN9oWttniFxqFOvtE8Zvp81hZxU_yUmB0dRpiL_d22miTs3-I4qMIqs61hy-DKjUv7wATKwe3HCYrXvb6IYLl6Mhj2MH8O6tzbH6gYaZ3R0rEomAPEOLbh6V1n6uA/s4608/10Grand%20Hotel%20garden1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeYwqTtarJnyNxIIZU1wq60qN1B_wYVyl2IV4uDmkUJCz1t3FAQTJx2MsO2czLuN9oWttniFxqFOvtE8Zvp81hZxU_yUmB0dRpiL_d22miTs3-I4qMIqs61hy-DKjUv7wATKwe3HCYrXvb6IYLl6Mhj2MH8O6tzbH6gYaZ3R0rEomAPEOLbh6V1n6uA/w640-h480/10Grand%20Hotel%20garden1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next three photos show the beautiful gardens of the Grand Hotel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWqdY_Naj3yzGYkXpjlzQrCeURIqi8uYaUeo1BBvCIMY64YC51pPaX9KzO1OKilMrDG8VaPmDVs8FKcKHEcFRcgCwhmeBaObL79UKogiaEkuhXvzVeem6TvZ1tVot0m-plVWcChGlimCWTR5Ut2V5ZxOOn1ETLSNJ9vuhvXcbO_64kVhNTjSCuUq-ZA/s4608/11Grand%20Hotel%20garden2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWqdY_Naj3yzGYkXpjlzQrCeURIqi8uYaUeo1BBvCIMY64YC51pPaX9KzO1OKilMrDG8VaPmDVs8FKcKHEcFRcgCwhmeBaObL79UKogiaEkuhXvzVeem6TvZ1tVot0m-plVWcChGlimCWTR5Ut2V5ZxOOn1ETLSNJ9vuhvXcbO_64kVhNTjSCuUq-ZA/w640-h480/11Grand%20Hotel%20garden2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmkvWZYXKPp0WxInc7QeJFqTTCzxZg8P87NEA-vNL4Jk9kkTQSlY-pzvR6TcUX6Qm2sCOqMGrlyrHXlC38AsQ5QwrQPPZ7PN7k6xohjFIvOyJl3PjiAEgmY3XK_ikPGizCL52uL2liL4rIgivnrfrEKDm-45o1L_cmZm70tivUbvnIU8SG7LkiZwsWA/s4608/12Grand%20Hotel%20garden3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmkvWZYXKPp0WxInc7QeJFqTTCzxZg8P87NEA-vNL4Jk9kkTQSlY-pzvR6TcUX6Qm2sCOqMGrlyrHXlC38AsQ5QwrQPPZ7PN7k6xohjFIvOyJl3PjiAEgmY3XK_ikPGizCL52uL2liL4rIgivnrfrEKDm-45o1L_cmZm70tivUbvnIU8SG7LkiZwsWA/w640-h480/12Grand%20Hotel%20garden3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmZulPBynTAsc2959tT7up6YU540PJVmLSfu4P-dnvAky02Xyxfr5VF7dI0yGBVe_beyv2DBMc3NALTyt8iOvEJyiN7JzwWwDnKb4vL9ThsjdCT_L-wQlpP_se9f-MiDzlLrfLjG9I7BiPCsidELUfPwGPtqunJoSdXw82Z6ZnFL2BLBFPlPu7PJeeg/s4608/13Grand%20Hotel1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmZulPBynTAsc2959tT7up6YU540PJVmLSfu4P-dnvAky02Xyxfr5VF7dI0yGBVe_beyv2DBMc3NALTyt8iOvEJyiN7JzwWwDnKb4vL9ThsjdCT_L-wQlpP_se9f-MiDzlLrfLjG9I7BiPCsidELUfPwGPtqunJoSdXw82Z6ZnFL2BLBFPlPu7PJeeg/w640-h480/13Grand%20Hotel1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next two photos show the extent of the Grand Hotel...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv0x4MyioOgn5CkfLBSeTJDISoN5jve_MAQnmAMSp0Yj6t7Y0KLpL4uRWdQjLmBmbqIfOrGNpEebCp4BoCR114P1m2EGpHit04X2WeK8v1K3gyWa25sS_tVajsTyxQL8ZlKUaIfIopAtQWXLqNlqMgZ_xJiZ4WinZCrbls5UPOVPhT3rgKqqq3dBtHg/s4608/14Grand%20Hotel2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv0x4MyioOgn5CkfLBSeTJDISoN5jve_MAQnmAMSp0Yj6t7Y0KLpL4uRWdQjLmBmbqIfOrGNpEebCp4BoCR114P1m2EGpHit04X2WeK8v1K3gyWa25sS_tVajsTyxQL8ZlKUaIfIopAtQWXLqNlqMgZ_xJiZ4WinZCrbls5UPOVPhT3rgKqqq3dBtHg/w640-h480/14Grand%20Hotel2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which needed two photos to capture its full length with the longest porch in the world, as described in the photo below.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UNgjOTcN8s7sruMQShfPu8PdeE2bgEm6LKZVGKzx5BTH059Ncb_Olr49buOIEPGIhN0J0YfFC5VS2tGGPXUHjTUEdIwWVrJSQyrCManU1zqIzYu0aA_gm4s6NsbQNeK27UjW5A6OCu_BEG1WCZC9nrTZ-y3K7kPzSvKBwgmgd_ZnwtKJey9Wul7Y4Q/s4608/15Grand%20Hotel%20Story.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UNgjOTcN8s7sruMQShfPu8PdeE2bgEm6LKZVGKzx5BTH059Ncb_Olr49buOIEPGIhN0J0YfFC5VS2tGGPXUHjTUEdIwWVrJSQyrCManU1zqIzYu0aA_gm4s6NsbQNeK27UjW5A6OCu_BEG1WCZC9nrTZ-y3K7kPzSvKBwgmgd_ZnwtKJey9Wul7Y4Q/w480-h640/15Grand%20Hotel%20Story.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa4T8KpXmwyAm-QJBv70pr7-_USEMhrp8Kaxwd37kErObB_92FNJ02X3Zz3XEwFs-f7M1h8eymYwD55MEQAdaxEuvzOIovGKa5h2OTHZvC0RF1AmCosfaZKxDeBOXOEZ5__V5QxPkaP3YqXK4J2HDNkNGKpuAZGc2acSDEj-BVhEiLAeuh1gIm-XkSg/s4608/16B&B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa4T8KpXmwyAm-QJBv70pr7-_USEMhrp8Kaxwd37kErObB_92FNJ02X3Zz3XEwFs-f7M1h8eymYwD55MEQAdaxEuvzOIovGKa5h2OTHZvC0RF1AmCosfaZKxDeBOXOEZ5__V5QxPkaP3YqXK4J2HDNkNGKpuAZGc2acSDEj-BVhEiLAeuh1gIm-XkSg/w640-h480/16B&B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the cottages and B & Bs lining the main street were quite spectacular, as can be seen from the following photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLd-iQp2p02E5fXpQ2pI8GdOby1khqeM4ilCdUKvKdm5b7B8eeiFW56nsonRapfBkEhfG8yXUKlE4jE-bDdeCmAL2klrKNYY434x-84NIUT6NCduMggoYhKoJOo7bbghDoB8IPllxk1iJIX-JEvTPVQTQ02YfID_-AqkhNEqQl5XW1yWkG-UBljgHeg/s4608/17Mackinac%20Cottage1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLd-iQp2p02E5fXpQ2pI8GdOby1khqeM4ilCdUKvKdm5b7B8eeiFW56nsonRapfBkEhfG8yXUKlE4jE-bDdeCmAL2klrKNYY434x-84NIUT6NCduMggoYhKoJOo7bbghDoB8IPllxk1iJIX-JEvTPVQTQ02YfID_-AqkhNEqQl5XW1yWkG-UBljgHeg/w640-h480/17Mackinac%20Cottage1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVW_WLBrMneN0NKLxX-aitivtbDK9KD0UDqR6aGWKusV1wOUqNvbopVHIKDFaAe3sMfIEQ9pAulGRmvhM2iYMvyliLD4J31KfFyzfoYmgSX-nGUBQWKkKLquRfg18k1HOcIQ2KpCMQ8PdbN4ChDaX5wkgs3tPZZBMpTMlxCuwK5ashLM9-Af8W82ZKg/s4608/18Mackinac%20Cottage2B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVW_WLBrMneN0NKLxX-aitivtbDK9KD0UDqR6aGWKusV1wOUqNvbopVHIKDFaAe3sMfIEQ9pAulGRmvhM2iYMvyliLD4J31KfFyzfoYmgSX-nGUBQWKkKLquRfg18k1HOcIQ2KpCMQ8PdbN4ChDaX5wkgs3tPZZBMpTMlxCuwK5ashLM9-Af8W82ZKg/w640-h480/18Mackinac%20Cottage2B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVuCX8_NcIrUuHWmBCKovzSL2_W6gWZbBB6srxzsP6xAv_Q0oNGBkvw2Jna_v5bt1W38fHgN5A8aGv-TnUTP0pvLSfHPXA2ONoHAL4DP3WgEpoHswZBxTnp9Ort-9gd119sUQXO--gsrP61WpCYzci25aMA-ca3G6K325DnJrOTuuYosaQQaYbRZ9-g/s4608/19Mackinac%20Cottage3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVuCX8_NcIrUuHWmBCKovzSL2_W6gWZbBB6srxzsP6xAv_Q0oNGBkvw2Jna_v5bt1W38fHgN5A8aGv-TnUTP0pvLSfHPXA2ONoHAL4DP3WgEpoHswZBxTnp9Ort-9gd119sUQXO--gsrP61WpCYzci25aMA-ca3G6K325DnJrOTuuYosaQQaYbRZ9-g/w640-h480/19Mackinac%20Cottage3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_LN2yfUtlk6OFj1GaM4ZANi3uoCe8uWd7UKVI3ex_1QelpPxotpQJot5G_kszX2frAwP3veCSeRhcJJUjB38_06y5swZ-63E8Q-PranwpuXZs7z0g_D-NYyU4AW3vLrqxpLNwasJjZea2rmcKZaLJ17Ao3KdRXPfMn7EIkRYvSwCe7WAvCXDGpHlUA/s4608/20Mackinac%20Cottage4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_LN2yfUtlk6OFj1GaM4ZANi3uoCe8uWd7UKVI3ex_1QelpPxotpQJot5G_kszX2frAwP3veCSeRhcJJUjB38_06y5swZ-63E8Q-PranwpuXZs7z0g_D-NYyU4AW3vLrqxpLNwasJjZea2rmcKZaLJ17Ao3KdRXPfMn7EIkRYvSwCe7WAvCXDGpHlUA/w640-h480/20Mackinac%20Cottage4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Just Hanging With The Crew</u></p><p>A significant portion of the week is spent doing essentially nothing but chatting, holding babies, and wandering around from house to house to see what is going on. One day a bunch of us ended up at Petoskey State Park which is on Lake Michigan. Braving gale force winds we stumbled up the beach and set up camp with about ten others. In the distance we could see the colorful spinnakers of the sailboats engaged in the cleverly named Ugotta Regatta. This regatta came hard on the heels of a very major race that is held annually between Chicago and Mackinac Island. This year's was particularly challenging due to a twelve hour thunderstorm with tremendous waves and a lack of visibility. I guess they know how to sail since we didn't hear of any fatalities.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5RsrOGe9S5pbb39Nm2x91i8vCg6FzCWzh11TbzaHM0jO36h9hqgME3TxxgWjAL5Snf1NYsyCf5BQCJ1RRBfk-5n292eSmIKSCKp_J3HxbKk3jmcIMwpv8ARuoO4A3FmBPy-El2xsnTBE6Tyblf2mK6WgDKBNKxmw4WlJEClrP4aj0ql6XfG2Iictqg/s4608/UgottaRegatta2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5RsrOGe9S5pbb39Nm2x91i8vCg6FzCWzh11TbzaHM0jO36h9hqgME3TxxgWjAL5Snf1NYsyCf5BQCJ1RRBfk-5n292eSmIKSCKp_J3HxbKk3jmcIMwpv8ARuoO4A3FmBPy-El2xsnTBE6Tyblf2mK6WgDKBNKxmw4WlJEClrP4aj0ql6XfG2Iictqg/w640-h480/UgottaRegatta2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is all you could see of the Ugotta Regatta boats from the beach where we were sitting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZUuXBzGwFjqQ0tULwrT0acgUI6bwqfGw3EwBUoSmKx3Ia8j35fRZebnlFxlhccdJvh8b58mbYXE-p0GLZm-t43Ftv7qDA9xqQSZFRBD7Mvwo7eeV3rQPOTwFp2c4XWZhln0py6WdQCHenIV1bu631firlvp5D7LvZbA8XkPXP5RpqaJnojEQPsw6nw/s4608/UgottaRegatta.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZUuXBzGwFjqQ0tULwrT0acgUI6bwqfGw3EwBUoSmKx3Ia8j35fRZebnlFxlhccdJvh8b58mbYXE-p0GLZm-t43Ftv7qDA9xqQSZFRBD7Mvwo7eeV3rQPOTwFp2c4XWZhln0py6WdQCHenIV1bu631firlvp5D7LvZbA8XkPXP5RpqaJnojEQPsw6nw/w640-h480/UgottaRegatta.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortunately I had my camera with the amazing telephoto lens, so I could capture this shot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQk0vKVaFvivAtAcZfgUsO9ZN68JY92Lp34tMjCfYk15OA9RMQd2-2NQqTEEAGiS6dtr4_KkaG-QfbNyg8juer2tdXDmPCIwwUb4boQdd0Lt0cX4ZcwcSfKedKsQmdWEYmnehHZ0PnTl6dkTVhppBF5h2LZTdf0xADOPoDZ3qXSac8b5jnIqsRDJhEQ/s3893/Cousins%20at%20Play.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3893" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQk0vKVaFvivAtAcZfgUsO9ZN68JY92Lp34tMjCfYk15OA9RMQd2-2NQqTEEAGiS6dtr4_KkaG-QfbNyg8juer2tdXDmPCIwwUb4boQdd0Lt0cX4ZcwcSfKedKsQmdWEYmnehHZ0PnTl6dkTVhppBF5h2LZTdf0xADOPoDZ3qXSac8b5jnIqsRDJhEQ/w640-h568/Cousins%20at%20Play.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins at play in the sand...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAI-gFA_vkv3GTDFLJS5nbGwY8E4WkqQCrfujZeqn1Mi_uubgII1U5GHxctQH9Mrgjii3T8L7YSvCqKy5sNS4YxXBV_aNNSgSVXC628sqI6Cb7va0PyIeoHhjf5R77oJkRVvJr19hSLcgVf8XhjUH1CsqppxMobI6z5Tj257f2uZ8MJSiEozcd1v_1g/s4608/Kids%20in%20Water1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAI-gFA_vkv3GTDFLJS5nbGwY8E4WkqQCrfujZeqn1Mi_uubgII1U5GHxctQH9Mrgjii3T8L7YSvCqKy5sNS4YxXBV_aNNSgSVXC628sqI6Cb7va0PyIeoHhjf5R77oJkRVvJr19hSLcgVf8XhjUH1CsqppxMobI6z5Tj257f2uZ8MJSiEozcd1v_1g/w640-h480/Kids%20in%20Water1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and in the water.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_6pwFEhOepfsuGViTVkhGDqN2CdaBgOWjScbKn-IlFPpxXHz7F-uefwIYYu-LSpJxbBpW6NMakQKfqGT_fH2NcTo56NUZ3B6lDusS-EtSjpdn8OcCmRnsjuRSeIxs3LaRn0FFlTkRDx2hkZkXc_HwUQfKbI6leBRlGAaWFN1lM3EcBu_HzI-iKPSJw/s4608/Kids%20in%20Water2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_6pwFEhOepfsuGViTVkhGDqN2CdaBgOWjScbKn-IlFPpxXHz7F-uefwIYYu-LSpJxbBpW6NMakQKfqGT_fH2NcTo56NUZ3B6lDusS-EtSjpdn8OcCmRnsjuRSeIxs3LaRn0FFlTkRDx2hkZkXc_HwUQfKbI6leBRlGAaWFN1lM3EcBu_HzI-iKPSJw/w640-h480/Kids%20in%20Water2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colder water did not seem to faze the younguns.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2kM1TG_NtZp_p3BBajt91OGNXoqDH8qHLeTilCfNyaDB4e0PqKVOo6R7jqykgUOIkM5jXRvT9LALUG1UbJJDYCvAiPUshuKMcsXtaa80UKPGSE4iqqEnWSw8vllyurqQnJBw8UURdqI3qhl-I3g3DHtbLijjoYYi_uNvKTypYieElrjUguVDB9h_oQ/s4608/Sally%20&%20Amelia.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2kM1TG_NtZp_p3BBajt91OGNXoqDH8qHLeTilCfNyaDB4e0PqKVOo6R7jqykgUOIkM5jXRvT9LALUG1UbJJDYCvAiPUshuKMcsXtaa80UKPGSE4iqqEnWSw8vllyurqQnJBw8UURdqI3qhl-I3g3DHtbLijjoYYi_uNvKTypYieElrjUguVDB9h_oQ/w640-h480/Sally%20&%20Amelia.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally with Amelia enjoying the sun & fresh air.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57JHfU0aNraRvF13Vjlhildz_zP7pjLURgdS81OnjIlAenpHe9tBme1tskJ4qNsah4iat5b00MLJvWSnXI4TnZF6f4sKZkoDCCLl_vqGx21MCEuBuT_BvlXRAoJS0I9Vk7gjk59MRIxMlmrRZqcaytdRTzu4NaZA0KybB5KvclvrrZHvsodtscP1HeQ/s4608/Seagull%20in%20the%20Sky.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57JHfU0aNraRvF13Vjlhildz_zP7pjLURgdS81OnjIlAenpHe9tBme1tskJ4qNsah4iat5b00MLJvWSnXI4TnZF6f4sKZkoDCCLl_vqGx21MCEuBuT_BvlXRAoJS0I9Vk7gjk59MRIxMlmrRZqcaytdRTzu4NaZA0KybB5KvclvrrZHvsodtscP1HeQ/w640-h480/Seagull%20in%20the%20Sky.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seagulls were putting on a show for us as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36QTYe0PzGCNC1JjWOYazDD9ExX20TuL_on-diAqWyrwLQSMuOlDDPHf9G87kmuwKlpXCPC6mPRHAkmrifkIbK2aagRiE_kuEgvIJymeIvnwZaE9GZjgX73L-36ILTo9tdpy6MzAzYs5mP0Cfi2G7dmiXyUj_Qas2JH1TmOBhm58pSbv1kI9MvUAr6Q/s4608/Seagull%20w.%20bathers.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36QTYe0PzGCNC1JjWOYazDD9ExX20TuL_on-diAqWyrwLQSMuOlDDPHf9G87kmuwKlpXCPC6mPRHAkmrifkIbK2aagRiE_kuEgvIJymeIvnwZaE9GZjgX73L-36ILTo9tdpy6MzAzYs5mP0Cfi2G7dmiXyUj_Qas2JH1TmOBhm58pSbv1kI9MvUAr6Q/w640-h480/Seagull%20w.%20bathers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>And Now For Something Weird - The Mushroom Houses </u></p><p style="text-align: left;">Some of the cousins had gone wandering up around the Bay and had come across these houses that looked like mushrooms (kind of). It was a series of ten or so houses designed by Earl Young, a homegrown and self taught architect from Charlevoix, MI. That is another benefit of the communal dinners. People trade stories about what they did that day and usually you will hear something that piques your interest for a visit on a subsequent day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx-IqLPfBJLCENJNIgUnEcbYh8k2F_8NaQlcKURaOWgsjFZAHvd0Zm6bCxvinEw7l-2uXMtjIw8asfPBjZwL5tkDD1qtJduEJmPuo3HYQU_UlKEsndbUnUUI_0BgkZmqnB3tzfBGL6iZVjJmVpfoGRfzTcDuLoHwo8Iz1rsraZlssImeThOj8GRTbPw/s4608/1Mushroom%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx-IqLPfBJLCENJNIgUnEcbYh8k2F_8NaQlcKURaOWgsjFZAHvd0Zm6bCxvinEw7l-2uXMtjIw8asfPBjZwL5tkDD1qtJduEJmPuo3HYQU_UlKEsndbUnUUI_0BgkZmqnB3tzfBGL6iZVjJmVpfoGRfzTcDuLoHwo8Iz1rsraZlssImeThOj8GRTbPw/w640-h480/1Mushroom%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures of the amazing mushroom houses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFUtyIGUr2i-z7E6j1NIZhuiwYYPTnvEgdeQO8RZOVu-5fvTSXck8W50ruIg1ORM9ZBo1IfPiWyXJtn3r_d7ydstGuAEdEgfTMNh_aTxjci94sN8v5bD4S8FKcLq-wBWcD7WxL1i-1krPyl5CVMQCvu0Dn-O_l45M0TkORsFJH8iQ8QpbI3Q5q9s2ug/s3872/2Mushroom%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFUtyIGUr2i-z7E6j1NIZhuiwYYPTnvEgdeQO8RZOVu-5fvTSXck8W50ruIg1ORM9ZBo1IfPiWyXJtn3r_d7ydstGuAEdEgfTMNh_aTxjci94sN8v5bD4S8FKcLq-wBWcD7WxL1i-1krPyl5CVMQCvu0Dn-O_l45M0TkORsFJH8iQ8QpbI3Q5q9s2ug/w640-h428/2Mushroom%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTYNtwKKQZWaxsTRypNvAZbUU_Tu9qfifunbesKtPOzBbwcQim7vnnu5koFWfsZlyu9HORHs8XyPW6foNDgtfZMdjtCSwtlrvd-atebYTvyMHftfgpbQeJt5frciC2ChD-QIdW_x1cJtKiImS3RmrObZCNZsXWtjI3EVoh_VWfgYUOacz1V4h2db5ng/s3872/3Mushroom%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTYNtwKKQZWaxsTRypNvAZbUU_Tu9qfifunbesKtPOzBbwcQim7vnnu5koFWfsZlyu9HORHs8XyPW6foNDgtfZMdjtCSwtlrvd-atebYTvyMHftfgpbQeJt5frciC2ChD-QIdW_x1cJtKiImS3RmrObZCNZsXWtjI3EVoh_VWfgYUOacz1V4h2db5ng/w640-h428/3Mushroom%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j1OnKmPQTgIKMCSSPNHCxCIZlcRg-TvnV3BhbrCa0zSVLayj4B_QJ_5lTZH18Xsxic-G7qipivca72YqRifgii1sJHciwHeTreXDJxmwXHAlObB4dRph00_Q7RCdPVWu3feAQnAg8j9hemFzx4DBam_ZlJiZFKc8QGzKydcUX3W_f6U8cG9TpOB9Sg/s3872/4Mushroom%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j1OnKmPQTgIKMCSSPNHCxCIZlcRg-TvnV3BhbrCa0zSVLayj4B_QJ_5lTZH18Xsxic-G7qipivca72YqRifgii1sJHciwHeTreXDJxmwXHAlObB4dRph00_Q7RCdPVWu3feAQnAg8j9hemFzx4DBam_ZlJiZFKc8QGzKydcUX3W_f6U8cG9TpOB9Sg/w640-h428/4Mushroom%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UHDMMD1zMKtd_gHcYagxRIZ8vbR4lUF75uANnFolIRTBbTBzbfh9FLIxCtLxlfxtK7aATtLwlhUThsupQUHv4yeCnw-3ex5WR8YNLPViYS6Owfydhol0x2H2GxgedPck2soVDpRo33by2ad4z4qccN499hgZXBkwyFl2uYQt_8kaPAbtgjlPqGwvaA/s3872/5Mushroom%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UHDMMD1zMKtd_gHcYagxRIZ8vbR4lUF75uANnFolIRTBbTBzbfh9FLIxCtLxlfxtK7aATtLwlhUThsupQUHv4yeCnw-3ex5WR8YNLPViYS6Owfydhol0x2H2GxgedPck2soVDpRo33by2ad4z4qccN499hgZXBkwyFl2uYQt_8kaPAbtgjlPqGwvaA/w640-h428/5Mushroom%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Well, that's about it for the Reunion. Michael and I are so lucky to have a family that is so cohesive, loving and fun. Our next reunion will be in the summer of 2025 and the third generation is firmly in charge. In a year or so we will find out our next destination and the planning will begin anew. Now for the last leg. Down to Louisville, a stop in Memphis, a day in Dallas, a few in the Hill Country outside of Austin and then home to Mexico. Until then...</p><p><br /></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-69654867241794763382022-08-25T12:48:00.000-05:002022-08-25T12:48:48.849-05:00The Sentimental Journey: Adventures in the Pine Tree State and Beyond<p> <u>There is Nothing Like Seacoast Maine in the Summer</u></p><p>Not so much in the winter-- but the summer is magnificent. We cruised into Portland in time for lunch with Ginny and Gary at a dockside restaurant. Portland has become a foodie capital and it is worth your neck to try to get reservations during high season but they pulled it off. </p><p>Featured Guests: Ginny and Gary</p><p>Length of Relationship: Approx. 15 years</p><p>Background: Michael met Gary through Fred (of last blog) when Gary consulted with Michael's business. We became friends with Gary and his wife Maureen. After Maureen sadly passed away and Gary married Ginny she was happily incorporated into the group.</p><p>Anecdote: Gary and Ginny came to visit us in Mexico a couple of times and I have NEVER seen anyone get into the Mexican culture like Ginny. Every parade, fiesta, craft show or local event -- the woman never tired and Gary kept right up. Most importantly, she learned how to make a marvelous Margarita and would experiment with various spices, some of which she found in our yard, which was a little scary but delicious.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewdbWYFLurrpPGPeD6UA5TJo1ipj6aALMGfn4-G72wU0U9859P0RPFAZUZhx5i6W-I-QgcXJo3uVo8GKaKcK5PBv08e02OXqzdyKf9MAfXLwhs9p__OP5dxKseAEP6JJ8v5knYGicfEHvq29PPRoYkdkkAoOemBV_-wpXAtZdQBlEG6p3lNlYER6v4g/s3872/Gary%20&%20Ginny.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewdbWYFLurrpPGPeD6UA5TJo1ipj6aALMGfn4-G72wU0U9859P0RPFAZUZhx5i6W-I-QgcXJo3uVo8GKaKcK5PBv08e02OXqzdyKf9MAfXLwhs9p__OP5dxKseAEP6JJ8v5knYGicfEHvq29PPRoYkdkkAoOemBV_-wpXAtZdQBlEG6p3lNlYER6v4g/w640-h428/Gary%20&%20Ginny.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, Deirdre, Gary & Ginny with Casaco Bay in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next day it was time to take to the water. Lacking our own pleasure craft, the four of us opted for a cruise on the Casco Bay Ferry which trundles between the five or six inhabited islands in the Bay off Portland. The day was beautiful and the water brilliant as you'll see in Michael's photos. There is nothing like an afternoon on the water to whet one's appetite. Luckily, Gary and Ginny had shagged reservations at the #1 restaurant in Portland-- Scales. We were seated on their patio overlooking the harbor when Michael's eyes landed on a fishing boat docked next to us. From the mast hung a flag (yes, a real big flag) that read F(American Flag)Biden and (in smaller letters) and F#>?k you for voting for him. "Oh God," said Michael. "It's HERE too." We had encountered a depressing amount of antipathy towards Joe throughout the South but hoped it was a regional psychosis. It's easy to think that all of New England is a liberal haven (or hell hole depending on your viewpoint) but parts of Maine and definitely New Hampshire have their share of MAGA enchanted fanatics. Among them clearly was the fisherman. It was still a nice dinner and always a wonderful time with Ginny and Gary, so we shrugged it off and moved on.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLtLNKGXNse8PJ-aWQ-mYIBGzARZX5_vSA5k1zUvuWkwtMP1E-NWqEcMfPhWHMF_nfKxATbryFhvCKUCsu7uSpGr_xQWB0MGRjl7TTYie12lzYibZqKpk6BhYaZOA1SjDfnDR-EoxAVh7Py7ErqmxyG6BM8mdIuYMcPzLNM4JzNhJVybpGpZcdCfgwQ/s4608/1Yacht%20in%20Casco%20Bay.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLtLNKGXNse8PJ-aWQ-mYIBGzARZX5_vSA5k1zUvuWkwtMP1E-NWqEcMfPhWHMF_nfKxATbryFhvCKUCsu7uSpGr_xQWB0MGRjl7TTYie12lzYibZqKpk6BhYaZOA1SjDfnDR-EoxAVh7Py7ErqmxyG6BM8mdIuYMcPzLNM4JzNhJVybpGpZcdCfgwQ/w640-h480/1Yacht%20in%20Casco%20Bay.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the "small" yachts we saw in Portland. Note the helicopter on the rear upper deck.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-1jdleXkV3SDqnefS4Bn2tsnnMiWGUigdCSjjg5aYvqgzz3Eaw-bIq3gRVerwKylofHV_cduqrlRncEUBxndzycA2X-IS5e7dM2cms0ZebnVeAv_5Zks_qwgMdYNUooNWCAWBoONmxE8mC_MTSXIEfSDO10TeHtiHKa0Y7r8DLtvy669ETMmFz8_TQ/s3673/2LighthouseA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3145" data-original-width="3673" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-1jdleXkV3SDqnefS4Bn2tsnnMiWGUigdCSjjg5aYvqgzz3Eaw-bIq3gRVerwKylofHV_cduqrlRncEUBxndzycA2X-IS5e7dM2cms0ZebnVeAv_5Zks_qwgMdYNUooNWCAWBoONmxE8mC_MTSXIEfSDO10TeHtiHKa0Y7r8DLtvy669ETMmFz8_TQ/w640-h548/2LighthouseA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maine does not lack for lighthouses...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiktvIi_sQWqKs3GZTeuRGwa1GMB1pdvJyKYs3A_VtcpjmZihWJy-HvhFkjub49s7URCX21xOxxl5Kz7kzMYE58yu-E1CXszeXvYVZ_iWvy1zxfuSo2a7Pfiur-3el4UfHnA8SAodt5iQnGQc7A3G4wVhRex3tRyk8adlFHyeoVLXJfC4IpRsKVx3RA/s4608/3LighthousesB&C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiktvIi_sQWqKs3GZTeuRGwa1GMB1pdvJyKYs3A_VtcpjmZihWJy-HvhFkjub49s7URCX21xOxxl5Kz7kzMYE58yu-E1CXszeXvYVZ_iWvy1zxfuSo2a7Pfiur-3el4UfHnA8SAodt5iQnGQc7A3G4wVhRex3tRyk8adlFHyeoVLXJfC4IpRsKVx3RA/w640-h480/3LighthousesB&C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and in this photo you can see two lighthouses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3E4hpTwGphayfEqar9WNUsRtO7bLNDLH-TeptcsVmVTTfzy6fNhx2sV4JnvCeW0Nu8zwKrs_sd43k7oFR_R6Gw8izkNfOZX71JO6n_MDTNoBhX0xExmr2ko1AEti5QnOjhR2S_OwIM7pLU7nZFgKyjjFNE0AYIN7QyPoIu0McRGfCcBBLFd0rRtY_Q/s4608/4SailboatA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3E4hpTwGphayfEqar9WNUsRtO7bLNDLH-TeptcsVmVTTfzy6fNhx2sV4JnvCeW0Nu8zwKrs_sd43k7oFR_R6Gw8izkNfOZX71JO6n_MDTNoBhX0xExmr2ko1AEti5QnOjhR2S_OwIM7pLU7nZFgKyjjFNE0AYIN7QyPoIu0McRGfCcBBLFd0rRtY_Q/w640-h480/4SailboatA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is also wonderful to see boats under sail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KpvaQ_69M0qqqdb7Ryt3-DGO3GtMKzbQtCfS38qrNy6gKxysqpR5PTshZI_lVrMSei1KVRbyPlD417DXwMxHL0zs90UW0v2KI7Bx1cVHApf1oR0SeV4bpryfaihOTWEBQft37CrOtj-E-_stCBPLUk0yJTIN3DLzLjun6wEfm14cXi0IaU-Xz7j82g/s4608/7PatriciaAnn.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KpvaQ_69M0qqqdb7Ryt3-DGO3GtMKzbQtCfS38qrNy6gKxysqpR5PTshZI_lVrMSei1KVRbyPlD417DXwMxHL0zs90UW0v2KI7Bx1cVHApf1oR0SeV4bpryfaihOTWEBQft37CrOtj-E-_stCBPLUk0yJTIN3DLzLjun6wEfm14cXi0IaU-Xz7j82g/w640-h480/7PatriciaAnn.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobstering is an important part of the Maine economy,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxgzdJeeu6R5fOInf8T5zrXgEQK28-tofqmiYpGQnQ0sHMJwAnsx8tzsvB8TIxqb9LFfTpeG_EL8CNBqIh_Yeq4-6EfAL6_EAAtlNq2cKwHWCQo-inzdWek1Z_SY7on5xlVgJR899uI8pC-EF7S9qf6cWTyy4Ddt6xgOEheOyiO-WxUkHERph1FWfSw/s4608/8FflagK%20Biden.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxgzdJeeu6R5fOInf8T5zrXgEQK28-tofqmiYpGQnQ0sHMJwAnsx8tzsvB8TIxqb9LFfTpeG_EL8CNBqIh_Yeq4-6EfAL6_EAAtlNq2cKwHWCQo-inzdWek1Z_SY7on5xlVgJR899uI8pC-EF7S9qf6cWTyy4Ddt6xgOEheOyiO-WxUkHERph1FWfSw/w640-h480/8FflagK%20Biden.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but not all lobstermen understand how climate change is destroying their way of life.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Can We Eat More? Of Course We Can!</u></p><p>Before we left Portland we managed to get together for yet another fine meal with our buddies Maggie and Bob. They came down from their summer house in Harpswell and ducked into Portland to visit with us while on their way to visit their kids in Massachusetts. They are among the brave souls who have come to Mexico to visit and we're hopeful that they'll find their way back down here again soon.</p><p>Length of Relationship: Approximately 12 years</p><p>Background: Maggie and I met in a Spanish Class given by the Weston Council on Aging as I prepared to move to Mexico and mangle their language. The class was taught by a very sweet, but pretty dotty, ex Spanish teacher and the class was a wonderful mix of talents ranging from an entomologist to a professional figure skating coach to a retired VP of South American Marketing for Polaroid to well... just a real melange of folks. Maggie and I became friends and when we got together with our husbands Michael and Bob looked at each other and said, "I know you from somewhere." Turns out that Bob was the lawyer for a client who was doing a deal with Michael in the not to distant (then) past. Smallish world. I made more friends in that crazy class than any other class I've ever taken. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xN75O4QcppK_OMcPmuuqPJpf-QJFqY2w-dfATlUihQqa8ynhGzfK5-pHI-gcCI8SQ4rMeIK3iDA2lFijubPQob--zBeLsDRDTCoOQ5pGHbwQMqHncmJPvCvmo_Bk38pF3VKRzgQSRoeBobJAMP3Eur0usebVDrrk76iRScItkffrro8sF1pTx1rtVw/s1596/Bob,%20Maggie,%20DSS%20&%20MRS.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xN75O4QcppK_OMcPmuuqPJpf-QJFqY2w-dfATlUihQqa8ynhGzfK5-pHI-gcCI8SQ4rMeIK3iDA2lFijubPQob--zBeLsDRDTCoOQ5pGHbwQMqHncmJPvCvmo_Bk38pF3VKRzgQSRoeBobJAMP3Eur0usebVDrrk76iRScItkffrro8sF1pTx1rtVw/w616-h640/Bob,%20Maggie,%20DSS%20&%20MRS.jpeg" width="616" /></a></div> Bob, Maggie, Deirdre & Michael<div><p><u>Banging Around With The Bro'</u></p><p>Featured Guests: Brother Stephen and Sister-in-Law Lee</p><p>Length of Relationship: Stephen since birth, Lee 61 years (about 52 for Michael)</p><p>Background: There is no background when the person is your older brother. He just IS. Always was there. Still is there. Hope he's there for a long time more. Same for Lee.</p><p>Anecdote: There are so many. One year we were late buying a Christmas Tree and they all looked horrible. So Steve decided we should buy two and merge them. We cut the limbs off one, drilled holes in the other and augmented Tree 1 with limbs from Tree 2. Voila! We had a dog named Rufus who liked to lie in the corner behind the tree. One night he was lying there when a neighbor, Russ, who loved his martinis, rang the doorbell. We opened the door for him and he stepped in just as Rufus careened out from under the tree to greet him knocking the tree over. All the faux limbs flew off the tree in all directions and were strewn on the carpet. Russ looked at us and said, "No more martinis. I'm leaving." </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCSH-fcXoZFeWxfn19N4tBEMvvHSSTBgTr22DuyXzCUxYF7NvYR7uyVoG3cB8axW6UzoyVf5zR4c7wI4WSeTodtqxd2ocG89T0B94Nz62xyv6C9VFa1tWQhnxQwNnAhaNoYYxIhTPBzKuU8TgGqAgyB6JSa3QbfpsxWDZ5utl-vLQwaHPC27JkTIQvw/s3872/Lee%20&%20Steve.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCSH-fcXoZFeWxfn19N4tBEMvvHSSTBgTr22DuyXzCUxYF7NvYR7uyVoG3cB8axW6UzoyVf5zR4c7wI4WSeTodtqxd2ocG89T0B94Nz62xyv6C9VFa1tWQhnxQwNnAhaNoYYxIhTPBzKuU8TgGqAgyB6JSa3QbfpsxWDZ5utl-vLQwaHPC27JkTIQvw/w640-h428/Lee%20&%20Steve.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Lee, Steve, Deirdre & Michael </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Definitely well fed, we hopped in the car for the short trip up to Bethel to spend a few (too few) days with Steve and Lee. On the way we stopped by the only still functioning Shaker Village in America. Well, barely functioning. The last two living Shakers dwell in this particular village although there are other Shaker Villages scattered about. One "brother" is in his 90s and the other in his late 70s. Why only two? Well, the Shakers are/were a utopian community that believed in self-sufficiency. They were very inventive and created many things that have come into common usage like mowing machines. They also felt that even utilitarian items should be attractive -- things like brooms. In their shop they have very nice brooms for $75 (competition Erin, competition) and they sell a marvelous variety of herbs and spices they raise in their meticulously tended garden. But I digress. Why only two brothers left? Well, they have all this energy to create and tend and fabricate because a tenet of the religion is that sex is forbidden. Thus, no little Shakers and, given the dawn of the modern age of liberation, no adult Shakers either.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW4JsdtE99e6IfEZS-9nPu-3QkT3K5ltPCMGu9P5adIh9vWHDoR4V5529WTHgtqMC4IFM91YrzuQ7kECEhM-dYESvx3BIUtlD_7xbDPyT-Ma0rui1zYV_Ag_rH7Pz0pHau1Hq6cTO4FL009txl6ece3TKFj2ngrNGlI1VORs18jVcTlW62dwWAKWVtA/s3872/9SheepA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW4JsdtE99e6IfEZS-9nPu-3QkT3K5ltPCMGu9P5adIh9vWHDoR4V5529WTHgtqMC4IFM91YrzuQ7kECEhM-dYESvx3BIUtlD_7xbDPyT-Ma0rui1zYV_Ag_rH7Pz0pHau1Hq6cTO4FL009txl6ece3TKFj2ngrNGlI1VORs18jVcTlW62dwWAKWVtA/w640-h428/9SheepA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They still raise sheep at the Shaker village.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTWjdw-bC-4mDRq2LNX8KZwZKc_taOvOS4imTajKsDH9g6xYX9KyxTRSyjYIP1JnAvYXRWn847ZJwnaAJQGvzRuhnyoyOvXPom4zWotRz8bvxpAeEGOyJBmUeyepOa4iVJ029NRjK2MgqGzaXZplZOX1czS2fbw0SxpAbYB2susBcd9Jr7dSuL2Blog/s3872/9SheepB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTWjdw-bC-4mDRq2LNX8KZwZKc_taOvOS4imTajKsDH9g6xYX9KyxTRSyjYIP1JnAvYXRWn847ZJwnaAJQGvzRuhnyoyOvXPom4zWotRz8bvxpAeEGOyJBmUeyepOa4iVJ029NRjK2MgqGzaXZplZOX1czS2fbw0SxpAbYB2susBcd9Jr7dSuL2Blog/w640-h428/9SheepB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvOl1wIrELisFlLZ4ibmqKbM3uX7zh7Jv3V6Mm9zcLOC8KQAVgThMwy0PyxA2hxNWl82XKKAbF4hLsFErjRiSOuWe-Yu3uUw7kphx3mtLbwHAIPXyb0HWAPmgcWPqItHT9ey1i-tLynWbt75NtlfsNcARLPny5t3Li0by5vbuuZhTo2bpLwx87PRypA/s3872/10Gato.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvOl1wIrELisFlLZ4ibmqKbM3uX7zh7Jv3V6Mm9zcLOC8KQAVgThMwy0PyxA2hxNWl82XKKAbF4hLsFErjRiSOuWe-Yu3uUw7kphx3mtLbwHAIPXyb0HWAPmgcWPqItHT9ey1i-tLynWbt75NtlfsNcARLPny5t3Li0by5vbuuZhTo2bpLwx87PRypA/w640-h428/10Gato.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they have a cat roaming the premises to control the mice.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjIfJsFeqYxf-1fGpL6W4OYxiePHhXOAa5PrRnzWP8sUYh106VjvhidhwuQQAVkDZc-LTQgl7YycYWi0Ckef_DmmKsXstx1rrEcBWhjWZ2U8DF0vzewlAemkbRducy_cVxMqo17G-jxKcDx-sw4sMCUyoFODb6SRaM55EdKDWLx4Rjr7DZfOH7ZZmBg/s3872/11Shaker%20Hats.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjIfJsFeqYxf-1fGpL6W4OYxiePHhXOAa5PrRnzWP8sUYh106VjvhidhwuQQAVkDZc-LTQgl7YycYWi0Ckef_DmmKsXstx1rrEcBWhjWZ2U8DF0vzewlAemkbRducy_cVxMqo17G-jxKcDx-sw4sMCUyoFODb6SRaM55EdKDWLx4Rjr7DZfOH7ZZmBg/w640-h428/11Shaker%20Hats.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaker hats and wisk brooms were on display for sale...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Yrqn2kw4QQvMu68jl1dyGjgZOqPkv7LamANL5lFR4NjoFWnqYggUZFVGWxWYsmpe545wD_gxadPO0zKAEsWl1jkSBE6831zuc0AyjLrGr8FHPMtGj95rABOKPBk6lnPJUgWjfnS4IcxcbTr0Jw_R8TWeLadcMtfvLFpiH66FhoxgG1yfDq39dV6vFQ/s3872/12Shaker%20Brooms.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Yrqn2kw4QQvMu68jl1dyGjgZOqPkv7LamANL5lFR4NjoFWnqYggUZFVGWxWYsmpe545wD_gxadPO0zKAEsWl1jkSBE6831zuc0AyjLrGr8FHPMtGj95rABOKPBk6lnPJUgWjfnS4IcxcbTr0Jw_R8TWeLadcMtfvLFpiH66FhoxgG1yfDq39dV6vFQ/w428-h640/12Shaker%20Brooms.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as well as larger brooms and sleigh bells.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkalqISvgum1poCaa9y8xXlAhaYc0IEVFuX9Qc_8EXn4GUNKz0mlRmG48edo9WV2SzsiAeFX9Xh1-ZyiR61Sl029gpM7CrUOkdi4TTqZmLbv0vnRbjTXkXmtLuNaDjM4fHV_zmR5duytxG2_ltt2LanixxSI-0psUeKUdGjnewaOQH4Wl-3kN9usZjw/s3872/12ShakerBroom%20detail.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkalqISvgum1poCaa9y8xXlAhaYc0IEVFuX9Qc_8EXn4GUNKz0mlRmG48edo9WV2SzsiAeFX9Xh1-ZyiR61Sl029gpM7CrUOkdi4TTqZmLbv0vnRbjTXkXmtLuNaDjM4fHV_zmR5duytxG2_ltt2LanixxSI-0psUeKUdGjnewaOQH4Wl-3kN9usZjw/w428-h640/12ShakerBroom%20detail.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the intricate woven pattern on the Shaker brooms.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Steve and Lee live on Songo Pond which is a beautiful spot (think On Golden Pond but smaller). They lived for decades in Andover, Massachusetts and used the Pond House as a summer and ski place. Upon retiring, they moved full time to Maine and have collected an impressive array of watercraft, ski equipment and other sporting goods used to support their almost endless athletic pursuits. In addition to lolling about and catching up we decided to go kayaking on the Androscoggin River one day. I agreed since I was quite confident that the Androscoggin had no alligators. Michael had kayaked with them the previous day and saw a Bald Eagle and its baby who shall be featured in a photo.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAYOCHPGcxos9zy9gJuKPu18EDIOw9lhT_uJoxF9TevnncwdtxXtmj6r1uOXMXM6RE7Rvh9JJsmrqt21jZyJwWUvfqLcgTG3FI8GaIuM0E1vLE0EcbKChitk_m4WxkhwgQAhGF7hbP2voRMbwrtprzEe7HrUrIAOILuKdwxjYQhodLemfrBpqXKtZ1Q/s4608/BestEagle.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAYOCHPGcxos9zy9gJuKPu18EDIOw9lhT_uJoxF9TevnncwdtxXtmj6r1uOXMXM6RE7Rvh9JJsmrqt21jZyJwWUvfqLcgTG3FI8GaIuM0E1vLE0EcbKChitk_m4WxkhwgQAhGF7hbP2voRMbwrtprzEe7HrUrIAOILuKdwxjYQhodLemfrBpqXKtZ1Q/w640-h480/BestEagle.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bald eagle guarding the nest with the chicks head just visible down & to the right.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Now, without going into grisly details, Lee and Steve have encountered medical issues in the last two years that make Michael's and my medical misadventures look like child's play. So, I was a little concerned about a 10km paddle -- both for them and particularly for me because I am very self-centered. I am pleased to report that all three of us displayed astounding stamina and athleticism and completed the course in one piece. Michael doesn't count because he could do that distance paddling with his feet. Our time with Lee and Steve was way too short but we were committed to be at Michael's family reunion in only 5 more nights so we had to hustle through Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to reach our destination in Michigan. Only a state a day.....</p><p><u>A Lovely Way Station</u></p><p>The drive from Bethel to Saratoga Springs was the prettiest single road segment of our trip.We knew we weren't going to make it from Bethel to Rochester New York in one day so we decided we might as well stop somewhere high brow and interesting. Thus Saratoga Springs. I guess high brow isn't exactly right. Chautauqua is high brow. Saratoga Springs is FUN. A casino (before they were tacky), a race track and, for your hangovers, mineral baths and spring (somewhat foul) water. We got in to town mid-afternoon and started at Congress Park where we encountered our first fountain of spring water. It was not great. It tasted oily -- if that is possible. You just bring a water bottle and go from fountain to fountain around town -- sort of like a not as much fun wine tasting.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh6L7Xeoit8wvoxtzfFJW4xPk-zWQFrhtse5bNPLBtLvjOlaXPu4ruMdZkZmnPNzftQLghR5MB9GO6iwIni2WVKKse2j2gAkb9HpOlgBgTwvfoz_mMJZOIizJOffGckFeJm1bG3Klp5d-y3CNTdSQpbJqwgTHmMz6H3ZwuqQgosI6k1AQAun1DicYDQ/s4608/Carrousel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh6L7Xeoit8wvoxtzfFJW4xPk-zWQFrhtse5bNPLBtLvjOlaXPu4ruMdZkZmnPNzftQLghR5MB9GO6iwIni2WVKKse2j2gAkb9HpOlgBgTwvfoz_mMJZOIizJOffGckFeJm1bG3Klp5d-y3CNTdSQpbJqwgTHmMz6H3ZwuqQgosI6k1AQAun1DicYDQ/w640-h480/Carrousel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Congress Park in Saratoga Springs there is a restored, historical carrousel created in 1910 by Marcus Illions, a Russian immigrant.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvAI9GljXoBRD48QhvSMp8jdb3jYTehjaOGu-A0rgNaWeDhCzzi24I7NSuGX2JCpMQUeulbRcfH0W0jnKEyDbyP8F4QVjg6EGmOZm4RATI9eT9qQOl-fe0PvmlIrzWrDg_-c72p-wPx1GYVXvyVR63HIa0yzYT4vmZh-N2h1E4S_S7uF7-KlajrOG-g/s4608/Duck%20in%20the%20Fountain%20Pool.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvAI9GljXoBRD48QhvSMp8jdb3jYTehjaOGu-A0rgNaWeDhCzzi24I7NSuGX2JCpMQUeulbRcfH0W0jnKEyDbyP8F4QVjg6EGmOZm4RATI9eT9qQOl-fe0PvmlIrzWrDg_-c72p-wPx1GYVXvyVR63HIa0yzYT4vmZh-N2h1E4S_S7uF7-KlajrOG-g/w480-h640/Duck%20in%20the%20Fountain%20Pool.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This duck was enjoying the pool by this memorial fountain in the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuqtoci7ITDB4K4pKL9HeZQlBwmW5vNlXfVjyrJX7kO6Y2JuI_T6r7uG0pGD6avW9hU6auktF4AYGNyXa66SRcD8zBZotbrurlbjPoPTwCI07HSqlMTKa4g1lE8q3_b9pCpoklgQJpJ5MXsg-BnATzZxvyfdxSwhVRqnUcWJy6gCl929-H-ISCIBGuw/s4608/Memorial%20to%20Spence%20Trask.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuqtoci7ITDB4K4pKL9HeZQlBwmW5vNlXfVjyrJX7kO6Y2JuI_T6r7uG0pGD6avW9hU6auktF4AYGNyXa66SRcD8zBZotbrurlbjPoPTwCI07HSqlMTKa4g1lE8q3_b9pCpoklgQJpJ5MXsg-BnATzZxvyfdxSwhVRqnUcWJy6gCl929-H-ISCIBGuw/w480-h640/Memorial%20to%20Spence%20Trask.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fountain, statue & pool is a memorial to Spencer Trask, a financier philanthropist, who financed Thomas Edison and saved the New York Times from bankruptcy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFs8irUhVk0QrVwB2rBKNlc7JMK6zoxWGrauQ541g3HHgc2iOAtJR5rfwVikELQ20RxXB2s554o6AaRK8lllC2D_oUJ7MYnyIKi-8jypu5PavPWYnoPQUrKyt9z2yI-W0NK7vG8zRZQ0w3-4PFGfSbOmHc1ubPkJKzo8Rq2_BONJo3DrueTd1md8pNg/s4608/Museum%20of%20Historical%20Society.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFs8irUhVk0QrVwB2rBKNlc7JMK6zoxWGrauQ541g3HHgc2iOAtJR5rfwVikELQ20RxXB2s554o6AaRK8lllC2D_oUJ7MYnyIKi-8jypu5PavPWYnoPQUrKyt9z2yI-W0NK7vG8zRZQ0w3-4PFGfSbOmHc1ubPkJKzo8Rq2_BONJo3DrueTd1md8pNg/w640-h480/Museum%20of%20Historical%20Society.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former Canfield Casino now houses the Historical Society Museum, another museum and an art gallery. The Casino and attached buildings were built in 1870, 1871 and 1902-1903. Gambling was outlawed in 1907 ending its use as a casino.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1FGg7CQ7GqEBKfyn2Bv3AD2dQ2-MRN_G4wp0n8UwOaWCBiuNX6ZwMIyztZ0xGFOfe4PYO4CRjXK8bmxYRq-Ox1VSlydMrvPs8KTNqA4CscOPtRqWMBNUtZeQ4Umzu5ecuDJp--XJHzSc07I9480VD1KWVEAS2y1PaIYyktO1RnkNBtB0JdG7NuaNnA/s3584/Strangers%20at%20the%20Fountain.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3584" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1FGg7CQ7GqEBKfyn2Bv3AD2dQ2-MRN_G4wp0n8UwOaWCBiuNX6ZwMIyztZ0xGFOfe4PYO4CRjXK8bmxYRq-Ox1VSlydMrvPs8KTNqA4CscOPtRqWMBNUtZeQ4Umzu5ecuDJp--XJHzSc07I9480VD1KWVEAS2y1PaIYyktO1RnkNBtB0JdG7NuaNnA/w540-h640/Strangers%20at%20the%20Fountain.jpeg" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One really great part about traveling is the opportunity to meet people. We met them at this fountain where we were both tasting the water.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next morning, before heading out, we visited Saratoga Springs Spa State Park. This is the mother lode of pre WWII wellness facilities. Not only does the Park contain most of the fountains, it also contains a really expansive set of spas and baths. Also a very cool hotel, golf course, moribund bottling plant and extremely wonderful swimming pool which is more like what you would find at a massive country club or resort. So, this all began when Franklin Delano Roosevelt (AKA FDR) was Governor of New York. At that point, not many people really knew he had polio but he was very convinced of the healing powers of mineral springs and there he was sitting on a bundle of them. Everyone from the indigenous people through early settlers to farmers had been using their curative power for centuries. The entire complex that you will see in the photos was constructed within just a few (like maybe two) years by the WPA (or a similar group --it was a little unclear). Now, I am totally a bleeding heart, let's play by fair rules and regulations girl BUT, perhaps there is a bit too much regulation going on these days. Can you imagine how many impact statements, environmental studies etc. would have to be done before you even started doing something like the Baths and Spas and stuff. It would take decades. FDR just said, "Let's go boys" and there it was a couple of years later. And it hasn't hurt anybody or wrecked anything. Worth a thought.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kMk1taBSEcmyxqNPGvhNy5Rv0u2MFzo7bqD-wKXuV4mN-H_4ACl3-WnUWxOk4BrwIr_VCPOmEQp6PlhR7O45auD9WvGkHr93IRcdSbASrgW4BPzFmRDNkMAlMal4KCDWD8VvXjw-VUmWLuCCMiD0PLSw3rmMOlknWvK4zqCWrvUWAX95_Kamk5vWgA/s3872/1Roosevelt%20Baths.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kMk1taBSEcmyxqNPGvhNy5Rv0u2MFzo7bqD-wKXuV4mN-H_4ACl3-WnUWxOk4BrwIr_VCPOmEQp6PlhR7O45auD9WvGkHr93IRcdSbASrgW4BPzFmRDNkMAlMal4KCDWD8VvXjw-VUmWLuCCMiD0PLSw3rmMOlknWvK4zqCWrvUWAX95_Kamk5vWgA/w640-h428/1Roosevelt%20Baths.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Roosevelt Baths - one view...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-1jothzFhmft7htlygQjucHhY3P9P2L0uQwftb6dYrYWzbsM_wBd0XzFo2TVZKwOQ3pIPYMvjgfIaCKyiEg_qVIUtN6XL_J_S_VreBNehIV4tEs-9wFYNNfSWwiDKL04FQ8GQFbK5_kEJJXfBbLdIJ-Mw4xSG2CRxOz0WsZGyf4oODL2Zbuq6Tk8qg/s3872/2Rossevelt%20Baths2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-1jothzFhmft7htlygQjucHhY3P9P2L0uQwftb6dYrYWzbsM_wBd0XzFo2TVZKwOQ3pIPYMvjgfIaCKyiEg_qVIUtN6XL_J_S_VreBNehIV4tEs-9wFYNNfSWwiDKL04FQ8GQFbK5_kEJJXfBbLdIJ-Mw4xSG2CRxOz0WsZGyf4oODL2Zbuq6Tk8qg/w640-h428/2Rossevelt%20Baths2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another view.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLqlhZwQFP68H8OSiS_Vbgqdp2uzxlVpNVSswkOdG0r9n5v2xXyTuqBV4nplhR4G3CnB6YxjQ7AxPULpBLcqic7cebCD0e9AsNqE_KY4DtnMsZn9o7kdNEeR8ciEK8lvULASy4PrCyvKSSI3cMjcwgbRP7fzxSb5K66lEPSbiNd5p3qYiRk2MjMpw2w/s3872/3Interior%20of%20Baths.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLqlhZwQFP68H8OSiS_Vbgqdp2uzxlVpNVSswkOdG0r9n5v2xXyTuqBV4nplhR4G3CnB6YxjQ7AxPULpBLcqic7cebCD0e9AsNqE_KY4DtnMsZn9o7kdNEeR8ciEK8lvULASy4PrCyvKSSI3cMjcwgbRP7fzxSb5K66lEPSbiNd5p3qYiRk2MjMpw2w/w428-h640/3Interior%20of%20Baths.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interior shot of the baths visually reveals the date it was constructed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA3mi7wMepiDUkY1OXx9n5R-bEewZh01TzG2sn1TQSy_oUuxvWmQ5g9cllWaaVnKvxEkpNEulmoLv2joj-QB4vTA0l18DX1IBfDstr5tOu02h4L7mSkApnTqcmp2vUrQr2aSJLuaaZEkHA6qXN9ZG1Z03_HKmGTw3TOKBc1cJIYX-SkbD246aAboayA/s3872/4Lincoln%20Water%20Benefits.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA3mi7wMepiDUkY1OXx9n5R-bEewZh01TzG2sn1TQSy_oUuxvWmQ5g9cllWaaVnKvxEkpNEulmoLv2joj-QB4vTA0l18DX1IBfDstr5tOu02h4L7mSkApnTqcmp2vUrQr2aSJLuaaZEkHA6qXN9ZG1Z03_HKmGTw3TOKBc1cJIYX-SkbD246aAboayA/w428-h640/4Lincoln%20Water%20Benefits.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This detailed all of the Lincoln Water benefits used in the baths down to all of the minerals & chemicals in the water</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyasYR1nwLH_p4KJXvBeBbi_5sLFdla0CwIMJrLxTAN2kyGt5YK5I_DXSY37blemBRcoA_EtvBeiIqmNC9MsM5hNwZL364_-PO8chiM1Oe1IL_X84qTDGLZGJjS8zgKdtJR1PgiAcIrv9kfCX-p8Px_usfRSCXo21r8YGImRVBA6K9u0ueD2oxURH9Q/s3872/5Engraved%20%20Epigram.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyasYR1nwLH_p4KJXvBeBbi_5sLFdla0CwIMJrLxTAN2kyGt5YK5I_DXSY37blemBRcoA_EtvBeiIqmNC9MsM5hNwZL364_-PO8chiM1Oe1IL_X84qTDGLZGJjS8zgKdtJR1PgiAcIrv9kfCX-p8Px_usfRSCXo21r8YGImRVBA6K9u0ueD2oxURH9Q/w640-h428/5Engraved%20%20Epigram.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This epigram succinctly describes what the park has become.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIrE6xHdH8YPSUWBIIXW19mIXkAFQtifcAC5ZO3_gyZRzZkLQUkvYazFcXIoIHJnMe80Ro56QKRXQXCf1jNf8jLWXU-wgnHgWoTHgp6FjZgLdG2xz24ju4xQw7olRbrWH6tyhwkVoMyCCaE-B36n5juJcKvve_tJKC3-j9vy2Lw3DBHmS3tIGIR_2AA/s3872/6Gideon%20Putnam%20Hotel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIrE6xHdH8YPSUWBIIXW19mIXkAFQtifcAC5ZO3_gyZRzZkLQUkvYazFcXIoIHJnMe80Ro56QKRXQXCf1jNf8jLWXU-wgnHgWoTHgp6FjZgLdG2xz24ju4xQw7olRbrWH6tyhwkVoMyCCaE-B36n5juJcKvve_tJKC3-j9vy2Lw3DBHmS3tIGIR_2AA/w640-h428/6Gideon%20Putnam%20Hotel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For instance the Gideon Putnam Hotel has rooms in the summer that range from $482 for a room with a double bed up to $659 for a room with a king size bed.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVNN_9rrACUPKH_fr2A1DxGmMxeEU6p9nU_lNE-mVhNAxw83Rdb8vt5HDfPMyxzz-gGBjp-Yv0G87OFg98Ro6vl1-dtRXe7EN2qI3uuClO1vrbpjp1LWSUwLDzyimW1fPJFPySfzYUZ8NBNhKzqhowSqToxhJu2_twu3cuF0tJpZsvJUM2GMydwC6TQ/s4032/7Saratoga%20Spa%20St%20Pk%20Pool.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVNN_9rrACUPKH_fr2A1DxGmMxeEU6p9nU_lNE-mVhNAxw83Rdb8vt5HDfPMyxzz-gGBjp-Yv0G87OFg98Ro6vl1-dtRXe7EN2qI3uuClO1vrbpjp1LWSUwLDzyimW1fPJFPySfzYUZ8NBNhKzqhowSqToxhJu2_twu3cuF0tJpZsvJUM2GMydwC6TQ/w640-h480/7Saratoga%20Spa%20St%20Pk%20Pool.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Victoria Pool in the state park was built in 1935 and was the first heated pool in the US. When the pool was renovated the boilers were so old, they could not be used to heat the pool. Now the pool is unheated. There is also a 27 hole public golf course in the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Relaxing in Rochester</u></p><p>Featured Guests: Katrina, Karl and Stefan (missing Ty sadly)</p><p>Length of Relationship: Katrina (since birth 50+ years) Karl (30ish years) Stefan (since birth- 23 or so yrs)</p><p>Background: Katrina is our niece (daughter of Lee and Steve). Both she and husband Karl are professors at Rochester Technical Institute and we were lucky that their son Stefan was home for a brief time. Other son Ty is getting a Masters out in Washington State, thus was not around. Will have to see our other niece who belongs to Lee and Steve when/if we do a second sentimental journey to the west since Shannon and her family live in Colorado.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyESr5ZcnyLEsiltRwHjSj3P_Td7EoXZk4hhPnxKvNLz80wPBqaNAaMB4Tzl7HLNqL_B9w-LMdrqt3Klnt_zKQEJssBrsnOCD6GEBhQRapJ93SWEQYajBCxoJYhZzObRz7n0bO9ASe9t-GpddHlNMxccl60AI7dhfv3Sr-9sgF8z8enCSmJJOCSRvww/s2872/Korfmacher.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="2872" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyESr5ZcnyLEsiltRwHjSj3P_Td7EoXZk4hhPnxKvNLz80wPBqaNAaMB4Tzl7HLNqL_B9w-LMdrqt3Klnt_zKQEJssBrsnOCD6GEBhQRapJ93SWEQYajBCxoJYhZzObRz7n0bO9ASe9t-GpddHlNMxccl60AI7dhfv3Sr-9sgF8z8enCSmJJOCSRvww/w640-h518/Korfmacher.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, Stefan, Deirdre, Karl & Kate. Their dog, Oden, was camera shy.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We got into Rochester and went straight to Katrina and Karl's house looking forward to a break from restaurant food and hotel walls. They put together both interesting and tasty drinks and a delicious dinner. Our time was brief but the conversation was brisk and we got caught up on all happenings in short order. Karl is headed off to a sabbatical in Germany in the fall and Katrina has wangled a way at her job to join him for most of the time. The neighborhood they live in, Brighton, has wide streets, sidewalks and an old fashioned kind of vibe which made a walk to stretch our abused legs much more enjoyable. In far too short a time we had to head off in order to meet a couple more friends before zooming into the reunion.</p><p><u>Oh Lordy, Rush Limbaugh Lives On</u></p><p>Our next stop was Johnstown PA - site of the famous Johnstown flood of 1889. To reach Johnstown we had to traverse a large swath of rural Pennsylvania. Far from the reaches of NPR, we happened upon a station outside of Altoona which featured Clay and Buck. This delusional duo took over when Rush Limbaugh went to his just reward (we hope he made it to Hell since a special place was reserved for him) . Whatever we thought of the disinformation and outright lies we had heard crossing the South, Clay and Buck went one better. Adopting that "Just asking" demeanor of Tucker Carlson, and with pronouncedly worse grammar, they went after Democrats, Environmentalists, Pro-Choice proponents and anyone who deviated from straight, missionary position, heterosexual practices with a venom that was almost unfathomable. In a stupor we listened for a half an hour before we snapped out of it and chose silence above insanity.</p><p>Featured Guests: Andy and Judy</p><p>Length of Relationship: Andy (47 years). Judy (18 ish years)</p><p>Background: Andy and I worked on Capitol Hill together. He was the Minority Counsel to the Minority Leader Hugh Scott and I worked as a Special Assistant (I like vague titles). One of my jobs was to filter through the retiring Minority Leader's papers to cull things that were unimportant and to organize the rest for donation to Scott's archives at the University of Virginia. I happened upon "interesting" documents that were incriminating concerning the Gulf Oil illegal contribution scandal and was called by the Watergate Special Prosecutor to testify. Beyond our existing friendship, Andy stepped up and coached me on the intricacies of being truthful yet not forthcoming. It has served me well.</p><p>Anecdote: We had a co-ed softball team that played other Congressmen's Offices and some Administrative teams. We played the Secret Service one night. I was on first and the next batter hit to the Shortstop. I took off from first and as I went into second the Secret Service guy stepped off the base, grabbed me by the neck and threw my head into his belt buckle. Andy and the rest of the crew were off the bench in a flash and a wild fist fight broke out. For office hacks we held our own. The beer may have helped. The next morning I had a bruise with the clearly recognizable emblem of the Secret Service on my forehead. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PMMaHnw6F1pPLHLUAusUGwV8rHql4FTrFZKQ7p48u7rgNcjCiXoCb6d0HArUM4jGsdFFtUUh3DH_WrRLz-Q0XX4bVB4679BUvQy475L58gwki_pxyVnnjd0pDO6GcovlXX6ybei51IsOUXiE1w6F0rLl587ICIPonvzQuvoH-kJGY1xG1NBm-4HliA/s3872/Andy%20&%20Judy%20w.%20DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PMMaHnw6F1pPLHLUAusUGwV8rHql4FTrFZKQ7p48u7rgNcjCiXoCb6d0HArUM4jGsdFFtUUh3DH_WrRLz-Q0XX4bVB4679BUvQy475L58gwki_pxyVnnjd0pDO6GcovlXX6ybei51IsOUXiE1w6F0rLl587ICIPonvzQuvoH-kJGY1xG1NBm-4HliA/w428-h640/Andy%20&%20Judy%20w.%20DSS.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre, Andy, Judy and sweet dog Rosie in their beautiful backyard.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Having survived our exposure to Clay and Buck, we arrived at Andy and Judy's place to discover Andy recovering from a freak (well, probably not for Andy) accident. While trying to assess the weight of a 250 lb. (it turns out) radiator, it fell on Andy causing some serious injury to his leg. We never even bothered to ask why he, at past 80, was testing the weight of a radiator. However, Judy made a great lunch and we talked non-stop for hours. Andy's family has been very influential in Republican politics in Pennsylvania for decades but even Andy has jumped ship. Always a moderate, the Trump thing was too much. We have a photo of him on his front lawn with a sign: "Patriotism above party". That kind of statement takes courage in a Trump bastion like Johnstown.</p><p><u>Like Seeing Someone Yesterday</u></p><p>Featured Guests: Betsy and Michael</p><p>Length of Relationship: Betsy (55 years). Michael (40+ yrs)</p><p>Background: Betsy went to Georgetown with Michael and me. She and I were both in the Foreign Service School and in our senior year Betsy, Michael and I shared a house with 2, and then 3, other people.</p><p>Anecdote: Michael and I were living together but. in an effort to keep our parents in the dark, the story was that he was living in the basement. Ever eager to reduce our individual rent payments, when our roommate Patty suggested renting to a guy who worked with her at Georgetown Hospital's E.R. we said sure and rented hime the basement. He was a VERY strange guy but they were strange times. Betsy and I went grocery shopping one day and put bags on Peter's bed in the basement as an interim step to getting it upstairs. There were lots of bags. As we continued carrying them up I looked into one casually. It was not groceries. It was weed. A LOT of weed. Now we knew how Peter paid the rent. Peter became an ex-roommate.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbMoe7_I5yIYqJJA_zdmthFiT_Py9V28s_5B5p--WsTIA998EuQny9waC7CWyDy18S9wHC7L_PKatsX7S7dJpnkpqX1qdyf_FQGwHOoJXD9N8u3A1TTKhAs_XWEIihtQt76J_uL-nBgDjbRw87gf9wIve30NZF-Sxw60PL-7Rrv5hrDJ9ir0q2OdCSw/s3872/DSS&Betsy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbMoe7_I5yIYqJJA_zdmthFiT_Py9V28s_5B5p--WsTIA998EuQny9waC7CWyDy18S9wHC7L_PKatsX7S7dJpnkpqX1qdyf_FQGwHOoJXD9N8u3A1TTKhAs_XWEIihtQt76J_uL-nBgDjbRw87gf9wIve30NZF-Sxw60PL-7Rrv5hrDJ9ir0q2OdCSw/w428-h640/DSS&Betsy.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre & Betsy</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's wonderful when you can go for years without seeing someone and then, when you do, it is like you saw them yesterday. That is the way that it always is with Betsy. After navigating seamlessly across 7,000+ miles, we found ourselves totally incapable of locating the Country Club where we were meeting Betsy and Michael for dinner. Around the block we went and then in ever increasingly wide circles. Betsy had to talk us in and then splay herself in a parking space to save it for our trusty Subaru. Just a great, typical old friends dinner of trading updates on children, our aging minds and bodies and the political street fight going on around us. After, once again, too short a time together we needed to head off on the second to the last leg of the journey before reaching Michael's family reunion. </p><p><u>There is Nothing to Say </u> </p><p>The last stop. There is nothing to say about Utica, Michigan. Well, maybe you could say that it is not Utica, New York about which there is also nothing to say. We were only in Utica as a staging point to launch our final trek to the family reunion in Harbor Springs, Michigan. And to visit a Costco to fulfill our task for the dinner for 70+ that our branch of the family would be responsible for. Our job was wine and beer ---LOTS of wine and beer that we crammed into the car after tying our huge suitcase (known affectionately as The Beast) onto the roof. Now we were going full Clampett. Next: The Reunion.....</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-51193440688406152852022-08-16T12:55:00.000-05:002022-08-16T12:55:15.456-05:00The Sentimental Journey: Just A Little Break in the Action<p> <u>The Rigors of the Road</u></p><p>We were doing pretty well at keeping up with the blogs through D.C. but we began to burn out blog-wise as we drove (and drove) and met people on a non-stop basis. But, not to deny you any of the vicarious thrills and vicissitudes of our journey we shall recommence where we left off -- heading north from D.C. with Michael on the mend from his brush with covid.</p><p><u>Covid is Such a Pain</u></p><p>We encountered three disappointments based on Michael's covid. We were all set to meet up with our friend Bruce and his daughter Eleanor but, as Bruce was in the "senior" category we decided that would be a bad idea. But, we must include them both because they are so dear.</p><p>Featured Guests: Bruce and his daughter Eleanor</p><p>Length of Relationship: 52 years</p><p>Background: Bruce and Pat lived across the street from us when we were a house full of college kids going to Georgetown. One night, sitting on the porch, we saw a dog hit. He didn't seem too hurt but we thought he needed a vet and had no car to take him. We saw Bruce, owner of a collie, coming home from work and nabbed him. Off to the vet we all went. Dog ended up fine and we ended up friends. Bruce and Pat had a baby daughter and we became babysitters as well as bridge partners and stalwart buddies. So sorry to have missed them on this trip.</p><p>Anecdote: Entrusted with caring for Eleanor one night, Bruce handed me a bathrobe. "You'll need this when you feed her", he said. "Ha!" I thought, "what an alarmist." Covered from neck to waist in Blueberry Buckle, I realized his wisdom. Otherwise, a very sweet little girl.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXEVxtApgMQCvMioZSvsJ-wG3rKSGyRjA5O-qK2m_NTe1-NoJGZlV9BRWo2Dj7qXAzE1aInsPRwDBDFJCHhsPVE5sfgIaAbduXVkMQo4ZntmEYQrpk0FKJaSZIZcbC5AJUIQrQCQtOnNo7CfAq2XYY10Eax4ebL45SeDy2ClIh87Pkz0yYCZUj5SBpQ/s3264/1Bruce&Eleanor.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXEVxtApgMQCvMioZSvsJ-wG3rKSGyRjA5O-qK2m_NTe1-NoJGZlV9BRWo2Dj7qXAzE1aInsPRwDBDFJCHhsPVE5sfgIaAbduXVkMQo4ZntmEYQrpk0FKJaSZIZcbC5AJUIQrQCQtOnNo7CfAq2XYY10Eax4ebL45SeDy2ClIh87Pkz0yYCZUj5SBpQ/w640-h480/1Bruce&Eleanor.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce & Eleanor</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Another stop we had planned was to Michael's brother's beach house in Delaware. Nope. Maybe next time. We'd see him at the Reunion so not too sad.</p><p>And the third bummer... Envious of Michael's family reunions, I planned a reunion of my cousins at a house we rented on the Delaware River. Beautiful place as the photos will show. Due to Michael's recent covid the plans were squashed. Only my intrepid 82 year old cousin Linda braved the risk of infection and we spent a delightful day sipping wine and contemplating the river. So sorry to miss the others but perhaps another time.</p><p>Featured Guest: Linda</p><p>Length of Relationship: 73 years (since my birth)</p><p>Background: Linda is my oldest cousin and the only other girl. She was always my compatriot/protector in the midst of all those boys. She is one of the most fearless people I have ever met and time with her is always a blast. Only wish we'd had more time together.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPZpWQvrJTWDs_LTbfZJPcbqjKpR72v-FhgpNRxiu8zo9YWbQWAIl375gb9rhgKWmnIYSLurvUj3RcI5WUx8U0OxIrTCO82riBOfMCwnu5OI-RSy1oAiujEdMX6nEj78kHeD9UePgsPngadq2pL0Fy6GEh3GYW6qBgrWmgmno12zywj2buOIJyP852Q/s3872/1DSS&Linda.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPZpWQvrJTWDs_LTbfZJPcbqjKpR72v-FhgpNRxiu8zo9YWbQWAIl375gb9rhgKWmnIYSLurvUj3RcI5WUx8U0OxIrTCO82riBOfMCwnu5OI-RSy1oAiujEdMX6nEj78kHeD9UePgsPngadq2pL0Fy6GEh3GYW6qBgrWmgmno12zywj2buOIJyP852Q/w640-h428/1DSS&Linda.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre & her cousin Linda<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs61RdwzaT_VkkjkGBJ8-WRq79Z2g6IVwL3bA722J7QC4-GDM2jbxyjP82Wy34XxMSXzi68lk_GkkYgvzZZPgrrtjrFe0rjSSfetkd0COvx0Pa22i8fzUj-X3N8rwYjRt2RjcJh8_iQqFDSU1Vl2AY8tP5ExKQzCoj-O3bn1ZC8WYYvBGNMN4ZDzEtg/s3872/8Tile%20FactoryC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs61RdwzaT_VkkjkGBJ8-WRq79Z2g6IVwL3bA722J7QC4-GDM2jbxyjP82Wy34XxMSXzi68lk_GkkYgvzZZPgrrtjrFe0rjSSfetkd0COvx0Pa22i8fzUj-X3N8rwYjRt2RjcJh8_iQqFDSU1Vl2AY8tP5ExKQzCoj-O3bn1ZC8WYYvBGNMN4ZDzEtg/w428-h640/8Tile%20FactoryC.jpeg" width="428" /></a><br />This chimney decorated with tiles is part of the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works founded by Henry Chapman Mercer, an archaeologist, historian and curator.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vVnT8WOflNEt6_6n1EKSIOOi50wp9JEdQjfCDCUOf6NWuTK49ipH-WqluADf-QxECLR5xwV66uF0CUMxXj1Za-2RA9McMOWCP5omwqk_ofR59kL2IHJt9MS2d6kEa8VSQuh_5070DCEQoE802uYdemPnwWEPKnU2rJHg3298cYDjW38WOf9AcvcpyA/s3872/6Tile%20FactoryA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vVnT8WOflNEt6_6n1EKSIOOi50wp9JEdQjfCDCUOf6NWuTK49ipH-WqluADf-QxECLR5xwV66uF0CUMxXj1Za-2RA9McMOWCP5omwqk_ofR59kL2IHJt9MS2d6kEa8VSQuh_5070DCEQoE802uYdemPnwWEPKnU2rJHg3298cYDjW38WOf9AcvcpyA/w640-h428/6Tile%20FactoryA.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />The tile works is still in operation, but is also a museum. Mercer studied the tile making process brought to America by Germans in 1898 and then created his own method for which he received three patents in 1914.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdz7Fd0kuO9iZLDub46A7SG4Uvzhska3k3qyVgvOU4TabLdVnjcGltTOppu0iNXozFbdtrwCNEdooogRZaksZEBCJJw8vANIkWsvGQ6iuzZNpAXd_fv8hFUvpXNaLfn_2p3ztDTQBZ1YTY8ojoMQLYib_auwcsInw0KJqI2m8VeEJF-N-QtfKpClPGg/s3872/7Tile%20FactoryB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdz7Fd0kuO9iZLDub46A7SG4Uvzhska3k3qyVgvOU4TabLdVnjcGltTOppu0iNXozFbdtrwCNEdooogRZaksZEBCJJw8vANIkWsvGQ6iuzZNpAXd_fv8hFUvpXNaLfn_2p3ztDTQBZ1YTY8ojoMQLYib_auwcsInw0KJqI2m8VeEJF-N-QtfKpClPGg/w640-h428/7Tile%20FactoryB.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />Isabella Stewart Gardener ordered tiles in the medieval style for Fenway Court from the tile works. These can be seen at the Isabella Gardener Museum in Boston.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSg3jB4SSXdgz0D8nN78dLmRmqWhq5nnMbUJjpK755iNtzl7h3ApiUqY0iErp3s6W5GM1YbY7ppXU9eNjgTMQXa93G_2wPiTy1vukeMoVjYb1tIB9o-SWuxrWpgdJFC1a1Ha6FXUifZnh9DArCUCIBFoiLSF8PTYpxoOfAiEgDqUKitKtRspMc5Yvg/s3872/2GWDelCrossing.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSg3jB4SSXdgz0D8nN78dLmRmqWhq5nnMbUJjpK755iNtzl7h3ApiUqY0iErp3s6W5GM1YbY7ppXU9eNjgTMQXa93G_2wPiTy1vukeMoVjYb1tIB9o-SWuxrWpgdJFC1a1Ha6FXUifZnh9DArCUCIBFoiLSF8PTYpxoOfAiEgDqUKitKtRspMc5Yvg/w640-h428/2GWDelCrossing.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />Since we were staying on the Delaware River, we had to visit the point where George Washington crossed the Delaware on the night of December 25-26, 1776. I always imagined a much larger body of water traversed by George during the Revolutionary War.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnPQGTIvAl59Xgr0jR3qocUG2FrWB1tu3e8iMAS5gF_73FvraPza1dob6P9ZG4-RWcXwNO_6tzz5ThQHGeiayGhf1MvJisT8SVRu-HOVKNzFhR1AY_N9LSrMuA_T6tLiMMN7l3V6PyKIhueiEuKYl0MyELmmEHl6a75h6XmclL9h-QNUVGHHui3OdmQ/s4608/10Groundhog.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnPQGTIvAl59Xgr0jR3qocUG2FrWB1tu3e8iMAS5gF_73FvraPza1dob6P9ZG4-RWcXwNO_6tzz5ThQHGeiayGhf1MvJisT8SVRu-HOVKNzFhR1AY_N9LSrMuA_T6tLiMMN7l3V6PyKIhueiEuKYl0MyELmmEHl6a75h6XmclL9h-QNUVGHHui3OdmQ/w640-h480/10Groundhog.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One highlight of our stay in Milford, NJ on the Delaware River was all of the fauna. This groundhog <br />(obviously a relative of Puxatawney Phil since we could see Pennsylvania from our porch) was in our side yard one day.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQwt4s6jZb2QhiOPc1G7_Qcl7F-Lv8zSFPEZcE35VaHycUmb_5bqYSryCGEcsvNF3A7p3nCAX-qtNmXOmb2DtUqd2Yn4bCEXMO9MH9d3Ji5qTukKd_NADoQM-EJnQofHLNM5VFXgZz5yexovKLekfeCNqFdK4rjLvNjRc2s_fkc_yVAk6vdBlR5_BxQ/s2066/9GreatBlueHeron.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="2066" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQwt4s6jZb2QhiOPc1G7_Qcl7F-Lv8zSFPEZcE35VaHycUmb_5bqYSryCGEcsvNF3A7p3nCAX-qtNmXOmb2DtUqd2Yn4bCEXMO9MH9d3Ji5qTukKd_NADoQM-EJnQofHLNM5VFXgZz5yexovKLekfeCNqFdK4rjLvNjRc2s_fkc_yVAk6vdBlR5_BxQ/w640-h560/9GreatBlueHeron.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This great blue heron was flying overhead...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGo6m-gQaqlE22FQ8LlXzNnisRMq8CYQ8u9UP2PT4VxuQhpZYP-32SQMB_dcHtSqDISzvaxS3IVqt068OE3qu5CzZqfm5NUqvSMmvuKNlz3WfKbuajfyXOvyvgjs4bHlqKC5jQz8bENl5o4w0q9HOXo1g8eYj1RmupSRauiHeU_sCiqMiDnEkvSchyQ/s4608/8Kingfisher.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGo6m-gQaqlE22FQ8LlXzNnisRMq8CYQ8u9UP2PT4VxuQhpZYP-32SQMB_dcHtSqDISzvaxS3IVqt068OE3qu5CzZqfm5NUqvSMmvuKNlz3WfKbuajfyXOvyvgjs4bHlqKC5jQz8bENl5o4w0q9HOXo1g8eYj1RmupSRauiHeU_sCiqMiDnEkvSchyQ/w640-h480/8Kingfisher.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this kingfisher was perched on a branch at the edge of the Delaware River.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jKjEJ-WCCRTXYUqXOwEb0BbWGaav-4PQE2I_BZhb1J2P0QBvPxZn-3KDcSBheJU3v9nbitiKf9_euFAJNdBoHpxb9UEDyc0J17d2Au-3t_Tsz04NpYyRa-D3YpwkoZx0KsstER-r4MFeEytNojfFtkX0AVYvlDjbuubpU_egvusjqOS-d7BTsf0ZYA/s1024/3Deer&Geese.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jKjEJ-WCCRTXYUqXOwEb0BbWGaav-4PQE2I_BZhb1J2P0QBvPxZn-3KDcSBheJU3v9nbitiKf9_euFAJNdBoHpxb9UEDyc0J17d2Au-3t_Tsz04NpYyRa-D3YpwkoZx0KsstER-r4MFeEytNojfFtkX0AVYvlDjbuubpU_egvusjqOS-d7BTsf0ZYA/w640-h480/3Deer&Geese.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However the most fascinating and entertaining were the deer and geese. Our next door neighbor put out corn for the deer and, of course, the geese took advantage by reaching their long necks into the trough to get some corn as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz-QAWTSoqEFr2velfrJH3Gyu5GOxq4tt1qq4jR9uZWuT60pcXXd8KcKMSLQAkopSa7SKFEpS9oPgGRzZ9ycBMVjIk6NlhgmiBD6Q8BAdL2mJEDGUMF4qw4zcYygAAtnSqdP-21uaH1Cl1SgbEidO9Sfp96B3N1cWi0oPw0oqbRGGsTnUk9Z1yUHbNQ/s4608/1Deer%20alone.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz-QAWTSoqEFr2velfrJH3Gyu5GOxq4tt1qq4jR9uZWuT60pcXXd8KcKMSLQAkopSa7SKFEpS9oPgGRzZ9ycBMVjIk6NlhgmiBD6Q8BAdL2mJEDGUMF4qw4zcYygAAtnSqdP-21uaH1Cl1SgbEidO9Sfp96B3N1cWi0oPw0oqbRGGsTnUk9Z1yUHbNQ/w640-h480/1Deer%20alone.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bUEQjnfxslSkreqQFaEnmKBqmjZ80Be0lpdhDDz5s5o64GrAiNuykiYEi9FI8UsJQGk9CxE0-2hwGMLyqEkaH_57t47HVZn0GAPaOenI1hgQDv_Am_q0DoI1VngmAzX21V4BadOcvy5NI5zeTC6V9dWtam-90Ofxg8GsSEVqaYlsYS1YA_B6Xmuaw/s4608/1Deer1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0bUEQjnfxslSkreqQFaEnmKBqmjZ80Be0lpdhDDz5s5o64GrAiNuykiYEi9FI8UsJQGk9CxE0-2hwGMLyqEkaH_57t47HVZn0GAPaOenI1hgQDv_Am_q0DoI1VngmAzX21V4BadOcvy5NI5zeTC6V9dWtam-90Ofxg8GsSEVqaYlsYS1YA_B6Xmuaw/w640-h480/1Deer1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7uuguLKPunxr4eX99zsy9vlSot2Sl4W50w0DBkbknIBwFKrIGT0Qc3O_9qUKBxxN1FcyuHPUjMY8FOr8CHYcjaeS9wWgwFyfApp9dv6SO2OW0M7JfaR02SAqwdt8GWPeY2NgsnXNh4zScsZdRM_-4bMe45sLCw9hmwqoNTVNy3PA1zR0NOHMw1vD8A/s1024/5ThreeDeer%20&%20Many%20Geese.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7uuguLKPunxr4eX99zsy9vlSot2Sl4W50w0DBkbknIBwFKrIGT0Qc3O_9qUKBxxN1FcyuHPUjMY8FOr8CHYcjaeS9wWgwFyfApp9dv6SO2OW0M7JfaR02SAqwdt8GWPeY2NgsnXNh4zScsZdRM_-4bMe45sLCw9hmwqoNTVNy3PA1zR0NOHMw1vD8A/w640-h480/5ThreeDeer%20&%20Many%20Geese.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the last evening there were three deer that showed up to partake of the feast...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rjZ5xpQoJ7rtNFBfkUoYba7jusRlIf4oGuuM8VbPmBC4JZ6vyVZ_HrNVKMw73RGt6_3Q1VAOmxsFimZAT2tcIdbiyF7yHSH3wd-WrUHlDb7kNsgdmfYFdbI67AtUpnEep9lYxB2l524cEGL6vBHb3aywfJpjJX9azCtAxW8XojF-dqmK1GHITXwQTQ/s4608/11Fawns.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rjZ5xpQoJ7rtNFBfkUoYba7jusRlIf4oGuuM8VbPmBC4JZ6vyVZ_HrNVKMw73RGt6_3Q1VAOmxsFimZAT2tcIdbiyF7yHSH3wd-WrUHlDb7kNsgdmfYFdbI67AtUpnEep9lYxB2l524cEGL6vBHb3aywfJpjJX9azCtAxW8XojF-dqmK1GHITXwQTQ/w640-h480/11Fawns.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and these two adorable fawns.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Boston Bound</u></p><p>After leaving the Delaware River we headed up to Boston. On the way we stopped for lunch with my oldest (in duration) friend Susan who lives in Middletown, Ct. We had the good fortune to grow up in a neighborhood in the Connecticut suburbs in the days when you could run wild with little parental oversight/intrusion. The neighborhood was 1/3 Catholic, 1/3 Jewish and 1/3 Protestant which allowed us to roam from house to house indulging in seasonal treats: latkes at the Sugarmans; hot cross buns at the Donahues; Christmas cookies at the Smiths. Long bike hikes, forts in the woods... lucky us.</p><p>Featured Guest: Susan</p><p>Length of Relationship: 67 years</p><p>Anecdote: In college, we rented a cottage at Cape Cod. This was so long ago that college students could afford to rent a cottage on Cape Cod. It was a wild week filled with revelations, lots of sand, waves and drinking. Probably the last time we were able to spend that much time together and definitely memorable.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPbaol5sjsxPpFYPYoJpQS0m7I3atgltxmDbSY3VyAYLFWQpJflHcfN_wL8Uc8mPnTnqJe9znPeKWBvI_sOicbMh8Kqf8i7rRTqXahOTHjIGLYH5oBAu6ZRhLuKFUZdFugW7-FgAJuLSFJ70-Uwh8xLpKkWIVznuF4pMEyyyMooPjUB98rrwu-GrVog/s3872/Susan&DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPbaol5sjsxPpFYPYoJpQS0m7I3atgltxmDbSY3VyAYLFWQpJflHcfN_wL8Uc8mPnTnqJe9znPeKWBvI_sOicbMh8Kqf8i7rRTqXahOTHjIGLYH5oBAu6ZRhLuKFUZdFugW7-FgAJuLSFJ70-Uwh8xLpKkWIVznuF4pMEyyyMooPjUB98rrwu-GrVog/w640-h428/Susan&DSS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan & Deirdre</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Bean Town in our Blood</u></p><p>We lived in Boston for 30 years and raised our sons there so, needless to say, there are many attachments. This blog is long on featured guests and shorter on featured cities because this swath from D.C. to Maine is where we have spent most of our lives and the ties to the region are strong. But, most of our pals and family are pretty fun so on we go.</p><p>Featured Guest: Mary</p><p>Length of Relationship: Approx. 30 yrs.</p><p>Background: Mary was our "back door" neighbor in Wellesley. She has become a fan of Mexico and has spent time visiting us, Merida and Oaxaca learning the language and the culture. She is an independent woman with a very big heart. While staying in Mexico this winter she offered her house to a woman and her son (who are from Latin America) so that the boy could attend the fine schools in her town. That is just who she is.</p><p>Anecdote: Mary and then-husband Tim's backyard faced our kitchen window. Mary worked in finance and Tim was working on his P.H.D. and tending to Charlie, their son, who was a toddler. One snowy day I looked out the window and saw Charlie in the backyard. The snow was about 2 feet deep and there was Charlie. Outfitted in a Michelin Man snow suit he was just stuck in the snow unable to move-- totally content and catching snowflakes on his tongue. I watched for several minutes until Tim came out and scooped him up. I didn't tell Mary for years.....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithWb6Bc_0wxwB1Hkj8xNZ3J05Bi9S3uYaocjcNc9zzqdE4pA0ESNaF1JTKpkF0De2t5DC--yAzTrkpJVcl7eQqt9bw1HnMSk4aDImmmdI6Lk5pqwnJxWTqSvNw5BmgDQ_5Cd7q9K9xh1fzjYK0vXoL-jfCt6yqwLKGbYmiM3U648zyrZczVJqXgsEIQ/s1024/Mary%20S,%20DSS%20&%20MRS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithWb6Bc_0wxwB1Hkj8xNZ3J05Bi9S3uYaocjcNc9zzqdE4pA0ESNaF1JTKpkF0De2t5DC--yAzTrkpJVcl7eQqt9bw1HnMSk4aDImmmdI6Lk5pqwnJxWTqSvNw5BmgDQ_5Cd7q9K9xh1fzjYK0vXoL-jfCt6yqwLKGbYmiM3U648zyrZczVJqXgsEIQ/w640-h480/Mary%20S,%20DSS%20&%20MRS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre, Mary & Michael captured by Mary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>The PreSchool Gang is in Session</u></p><p>For years after I stopped working in hi-tech I volunteered and then worked in a preschool for children with special needs. Little known fact: I have a Masters in Early Childhood Development. The work was very rewarding, the kids were a blast and my coworkers were both funny and filled with empathy-- a nice combination. So I took the opportunity (with Elin's help) to reconvene for coffee and swap tales about the old days and new.</p><p>Featured Guests: Elin, Sue and Sharon</p><p>Length of Relationship: Approx. 20 years</p><p>Anecdote: There are so many... We were always losing Larry. Larry was this very outgoing, funny kid with just a few problems who endeared himself to all. However, you'd take them all to the bathroom and come back one short...Larry. All the buses had arrived but... no Larry. Only when the bus returned to the lot did they find Larry content in the rear seat. His little absences became frequent enough that we dubbed him Long Lost Larry. Just one of the many child characters we encountered in our work.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RCZeXuzs50zD7fD7FcV9EvpTMhz3nv-Rn7kjPu0mLA_hjS5bkCfbu2nSOV9GzSRAqJOONpat5B1iSFZcSGtqlANTTlAlYgJvjF2i4SJfklTZ4L5U_Ri5LZCZX2EJoAyw-MeIBrRSNaVkVV-ztqSjXmoqVo30w-iLGugKy5j03GwXIW9T9GDmfcq1Zg/s3872/2DSS&Amigas.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RCZeXuzs50zD7fD7FcV9EvpTMhz3nv-Rn7kjPu0mLA_hjS5bkCfbu2nSOV9GzSRAqJOONpat5B1iSFZcSGtqlANTTlAlYgJvjF2i4SJfklTZ4L5U_Ri5LZCZX2EJoAyw-MeIBrRSNaVkVV-ztqSjXmoqVo30w-iLGugKy5j03GwXIW9T9GDmfcq1Zg/w640-h428/2DSS&Amigas.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Elin, Deirdre, Sharon and standing is Sue<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Dinner in the Hood</u></p><p>We've been lucky to have friends with whom time and absence does not thwart our affection or ease in their company. Among those friends are Betsy and Fred and their family.</p><p>Featured Guests: Betsy and Fred</p><p>Length of Relationship: 27+ years</p><p>Background: Betsy and Fred live in our old neighborhood and their son, Ted, was best friends with our younger son Alex. They were virtually inseparable and through their friendship our friendship with Betsy and Fred grew. Through all the agony and delight of raising kids, enduring health upsets and consoling each other about various challenges or disappointments our bond has grown over the years. Betsya nd Fred made a delicious dinner and we chatted over the meal and a few glasses of wine. It was great to see them.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwa2JdX1OyQaJvRsocgj1XV3inqHc9j8e0q-WEdOdAPG8taKO3xUTIENOC7Ql0R-FAfF40U-e4ZCcG6yXBLTmPF2-jPwN-BB4tsMagPwxl8QYx_c73CkUR2wejajUBR2XuEqiPvPGLDndki1lzOraAJ2c0ZVb2Rrq9WUiLjSP_EsZ_sPK79L9DJaRNQ/s3872/Cunningham.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwa2JdX1OyQaJvRsocgj1XV3inqHc9j8e0q-WEdOdAPG8taKO3xUTIENOC7Ql0R-FAfF40U-e4ZCcG6yXBLTmPF2-jPwN-BB4tsMagPwxl8QYx_c73CkUR2wejajUBR2XuEqiPvPGLDndki1lzOraAJ2c0ZVb2Rrq9WUiLjSP_EsZ_sPK79L9DJaRNQ/w640-h428/Cunningham.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre, Fred, Betsy & Michael</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><u>A Special Place</u></p><p>We took time out from all the visiting with friends to catch a meal in our favorite restaurant in one of our favorite towns. The restaurant is The Barnacle and the town is Marblehead. Many of our memories revolve around The Barnacle. It was there that we learned the offer to buy our Wellesley house was accepted. It was the scene of many birthday and anniversary and no-special-reason visits. A simple place with a marvelous view and the best fried oysters ever served up anywhere. The town is filled with old homes and scenic views - a few of which Michael will include.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBecDVeym0KJVSV34Ej_TYwWVZaKXiT9RP3Wsm5Yt8T3zrYnhlUK-6spfdrXb88WBYYF2GSWme5czL-7noh10PiNWJbSoA05F9S05eFILGUeZYQdHUFNSsk9OPYNRA_HAXFhiksL5RX6Uai4yxEPxHoouSCw_dTwMXL_qSXH8VfuBQobLQHeAYFP9Jg/s3872/1MarbleheadHarbor.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBecDVeym0KJVSV34Ej_TYwWVZaKXiT9RP3Wsm5Yt8T3zrYnhlUK-6spfdrXb88WBYYF2GSWme5czL-7noh10PiNWJbSoA05F9S05eFILGUeZYQdHUFNSsk9OPYNRA_HAXFhiksL5RX6Uai4yxEPxHoouSCw_dTwMXL_qSXH8VfuBQobLQHeAYFP9Jg/w640-h428/1MarbleheadHarbor.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Marblehead Harbor and the islands beyond.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-wBiplhubkQJmwC-n0FdXCVbxwU5f_CjO9ozqlsvAqfEMCEHjKBwFsfmbtPloPla8vy6E_FWZ8RbETzuNI8U8DpbOUn7V7A42K147g1SuoUwZzaqPudHa7-hiUOmwZuIpHPz7Id7wigomQ0PM_Wuuh6YCt4LULTNM1lUKx7kqR2dVjh2rNgziNtJVQ/s3872/3Chapman%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-wBiplhubkQJmwC-n0FdXCVbxwU5f_CjO9ozqlsvAqfEMCEHjKBwFsfmbtPloPla8vy6E_FWZ8RbETzuNI8U8DpbOUn7V7A42K147g1SuoUwZzaqPudHa7-hiUOmwZuIpHPz7Id7wigomQ0PM_Wuuh6YCt4LULTNM1lUKx7kqR2dVjh2rNgziNtJVQ/w640-h428/3Chapman%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each house has a plaque. This house was built by John Chapman, a house wright, in 1841 for himself. The house site was previously occupied by William Woodley, a fisherman, in 1677.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuZ7Jg7MgidZFXYcm8rPqatmRenGrLlgZfnucCmlJ_MydibEyH11oYcKjHiXpSAgXBmkDORgUgR0zNq_4IGqN_dmdo7HNZ3SnsIgGtBpKNS1xUjAyziCQ02dGQLhpN82kiJnAjnc1MmcB1ApR-4TnVYFPvc14cwKaUGeagN65KXcBAUvA6GXxRCjYfg/s3872/4Orne%20house%201750.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuZ7Jg7MgidZFXYcm8rPqatmRenGrLlgZfnucCmlJ_MydibEyH11oYcKjHiXpSAgXBmkDORgUgR0zNq_4IGqN_dmdo7HNZ3SnsIgGtBpKNS1xUjAyziCQ02dGQLhpN82kiJnAjnc1MmcB1ApR-4TnVYFPvc14cwKaUGeagN65KXcBAUvA6GXxRCjYfg/w640-h428/4Orne%20house%201750.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house was built for Joshua Orne, a shoreman in 1750 and the house site was previously occupied by Samuel Morgan, a cooper, in 1660.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00NE8zKfO29wDhdm5QgOtSjLD2b_BVVONLj3KFZRyvjvlrc4GkpAzDyh0lGhx3edZqrKkekrco_6Dap6FQjnsjrVx9UniL-g01bGho8MkqN3llrvSiML3uXtc2_k_SSUamIIgj30GOshbuR_Yz385gL00gAozK4DNjI_l2ZgEhhDs77Y6V9W4InsCYA/s3872/5Gale%20house%201721.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00NE8zKfO29wDhdm5QgOtSjLD2b_BVVONLj3KFZRyvjvlrc4GkpAzDyh0lGhx3edZqrKkekrco_6Dap6FQjnsjrVx9UniL-g01bGho8MkqN3llrvSiML3uXtc2_k_SSUamIIgj30GOshbuR_Yz385gL00gAozK4DNjI_l2ZgEhhDs77Y6V9W4InsCYA/w640-h428/5Gale%20house%201721.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house was built for Benjamin Gale, a shoreman, in 1721; was enlarged for Joseph Carder, a shoreman, in 1755; and, was the home of Capt. Glover Broughton from 1832-1869, who was the Town Clerk.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw01EZ9o6UO3TY7KxOEaQ259kHeQ_GBfcPJ_Maqruj_7gvBWVsxpDsTXAAWOEm_315CQjzGnDwZoXNcz1qr2uYg0wMSHKiHvdJi3Nl4us7Vf3_GQuJcjG61RGyFuwBUUbmDLZgZLWUz14r_gANq-qXLg6nwAJPEUDaYhDzL1PcsUD_mIstPLrl5O31A/s3872/6Sanders%20house%201715.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw01EZ9o6UO3TY7KxOEaQ259kHeQ_GBfcPJ_Maqruj_7gvBWVsxpDsTXAAWOEm_315CQjzGnDwZoXNcz1qr2uYg0wMSHKiHvdJi3Nl4us7Vf3_GQuJcjG61RGyFuwBUUbmDLZgZLWUz14r_gANq-qXLg6nwAJPEUDaYhDzL1PcsUD_mIstPLrl5O31A/w640-h428/6Sanders%20house%201715.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house was built for Ephraim Sanders, a fisherman, in 1715 and was enlarged for Thomas Gerry, a merchant, in 1750.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhRTS299SiprxDKQoYPPYaBgpDGf6u4UJ2SKjy6m-UREURRDu9AigmnaMbNaOEq7htJaVPbdUB1Uf1WX25_ZDSMvDNcInM228aYUnuTICzuw3PFnSReZISN9shHc54-TcXSDALuAk2xhEbM0QoV2L1WbB449NlSLjwNg0lTK3VFNwOEDnBinOrT763A/s3872/7Batchelder%20house%201728.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhRTS299SiprxDKQoYPPYaBgpDGf6u4UJ2SKjy6m-UREURRDu9AigmnaMbNaOEq7htJaVPbdUB1Uf1WX25_ZDSMvDNcInM228aYUnuTICzuw3PFnSReZISN9shHc54-TcXSDALuAk2xhEbM0QoV2L1WbB449NlSLjwNg0lTK3VFNwOEDnBinOrT763A/w640-h428/7Batchelder%20house%201728.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house was built for Sara Hendly Batchelder, a widow, in 1728.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3oYQgbMX8RZvIz1SUfCnZ2-OH5SzCaZQgBl59Y1DJ4no35rGJJH9eRXEC0jupgM4hABXcu5O0wviNdFKbFBMyA5VKS91RRxq23ysj5z2GZZc18azb2PPospSk9IWvHKOC7g7v_Yj62ybkbETye5tCM4vpdfEXvOm39pk2np5DjKSfCL6b5vM-iwfCA/s3872/DSS@Barnacle2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3oYQgbMX8RZvIz1SUfCnZ2-OH5SzCaZQgBl59Y1DJ4no35rGJJH9eRXEC0jupgM4hABXcu5O0wviNdFKbFBMyA5VKS91RRxq23ysj5z2GZZc18azb2PPospSk9IWvHKOC7g7v_Yj62ybkbETye5tCM4vpdfEXvOm39pk2np5DjKSfCL6b5vM-iwfCA/w640-h428/DSS@Barnacle2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre sits on the wall by the harbor with The Barnacle in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>One More Drink Before We Go</u></p><p>It was almost time to hit the road again but we stopped over at Gillian and Bill's for a drink and a chat. </p><p>Featured Guests: Gillian and Bill </p><p>Length of Relationship: 28 years</p><p>Background: Alex and their eldest son James were in the same Kindergarten class and remained friends throughout childhood along with Andrew (whose parents unfortunately we missed) and Ted. When the boys were in first grade, we parents formed the First Grade Book Club that existed until they were all in college. It may still exist today. Over the years, through bridge and wine tastings and ski lessons and beach trips we all remained close. It was great to see them again.</p><p>Anecdote: One year, Gillian, Linda (Andrew's mother) and I took the whole passel of kids to Wellfleet on the Cape for the week and the husbands followed (very New England) on the weekend. We had a great time and if memory serves we all took a boat ride out to Monomoy Island and were delighted to witness many, many seals which we had never seen in the local waters before. Little did we know that where seals go, Great Whites soon follow. They arrived several years later. Live and learn.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YtlAnWUfrOQ-O5fOMAkGFnEPtG1UGg091OxuE5NTqN3CbiJevcYezSD7cNqiM4J0NhpMC8iYRRtW3jHbnXdi8ayMYhEK7asOd4L229JwDBcViSa9sbTKuuTYks2vGqQMjOpKd9ji3VCUfz25oSBTnHZiaM33Mcgkyc4KE8HEyJrq7wPTQC2MDJu0BA/s3872/Kohli.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YtlAnWUfrOQ-O5fOMAkGFnEPtG1UGg091OxuE5NTqN3CbiJevcYezSD7cNqiM4J0NhpMC8iYRRtW3jHbnXdi8ayMYhEK7asOd4L229JwDBcViSa9sbTKuuTYks2vGqQMjOpKd9ji3VCUfz25oSBTnHZiaM33Mcgkyc4KE8HEyJrq7wPTQC2MDJu0BA/w640-h428/Kohli.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill, Deirdre & Gillian</td></tr></tbody></table><p>So, our time in Boston was done. And now it was time to head further North to Portland Maine and beyond.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-20051944674129914072022-08-12T15:08:00.003-05:002022-08-12T15:08:58.662-05:00<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Sentimental Journey- Up the Coast</h1><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>On the Road to Charleston</u></span> </h2><div>As we drove toward Bluffton and then to Charleston, we crossed the Moon River. I, of course, burst into song: "wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style". In an effort to shush me Michael said, "It's not THAT Moon River." But it was. Johnny Mercer lived (and mostly drank) in Savannah & wrote Moon River. And it is wider than a mile...</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>So Much History...and Humidity</u></span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Charleston is a gorgeous city. And it has a very complex, conflicted history. To its credit, the city does not shrink from the reality of its reliance on slavery. We toured a house owned by a family that grew rich on the slave trade and spent an educational, yet depressing hour or two in the Slavery Museum. It was brutally hot and humid. Imagine working in a rice paddy inhabited by poisonous snakes in that weather. The thought evokes so many phobias I can't even enumerate them.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7deryYxFGcsZmds2PlvbsZw6sNofGRDisDGHWfNcU3860hwq4dZUjU5t8pPS1fk3NlUBc6ASO4gNfZZRwIVFmWSmLGXUUmg3hcetrVkjvpUxagfa3isR5IMSEshdu8uHEqsPQnYnb6Rpp0m2LlHQgqnI2L8LWA1O1mcIP006Mi_WsOz0UGbR7nZ6cug/s4608/1Charleston%20Mural.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7deryYxFGcsZmds2PlvbsZw6sNofGRDisDGHWfNcU3860hwq4dZUjU5t8pPS1fk3NlUBc6ASO4gNfZZRwIVFmWSmLGXUUmg3hcetrVkjvpUxagfa3isR5IMSEshdu8uHEqsPQnYnb6Rpp0m2LlHQgqnI2L8LWA1O1mcIP006Mi_WsOz0UGbR7nZ6cug/w640-h480/1Charleston%20Mural.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mural on a wall in Charleston reminded us of some of the murals in Ajijic.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXmsV88loE5XeHR4z00EEC-99Xa8wWj1b0PpZ4H11ei4qkUuM4bG_TZeAPONKFDN3nNz6kM1i59-1PT5g55JsrGT5mlRizc4LqGuW5lr888BRm55ZVSIxd-r4EELhixncLfuScfnSyFKtbgX9PYn4IpzgTTdhUiJK_kkoY8vWchdma_SGkwEXXX7jzw/s4608/2Charleston%20Bldg1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXmsV88loE5XeHR4z00EEC-99Xa8wWj1b0PpZ4H11ei4qkUuM4bG_TZeAPONKFDN3nNz6kM1i59-1PT5g55JsrGT5mlRizc4LqGuW5lr888BRm55ZVSIxd-r4EELhixncLfuScfnSyFKtbgX9PYn4IpzgTTdhUiJK_kkoY8vWchdma_SGkwEXXX7jzw/w640-h480/2Charleston%20Bldg1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the very interesting items in our tour was the building architecture.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj925UZ83ApZb6emFgns34Mz_eIXXzEImCJxFT5t5CTrAZvUz_7GddRdSv_Rf2F_U8zPH3QnHqyL0-EIxAOi0BiWwyYdRue8Bj73BZsBd-I7R2xRPfIuMxQvUpANfQd5lgUEHHdLdY_ofVSmbjjTi0nFwChlSjbSGV0HkUSzF4fbe4sw5gl1yjG5CpZPA/s4608/Charleston%20Bldg2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj925UZ83ApZb6emFgns34Mz_eIXXzEImCJxFT5t5CTrAZvUz_7GddRdSv_Rf2F_U8zPH3QnHqyL0-EIxAOi0BiWwyYdRue8Bj73BZsBd-I7R2xRPfIuMxQvUpANfQd5lgUEHHdLdY_ofVSmbjjTi0nFwChlSjbSGV0HkUSzF4fbe4sw5gl1yjG5CpZPA/w480-h640/Charleston%20Bldg2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMTQ5dPgUR_hhFeUoRgxpmPDScSDbN068CEiKu6ggNt_Oiq_IRA5JWZEgDUtfcvs2Ip_Za1Fm7sGO79edEvDyV6v3QwkFdJSZkFN_fxmmMnhr_B0M4vcVV0k4ZVDxobZg7TcbmdvlEpranlFuJ4HLb5FQnzxQRLOVV86mQsZc0Z0VOoQWihNT5wdPqQ/s4608/Charleston%20Bldg4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMTQ5dPgUR_hhFeUoRgxpmPDScSDbN068CEiKu6ggNt_Oiq_IRA5JWZEgDUtfcvs2Ip_Za1Fm7sGO79edEvDyV6v3QwkFdJSZkFN_fxmmMnhr_B0M4vcVV0k4ZVDxobZg7TcbmdvlEpranlFuJ4HLb5FQnzxQRLOVV86mQsZc0Z0VOoQWihNT5wdPqQ/w640-h480/Charleston%20Bldg4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOeX3hKCQRoISZR6yqm1w-JDT23SfMfpxWnnw3xwyMiX-TQIcIfCfeWv3HfDd5-fJ8xncPiaYtiero5vqAf2UuDJhBGqaehCrdXMVfH_tzq5Re8Dh4SE1QXF1UsZDajlOmJu8uSRUk2_VKhgjACSayLjFSpAKN-jF0gS0hB6GG-WAhItA6JXYa0WQxQ/s4608/Charleston%20Bldg5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOeX3hKCQRoISZR6yqm1w-JDT23SfMfpxWnnw3xwyMiX-TQIcIfCfeWv3HfDd5-fJ8xncPiaYtiero5vqAf2UuDJhBGqaehCrdXMVfH_tzq5Re8Dh4SE1QXF1UsZDajlOmJu8uSRUk2_VKhgjACSayLjFSpAKN-jF0gS0hB6GG-WAhItA6JXYa0WQxQ/w640-h480/Charleston%20Bldg5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknqHf8PUe_12AWZ8wwr8jlAiyzuKNem6VfiTRnUu2UXUt81YEJTVEruV7oXpBuU84GkhYo_jpy7kHIuLpVlcJSXTxEtaADCMsAr7WfWn1IarE5qVqncZjc1goMCDB4aL3e0Zkf_rK9xK0kvjBGt4tdnnEgEFm4Bio74aEjra8DweFwMkLlGzeKUbTzw/s4608/Charleston%20Bldg.3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknqHf8PUe_12AWZ8wwr8jlAiyzuKNem6VfiTRnUu2UXUt81YEJTVEruV7oXpBuU84GkhYo_jpy7kHIuLpVlcJSXTxEtaADCMsAr7WfWn1IarE5qVqncZjc1goMCDB4aL3e0Zkf_rK9xK0kvjBGt4tdnnEgEFm4Bio74aEjra8DweFwMkLlGzeKUbTzw/w640-h480/Charleston%20Bldg.3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZOaw9Uua6yyM6BQ9OnVNV0DieCDHI3AcaV1OEyXO9g594gPIigF7r462E8TsDlwuaw0jzQr6qKCSMzuBHKKmvFIj_qqlxlcsTx6F1Z8r4xOGhKkH__htp1fp81UFfpyoxV74YAzKISav-3UZ7yYKGPGe08iaHCJca-ldKqMOGD9xOB1r5Ji22MQL-g/s4317/6St.%20Michael's%20Ext..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4317" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZOaw9Uua6yyM6BQ9OnVNV0DieCDHI3AcaV1OEyXO9g594gPIigF7r462E8TsDlwuaw0jzQr6qKCSMzuBHKKmvFIj_qqlxlcsTx6F1Z8r4xOGhKkH__htp1fp81UFfpyoxV74YAzKISav-3UZ7yYKGPGe08iaHCJca-ldKqMOGD9xOB1r5Ji22MQL-g/w512-h640/6St.%20Michael's%20Ext..jpeg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Michael's Anglican church was completed in 1761 & is the oldest existing church in Charleston. Both George Washington & Robert E. Lee worshiped here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh554Gc6WYCggXPvn97KBVXlcPWbed8uHp9DC4zgG3m8jEiXKOpHeBUTOVbdX8CcWXmoz33sAxd-Nf8rz26zxUPeSbmT8j6XPURbeQY3it9qEAshy0I9PFI_wesTEFeFsqi37wz5U9ER5Vga1BerWdM8hAhQFBiush036R9CN41WDULHCoXANqbcXCWEw/s4608/7St.%20Michael's%20Int1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh554Gc6WYCggXPvn97KBVXlcPWbed8uHp9DC4zgG3m8jEiXKOpHeBUTOVbdX8CcWXmoz33sAxd-Nf8rz26zxUPeSbmT8j6XPURbeQY3it9qEAshy0I9PFI_wesTEFeFsqi37wz5U9ER5Vga1BerWdM8hAhQFBiush036R9CN41WDULHCoXANqbcXCWEw/w480-h640/7St.%20Michael's%20Int1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior had several stained glass windows dating back to its construction.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DjeWH9GqTtPceEsQJmodNSEdyELHTqMeQ6uOaua_Xp2ejkKsVe03hq8D7pStFhR5vy5PmbogVhqtHGKuun-_9boUdHjMxjr4JgQIIofwzNE6e_G3H2oTAOPsDF_lJP2EimcyE-zLAQxl9lFBw6ygA4MOfbeMljy4ps18487X7C_mb9H-GQzpHcg72Q/s4608/8SMI2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DjeWH9GqTtPceEsQJmodNSEdyELHTqMeQ6uOaua_Xp2ejkKsVe03hq8D7pStFhR5vy5PmbogVhqtHGKuun-_9boUdHjMxjr4JgQIIofwzNE6e_G3H2oTAOPsDF_lJP2EimcyE-zLAQxl9lFBw6ygA4MOfbeMljy4ps18487X7C_mb9H-GQzpHcg72Q/w480-h640/8SMI2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of the pulpit was damaged by a shell during the Civil War.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kcUcnFvjE_uEk8HmjVAsekabEXs15iJtJJog4wrZTaLZrEXajMFnpGgRx0WjYCKji_bxHWSVF1T85r8ms6lDXqZ6HVPUQrC0n_F9yLqvCIDUp_Cs77RpiP3eJ69anO90qaJAuplRCEBPIc9C2B7sswMFaYJmtl2_-h8OGuCkVGZ3yo5gwi_OgNCNXg/s4608/9SMI3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kcUcnFvjE_uEk8HmjVAsekabEXs15iJtJJog4wrZTaLZrEXajMFnpGgRx0WjYCKji_bxHWSVF1T85r8ms6lDXqZ6HVPUQrC0n_F9yLqvCIDUp_Cs77RpiP3eJ69anO90qaJAuplRCEBPIc9C2B7sswMFaYJmtl2_-h8OGuCkVGZ3yo5gwi_OgNCNXg/w640-h480/9SMI3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around the walls of the church were several inscriptions regarding persons interred at the church. This was one of the oldest.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wznUUmA7nVCm2EszcgA9zmZySwQ4tT3xg39_S6iKi20WIy5tjZEmmlG5L6939KQiLiBKMhM3ArUDWEC3xc2Fp4Ky82m1-eQWoRnOmybQtdcqI4QyA2oTZ3Gvw8D5W5X3kP20k-3bFTNLnkUR7zKiUscHRItRrvWesjEU5jE5OJs55-2yEf_vT5Irlg/s4608/Graveyard%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wznUUmA7nVCm2EszcgA9zmZySwQ4tT3xg39_S6iKi20WIy5tjZEmmlG5L6939KQiLiBKMhM3ArUDWEC3xc2Fp4Ky82m1-eQWoRnOmybQtdcqI4QyA2oTZ3Gvw8D5W5X3kP20k-3bFTNLnkUR7zKiUscHRItRrvWesjEU5jE5OJs55-2yEf_vT5Irlg/w640-h480/Graveyard%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the graveyard from the church...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA534WGT7XslWbJLlockxkV6GlJmoXBDaix4fma68CsGUCvm3scd6KyUho_kte_8EtI8d2v873n2ZgzzMy7xCT5vrfUOLFlQIqc1CJ6GqYxBsGkGMEGemCI0ViZe0CtabyITH26yBJnJA6wz9yAnhRJgnCx5UoVq-DH_rfC8VSxs7FMDHihwrMPIT0w/s4608/Graveyard.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA534WGT7XslWbJLlockxkV6GlJmoXBDaix4fma68CsGUCvm3scd6KyUho_kte_8EtI8d2v873n2ZgzzMy7xCT5vrfUOLFlQIqc1CJ6GqYxBsGkGMEGemCI0ViZe0CtabyITH26yBJnJA6wz9yAnhRJgnCx5UoVq-DH_rfC8VSxs7FMDHihwrMPIT0w/w640-h480/Graveyard.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with gravestones, many of which were so worn by the elements over the ages that the inscriptions on the headstones were no longer legible.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bRfdEd6ZxgqI17VjJ01XWHTmsPjxWMejuwR10_mA7Znn6BuKC4fPIcukeSvTZlPKEOhonnqptciFgGVXu2g4yDSDCiRu9wiqZ6NToyytMiCXt4sNQNuFHFifs8FIEzdQnDi-W_upiFOA2CQtkItbFJaafzIuzWPUOo86u1z8Sc41UUFtUa20cC7a_A/s4608/Graveyard2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bRfdEd6ZxgqI17VjJ01XWHTmsPjxWMejuwR10_mA7Znn6BuKC4fPIcukeSvTZlPKEOhonnqptciFgGVXu2g4yDSDCiRu9wiqZ6NToyytMiCXt4sNQNuFHFifs8FIEzdQnDi-W_upiFOA2CQtkItbFJaafzIuzWPUOo86u1z8Sc41UUFtUa20cC7a_A/w640-h480/Graveyard2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqMrVanHTaFy3qnP4Pvt8CGvLLB6CRRBF54EoFnsMsxlkdpTvNyIg21gXJG46nFLAmO5MsdTzJMYGtduVMZvXA-hVqAAU9YgNgVLijpfSln5qFZ6nCvdC4AX151VhFa1E_u5gN0Z1q9Hq0ohym9wSlrf7tvcW4pTSIta8iNNlGewS2ABezD8VDetVCA/s4608/Graveyard3%20&%20ext.%20stained%20glass.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqMrVanHTaFy3qnP4Pvt8CGvLLB6CRRBF54EoFnsMsxlkdpTvNyIg21gXJG46nFLAmO5MsdTzJMYGtduVMZvXA-hVqAAU9YgNgVLijpfSln5qFZ6nCvdC4AX151VhFa1E_u5gN0Z1q9Hq0ohym9wSlrf7tvcW4pTSIta8iNNlGewS2ABezD8VDetVCA/w480-h640/Graveyard3%20&%20ext.%20stained%20glass.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bqWWqFB0TPnB7RX2CKFm5leKag5tJSjmRlSlpKJjZG4saykutGsYjAq22bG3Jdri95K-Nfpa2CoVNHOXxBySxONGa-2WqM4d9N9iOnH_OuMrc4W-NpXnmsiWhkfzhj1GM22Tx0G9O3cBL10g3GiVHIfu7z4-03y6gBLaTiK-vrzg8P2Im4H5iJ929w/s4608/Nathaniel%20Russell%20House%20Ext..jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bqWWqFB0TPnB7RX2CKFm5leKag5tJSjmRlSlpKJjZG4saykutGsYjAq22bG3Jdri95K-Nfpa2CoVNHOXxBySxONGa-2WqM4d9N9iOnH_OuMrc4W-NpXnmsiWhkfzhj1GM22Tx0G9O3cBL10g3GiVHIfu7z4-03y6gBLaTiK-vrzg8P2Im4H5iJ929w/w640-h480/Nathaniel%20Russell%20House%20Ext..jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Nathaniel Russell house was built in the Federalist style in 1808 by a slave trader and merchant. He had his initials included on the ironwork on the middle balcony.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy1uXBI2pnCt8M6IOQGFBsgqH6XUJ850_1OgIpAq3XC66jhU-BJ-GItpcmvBwmjQN7JY02nnq-Gat1Xu50YswoxVpruW8cdhK826V8LqneZjpd2ZhJdbfI0TAy4b4TR0m-RRu4MiB-T7Iz8ticCdATmvIjaCV87tD1SufSoQaLZk-FXBT22dylUIkLA/s4608/Floating%20Staircase.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy1uXBI2pnCt8M6IOQGFBsgqH6XUJ850_1OgIpAq3XC66jhU-BJ-GItpcmvBwmjQN7JY02nnq-Gat1Xu50YswoxVpruW8cdhK826V8LqneZjpd2ZhJdbfI0TAy4b4TR0m-RRu4MiB-T7Iz8ticCdATmvIjaCV87tD1SufSoQaLZk-FXBT22dylUIkLA/w480-h640/Floating%20Staircase.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three story floating staircase in the house was magnificent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMl93bs9qf7dOdB4LoMCmuXaRIdmdGn6iS-psTCyzv8G8wiyISj-WdZggK29BHkWSA72sbni1k5FvT3RR0V1udpb6dQtFFUWndTBZE07RjMZBBwnFAVE0cDG_m7dM3XE_M1QTltuuWA_u6IB6gnyO0CoLGCxu_mesgqNX4mL9broNdzrPcTtf2f_Htw/s4608/NR%20House%20Int.%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMl93bs9qf7dOdB4LoMCmuXaRIdmdGn6iS-psTCyzv8G8wiyISj-WdZggK29BHkWSA72sbni1k5FvT3RR0V1udpb6dQtFFUWndTBZE07RjMZBBwnFAVE0cDG_m7dM3XE_M1QTltuuWA_u6IB6gnyO0CoLGCxu_mesgqNX4mL9broNdzrPcTtf2f_Htw/w640-h480/NR%20House%20Int.%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The home was furnished in the neoclassical style...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzUVqwUjEMqePuejJiklSnlg_LOuPUJqMazx2BKC2JrjKwGc1ySDZiegZ72pXl7Xu_bMxBvJ9uggegJmv7lbzBwp8GmOKuOKE8cWOl49SguHNAyohuI_pSTcDQ0_SWt4oYeHuGCCQg1olg78Enec5T_5VTcd7W_-OzmWidCdG3PWS9dS7y9hlkjl4Ew/s4608/NR%20House%20Int.%20moulding.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzUVqwUjEMqePuejJiklSnlg_LOuPUJqMazx2BKC2JrjKwGc1ySDZiegZ72pXl7Xu_bMxBvJ9uggegJmv7lbzBwp8GmOKuOKE8cWOl49SguHNAyohuI_pSTcDQ0_SWt4oYeHuGCCQg1olg78Enec5T_5VTcd7W_-OzmWidCdG3PWS9dS7y9hlkjl4Ew/w640-h480/NR%20House%20Int.%20moulding.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as were the ceiling and door moldings.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_TGPds48jaCJtW3mAt7Wnoh5YJsHFOocRHDryjKOdO9yALeHu3mL2ezZtziC5TQPKJ8L3I6O6WF0oFNnZfBJNLZeU5S1zFVJR-0Ho_G867Vpe5gPCrRoJhsThlZ8OjAdyyEKpsb5Ll42QFRF9uTd0XGpnqz-gMLGe-aN7uZgFcd7dE36vmeFtgCQSg/s4608/Posteritati.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_TGPds48jaCJtW3mAt7Wnoh5YJsHFOocRHDryjKOdO9yALeHu3mL2ezZtziC5TQPKJ8L3I6O6WF0oFNnZfBJNLZeU5S1zFVJR-0Ho_G867Vpe5gPCrRoJhsThlZ8OjAdyyEKpsb5Ll42QFRF9uTd0XGpnqz-gMLGe-aN7uZgFcd7dE36vmeFtgCQSg/w640-h480/Posteritati.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This medallion is on the South Carolina Society Hall which dates from 1804.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa0TAtaQkNTvd4JXQGJDB2JGUvTZpWTJ6zaj7gFkSD2fZgYkIBMiV0DUctWor6PnlS2VibfDqDBo7KypQbl_xYAQ9mkzTC9S5wEIGO1F0-JjPwl3tr6YeqIeMC0Tetzkbu0R2hfh-_eqApnl03I4kOl--OMDC4tXIs-V1ADx3NqXrGd6isP-Tze3hRg/s2048/20%20Things%20Palmetto%20Carriage.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa0TAtaQkNTvd4JXQGJDB2JGUvTZpWTJ6zaj7gFkSD2fZgYkIBMiV0DUctWor6PnlS2VibfDqDBo7KypQbl_xYAQ9mkzTC9S5wEIGO1F0-JjPwl3tr6YeqIeMC0Tetzkbu0R2hfh-_eqApnl03I4kOl--OMDC4tXIs-V1ADx3NqXrGd6isP-Tze3hRg/w480-h640/20%20Things%20Palmetto%20Carriage.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were going to dinner to meet Ben & Lindsey, we came across the stables for the carriage horses with this description of "20 Things".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Happier Times</u></span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Featured Guests: Ben & Lindy</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Length of Relationship: About 10 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Background: We met Ben & Lindy in Ajijic through LCS (Lake Chapala Society). Ben was President and Michael was Treasurer while Lindy and I were on the same LCS committee. Our friendship grew over the years. Several years ago they moved to Arizona and then landed in South Carolina. They drove to Charleston for a "dinner date".</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDJrUSwKMS2Q5CEL3Zz7t64bmKYJ5nFQudJfBCCR6wc1aLWDel1oRDRaNwAFkO0qlh72k6DJvniWlPCy6DwZ8f5_VCKexaB5qqTXF2kOD9WowbcmTMmFx7xWUjhtLSeWzk0Y8R-YZrQDk_5GnlJnZxhk5iveyeplImUByNTjTif2ujkWOURwShQiMZA/s1536/Ben%20&%20Lindy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1536" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDJrUSwKMS2Q5CEL3Zz7t64bmKYJ5nFQudJfBCCR6wc1aLWDel1oRDRaNwAFkO0qlh72k6DJvniWlPCy6DwZ8f5_VCKexaB5qqTXF2kOD9WowbcmTMmFx7xWUjhtLSeWzk0Y8R-YZrQDk_5GnlJnZxhk5iveyeplImUByNTjTif2ujkWOURwShQiMZA/w640-h558/Ben%20&%20Lindy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Inching Up the Coast - Wilmington, NC</u></span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Featured Guest: Marilyn</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Length of Relationship: Approximately 30 years</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Background: Marilyn & I worked together at Boston Technology. My kids were little and Marilyn saved me numerous times by taking long business trips for me to places like China. Truly a pal. Marilyn became a neighbor after adopting Tom from Lithuania.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Anecdote: We took Tommy, fresh form the orphanage to a u-pick it farm. He was 3 years old. I pulled a carrot from the ground. Astonished & thrilled Tommy pulled a dozen carrots before we moved on to other vegetable adventures. He grew up to be a fine man.</div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Sv8MCMZY2Q3YZyWYjdjRTo3zhtb8hFZF71711Eizu7mesFx0hkJKKV9gYhOvP4GZNOXDxcHU_gbBol_RExfSt3CnxFTMrRxPyhMFuJ6WnBxBRfTiyBUEF08V0Kj9ao0_6TRblIWQjmplhfGmWdd6B2aDwKTbpKsNYpC-XjqdRdIODHaNTiopI31ERg/s1024/Tracy,%20MRS,%20DSS%20&%20Marilyn.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Sv8MCMZY2Q3YZyWYjdjRTo3zhtb8hFZF71711Eizu7mesFx0hkJKKV9gYhOvP4GZNOXDxcHU_gbBol_RExfSt3CnxFTMrRxPyhMFuJ6WnBxBRfTiyBUEF08V0Kj9ao0_6TRblIWQjmplhfGmWdd6B2aDwKTbpKsNYpC-XjqdRdIODHaNTiopI31ERg/w480-h640/Tracy,%20MRS,%20DSS%20&%20Marilyn.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy, Michael, Marilyn & Deirdre after our wonderful meal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wilmington was our first day of rain on the trip. This thwarted our planned beach day at Wrightsville Beach. Marilyn soother my soul by lightning round shopping, wherein we hit a variety of stores in less than two hours checking off most of my North of the Border shopping list.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">We met up with up with Marilyn's pal Tracy for a laugh filled dinner after a stroll along the Harbor Walk in downtown along the Cape Fear River. I was wearing Marilyn's Red Sox ball cap when two young men passed by and yelled "Go Sox". I gave them a thumbs up and they stopped to chat. They asked if we lived in Boston and we explained that we lived in Mexico and outlined the Sentimental Journey. "Damn", one said, "When I get really old I want to be like you guys and not just sit around the house." Really old? Really? A truly backhanded compliment, but I guess it's nice to be inspirational --- I guess.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">We left the next morning to head to D.C. Marilyn loaded our ice chest with enough food to last us through our Delaware River stop. Now, that's a real friend.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkF58kvmpgAe9oCvwBfKbigLveYe-amnnDPZFtbT6kLo8dJoQWdhdep4FSpDbLCiILlRkeSi0aLClZD3sscIwgK3NL2nohHmJwJWIk7VPWW5p-JnfmIUbBTceHQySOw_v5MLglpU9Ci1bybpMwYMOxTnYen3CZpONz5t7MJQ-I7U5B7hdrZdcAlxvkiQ/s1024/Marilyn's%20charcuterie%20board.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkF58kvmpgAe9oCvwBfKbigLveYe-amnnDPZFtbT6kLo8dJoQWdhdep4FSpDbLCiILlRkeSi0aLClZD3sscIwgK3NL2nohHmJwJWIk7VPWW5p-JnfmIUbBTceHQySOw_v5MLglpU9Ci1bybpMwYMOxTnYen3CZpONz5t7MJQ-I7U5B7hdrZdcAlxvkiQ/w480-h640/Marilyn's%20charcuterie%20board.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upon our arrival Marilyn presented us with this marvelous charcuterie board.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPPXDn-ZL4gwGDe0tJ6upgQg_sU-w8AK3MHZ_fixgaRgZLiHq5FEqQ0PRen10BVJ_hCAORwNOGB--Pj4QouLXZwdYLYwAkiKnpfCZT6Xu7Nvce2Ctb5LxMOfg0pw6_FOpY5xKYMVnWH_9eYijNGi8HFF2T3te-SEy_ztPri90rrAYHiKnTCA8fwvvTA/s3872/Wilmington%20Boardwalk%20Flowers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPPXDn-ZL4gwGDe0tJ6upgQg_sU-w8AK3MHZ_fixgaRgZLiHq5FEqQ0PRen10BVJ_hCAORwNOGB--Pj4QouLXZwdYLYwAkiKnpfCZT6Xu7Nvce2Ctb5LxMOfg0pw6_FOpY5xKYMVnWH_9eYijNGi8HFF2T3te-SEy_ztPri90rrAYHiKnTCA8fwvvTA/w640-h428/Wilmington%20Boardwalk%20Flowers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An amazing display of flowers along the boardwalk by the Cape Fear River.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PC8aCKkWFitk03LoOkHzYIldoKBoACP0DKTZ79p2oitBXv86u8AItTuf2G0c__MsFsBCWUyNCKYe2JXfw6TVpMtV_T6hdUdJ3olgYwBdx-STj_Ueagotig10rEHXT4lsljrePbZmu2LH4kDHFQeWkQ9OtmRP6E4PTfRC97cJ9t8nYom18kEbTlbVqw/s3872/Museum%20of%20the%20Bizarre1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PC8aCKkWFitk03LoOkHzYIldoKBoACP0DKTZ79p2oitBXv86u8AItTuf2G0c__MsFsBCWUyNCKYe2JXfw6TVpMtV_T6hdUdJ3olgYwBdx-STj_Ueagotig10rEHXT4lsljrePbZmu2LH4kDHFQeWkQ9OtmRP6E4PTfRC97cJ9t8nYom18kEbTlbVqw/w428-h640/Museum%20of%20the%20Bizarre1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did not go into the Museum of the Bizarre (listed in Atlas Obscura)...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv7jKD2OVATaGgf2gtmCUZHjT5AuZ1WDgYRLGfPNa4X7Z9TlEF7E1BqdfYsHWB7hPQlg60qlnQ8JSZCliC_3OfvJ2MEz5ERXBe0UrgGK-nRN1vSGWKGYCs_k78q6OlVJg7X8c2oZWy13ZbWq9NLm7dvcAP8Nh3a_9k38Z5f8wE1NVzDBrcPqiBtpJEQ/s3872/Museum%20of%20the%20Bizarre2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv7jKD2OVATaGgf2gtmCUZHjT5AuZ1WDgYRLGfPNa4X7Z9TlEF7E1BqdfYsHWB7hPQlg60qlnQ8JSZCliC_3OfvJ2MEz5ERXBe0UrgGK-nRN1vSGWKGYCs_k78q6OlVJg7X8c2oZWy13ZbWq9NLm7dvcAP8Nh3a_9k38Z5f8wE1NVzDBrcPqiBtpJEQ/w428-h640/Museum%20of%20the%20Bizarre2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but just marveled at the oddities listed as being in the museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkLK62dxDcK1v5YUOT56l-UAOp6vq4zbngBnh74ovrXFrrhY_mYzE4ANtAKMAeWxqGAChrCCaiRwSFOXTrrgpMpX_HMEre3aPTXicTo9kpakOTurz2RYAduUtu-douIOI111dC-XCaTx7KEGbxulaTwHSLmSBokq_zclWQ4ceayc1ZhMb7pEVjrKdEw/s3872/Battleship%20NC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkLK62dxDcK1v5YUOT56l-UAOp6vq4zbngBnh74ovrXFrrhY_mYzE4ANtAKMAeWxqGAChrCCaiRwSFOXTrrgpMpX_HMEre3aPTXicTo9kpakOTurz2RYAduUtu-douIOI111dC-XCaTx7KEGbxulaTwHSLmSBokq_zclWQ4ceayc1ZhMb7pEVjrKdEw/w640-h428/Battleship%20NC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battleship North Carolina in Wilmington on the Cape Fear River.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYbJAptiRDjTo6HFgc-iDglQSzrZJsShhQq9kvrN40fz2u8edocIX1R5y8flB8J5Qzv80e7AF-Z4e07MvXNdLFRGWfm7lrGW834a_TP6YI7zYL0Rt_8deLuU1WZ4Rg33E3__GUSIKeKKaWGmb0HIydu4WomWKCv_UXurX2FtEsMm11cmvn-ZiRrnkuw/s3872/Hampton%20Plantation%20Ext..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYbJAptiRDjTo6HFgc-iDglQSzrZJsShhQq9kvrN40fz2u8edocIX1R5y8flB8J5Qzv80e7AF-Z4e07MvXNdLFRGWfm7lrGW834a_TP6YI7zYL0Rt_8deLuU1WZ4Rg33E3__GUSIKeKKaWGmb0HIydu4WomWKCv_UXurX2FtEsMm11cmvn-ZiRrnkuw/w640-h428/Hampton%20Plantation%20Ext..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to Wilmington, we stopped at the Hampton Plantation in McClellanville, SC established in 1735. It is one of the finest examples of a wood frame Georgian Plantation House and is listed as a National Historic Landmark.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZuJx20Fxp0c7_udJpUie-JfAiDQy_HTWNrwee8Tn_GAndptx84gCaPe7ePLsbn_8MIdfnyUWuGCGHnwGvokQR6x2BjnRYY20NpcyK9_LLf3AqhLkiTysFuXEl511xo_GUKu-f8ACllbsezBUrSutHcoygQ2pkWwmIgMi6GKGeD1GR4_GWQVqHW39ag/s3872/Hampton%20Plantation%20Int.1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZuJx20Fxp0c7_udJpUie-JfAiDQy_HTWNrwee8Tn_GAndptx84gCaPe7ePLsbn_8MIdfnyUWuGCGHnwGvokQR6x2BjnRYY20NpcyK9_LLf3AqhLkiTysFuXEl511xo_GUKu-f8ACllbsezBUrSutHcoygQ2pkWwmIgMi6GKGeD1GR4_GWQVqHW39ag/w640-h428/Hampton%20Plantation%20Int.1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some interior details of the plantation house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqz0N25VsOaKl5eTUEHjfZeKgWCE25nFHN-R-_uX874QwSX8lJTCug8c1VuUtU-DDh2iWpFYmv625v3X_i6xM3TjvS_16mN1tBKCGzpByOi9e_hQoNNuNGxWNrsANw-qYkCR14ae7XKheYKkl2cY-bxbZYjCbuz1qp7E1FQrRN2S38xU_RaPHNCC6Iw/s3872/Hampton%20Plntation%20Int.2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqz0N25VsOaKl5eTUEHjfZeKgWCE25nFHN-R-_uX874QwSX8lJTCug8c1VuUtU-DDh2iWpFYmv625v3X_i6xM3TjvS_16mN1tBKCGzpByOi9e_hQoNNuNGxWNrsANw-qYkCR14ae7XKheYKkl2cY-bxbZYjCbuz1qp7E1FQrRN2S38xU_RaPHNCC6Iw/w428-h640/Hampton%20Plntation%20Int.2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNrJFlYFQqFASnWhZKDcRhB4rkfeKdvbmPpWRta8Yk9l-sICpoEJUJ_B_6X606St2CdnyiR0V5ziaayZlCTdZaTVraPxz39-SHFU_7WNoEA4865nMgu7ZlfsnI6S6Xc8I0-oLcbF8oo-w46GY5hBuZkqCFeVovxcrL8exNbzMA4lfYBgDd3YL54tE9w/s3872/Hampton%20Plantation%20Tree.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNrJFlYFQqFASnWhZKDcRhB4rkfeKdvbmPpWRta8Yk9l-sICpoEJUJ_B_6X606St2CdnyiR0V5ziaayZlCTdZaTVraPxz39-SHFU_7WNoEA4865nMgu7ZlfsnI6S6Xc8I0-oLcbF8oo-w46GY5hBuZkqCFeVovxcrL8exNbzMA4lfYBgDd3YL54tE9w/w428-h640/Hampton%20Plantation%20Tree.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tremendous tree predates the establishment of the plantation and dwarfs Deirdre standing next to it.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>When the Wheels Came Off the Bus</u></span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">We reached DC on July 3rd and moved into our VRBO rental on Capitol Hill - conveniently located 2 doors from our longtime buddy Suzanne. The apartment was large & beautiful which was a good thing - you'll see why in a paragraph or two.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Featured Guest: Suzanne</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Length of Relationship: 52 years</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Background: When Michael & I were in College and newly in love we both worked in a small retail mall called Canal Square in Georgetown. Suzanne was my boss at a store called Port of Call. She tolerated our moony-eyed romance ND long lunches and became our friend of 'lo these many years.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBpOtU1DbYKg_XOeOnjduWe7FHtCAOMcp27KJgqB48jwYPN04bNKwtTfE2iAHaKIzRm9nbZey13vWCze6ACW0OFmk9gI6uoKMiOpF49G2Pcmphai434JVyDKsjd6Kvm1bJlWOjtPAEPHVrBv4NBX0Eit9TG49LQd-IIcAmKKOgfB8giL-zotTl5JqKA/s3872/Suzanne%20&%20DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBpOtU1DbYKg_XOeOnjduWe7FHtCAOMcp27KJgqB48jwYPN04bNKwtTfE2iAHaKIzRm9nbZey13vWCze6ACW0OFmk9gI6uoKMiOpF49G2Pcmphai434JVyDKsjd6Kvm1bJlWOjtPAEPHVrBv4NBX0Eit9TG49LQd-IIcAmKKOgfB8giL-zotTl5JqKA/w428-h640/Suzanne%20&%20DSS.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzanne & Deirdre outside her house in DC.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Celebrating July 4th in D.C. reminded us of why we never went downtown on July 4th when we lived in D.C. It is a zoo! It is worse now since the Capitol and the White House are totally barricaded off. Bus travel - no. Cabs or Uber - $25 from the Mall to Capitol Hill (2.7 miles). Heat 95 degrees & humidity - 95%. I had obtained tickets to the African American History Museum for July 4th.We found our way through the crowds, various police lines, heat & humidity. We entered and realized we only had one mask. Masks are optional. Michael gallantly offered the mask to me and we entered the world of The Middle Passage. This museum is magnificent You descend below ground and start to climb via ramps upward both through space and history - about five centuries of history. And it is not a pretty history. By the 1700s I was awash in white guilt, by the 1800s I was smiling apologetically at all my black museum neighbors and by the time we got to the resurgence of the Klu Klux Klan I was simply done in. They also had great exhibits of art, music and culture that were a bit less weighty. </span>We left the museum and were unable to find any motorized transport so hoofed it back to the apartment. Suzanne had graciously invited us for a July 4th cookout. So we stumbled into her house sweaty, exhausted and riddled with post-museum guilt where Suzanne rejuvenated us with libations and burgers & dogs.</div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">We had tickets for the Holocaust Museum for the next day. I was leery of a second day of human misery, but figured I couldn't get much more depressed. That visit was not meant to be however. Michael woke up with a definitely scratchy throat. Uh, ah. Yep. Covid. It is <u>so</u> much fun calling your friends (Marilyn, Tracy, Suzanne) and telling them you may have shared a potentially, dangerous disease with them. Not to mention all those folks at the African American History Museum. As if we didn't feel guilty enough already. Amazingly no one else (including me) got it. Well, not sure about the museum goers...</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Michael was lucky however. As he says, " I have had colds that were worse than this." Runny nose, tired, little cough and over in about 3 days. Due to contagion the remainder of our days in D.C. were quiet. We'll take you on a photo tour of a drive we did down memory lane. </span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">While Michael was fine, his Covid did upset some visits and plans. But we'll delve into all that in the next blog. We're halfway up the East Coast and going strong(ish).</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKokqqecWgMeGGJtgMOJvCi9Ga5cFTcjFCEJRtF6m4CvjqrYiWYPXeL8hfPT3uoq6yeysivrkSEyeW42eBZdyMKbiU5RboGP7C5hutUg_a5WD0USAhvn-Z7en64sIJ2om6qMEJE-yGcZfrHdG3fmparq7nAuJD5R-DRki04IY8oYBm6m0OFzRaWJuaZw/s4608/1Quirky%20Deorations.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKokqqecWgMeGGJtgMOJvCi9Ga5cFTcjFCEJRtF6m4CvjqrYiWYPXeL8hfPT3uoq6yeysivrkSEyeW42eBZdyMKbiU5RboGP7C5hutUg_a5WD0USAhvn-Z7en64sIJ2om6qMEJE-yGcZfrHdG3fmparq7nAuJD5R-DRki04IY8oYBm6m0OFzRaWJuaZw/w480-h640/1Quirky%20Deorations.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Suzanne's eclectic neighbors decorates for the holidays & other special occassions.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr-Puuz03wOGNRikd9epND6zlFkJ5CUqPh3gF8k5QXaoAeQ1Xf8_FK7d1Ns9pSXbNaBCODAlCI3zrkRpjyoRXnbVCuEbs6R2grOHQvUGb1mCzNixgShYJOMET6euFB6peQVLW_njqwyiWJqBVWbQf227NiPg9JqRnDvFNatBo-OCsxhQYt0FRIKDsGA/s4608/2Food%20Truck%20Lineup.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr-Puuz03wOGNRikd9epND6zlFkJ5CUqPh3gF8k5QXaoAeQ1Xf8_FK7d1Ns9pSXbNaBCODAlCI3zrkRpjyoRXnbVCuEbs6R2grOHQvUGb1mCzNixgShYJOMET6euFB6peQVLW_njqwyiWJqBVWbQf227NiPg9JqRnDvFNatBo-OCsxhQYt0FRIKDsGA/w640-h480/2Food%20Truck%20Lineup.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On July 4th the food trucks are lined up to handle the hoards.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxTZ5b6MX1X14V9aiWRGtYvufw--J2Gc6mjJfriNZvjR5ZblJry_015eDqcFdW14KETkRYwPv6_1_j8eaJwtv5ZXtRLlmn2dhS9du0lRQQQU8RWg8kuXSVdHRrDFCQ9bFf8z4_AbJQoQr4RFl07P2CC1QGoEVoYdnMa-mHH-fU1cvb9Fj4gKKpG8iDw/s4608/3WWI%20MemorialA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxTZ5b6MX1X14V9aiWRGtYvufw--J2Gc6mjJfriNZvjR5ZblJry_015eDqcFdW14KETkRYwPv6_1_j8eaJwtv5ZXtRLlmn2dhS9du0lRQQQU8RWg8kuXSVdHRrDFCQ9bFf8z4_AbJQoQr4RFl07P2CC1QGoEVoYdnMa-mHH-fU1cvb9Fj4gKKpG8iDw/w640-h480/3WWI%20MemorialA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WWI memorial was something we had not seen since we left DC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFOzOrSUVR8Ywq5bZYo_1pGIZcPv8aym1U3YrfqKi37DDAvJX6Q33qrs8Nn7L-gWWP5myMOzm3zQvV1uWZeX8pfo3IMSgHt9dcpQHDGRWfxSnJkOZ86yuIDB8AD3-ktNA1bOpJA0dP4McM9zjf4lXOtxnV5IUpnaf5xEny-SYXr-5nSZuqyZyrrSdew/s4608/4WWI%20MemorialB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFOzOrSUVR8Ywq5bZYo_1pGIZcPv8aym1U3YrfqKi37DDAvJX6Q33qrs8Nn7L-gWWP5myMOzm3zQvV1uWZeX8pfo3IMSgHt9dcpQHDGRWfxSnJkOZ86yuIDB8AD3-ktNA1bOpJA0dP4McM9zjf4lXOtxnV5IUpnaf5xEny-SYXr-5nSZuqyZyrrSdew/w640-h480/4WWI%20MemorialB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCvxCNAR5qkdMFqWWvPe_HLUp5ph3nZs4kQraTJZzqLscHc8zSSzo7SvmVE6v3TqmQqOyzKozZV5DTwyzlGc7GhrFXrh1VNFMelO9lFh2jyJtiatFTxgnXfXJA3yEiyC9G0zQemcTJSD6C5f1ocD4REsdZpIsV-sN27PgNddteSXFUP5GGwADAgEg9Q/s4608/5Snowplow%20Barricade.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCvxCNAR5qkdMFqWWvPe_HLUp5ph3nZs4kQraTJZzqLscHc8zSSzo7SvmVE6v3TqmQqOyzKozZV5DTwyzlGc7GhrFXrh1VNFMelO9lFh2jyJtiatFTxgnXfXJA3yEiyC9G0zQemcTJSD6C5f1ocD4REsdZpIsV-sN27PgNddteSXFUP5GGwADAgEg9Q/w640-h480/5Snowplow%20Barricade.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The security in DC was very tight for the 4th with many dump trucks with snow plows used to restrict vehicular access to many of the streets.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsK2kDf8BSwaX9FIa8o-W5fDpOK8hu_UiZ2YR9YODaF_OCLFUFmfOM9mevklEEtWACMAACyK1eI3GEpH7PV0rM5zYpj8-nog-Mvq3sLNJynTS1H8btIognxPDOthyPGjnOq0CptTuW0o6J61MgK_4JLK6p4-vDpi3zdVRerTqX7iGUnZJx1YT-C9Aug/s4608/6Liberty.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsK2kDf8BSwaX9FIa8o-W5fDpOK8hu_UiZ2YR9YODaF_OCLFUFmfOM9mevklEEtWACMAACyK1eI3GEpH7PV0rM5zYpj8-nog-Mvq3sLNJynTS1H8btIognxPDOthyPGjnOq0CptTuW0o6J61MgK_4JLK6p4-vDpi3zdVRerTqX7iGUnZJx1YT-C9Aug/w640-h480/6Liberty.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to the National Museum of African American History and Culture we encountered the tail end of the July 4th parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXNsscM-l053y4oc8Q3DCdZJ8jg1Ym839SyerSgk3Od6xJewbrG7clOu42FKVoXvjUz8UeF5srKAezVR1km_AqpYPTjOh6RKHSNS1V9ViRYsOViUXCH_sevMI5BTbpvHVT-zSPOO5e_k5U47sAMn04eGRmP-NMzV8pGaQtTr5M2zfreVx8QQD6tYNXg/s4608/7Harriet%20Tubman.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXNsscM-l053y4oc8Q3DCdZJ8jg1Ym839SyerSgk3Od6xJewbrG7clOu42FKVoXvjUz8UeF5srKAezVR1km_AqpYPTjOh6RKHSNS1V9ViRYsOViUXCH_sevMI5BTbpvHVT-zSPOO5e_k5U47sAMn04eGRmP-NMzV8pGaQtTr5M2zfreVx8QQD6tYNXg/w480-h640/7Harriet%20Tubman.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This portrait of Harriet Tubman done in cotton, silk & velvet quilted and appliquéd was quite striking.</td></tr></tbody></table> It was titled: "I Go To Prepare a Place For You".<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55d-sdcmVLPs717EzHx88owc8uKYhaPSsFse7L98c0jjjl2KC9lYV1kKreFi4q5m6LgpQQwShdDuTrXIOa5G0DCnQWl54H7LmooTE6SjXZ0QKKGzqRZJ4ZPkA9TgN_aF0eRb6kPJXLduY44qOe6sBaHz_xQvBBUWm7YZ08mIA_fSSJj9ylX3EVG-CLA/s4608/8Ghetto%20Krater.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55d-sdcmVLPs717EzHx88owc8uKYhaPSsFse7L98c0jjjl2KC9lYV1kKreFi4q5m6LgpQQwShdDuTrXIOa5G0DCnQWl54H7LmooTE6SjXZ0QKKGzqRZJ4ZPkA9TgN_aF0eRb6kPJXLduY44qOe6sBaHz_xQvBBUWm7YZ08mIA_fSSJj9ylX3EVG-CLA/w480-h640/8Ghetto%20Krater.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This piece titled: "Ghetto Krater" uses something common in ancient Greece to depict the plight of the black man in the ghetto.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NwlUmxjptPnXNNLUXmDwgAfeoKg5Nf70Ai2-BOMADG2bx0PXIVDmv6M0n97ZxYJUkCVFvkZjkb9oE934oH7UmzD1lp4uaRPBIr558FPiumwt6mu3aqInBJ7-kfXQo7JqFR5yLLUBLrzwIhl4aPW7_B_bbimS35Oaw3xmo3LcRuSYR6hUbsWJt5e6-Q/s4608/9St.%20John%20the%20Baptist.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NwlUmxjptPnXNNLUXmDwgAfeoKg5Nf70Ai2-BOMADG2bx0PXIVDmv6M0n97ZxYJUkCVFvkZjkb9oE934oH7UmzD1lp4uaRPBIr558FPiumwt6mu3aqInBJ7-kfXQo7JqFR5yLLUBLrzwIhl4aPW7_B_bbimS35Oaw3xmo3LcRuSYR6hUbsWJt5e6-Q/w480-h640/9St.%20John%20the%20Baptist.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This piece titled "St. John the Baptist" inspired Leonardo da Vinci's <i>St.John the Baptist</i></td></tr></tbody></table> 1513-1516, which is in the Musée de Louvre.<div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEfS06sLS1GnX0lHZGj9mrQTS8fVou9AB8q4ULV-gAveW_zVlb8loE51o-iflJu-VTjsVBPbzjc4Fird4_hdSz1w1BG3__ggGaVPZZyrT5um2MPrTUbkrs8KccbK_VnbgkwafXUAmEZgR2NbGFm6zqkhnphF1W7ULTL19MRwwJzIZp0vwJsOy8dL-jw/s4608/9ChuckBerry's%20Caddy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEfS06sLS1GnX0lHZGj9mrQTS8fVou9AB8q4ULV-gAveW_zVlb8loE51o-iflJu-VTjsVBPbzjc4Fird4_hdSz1w1BG3__ggGaVPZZyrT5um2MPrTUbkrs8KccbK_VnbgkwafXUAmEZgR2NbGFm6zqkhnphF1W7ULTL19MRwwJzIZp0vwJsOy8dL-jw/w640-h480/9ChuckBerry's%20Caddy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Chuck Berry's Cadillac.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ2D4Y41TKcfzNNYe1xF5CcsssSTTdRcdgc-cRyjA5COwqDSJtbDWEtcnR0ZJkON2O01h6QFT0E6z4ETaFm4WvPgDIWHIm8mmJx3vVggiFFR2-tuEV8lhMbo-YhZNAAW8k6zZ4wFpAB4HsbNGSMrT2X-LcINNyISqZJalFPqdpCyjAlof5iS5FbgVqw/s4608/10P-Funk%20Mothership.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ2D4Y41TKcfzNNYe1xF5CcsssSTTdRcdgc-cRyjA5COwqDSJtbDWEtcnR0ZJkON2O01h6QFT0E6z4ETaFm4WvPgDIWHIm8mmJx3vVggiFFR2-tuEV8lhMbo-YhZNAAW8k6zZ4wFpAB4HsbNGSMrT2X-LcINNyISqZJalFPqdpCyjAlof5iS5FbgVqw/w640-h480/10P-Funk%20Mothership.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mothership on display is one of the most iconic stage props in the history of popular music.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe5yYOMr0Q0BqIScmN78o5WWtZuBztnnbWHcT2OlKUHRVO4JnNhDfrqgJp55yitO6rlTcvt6bpRX6LV8Kkb3vemuYMzgkrI7qrHOWmYZ1Awl65jOuO2rYcd0t4ZA9Xf0TOsbqfuOiqCyaHCvPDlC4drWAraStMcLoWd5JGt5GD6M2l2d8M-yUBqsxlw/s3872/11Healey%20Bldg%20G'town.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe5yYOMr0Q0BqIScmN78o5WWtZuBztnnbWHcT2OlKUHRVO4JnNhDfrqgJp55yitO6rlTcvt6bpRX6LV8Kkb3vemuYMzgkrI7qrHOWmYZ1Awl65jOuO2rYcd0t4ZA9Xf0TOsbqfuOiqCyaHCvPDlC4drWAraStMcLoWd5JGt5GD6M2l2d8M-yUBqsxlw/w640-h428/11Healey%20Bldg%20G'town.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On The Sentimental Journey we visited our alma mater Georgetown. This is Healey Hall at Georgetown with its distinctive clock tower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzeDBwxvELh8XXMRi6qrewCobn24huAzN9HTL8giEXiUFm6ehaAwzVQW1D6eWhcG8lbozxBAYMQnvmSc9l6nE-PLmnrs_N0cCwP7EpSTa__ONJTNG7aZTO3D3FWa8h-ZmXujKYGGtxKcWQunrpHG-4YhQIO3I0CD7bbCnsKaarmOtoBBfi1jntuFGtQ/s3872/12Duke%20Ellington%20School%20of%20Fine%20Arts.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzeDBwxvELh8XXMRi6qrewCobn24huAzN9HTL8giEXiUFm6ehaAwzVQW1D6eWhcG8lbozxBAYMQnvmSc9l6nE-PLmnrs_N0cCwP7EpSTa__ONJTNG7aZTO3D3FWa8h-ZmXujKYGGtxKcWQunrpHG-4YhQIO3I0CD7bbCnsKaarmOtoBBfi1jntuFGtQ/w640-h428/12Duke%20Ellington%20School%20of%20Fine%20Arts.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to our former residence in Glover Park we passed this impressive looking building which was not there when we went to Georgetown. This is the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Georgetown.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrxcvShVqKN8fD0bBI_VhUfXDW_LcwrIgCCGBx8bxlkE7HwJH-jgrWUcZ5xXRMBSpG1Fn2sMZ8JAuS1Ykq17_xdF6p8X3hsyc4H84vPyLk4yAnFSigCtj5GLRZ5KST9TOxAodOsi4OnMOkARzQOyuwk72m0Wb8AiO8YgT2VfV61-c0Wr6yydusXrsjQ/s3872/13Glover%20Park%20Apt..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrxcvShVqKN8fD0bBI_VhUfXDW_LcwrIgCCGBx8bxlkE7HwJH-jgrWUcZ5xXRMBSpG1Fn2sMZ8JAuS1Ykq17_xdF6p8X3hsyc4H84vPyLk4yAnFSigCtj5GLRZ5KST9TOxAodOsi4OnMOkARzQOyuwk72m0Wb8AiO8YgT2VfV61-c0Wr6yydusXrsjQ/w640-h428/13Glover%20Park%20Apt..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture of our former apartment building does shows that it hasn't changed since we lived there 48 years ago with the exception of the window air conditioning units.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">That's it for this round. By the time we left D.C. Michael was feeling better but still testing positive. Dodging humans we sealed ourselves in the car and headed North.</span></h3>Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-71891583216515518802022-07-18T14:26:00.000-05:002022-07-18T14:26:46.408-05:00<h1 style="text-align: center;"><u>Onward, Ever Onward</u></h1><h3 style="text-align: left;">Next Stop Diamondhead (No, not that one)</h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Featured Guests: Jon & Angela </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Length of Relationship: Jon - 40 years Angela - 15ish years</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Background: Jon & Michael worked at Pepsi for several years and they bonded as they dealt with the Pepsi "culture". It was said that when you were hired at Pepsi, someone at Corporate fireda gun with a silver bullet and you don't know where and you don't know when, but one day you know you will get that silver bullet in your back. Michael left Pepsi to become an entrepreneur by investing in a new franchise and becoming an Area Franchisee for Mail Boxes Etc.</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Jon left Pepsi only to come back and then leave again, but managed to exit unscathed.</span></h4><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">We were just "passing through" Diamondhead with only an opportunity for lunch (great gumbo Angela) and a quick tour of the coast narrated by Jon & Angela and then we were off to Mobile.</span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FynCdvXayoFegbERPH9Hd5hwK2Kph6tFY2Hh_5FgWDd7cw-2LqP0SPbp9dz5wdVx9sXbKGAv82h00iu-1HkHq-piGmovy1KOnGGBYJv8sVOKLwDR2A_OYNVSLzm5UQ0-deiaD84pesHC3FYt3V8YBcFe_gQQ6piQpUTKeQozFPIG86rSdk55ZexB1g/s3414/Jon%20&%20Angela.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="3414" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FynCdvXayoFegbERPH9Hd5hwK2Kph6tFY2Hh_5FgWDd7cw-2LqP0SPbp9dz5wdVx9sXbKGAv82h00iu-1HkHq-piGmovy1KOnGGBYJv8sVOKLwDR2A_OYNVSLzm5UQ0-deiaD84pesHC3FYt3V8YBcFe_gQQ6piQpUTKeQozFPIG86rSdk55ZexB1g/w640-h276/Jon%20&%20Angela.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Mobile</u></span></h4><div>There is nothing to say about Mobile. Well we had a dinner that lasted no more than one-half hour and was grossly overpriced. Not a fine dining experience.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Tallahassee</u></span></h4><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">There is only a little more to say about Tallahassee. It is the state capital. We got there on the day that Roe vs Wade was overturned. As we drove to dinner we passed the State House and the steps were filled with demonstrators. "Michael, look!" I yelled. They're protesting! In Florida! There's hope!" When we got to the restaurant and I had a wine in front of me, Michael said to me kindly "You know dear, they might not have been protesting. They might have been celebrating. It </span><b>is</b> Florida." Well I couldn't read the signs or hear the chants, but I like to think at least <b>some</b> of them were protesting. The restaurant had lobbyist dive written all over it. My sorbet had large chunks of inedible pineapple protruding from it. Another in a long line of overpriced subpar meals thus far on the trip.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Savannah</u></span></h4><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">At last a city with substance! Savannah is beautiful as you'll see from the photos. It was still an inferno with temps pushing 95 bolstered by that lovely Southern humidity. A saving grace is that Savannah has squares, parks and shade aplenty to help mitigate the heat. </span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div>We spent a lovely day exploring the waterfront (touristy but interesting) and the historic area around Forsyth Park. Michael's photos will lead you through our tour.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gasfS82JHro_HyTdRmur__XaOTuan6d4zQprchlH6jU6YcTkDzF648FXM387Ra4StN4kxAduXlLxSrLoWn0Yw16NHO8D2lPLEoJ44UjG4_LVw7O7KETwyg0tzASrpMHYyYrIjgJpnJzOSST-j4mEStE-n4aCblf6j2ukSevl21cxuSSUWlexQZbk1w/s3872/1Tybee%20Island.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gasfS82JHro_HyTdRmur__XaOTuan6d4zQprchlH6jU6YcTkDzF648FXM387Ra4StN4kxAduXlLxSrLoWn0Yw16NHO8D2lPLEoJ44UjG4_LVw7O7KETwyg0tzASrpMHYyYrIjgJpnJzOSST-j4mEStE-n4aCblf6j2ukSevl21cxuSSUWlexQZbk1w/w640-h428/1Tybee%20Island.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dock leading out to the estuary on Tybee Island.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobUAVNAwfdWk9DW1aG_SjZ3Aa_SaRCpLNAd2D522zrSBh0JPLDGu0J3YMMqKWQjlTAYZVroYCiRC_OQdGQRJCOXRvXmynUrrOUTlja-ixMAI3zswt8GREj-TZmqxCe8ab7ZWGNhm0SwQVQFV2aGoueknb4ctcoHzS2bQc7u7VQdQqg6nqG-egvPMVFQ/s3872/2Tybee%20Island.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobUAVNAwfdWk9DW1aG_SjZ3Aa_SaRCpLNAd2D522zrSBh0JPLDGu0J3YMMqKWQjlTAYZVroYCiRC_OQdGQRJCOXRvXmynUrrOUTlja-ixMAI3zswt8GREj-TZmqxCe8ab7ZWGNhm0SwQVQFV2aGoueknb4ctcoHzS2bQc7u7VQdQqg6nqG-egvPMVFQ/w428-h640/2Tybee%20Island.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were searching for restaurants on our first foray to Tybee Island, we encountered these two characters who wanted their picture taken. We promised them fame, fortune and a placement in the blog.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DSEnGiQwwoD-pOr9BUYxY_yYayCQPyS7YF8fw5AxvIaGA9EsY_yn4oP9U2lSfbN4XsY4ibJLV_yuyiOZajKRCsuqJNYJhV_Rkp5SrTkXGlMBmfRbFoyjoYIFzdh7HORl92zEuXWgBzJJZmDMiKEIU4XHFlx05iXnG6nkZHhsoSYfjEwog4VKZcSlTQ/s3872/3Cotton%20Exchange.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DSEnGiQwwoD-pOr9BUYxY_yYayCQPyS7YF8fw5AxvIaGA9EsY_yn4oP9U2lSfbN4XsY4ibJLV_yuyiOZajKRCsuqJNYJhV_Rkp5SrTkXGlMBmfRbFoyjoYIFzdh7HORl92zEuXWgBzJJZmDMiKEIU4XHFlx05iXnG6nkZHhsoSYfjEwog4VKZcSlTQ/w428-h640/3Cotton%20Exchange.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cotton Exchange on the Savannah Bluff.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjVhjZDKQjNgjgRCC0cK6kg4oV2sb7cWoTLKWLmgXv45_-KVUWsdNoQLRPQC5BwtTo2ciI4G7tcLisZZMybXlhvZy0M87Ug394OCgsX62YWF8-HldaVz6AQilfUUU8NyY8o3C9EDjTombGB3aLjXpTxN0cmo9fIb4K1tLFDRlBvdQg4d-WSB4LQm8xw/s3872/4River%20View.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjVhjZDKQjNgjgRCC0cK6kg4oV2sb7cWoTLKWLmgXv45_-KVUWsdNoQLRPQC5BwtTo2ciI4G7tcLisZZMybXlhvZy0M87Ug394OCgsX62YWF8-HldaVz6AQilfUUU8NyY8o3C9EDjTombGB3aLjXpTxN0cmo9fIb4K1tLFDRlBvdQg4d-WSB4LQm8xw/w640-h428/4River%20View.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below the bluff is the river with its tourist paddle boat (which uses diesel engines, not steam) whose paddles are only for show.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39lE4jQ_vYkWMmA2nkortDLt1TqtnQM1bRdKRQALE8aWIvx7zjh02X0DPiQDhR2MQp8hpgbi1SfdA9rj99bEfI8d17T8ZhgEKGXMCxhkjMMoT1OXMW4by8EC371K5TM744yrt3uxfuyaKvBMcT0ERJ5PgussYQffspWcyrOzjPohbPBdj1XRiBKHUPA/s3872/5Dummy%20on%20CG%20Boat.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39lE4jQ_vYkWMmA2nkortDLt1TqtnQM1bRdKRQALE8aWIvx7zjh02X0DPiQDhR2MQp8hpgbi1SfdA9rj99bEfI8d17T8ZhgEKGXMCxhkjMMoT1OXMW4by8EC371K5TM744yrt3uxfuyaKvBMcT0ERJ5PgussYQffspWcyrOzjPohbPBdj1XRiBKHUPA/w640-h428/5Dummy%20on%20CG%20Boat.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came across this Coast Guard boat with this dummy sunbathing. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8cxJ_PXlN4FMVkr_E1BlqXFHYUCX2nEPQZcWVnQmmAubcntw5IvY4id65u33Rs2jjbY-2T_IE8VlITjceTXkvX9_mSRMYK08UEHuEG7VhkD_MiQtShP-GpUTkmyFXDM3P2c-MQo4SHejCTK60zc5wM-3CzXFpPTc4W9nTCUl2GDjjkwN9xzosRa6Aw/s3872/6Armstrong%20Kessler%20Mansion.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8cxJ_PXlN4FMVkr_E1BlqXFHYUCX2nEPQZcWVnQmmAubcntw5IvY4id65u33Rs2jjbY-2T_IE8VlITjceTXkvX9_mSRMYK08UEHuEG7VhkD_MiQtShP-GpUTkmyFXDM3P2c-MQo4SHejCTK60zc5wM-3CzXFpPTc4W9nTCUl2GDjjkwN9xzosRa6Aw/w640-h428/6Armstrong%20Kessler%20Mansion.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering around Savannah, one of the many interesting things are the old mansions. This was the Kessler Armstrong Mansion. This is a nationally significant example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDo5_-y5iguI-hmXX4EA9sFsL1onqWCsBVGW5YiYrXOPTkNnL-gtLvApZnq5vmjAYG92s8cTJQkMqRqpheAEYYvwTLEylOTR-Ya_-LCot4nxv8PGeW6g7ynfPs0jcjx6TNJsCPTacpygAirVKfPwH2w0zInctxRxoLW-CG8a8MFfwCcaH9nm0GBv-aw/s3872/7Bronze%20Wild%20Boar.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDo5_-y5iguI-hmXX4EA9sFsL1onqWCsBVGW5YiYrXOPTkNnL-gtLvApZnq5vmjAYG92s8cTJQkMqRqpheAEYYvwTLEylOTR-Ya_-LCot4nxv8PGeW6g7ynfPs0jcjx6TNJsCPTacpygAirVKfPwH2w0zInctxRxoLW-CG8a8MFfwCcaH9nm0GBv-aw/w640-h428/7Bronze%20Wild%20Boar.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In fitting with the Italian character of the mansion, Il Porcellino, the Wild Boar of Florence graces the garden. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3QyT0jmpoftQChheuGJmODjWyl--bJzXJUWooezr-qgdRo0WIjmPt7U6yY1_K12NIWXoUlpgAbwvFr6mGYi37cZSPVWBY3EXxfje9nYYbspBBczWGC7GYKvnjH0GsCXOUfmO7tM7cWp3N4CXsx1spvyh02X2aJZpoa09S7T7_5j45ohH67bItNkJhQ/s3872/8Forsyth%20Park%20Fountain.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3QyT0jmpoftQChheuGJmODjWyl--bJzXJUWooezr-qgdRo0WIjmPt7U6yY1_K12NIWXoUlpgAbwvFr6mGYi37cZSPVWBY3EXxfje9nYYbspBBczWGC7GYKvnjH0GsCXOUfmO7tM7cWp3N4CXsx1spvyh02X2aJZpoa09S7T7_5j45ohH67bItNkJhQ/w640-h428/8Forsyth%20Park%20Fountain.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Forsyth Park fountain is iconic, is over 150 years old but is not unique. The fountain was ordered from a catalogue and similar fountains exist in New York, Peru and France.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI33O9Ebwn3fYUMjOFhHn7_Br5R8DH3Fplh9AhTtqv7HT9-VPUISue1n21plIjK4zTFb-86Pd9p16Sh2w4qZ94jhEZst_9jE5xUmSUYQ5KRxRJGM6iwvDm0HUgo7KSfGdySYFALc1QiBjN5Sp6vNNm2eVt6KK_M__qWr8y1tutDB65ijEBYxoMQGq4g/s3872/9FS%20Fountain%20FigureA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI33O9Ebwn3fYUMjOFhHn7_Br5R8DH3Fplh9AhTtqv7HT9-VPUISue1n21plIjK4zTFb-86Pd9p16Sh2w4qZ94jhEZst_9jE5xUmSUYQ5KRxRJGM6iwvDm0HUgo7KSfGdySYFALc1QiBjN5Sp6vNNm2eVt6KK_M__qWr8y1tutDB65ijEBYxoMQGq4g/w428-h640/9FS%20Fountain%20FigureA.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the figures spraying water in the fountain...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-3rz1Hxazm-TotSiGZsZc008Exh9-59w_fKS3ZBqU6N2zL327DFWeE-RkppMiL44KZJ3PtrhA9Bda6Qxd3HRZXlcsxhbkLgy_v5h6N8x0AaPFZ-CW8bhNmho7OnykC8HYxOrgqreG77caos3nChZUwPwnz4J4k6T5y1dOT_gomph2REm9awL1m89zA/s3872/10FS%20Fountain%20%20FigureB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-3rz1Hxazm-TotSiGZsZc008Exh9-59w_fKS3ZBqU6N2zL327DFWeE-RkppMiL44KZJ3PtrhA9Bda6Qxd3HRZXlcsxhbkLgy_v5h6N8x0AaPFZ-CW8bhNmho7OnykC8HYxOrgqreG77caos3nChZUwPwnz4J4k6T5y1dOT_gomph2REm9awL1m89zA/w428-h640/10FS%20Fountain%20%20FigureB.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this swan is another.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkK2UGtEWIBJtaFQ3pueLV9zj2p28X-3bYFANnHSa16s8DhAHc-csoc1-B5fxy92ag3N7CPsNnzTbWnEiF84qr5_GADv4z8VgYgVztxHBVRPXWHl-jNd4yKPmphgJ74P23Hn8-t3wi2XRCmi4hblOpoXXFChPA5eltOLaE8tWZQV2su0WCaMlo768Og/s3872/11%20Forsyth%20Park%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkK2UGtEWIBJtaFQ3pueLV9zj2p28X-3bYFANnHSa16s8DhAHc-csoc1-B5fxy92ag3N7CPsNnzTbWnEiF84qr5_GADv4z8VgYgVztxHBVRPXWHl-jNd4yKPmphgJ74P23Hn8-t3wi2XRCmi4hblOpoXXFChPA5eltOLaE8tWZQV2su0WCaMlo768Og/w640-h428/11%20Forsyth%20Park%20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spanish moss draped trees are resplendent throughout the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rhEVTzlgWdsLrVCq8QWrfzDTXnwtk_UtqKjHHhqQh4hFSc1Ajj8C2BUns62ziBomQgKbDXO1gl9qN69s78WTZroWOFcJO4b_rm2qUeH7Mc-NxSdt8JpbxPtxcWCH2JiZfqgLuVJus4JURnkSuJWEiYHhcoP-kXYtuYYaOSivzJr_d1xBg6wbxD6ZRw/s3627/12%20GA%20Hist.%20Society.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3627" data-original-width="2428" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rhEVTzlgWdsLrVCq8QWrfzDTXnwtk_UtqKjHHhqQh4hFSc1Ajj8C2BUns62ziBomQgKbDXO1gl9qN69s78WTZroWOFcJO4b_rm2qUeH7Mc-NxSdt8JpbxPtxcWCH2JiZfqgLuVJus4JURnkSuJWEiYHhcoP-kXYtuYYaOSivzJr_d1xBg6wbxD6ZRw/w428-h640/12%20GA%20Hist.%20Society.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hodgson Hall is the home of the Georgia Historical Society. Built in 1876 it was designed by the founder of the American Institute of Architects, Detlef Lienau.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-tcHsUbc7m_1d6Ag-GIRVOSWVMeqaRcTc8nRK2iPgmEEZxx0XUysWI45naMzVOTe8ZW4de1mcfTZNje-wIiQnd7eiQSpQzjS97TGXxeoq1Y1KnqwVxlXfMShftjQK2ALhqbl7racq5cglmC3ppEqZ2PNKVAWouZfE-PQwR2n5eX1yCU7AlCYQY9ipg/s3840/13Jepson%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="3840" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-tcHsUbc7m_1d6Ag-GIRVOSWVMeqaRcTc8nRK2iPgmEEZxx0XUysWI45naMzVOTe8ZW4de1mcfTZNje-wIiQnd7eiQSpQzjS97TGXxeoq1Y1KnqwVxlXfMShftjQK2ALhqbl7racq5cglmC3ppEqZ2PNKVAWouZfE-PQwR2n5eX1yCU7AlCYQY9ipg/w640-h428/13Jepson%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jepson House Education Center was originally built in 1856 as a private residence for Thomas Holcombe as a grand Italianate mansion. It has since been acquired by the Georgia Historical Society for use as its Education Center.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsyE1HL-NhCRfuta9C2JNJWlcIn0QeEymD62ZgoKzRWHX1YbodJGYHC-v1_qxIXyKrib0Q5PZbxBHDcRdgk-4VHAnb_NWVtCVq-cxVsmThkeJHBouC5yDeRBj1waeeFGL_yQkn2_rOLypG2vQ-wbm3zW4scJJtC1s8FcchyRGJRTtTKegB-H7xQ6ffg/s3872/14Midnight%20in%20Garden%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsyE1HL-NhCRfuta9C2JNJWlcIn0QeEymD62ZgoKzRWHX1YbodJGYHC-v1_qxIXyKrib0Q5PZbxBHDcRdgk-4VHAnb_NWVtCVq-cxVsmThkeJHBouC5yDeRBj1waeeFGL_yQkn2_rOLypG2vQ-wbm3zW4scJJtC1s8FcchyRGJRTtTKegB-H7xQ6ffg/w640-h428/14Midnight%20in%20Garden%20House.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the mansion featured in the non-fiction novel <i>Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMyW_5UqUapezJ-V8WdLiSlYXQIcCjDHg9EJciOwQmEh6cp2-87ywTKGehlTZlC4RBy7H5amZAyYm7tpn_zpUh866sRj5rHKd3ZG5VNv12IeFA1w8CVpJVjz4OrL_P24ccX8wqfL7fXtUtWZavBpO5HXXvpEWsJKzgdGye9v4GVUd5DXkk_HsckOJ5w/s3872/15Pulaski%20Monument.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMyW_5UqUapezJ-V8WdLiSlYXQIcCjDHg9EJciOwQmEh6cp2-87ywTKGehlTZlC4RBy7H5amZAyYm7tpn_zpUh866sRj5rHKd3ZG5VNv12IeFA1w8CVpJVjz4OrL_P24ccX8wqfL7fXtUtWZavBpO5HXXvpEWsJKzgdGye9v4GVUd5DXkk_HsckOJ5w/w428-h640/15Pulaski%20Monument.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monument to Casimir Pulaski in Monterey Square. This is a 19th century monument to Pulaski, who lost his life during the siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War and was credited with saving the life of George Washington.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFREnCK_aVLSoJmFU06Nt6aU_UF3_XFoG8k7ri-gn_fPzbyc4JYHspN9gPe5pb2wZkZCVBNEstq_IyzW3x5XHrZ40i0kh13NoOSumSGdoFD5VNkW3Hrq3h64iUasNKyrLnF-7jc0nRJBMZG99GbeN_ov1cfcji6pA98e6AulqvqTBBwK9fe7mkbVPoqQ/s3872/16Pulaski%20Mon%20Detail.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFREnCK_aVLSoJmFU06Nt6aU_UF3_XFoG8k7ri-gn_fPzbyc4JYHspN9gPe5pb2wZkZCVBNEstq_IyzW3x5XHrZ40i0kh13NoOSumSGdoFD5VNkW3Hrq3h64iUasNKyrLnF-7jc0nRJBMZG99GbeN_ov1cfcji6pA98e6AulqvqTBBwK9fe7mkbVPoqQ/w640-h428/16Pulaski%20Mon%20Detail.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details of the Italian marble monument.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiwhwvgzmtgvsYomM88XNQMkPUcpCnNMw_J3JxZ-tGcwUoeACwlfYNiq4ZzkYAzAqR0Ys3-QaTjuJCQQ7mYhDI-Cw5t6uul_D315yRLGtVVS99zShE8x7qfN3SUN75r_BtOHPiu9BeRYEXle1IaBZMe0BTca2DueLdszMBrL1a_PHPyNawVcwZsYbUQ/s3872/17Synagogue.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiwhwvgzmtgvsYomM88XNQMkPUcpCnNMw_J3JxZ-tGcwUoeACwlfYNiq4ZzkYAzAqR0Ys3-QaTjuJCQQ7mYhDI-Cw5t6uul_D315yRLGtVVS99zShE8x7qfN3SUN75r_BtOHPiu9BeRYEXle1IaBZMe0BTca2DueLdszMBrL1a_PHPyNawVcwZsYbUQ/w428-h640/17Synagogue.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congregation Mickve Israel was founded in 1733, shortly after the founding of Savannah. It is the third oldest Jewish congregation in the US. The synagogue was built in 1878.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdkcLMCcmyHorDfel1LSMIE56v7_Vzx4A8zjHipum8VkH4301sIGlEjEUF7wxa3x61yzP0_g0vJoaACWFx7DAwNlBYNx4_h0fBTBbMgtbYbZFaeOXaMi5E2h9SZjpiTiIN3ZVreYjdQT-pZPtZlpAl-xRvS8H1s_Uq0eOTII3F1rdiCrLkcofzO9mUg/s3872/18Comer%20House.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdkcLMCcmyHorDfel1LSMIE56v7_Vzx4A8zjHipum8VkH4301sIGlEjEUF7wxa3x61yzP0_g0vJoaACWFx7DAwNlBYNx4_h0fBTBbMgtbYbZFaeOXaMi5E2h9SZjpiTiIN3ZVreYjdQT-pZPtZlpAl-xRvS8H1s_Uq0eOTII3F1rdiCrLkcofzO9mUg/w428-h640/18Comer%20House.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Comer House once hosted Jefferson Davis.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSVnyalN79W2ZxkYXEim2nYB1tYBneAkLpu1lWevh37GmhNcb3YICl7TJ4a16plSwU8ErJRSFdC0Bdvd8mKfTlnCscmVRCs633DkPbsD504IQ59Jp9BvPJgUJilKUsnC4S0T2dLxeBJFnTADQcOFH44wvgtOmeOirI6Jfk5FIRaQv8YAOHA1GmHS9DQ/s3872/19SCAD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSVnyalN79W2ZxkYXEim2nYB1tYBneAkLpu1lWevh37GmhNcb3YICl7TJ4a16plSwU8ErJRSFdC0Bdvd8mKfTlnCscmVRCs633DkPbsD504IQ59Jp9BvPJgUJilKUsnC4S0T2dLxeBJFnTADQcOFH44wvgtOmeOirI6Jfk5FIRaQv8YAOHA1GmHS9DQ/w640-h428/19SCAD.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This very interesting building currently house SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design). It previously housed the Savannah Volunteer Guards.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy0d1m40BXkEwiFoMWwNAfln07VcLk-kYrYvSsvMFl6B1s1K_f73l4_cjXjm6lDmZLaInREPJhGmWZf9ioOFd4uo8jgsHUpPEdVZrMYdQIY6EqAwrvhFQ-htPB9kKCnStc7SjhnxDgLbw_DKzCTE9e168sFg6I1a1HJzmMMApY9m14cFHCqW1cORYcA/s3872/20Savannah%20Street.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy0d1m40BXkEwiFoMWwNAfln07VcLk-kYrYvSsvMFl6B1s1K_f73l4_cjXjm6lDmZLaInREPJhGmWZf9ioOFd4uo8jgsHUpPEdVZrMYdQIY6EqAwrvhFQ-htPB9kKCnStc7SjhnxDgLbw_DKzCTE9e168sFg6I1a1HJzmMMApY9m14cFHCqW1cORYcA/w640-h428/20Savannah%20Street.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree lined streets of the historic district of Savannah help to shade it from the intense sun and moderate the temperatures.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UHeiY8Ys27oFnYsAVQJzRKV-0FX4-2Mw1Zp0sVxuhf47Zw9RG_xTv8cJsDpZ53oKdn4AV0amoYOp0jGMK_Wn1DnadPYL0cXGaNsTu2vzUcyuHtXKMsG68ua3a39V_uzQm0VvE_IVCy9bEDYtwe77J_xz8-M5y5SBZzv9PnHjS0Uzm8GnY_GKK4CegQ/s3872/21Savannah%20Bldg..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UHeiY8Ys27oFnYsAVQJzRKV-0FX4-2Mw1Zp0sVxuhf47Zw9RG_xTv8cJsDpZ53oKdn4AV0amoYOp0jGMK_Wn1DnadPYL0cXGaNsTu2vzUcyuHtXKMsG68ua3a39V_uzQm0VvE_IVCy9bEDYtwe77J_xz8-M5y5SBZzv9PnHjS0Uzm8GnY_GKK4CegQ/w428-h640/21Savannah%20Bldg..jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The architecture of the Savannah buildings speaks to the importance of this Southern city.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnbUAR9Bbp1BkRmWZ269qQnlfITHb6i5N6O5W8n-ZvJ5VJKquWFK462iPjz0Ydb-Rjs46bZ1GnsS5dS_4YZ_eY_BTbPBv4eMOiJumA4uiYDzS7JvVDBlcC3zInBomnl9xRIp5NZxMWRGvCbnYRj9989lMdYUuZ100k2-HYA8tUel25OoPCEPQOsCZPw/s3872/22GreenLeaves.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnbUAR9Bbp1BkRmWZ269qQnlfITHb6i5N6O5W8n-ZvJ5VJKquWFK462iPjz0Ydb-Rjs46bZ1GnsS5dS_4YZ_eY_BTbPBv4eMOiJumA4uiYDzS7JvVDBlcC3zInBomnl9xRIp5NZxMWRGvCbnYRj9989lMdYUuZ100k2-HYA8tUel25OoPCEPQOsCZPw/w640-h428/22GreenLeaves.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The climate is very conducive to the greenery of the city.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8YkqsGNSl4Srj6pOCMlQgMUJJFTdJ0xUsvfTQ2eV878QAZydkCWFRn1iRp2bKE8PB0dFocXfZGjjacsKG_3l6s6yi0fnOEqBes0no9dv8dxGh3KHtjuTL04dwaEeFzxIYQsWO1NvG42s0F_pRu3wPkPhK596nKLZsDMtj1_aOJr_D9CRIegpTbk91Q/s3872/23Sherman's%20HQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8YkqsGNSl4Srj6pOCMlQgMUJJFTdJ0xUsvfTQ2eV878QAZydkCWFRn1iRp2bKE8PB0dFocXfZGjjacsKG_3l6s6yi0fnOEqBes0no9dv8dxGh3KHtjuTL04dwaEeFzxIYQsWO1NvG42s0F_pRu3wPkPhK596nKLZsDMtj1_aOJr_D9CRIegpTbk91Q/w640-h428/23Sherman's%20HQ.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green-Meldrim mansion is an example of residential Gothic Revival architecture. The mansion was offered by Green to William Tecumseh Sherman for use as his headquarters, which Sherman used for that purpose from December 22, 1864 to February 1, 1865.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXusaZgnooZnlWNA6M6GJIAWDLZr_cutJNS5ttR8UuvYWnMmEqfV2GY71LDWR6h82gxu4FbU1tDHoXMQKUoeXsBH5FFlc6EuZKeKjYWd_6tSWJYr_3BoahZIbPY0mk0FCJDxq9x9NefRGo5OPanNGHeTDU1LAHVxSjcc1h6jWpH_kjCfeEcBVgkglWcA/s3872/24Madison%20Sq.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXusaZgnooZnlWNA6M6GJIAWDLZr_cutJNS5ttR8UuvYWnMmEqfV2GY71LDWR6h82gxu4FbU1tDHoXMQKUoeXsBH5FFlc6EuZKeKjYWd_6tSWJYr_3BoahZIbPY0mk0FCJDxq9x9NefRGo5OPanNGHeTDU1LAHVxSjcc1h6jWpH_kjCfeEcBVgkglWcA/w428-h640/24Madison%20Sq.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This monument was erected to Sgt. William Jasper in Madison Square. Jasper was mortally wounded on September 9, 1779 fighting against the British.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqaD6XHI5DpQos2cJbXu2jj_UhoMSQMAHtkd-3qyBJKyHowiJu_EaWr8GRfB20DI9PCGBw7qlzJySl4UY6OWWRU53YrgxGkKcR30X28WNxSJhdf-QZmvcH0axCTWtw6D4uS3wJapxYkvNfu6vH_ExEmOjay-PrkDlqMLw3hjss_QxZ_-CauXbLVlWJg/s3872/25Twin%20Steeples.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqaD6XHI5DpQos2cJbXu2jj_UhoMSQMAHtkd-3qyBJKyHowiJu_EaWr8GRfB20DI9PCGBw7qlzJySl4UY6OWWRU53YrgxGkKcR30X28WNxSJhdf-QZmvcH0axCTWtw6D4uS3wJapxYkvNfu6vH_ExEmOjay-PrkDlqMLw3hjss_QxZ_-CauXbLVlWJg/w428-h640/25Twin%20Steeples.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist with its twin steeples stands out in Savannah...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac8611CaDt63G8m3xprfJ-edeDLZN4jtzPNcxycGIM_WTHj6yALp2l3l3ehWf59h2HthD-qNP2cL6moOFu3i2017a6h189TPov1ymTuJUUhRQIkHzB2VX8zHdUKupYh72WzWf0lzivvTaVuFkiGwFjbTZVnvt_nWY8BO28mJNUkYZunseRypn4gD2VA/s3872/26City%20Hall.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac8611CaDt63G8m3xprfJ-edeDLZN4jtzPNcxycGIM_WTHj6yALp2l3l3ehWf59h2HthD-qNP2cL6moOFu3i2017a6h189TPov1ymTuJUUhRQIkHzB2VX8zHdUKupYh72WzWf0lzivvTaVuFkiGwFjbTZVnvt_nWY8BO28mJNUkYZunseRypn4gD2VA/w428-h640/26City%20Hall.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as does the gold dome of Savannah City Hall.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We made the mistake of going to Tybee Island on a summer weekend and trying to eat. Not doable. That lack of availability combined with lackluster, overpriced meals was definitely bumming us out. And then...</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Deirdre Meets Phobia #53</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>I didn't even know I had this one. After our failed dinner on Tybee Island, we vowed to return. So we set out on a quiet Monday morning to return to Tybee Island and rent a kayak to explore the channels and marshes which are quite scenic. (Michael was missing his kayaking and since we rent a tandem kayak and Michael paddles while I enjoy the scenery this seemed like a great plan. The golden-haired surfer dude who was giving us the safety/trail pitch looked at us and said, "I recommend the shorter, easier paddle, especially for you guys." Here it comes again --- the "old thing". Michael fixed him with a stare and said, "I paddle 15 kilometers three times a week." That shut him up.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, off we go. I, who know nothing and actually contribute nothing to the kayaking endeavor, <u>suggest</u> that if Michael gets out of the current from the receding tide by paddling closer to the reeds he can expend less energy. And this is true. Until there is a god awful, thunderous crash and water swells into the kayak while it rocks vigorously from side to side. "Hang on" exhorts Michael. A very substantial alligator had launched itself out of the reeds to about a foot from Michael. Luckily it didn't take a second shot at us and the kayak we rented was very stable. I pretty much whined and moaned until Michael dropped me off at the dock so he could continue to paddle in peace. As we pulled in the Golden Boy said snarkily, " Well that was a short paddle. Was it fun?" "It was great until the gator attack", I replied. He was struck mute, which was pretty nice. He gathered his wits and immediately began to refute our "story". "Oh, it was probably a sea turtle...a gar... a dolphin." We did not recant. It was clear they didn't believe us or didn't want to believe us. "Fine we said, have it your way. Here's our card. Email us when it eats someone." </div><div><br /></div><div>Michael traded the tandem kayak for a single and kayaked into the bay where he did see a gar leap straight up out of the water (further confirming it was no gar previously) and also encountered a pod of dolphins on his return swimming around the kayak. Upon Michael's return from his solo paddle we were off to lunch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seated at a lovely table at a lovely restaurant on the same lovely estuary, we asked our waitress if they had gators in the water in front of the restaurant. "Oh god yes, many. You know that enclosure we have with all the gators in it. They're all local." Well somebody was fibbing earlier, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div>When we spoke to son Alex he was somewhat reassuring, "I think it's the time of year they lay their eggs. It was probably a female alligator just protecting her nest and you just got too close." Well (fun fact) alligators do lay their eggs in the last week of June thru early July, but I'm not convinced. She seemed a tad too eager... With a sense of relief for surviving our encounter we left Savannah and made a brief stop at a plantation and then the amazing town of Beaufort, SC. (Filming location for <u>The Big Chill</u>.)</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz4GHjFuHDxoR7imfUOXTLcOxRhwiuYvHgtGmxUuVF2WkI30A8RMsPaKW7akrqSb-tBDhGOS9lE0BHxAI5WLbe7zB9EbVxaDqvbUqMSZ7JoNyqUYqL_SoHUhojfjqMsmUxZqclSn6aee7tbrYyXlz9Nvw0e8ZnImBpYJnnYILMzfhZNd7KxBut-RUDw/s3250/27Dolphin1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3250" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz4GHjFuHDxoR7imfUOXTLcOxRhwiuYvHgtGmxUuVF2WkI30A8RMsPaKW7akrqSb-tBDhGOS9lE0BHxAI5WLbe7zB9EbVxaDqvbUqMSZ7JoNyqUYqL_SoHUhojfjqMsmUxZqclSn6aee7tbrYyXlz9Nvw0e8ZnImBpYJnnYILMzfhZNd7KxBut-RUDw/w640-h384/27Dolphin1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While it was impossible to get a photo of the gar leaping out of the water, I did manage to get photos of this dolphin...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufLVcnIYxCr8aDn-HQGs13AJsTwPNipFnKwk6DzbkBuYpXliFUOyeBuOmTmsAI6CvIrIMh6pXZaoHpyviTHMYrT1MloidekCj4eomL723pri9mBdD4enl8AJYMaaxc2pJ2PSmGOQ79co6MNypHijhievP-Y43mKpDreeGJ4HvxUoJ1PKPLErkddtqsA/s1612/28Dolphin2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="1246" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufLVcnIYxCr8aDn-HQGs13AJsTwPNipFnKwk6DzbkBuYpXliFUOyeBuOmTmsAI6CvIrIMh6pXZaoHpyviTHMYrT1MloidekCj4eomL723pri9mBdD4enl8AJYMaaxc2pJ2PSmGOQ79co6MNypHijhievP-Y43mKpDreeGJ4HvxUoJ1PKPLErkddtqsA/w494-h640/28Dolphin2.jpeg" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this dolphin swimming near the kayak.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SdO9JZn_qrZMw05jPDeVq1VL5LbgkMc6tdzempFA50bQG7FJRQoGeAhNURr9MGP8ZTXFko-Zf9I8qQ8wF4gDsp8dyKr4HEXg49HhFYhkk-fi7NjzlLkhpSeGBdNP3exexjfeeaCezV2EJK-2S3k9W-6fkoKnAjMDfwBLnw8UvvuFLWkGKsopj8QllA/s4608/29Feed%20the%20Gators.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SdO9JZn_qrZMw05jPDeVq1VL5LbgkMc6tdzempFA50bQG7FJRQoGeAhNURr9MGP8ZTXFko-Zf9I8qQ8wF4gDsp8dyKr4HEXg49HhFYhkk-fi7NjzlLkhpSeGBdNP3exexjfeeaCezV2EJK-2S3k9W-6fkoKnAjMDfwBLnw8UvvuFLWkGKsopj8QllA/w640-h480/29Feed%20the%20Gators.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign outside The Crab Shack, inviting patrons to "Feed the Gators!".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5AXiz4bi18aihS1UituxoshocfTtdewI_M6e1p54zfU-7MRdWHih5qa_r1QuTS52UPicTRp0A80IONJ6j0lK_7ksRV2qSSXl043_WdMUgBcPzlN2KDp4lHqq0SbPRyPKnUYj9D3S9QBJ4SpjYOYkCrsckNFNf95A48i6nDNjSxl1CZfWECxRAOcmGQ/s4608/30Waitress.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5AXiz4bi18aihS1UituxoshocfTtdewI_M6e1p54zfU-7MRdWHih5qa_r1QuTS52UPicTRp0A80IONJ6j0lK_7ksRV2qSSXl043_WdMUgBcPzlN2KDp4lHqq0SbPRyPKnUYj9D3S9QBJ4SpjYOYkCrsckNFNf95A48i6nDNjSxl1CZfWECxRAOcmGQ/w640-h480/30Waitress.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wonderful waitress appeared in this stylish aluminum foil headdress at one point during our meal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiA8aaCcMCaeLZIyQ18WgZApZpxnHvya4an2XXXP4ebSJBCh-fWOTvKrCe9WxjSfR-SCxIn734ot6bhy-3Pao0JjJDmMRirPhDXZhkySHjqLegQHz0NaPRrmJ-w9yVoOtLNFijk6XwGA2Q7ges_NJsEs3XPvSb8wrujYdCvhJ6eZbRdSa-go1v-x__cA/s4608/31Estuary.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiA8aaCcMCaeLZIyQ18WgZApZpxnHvya4an2XXXP4ebSJBCh-fWOTvKrCe9WxjSfR-SCxIn734ot6bhy-3Pao0JjJDmMRirPhDXZhkySHjqLegQHz0NaPRrmJ-w9yVoOtLNFijk6XwGA2Q7ges_NJsEs3XPvSb8wrujYdCvhJ6eZbRdSa-go1v-x__cA/w640-h480/31Estuary.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The estuary by the restaurant where the gators abound.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuLGHovAyVHC0FSESIIAhaJxI3-lOJvPKBmBKVq6e-tYiNu_Z5zS8eQYrRB42XIE-Gjuj-_Ag9FsPM1N_kftcsPVrdF5qWs8y1sgDiFdHXJfCKH7hoAb-fXEm8nwqXVl2OE1vXTVvZP5Jk41OVgi6B_LiHlzgnwrLy_gDYBJDCQFszTgNGsLRwtaG-w/s4608/32Bar.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuLGHovAyVHC0FSESIIAhaJxI3-lOJvPKBmBKVq6e-tYiNu_Z5zS8eQYrRB42XIE-Gjuj-_Ag9FsPM1N_kftcsPVrdF5qWs8y1sgDiFdHXJfCKH7hoAb-fXEm8nwqXVl2OE1vXTVvZP5Jk41OVgi6B_LiHlzgnwrLy_gDYBJDCQFszTgNGsLRwtaG-w/w640-h480/32Bar.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crab Shack (which claims to be the oldest, original crab shack in the US) has some unique decorations...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1q9FcsROVsUE1kHr1fjT76WF1UYdSkidZ7UlK69XRrzScXIk8bp8P3yRR3Y11gru8s0jXl8y5LoZ3g5olpx1b8UWA-uhzg9ogKfYOmCAPUNXdKx2MZ9yxAkPLY1TXTIGLx-0gDBvgFY_-ims6WnuxZVct65kcmyVk8F5iqbuZwdS7LXHQPplRLTcZw/s4608/33Crab%20Shack.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1q9FcsROVsUE1kHr1fjT76WF1UYdSkidZ7UlK69XRrzScXIk8bp8P3yRR3Y11gru8s0jXl8y5LoZ3g5olpx1b8UWA-uhzg9ogKfYOmCAPUNXdKx2MZ9yxAkPLY1TXTIGLx-0gDBvgFY_-ims6WnuxZVct65kcmyVk8F5iqbuZwdS7LXHQPplRLTcZw/w480-h640/33Crab%20Shack.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Jimmy Buffet songs issued forth from the loudspeakers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLjiw8IYP8LYZJWqdBzjcvet3GYOELkZwFdSr-36BrDrY7BkKaUOM3jluudQrOb49mE6SB1RrihU8rZfnUhoOVlMn4jEtRBUxuCWdzUkpQjr7tEj5VLoLjbCxpU3sCUdi1HMHOX2Ds2WE57wfknuWHQIppS4HBBEXrRXqUo4U5ZocK1cRs7LGDIBO4A/s4608/34CS%20Gators.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLjiw8IYP8LYZJWqdBzjcvet3GYOELkZwFdSr-36BrDrY7BkKaUOM3jluudQrOb49mE6SB1RrihU8rZfnUhoOVlMn4jEtRBUxuCWdzUkpQjr7tEj5VLoLjbCxpU3sCUdi1HMHOX2Ds2WE57wfknuWHQIppS4HBBEXrRXqUo4U5ZocK1cRs7LGDIBO4A/w640-h480/34CS%20Gators.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the gators lounging in the enclosed pool by the restaurant available to be fed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lAp2A_mEtGLykEHgGPpqo_PDc2ZcfXXHZBd66daLsR9eTTxHfXX0CZjZHTMNnc6zZ2r-DsNyybtvMekfIIf_H4u2nG7KWgdmCn8KlLCnuFpQjFFFqvmGRUhR2HGOAZGiPzTG3Y8UDijjetnEE0NjzmLKwdgLrOut9YKRgDFOySAVCaFhalUdEDfh-g/s4608/35Giant%20Gator.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lAp2A_mEtGLykEHgGPpqo_PDc2ZcfXXHZBd66daLsR9eTTxHfXX0CZjZHTMNnc6zZ2r-DsNyybtvMekfIIf_H4u2nG7KWgdmCn8KlLCnuFpQjFFFqvmGRUhR2HGOAZGiPzTG3Y8UDijjetnEE0NjzmLKwdgLrOut9YKRgDFOySAVCaFhalUdEDfh-g/w640-h480/35Giant%20Gator.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre swears this gator mounted on the side of The Crab Shack must have been the size of the gator that went for us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kRv_VuwMQRMVt-PeVD5CEcMM4HQv6l_KsWsNYEChxEtZIU48GtA01dch9h6l0An45TkdB9vvPooVp4StuHFuL1Y_Xp-2qt6GbSauHUA-FEp6EH9BdmwmMQz7EbG5WYNeX36qbhXyhMQYvGlRh4zGQCReNP4DTvJlhTVjE4j2_3HRii1PKs5RxaTJGg/s3872/36Wormsloe1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kRv_VuwMQRMVt-PeVD5CEcMM4HQv6l_KsWsNYEChxEtZIU48GtA01dch9h6l0An45TkdB9vvPooVp4StuHFuL1Y_Xp-2qt6GbSauHUA-FEp6EH9BdmwmMQz7EbG5WYNeX36qbhXyhMQYvGlRh4zGQCReNP4DTvJlhTVjE4j2_3HRii1PKs5RxaTJGg/w640-h428/36Wormsloe1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1.5 mile entrance to the Wormsloe Historic Site in Savannah is lined on either side by 400 stately live oak trees dripping with spanish moss.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x02QAimLkw4_-7Riqi_b0Kk_w1rPyeLxmP_hujloJAEtlUphI06NAdaKpduqpZoVPzNMlgqcWiOHe653EaRTDdqLLefs9uHD_gYjHAmI3xkCKNi7LY2u_3iAxXka-guG8t_Kj9Iq_M_mZLX-hoHB1KFdaHdrmDT-m4XzFbjt0RL_IPz12Qqut6npJg/s3872/37Wormsloe2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x02QAimLkw4_-7Riqi_b0Kk_w1rPyeLxmP_hujloJAEtlUphI06NAdaKpduqpZoVPzNMlgqcWiOHe653EaRTDdqLLefs9uHD_gYjHAmI3xkCKNi7LY2u_3iAxXka-guG8t_Kj9Iq_M_mZLX-hoHB1KFdaHdrmDT-m4XzFbjt0RL_IPz12Qqut6npJg/w640-h428/37Wormsloe2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is impossible to get an idea of the expanse of this tree lined drive in just one photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nUR1Fx9JHT9QQKNB_wwPp03BV9B6lGQqFMTt_62zSkgMc9hqFX4POeJhvefuWEs3NZOhQtrfXR0Ysw4gPOViZZ1fefehE3ADq_kHuZ1wJSjvCliBYfv-qUnVDJ5SRJt06nhdBJ2X3W1zFhS4XnKxCIVMqFLcractt8kOy9YEvCr6brvPFn2JewyO5A/s3872/38Tabby.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nUR1Fx9JHT9QQKNB_wwPp03BV9B6lGQqFMTt_62zSkgMc9hqFX4POeJhvefuWEs3NZOhQtrfXR0Ysw4gPOViZZ1fefehE3ADq_kHuZ1wJSjvCliBYfv-qUnVDJ5SRJt06nhdBJ2X3W1zFhS4XnKxCIVMqFLcractt8kOy9YEvCr6brvPFn2JewyO5A/w640-h428/38Tabby.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the part of the remains of the 1745 tabby house constructed by Noble Jones, an early colonist and contemporary of James Oglethorpe. Noble was granted 500 acres on the Isle of Hope in 1736. Tabby construction was common in the area due to the availability of the materials --- equal parts sand, oyster shells, lime and water were mixed in molds to create building blocks. The building was covered with a smooth layer of quicklime plaster.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u>More Gator Tales in Bluffton</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Our next stop was to the historic town of Bluffton, which is on the mainland across from Hilton Head to visit my (Deirdre's) cousin and his wife.</div><div><br /></div><div>Featured Guests: Scott & Joann</div><div><br /></div><div>Known since: Scott (since birth) Joann 55ish years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anecdote: When we were kids, Scott would come and visit us for a week or two each summer as he and my brother were very close in age. Scott was a sort of finicky eater while my mother was an adherent of the clean plate club. The major clash involved peas. Not able to exert her full parental mojo on Scott, mom would dole out peas one by one in increasing numbers meal to meal and summer to summer. It was the food equivalent of Chinese water torture. Scott may still not eat peas...</div><div><br /></div><div>Still not quite over the gator encounter, we were recounting the tale to Scott & Joann over cocktails. "Yeah, said Scott, "'those suckers are mean." He then regaled us with the story of a neighbor's mishap. They live in a planned community in which houses surround small ponds. One day his friend was walking on the edge of his pond which also borders a golf course. Out of nowhere this gator leaps out and grabs the guy by his ankle and starts to pull him towards the water. He's screaming and manages to lean down and pull the gators jaws apart. But the gator pulls free and then grabs his calf and is really working to drag him into the pond. The guy is still (of course) screaming and a golfing foursome hears him. One guy runs over with his club and pummels the gator until it lets go of the guy. The guy ends up needing about 160 stitches.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scott's takeaway: "Dee, think about it. A foursome and only one guy runs over and helps. Last time I'd play with those guys." I love Scott. After a great meal together and overnight visit we were off to Charleston.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hnl-lOv7RB3MdFCrVYmeGTENpEjYmWmruFVNE6WRDknC5Yu47mCm5aDwMWxf4jOsY6oYfavHbufGlqAeDK4fHCpWgxdtQqX2cpmxoydLbG5r-_AkFYH0SS8VIxcNKS5VJK1oHhrYnGYqrna8TfHMBhQX3sTQMlqLpMEY2wunbUSF5UzIb3FTW_Vcqg/s3872/39Scott&Joann.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hnl-lOv7RB3MdFCrVYmeGTENpEjYmWmruFVNE6WRDknC5Yu47mCm5aDwMWxf4jOsY6oYfavHbufGlqAeDK4fHCpWgxdtQqX2cpmxoydLbG5r-_AkFYH0SS8VIxcNKS5VJK1oHhrYnGYqrna8TfHMBhQX3sTQMlqLpMEY2wunbUSF5UzIb3FTW_Vcqg/w640-h428/39Scott&Joann.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-88250884468642975412022-07-18T13:59:00.000-05:002022-07-18T13:59:16.230-05:00<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Sentimental Journey: Special Edition</h1><h1 style="text-align: center;">The South - Seen or Heard or Deduced on the Road</h1><p style="text-align: center;"></p><ol><ol><li style="text-align: left;"> Heard on The American Family Network: "That was no insurrection. They just got carried away." "Roe vs Wade sanctified the killing of precious pre-born children."</li><li style="text-align: left;">Heard on Fox News (tuned by mistake): Eight out of ten red states have the highest homicide rates. Know why? Most homicides happen in big cities and they are all run by democrats."</li><li style="text-align: left;">Heard in a conversation with us: "You don't have crime where Republicans are in office. The Democrats just let 'em all out of jail all the time." Hmm. I wonder where they picked up that tidbit.</li><li style="text-align: left;">Seen throughout the South: Billboards that reveal the conflict between sainthood and sex. - First billboard: "Jesus is the Answer to All Your Problems" Second Billboard: "Mr. Binkie's Adult Toy Shop" Third Billboard: "There are no bad guns, just bad people" Billboard 4: "Mom save me. Don't kill me. " Billboard 5: "The Gentlemen's Velvet Underground Club" Billboard 6: "Celebrate Mom. Give her a Glock." I don't believe any commentary is needed.</li><li style="text-align: left;">Deduced: The labor shortage is real. When trying to book restaurants we find: 1) Many are only open Thursday to Sunday; 2) Many are closed Monday & Tuesday; and, 3) Many will say they are fully booked , but that means 50% of tables because they don't have enough wait staff. Finally your hotel room will not get cleaned until 4 pm or in many cases never.</li><li style="text-align: left;">More Heard on the Road: "I hate Biden. F**** Biden. Biden lies everyday. He makes up stories and gets away with it, while all they do is fact check Trump." "Of course life starts at conception. Why else would you have to kill it." "Kamala Harris should be the next Pope, even though she never goes to church. She did such a good job on the border, that she thinks she can solve abortion." "Those pro-choicers only care about the woman's body. We pro-lifers care about the baby and it doesn't matter that it happens to grow in a woman." "I have 3 shots and I still got COVID. Those vaccines don't work." (Yeah, but you're not dead.)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Deduction: From the various radio broadcasts we have (usually inadvertently) heard, many hosts <u>really</u> have it in for the L.G.B.T. Q. community. Oh, the callers weren't nice either.</li></ol></ol><div>So, there you have it. Clearly, not everyone around here shares these opinions, but part of a good road trip is keeping your ears & eyes wide open. And occasionally our eyes were wide open in disbelief. Let's see what happens as we head North.</div><div><br /></div><p></p>Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-18671784910927005942022-07-10T08:56:00.001-05:002022-07-13T02:56:04.955-05:00<p style="text-align: center;"><b>THE SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY - CHAPTER 1</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Intro: Back in the fall of 2021, when Michael & I each had a brush with death (fine now, don't worry), we decided that while we still had the stamina (we'll see) we should do a road trip and visit all the people and places in the US (well mostly Mississippi River & East) that we love and miss. So hang on. We're off on a 2 month interstate (international) voyage to reconnect and see what changes have occurred in the 10 years since we became ex-pats.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>Out of Mexico 0 km to 1032 km</u></p><p style="text-align: left;">We loaded up the Subaru Outback Clampett style ("Michael do we <u>really </u>need the kettle bell?") and hit the road. It is a long and boring slog out of Mexico. Sand, cactus, shanties, cactus. But then we hit the Sierra Madre Orientales. There are 3 Sierra Madre ranges that run like fingers North to South from the border to ... well I don't know... but far. We had driven across the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur ranges, but never the Occidental range. Magnificent! Awesome! Terrifying! Here's how many Mexican roads work. they consist of a right lane and a left lane and each has a copious breakdown lane. Whenever you see someone in your rearview mirror who wants to pass, you straddle the breakdown lane. As does the car, if there is one, in the opposite lane. Then the 3rd car passes down the middle. If there is an incoming car 4, life gets dicey. This is not <u>so</u> bad on a level, straight road. In the Sierra Madres with steep grades and hairpin turns it becomes one giant panic attack for Deirdre. But, we survived and marvelled at the beauty of the mountains.</p><p style="text-align: left;">After two military checkpoints and two fruit police (really) checkpoints we reached the border. This can be easy ("Y'all have a good trip") or hard ("Y'all pull over and take everything out of the car"). We lucked out and after a cursory check of our cooler ("Any fruit in there?"), we had a lovely conversation with the agent about the joys of Mexican retirement and we were off.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>Notes from America: Texas and Louisiana 1032 km to 1838 km</u></p><p style="text-align: left;">Right off we noticed two things. In Mexico everyone wore masks, Texas no. Gas in Mexico was $3.596 per gallon (after converting from liters to gallons and pesos to dollars) and in the US it was $4.479 per gallon (no conversion necessary). Our first night was spent in McAllen, TX. It is everything a border town should be: strip malls, pawn shops, payday loan outlets and "gentlemen's clubs", oh, and evangelical churches the size of Rhode Island.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We were psyched to sink our teeth into real Texas BBQ and pulled into a promising looking place. We should have been leery when we read the Bible passage on the sign out front. Generally BBQ and religion are not closely linked. We entered, were seated and were treated to Fox (at least it was Fox Business) on multiple TVs. We ordered and I asked for a beer. "Oh, we don't serve spirits." No beer? No beer with BBQ? Good God! Upon leaving the restroom the proprietor asked Michael how he was. "Excellent", Michael answered, "And you?". "Blessed" the owner replied. things sure had changed since we lived in Texas. We headed back out into the Sahara Dust Storm (passing over Texas at this time) and 100 degree + temperatures. Not a good start.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>Featured City #1: Galveston</u></p><p style="text-align: left;">The next day, with visions of Glen Campbell crooning, we drove to Galveston. Despite living in San Antonio for 5 years, we'd never been there. That is because I have a thing (phobia 47) about swimming in brown water. It's not Galveston's fault its water looks like sludge. It's just the silt washed from the Mississippi. Sure, Florida gets the nice crystal, clear water and Texas gets effluvia. Life is not fair. </p><p style="text-align: left;">However, what Galveston <u>does</u> have is beautiful architecture - despite all the hurricanes. We stayed in a very sweet little house that survived the 1900 Galveston hurricane. I don't know how since the house is wood and only 2-3 blocks from the Gulf. If you didn't know about the Galveston hurricane of 1900, click this link: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Galveston_hurricane">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Galveston_hurricane</a>. It was really something. This post is copy heavy, so I'll ket Michael's photos take you on a tour of Galveston and then we're off to Houston.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFExlLJ8m53amhaBsPBXB6tPgx-YfIRdHALeIk9rmzKAZnAxpEO6-53u67L5n-CCT94JlwxLR_8BiIezbbRkqijC89NUxPMM2vhovVjdayQrhjzhjQ3Ke5trSz3YA02N3U7NyXsNfUJoEzv8Hu5_zx7lj3LQbzo5B1qxhzjsbp6ye5sc1lwuxZnsr9A/s3872/2666.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFExlLJ8m53amhaBsPBXB6tPgx-YfIRdHALeIk9rmzKAZnAxpEO6-53u67L5n-CCT94JlwxLR_8BiIezbbRkqijC89NUxPMM2vhovVjdayQrhjzhjQ3Ke5trSz3YA02N3U7NyXsNfUJoEzv8Hu5_zx7lj3LQbzo5B1qxhzjsbp6ye5sc1lwuxZnsr9A/w428-h640/2666.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were the stairway leading up to the second floor in the Bishop's Palace.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTOjqygOLehXKlrXU-5VnLRkw39Ld2a3o7nmjOde-raFt-1jLifNcTMq1sRQDTCp2Uu3J-EruxSWiSmNi6mp2dkvDoxknD1LcVJox8g3CuOmqm8L9gJxp1ciwqgPc-QyuEZmd_9Ci6sw6BGD2emgbHli0ydTTEPuwrbMjXnnNShMKV7BUdZtOTjyIaQ/s3872/2667.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTOjqygOLehXKlrXU-5VnLRkw39Ld2a3o7nmjOde-raFt-1jLifNcTMq1sRQDTCp2Uu3J-EruxSWiSmNi6mp2dkvDoxknD1LcVJox8g3CuOmqm8L9gJxp1ciwqgPc-QyuEZmd_9Ci6sw6BGD2emgbHli0ydTTEPuwrbMjXnnNShMKV7BUdZtOTjyIaQ/w640-h428/2667.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Originally built between 1887 & 1893 by Walter Gresham for his wife. The house was designed by Nicholas J. Clayton, architect for the cost of $250,000.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0PPN0EvubCrP77xSyNOum2G26_aYCJjNKd8IV5M1RH7DF_0mlKw1DBMnyVQTQ-eusq_kqtpPr1YXrWLDN6xrwVHPt41bqYSMHKokoDhCsVdg4VCR_rN-aDQf3Z4Hk6yRbRSlrxgCFbdm2NQsqpN47S3oX-P5nXUinXfD5-pV2VjE4Bn1NHgLYqsy6A/s3872/2668.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0PPN0EvubCrP77xSyNOum2G26_aYCJjNKd8IV5M1RH7DF_0mlKw1DBMnyVQTQ-eusq_kqtpPr1YXrWLDN6xrwVHPt41bqYSMHKokoDhCsVdg4VCR_rN-aDQf3Z4Hk6yRbRSlrxgCFbdm2NQsqpN47S3oX-P5nXUinXfD5-pV2VjE4Bn1NHgLYqsy6A/w428-h640/2668.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though the house was built by the Gresham's, this became known as the Bishop's pulpit when the house was acquired by the Catholic Diocese of Galveston in 1923 for Bishop Byrne.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K2WqfSb5sPM9C441vjnpZwuwcloL_MgUieF72aZIxx9ZqAUBJONlk-rD_5VhC-FsqZevtWMKAC4TtPQRb6Psi98FONRahUNxwmy7ljN9P-TWQSzEeJ2v_rceAtOZYJOOS1M_G2WKETOyi2-1Vrz15TutXleVGIQfwROdatuY_DP3AGHsNQIeD3O_BA/s3872/2669.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K2WqfSb5sPM9C441vjnpZwuwcloL_MgUieF72aZIxx9ZqAUBJONlk-rD_5VhC-FsqZevtWMKAC4TtPQRb6Psi98FONRahUNxwmy7ljN9P-TWQSzEeJ2v_rceAtOZYJOOS1M_G2WKETOyi2-1Vrz15TutXleVGIQfwROdatuY_DP3AGHsNQIeD3O_BA/w428-h640/2669.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the furnishings kept by the Bishop seemed a little out of place.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEALG3WMuYbqpPncyCPBDuHWi6xDyjzwRLU61EG9i7Y5MF9iU-RzJJ9SrvPLa9-VvBO5sKQFeose-0mkZk66--w-jwya7x8gt2qYk-2hxZLTtH40Zi_M_oEiPmRRhG_WjsWfMjirAUx5t7QTJWr_LZxTNMQ1gH46M4kEl50DJAfmWZptAKEXHOV480WA/s3872/2675.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEALG3WMuYbqpPncyCPBDuHWi6xDyjzwRLU61EG9i7Y5MF9iU-RzJJ9SrvPLa9-VvBO5sKQFeose-0mkZk66--w-jwya7x8gt2qYk-2hxZLTtH40Zi_M_oEiPmRRhG_WjsWfMjirAUx5t7QTJWr_LZxTNMQ1gH46M4kEl50DJAfmWZptAKEXHOV480WA/w428-h640/2675.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house was ornately designed and would be worth $5.5 million today.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLmeMKu9fOMakL3HFRWMNX24CY9FrB1Bxcbvc9_2X6-NZ24507ufuj3FWH_fowWhou8Ns7gXX-sMLnsB3Y35ymugpk4cKE6F4SJDAlNhCUqkwbEWqBsw-yLeIjnieH7QIGLLUjSWdsT0yZj_OyNe6hwGB5pJspuN6qyGJLQw5KbTGedPXf725rojUyw/s3872/2676.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLmeMKu9fOMakL3HFRWMNX24CY9FrB1Bxcbvc9_2X6-NZ24507ufuj3FWH_fowWhou8Ns7gXX-sMLnsB3Y35ymugpk4cKE6F4SJDAlNhCUqkwbEWqBsw-yLeIjnieH7QIGLLUjSWdsT0yZj_OyNe6hwGB5pJspuN6qyGJLQw5KbTGedPXf725rojUyw/w640-h428/2676.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Houses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1f5c1TayJkHSY3N1ffgVVw0A9eFtUymh9BFV3t-48U5bP_RbxbCcmkPvvAT3zL25I8g0rWmWy2tz2X_itXusrk6A6DhV03CFUMzcTB41VISDsrrHW4tzkcsVeHWdd7qkGyenkaoO1iM4YRwc38LBv2hDMlIsBBtyHO4l70Q-LuSkGTAWSg6VVSbhYQ/s3872/2677.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1f5c1TayJkHSY3N1ffgVVw0A9eFtUymh9BFV3t-48U5bP_RbxbCcmkPvvAT3zL25I8g0rWmWy2tz2X_itXusrk6A6DhV03CFUMzcTB41VISDsrrHW4tzkcsVeHWdd7qkGyenkaoO1iM4YRwc38LBv2hDMlIsBBtyHO4l70Q-LuSkGTAWSg6VVSbhYQ/w640-h428/2677.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another item which appears to be out of place in the Bishop's Palace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoEnlqT5UEy9-ys-lvHXsZP53WlJza2WYorLq64sC9wMfWJQJCI2CKaw0E_qqzTVe9bGex6sOVbGXHtrwrRw67dj2RtjPvknOaiMcVW2_Ui3FqQT0BY9lMLW-_50R8OTH3YVGKGOFe3InVZiTTjRY3uDp8WMRnIqlpd1Ggu8fX1CQHHFXmV6bRBSB_Q/s3872/2679.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoEnlqT5UEy9-ys-lvHXsZP53WlJza2WYorLq64sC9wMfWJQJCI2CKaw0E_qqzTVe9bGex6sOVbGXHtrwrRw67dj2RtjPvknOaiMcVW2_Ui3FqQT0BY9lMLW-_50R8OTH3YVGKGOFe3InVZiTTjRY3uDp8WMRnIqlpd1Ggu8fX1CQHHFXmV6bRBSB_Q/w428-h640/2679.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully air conditioning has been added since it was over 100 degrees while we were in Galveston.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i51FbDBSlKDmKT3ztsxj0dinvLZqm-zkJlbCSJ9cIKX3L-WvLlrv82jzrJ0LoLWaUcCDA8ByQNHMoQ8pparltkj-GJsOM-zI8NHetCjcfrQJvhwZVyuSUFpJBiR-s9lWz18Yg3-TyScYi-g22Ylam6JEs1_0BwK3z0kBCvjxjL_gkkezAvv5Qln-ig/s3872/2687.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i51FbDBSlKDmKT3ztsxj0dinvLZqm-zkJlbCSJ9cIKX3L-WvLlrv82jzrJ0LoLWaUcCDA8ByQNHMoQ8pparltkj-GJsOM-zI8NHetCjcfrQJvhwZVyuSUFpJBiR-s9lWz18Yg3-TyScYi-g22Ylam6JEs1_0BwK3z0kBCvjxjL_gkkezAvv5Qln-ig/w428-h640/2687.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stained glass was added when the Bishop moved into the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRd6Alo1Wb7yxRfoScP3WooWY0b6nSl003HJsneqQeYvvXVbGQMiCoJTct_W9ponfBXkVCc9GzixlzXpaOnVEoQQwSPimgv-jLdZOzMqV2ysU64PH5C3ic07l8IyWxvlR-bGuM85DpllIN6G3W1SttJCST1DpcjsK28wh8Vx514a_B5qCTbHOMobeYA/s3872/2691.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRd6Alo1Wb7yxRfoScP3WooWY0b6nSl003HJsneqQeYvvXVbGQMiCoJTct_W9ponfBXkVCc9GzixlzXpaOnVEoQQwSPimgv-jLdZOzMqV2ysU64PH5C3ic07l8IyWxvlR-bGuM85DpllIN6G3W1SttJCST1DpcjsK28wh8Vx514a_B5qCTbHOMobeYA/w640-h428/2691.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other portions of the house retained the original stained glass.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzyz19Mp3z_OSF4Sje6kaFRbSkkwdsYuZ0L-oPmpaIL2Kkea01o3-431rqrjYfJKGvEqYk30FDcIIHWs6Xt9a7qUDl-UI5A8TWH_AvWuB7Eur-aCzNgCKFNdnrXeG2W6PuUlv1rl9SmDXAZDswcxOKQgdoXyQN85Od17GOdcuwQFh1Temo-FH4_CCpw/s3872/2695.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzyz19Mp3z_OSF4Sje6kaFRbSkkwdsYuZ0L-oPmpaIL2Kkea01o3-431rqrjYfJKGvEqYk30FDcIIHWs6Xt9a7qUDl-UI5A8TWH_AvWuB7Eur-aCzNgCKFNdnrXeG2W6PuUlv1rl9SmDXAZDswcxOKQgdoXyQN85Od17GOdcuwQFh1Temo-FH4_CCpw/w428-h640/2695.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bishop's bed was narrower and more modest than Mrs. Gresham's bed shown below.</td></tr></tbody></table>.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xqaOFo9hXCEWFsank61UefI3IPjJKM9CfqLeSvwOk0qlAM_yfja3Suq3gQsJoFG1fIS1y3ZsElmQ00IFJ-D49Dh5BEW9BGBtY1uY7zyZx8DzSPyv1pQZmrUEASVz1cj7jVv6J_vFNOKtZfmI8T09ucCpd2VRpuHp62lob5uAkG5zdVakWCmz3DbxDQ/s3872/2697.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xqaOFo9hXCEWFsank61UefI3IPjJKM9CfqLeSvwOk0qlAM_yfja3Suq3gQsJoFG1fIS1y3ZsElmQ00IFJ-D49Dh5BEW9BGBtY1uY7zyZx8DzSPyv1pQZmrUEASVz1cj7jVv6J_vFNOKtZfmI8T09ucCpd2VRpuHp62lob5uAkG5zdVakWCmz3DbxDQ/w640-h428/2697.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bishop added his own private chapel in the house with stained glass windows of the four authors of the gospels and on either side (not shown in the photo) Peter & Paul.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhPCVqcUAEWOwpBVwRzaxZiqgtl9pflfnn2su4Q_5BbXoYV6c9xdoKD_JChhksL5Lbum7QxsFb0Q7tHYRFL2dmoZPruKOkVSwDsbcXrxnEgULMvZX4-5MaKP_JP_wRHDZSb5eTNO2ElISAJD8qzI7Gzwtmoj-IYBqweau0V5oQhCbdIOk9qhNft0Plg/s3872/2707.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhPCVqcUAEWOwpBVwRzaxZiqgtl9pflfnn2su4Q_5BbXoYV6c9xdoKD_JChhksL5Lbum7QxsFb0Q7tHYRFL2dmoZPruKOkVSwDsbcXrxnEgULMvZX4-5MaKP_JP_wRHDZSb5eTNO2ElISAJD8qzI7Gzwtmoj-IYBqweau0V5oQhCbdIOk9qhNft0Plg/w428-h640/2707.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bed of Mrs. Gresham with photos of her husband on the left & her photo on the right.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9pbAITJD079IxBySRdsdoUtuwZ34FpZk6Iao7uuYRjsSpciAPqYDhYT8KyOCdhtnHEpVCkeZCIP8_dT0yI_tXWSdEX01Jq8Y_eST-d2Plum51n0Tg_MAvQQ8VSJTEcTA7aHouLcXO5RZLL5--IEC0snHOBIJfDLI6TH7gebhXBQplkKCZqNExptnsA/s3872/2709.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9pbAITJD079IxBySRdsdoUtuwZ34FpZk6Iao7uuYRjsSpciAPqYDhYT8KyOCdhtnHEpVCkeZCIP8_dT0yI_tXWSdEX01Jq8Y_eST-d2Plum51n0Tg_MAvQQ8VSJTEcTA7aHouLcXO5RZLL5--IEC0snHOBIJfDLI6TH7gebhXBQplkKCZqNExptnsA/w428-h640/2709.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fireplace in Mrs. Gresham's bedroom.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4QlzqmmK0qRVy8oyyO2fhwUuAGBmGTwaZQIxoWGv7OfFX57grCvONEydM84vgy9j_QG2LF8h-8uZRR07aCU5JJNEKOpvxce7HhnsQSfyTmwWB_biFKvozp8RiZWILVMGKMFmg7-D-D6GvwX12-TwOengfVtX2P2cC-Ipvqlc_B3Y-qRANNJoKyWHWw/s3872/DSC_2710.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4QlzqmmK0qRVy8oyyO2fhwUuAGBmGTwaZQIxoWGv7OfFX57grCvONEydM84vgy9j_QG2LF8h-8uZRR07aCU5JJNEKOpvxce7HhnsQSfyTmwWB_biFKvozp8RiZWILVMGKMFmg7-D-D6GvwX12-TwOengfVtX2P2cC-Ipvqlc_B3Y-qRANNJoKyWHWw/w640-h428/DSC_2710.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacred Heart Church is located across the street from the Bishop's Palace. The original church designed by Nicholas J. Clayton as well was destroyed in the 1900 hurricane. The current church was rebuilt in 1903 - 1904. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_moo2OFljqveFu-Y193aqxvO4k0mb5Tg3qRhI7wriH4fkjP4NC1Hct6qjO8fDrUm0-Ad1u1vO-xrOsyrG0qhxjL37E8QxJ_UNWwWScDqQA5DtpLI6fw-ibAcRPUDCH1-Azc-z_HycH7EhTiv6rhKP0rO4cXFTSYyNIUUOBxstHGFvqD3dbGQUONlh6g/s4608/DSCN6648.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_moo2OFljqveFu-Y193aqxvO4k0mb5Tg3qRhI7wriH4fkjP4NC1Hct6qjO8fDrUm0-Ad1u1vO-xrOsyrG0qhxjL37E8QxJ_UNWwWScDqQA5DtpLI6fw-ibAcRPUDCH1-Azc-z_HycH7EhTiv6rhKP0rO4cXFTSYyNIUUOBxstHGFvqD3dbGQUONlh6g/w640-h480/DSCN6648.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church features octagonal towers, flying buttresses, elaborate ornamentation and a variety of arches. The design reflects elements of Moorish, Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque styles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT39fDybJ7hzmluItXBttAEq8-PhGiFAAzn9ei5S9L06gggLtKCZR1WHdEmsDEv5RxnodR02lMM7WsvbATHu-ZOSduI1SLHABMEQAONeLEAZnDT1lE_t2qlaz_uwkPbYD_rNBeKyIvfQfZouktlX1_cbKNcINQceQ8iTN0ukPw5MTNQSSoFvTt5DUTTQ/s4608/DSCN6649.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT39fDybJ7hzmluItXBttAEq8-PhGiFAAzn9ei5S9L06gggLtKCZR1WHdEmsDEv5RxnodR02lMM7WsvbATHu-ZOSduI1SLHABMEQAONeLEAZnDT1lE_t2qlaz_uwkPbYD_rNBeKyIvfQfZouktlX1_cbKNcINQceQ8iTN0ukPw5MTNQSSoFvTt5DUTTQ/w480-h640/DSCN6649.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original dome was destroyed in the 1915 hurricane and was subsequently replaced by this one.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DmvOu5xbH_tJpUoSFR3RTlPEzBujQUHYpgZivxaaBUV8DZ72R2jzn82G6gceetpX0QySh2CLyUhabLgUetEovPs8x48DoPnkxej1W_vblksXPlzoneTRXI8DMCdHh0qL8EyeBaRIJO7gA01Uz2Hcy7QdcH8VFSoTY8Qq-UJSm0OX--qXeuNJWXaTYA/s3872/DSC_2713.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DmvOu5xbH_tJpUoSFR3RTlPEzBujQUHYpgZivxaaBUV8DZ72R2jzn82G6gceetpX0QySh2CLyUhabLgUetEovPs8x48DoPnkxej1W_vblksXPlzoneTRXI8DMCdHh0qL8EyeBaRIJO7gA01Uz2Hcy7QdcH8VFSoTY8Qq-UJSm0OX--qXeuNJWXaTYA/w428-h640/DSC_2713.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the entrance to the Moody Mansion, W. L Moody, Jr. built about 1894,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OJ1V3Qwu_HT2IUa-GjO5LoZlkYGhBUys4XWmtmTdl3A6zZTYaoM2Bys80V84889vO-mlxrXmmp6dm66Uz_tLVCsyz4ZREoDMCR7vYfzNuLthwjFP2aecdig0ebDCKNM4xYAtuWoIx-4L7doCfMIHXFxO-F9nOUvj19aGxnzA2IeRZ7GU-c6V2Fl2mg/s3872/DSC_2714.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OJ1V3Qwu_HT2IUa-GjO5LoZlkYGhBUys4XWmtmTdl3A6zZTYaoM2Bys80V84889vO-mlxrXmmp6dm66Uz_tLVCsyz4ZREoDMCR7vYfzNuLthwjFP2aecdig0ebDCKNM4xYAtuWoIx-4L7doCfMIHXFxO-F9nOUvj19aGxnzA2IeRZ7GU-c6V2Fl2mg/w428-h640/DSC_2714.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with views of the right exterior...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7mcYPzTg0BblDw6ehTSZZX6zJkJPX2X8Nbi_NAmarvNCrA3bfE1_8dB-q4Fapk1nGpXEchjo44KMLGqpTYHLoT3JHAhsxMzv0fI_26pcqnZXV3Ssvv_MK0ISr3K-xd_003gSg9yavIqKdCPkwtwQgD-CZEeQ_yQNHZuI6AUHOTuDdybqdgZAUeb-zQ/s3872/DSC_2715.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7mcYPzTg0BblDw6ehTSZZX6zJkJPX2X8Nbi_NAmarvNCrA3bfE1_8dB-q4Fapk1nGpXEchjo44KMLGqpTYHLoT3JHAhsxMzv0fI_26pcqnZXV3Ssvv_MK0ISr3K-xd_003gSg9yavIqKdCPkwtwQgD-CZEeQ_yQNHZuI6AUHOTuDdybqdgZAUeb-zQ/w428-h640/DSC_2715.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and left exterior...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEpbXZmuE7Iz-UWodQEGUFDPqdSGp2aZnUhhmGNxklpuAUnPeTaZdr6HjsVWFEGLkykcW4_iPw6prvQ--J6tnNjHuKIGuG2K_R-maZM7Gk0gW1CdYr-B9fMBGVHfHkbWwwZBCtJM4Ta5bS59Fa0sQPo5v4UgYFqYLNWxQTWcPOa3maPNkO5I2z-Jogw/s4608/DSCN6657.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEpbXZmuE7Iz-UWodQEGUFDPqdSGp2aZnUhhmGNxklpuAUnPeTaZdr6HjsVWFEGLkykcW4_iPw6prvQ--J6tnNjHuKIGuG2K_R-maZM7Gk0gW1CdYr-B9fMBGVHfHkbWwwZBCtJM4Ta5bS59Fa0sQPo5v4UgYFqYLNWxQTWcPOa3maPNkO5I2z-Jogw/w640-h480/DSCN6657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and side of the mansion.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2eMDQNKAQgqxQCkE64WHzmIYYOZp9Nw0t33LqNWTN7hE4KMJ9e3qLihuqK81_nPJTeU-yI8HehB9zubCUVUIdsejo7sarARqPtvvC9KN9NCf2E3yPEgM_DZtCQAmOg7njeqdrTQC8o1A1ep3YBYh9Fy78F6KzOJbR8T382eGbA4VzZOBTZarSGmQgQ/s4608/DSCN6659.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2eMDQNKAQgqxQCkE64WHzmIYYOZp9Nw0t33LqNWTN7hE4KMJ9e3qLihuqK81_nPJTeU-yI8HehB9zubCUVUIdsejo7sarARqPtvvC9KN9NCf2E3yPEgM_DZtCQAmOg7njeqdrTQC8o1A1ep3YBYh9Fy78F6KzOJbR8T382eGbA4VzZOBTZarSGmQgQ/w640-h480/DSCN6659.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details of the family crest over the entrance door.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTGnNReeaJE0XXnv1M3G09SuvHn8MpC3erWzpp5Io-Mh4IVuvG_ng55er486a-ORgdzpky6FQs8Yjtdvs2DYMhAjPxoDxYdQp16lmdD8mbUGRfc3i1AR_qNasQEsMq12Mvq_ePv3MawvgGXk0kxJtZeBhZwmv2LXBb_4BBTwfbqZz5cxXvYOJdiKerQ/s4608/DSCN6663.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTGnNReeaJE0XXnv1M3G09SuvHn8MpC3erWzpp5Io-Mh4IVuvG_ng55er486a-ORgdzpky6FQs8Yjtdvs2DYMhAjPxoDxYdQp16lmdD8mbUGRfc3i1AR_qNasQEsMq12Mvq_ePv3MawvgGXk0kxJtZeBhZwmv2LXBb_4BBTwfbqZz5cxXvYOJdiKerQ/w640-h480/DSCN6663.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garage contained three antique cars used by the Moody's, including this Cadillac.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64Wcf0bRxZPAWU6bozlx22jUm0XpRocv0TfB2csPr_Cq5RfTCLSiy0gSxuPT5us7lZJf8HzYNiMAX5hkL3ce11okE4rjZkAYQvssjqTjPMKDmylyCzirNtu3DOivgfAOLoK9KjayT3zq9ttNdkjXKFw804qqdLNaGwZLGFVUMOsxdulq_iF1w7vSRQg/s4608/DSCN6671.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64Wcf0bRxZPAWU6bozlx22jUm0XpRocv0TfB2csPr_Cq5RfTCLSiy0gSxuPT5us7lZJf8HzYNiMAX5hkL3ce11okE4rjZkAYQvssjqTjPMKDmylyCzirNtu3DOivgfAOLoK9KjayT3zq9ttNdkjXKFw804qqdLNaGwZLGFVUMOsxdulq_iF1w7vSRQg/w480-h640/DSCN6671.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling of the parlor...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqchNa6ZRw9ue35pcScG1JjgtjQqb5tvnvDNQCKqdOxwlZXTkfwZhakM4_W7TFdD11UXbcXqmavIIK1-__BA-PTYsE69vvyUzcljRkdmW_Wawy7hYIPPjF9CHz1RNeg_GHpvize1du9I-dmjQ_hixYowLLOWHzRgsZ6lNbd3wYxlqUAtrsv5ut2NHpg/s4608/DSCN6672.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqchNa6ZRw9ue35pcScG1JjgtjQqb5tvnvDNQCKqdOxwlZXTkfwZhakM4_W7TFdD11UXbcXqmavIIK1-__BA-PTYsE69vvyUzcljRkdmW_Wawy7hYIPPjF9CHz1RNeg_GHpvize1du9I-dmjQ_hixYowLLOWHzRgsZ6lNbd3wYxlqUAtrsv5ut2NHpg/w480-h640/DSCN6672.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the fireplace in the parlor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1L8IG6It-ILbjkiq3D345xIuW7jt7ETarWZo9N6_u9F5GR3qTKP_QrdfF04I1gUHoUCleGzownLQABLg0eiGlAH0rnjxYjQsceZZW5VC_b_qIfhVkzcrfSqaVlcJsp-GVZEEasb8TF7O-EDFh5hX_XSc7gJ2OrnWf45I3M8o4HdvhkthUwQ2EGPTJg/s4608/DSCN6673.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1L8IG6It-ILbjkiq3D345xIuW7jt7ETarWZo9N6_u9F5GR3qTKP_QrdfF04I1gUHoUCleGzownLQABLg0eiGlAH0rnjxYjQsceZZW5VC_b_qIfhVkzcrfSqaVlcJsp-GVZEEasb8TF7O-EDFh5hX_XSc7gJ2OrnWf45I3M8o4HdvhkthUwQ2EGPTJg/w480-h640/DSCN6673.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the parlor into the library.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rqlCSME3EYWK2uogT-DAdlM-y5Y-QqzQr82OLNlGT-AhU_OcScmgUwud-yGGH6xgFEogwdLXovjEKjCq4_7YW9ZKumC_6br01NhPip_yZ2iigQRybeL_F_BFXZf8wuEmuAOCsUbAgwl9XKvHG4ZkdNBFlQyPJmaDz-j2sAWRe998ND-8vgKL5DxyDg/s4608/DSCN6683.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rqlCSME3EYWK2uogT-DAdlM-y5Y-QqzQr82OLNlGT-AhU_OcScmgUwud-yGGH6xgFEogwdLXovjEKjCq4_7YW9ZKumC_6br01NhPip_yZ2iigQRybeL_F_BFXZf8wuEmuAOCsUbAgwl9XKvHG4ZkdNBFlQyPJmaDz-j2sAWRe998ND-8vgKL5DxyDg/w640-h480/DSCN6683.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dining room of the mansion...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8a0LWs0cTa0zTgvPnYL8XLtruurpW1baD8EXE5H6yvHKdfyNYf2kmWzfQ8aEqQjAcVnJIJXSEpfhRpJtXvmETe6Myb_jPtCCpqci6BJId3QV6yFgJ01uEy9KCo-Kvc7HDZxPVtuZVsoWM8nz3ehTvZ_ev1LJjyHnaVe_2w49c4PwzLNiKxB7Ips2eA/s4608/DSCN6684.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8a0LWs0cTa0zTgvPnYL8XLtruurpW1baD8EXE5H6yvHKdfyNYf2kmWzfQ8aEqQjAcVnJIJXSEpfhRpJtXvmETe6Myb_jPtCCpqci6BJId3QV6yFgJ01uEy9KCo-Kvc7HDZxPVtuZVsoWM8nz3ehTvZ_ev1LJjyHnaVe_2w49c4PwzLNiKxB7Ips2eA/w640-h480/DSCN6684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with its elaborate coffered ceiling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh247SGvc-1e520kw-nkXTLYWyxRgHRkoCkNuOs81pY7NhaHf520MhnqawR9rI3hiUUrK7Y2mRf8PC7fyA8AHVq9ScGAm6rX3dAqGwG8iXtg7izsSP3f_j8-Op50blfmTDAAZEC6Y9vnpG0VCj7-v2x5ZJRtCI_kPF9nwGaeWSxsiNEpNMgA7tLknUysw/s4608/DSCN6688.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh247SGvc-1e520kw-nkXTLYWyxRgHRkoCkNuOs81pY7NhaHf520MhnqawR9rI3hiUUrK7Y2mRf8PC7fyA8AHVq9ScGAm6rX3dAqGwG8iXtg7izsSP3f_j8-Op50blfmTDAAZEC6Y9vnpG0VCj7-v2x5ZJRtCI_kPF9nwGaeWSxsiNEpNMgA7tLknUysw/w640-h480/DSCN6688.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the ballroom, which accounts for its lack of furniture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBEIwfPQq89Fdh_-p4kf7peqDn5xx5YkjAXOKhx6eeWTOtwMQNpP1o4LdFthQ9nXgyZvktD63bEcGiWotBR63JRBNff_0nG4gDlhoJrIw-DlNvjoclSZc9L_YsWk7WbADksiQy6Qe2MtI_-hqsiAUAi8ipKL1wIsvCEzyN8sD2rgehIbF9LAVIajdWg/s4608/DSCN6700.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBEIwfPQq89Fdh_-p4kf7peqDn5xx5YkjAXOKhx6eeWTOtwMQNpP1o4LdFthQ9nXgyZvktD63bEcGiWotBR63JRBNff_0nG4gDlhoJrIw-DlNvjoclSZc9L_YsWk7WbADksiQy6Qe2MtI_-hqsiAUAi8ipKL1wIsvCEzyN8sD2rgehIbF9LAVIajdWg/w480-h640/DSCN6700.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stained glass window was off the stairway leading to the upstairs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOOLraIDu6A8sXCJ3kN2UywMIbUMCcUcUksxYK8DrzIf3nSoEVOnCWWRJ1umvHHIhMi6IGQhGUYYrqc5YznUfppsKeA2jI5wWbKVjNi9RktRcBk8gv9wNtS7GYoWeKTfr7lalt5shRHaQCbVvSIfdMi3w7xTOICVAuhvUeczDwdAJG49y-m71295E4g/s4608/DSCN6705.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOOLraIDu6A8sXCJ3kN2UywMIbUMCcUcUksxYK8DrzIf3nSoEVOnCWWRJ1umvHHIhMi6IGQhGUYYrqc5YznUfppsKeA2jI5wWbKVjNi9RktRcBk8gv9wNtS7GYoWeKTfr7lalt5shRHaQCbVvSIfdMi3w7xTOICVAuhvUeczDwdAJG49y-m71295E4g/w640-h480/DSCN6705.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the original master bath of W.L. Moody, Jr. The tank on the wall is 129 years old.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9HIxsEUVeGxbAPE2W_JPnuMZ-GeSw8rxNnjRNbM_O3esN7OTOC3W_iArbJ7_VAtwdcv_eEj7pT6kYCIv-QsfU29dMZcMZYxSNWtexFhd_vqPvPbdGsCrxqFoqu4r-b-vg2O4xYcDwqfnlCqCA2xThMvGViY-YFQ2mWLHlT6VBO8k-3DcfpBRnVILuw/s4608/DSCN6714.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9HIxsEUVeGxbAPE2W_JPnuMZ-GeSw8rxNnjRNbM_O3esN7OTOC3W_iArbJ7_VAtwdcv_eEj7pT6kYCIv-QsfU29dMZcMZYxSNWtexFhd_vqPvPbdGsCrxqFoqu4r-b-vg2O4xYcDwqfnlCqCA2xThMvGViY-YFQ2mWLHlT6VBO8k-3DcfpBRnVILuw/w640-h480/DSCN6714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were all clothes worn by Mary Moody Northen (1892-1986) who was groomed to take over the leadership of the family businesses after the 1936 death of her brother.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAmjs483xgqXl9Y6j0d2xs_DZ9vyunb_s_Uu8bxBMKGnIo7RUZtXzjyWQnHq5ts336QCNMllMg6Y_r8GunDZfl2RiwKtVDUF_4E2AujW5xjQCxRgBIWHeqrHVfOj4inTAyi6mto3kAYJKGPu-J8xOfr-9iVPWWce0x_Su8magMrmrM7COI-F0FmqMXA/s4608/DSCN6715.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAmjs483xgqXl9Y6j0d2xs_DZ9vyunb_s_Uu8bxBMKGnIo7RUZtXzjyWQnHq5ts336QCNMllMg6Y_r8GunDZfl2RiwKtVDUF_4E2AujW5xjQCxRgBIWHeqrHVfOj4inTAyi6mto3kAYJKGPu-J8xOfr-9iVPWWce0x_Su8magMrmrM7COI-F0FmqMXA/w480-h640/DSCN6715.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary rescued these doors from the home of Col. William Lewis Moody (her grandfather). The Moody family's financial success dates to the years following the Civil War, when Virginia native Col. William Lewis Moody (1828-1920) established a cotton, wool and mercantile business on Galveston Island.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMea7QbUHtJ_9LLcf1-KKkl4zV7RusMS39bzDFBEEyCwcn0TNrLkqXt5W820A2A2DO9OaD0KVM6nM1iaJwwmZOtkJi5oLYBLXIOq7k76JldcMCxVmv9b8lNNfu-gLfjXrayDpCEI6-zEm0dFxoLy0UPNR1jl9gcWRKAkU1IzxeaugCrFvWNvtDK6bOWw/s4608/DSCN6718.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMea7QbUHtJ_9LLcf1-KKkl4zV7RusMS39bzDFBEEyCwcn0TNrLkqXt5W820A2A2DO9OaD0KVM6nM1iaJwwmZOtkJi5oLYBLXIOq7k76JldcMCxVmv9b8lNNfu-gLfjXrayDpCEI6-zEm0dFxoLy0UPNR1jl9gcWRKAkU1IzxeaugCrFvWNvtDK6bOWw/w480-h640/DSCN6718.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior entrance door to the mansion.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B9HsyC3XUjSHZH7ukriuLlIL6WaahRkzXrNg4K23yN8rdxiSTqC7zHFwe_8vyPKzfjR_8VDkz7dpFmxuOJZcs7i6TpfSVx00gTMHR-LEhxCeLW956Z9tKVUuzLB1RlhOThLXHE80TbX3Xja1DYBibC43x09rJ6EJqJPXSKCMWnOGz8FsMM_C2Tooqg/s4608/DSCN6720.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B9HsyC3XUjSHZH7ukriuLlIL6WaahRkzXrNg4K23yN8rdxiSTqC7zHFwe_8vyPKzfjR_8VDkz7dpFmxuOJZcs7i6TpfSVx00gTMHR-LEhxCeLW956Z9tKVUuzLB1RlhOThLXHE80TbX3Xja1DYBibC43x09rJ6EJqJPXSKCMWnOGz8FsMM_C2Tooqg/w640-h480/DSCN6720.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary built this serpentine wall which was copied from Thomas Jefferson's serpentine wall. The back and forth serpentine pattern gave the wall more strength and allowed it to be only one brick thick.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8ZNkXep75u7FVoImE6ElRduC9b3aoijQm51E-4SoSaXjc-byeKOXr5PvBaUazc9X_Pzba17A6U8ZU3bRlBwFozjLvo15Pqk2VsoCv6SqNq3XZon6U3sRV1jd7_K4cffYIYW6eNvHzNn7EVERcMdM3ivioU2dvlMb3L6DXCXVHJrKEjkQyY-MJ9uAHg/s4608/DSCN6721.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8ZNkXep75u7FVoImE6ElRduC9b3aoijQm51E-4SoSaXjc-byeKOXr5PvBaUazc9X_Pzba17A6U8ZU3bRlBwFozjLvo15Pqk2VsoCv6SqNq3XZon6U3sRV1jd7_K4cffYIYW6eNvHzNn7EVERcMdM3ivioU2dvlMb3L6DXCXVHJrKEjkQyY-MJ9uAHg/w640-h480/DSCN6721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a sign posted in the diner where we ate lunch, demonstrating that not all of Texas follows the conservative dictates of Governor Greg Abbott.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>KM 1838 to km 2055 Featured Guest # 1 - Beverly</u></p><p style="text-align: left;">Relation: Co-worker and Friend from San Antonio Days</p><p style="text-align: left;">Time Known: 44 years</p><p style="text-align: left;">Anecdote: Beverly & I worked at an Ad & PR firm owned by 2 lecherous brothers well before the #me too movement was a thing. Spent our time promoting crazy Texas politicians, disreputable car dealers and other unpromotable entities while watching each others backs to ward off the relentless advances of the Pitluk boys.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We spent Father's Day/ Juneteenth (It's a National Holiday - who knew!?!) at Weights & Measures restaurant a protracted & highly wonderful lunch with Beverly and then on to Kingswood.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CZ2y4OTkgJJ2hHd53WYHqgpfQLEmHvyBPVTrgPdYCuzukomEh7Q5Y4anGPkG4AtHm951achEIxDbuJtkd_baZrZEvPZoGoaeMa-PqpPfmvwtwNpMMkhd_Gw7Ia5QJFHs6n5VCj504ZPg6EDgWnLDSIo3uzvp00Srs6q89NZX-kJbiegN4hwrKkbuvQ/s1024/DSS%20&%20Beverly%20Elam.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CZ2y4OTkgJJ2hHd53WYHqgpfQLEmHvyBPVTrgPdYCuzukomEh7Q5Y4anGPkG4AtHm951achEIxDbuJtkd_baZrZEvPZoGoaeMa-PqpPfmvwtwNpMMkhd_Gw7Ia5QJFHs6n5VCj504ZPg6EDgWnLDSIo3uzvp00Srs6q89NZX-kJbiegN4hwrKkbuvQ/w480-h640/DSS%20&%20Beverly%20Elam.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre & Beverly</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>Featured Guests # 2: Laura & Daryl & Family</u></p><p style="text-align: left;">Relations: Ex Au Pair (definitely) & Cousin (sort of)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Time known: Daryl - 45ish years. Laura - 32 years.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Anecdote: Laura was 18 years old when she came to us as our au pair to Justin (2 years old) & Alex (newborn). She came to Michael's family reunion (you will too next month), Daryl & Laura met and the rest is history.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We spent the evening and stayed overnight with them. We met Keith, Natasha's (Daryl & Laura's daughter) fiancee who will soon be thrown to the wolves, --- sorry, introduced to the extended family at the reunion. Fell in love with their pets (one cat & one dog). Missed Cameron - the son. Onward to New Orleans.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLWvIdmWF6LV86DKm76tSk0wWKa036SmU3NrMC2k2q_icZhNUwAFZXIh2STmUxflWlLQpPrdVYw90E2zfnO-eDueTIrbRyrZbK-r1OD_1-8_ty9EXtaxj-4rH1EpgIEU7mxRRM_NnObw6jlRPp0SOXMwgJZ-zyLypyKCOEsmbo9pIhGgM7GhEpmfUTQ/s3872/DSC_2727.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLWvIdmWF6LV86DKm76tSk0wWKa036SmU3NrMC2k2q_icZhNUwAFZXIh2STmUxflWlLQpPrdVYw90E2zfnO-eDueTIrbRyrZbK-r1OD_1-8_ty9EXtaxj-4rH1EpgIEU7mxRRM_NnObw6jlRPp0SOXMwgJZ-zyLypyKCOEsmbo9pIhGgM7GhEpmfUTQ/w640-h428/DSC_2727.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right - Michael, Keith, Natasha, Rosie, Laura, Deirdre and Daryl</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u>Riding to the City of New Orleans: 2055 kms to 2597 kms</u></p><p style="text-align: left;">Once more settled into our car we tuned in NPR and began drifting over the bayous towards New Orleans. We lost NPR mid Bayou and found it replaced by the American Family News network - a broadcast medium designed to inundate us with MAGA based thinking. You can refer to our upcoming Special Edition: <u>Heard & Seen On The Road</u> to fully appreciate the "wisdom" dispensed by AFN.</p><p style="text-align: left;">New Orleans is a filthy, gritty wonder of a city. We set off early to beat the heat (impossible) and started at Jackson Square. Jackson seems to be everywhere in the South. He was a truly terrible person who: 1) initiated the "Trail of Tears" (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears</a>), 2) abused his Presidential powers, and 3) was Donald Trump's favorite president. Three strikes and you're out - but not in the South.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We then went to the St. Louis Cathedral (the oldest operating Catholic Cathedral in the United States), named after King Louis IX (the crusading King who was canonized by the Catholic Church). After this we went to the two museums abutting the Cathedral on the Square. The best part was the museum dedicated to Mardi Gras. Michael's photos will do the work here. However, I would note that almost no mention was made of Black Mardi Gras. Anyone who watched Treme would know that this was a BIG mistake because their costumes were very, very cool. Michael will include some self explanatory photos on an exhibit of New Orleans culture. There was some brief mention of The Battle of New Orleans (Jackson again & an annoyingly memorable song - "In 1814 we took a little trip ..."). Enough. The 1850 House and the Carousel Bar rounded out the six hours we could withstand the heat and humidity.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Back to our VRBO rental where we met our hosts who were really interesting. Jeanne (female) had lived with her first husband and kids on a converted barge (it ended up about 2,000 sq. ft.) in a bayou for twenty years. She said it was marvelous while admitting she had to keep a close eye on her kids and dogs since the gators were very hungry most times. Interestingly, the hubby had tagged (I believe this means killed) over 900 gators. We <u>always</u> meet interesting folk when we rent VRBO.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Mike, our other host, graciously offered to take us to the World War II museum on his pass. That place is huge and truly fascinating. Michael's Dad fought in the Pacific, so following "The Route to Tokyo" exhibit was particularly interesting for him. (His mother also served in the WAVES during the war.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNYTAzZ4AKgLdNzNFNm2xL_Xj-OZkwnj0KCm4DqTS7oHTSYQUcpUjLVF5i7Jq9BxfYt8bPIZdM0Qtz5TVlXSHVAV2nWJGBGKBl-akmmZj6ZCtiR8RyzSqZQ9dfP5OtUOXj4lMCfm5PSicaU805hKlCRPxoSxcUYf3lfrfYm8X27ADtDAGaqZSBAMsKQ/s4608/DSCN6724.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNYTAzZ4AKgLdNzNFNm2xL_Xj-OZkwnj0KCm4DqTS7oHTSYQUcpUjLVF5i7Jq9BxfYt8bPIZdM0Qtz5TVlXSHVAV2nWJGBGKBl-akmmZj6ZCtiR8RyzSqZQ9dfP5OtUOXj4lMCfm5PSicaU805hKlCRPxoSxcUYf3lfrfYm8X27ADtDAGaqZSBAMsKQ/w480-h640/DSCN6724.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iconic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square behind the flowering crape myrtle trees...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcuUq5tIzXN37tAKdWUIFmzT2oa2dNhRrgmuZmd889KaeZZTgGLdBr-jP5XBLcHA5Zhx63aZu9Qcat5sfWZqGebP6i9c2FzYGnxyj47leMDLOj0kVlKnC2eD_SGqFh46LNxzQTW3pGHX-316DQLwG9DAqG0WxxjM_SsYBMh4I_G48B3tU_Umez_YXlw/s4608/DSCN6725.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcuUq5tIzXN37tAKdWUIFmzT2oa2dNhRrgmuZmd889KaeZZTgGLdBr-jP5XBLcHA5Zhx63aZu9Qcat5sfWZqGebP6i9c2FzYGnxyj47leMDLOj0kVlKnC2eD_SGqFh46LNxzQTW3pGHX-316DQLwG9DAqG0WxxjM_SsYBMh4I_G48B3tU_Umez_YXlw/w480-h640/DSCN6725.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a full view of the front facade. The cathedral was completed in 1851 and is the oldest active cathedral in the US.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHBfY-dZhsAcu4zLMaQDHkUjgtpptxsyUjxyfU5zI5LGwdk7E5MghOGIxfwlviX4mGICddd-jEmQ9QXhCEI5DUqBkHRvE5Hou10GsX8DaTrtxRVJNPamcUaTZFz1tbpJaRacwuxd-cNMPmAR8kmltJUf0gAUMHcF8VJiG0p7o72VhprnmMkS_6Z0SAw/s4608/DSCN6726.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHBfY-dZhsAcu4zLMaQDHkUjgtpptxsyUjxyfU5zI5LGwdk7E5MghOGIxfwlviX4mGICddd-jEmQ9QXhCEI5DUqBkHRvE5Hou10GsX8DaTrtxRVJNPamcUaTZFz1tbpJaRacwuxd-cNMPmAR8kmltJUf0gAUMHcF8VJiG0p7o72VhprnmMkS_6Z0SAw/w640-h480/DSCN6726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left side of the cathedral is the Cabildo, which is now a Louisiana State Museum...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnHBUhOKRalG5d6DPo0G40SIZ4awdvaRLkEAEwOV8ZfBaH-Lh0o20WoCKT9Vz_IZMVEJ2Nj22D4os0lGcg-76MYdYD8LU1Sax_1IAHbo-SHd-4-GbKYK4POZnE6hECeut7KjY_mdhX6SO7jcqRP9qgKG238IVrkeaG0JYoGUuVsMvwzgr0rxmxQquRA/s4608/DSCN6728.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnHBUhOKRalG5d6DPo0G40SIZ4awdvaRLkEAEwOV8ZfBaH-Lh0o20WoCKT9Vz_IZMVEJ2Nj22D4os0lGcg-76MYdYD8LU1Sax_1IAHbo-SHd-4-GbKYK4POZnE6hECeut7KjY_mdhX6SO7jcqRP9qgKG238IVrkeaG0JYoGUuVsMvwzgr0rxmxQquRA/w640-h480/DSCN6728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and on the right side bookending the cathedral is the Presbytere (now also a Louisiana State Museum).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ7nFoW5vrTqZt0D3UjIBHI3ejPEcNnMJ52Dt0rdRVWPvzotZuUQwhzC7IOpDUozH8HMl56aTH07resi4ZW0_C2xN1nFjOM0m0MOILqRnDMDDeiEEjhibcxXG3-kY_7aqapqk1wxTmXKkAlbXQwXIUWPR0Ey301vTvI17FYPGXcHAukNkwpTsTuS-ig/s4608/DSCN6730.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ7nFoW5vrTqZt0D3UjIBHI3ejPEcNnMJ52Dt0rdRVWPvzotZuUQwhzC7IOpDUozH8HMl56aTH07resi4ZW0_C2xN1nFjOM0m0MOILqRnDMDDeiEEjhibcxXG3-kY_7aqapqk1wxTmXKkAlbXQwXIUWPR0Ey301vTvI17FYPGXcHAukNkwpTsTuS-ig/w480-h640/DSCN6730.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These interior photos of the cathedral will give you some idea of the opulent, ornateness of the cathedral.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsvxcffG8LdBVsg72xehxQD4K4NJscFN1EjGWukH2Qx2Fp9KTKRWrpjc4HvA3LatfGzDVWe6LQhS6qFs3fh-iLqIrRIbiuT1_rYugWmuGCeyje0zZK3Su4qyD-ZWYQ6ibWpdUEpOHSHCfAjdFr0MPfDpTDqsvSaKsOAT9HeNcDwo_GPpjy6PE64bGiA/s4608/DSCN6733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsvxcffG8LdBVsg72xehxQD4K4NJscFN1EjGWukH2Qx2Fp9KTKRWrpjc4HvA3LatfGzDVWe6LQhS6qFs3fh-iLqIrRIbiuT1_rYugWmuGCeyje0zZK3Su4qyD-ZWYQ6ibWpdUEpOHSHCfAjdFr0MPfDpTDqsvSaKsOAT9HeNcDwo_GPpjy6PE64bGiA/w640-h480/DSCN6733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitURZyrniM63QgO6LK2OfRaM93tLjG70t3WDpG3fLxRS9zTJL2LkqquLOnIyiQKl-lq4TjqGu0C6CMvcg4DRpFSFGXb3-Klgl1b6oUh0JSpz_sX0Au4xRMziyC9ewZSAh7D1UB74jcIdsk9gfdj5-QogF2IOqudIRrKHfsY8rY7D3NBCADV8v7EjnyDg/s4608/DSCN6734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitURZyrniM63QgO6LK2OfRaM93tLjG70t3WDpG3fLxRS9zTJL2LkqquLOnIyiQKl-lq4TjqGu0C6CMvcg4DRpFSFGXb3-Klgl1b6oUh0JSpz_sX0Au4xRMziyC9ewZSAh7D1UB74jcIdsk9gfdj5-QogF2IOqudIRrKHfsY8rY7D3NBCADV8v7EjnyDg/w640-h480/DSCN6734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsZ7keLnSPZy92F2ZQMw-jNM2GnpDbDcP_c0k9fYrHnSNh1YuEZTrHD95zH4QJkIoWcXCqSZG_y4ViQlj7usnHWAMV61UbzZvKay3MXOHprr5KGknhFAX2I5pTZxmkM44ztZAH-4PSC7-ZPyyTKwj-ThT7YCvsDwKB1rR3droWdWmKPAw1E85A-btXQ/s4608/DSCN6739.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsZ7keLnSPZy92F2ZQMw-jNM2GnpDbDcP_c0k9fYrHnSNh1YuEZTrHD95zH4QJkIoWcXCqSZG_y4ViQlj7usnHWAMV61UbzZvKay3MXOHprr5KGknhFAX2I5pTZxmkM44ztZAH-4PSC7-ZPyyTKwj-ThT7YCvsDwKB1rR3droWdWmKPAw1E85A-btXQ/w480-h640/DSCN6739.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThg_8fzk8Uu3UpxWzcZ8FINOOpxKdPuAjQPc99PB1_FE6FRe_x1nujq4GS86lmz3Tyn93giAi5NjWYrbvprLpEvfdgtyW-XR3DBAO7fx8VoGdesrIWkuYlmtIwJY9LnBxJIvt_O-Ntaah1j9BCRnfwdxRi9grS4_3YRlbkB1z9fbBw3jTMeR6q5IV9Q/s4608/DSCN6740.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThg_8fzk8Uu3UpxWzcZ8FINOOpxKdPuAjQPc99PB1_FE6FRe_x1nujq4GS86lmz3Tyn93giAi5NjWYrbvprLpEvfdgtyW-XR3DBAO7fx8VoGdesrIWkuYlmtIwJY9LnBxJIvt_O-Ntaah1j9BCRnfwdxRi9grS4_3YRlbkB1z9fbBw3jTMeR6q5IV9Q/w480-h640/DSCN6740.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLtVAzlz-1b8f8GPSohI2RgXFThTBpPkVI0Ocv1_NIifQtvD5qlUgbz0gRDCwhxr260zgT10ds_q1txksLm_KW7nlayy1fPQPYDiU52GfhQsMUGaI2lEOxWsKyZrYdP38ze-tjyrVIg5qP47-HA3-6kPQvNsMNeFdPNJ2-clPSJeiB5QJG562A8MkGQ/s4608/DSCN6742.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLtVAzlz-1b8f8GPSohI2RgXFThTBpPkVI0Ocv1_NIifQtvD5qlUgbz0gRDCwhxr260zgT10ds_q1txksLm_KW7nlayy1fPQPYDiU52GfhQsMUGaI2lEOxWsKyZrYdP38ze-tjyrVIg5qP47-HA3-6kPQvNsMNeFdPNJ2-clPSJeiB5QJG562A8MkGQ/w480-h640/DSCN6742.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv2QMq5UVYq62vrQCrmGU3JUQBTuYEz9hXsEJr-LKaOHNRFpppulVP4-5UC8LdnT2ajEliiqhMPIl0ZfakA-tp5D8-3WXQp1651GxJo5IEbhE_YYftefsEL53h6G9qIJEeRxlIuuI7P-SRmXCEzv_XMUn86QHaesRBiNd7kQwyhdiQJoBT9CNTEHSnw/s4608/DSCN6751.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv2QMq5UVYq62vrQCrmGU3JUQBTuYEz9hXsEJr-LKaOHNRFpppulVP4-5UC8LdnT2ajEliiqhMPIl0ZfakA-tp5D8-3WXQp1651GxJo5IEbhE_YYftefsEL53h6G9qIJEeRxlIuuI7P-SRmXCEzv_XMUn86QHaesRBiNd7kQwyhdiQJoBT9CNTEHSnw/w640-h480/DSCN6751.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Presbytere contained a history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans which was started in 1872 by some civic minded citizens. This is the Rex krewe (the oldest and original krewe from the founding) with its moto "Pro Bono Publico" ("For the Public Good" for you non-Latin scholars). The three primary colors of purple (for Justice), green (for Faith) and gold (for Power) chosen to represent the official colors of Mardi Gras are all present here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHozpgdvBCkELQ4_vtDdRWh04unrkozWnIrnYnAiY6OP1rVF8Ktwo__6uvMrbTusBhqCQMLXebyoxc_FiDBqUqh1PNN-n7uvza66Ke4lG4p5b2bogulKW9Fhi-HWQZ82FDecxyMFVciNWEMCGgRTVcH54EG4kYLmIst1g1zfOU-9vDs7inq0pqLNsng/s4608/DSCN6756.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHozpgdvBCkELQ4_vtDdRWh04unrkozWnIrnYnAiY6OP1rVF8Ktwo__6uvMrbTusBhqCQMLXebyoxc_FiDBqUqh1PNN-n7uvza66Ke4lG4p5b2bogulKW9Fhi-HWQZ82FDecxyMFVciNWEMCGgRTVcH54EG4kYLmIst1g1zfOU-9vDs7inq0pqLNsng/w480-h640/DSCN6756.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of the original Mardi Gras costumes for Rex...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTUBqLAuAV8QcI83I4oVqgJNLt7jMSGor8tDsiNBz3ID7odPa72LpFh5OnWXjzMRT3jz69arEk_kbMa8-c65yV97ZYg3OS0wGPp36F2ZzjnYXFDlPCSTlPAOo2BeUc_HqG9OHJQ0IDK5MW-RQynPHvWjTQ-ycm0B_QvO2wiaj0SUXRH099paji_MATA/s4608/DSCN6759.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTUBqLAuAV8QcI83I4oVqgJNLt7jMSGor8tDsiNBz3ID7odPa72LpFh5OnWXjzMRT3jz69arEk_kbMa8-c65yV97ZYg3OS0wGPp36F2ZzjnYXFDlPCSTlPAOo2BeUc_HqG9OHJQ0IDK5MW-RQynPHvWjTQ-ycm0B_QvO2wiaj0SUXRH099paji_MATA/w640-h480/DSCN6759.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">his court...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_havRZhFlvtyUIHn3iaVjiSJutE49KF9eRWoRpGZZa6sgh_K75Am5rofaXNuxbYu3JhrcfT80yatwNDtJ8OtSraXuAmk6GgC4M46SE2gRIoNIEd18hdm3MmMeROg4WL8ZiKV2AL86kMEVZ3-cODTBf9S75fdxkVO9MOgfYQ_f8Ae25TOJmUtfguNFVQ/s4608/DSCN6763.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_havRZhFlvtyUIHn3iaVjiSJutE49KF9eRWoRpGZZa6sgh_K75Am5rofaXNuxbYu3JhrcfT80yatwNDtJ8OtSraXuAmk6GgC4M46SE2gRIoNIEd18hdm3MmMeROg4WL8ZiKV2AL86kMEVZ3-cODTBf9S75fdxkVO9MOgfYQ_f8Ae25TOJmUtfguNFVQ/w480-h640/DSCN6763.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and his queen are on display at the museum. There have been 143 kings with the youngest at 31 and the oldest at 75.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkBqJqkYDD1qbXmPOiEaHjOXkNwtfrQL3YIviTquq8JzD8z2FAYsUSGvjh0qrB9mJUhduVlg54PNs7HKBAL43dY6fUQOrmKmgHZl0hZSPY7FV8hmXFIU3PTe3oMFDPZ9EEDEkDK1XvvXkTKp7ZNYzkRPw4nRMk6dGdhfUTQ2sCd8dQ7qFIBAjlf7m6A/s4608/DSCN6764.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkBqJqkYDD1qbXmPOiEaHjOXkNwtfrQL3YIviTquq8JzD8z2FAYsUSGvjh0qrB9mJUhduVlg54PNs7HKBAL43dY6fUQOrmKmgHZl0hZSPY7FV8hmXFIU3PTe3oMFDPZ9EEDEkDK1XvvXkTKp7ZNYzkRPw4nRMk6dGdhfUTQ2sCd8dQ7qFIBAjlf7m6A/w640-h480/DSCN6764.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx08b8-kl4_E76Y8ucWzJ2xD5X7N-klN0hv-VSyNVJY07NoVKfNi0DZPfozPDPsvFH3cHxrrIKCVVk8cftEbnf_2XSOgk6T_dKHVRo4QE6gNetZcvt13KD_kUJtcWbs167-lh6h1OSVtSeu0aO358ZnJqZLLjz0oTQEinXqhRN_OkDG_lVpmsS5-qFg/s4608/DSCN6765.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx08b8-kl4_E76Y8ucWzJ2xD5X7N-klN0hv-VSyNVJY07NoVKfNi0DZPfozPDPsvFH3cHxrrIKCVVk8cftEbnf_2XSOgk6T_dKHVRo4QE6gNetZcvt13KD_kUJtcWbs167-lh6h1OSVtSeu0aO358ZnJqZLLjz0oTQEinXqhRN_OkDG_lVpmsS5-qFg/w640-h480/DSCN6765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first unmarried queen was chosen in 1874 and all queens since have been unmarried.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpRiT0PqvQhX0gJNJan4wD0npo7c2Sm_WOxHU5Q_jP4NHgJEr-Q5_nNPsCN-0ENMnPR3VABOCjMlMAvJs_8JNwtJN8WVK68CPF7UUQMnrXjv53z-cp-LWarwgGXrhfuwdAQwUtWl18aQEIQuDCW4HWWktWYk_S3TJHeWRCmMUtEoRg3XvhBoZYZi_rg/s4608/DSCN6772.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpRiT0PqvQhX0gJNJan4wD0npo7c2Sm_WOxHU5Q_jP4NHgJEr-Q5_nNPsCN-0ENMnPR3VABOCjMlMAvJs_8JNwtJN8WVK68CPF7UUQMnrXjv53z-cp-LWarwgGXrhfuwdAQwUtWl18aQEIQuDCW4HWWktWYk_S3TJHeWRCmMUtEoRg3XvhBoZYZi_rg/w480-h640/DSCN6772.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oAIdVgl1OlNkypkZuWFvybEXNfnBvllZ-myEq1L5MRktWKHnDhzEkGlRGS4imTWMscr8jbED-kXFOngsVWCBlEoASQWh52-rBa28jTwCyDZKDnhjSQinV3s2NRkl7jIH1qUtx5yVSycHdvEYKvr1HpI6hFpxWS2-R1g6SGcdnI-buUkqhvaSQcBplg/s4608/DSCN6774.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oAIdVgl1OlNkypkZuWFvybEXNfnBvllZ-myEq1L5MRktWKHnDhzEkGlRGS4imTWMscr8jbED-kXFOngsVWCBlEoASQWh52-rBa28jTwCyDZKDnhjSQinV3s2NRkl7jIH1qUtx5yVSycHdvEYKvr1HpI6hFpxWS2-R1g6SGcdnI-buUkqhvaSQcBplg/w480-h640/DSCN6774.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a costume of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club which was formed in 1909 and incorporated in 1916. It wasn't until 1969 that the club was allowed to parade on Canal Street. This was on display in the Cabildo and was not on display in the Mardi Gras museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iw9i7iOjWtO15osIaARRI9SOZr6WhrL0yvPFh8uuhRi0GDjs1fHN8Ca6b1C-l5T-fJJb1JVzJ_0g7px2m3WFTCnRCdYnhhb84YAb3dX9UExpjkOmhyv7JpBpGTPDCAJrnmC3bn8XMtnq8AOEx5O_Kb5SbI9Opzx8B74gM_A6qRvQFq576BhVCbWe-w/s4608/DSCN6775.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iw9i7iOjWtO15osIaARRI9SOZr6WhrL0yvPFh8uuhRi0GDjs1fHN8Ca6b1C-l5T-fJJb1JVzJ_0g7px2m3WFTCnRCdYnhhb84YAb3dX9UExpjkOmhyv7JpBpGTPDCAJrnmC3bn8XMtnq8AOEx5O_Kb5SbI9Opzx8B74gM_A6qRvQFq576BhVCbWe-w/w480-h640/DSCN6775.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This painting in the Cabildo museum was commissioned to celebrate the tricentennial of New Orleans.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZsDI8tusrkW03vTbG0rNtUzl1EhEVJ34Q3yLaTFIxBQj0VomC8wOVQ8R2SRjtZHJ84QTdQJ5SmKO_ag13TZmS-9n5uyGH8QSzi477D83hdYhAQV1iY72dAMZRieM-jVDCA0zVJFYwGEVcuE7VPii5Huf8bgTHS0Qm3Hv_-pISg8LeoJPLFFZllJ1aw/s4608/DSCN6776.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZsDI8tusrkW03vTbG0rNtUzl1EhEVJ34Q3yLaTFIxBQj0VomC8wOVQ8R2SRjtZHJ84QTdQJ5SmKO_ag13TZmS-9n5uyGH8QSzi477D83hdYhAQV1iY72dAMZRieM-jVDCA0zVJFYwGEVcuE7VPii5Huf8bgTHS0Qm3Hv_-pISg8LeoJPLFFZllJ1aw/w480-h640/DSCN6776.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cabildo museum contained costumes recognizing the contribution of New Orleans to the musical world.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQopPvzciSm_zQq06ST2iP_rCuftF4SrJhwvnTb9I_MdbDzDNI-UHWVsebDB1jw5AU9kHczbgWcUtPx7I8rbGQi3lMY0CEVoFy28j-rnYrE7zaH4SofQhmSc2aaN_a3N0HlvT7rALYncLzE2gv1T0vvQT2SAAZXhYu7IO6fLfpz-wy4H4fBTKKC_EUg/s4608/DSCN6779.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQopPvzciSm_zQq06ST2iP_rCuftF4SrJhwvnTb9I_MdbDzDNI-UHWVsebDB1jw5AU9kHczbgWcUtPx7I8rbGQi3lMY0CEVoFy28j-rnYrE7zaH4SofQhmSc2aaN_a3N0HlvT7rALYncLzE2gv1T0vvQT2SAAZXhYu7IO6fLfpz-wy4H4fBTKKC_EUg/w640-h480/DSCN6779.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cabildo museum also contained this headpiece worn by Leroy "Whistle Monsta" which contained a whistle generating 23 decibels. This was signed by all of the New Orleans Saints players after winnign Super Bowl XLIV.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiPnobW7SM_GWw2ep1opt29GGIjscGdG8pURgONE8E-d6vB5TWwoRaQKk0_afkaNVJ0shsbrKA76wMsBhwGAdJFT3v1Egjd0y4C6CvPaAhMixrM8P1jxSDopJ-cqxA40VVvcmTXLBy8Nk8nD4vXDONdaknKImgic6w3yTADgyfSIdz-cXFEcOmo-1Zg/s4608/DSCN6781.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiPnobW7SM_GWw2ep1opt29GGIjscGdG8pURgONE8E-d6vB5TWwoRaQKk0_afkaNVJ0shsbrKA76wMsBhwGAdJFT3v1Egjd0y4C6CvPaAhMixrM8P1jxSDopJ-cqxA40VVvcmTXLBy8Nk8nD4vXDONdaknKImgic6w3yTADgyfSIdz-cXFEcOmo-1Zg/w480-h640/DSCN6781.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This poster explains the three main styles of houses found in New Orleans.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9_NBy859tcM7T6vRj2tDhVm38il7KC-8DTqoGGIamyomCN9Zo95hA6aVJdDFFNlQuvHlHcKxuSkMk9koKCfcv6GIJEuRDh_NpsjfoY8wB5yw6jHkfxJ6pvEWuWpmbfgJPXKo8RBrj8U-Nr-DluTliZydq3GWRZePkUacI-ZaOeeUjTS7r0ydXMNVcw/s4608/DSCN6782.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9_NBy859tcM7T6vRj2tDhVm38il7KC-8DTqoGGIamyomCN9Zo95hA6aVJdDFFNlQuvHlHcKxuSkMk9koKCfcv6GIJEuRDh_NpsjfoY8wB5yw6jHkfxJ6pvEWuWpmbfgJPXKo8RBrj8U-Nr-DluTliZydq3GWRZePkUacI-ZaOeeUjTS7r0ydXMNVcw/w480-h640/DSCN6782.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only in New Orleans would you find the death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfhM_xoy6jbPNMMq1Nyshq8oF8scxJLNvadZ_Nyhn848x91Hlv1uyqGMwux5mZfyPHmvo9bjH9fQPYLO4wYGdrw_xqS1wo0WFMpwKqb5Jes7_mydvVA7l5pP6CaXpaha94JcrVd5CeXpAcPE9FwDudhLv65h4vAwlgHD3pudpyRhXpX7rKGhRr85wRQ/s4608/DSCN6783.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfhM_xoy6jbPNMMq1Nyshq8oF8scxJLNvadZ_Nyhn848x91Hlv1uyqGMwux5mZfyPHmvo9bjH9fQPYLO4wYGdrw_xqS1wo0WFMpwKqb5Jes7_mydvVA7l5pP6CaXpaha94JcrVd5CeXpAcPE9FwDudhLv65h4vAwlgHD3pudpyRhXpX7rKGhRr85wRQ/w480-h640/DSCN6783.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and one of the portraits commissioned by Napoleon of himself.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHikqMd4ZFxNsLDqKFAgwNz6rnNSvUIWynz7f_7iVmUDbhV8N_-OaD_fJt_zHzLvU8lrqnmxJYOQRyHcwW2lU7YUwO41UhX78vBHU0bV9s-d05tWccEThxZ-qD2RK9sbPqERg0QB_uR7nRWwV9cWHDWxdz0jwyZBoHqI280U-BUqEklaHkexBbOLBBw/s4608/DSCN6788.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHikqMd4ZFxNsLDqKFAgwNz6rnNSvUIWynz7f_7iVmUDbhV8N_-OaD_fJt_zHzLvU8lrqnmxJYOQRyHcwW2lU7YUwO41UhX78vBHU0bV9s-d05tWccEThxZ-qD2RK9sbPqERg0QB_uR7nRWwV9cWHDWxdz0jwyZBoHqI280U-BUqEklaHkexBbOLBBw/w480-h640/DSCN6788.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another colorful costume from the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SbQNWQAfbAUpnYS6ds16zQTEBZxz019f1xxzmHWIesIxqIi1WkoOXqXgCj6NvuozMCepw9dzbxRihzy6UKXjSihxSYq1TeG95gfhkHpWWjSqNqtv81BTf7V7HFcBtNYAUvZDkaRKBIo3Wz2SxlLHHu2CmjRLvp2u6K6r9fmkh188bTE1HV5wpzYm9w/s4608/DSCN6790.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SbQNWQAfbAUpnYS6ds16zQTEBZxz019f1xxzmHWIesIxqIi1WkoOXqXgCj6NvuozMCepw9dzbxRihzy6UKXjSihxSYq1TeG95gfhkHpWWjSqNqtv81BTf7V7HFcBtNYAUvZDkaRKBIo3Wz2SxlLHHu2CmjRLvp2u6K6r9fmkh188bTE1HV5wpzYm9w/w640-h480/DSCN6790.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quintessential French Quarter building with the balcony & iron railing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnng43Z8KYaoQW42m7vlqecqQVnNmAEPkM44g5dxRBjNEcO0J_YqMGQQIVxIsr_6uiLKJ6mN6yVneUGWpcvzJeZR6xLUb1Lylj0PqOmdM5OGpn17PgOqB9fE_bD5TuurBcEidArSAWtuMcx9lBX1apag4qw5fF78jev53JBNnEEnZCj6ys1eb65kKG1g/s1182/Carousel%20Bar2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1182" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnng43Z8KYaoQW42m7vlqecqQVnNmAEPkM44g5dxRBjNEcO0J_YqMGQQIVxIsr_6uiLKJ6mN6yVneUGWpcvzJeZR6xLUb1Lylj0PqOmdM5OGpn17PgOqB9fE_bD5TuurBcEidArSAWtuMcx9lBX1apag4qw5fF78jev53JBNnEEnZCj6ys1eb65kKG1g/w640-h360/Carousel%20Bar2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our son Justin insisted we should check out the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMJmeeN3uPigchm6w8V3t4A2dM3KIh_hmDkbywZfvtUj6v7POCIGQSWd6z3Slh-ennW4YGwwhlPRjNqdAW3i83P3VsLd_JGTB6L3Z6g_ZasQaE8NPMLR6jgIrPIUTKYen_gBSdgZCHPe1B9hxF0lJZTAlIK_t26z0K6NO9fXAXz4chukcDONYD7ef5g/s1024/Carousel%20Bar.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMJmeeN3uPigchm6w8V3t4A2dM3KIh_hmDkbywZfvtUj6v7POCIGQSWd6z3Slh-ennW4YGwwhlPRjNqdAW3i83P3VsLd_JGTB6L3Z6g_ZasQaE8NPMLR6jgIrPIUTKYen_gBSdgZCHPe1B9hxF0lJZTAlIK_t26z0K6NO9fXAXz4chukcDONYD7ef5g/w640-h480/Carousel%20Bar.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and since we needed to escape from the heat we headed there for some liquid refreshment. The bar slowly rotates, so you better not have too many libations while seated at the bar.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKAZmsdkqJ0p_T-74V3WDT9zMlI-QFz8DIcgoSJ-MHNFQsFU_HuTlmEr6bUhPYWyuk9sZrr8_KoU95z-7bzoyyr0inpaqqwkEdisOUK77FThDqlfeayOP1niuRuajmzQmImLFP0OGW3oD1foJCgCxRzC6pS2Ju-Z-9c7TKu9D46lOJmNs6HiCx3apLg/s1024/Colorful%20House%20&%20Store.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKAZmsdkqJ0p_T-74V3WDT9zMlI-QFz8DIcgoSJ-MHNFQsFU_HuTlmEr6bUhPYWyuk9sZrr8_KoU95z-7bzoyyr0inpaqqwkEdisOUK77FThDqlfeayOP1niuRuajmzQmImLFP0OGW3oD1foJCgCxRzC6pS2Ju-Z-9c7TKu9D46lOJmNs6HiCx3apLg/w640-h480/Colorful%20House%20&%20Store.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Orleans, like Mexico, is not afraid to put on a colorful display, whether at Mardi Gras, or on its buildings.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm3T_UhDTr1-Tj6nD3AuhUk5AYKSb6NG7GQYW4AoUpJhdB7caJ3askS1mMeOQkrs6XeJJJugS5BF_G6-dvkSiGfXDYpWxZw2ZHWuPH7C2e63xSyoiGB20jvVQgfI9X1VSjwISLN6vLDXcD0dRDth62ENv09fKMGaRQ5GkEFdpIcm1TqeCQMBwIrX_TA/s4608/DSCN6841.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm3T_UhDTr1-Tj6nD3AuhUk5AYKSb6NG7GQYW4AoUpJhdB7caJ3askS1mMeOQkrs6XeJJJugS5BF_G6-dvkSiGfXDYpWxZw2ZHWuPH7C2e63xSyoiGB20jvVQgfI9X1VSjwISLN6vLDXcD0dRDth62ENv09fKMGaRQ5GkEFdpIcm1TqeCQMBwIrX_TA/w640-h480/DSCN6841.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />The Commander's Palace Restaurant in the Garden District of New Orleans is a notable spot for refined Creole fare --- just make sure to make your reservation months in advance. We found as we progressed on our journey, the most popular restaurants are "sold out". </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iOlI86MRIMu7wQhAeflo_SXhODj03V8kHMIEFNyIHZ-J5uFD6iO_Q36f02L1b2dCivRyG5cBm2QrFUCSyFVX6iiexME8Cn9tZ41mMhmmb23ngxukpmEC-5g3FJC0nziEreWFdqM4p6m_WXYPR8LVPjc53KWGcTd6bKMxdmo-lTaPh5ZpfiHfgRsppg/s4608/DSCN6844.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iOlI86MRIMu7wQhAeflo_SXhODj03V8kHMIEFNyIHZ-J5uFD6iO_Q36f02L1b2dCivRyG5cBm2QrFUCSyFVX6iiexME8Cn9tZ41mMhmmb23ngxukpmEC-5g3FJC0nziEreWFdqM4p6m_WXYPR8LVPjc53KWGcTd6bKMxdmo-lTaPh5ZpfiHfgRsppg/w640-h480/DSCN6844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did a tour of the Garden District looking at some of the magnificent houses. You might recognize this house from the movie, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", which was filmed here.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAUUtjz2JVp05OJQ2cliwgzBRSvbRCeLU_I8tGEpIxY3gcYbTZz89ElQvzlltMEQtT6fiPkCaRL5LrIL5l3xNCMnaw5p33Sfidkw-jpPHG-gF4lTIgGd9vmKkZOQMNfKXeF0QiYUeqZyPX02TAol0y74NI-4bcXCSHhKVPlQML66XhHvmvZQJgwS_lA/s4608/DSCN6849.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAUUtjz2JVp05OJQ2cliwgzBRSvbRCeLU_I8tGEpIxY3gcYbTZz89ElQvzlltMEQtT6fiPkCaRL5LrIL5l3xNCMnaw5p33Sfidkw-jpPHG-gF4lTIgGd9vmKkZOQMNfKXeF0QiYUeqZyPX02TAol0y74NI-4bcXCSHhKVPlQML66XhHvmvZQJgwS_lA/w640-h480/DSCN6849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Colonel Short's Villa, built in 1859 for Colonel Robert H. Short of Kentucky.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7xeYgsW7lkc9Lnc59O40dyK743ztBEyW4aSUtsBBLN5NVyyXs6iVeDb05gT6SYtp67Shi6z_RV_evReoscz3huAkfkZ508O9cW0regt6xZ8YtfWgy74nP77qFfGhsFkSzTB9c3APvPTkHJmmsGp1S457koq6PxEJGwtBwWrg53Yb5dB8M3s3DeTIOw/s4608/DSCN6851.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7xeYgsW7lkc9Lnc59O40dyK743ztBEyW4aSUtsBBLN5NVyyXs6iVeDb05gT6SYtp67Shi6z_RV_evReoscz3huAkfkZ508O9cW0regt6xZ8YtfWgy74nP77qFfGhsFkSzTB9c3APvPTkHJmmsGp1S457koq6PxEJGwtBwWrg53Yb5dB8M3s3DeTIOw/w640-h480/DSCN6851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sully Mansion was built in 1891 in the Queen Anne style with Colonial Revival details.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagDvcZFgQY5lqgpf7xddWvbv73CPSCeMVQFq7PZqfcCWH0pXg5Dg8Ovzc0ydmCaU0MhWfK8RnPTnSAqtP02LTzHXJ8jHj-iVo3N8Y3zmBWtoowBt6G2gUNr9XeHK6hkeg5YbzfUs_A5sXCnsts0CgvWD_U9DHXYjW3wVctVt9HR8oOiyvq4kOhDPUZA/s4608/DSCN6856.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagDvcZFgQY5lqgpf7xddWvbv73CPSCeMVQFq7PZqfcCWH0pXg5Dg8Ovzc0ydmCaU0MhWfK8RnPTnSAqtP02LTzHXJ8jHj-iVo3N8Y3zmBWtoowBt6G2gUNr9XeHK6hkeg5YbzfUs_A5sXCnsts0CgvWD_U9DHXYjW3wVctVt9HR8oOiyvq4kOhDPUZA/w640-h480/DSCN6856.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house caught our eye initially because of the two characters on the porch...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr4qvP3coIn5_UP1klPWcSM-J03V2eZV1rd7wvQlNXr9SllXXCenrnTRbNW9b3p6Hce9RN_i1CNSLInh10AGjFcZ0Aze9bvKr-IJ79hVDJJ-9TZKdDCfOyxG6yBVpZrC9Bfy3teSIZ5OpehcLmhie1nsOzQY-scR0bqebj0OLGm3dcy2hJOLSitfFug/s4608/DSCN6857.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr4qvP3coIn5_UP1klPWcSM-J03V2eZV1rd7wvQlNXr9SllXXCenrnTRbNW9b3p6Hce9RN_i1CNSLInh10AGjFcZ0Aze9bvKr-IJ79hVDJJ-9TZKdDCfOyxG6yBVpZrC9Bfy3teSIZ5OpehcLmhie1nsOzQY-scR0bqebj0OLGm3dcy2hJOLSitfFug/w480-h640/DSCN6857.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which upon closer inspection were just two mannequins.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7fSC3b1A9W5ysUs4dzK7w5uP3dvTuvOGnNcwuRCdCIBcJwjcOzdReqsM8ZPefA4UXqKxcNvrhe2iES8_-8cbuPKvoTHpNaw-9IaRgZKTkJyF7k_du27nmZB5zm9KWOSKy_H2yLL9ghYwFtkMGZ534tOQT7kpdqSY45UIWeE0lyP5TT2S9UUh9BluqQ/s4608/DSCN6859.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7fSC3b1A9W5ysUs4dzK7w5uP3dvTuvOGnNcwuRCdCIBcJwjcOzdReqsM8ZPefA4UXqKxcNvrhe2iES8_-8cbuPKvoTHpNaw-9IaRgZKTkJyF7k_du27nmZB5zm9KWOSKy_H2yLL9ghYwFtkMGZ534tOQT7kpdqSY45UIWeE0lyP5TT2S9UUh9BluqQ/w480-h640/DSCN6859.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This same house had this whimsical sculpture in the yard as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ95oR_FrN2MsOYdtd670bdci4FcR4vA3z6ioNbBatu9WUvXfqIO4Kp269kAkV8_ccogqmW7QHPUJ2NoGVSbjNVU4OB1rgmtSR0scjbx4d6Elm8BnDQUd6J4-djJMKhQ6qbazrhOY543wSgkoSsYRsBH0Gz7mEkd5gAguYcesAXs9A8H1v5BjSyhyUQ/s4608/DSCN6863.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ95oR_FrN2MsOYdtd670bdci4FcR4vA3z6ioNbBatu9WUvXfqIO4Kp269kAkV8_ccogqmW7QHPUJ2NoGVSbjNVU4OB1rgmtSR0scjbx4d6Elm8BnDQUd6J4-djJMKhQ6qbazrhOY543wSgkoSsYRsBH0Gz7mEkd5gAguYcesAXs9A8H1v5BjSyhyUQ/w640-h480/DSCN6863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Greek Revival was built in 1859 by William A. Freret, architect. It was donated in 1965 to the Women's Guild of New Orleans Opera.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHzY34JkevzZW_64dmYjMCMV7gjrFFRVqluGQ4wKM8G9isIKiMXKLVSFmTUIKmkNtLejTVDgVyIqwfE5qM-fWHOCVYS86nywZKxBhVyms_ds6MUW-W4JhxtcaDreUcZ5HfL8Tj5mLe_hJQFpfDrGsd4XWBAvxTkv3rcg4BDwa2jg_-SciMiwOGPABAw/s4608/DSCN6869.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHzY34JkevzZW_64dmYjMCMV7gjrFFRVqluGQ4wKM8G9isIKiMXKLVSFmTUIKmkNtLejTVDgVyIqwfE5qM-fWHOCVYS86nywZKxBhVyms_ds6MUW-W4JhxtcaDreUcZ5HfL8Tj5mLe_hJQFpfDrGsd4XWBAvxTkv3rcg4BDwa2jg_-SciMiwOGPABAw/w480-h640/DSCN6869.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue designed to "celebrate women of the opera on stage and in the guild".</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OTTf5sPpYqriceTgcck9_QgzWvmFVTlqeOYFhte0eijAfJI-2oVfD_OlvdHwlfzHPPS_qUN_OrQJOfc085pPCNVnrtxMRW4i0YNw2AKy2etbrVAjNpM51S_EPtxh3HhgMvlWvD5H3jKBbRbQNyicPwe8tHRGE13N0MYYmu7sVm-23CmKLL5BinaZYw/s4608/DSCN6877.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OTTf5sPpYqriceTgcck9_QgzWvmFVTlqeOYFhte0eijAfJI-2oVfD_OlvdHwlfzHPPS_qUN_OrQJOfc085pPCNVnrtxMRW4i0YNw2AKy2etbrVAjNpM51S_EPtxh3HhgMvlWvD5H3jKBbRbQNyicPwe8tHRGE13N0MYYmu7sVm-23CmKLL5BinaZYw/w480-h640/DSCN6877.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it is nature that demonstrates the most magnificent design.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">Time to move on to Diamondhead, MS; Mobile, AL; Tallahassee, FL and Savannah, GA and then head up the Eastern seaboard. More soon.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Deirdre & Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15486199374134759593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-2617149941162086552022-06-19T10:23:00.000-05:002022-06-19T10:23:13.453-05:00Marching Onward to Madrid<p> <u>A Smooth Landing</u></p><p>Whereas our previous two flights had been fraught with frustration and mishap, our flight from Bordeaux to Madrid was smooth, on time and without incident. We grabbed a cab and arrived at the King Alphonso XII hotel without delay and in one piece. This hotel was great. Highly recommended. Directly across from the main entrance to El Retiro Park (350 acres), the hotel is a beautiful old building whose interior has been totally modernized. We bonded with the reception clerk, Alex, who had spent time in Mexico and buttered him up by saying our dear son was named Alex and how beautiful his hotel was and were rewarded with a great room with a balcony overlooking the park.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDCYe5e-V-Uds_UGNJA5q8lvfv1GPoDa3VrHtDVRV0f4dN-wikpXBtTAyQRzmeBN7je5xfybiTj5IGYXL1TD6UpEVupDSPQN7C9w3ZtoFWvdaOym7T67xS4RwIHdsgsT_PEeLG8dRZu7WxA1TRdFS8S1-Vs5fqJIWiO8QIAppdHQyi4aiFp2--aRhtw/s3872/DSC_2326.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDCYe5e-V-Uds_UGNJA5q8lvfv1GPoDa3VrHtDVRV0f4dN-wikpXBtTAyQRzmeBN7je5xfybiTj5IGYXL1TD6UpEVupDSPQN7C9w3ZtoFWvdaOym7T67xS4RwIHdsgsT_PEeLG8dRZu7WxA1TRdFS8S1-Vs5fqJIWiO8QIAppdHQyi4aiFp2--aRhtw/w640-h428/DSC_2326.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Retiro Park from our hotel...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M_0ge9IHrmTCuN4cyATiLCOX2yQ7hfB5G8pi6qir0UGu8K9cWhK7cPgFV6vit0Lgjes1uCUBYV_C3rjgCsdOZg_0M4CKVmrS2UZ-JjcFBCm6Da081xW3mLlZCqemWAjg5LfDCwfxy8mzO1ItsatDjlNiILFaxTMhe95AaR5ik7Fk6OfDzJp-68QClg/s3872/DSC_2327.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M_0ge9IHrmTCuN4cyATiLCOX2yQ7hfB5G8pi6qir0UGu8K9cWhK7cPgFV6vit0Lgjes1uCUBYV_C3rjgCsdOZg_0M4CKVmrS2UZ-JjcFBCm6Da081xW3mLlZCqemWAjg5LfDCwfxy8mzO1ItsatDjlNiILFaxTMhe95AaR5ik7Fk6OfDzJp-68QClg/w640-h428/DSC_2327.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and one of the main entrances to the Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Tourists, Egad!, Tourists </u></p><p>We had spent the previous 3 and 1/2 weeks in places that had few to no tourists. That ended here. We felt duty bound to see the Plaza Mayor so taxied over after dropping our bags. It was late afternoon and sweltering. While only mid-May, every cafe had its high powered misting machines cranking at full force. Enervated after only a stroll into the Plaza via one of its seven arches, we sat at a cafe and watched as tour group after tour group slogged their way around the plaza. </p><p>And then we discovered something new. Apparently, tourists are no longer satisfied to just observe and appreciate their foreign surroundings. They must be actively entertained at all times. Thus, we saw multiple groups that appeared to be involved in some sort of tourist site scavenger hunt. They all clutched clue sheets and were staring above, below and around searching for that next big scavenger hit. I reminded me of when you go to a National Park and the Ranger hands out scavenger hunt booklets to the little kids who have problems with focus and concentration. Except these are adults. Go figure. </p><p>We went to the San Miguel Market which was pretty impressive -- not up to Barcelona or France but quite good. And then we had the worst meal of the entire trip. Due to extreme heat fatigue and the fact that the restaurant we wanted to go to had disappeared we violated our sacred rule of never eating near a major tourist area. The meal was bad, expensive and it was really hot. Sometimes you have to have a refresher on why you don't violate your rules.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95sUZAlscQtW5P7hjeVKlOjMoGLSr0ENdpUr6M-zASMSzpogzwzMeyaEPolOgsMoGgmKQIIxgIoi78u_JMq9bp7Y_pSkBoNfmKi02XKZwalaURLpHCaj3Z5u1ZPB8OiP2ozLZM1xi7CI5HmcYhFnV74anxi6gsReFkYb_Ew6G3DrNv91AEdBeK4olhQ/s3872/DSC_2309.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95sUZAlscQtW5P7hjeVKlOjMoGLSr0ENdpUr6M-zASMSzpogzwzMeyaEPolOgsMoGgmKQIIxgIoi78u_JMq9bp7Y_pSkBoNfmKi02XKZwalaURLpHCaj3Z5u1ZPB8OiP2ozLZM1xi7CI5HmcYhFnV74anxi6gsReFkYb_Ew6G3DrNv91AEdBeK4olhQ/w640-h428/DSC_2309.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo will give you an idea of why they call this Plaza Mayor ("Main Square")</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXHyrGRvvx5W5PVTksb-ree2Ov0BIx5RrvjkbswRgXdIu9B9nKerSHzAtQ902CEYU-CbD2uQH5Kl92DxLel7yc6wPs_40ZSZsSdYfzfkNID2nbdrbFsxTPAveNm2I9T5oATx0TRU42Od2T6DFGL2QzoqH5alhEXuHOqKUBgKL1AWNEFbgf7XE8OYo3Q/s3872/DSC_2312.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXHyrGRvvx5W5PVTksb-ree2Ov0BIx5RrvjkbswRgXdIu9B9nKerSHzAtQ902CEYU-CbD2uQH5Kl92DxLel7yc6wPs_40ZSZsSdYfzfkNID2nbdrbFsxTPAveNm2I9T5oATx0TRU42Od2T6DFGL2QzoqH5alhEXuHOqKUBgKL1AWNEFbgf7XE8OYo3Q/w428-h640/DSC_2312.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The murals on the columns of this building in the Plaza Mayor were very interesting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi9b2fOO8jz_wmIsM_Bi7lPhifJdO5WZdjFyKtKPyoSiOv_INHXAEs-wiKlmsHhT3uuAARN32mAFSWW30WgaxBI0GXxkZXlrWh8jY2_WudmAl8EKG6TCLQLaJAx_bqlsxKZBAswuoyuy9Un89-TrQgyAs48_SKsyRjoC3fVWf1t3DKLHj7LtF9A8xJA/s3872/DSC_2313.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi9b2fOO8jz_wmIsM_Bi7lPhifJdO5WZdjFyKtKPyoSiOv_INHXAEs-wiKlmsHhT3uuAARN32mAFSWW30WgaxBI0GXxkZXlrWh8jY2_WudmAl8EKG6TCLQLaJAx_bqlsxKZBAswuoyuy9Un89-TrQgyAs48_SKsyRjoC3fVWf1t3DKLHj7LtF9A8xJA/w428-h640/DSC_2313.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwETNrMsFNpptJY-YdCKnSJLhwsfLqzqtRF_XEqE-sQIHvCsDTPISI84I2iuHXs4k3e8AD9FAdnlnl5vibNyC8Yc072qd61EYmG7BEfzstn4vGElLRT3dL0QXGUGGnQrrDvT2qdk7UnWtIf0OAErYhz6OgzJVkg49CuezCQ6mPHu8jcezNoN5COgypIA/s3872/DSC_2314.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwETNrMsFNpptJY-YdCKnSJLhwsfLqzqtRF_XEqE-sQIHvCsDTPISI84I2iuHXs4k3e8AD9FAdnlnl5vibNyC8Yc072qd61EYmG7BEfzstn4vGElLRT3dL0QXGUGGnQrrDvT2qdk7UnWtIf0OAErYhz6OgzJVkg49CuezCQ6mPHu8jcezNoN5COgypIA/w428-h640/DSC_2314.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoQcKz5J_0JH2DoXNoEVKY8QnfZyhGH8liCt-81ysIDije-aiZIMeCktVu9HTdUzI4h9WBWR39ESbKYu-NBLZwHzESAPSC509C-S86iBmnlsIPUDKM6k917i9ZAQuBT1j3c9teSwMfARE1FgJpEZTk7lrSNiSuqpcK1r1Rx691ZO6jbrgsSAy2ZyvcA/s3872/DSC_2315.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoQcKz5J_0JH2DoXNoEVKY8QnfZyhGH8liCt-81ysIDije-aiZIMeCktVu9HTdUzI4h9WBWR39ESbKYu-NBLZwHzESAPSC509C-S86iBmnlsIPUDKM6k917i9ZAQuBT1j3c9teSwMfARE1FgJpEZTk7lrSNiSuqpcK1r1Rx691ZO6jbrgsSAy2ZyvcA/w640-h428/DSC_2315.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The murals were on all of the columns on the center building between the two steeples.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOWZLGjKpgxfBl3cCVhQFUdA4kwlJyCNOK7MID1cevacmHhD82e6jRcqwSCy9mu1MDsFLtfdFuKK2VvGfL4XK2Rh_RRCwtIe5QJ0lpuh_dZBfaNPDHU9Ce0lccdzeJKf7KPQezsDFupWdlniUCu8H2UEKmHgfkugW59ny251sAGWnselQ_WkmSermLw/s3872/DSC_2318.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOWZLGjKpgxfBl3cCVhQFUdA4kwlJyCNOK7MID1cevacmHhD82e6jRcqwSCy9mu1MDsFLtfdFuKK2VvGfL4XK2Rh_RRCwtIe5QJ0lpuh_dZBfaNPDHU9Ce0lccdzeJKf7KPQezsDFupWdlniUCu8H2UEKmHgfkugW59ny251sAGWnselQ_WkmSermLw/w640-h428/DSC_2318.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This unusual sign for a shop caught my eye. Translated it reads: "The watchmaker of Salt Street". The watchmaker has apparently been here since 1880 (although presumably not the original watchmaker).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAnAEFyImnU6GvOuh9l_fLU5i1SHe8qJUQw0MPJJTGev40JN57jhyMwoBKRuIHsbi64UpVfbtpGwaanBpCZnxrJbl8DFC_85TTaPYfAe2utkGWCYg-NcANXcM62abfXh7kxB8hxix6XoaZbNlJg2O4nUDkV_t52x4Oo9U-SyADpJi7aVQt4XkpoWgmA/s3872/DSC_2325.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAnAEFyImnU6GvOuh9l_fLU5i1SHe8qJUQw0MPJJTGev40JN57jhyMwoBKRuIHsbi64UpVfbtpGwaanBpCZnxrJbl8DFC_85TTaPYfAe2utkGWCYg-NcANXcM62abfXh7kxB8hxix6XoaZbNlJg2O4nUDkV_t52x4Oo9U-SyADpJi7aVQt4XkpoWgmA/w428-h640/DSC_2325.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although the food at the restaurant where we dined was not the best, this character was apparently hired by the restaurant to attract attention & hopefully diners.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>What Was THAT All About?</u></p><p>High on our list was a visit to the Royal Palace. First thing in the morning we hopped a cab for the Palace. Arriving at the drop off I noticed there were a zillion police of varying uniforms and cars spread out in all directions with police lines across both the street and the approach to the Palace. I inquired of the taxi driver what was happening with all the cops. "Oh, he disingenuously replied, "that's normal." Once you've paid the fare they'll say anything to get you out of the cab. So, out we went. I asked a policeman what was happening in my peasant Spanish. "Nada. The Palace is closed" He replied. Well, "Nada" (nothing in Spanish) involved a band and formation of soldiers numbering around 200 in the Central Courtyard -- and that was just for starters. Overcoming our disappointment that the Palace was closed we decided to hang and see what would transpire. Surely those guys didn't stand there for no reason. And then.... bands, horse guards, limos with different flags, a royal carriage pulled by 8 horses with footmen. Just check out the photos. This went on for THREE hours. We still don't know what it was all about but it was pretty neat. Neater than the changing of the guard at Buckingham neat.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HSkG92omDTEm9fBaTAmzcsQsbPyLvIGp9CYSo7tUXDFOQi3gl-09zoL2Gx399GoSB3CkBz_HBTSepl-dplIu7ofdEXKPyUXsXvV-MALixKql3NeiL2fXKAxH8Q357gHBwW1YMe0YS2fxTvM9JY9jG5sgXfPiVy1NenS7Wivl6vfOnr0WqLIfuBY9yw/s3872/DSC_2334.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HSkG92omDTEm9fBaTAmzcsQsbPyLvIGp9CYSo7tUXDFOQi3gl-09zoL2Gx399GoSB3CkBz_HBTSepl-dplIu7ofdEXKPyUXsXvV-MALixKql3NeiL2fXKAxH8Q357gHBwW1YMe0YS2fxTvM9JY9jG5sgXfPiVy1NenS7Wivl6vfOnr0WqLIfuBY9yw/w428-h640/DSC_2334.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we arrived the area was roped off, but we could see the band gathered in the plaza of the Royal Palace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51ZWAeUcTaDqNLJGI30S8ptw42J1WXsHUIeiFqKkjBnjL5HMvLK1HBz4OANYNToszDaqaPfv4NLnZ9p7LMr09N8PVEVpdUBkL3wECyN6rjflOf32YaTsQ6Z5EwCk7EIEIDS6pbZ7bNmp9G--vDB94P3nt5gjgzJq5uoYHEWI1fy5rgHWMqwvJJOkP2g/s3872/DSC_2337.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51ZWAeUcTaDqNLJGI30S8ptw42J1WXsHUIeiFqKkjBnjL5HMvLK1HBz4OANYNToszDaqaPfv4NLnZ9p7LMr09N8PVEVpdUBkL3wECyN6rjflOf32YaTsQ6Z5EwCk7EIEIDS6pbZ7bNmp9G--vDB94P3nt5gjgzJq5uoYHEWI1fy5rgHWMqwvJJOkP2g/w640-h428/DSC_2337.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have not seen as much pomp and ceremony since the Palio in Siena</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxKnBzvq2qnYRBWqvXmoscPHhCx0nSfYvwooSLIGf6M3VArSyf-W_AczPNi4pgEnDSZpa_X-JqE1tqDODTkaz8BAE8iKpsTEWYp9yzoYfW9TQRF6dz7whyWwDQBnBX0rQsOPb3ux596EQ7I_MRO2h_mVs673A6esTLVUgMcGI2U58Jkq5F_j5kpxTYg/s3872/DSC_2340.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxKnBzvq2qnYRBWqvXmoscPHhCx0nSfYvwooSLIGf6M3VArSyf-W_AczPNi4pgEnDSZpa_X-JqE1tqDODTkaz8BAE8iKpsTEWYp9yzoYfW9TQRF6dz7whyWwDQBnBX0rQsOPb3ux596EQ7I_MRO2h_mVs673A6esTLVUgMcGI2U58Jkq5F_j5kpxTYg/w640-h428/DSC_2340.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top center of the Royal Palace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzUrdEahyDhOQH_11vquUrSCPA_ls5JJHszu0As-0NKXId6Nybtfng2n1eA-TCnz9oWwoIF6Tedj3_iJ_VnLg1lwdhz9iKJuZW67AaQRLmSH7H2T7ghuYqeC_DWKG-7bGatJVOpsQxQ6o_yK_SSB2CO3wPsggefGP6fPSOGoSMpSm7N7Tp5yH8BGnTQ/s3872/DSC_2346.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzUrdEahyDhOQH_11vquUrSCPA_ls5JJHszu0As-0NKXId6Nybtfng2n1eA-TCnz9oWwoIF6Tedj3_iJ_VnLg1lwdhz9iKJuZW67AaQRLmSH7H2T7ghuYqeC_DWKG-7bGatJVOpsQxQ6o_yK_SSB2CO3wPsggefGP6fPSOGoSMpSm7N7Tp5yH8BGnTQ/w640-h428/DSC_2346.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can only imagine how hot it must be wearing these metal breastplates...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs99m5prYRgr-mHhiZtf8gWUvR_iBhAEcgpKuW6ez6--0lCgG6o_eFaYaFB5sZ0WtOnhmp35uLXBWZAzObr4UQdo71VW1_RSt6pqbR1OfH21YU_67t4zMOLniPlmyzTyX_KPDW0A1TYU_u8997_a5LCM7g8YrgldRkM6P203ihMivny6dgFpa7uKykIg/s3872/DSC_2347.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs99m5prYRgr-mHhiZtf8gWUvR_iBhAEcgpKuW6ez6--0lCgG6o_eFaYaFB5sZ0WtOnhmp35uLXBWZAzObr4UQdo71VW1_RSt6pqbR1OfH21YU_67t4zMOLniPlmyzTyX_KPDW0A1TYU_u8997_a5LCM7g8YrgldRkM6P203ihMivny6dgFpa7uKykIg/w640-h428/DSC_2347.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but these two horsemen appeared cool as they walked their horses in front of us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o422KmrdXn8YE9JboxZxKEKvT-YStH195mZbzJVn7Oekbnkk2jTBpZ_CmVQnwbrK5tOMHnFboFJE5aNIR7cA25bQXrPNe1-0yIV7QFD_9wV1fMdWfF5lVHqQWesPWN5h5qXLaic43YakYkfxvIIr3JzR103JDB7lAIMLXo-E8u2AM_r5AFzWxz9K2A/s3872/DSC_2348.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o422KmrdXn8YE9JboxZxKEKvT-YStH195mZbzJVn7Oekbnkk2jTBpZ_CmVQnwbrK5tOMHnFboFJE5aNIR7cA25bQXrPNe1-0yIV7QFD_9wV1fMdWfF5lVHqQWesPWN5h5qXLaic43YakYkfxvIIr3JzR103JDB7lAIMLXo-E8u2AM_r5AFzWxz9K2A/w640-h428/DSC_2348.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpixQU_23N9q_OLv_GCrlfaxGG4EL_jNAbqz_vPPQxAbJqkdjOAyowGCjbpSJR7DstC8HWcokT9swMv65CF7HPJGqN6KXG3Hbze4mD5YNqqMOInlXt0O3OBFq4qFMJ62gXsSv1eWFA03tz-Vv6u2z6xZ58OUZiacmgEkCNVjwY3xDqwEaTTrY8iXZIg/s3872/DSC_2361.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpixQU_23N9q_OLv_GCrlfaxGG4EL_jNAbqz_vPPQxAbJqkdjOAyowGCjbpSJR7DstC8HWcokT9swMv65CF7HPJGqN6KXG3Hbze4mD5YNqqMOInlXt0O3OBFq4qFMJ62gXsSv1eWFA03tz-Vv6u2z6xZ58OUZiacmgEkCNVjwY3xDqwEaTTrY8iXZIg/w640-h428/DSC_2361.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The we saw more horsemen entering from the right...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROxPrJCBCV0lZMg8K6s5t-qITAsU2OnX6_CNEsLwj8KwWmdGZux4_ujEjJpKNOCJ7a_iMji_gDTPIVkWG73ZSRuizgtYZbxp8tu6AlEy5ZBNhdbfiwdOOFOxTtoNE4bR3vVstNjrtCxoekpBSomr9-YYt8ylsKBgf_C9LfWGioTytJiO6JTTYEjsiQQ/s3872/DSC_2363.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROxPrJCBCV0lZMg8K6s5t-qITAsU2OnX6_CNEsLwj8KwWmdGZux4_ujEjJpKNOCJ7a_iMji_gDTPIVkWG73ZSRuizgtYZbxp8tu6AlEy5ZBNhdbfiwdOOFOxTtoNE4bR3vVstNjrtCxoekpBSomr9-YYt8ylsKBgf_C9LfWGioTytJiO6JTTYEjsiQQ/w640-h428/DSC_2363.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and even more horsemen on white horses in colorful attire.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6xQ9JNO3t1WX8_8uBWtl2MF8URqodSl6Nmmd7f7_myPqnSiyZYm5KGj4svOsfbHM4uKLDymYfPra34-qJT_9OLuYBKpzWCdUqEUb6XNGFocD9EW8gZRCsHxTms4GkpIh6a0exfCPZR9QCcyqdOsLp963iLmURdidnqmN_NDX5KaIQ4thT689ERyEpA/s3872/DSC_2364.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6xQ9JNO3t1WX8_8uBWtl2MF8URqodSl6Nmmd7f7_myPqnSiyZYm5KGj4svOsfbHM4uKLDymYfPra34-qJT_9OLuYBKpzWCdUqEUb6XNGFocD9EW8gZRCsHxTms4GkpIh6a0exfCPZR9QCcyqdOsLp963iLmURdidnqmN_NDX5KaIQ4thT689ERyEpA/w640-h428/DSC_2364.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first series of horsemen lined up in formation before the Royal Gate...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCStyLlVSZCQEu7dM-S9u-0ZXPMcb9Nt0M23CL0mShe-TU5yjKvfkYNaZafEn4X0rs81SbO33yDAPHfPmA-XaRjMT1rVjEyqdaEwfBJy-D1O_kxAtyVPv-W5GOCyqUKEXH8NO3pStOrmvmyPYxY-nNnYni6CvCQH4DUTRWDvu_QEauAeI4kSdZPmyQBQ/s3872/DSC_2367.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCStyLlVSZCQEu7dM-S9u-0ZXPMcb9Nt0M23CL0mShe-TU5yjKvfkYNaZafEn4X0rs81SbO33yDAPHfPmA-XaRjMT1rVjEyqdaEwfBJy-D1O_kxAtyVPv-W5GOCyqUKEXH8NO3pStOrmvmyPYxY-nNnYni6CvCQH4DUTRWDvu_QEauAeI4kSdZPmyQBQ/w640-h428/DSC_2367.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as even more horsemen in silver breastplates preceded...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd34QHxlDWVia6-te1LbeN_Z3kxD-UKMa_phfQK97eznlqMrAzH-t8SH8vXxa8PC35ZqvGDGmb5-1s8oLyTuXZV6OEF7m-tx1tdtycJLDz69q4hc7MbFNFJ5N07SuUJASbPlNQqrVFSd-5C70BwjD0z4sY2IwwRb3ZreY0nMgbHzMUIHE3aE5fzo5uw/s3872/DSC_2370.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd34QHxlDWVia6-te1LbeN_Z3kxD-UKMa_phfQK97eznlqMrAzH-t8SH8vXxa8PC35ZqvGDGmb5-1s8oLyTuXZV6OEF7m-tx1tdtycJLDz69q4hc7MbFNFJ5N07SuUJASbPlNQqrVFSd-5C70BwjD0z4sY2IwwRb3ZreY0nMgbHzMUIHE3aE5fzo5uw/w640-h428/DSC_2370.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the most amazing looking Royal carriage drawn by six horses complete with rider on one of the lead horses, the coach driver...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMR4RkEa2lWNQb5ToysZIQt6s4eRYCOkDzfTkXN2Z2POzEN4bRYxVqZIzFhtx7Kw7JSQvOPHdh61CyP9jjQWV8ifPxRkLfY6zz8BCH0HORfYxBaqZ1Cu8mjZUo8naUpehIhQYm2Xp62S3ZJuSYExaQi4uqV-GrQECVJjHhS2OFCm0Uc3cO5lVJbCh7w/s3872/DSC_2371.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMR4RkEa2lWNQb5ToysZIQt6s4eRYCOkDzfTkXN2Z2POzEN4bRYxVqZIzFhtx7Kw7JSQvOPHdh61CyP9jjQWV8ifPxRkLfY6zz8BCH0HORfYxBaqZ1Cu8mjZUo8naUpehIhQYm2Xp62S3ZJuSYExaQi4uqV-GrQECVJjHhS2OFCm0Uc3cO5lVJbCh7w/w640-h428/DSC_2371.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and accompanied by walking footman.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRISCY3MFnOE2tBoun8uLF5tUo1_6iY363mTQEggyulE1svGIOu7ACo9vAEWndmYhzzLXSie-K0DFdrvUUJ4_03SHs5z77eugJ3OeVM5es7TCqe_nwyWXR4cTN25HFSkwviLeEo2A5sdHWIgWjCIxSVfwKXKhOlqXUhHZl6WLmqnW6A8x4F_1kbqthAA/s3872/DSC_2375.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRISCY3MFnOE2tBoun8uLF5tUo1_6iY363mTQEggyulE1svGIOu7ACo9vAEWndmYhzzLXSie-K0DFdrvUUJ4_03SHs5z77eugJ3OeVM5es7TCqe_nwyWXR4cTN25HFSkwviLeEo2A5sdHWIgWjCIxSVfwKXKhOlqXUhHZl6WLmqnW6A8x4F_1kbqthAA/w640-h428/DSC_2375.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the photo of the individual in the carriage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXhAp02wzFgZHOC5wUP8BRRiDaoW1944EaLi-bgzYqe6g_gNZOS6rgwjH680W4UXmqy3tqvFZzDMZZqTw_3VPDurDflOncQ1u4uEuh7TVsnALSp8vD4IbNiuTV8nEA7AGj-VJZFVKDFAREAybY0TVoR1FY9J3dLInrxl5h7bponwKRrAu2pgdGfNJbQ/s3872/DSC_2379.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXhAp02wzFgZHOC5wUP8BRRiDaoW1944EaLi-bgzYqe6g_gNZOS6rgwjH680W4UXmqy3tqvFZzDMZZqTw_3VPDurDflOncQ1u4uEuh7TVsnALSp8vD4IbNiuTV8nEA7AGj-VJZFVKDFAREAybY0TVoR1FY9J3dLInrxl5h7bponwKRrAu2pgdGfNJbQ/w640-h428/DSC_2379.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carriage proceeded through the gate to the Royal Palace...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7ZKREh9d6HoVoug_cjxpGMCt35wSkilBFFtd-JokVLgTxw2Rz-l4ao6P0ccJr_hpfn5LCAL1_u1cQKUTUwJjGy_GoY1yl7H5jJoalGURoqC3GgRqIsuY9cVkdhW9LO9Zyd9LfiOo6dhU24RR0eLHTTY4sqb5qpxJxzLomHaA2-CsU9WlwIMJ79sMLw/s3872/DSC_2385.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7ZKREh9d6HoVoug_cjxpGMCt35wSkilBFFtd-JokVLgTxw2Rz-l4ao6P0ccJr_hpfn5LCAL1_u1cQKUTUwJjGy_GoY1yl7H5jJoalGURoqC3GgRqIsuY9cVkdhW9LO9Zyd9LfiOo6dhU24RR0eLHTTY4sqb5qpxJxzLomHaA2-CsU9WlwIMJ79sMLw/w640-h428/DSC_2385.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to drop off the unidentified dignitary at the Royal Palace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqyniZkCiG3o68eL40sWgVNrYIe2Nt8rpkQGg-n4Fee6jJII0DenarmBWfo_37d7mwTX3i6fuHWGIfYuoyZ1cXIwybaHvwFeBn02nLijv1lAyLkBFrsTprf25RJvdR_wYzN0ElOZCG2Qf1WiiNdU393-bh2G_W4mJ3Uju7XgN3FtETUlWkETv7fL35g/s3872/DSC_2397.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqyniZkCiG3o68eL40sWgVNrYIe2Nt8rpkQGg-n4Fee6jJII0DenarmBWfo_37d7mwTX3i6fuHWGIfYuoyZ1cXIwybaHvwFeBn02nLijv1lAyLkBFrsTprf25RJvdR_wYzN0ElOZCG2Qf1WiiNdU393-bh2G_W4mJ3Uju7XgN3FtETUlWkETv7fL35g/w640-h428/DSC_2397.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having deposited the dignitary the Royal carriage departed (for what we thought was the end of the show).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1vVmLawyT96VTZqTpyfEoy5JKTytUJBal3oSqahEI_z4VfbP1hppJuPhMaWW7IeBZYjLVB7mzsADaHLiBt5Rs8Ne5iESiqk3C9sYWrK1VSCbP3klxpRrj-Emau4cwObEHfqsqmcw9te3bvFNUaM2VtEqYHtQQcof6iYErkQ2uywVPyQYojCYCUvX3Q/s3872/DSC_2402.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1vVmLawyT96VTZqTpyfEoy5JKTytUJBal3oSqahEI_z4VfbP1hppJuPhMaWW7IeBZYjLVB7mzsADaHLiBt5Rs8Ne5iESiqk3C9sYWrK1VSCbP3klxpRrj-Emau4cwObEHfqsqmcw9te3bvFNUaM2VtEqYHtQQcof6iYErkQ2uywVPyQYojCYCUvX3Q/w640-h428/DSC_2402.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However as we looked at this view of the Royal Palace from the cathedral, we noticed the band was still in the plaza...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbPBvvG0wJXHXK89XiQhJjv1GEF4R9SyBaW4yWoYh-AxzTiHl3jp03-uS14g8yIR49gR-h0MTcJ99o-mn-MfvCTqFx31z2jcnfYX6XY4999u-6z1FgAed532_FaMdDVaz7MSQdPo5KXtghw7EOrEeYghHq5LLS2w_DQKnIRs_GozaN7AwqtQNUvYeYA/s3872/DSC_2403.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbPBvvG0wJXHXK89XiQhJjv1GEF4R9SyBaW4yWoYh-AxzTiHl3jp03-uS14g8yIR49gR-h0MTcJ99o-mn-MfvCTqFx31z2jcnfYX6XY4999u-6z1FgAed532_FaMdDVaz7MSQdPo5KXtghw7EOrEeYghHq5LLS2w_DQKnIRs_GozaN7AwqtQNUvYeYA/w640-h428/DSC_2403.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all dutifully waiting for the next carriage to arrive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrhqcZo5OG1itnqaDcYbrfO2ob9Ez4vR9M64iQK40o_0P0kotLodV0ZqN6otoxIVf3nEvTc5VcrwRJchiV_NQaagnB4d4q1na_eg5QtSYePS1rShbuq5P-iN5o-nxqj-Cg9VnayACSpraE1_4Z1eBt53z9xgOTbnIgjUHlPxMkblLTCukGw6k0Uqlkg/s3872/DSC_2407.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrhqcZo5OG1itnqaDcYbrfO2ob9Ez4vR9M64iQK40o_0P0kotLodV0ZqN6otoxIVf3nEvTc5VcrwRJchiV_NQaagnB4d4q1na_eg5QtSYePS1rShbuq5P-iN5o-nxqj-Cg9VnayACSpraE1_4Z1eBt53z9xgOTbnIgjUHlPxMkblLTCukGw6k0Uqlkg/w428-h640/DSC_2407.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and sure enough here was another dignitary riding in the carriage...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwFFruNrTdNcEvSRtDaGgfFbUr2yQECVvHxLkwrnHdcPYswZrz1YVG7eik0yow9PsGKIgLNjBdnKGe9uRfi2Z5QEqNecZ863W38YXoAVLyF19y2Hu9hMqlhhoWnlLbG8ImsBf4zuq0U8r2F-fimDSrsSt85d82xPhBe7DmWzJ4FIMleznhoTK1D5uCQ/s3872/DSC_2412.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwFFruNrTdNcEvSRtDaGgfFbUr2yQECVvHxLkwrnHdcPYswZrz1YVG7eik0yow9PsGKIgLNjBdnKGe9uRfi2Z5QEqNecZ863W38YXoAVLyF19y2Hu9hMqlhhoWnlLbG8ImsBf4zuq0U8r2F-fimDSrsSt85d82xPhBe7DmWzJ4FIMleznhoTK1D5uCQ/w640-h428/DSC_2412.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to be deposited at the Royal Palace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0HB7PXDZJgBeGtWqrvNi4CS7iunwb69y2WEysP0ABZPk_mCNRSwCiQpG7GaG_enminBIxlFvb6lPeOvTWlfyjHFE6ye6rbIX5FjeAJMJ-HIu_hcD4TOT4WSDezK_rA-NY9xCLJ2LJJkrfx9pAWTo4c0SxGlRl7d-oK8WeHizhpibCkz3tUTg3qvHDg/s3872/DSC_2455.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0HB7PXDZJgBeGtWqrvNi4CS7iunwb69y2WEysP0ABZPk_mCNRSwCiQpG7GaG_enminBIxlFvb6lPeOvTWlfyjHFE6ye6rbIX5FjeAJMJ-HIu_hcD4TOT4WSDezK_rA-NY9xCLJ2LJJkrfx9pAWTo4c0SxGlRl7d-oK8WeHizhpibCkz3tUTg3qvHDg/w428-h640/DSC_2455.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even after touring the cathedral we saw more dignitaries arriving via the Royal carriage. It was nice to see Spain has overcome their machismo image to allow females an equal opportunity.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ_8DDKDLDobMtmdRX6sBRDw1Tf1jrGDIjeoa1-B5vZqSB_-fFmeSZDLegOx6U9dUlyhJ1sjHTtLLaQwEWRdiVCuAu918colmo85x0MvQs205Pg-M2RFw0w5YgWGSDp-BbNG92i8nmrtmv2mzOiD2kYIOCrM8CKMp7H3g6d_iN7Tn_TPAZK4n40N6uQ/s3872/DSC_2459.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ_8DDKDLDobMtmdRX6sBRDw1Tf1jrGDIjeoa1-B5vZqSB_-fFmeSZDLegOx6U9dUlyhJ1sjHTtLLaQwEWRdiVCuAu918colmo85x0MvQs205Pg-M2RFw0w5YgWGSDp-BbNG92i8nmrtmv2mzOiD2kYIOCrM8CKMp7H3g6d_iN7Tn_TPAZK4n40N6uQ/w640-h428/DSC_2459.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dtVjciBc2RDWnDvqSbpBHbHvEo21c5FnApReoEUd4z0CyvnebaVUuauNY4sCwqbiqwK8or25GrAP8t41ds1SzPouIzup3A-yvJNvR8RB9ZcPiWMu1H6GanUGbxF2Y9u9D49OgkBIw2MjVC58kQ9YVLoOTQlzXgiCagWE8TGZCWpQ1wOukQmO_0UybA/s3872/DSC_2460.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dtVjciBc2RDWnDvqSbpBHbHvEo21c5FnApReoEUd4z0CyvnebaVUuauNY4sCwqbiqwK8or25GrAP8t41ds1SzPouIzup3A-yvJNvR8RB9ZcPiWMu1H6GanUGbxF2Y9u9D49OgkBIw2MjVC58kQ9YVLoOTQlzXgiCagWE8TGZCWpQ1wOukQmO_0UybA/w640-h428/DSC_2460.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>A Time Out for Church </u></p><p>During one of the periods that we thought the hoopla was over at the Palace we entered the Cathedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena which was conveniently located across from the palace. The Cathedral was huge and tall and, thank God, had elevators that the old and infirm (us) could take to the top where we were treated to the most amazing views of Madrid that you can imagine. The statues that are perched on the numerous corners of the building are absolutely stunning as you will see in Michael's photos. Halfway through our tour as we lingered on a balcony facing the Palace it started all over again... music, parading, horse guards. They were tireless.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD6lcN99OHWUS-u0OnK7pQ6LfZZmoqzwCa3ien4L4cnYFY5fqO_zI7_h9BsWouneOcautiTKNm6bqwBo2Dy1HGMbXItG6DkOtFyd6vBroymVsBvEnhQxLkhCnVhNzHU1c-FqJ2I3GIQ4rz5-OsRyv_pz98RScUGY9NyMz7EPDhhosB3MtuER9AlBdKQ/s3872/DSC_2355.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD6lcN99OHWUS-u0OnK7pQ6LfZZmoqzwCa3ien4L4cnYFY5fqO_zI7_h9BsWouneOcautiTKNm6bqwBo2Dy1HGMbXItG6DkOtFyd6vBroymVsBvEnhQxLkhCnVhNzHU1c-FqJ2I3GIQ4rz5-OsRyv_pz98RScUGY9NyMz7EPDhhosB3MtuER9AlBdKQ/w428-h640/DSC_2355.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statues adorning the Cathedral...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VVum7IQMRBuiICpsJHy7dF7vFBm6Bul7WHM-wFy3PVnBOIGxO4Ynx8MWY6PD086N61U_onFjtNt4_0qp4nA8HvNgyMuWH1bwlIFcUOPJA76YhnugdnU_SjtT98QJqt16d3otsGFuQeHNQUkW4dw43pINue6FIcZgtQU0zUSy475RCXTE5R2AOmdQbw/s3872/DSC_2359.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VVum7IQMRBuiICpsJHy7dF7vFBm6Bul7WHM-wFy3PVnBOIGxO4Ynx8MWY6PD086N61U_onFjtNt4_0qp4nA8HvNgyMuWH1bwlIFcUOPJA76YhnugdnU_SjtT98QJqt16d3otsGFuQeHNQUkW4dw43pINue6FIcZgtQU0zUSy475RCXTE5R2AOmdQbw/w640-h428/DSC_2359.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the stone carvings...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjdP4doty9JbrybCEcUP_c9lrS-VOJqyijPE2Hqq3KGq5kDKEGuUjIN93NwrxYK2FMpZl-_gO855556ujq5PIz5Z6Ztl5UrHoX4IX0y4ptthKhl1W_VmXo4fO0878XFgp5KE9-mBPeNjFtUJxkN-iAQ3gihkhIzzSNOP5fGpPwk0dQzx9KBBI_aO1GA/s3872/DSC_2360.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjdP4doty9JbrybCEcUP_c9lrS-VOJqyijPE2Hqq3KGq5kDKEGuUjIN93NwrxYK2FMpZl-_gO855556ujq5PIz5Z6Ztl5UrHoX4IX0y4ptthKhl1W_VmXo4fO0878XFgp5KE9-mBPeNjFtUJxkN-iAQ3gihkhIzzSNOP5fGpPwk0dQzx9KBBI_aO1GA/w428-h640/DSC_2360.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">were chosen to match the grey and white facade of the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) opposite.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs2boGQFV4S7Fep4Js0Gvot0N5XAnDhgCgaHAtWity7DewJyVsgd9pbnRs1CN26qct8B3jeaNY7eXxb5Q7TSSRjKMdOmWMSCA553SwCcISelUgcLhMDhP-J_NPwIYXHwFnd9b_9BiI0OF0fHDs09W0PxUJISbdYygqr6vFYnDNIq3ycW0m1D3U1bZBg/s3872/DSC_2400.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs2boGQFV4S7Fep4Js0Gvot0N5XAnDhgCgaHAtWity7DewJyVsgd9pbnRs1CN26qct8B3jeaNY7eXxb5Q7TSSRjKMdOmWMSCA553SwCcISelUgcLhMDhP-J_NPwIYXHwFnd9b_9BiI0OF0fHDs09W0PxUJISbdYygqr6vFYnDNIq3ycW0m1D3U1bZBg/w428-h640/DSC_2400.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one half of a very large bronze door at one of the entrances.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSLlSEWEcCGub4v79ZOHwxQk9C1hiaH87FQpwhr6UpwAaKLGvwpaMKQOsmiLIwIMlG9wTfbgmtAbEXoTxSNdCnFgYOgFq8N6ePAINgy6rD6hRgyAPCo4T_guIjtvPf_Lg_bMt4cUxjHglNHwjuLK9NmhW6FGN2jbodNDBR1KgBVo9g9hePu--rZk7aQ/s3872/DSC_2409.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSLlSEWEcCGub4v79ZOHwxQk9C1hiaH87FQpwhr6UpwAaKLGvwpaMKQOsmiLIwIMlG9wTfbgmtAbEXoTxSNdCnFgYOgFq8N6ePAINgy6rD6hRgyAPCo4T_guIjtvPf_Lg_bMt4cUxjHglNHwjuLK9NmhW6FGN2jbodNDBR1KgBVo9g9hePu--rZk7aQ/w640-h428/DSC_2409.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the views from the rooftop terrace of the Cathedral.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm36tAxKKkdMBz_-iNQpvMqmq2eybRyCJVonk98fi5GOlYHR04NLUUbbK1_8p7SM_rATiFgO7grVt0wsqwBFUkN_ZILSGmYIDUqMLTVnd7YFaKPd4SLnVVBFYyMMxabUwqW_-MzwcaIA0_J38hZq4xvwGOsPdpj1hjP-talrpyNoDoTAHXmciyAm46w/s3872/DSC_2414.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm36tAxKKkdMBz_-iNQpvMqmq2eybRyCJVonk98fi5GOlYHR04NLUUbbK1_8p7SM_rATiFgO7grVt0wsqwBFUkN_ZILSGmYIDUqMLTVnd7YFaKPd4SLnVVBFYyMMxabUwqW_-MzwcaIA0_J38hZq4xvwGOsPdpj1hjP-talrpyNoDoTAHXmciyAm46w/w428-h640/DSC_2414.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the balcony on the facade of the Cathedral are large statues of the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) in niches. Each of the Evangelists was represented by a living creature.<br />There seems to be a dispute as to which living creature belongs with which Evangelist.<br />John is represented by an eagle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc4DlUeJhJLEAVIboPyf9-fXNYB3hXiTpFF_rXv4jTbS-Mt1nXu0ClAfYawXuFzTypSjotBr_SlD62k8QVXhS13y25oVMIbOTJj9bNOQRKcUcnPTqhsPwbwZkSviSlE31vetFpAGgPyH2VA6XvbjYDhDII_DBa91De--c5KriYkLFtKo8EAL3lPtMHw/s3872/DSC_2415.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc4DlUeJhJLEAVIboPyf9-fXNYB3hXiTpFF_rXv4jTbS-Mt1nXu0ClAfYawXuFzTypSjotBr_SlD62k8QVXhS13y25oVMIbOTJj9bNOQRKcUcnPTqhsPwbwZkSviSlE31vetFpAGgPyH2VA6XvbjYDhDII_DBa91De--c5KriYkLFtKo8EAL3lPtMHw/w428-h640/DSC_2415.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke is represented by an ox.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJCfz68jY1C6ghDdNxD0yw9eA5B3UAcRRgOKEgDTCQf7EWo2bj7Kaq2VmYxDwicv32dWncnJfwPPoy7YFCBB8ia2bUfZou_aFvglK3FCfcW7d4gfYrDbkh03tEpAS6f0QvaBE5Pw1_Zpwb3XLawXAdMpGMtO-xfHujWJTmA4-GaqX3u9S_-lUFIU0tw/s3872/DSC_2418.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJCfz68jY1C6ghDdNxD0yw9eA5B3UAcRRgOKEgDTCQf7EWo2bj7Kaq2VmYxDwicv32dWncnJfwPPoy7YFCBB8ia2bUfZou_aFvglK3FCfcW7d4gfYrDbkh03tEpAS6f0QvaBE5Pw1_Zpwb3XLawXAdMpGMtO-xfHujWJTmA4-GaqX3u9S_-lUFIU0tw/w428-h640/DSC_2418.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew is represented by either a man (or in this case by an angel).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnczVAyF__-c9Rdhl3icXRcv6XMRVm9v6yufX9mTm4ucgh6WL-hmrHmzlBBBM5hpw2epSL1WVWaobNBHnCE55dJflv40qz80-gDH8YoLohjzAdLTNIpU5oAom0pMrycqf2LI1B5Z0sRmFMT0GSC67NN6woWIvgbGYcFQsAxanhbuwuGPzO1PjbjXnA/s3872/DSC_2417.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnczVAyF__-c9Rdhl3icXRcv6XMRVm9v6yufX9mTm4ucgh6WL-hmrHmzlBBBM5hpw2epSL1WVWaobNBHnCE55dJflv40qz80-gDH8YoLohjzAdLTNIpU5oAom0pMrycqf2LI1B5Z0sRmFMT0GSC67NN6woWIvgbGYcFQsAxanhbuwuGPzO1PjbjXnA/w428-h640/DSC_2417.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark is represented by a lion. These living creatures come from a vision of Ezekiel in the Old Testament and of John in Revelations as four living creatures appearing at the throne of God.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsziT2dQoAq8xUzA1teBPr3mlhITzllTu4Rt2SRakVro3dN9CoMn4vqnNxZf8hryLjgdQeRxsiuHfdic1xU1tVDL1sJem2f6NWEflYdHQproHT5yUPeMI5wmg5yRapW3-qI6ilOxYRJGghSFLESTwAuxmP9toCm9RHy096nw0-KEkmodBsSFuP0d7Npg/s3872/DSC_2416.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsziT2dQoAq8xUzA1teBPr3mlhITzllTu4Rt2SRakVro3dN9CoMn4vqnNxZf8hryLjgdQeRxsiuHfdic1xU1tVDL1sJem2f6NWEflYdHQproHT5yUPeMI5wmg5yRapW3-qI6ilOxYRJGghSFLESTwAuxmP9toCm9RHy096nw0-KEkmodBsSFuP0d7Npg/w428-h640/DSC_2416.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Palace is reflected in this stained glass window.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWrI1Jz0vTreB5KNhMEg9Sx_eLe-alomEz9oPYDfVQkG7f23HuirwWLMhTfDNT32ciL3q94mSl3qMQg9e83cd2bN2-RDJ1Zs59vQEdWr7Ur_1L3H93f5BfURx1d1bqGosrmEq86lCEF4v156eC3FQM4VHxjJQHBbyhL6hXY6m46U5QzGpmnw2oi36ow/s3872/DSC_2420.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWrI1Jz0vTreB5KNhMEg9Sx_eLe-alomEz9oPYDfVQkG7f23HuirwWLMhTfDNT32ciL3q94mSl3qMQg9e83cd2bN2-RDJ1Zs59vQEdWr7Ur_1L3H93f5BfURx1d1bqGosrmEq86lCEF4v156eC3FQM4VHxjJQHBbyhL6hXY6m46U5QzGpmnw2oi36ow/w640-h428/DSC_2420.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two bell towers frame the Royal Palace in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaoMchSoAAvkXD2mVWbAMneHTQdLN0DhQzoHcy41Y8cyhqDt_w-ZYFXOeg15jRypYUojDQrwMaMfidH9SMsh-RaUKd-7VhzHzuuz6K-IB_Vj0aDG-Wcu9ZTKn07MA-5BzIOAP9xNrfbJLsfOh9iGP-cJVipfnIC1K4j8KbZwZ1HbPpJlerltQltuqXQ/s3872/DSC_2421.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaoMchSoAAvkXD2mVWbAMneHTQdLN0DhQzoHcy41Y8cyhqDt_w-ZYFXOeg15jRypYUojDQrwMaMfidH9SMsh-RaUKd-7VhzHzuuz6K-IB_Vj0aDG-Wcu9ZTKn07MA-5BzIOAP9xNrfbJLsfOh9iGP-cJVipfnIC1K4j8KbZwZ1HbPpJlerltQltuqXQ/w428-h640/DSC_2421.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statues on the roof terrace of the Cathedral are of the twelve apostles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oh9Bf0RNCRN_iewqQANEQBcnN6Nnkrm1gYIrVomERoam6bKF3EI5rygLGiyQT0PTQV-8cAlDYkNMgXho-S-EtOMlptlCsqRSAPa-L7Kx7WCMT1C-AeSsDhEkJ-NA6ytqzBhRPq54aDEE_xG2TI1ZpmzqYg34ZCwSmAmo4xYppEtTHShoVTmi5Eml1A/s3872/DSC_2422.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oh9Bf0RNCRN_iewqQANEQBcnN6Nnkrm1gYIrVomERoam6bKF3EI5rygLGiyQT0PTQV-8cAlDYkNMgXho-S-EtOMlptlCsqRSAPa-L7Kx7WCMT1C-AeSsDhEkJ-NA6ytqzBhRPq54aDEE_xG2TI1ZpmzqYg34ZCwSmAmo4xYppEtTHShoVTmi5Eml1A/w428-h640/DSC_2422.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These statues were sculpted by Luis Sanguino.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZGHqIZ6nab3Y1WDEhHvffuFlKkkFkQDy7kU8toeXx8CzfP_pCH72D4kFVyrMwjJu8b9oFlHp9EzaMO8Xv_MILZFqbzpVpKadCpAUuzvL_8c5Fi0mnJRLrcIZ15l6_O5yg9tlDXrqD19KH86_V5KvaQivenKbD_cbqSbgpbDV85KeD6QzQy5Wq2kt8g/s3872/DSC_2434.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZGHqIZ6nab3Y1WDEhHvffuFlKkkFkQDy7kU8toeXx8CzfP_pCH72D4kFVyrMwjJu8b9oFlHp9EzaMO8Xv_MILZFqbzpVpKadCpAUuzvL_8c5Fi0mnJRLrcIZ15l6_O5yg9tlDXrqD19KH86_V5KvaQivenKbD_cbqSbgpbDV85KeD6QzQy5Wq2kt8g/w428-h640/DSC_2434.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg42yWS5nWgFyhVUitskXTgXhIq3ovtjn3UMe-ZACx-dhOUFTNo6zAlhGtGQjpk9Nz_Wtjufpk7qUpv1fZNnUE9KMbnGThKNzNJzqbwiSP795KxS8_6tKTbLPkAu7bGtrBUreU3rwhIYUgnCu0XZoJT4yUibr1eG-u_d9rAjU-DfYudlig21dMGcWRQ/s3872/DSC_2437.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg42yWS5nWgFyhVUitskXTgXhIq3ovtjn3UMe-ZACx-dhOUFTNo6zAlhGtGQjpk9Nz_Wtjufpk7qUpv1fZNnUE9KMbnGThKNzNJzqbwiSP795KxS8_6tKTbLPkAu7bGtrBUreU3rwhIYUgnCu0XZoJT4yUibr1eG-u_d9rAjU-DfYudlig21dMGcWRQ/w428-h640/DSC_2437.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifTYukh56-PxEELdOVT7CxEtxVr-aTj4Bsda635y9r485kjaiqQ1_Lhjo-iOSUsr17X2HItjux4LAgKwCbFLby_lBKzY5RHDFMH2APpt_zAMIqa2uwYsSl_yxH4t0BTdwcvpoVhDe2gu_lykRYQ3RIZi5R2betbcdOQFk2dTiRpWe0lWoFWeieRMF7w/s3872/DSC_2441.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifTYukh56-PxEELdOVT7CxEtxVr-aTj4Bsda635y9r485kjaiqQ1_Lhjo-iOSUsr17X2HItjux4LAgKwCbFLby_lBKzY5RHDFMH2APpt_zAMIqa2uwYsSl_yxH4t0BTdwcvpoVhDe2gu_lykRYQ3RIZi5R2betbcdOQFk2dTiRpWe0lWoFWeieRMF7w/w428-h640/DSC_2441.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurG_3bMwR46uF-FXB__mDIf1AKPewIdcI6WzloYwmmrY3YFgqlV8xgBU3LmeWcld0ju9jg5ys0NHCytA5Us0xjZjdbYnXd7hg4nfiFtF17Q4ORd4uwV5L1Ik72adh-nIi5LutNh-ChSuc8ZBE8ZU4u3SqzWQ7D9fQ5LaxInkWCACQl2T7syvU7q922w/s3872/DSC_2451.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurG_3bMwR46uF-FXB__mDIf1AKPewIdcI6WzloYwmmrY3YFgqlV8xgBU3LmeWcld0ju9jg5ys0NHCytA5Us0xjZjdbYnXd7hg4nfiFtF17Q4ORd4uwV5L1Ik72adh-nIi5LutNh-ChSuc8ZBE8ZU4u3SqzWQ7D9fQ5LaxInkWCACQl2T7syvU7q922w/w640-h428/DSC_2451.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral construction began in 1883, was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War and was not completed until 1993, when it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. Thus you will see some very modern touches in the Cathedral like this section of the dome.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><u>La Gran Via</u></p><p>Having been frustrated in our attempt to see the Royal Palace, we decided to go to the La Gran Via and find a place to enjoy lunch. La Gran Via ("The Great Way") is a street in central Madrid, which is sometimes referred to as the "Spanish Broadway". Having seen La Gran Via, I would disagree. Yes it is one of the cities most important shopping areas with a large number of hotels, restaurants, etc.. However the street is a showcase of early 20th century architecture, with architectural styles ranging from Vienna Secession style, Plateresque, Neo-Mudéjar, and Art Deco among others. The photos will showcase some of the amazing architecture along La Gran Via.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8ZmWM48AHCW2cmlL6DFWn8UfecYxJLG7rs0GA-SAxZMAO8mSA_9lOg4-aQh5gpnlNvSeEbB0yMgVw_aiUmcjDESDZLiBI_PzPe47grV-Erk2GbVpCYTEkV7Sympw1PeO5USRmdAnVOXuiB-IPzE_Du0ekJxOSXj1oYYy798Rq1dNBGen4VlJBuEi7A/s3872/DSC_2466.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8ZmWM48AHCW2cmlL6DFWn8UfecYxJLG7rs0GA-SAxZMAO8mSA_9lOg4-aQh5gpnlNvSeEbB0yMgVw_aiUmcjDESDZLiBI_PzPe47grV-Erk2GbVpCYTEkV7Sympw1PeO5USRmdAnVOXuiB-IPzE_Du0ekJxOSXj1oYYy798Rq1dNBGen4VlJBuEi7A/w640-h428/DSC_2466.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the City Hall of Madrid at Plaza de Cibeles, opposite the start of La Gran Via.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsyuyj040ckUwSCdQtZ8xy030NxZ9QziDhztvgMApRz93ZucCt7KmCtjHvzjPZ4LdiWdiY5tVMrx0Qhzbib8-x8-dIlKQmoe-s4w7XlwE4mgmFKA92XwVHhs0jiPtO0lZomdv1uS3ZUSo6MTxlEtJvZhrN41n_vV4r7F3hHnhW0DfL2NlVwZq8dO2dw/s3872/DSC_2470.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsyuyj040ckUwSCdQtZ8xy030NxZ9QziDhztvgMApRz93ZucCt7KmCtjHvzjPZ4LdiWdiY5tVMrx0Qhzbib8-x8-dIlKQmoe-s4w7XlwE4mgmFKA92XwVHhs0jiPtO0lZomdv1uS3ZUSo6MTxlEtJvZhrN41n_vV4r7F3hHnhW0DfL2NlVwZq8dO2dw/w428-h640/DSC_2470.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The following photos show the adornments on the buildings along La Gran Via.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAwWHyaVFAsyZ_aLQAP39pRq4SVVGiY262jyu1NRsNPFYWeFhLKxLHDlg0lVUkG8aDoKvPN3-YrSujhnW5jeIiQFfhScrlt8_V4FJcO5EU-EoKZBJwa6BzH8fO8BSkxjifitWF6zDeqBQK0IYIAPG-u3dysa2FjFPj_5FPmX6ivpIl97ObMbE_OVvuQ/s3872/DSC_2472.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAwWHyaVFAsyZ_aLQAP39pRq4SVVGiY262jyu1NRsNPFYWeFhLKxLHDlg0lVUkG8aDoKvPN3-YrSujhnW5jeIiQFfhScrlt8_V4FJcO5EU-EoKZBJwa6BzH8fO8BSkxjifitWF6zDeqBQK0IYIAPG-u3dysa2FjFPj_5FPmX6ivpIl97ObMbE_OVvuQ/w428-h640/DSC_2472.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFzTw69jPCXllsmaj9oaNnfbrEIllwfrr0TmNZEfuzi30_3oBqhhK6yC3txQAj4yS9WavnZd_0QpGFTUQVSF48ThgSslQGjw19mTQ1sWGH3crgoXrF7s-jprT-KOz-i2j0fUrH14bETNLIQ6TiGZw0woyhI6cBF6til_ign6-6v1NqAfOrRx2Vs5gyA/s3872/DSC_2473.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFzTw69jPCXllsmaj9oaNnfbrEIllwfrr0TmNZEfuzi30_3oBqhhK6yC3txQAj4yS9WavnZd_0QpGFTUQVSF48ThgSslQGjw19mTQ1sWGH3crgoXrF7s-jprT-KOz-i2j0fUrH14bETNLIQ6TiGZw0woyhI6cBF6til_ign6-6v1NqAfOrRx2Vs5gyA/w428-h640/DSC_2473.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2PC_jmQ2Wy5OrK30xXyX602GxXQnX7FRPg8Aq3l43GH5yTMbg3zjxU79LvhQ1bUxEUHZsxV2Ug7X7SOv750RuL6Wuf5l0bHYqEos3h1W_HVCeHFiPJ1zkPobXuGc3OIJGEA1xQGZYjK6V7BujUXv1kk6PUkH4FAvkh3vsqfDN6xVHLkayqRXPxjbHw/s3872/DSC_2474.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2PC_jmQ2Wy5OrK30xXyX602GxXQnX7FRPg8Aq3l43GH5yTMbg3zjxU79LvhQ1bUxEUHZsxV2Ug7X7SOv750RuL6Wuf5l0bHYqEos3h1W_HVCeHFiPJ1zkPobXuGc3OIJGEA1xQGZYjK6V7BujUXv1kk6PUkH4FAvkh3vsqfDN6xVHLkayqRXPxjbHw/w428-h640/DSC_2474.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except this photo, which shows the top of the City Hall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50rTzRuy-InGjGG_6EPVxkQsHvcPNP5QrImNEjPzi4ofYFli-FqYaWhfDnZoQqUIIdiA_55j9939s2ZP6Nt9D0hItnoEZSevV_jUoXuhvrn7S_gw9tBUKc2Z4-GkheISOssNlIisUdMgqk6riPkav4xVXu7KZYRXUe2GSYRR2kC05LFAwpCKCGfNeZQ/s3872/DSC_2475.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50rTzRuy-InGjGG_6EPVxkQsHvcPNP5QrImNEjPzi4ofYFli-FqYaWhfDnZoQqUIIdiA_55j9939s2ZP6Nt9D0hItnoEZSevV_jUoXuhvrn7S_gw9tBUKc2Z4-GkheISOssNlIisUdMgqk6riPkav4xVXu7KZYRXUe2GSYRR2kC05LFAwpCKCGfNeZQ/w640-h428/DSC_2475.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXknz4pAlWOmIW4-8FgCdK0mViV2d3k0BF3m9wIwa-5o8zzXDToAWORTNeoPssgZ3Fc51wxQhf937vHZpfmaS8gpy0Yd6i6JjzWXETO-otgQHqti7iIyYmO0yuQ7vn6G9czVqr1zfCN6NvO2qcyITHwUXKmTrSZiYfRaCpWegEpqK1JbfCGOPBTTlvxw/s3872/DSC_2476.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXknz4pAlWOmIW4-8FgCdK0mViV2d3k0BF3m9wIwa-5o8zzXDToAWORTNeoPssgZ3Fc51wxQhf937vHZpfmaS8gpy0Yd6i6JjzWXETO-otgQHqti7iIyYmO0yuQ7vn6G9czVqr1zfCN6NvO2qcyITHwUXKmTrSZiYfRaCpWegEpqK1JbfCGOPBTTlvxw/w428-h640/DSC_2476.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MDO-gISEwnc-8zU6ihnLATp0MG91Asiv6VJ2KiKBdK-eIYHL-CVM4_TYLcojVUDmfOgXZPjtSaiANHsV7TS_vqmxSvp2podSA6RLN_F6usos9sj9Oe2AO2vTt5ptXlDDQpFjpUgXXPQ110pLTUIx-FN_N338_KVcp6322fN0y8rEjoEORkeVMLhhRQ/s3872/DSC_2479.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MDO-gISEwnc-8zU6ihnLATp0MG91Asiv6VJ2KiKBdK-eIYHL-CVM4_TYLcojVUDmfOgXZPjtSaiANHsV7TS_vqmxSvp2podSA6RLN_F6usos9sj9Oe2AO2vTt5ptXlDDQpFjpUgXXPQ110pLTUIx-FN_N338_KVcp6322fN0y8rEjoEORkeVMLhhRQ/w640-h428/DSC_2479.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jc5xYogNQeeHKBFgj4h8r6Rujz4xo_Yax9qgtpkpsiT7SuQ8u05FlYFa7a0M-Ih0Vi-LXmXnGdSnQgCn0SwAFgDv0WiXDHCRk8QV5IL-uZqJ-wEQo7Z4A6A-S7GFkPoEWwV6o37t7HDUuD5V88gkP4NrUvAOmMuEjymwX7v76KVkOIQC5wmrKLmhtQ/s3872/DSC_2482.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jc5xYogNQeeHKBFgj4h8r6Rujz4xo_Yax9qgtpkpsiT7SuQ8u05FlYFa7a0M-Ih0Vi-LXmXnGdSnQgCn0SwAFgDv0WiXDHCRk8QV5IL-uZqJ-wEQo7Z4A6A-S7GFkPoEWwV6o37t7HDUuD5V88gkP4NrUvAOmMuEjymwX7v76KVkOIQC5wmrKLmhtQ/w640-h428/DSC_2482.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buildings along La Gran Via with their varied architectural styles still seem to all blend seamlessly into each other without clashing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3eY1SRxm8RiDmuUbOpiVKxHIcN_UwtkDerphgnaMIBrcW7FmWTajX3t58EM1n_Fgk3L9-WmJtJmX-vY69cCGutHFqm3eeDDzM-Bjqq85HBjQ5ClekVozH9Bd-GIv-fqtMPvx1tPkTDXgNGv_DxUH2ajHyTJUKEg-TWcntvEtWjU2EgUTHRTbETtbXQ/s3872/DSC_2483.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3eY1SRxm8RiDmuUbOpiVKxHIcN_UwtkDerphgnaMIBrcW7FmWTajX3t58EM1n_Fgk3L9-WmJtJmX-vY69cCGutHFqm3eeDDzM-Bjqq85HBjQ5ClekVozH9Bd-GIv-fqtMPvx1tPkTDXgNGv_DxUH2ajHyTJUKEg-TWcntvEtWjU2EgUTHRTbETtbXQ/w640-h428/DSC_2483.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even this building under construction was covered to blend into the surrounding buildings.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rWqvkw7PwI7Rqr78xxpeQslRNdNyQYa0-VYSY9XuIXIaHItmKY_TGmWySJZ_gXd6ZjZItYqA5uoMxY9LQreH3OOG67UHyGKlr3BmVaFq8dUwAn4l0pJvrqAGzJ7AeOiu6vwMznGKihbKPxXMqRJgd_mDmwmyeqcgWaTSwmOgNuGnFndYBKJ7scsMQQ/s3872/DSC_2488.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rWqvkw7PwI7Rqr78xxpeQslRNdNyQYa0-VYSY9XuIXIaHItmKY_TGmWySJZ_gXd6ZjZItYqA5uoMxY9LQreH3OOG67UHyGKlr3BmVaFq8dUwAn4l0pJvrqAGzJ7AeOiu6vwMznGKihbKPxXMqRJgd_mDmwmyeqcgWaTSwmOgNuGnFndYBKJ7scsMQQ/w428-h640/DSC_2488.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv2WQd3L9WnWAoKT1ia4_Sl9rlDckFe1Mpi5eBFer-9Hb3f9flPWhi5NexeQ7ZV--DRB_D6P0g78-geDauYUwtyN2bN-sjcAnvMWrpC_TiH1XelYSgl0QLjxkD1Cbhq-MT8kyTnOl8jShXmR4Tgk1G8Hr5j_aHC9CDee-aPoJY7WO5rcHU5QBJ5fagA/s3872/DSC_2489.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv2WQd3L9WnWAoKT1ia4_Sl9rlDckFe1Mpi5eBFer-9Hb3f9flPWhi5NexeQ7ZV--DRB_D6P0g78-geDauYUwtyN2bN-sjcAnvMWrpC_TiH1XelYSgl0QLjxkD1Cbhq-MT8kyTnOl8jShXmR4Tgk1G8Hr5j_aHC9CDee-aPoJY7WO5rcHU5QBJ5fagA/w640-h428/DSC_2489.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcTZQhDHzwTbmuIUd9GnafInyKQocoOgITPgJh3yDssZSmBLiwbMOHyJ2zEPFoXWWvoFkWNq2GYLBXvKQLbJzIQRYaaUG-CufCPTLBh_axl3f21GYdtlJwB5gQUBZUBzMfN1PsDKXWX9ue6ETCjHBxpkBYHHSf147s_Eedc5n2vf3i4Pb8GoA58ZU2g/s3872/DSC_2490.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcTZQhDHzwTbmuIUd9GnafInyKQocoOgITPgJh3yDssZSmBLiwbMOHyJ2zEPFoXWWvoFkWNq2GYLBXvKQLbJzIQRYaaUG-CufCPTLBh_axl3f21GYdtlJwB5gQUBZUBzMfN1PsDKXWX9ue6ETCjHBxpkBYHHSf147s_Eedc5n2vf3i4Pb8GoA58ZU2g/w428-h640/DSC_2490.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnBzJFeE9Y0j8YmDcgm0upfAT5f3569Lqjd7R_OqPVltO7iSb-3mfySi6_00YASOEeX8ULF_BSks1YQJN8HMKi4AFz7TseqPU2Z-RlxBDcRbNoobA-PoT46BGRM0RbLc-3DzQtY75ZOCvswoqddvHxSqCBV9cyqFKf1Kazu7sqNPQc4kBzQAfFMhjXA/s3872/DSC_2491.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnBzJFeE9Y0j8YmDcgm0upfAT5f3569Lqjd7R_OqPVltO7iSb-3mfySi6_00YASOEeX8ULF_BSks1YQJN8HMKi4AFz7TseqPU2Z-RlxBDcRbNoobA-PoT46BGRM0RbLc-3DzQtY75ZOCvswoqddvHxSqCBV9cyqFKf1Kazu7sqNPQc4kBzQAfFMhjXA/w428-h640/DSC_2491.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have heard of green buildings (as in energy efficient)...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoRyRUuvuZCL1R-L0j49E_n7A8fgUzNb2TApgPazaW4S6U8KEMFG1p36j1gvhyltk6K1-QbaGH44xCNnLT21upteJRuzdFGXxijTYKYH4IcLTyM3TB8njx99bhy31_T0IljZ-F3egYMjUlUvVWw63ZufxxVTpwMFO3I4Znr665YmLqBg_X0w5QYSd8Q/s3872/DSC_2492.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoRyRUuvuZCL1R-L0j49E_n7A8fgUzNb2TApgPazaW4S6U8KEMFG1p36j1gvhyltk6K1-QbaGH44xCNnLT21upteJRuzdFGXxijTYKYH4IcLTyM3TB8njx99bhy31_T0IljZ-F3egYMjUlUvVWw63ZufxxVTpwMFO3I4Znr665YmLqBg_X0w5QYSd8Q/w428-h640/DSC_2492.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but this was truly a green (as in covered in living plants) building.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9W5T4TRdZ7rVo1pI31MYyj58Tr-Wm0kUcaPjp7j5wJRf2FGjyhi2AiM4IRlXZJMXfuXDyLPo2a34zfOu-qBRSCBmIORBtg32ctWa4wiYnfxRw_hicrr6Lb1uGxh0dj2eZVLkFb7vjMNmRXnPLCqy4qzqiYN1DQcc8gR88muuiVnnAQL897Am6jrvFg/s3872/DSC_2494.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9W5T4TRdZ7rVo1pI31MYyj58Tr-Wm0kUcaPjp7j5wJRf2FGjyhi2AiM4IRlXZJMXfuXDyLPo2a34zfOu-qBRSCBmIORBtg32ctWa4wiYnfxRw_hicrr6Lb1uGxh0dj2eZVLkFb7vjMNmRXnPLCqy4qzqiYN1DQcc8gR88muuiVnnAQL897Am6jrvFg/w640-h428/DSC_2494.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd79pooY26AzV8IhHEeP-iVz6QdRkoUhKt7H-7pKABHwIhiIB9OuaarINgzQ044rhvQGkUcABCnEVm-tUFNHT05oIIumJhRWbqdn6-oF7cDpvnl3TdK3jK43Qys8xmzPJ-iUaj92w6k03HpIrWgu_p5ya5B-jxYP5hlEV5TxKql0y7Q70bz6V3LLBukg/s3872/DSC_2495.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd79pooY26AzV8IhHEeP-iVz6QdRkoUhKt7H-7pKABHwIhiIB9OuaarINgzQ044rhvQGkUcABCnEVm-tUFNHT05oIIumJhRWbqdn6-oF7cDpvnl3TdK3jK43Qys8xmzPJ-iUaj92w6k03HpIrWgu_p5ya5B-jxYP5hlEV5TxKql0y7Q70bz6V3LLBukg/w640-h428/DSC_2495.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Gran Via was used to advertise the Top Gun Maverick movie with this large pilot's helmet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Finally, We Get Inside</u></p><p>Undaunted by our original failure to breach the gates of the Palace we returned early the next morning and it was a good thing that we did get there early. By the time we left the Palace (around 11 AM) the lines (in the broiling Sun) were huge. Always go early...always. This palace has 3,000 rooms which I think is excessive but impressive. The staircases are vast, made of unforgiving stone and lack anything as pedestrian as handrails. One fall on those and you're a goner. As I minced my way down a particularly harrowing set clinging to Michael's arm a young woman (like 40) solicitously asked if I needed any help. In my best feeble Granny voice I chirped that I was fine but thank you dearie. It was a low point. But I emerged intact. The whole Palace was so over the top it was hard to comprehend. Probably the Porcelain Room (yes, entirely Porcelain including the roof) and the Kitchens were my favorites. It was a bummer that Michael couldn't take photos of some of the most interesting rooms (like the Porcelain room) but the photos of the Kitchens will make up for it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURLm2Ajz-DHGiciPGqIyEPeRnE5dgQ2xVCBmacGhPOjMKL6atjTBMQisq1J3GFpR2D1okj3Osz11fwDlTpsy6yV8i9p7jUoxczd62Rf6Y53A34JmArJ52SEJfqoTvEGnK230JILI7Vucuc7YX935Zf_e9F_WcGdkzW9HEvwSEcpsLVvO-EeNVTbv9Ng/s3872/DSC_2543.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURLm2Ajz-DHGiciPGqIyEPeRnE5dgQ2xVCBmacGhPOjMKL6atjTBMQisq1J3GFpR2D1okj3Osz11fwDlTpsy6yV8i9p7jUoxczd62Rf6Y53A34JmArJ52SEJfqoTvEGnK230JILI7Vucuc7YX935Zf_e9F_WcGdkzW9HEvwSEcpsLVvO-EeNVTbv9Ng/w428-h640/DSC_2543.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the light posts at the Royal Palace were very ornate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyAw90imPBagl28oJ78Z_NI_QqKv0Y97RFMt_eI75wSz7IWq3_MXDIAzSpd0a9oQiSdy4VWLGl1ZS-i-AD2fUCUk36_3U5HmD89xYShQxADf0ZqAbKfD-gkmoryYPg8fgqnh0Zh8Fc6vRRLA-10TH6rk2AMi1DDFGzw0hRTxLAYQVA6nJvTPEhdOerA/s3872/DSC_2546.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyAw90imPBagl28oJ78Z_NI_QqKv0Y97RFMt_eI75wSz7IWq3_MXDIAzSpd0a9oQiSdy4VWLGl1ZS-i-AD2fUCUk36_3U5HmD89xYShQxADf0ZqAbKfD-gkmoryYPg8fgqnh0Zh8Fc6vRRLA-10TH6rk2AMi1DDFGzw0hRTxLAYQVA6nJvTPEhdOerA/w428-h640/DSC_2546.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E4U6gGPE1OFGl-3wHxzid7sxdHUv1vZJgZfn3OA_pFliFwF6b4e5ZjNaqqfZVKnGcIUufgDAe06Fa6sw_eI82fWBNj1lzPVjPvSvpXELpEKhze8FxOzV_3u6rEhGq-QIYdmGTYpKh5REnuOWdyIF2WgcMnTQkmqE6D5ETomDrHbHheQffPNrtlpqhA/s3872/DSC_2547.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E4U6gGPE1OFGl-3wHxzid7sxdHUv1vZJgZfn3OA_pFliFwF6b4e5ZjNaqqfZVKnGcIUufgDAe06Fa6sw_eI82fWBNj1lzPVjPvSvpXELpEKhze8FxOzV_3u6rEhGq-QIYdmGTYpKh5REnuOWdyIF2WgcMnTQkmqE6D5ETomDrHbHheQffPNrtlpqhA/w640-h428/DSC_2547.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Royal Palace from the Plaza de Armas.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoxaGuaJHw3pHOV3wM-ja7PGwGn2P6_jmX23O_LQWaXznSw8ixAcQKFesSDEC-7SCA54HpO0dT_VDL0IV6ib8RZUdUe_hEVbAmnmVRwnQtE1nL6FN3QX__z2NkUOeUunpAccFBqBTHRfqtFXRxpimhp8wnImnnQQ7fjrjwB3CMrW9iZiHA_3941Emvw/s3872/DSC_2551.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoxaGuaJHw3pHOV3wM-ja7PGwGn2P6_jmX23O_LQWaXznSw8ixAcQKFesSDEC-7SCA54HpO0dT_VDL0IV6ib8RZUdUe_hEVbAmnmVRwnQtE1nL6FN3QX__z2NkUOeUunpAccFBqBTHRfqtFXRxpimhp8wnImnnQQ7fjrjwB3CMrW9iZiHA_3941Emvw/w640-h428/DSC_2551.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos were allowed in the first section of the Royal Palace, which allowed me to capture these photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3rroP9AmFnd1Lun5VvGz_Y9-nwwOlln8G-yip88l0CIsxX99guLVSUKEWeTJIVT446OBCx5dJetgmNesJJc0SzW6wztFzeINZ_qNh_FhDim9yHAoSKoit2UMehexlZmNKDHBKItL8HpUgyAbs2yj1aioFHN0frgtBqqwTqBA58GsxgTUlJ22Xvu0fg/s3872/DSC_2553.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3rroP9AmFnd1Lun5VvGz_Y9-nwwOlln8G-yip88l0CIsxX99guLVSUKEWeTJIVT446OBCx5dJetgmNesJJc0SzW6wztFzeINZ_qNh_FhDim9yHAoSKoit2UMehexlZmNKDHBKItL8HpUgyAbs2yj1aioFHN0frgtBqqwTqBA58GsxgTUlJ22Xvu0fg/w428-h640/DSC_2553.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrhPbjtBAR9a934aogNcsWliX8qOIHuFg8bZlFFeRNR171TMwpdqmyKeuYeRNAwbu4wYK2eU8lgCywgaTECsvHCqzXVblTHeH2HVTleis_CMw8MMBSHbbfIqLyhEuqWExxAg-FeuEQjli1DEM7nsfx6wmmHSbK52FZYM7T1YGNZaAhvukDoppNA8_zA/s3872/DSC_2556.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrhPbjtBAR9a934aogNcsWliX8qOIHuFg8bZlFFeRNR171TMwpdqmyKeuYeRNAwbu4wYK2eU8lgCywgaTECsvHCqzXVblTHeH2HVTleis_CMw8MMBSHbbfIqLyhEuqWExxAg-FeuEQjli1DEM7nsfx6wmmHSbK52FZYM7T1YGNZaAhvukDoppNA8_zA/w640-h428/DSC_2556.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVEOHuFgbEiYEb4Pwz5Mh7i4xZ51ft0STlwSWd6DrRTlCcw1Ha0tUzmUXsAVCMKbafpoy3T3UZNwU9QZCK-DluPGED8HZP3FVQ6XsxVnrdSNWCkHEOqVRANTQbx7XFk_9LGVeX2Amotz_69acpbpMYa44nTV8wAW-RjtSL7Gad26apalAqpbWR8Tc_g/s3872/DSC_2558.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVEOHuFgbEiYEb4Pwz5Mh7i4xZ51ft0STlwSWd6DrRTlCcw1Ha0tUzmUXsAVCMKbafpoy3T3UZNwU9QZCK-DluPGED8HZP3FVQ6XsxVnrdSNWCkHEOqVRANTQbx7XFk_9LGVeX2Amotz_69acpbpMYa44nTV8wAW-RjtSL7Gad26apalAqpbWR8Tc_g/w640-h428/DSC_2558.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN3p-yDYH865dO0gkBG9fQVTyXNjlsyfzHkYXTVx6dVb1QCZO1kZpHrVGX28wrOgrvK_1RO0NHPJLrBD-uDB9VMehMnoufNXXUXbHRt4qakwLnQtNxkka1x7VUStHS7-zL1RhQ17zfNaN3wR9Y_yOqJua6eim_zKEwzWlyox0ejwZ_1qOkhKUd9X9TQ/s3872/DSC_2559.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN3p-yDYH865dO0gkBG9fQVTyXNjlsyfzHkYXTVx6dVb1QCZO1kZpHrVGX28wrOgrvK_1RO0NHPJLrBD-uDB9VMehMnoufNXXUXbHRt4qakwLnQtNxkka1x7VUStHS7-zL1RhQ17zfNaN3wR9Y_yOqJua6eim_zKEwzWlyox0ejwZ_1qOkhKUd9X9TQ/w640-h428/DSC_2559.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK66a2nPnkl0M7stPA-NqiZ6Q9Gv8sm3OIqvYw8riRELrdvBJ1yP10v8-fuLStxABDYcxaORVvPSo1btDYXL8sz8RvTZknALljzzbvyeSiZ4LaUfrvSwcosO5whFfCk384HrfnEVKQ9B0AGot_wypLRPp6ZF2P4Ul0qUL9QE2fbpG9_3rY194DihHeg/s3872/DSC_2563.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK66a2nPnkl0M7stPA-NqiZ6Q9Gv8sm3OIqvYw8riRELrdvBJ1yP10v8-fuLStxABDYcxaORVvPSo1btDYXL8sz8RvTZknALljzzbvyeSiZ4LaUfrvSwcosO5whFfCk384HrfnEVKQ9B0AGot_wypLRPp6ZF2P4Ul0qUL9QE2fbpG9_3rY194DihHeg/w428-h640/DSC_2563.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWC8mHqcdoGBukO-RrS06l-hXTu3HmfAgJRas9hC6cxqybdOukejbrwwFNJ9buh-bUevWaVey8uYAg5-hT9gEHSyxczMi6vbc7RYdi6O9H-6kKrU8bNfS_-llAyPmU6iFpGd4JO-AiJwNFFEm2VQjWtLrQapK_mm3BjGVfHNwXn51UFFhS3G6fM9akA/s3872/DSC_2564.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWC8mHqcdoGBukO-RrS06l-hXTu3HmfAgJRas9hC6cxqybdOukejbrwwFNJ9buh-bUevWaVey8uYAg5-hT9gEHSyxczMi6vbc7RYdi6O9H-6kKrU8bNfS_-llAyPmU6iFpGd4JO-AiJwNFFEm2VQjWtLrQapK_mm3BjGVfHNwXn51UFFhS3G6fM9akA/w428-h640/DSC_2564.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3C0nIjWnP2_lS5XFPNvkAgnCVG1Yh350N7F1m7vfGyti1qlBVHJtsKw_HWfq5CkUnVVcyt9iJ0IgHx5mgTolkrad0yf6v596dEADszY-7utqvpkuWp4TKpfudwwxhEFvrRzRbcBdjyIE6LJR4ZfbbZ1BVxNxb8ox4LY_KdJS4gZzzzS0DsHicy0kKg/s3872/DSC_2570.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3C0nIjWnP2_lS5XFPNvkAgnCVG1Yh350N7F1m7vfGyti1qlBVHJtsKw_HWfq5CkUnVVcyt9iJ0IgHx5mgTolkrad0yf6v596dEADszY-7utqvpkuWp4TKpfudwwxhEFvrRzRbcBdjyIE6LJR4ZfbbZ1BVxNxb8ox4LY_KdJS4gZzzzS0DsHicy0kKg/w428-h640/DSC_2570.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoqQsaDvEQDJG7Gurp392dmdhAaG0qeFB7n1L50w0v9fSC7mCH1Py1zPQRG9v-q39gpHJQnWSKif_b4AQHhPenSTQyBO6B7ja-eZW_tBIjr-C80QKv4xx0TGQyvbNqxKHdLq5pfe0qY6q1zMKu0dxxdaQ43omZYontp6egrcTeDVgt5tW5j0apYt-5g/s3872/DSC_2571.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoqQsaDvEQDJG7Gurp392dmdhAaG0qeFB7n1L50w0v9fSC7mCH1Py1zPQRG9v-q39gpHJQnWSKif_b4AQHhPenSTQyBO6B7ja-eZW_tBIjr-C80QKv4xx0TGQyvbNqxKHdLq5pfe0qY6q1zMKu0dxxdaQ43omZYontp6egrcTeDVgt5tW5j0apYt-5g/w640-h428/DSC_2571.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYjOEpM5iflRozLZCAKnOVlOAI9QhbsGD48HneItAS1eZ6C5cJeeP-MHyle65f4zzt5lFs93bV9ZZU6jMGvqLt1EibPBjdafjhqThd94uJPQxcNWQqBQ4Pf4Qqpgq41BFLAXx7K6a-yYa-E8l3Wzxf_GcTsEeZHVVT7f6xtKgNYXVz0-LA-X4gtuItA/s3872/DSC_2572.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYjOEpM5iflRozLZCAKnOVlOAI9QhbsGD48HneItAS1eZ6C5cJeeP-MHyle65f4zzt5lFs93bV9ZZU6jMGvqLt1EibPBjdafjhqThd94uJPQxcNWQqBQ4Pf4Qqpgq41BFLAXx7K6a-yYa-E8l3Wzxf_GcTsEeZHVVT7f6xtKgNYXVz0-LA-X4gtuItA/w428-h640/DSC_2572.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manpris, a European custom that Deirdre would like to see abandoned.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW3f41SvpmU2WCwcre4kix-onxwWSYyst95SkW-Kl7oIjEzGbF5lzU0zM63pw0ZmKVg86SxbZfgGfRhzRnISuh8qjIiitXjFX90M-qBQP2v5oksxTyLR8uRoGBtcdPRynJH-lG3EXFlC9edlJO1YplgRb72KUmWPL27xIXidPGcgZf8ZT22Xmde-jNA/s3872/DSC_2573.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW3f41SvpmU2WCwcre4kix-onxwWSYyst95SkW-Kl7oIjEzGbF5lzU0zM63pw0ZmKVg86SxbZfgGfRhzRnISuh8qjIiitXjFX90M-qBQP2v5oksxTyLR8uRoGBtcdPRynJH-lG3EXFlC9edlJO1YplgRb72KUmWPL27xIXidPGcgZf8ZT22Xmde-jNA/w640-h428/DSC_2573.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This section of the Royal kitchens was just for pastries and breads.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YNNMz0EvowXYhd98lvDGedttgsyLFbFJw4ooH1qNz5hZL45W9whPKaSZn-2kVuHJzx36XdeG22ctYi0QI2opJfvEDUfjgWPRKmwhOKgynpQ6NtrvbpqL59dTN6-fdGoBjxLvAtOi3IL_bYZDNOsxTQQ-dAL3mUpGqOptCasgujLcv-oIBeTzLLDV1g/s3872/DSC_2575.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YNNMz0EvowXYhd98lvDGedttgsyLFbFJw4ooH1qNz5hZL45W9whPKaSZn-2kVuHJzx36XdeG22ctYi0QI2opJfvEDUfjgWPRKmwhOKgynpQ6NtrvbpqL59dTN6-fdGoBjxLvAtOi3IL_bYZDNOsxTQQ-dAL3mUpGqOptCasgujLcv-oIBeTzLLDV1g/w640-h428/DSC_2575.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each section of the Royal kitchens had its own specialized stoves and ovens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHePhP6s1t9CoAnbkyKHtHzMGzamMoGz5P6cxczlUJK_N2bGVLXb2kMEyBmOIhvaMqNHCE1X0Psg_sjuKmnna5XD9H0-zXiDuB3KMcvSTxfF4UARKow6yIBWb0i3FtJS33jQKFZigXRSlRT9IJ9tnbYqOUEN-YjWrN1eqWUh3b9xga-3BbHQ43U3HPQg/s3872/DSC_2582.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHePhP6s1t9CoAnbkyKHtHzMGzamMoGz5P6cxczlUJK_N2bGVLXb2kMEyBmOIhvaMqNHCE1X0Psg_sjuKmnna5XD9H0-zXiDuB3KMcvSTxfF4UARKow6yIBWb0i3FtJS33jQKFZigXRSlRT9IJ9tnbYqOUEN-YjWrN1eqWUh3b9xga-3BbHQ43U3HPQg/w640-h428/DSC_2582.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This whole wall was devoted to the Royal refrigerators (aka ice boxes in an earlier era).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUErzm3QH5jfaAnYJvkAh_zNW_BibAX1I0scsk0kZzlu2pL-3Z-ZR24i2b4DQJ-tZg8EZMKiL2XJMCIxw5hKGgFW0es0_RRKiElexr3Zw9JqHSLPFyjA7aqh7ILdD1kNeHMQt210Xy1A8Mhr6TkxAZqH-Xuxz8p7wYkH8-0Hk_dzsPql9skkYqnnjx0A/s3872/DSC_2585.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUErzm3QH5jfaAnYJvkAh_zNW_BibAX1I0scsk0kZzlu2pL-3Z-ZR24i2b4DQJ-tZg8EZMKiL2XJMCIxw5hKGgFW0es0_RRKiElexr3Zw9JqHSLPFyjA7aqh7ILdD1kNeHMQt210Xy1A8Mhr6TkxAZqH-Xuxz8p7wYkH8-0Hk_dzsPql9skkYqnnjx0A/w640-h428/DSC_2585.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cooktop with the Royal crest custom made for the Royal kitchens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaXOxRBbHEF09ecQd-lWwyWMRe9Xcjb-nvPIOtvKog0FnKTlOs_OpO9ku89b3S3qCd_VDKcC7eki30ow_WKidxqd1jpNwzWkpv-HzBIsSQTA1-JXRl0ZFhEeMT8cSS8NMisIa5KTFMmSIwsC8U54xf574T0M-i7UHoFGuxEQbxmfj30hPweXlJTiauw/s3872/DSC_2590.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaXOxRBbHEF09ecQd-lWwyWMRe9Xcjb-nvPIOtvKog0FnKTlOs_OpO9ku89b3S3qCd_VDKcC7eki30ow_WKidxqd1jpNwzWkpv-HzBIsSQTA1-JXRl0ZFhEeMT8cSS8NMisIa5KTFMmSIwsC8U54xf574T0M-i7UHoFGuxEQbxmfj30hPweXlJTiauw/w640-h428/DSC_2590.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another custom piece used for grilling with its own rotisserie. Large enough to cook a side of beef.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE9tpj0AsYF9k-0injDfd-Jfa70khmJL97IIBjnNIWcXpiYYA5XDuMbaWN1JqlmDMYua-fmY2LKpI07ywm0hq0g-2Hp51RwXQ5EFTc5jeSxxehsl2bNxYBrBUwMAlWdGwPN-J91K3VYH8rFcEgbEWawyBuwneW6PbYtveT1CpmgUJoDNOKVWwJWQs6g/s3872/DSC_2592.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE9tpj0AsYF9k-0injDfd-Jfa70khmJL97IIBjnNIWcXpiYYA5XDuMbaWN1JqlmDMYua-fmY2LKpI07ywm0hq0g-2Hp51RwXQ5EFTc5jeSxxehsl2bNxYBrBUwMAlWdGwPN-J91K3VYH8rFcEgbEWawyBuwneW6PbYtveT1CpmgUJoDNOKVWwJWQs6g/w428-h640/DSC_2592.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More custom ovens created specifically for the Royal kitchens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKObG7qNda-R7OefSa_KL93gk4-bKab2IOhi5Nwc8mAg39H09X8LDKAAmIRCW1OmmxkTR5MLSb8rDYX1FtuhwHrQwUqQQKY8sNHbKtISowYsMrZjmntEKSj9Z0SqitJnQn55NXdIY40kxa5DYELmKB5SwPoYiX4jftAgglbxuZBEOAWkxwZ29rq8oARQ/s3872/DSC_2594.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKObG7qNda-R7OefSa_KL93gk4-bKab2IOhi5Nwc8mAg39H09X8LDKAAmIRCW1OmmxkTR5MLSb8rDYX1FtuhwHrQwUqQQKY8sNHbKtISowYsMrZjmntEKSj9Z0SqitJnQn55NXdIY40kxa5DYELmKB5SwPoYiX4jftAgglbxuZBEOAWkxwZ29rq8oARQ/w428-h640/DSC_2594.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVjWXPE5QSJTLT7K3tGgQZsWDyWnHJhdUPtdTtweIagXyTFP0CF_ZpI0aLTb7zw0QbenTS-y5L8LmKO5v1-s3m4WzQi3hik_sXhaIcOJBJHxZAi8YhX3_WgvK1kDEkV6kOuJH72SM0jCRco0s2XCo3ajeVxfXt5z1qubBU5ZX3i_dqJWqYHRQJQbwlw/s3872/DSC_2598.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVjWXPE5QSJTLT7K3tGgQZsWDyWnHJhdUPtdTtweIagXyTFP0CF_ZpI0aLTb7zw0QbenTS-y5L8LmKO5v1-s3m4WzQi3hik_sXhaIcOJBJHxZAi8YhX3_WgvK1kDEkV6kOuJH72SM0jCRco0s2XCo3ajeVxfXt5z1qubBU5ZX3i_dqJWqYHRQJQbwlw/w428-h640/DSC_2598.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One small section of the Royal wine racks...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSju5qF2iWh3UTTar6LzV3n15wN7hugKarumdjHOEiDx4sZdRTn9ENm3VuDUijv9NugbLg5mT2WkbVlEXaXQapP83n7crrtGmBacHgufaUXGLyJpp5NHQHHRMJhmHb9kJeT7-h3c7ZL6sO6h-xLeOqaQrDDpPrsDcCf6nzS81aU8obFY_PVwcwGqP3NA/s3872/DSC_2601.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSju5qF2iWh3UTTar6LzV3n15wN7hugKarumdjHOEiDx4sZdRTn9ENm3VuDUijv9NugbLg5mT2WkbVlEXaXQapP83n7crrtGmBacHgufaUXGLyJpp5NHQHHRMJhmHb9kJeT7-h3c7ZL6sO6h-xLeOqaQrDDpPrsDcCf6nzS81aU8obFY_PVwcwGqP3NA/w640-h428/DSC_2601.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a case for the Royal wine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfrhxQZfs_9VaxmKb8NuMdW3_S8HZWGKbnobRGtwHxQYiq0eaAGznvTa7c3zRm10vtSmBRlXu5VRJLxsFxX9oeEl0oLgPJNh-csJRkvYwabLj1fnDlsxZCMxIvdggVNW2l8ysaFBibc6HlvWGEzrxz8rEoGMzjPftipTZ0v9Y6KEuAosyGG5eqsUkYQ/s3872/DSC_2602.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfrhxQZfs_9VaxmKb8NuMdW3_S8HZWGKbnobRGtwHxQYiq0eaAGznvTa7c3zRm10vtSmBRlXu5VRJLxsFxX9oeEl0oLgPJNh-csJRkvYwabLj1fnDlsxZCMxIvdggVNW2l8ysaFBibc6HlvWGEzrxz8rEoGMzjPftipTZ0v9Y6KEuAosyGG5eqsUkYQ/w640-h428/DSC_2602.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the Cathedral we visited yesterday from the Plaza de Armas of the Royal Palace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Lw5mxVKqgplzhIDVo0d3YvHwS_bt9O1DnToVjmNvbT0J1X8xXxfKwBxHq6tkM5AQ1Vre59FrUQ4CkZkgLKzNa0LIstQhpvfgjGhOiFWP-2RakUA2ocP9msLtLGI5z601YlLn9qSd9z5x5ffTQw2AvuL9atuI0c9InCdPXjMncoTfi_vrskz89c4pA/s3872/DSC_2603.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Lw5mxVKqgplzhIDVo0d3YvHwS_bt9O1DnToVjmNvbT0J1X8xXxfKwBxHq6tkM5AQ1Vre59FrUQ4CkZkgLKzNa0LIstQhpvfgjGhOiFWP-2RakUA2ocP9msLtLGI5z601YlLn9qSd9z5x5ffTQw2AvuL9atuI0c9InCdPXjMncoTfi_vrskz89c4pA/w640-h428/DSC_2603.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPlQPf9j2uhK74B3lEeIGRCHp92SfLO2VSFcA2Bm1s9IwuZa7e3YQtqVyJ4ETMVvLioWc073EPJAqk3xmVe_7fBNYlyFyyJS6j89DQg5atEp3FEyAIs0JuHyr_OpKB1kmlxca_becgdQOu6ZEu-CyWlIZKRxQ6-U5sbj0s5KCiGa4tRPBmUIrICjJ3g/s3872/DSC_2609.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPlQPf9j2uhK74B3lEeIGRCHp92SfLO2VSFcA2Bm1s9IwuZa7e3YQtqVyJ4ETMVvLioWc073EPJAqk3xmVe_7fBNYlyFyyJS6j89DQg5atEp3FEyAIs0JuHyr_OpKB1kmlxca_becgdQOu6ZEu-CyWlIZKRxQ6-U5sbj0s5KCiGa4tRPBmUIrICjJ3g/w640-h428/DSC_2609.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj7AEQu6s1zVWGeufJ_445fPnQEIEn3IrugHnBED-z53NmgYXrlhE3GrorYdy5u_iiBxcG6wgoZBehZoBuvxuIPcXpFBYEDyfyNYwgEJhpbi_SmVWfnKJNCuCsa6GzNdE3GPhHlSWjNmJ6LgsIMn8hKDd_j2fPdsiTQwhNzZFzsHUly4oQZQyFDphYQ/s3872/DSC_2610.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj7AEQu6s1zVWGeufJ_445fPnQEIEn3IrugHnBED-z53NmgYXrlhE3GrorYdy5u_iiBxcG6wgoZBehZoBuvxuIPcXpFBYEDyfyNYwgEJhpbi_SmVWfnKJNCuCsa6GzNdE3GPhHlSWjNmJ6LgsIMn8hKDd_j2fPdsiTQwhNzZFzsHUly4oQZQyFDphYQ/w428-h640/DSC_2610.NEF" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Why is an Egyptian Tomb in Madrid? </u></p><p>Good question. It turns out that the Egyptian government gave the temple to Madrid to save it from being drowned by flood waters when the Aswan Dam was built. I don't know if Madrid had a "special relationship" with Egypt or if Egypt just went around hawking its temples to every country, but there it sits high on a hill with a great view of the city. So, it was started in 200 BC by a king named Adijalamani and various Egyptian Kings added bits and pieces. And then the Romans took a turn --Augustus, Tiberius and probably Hadrian. Then the Christians came and sealed it up. And thus it remained until the 20th century when all those Raiders of the Lost Ark types wandered through Egypt disrupting the dead. Anyway, it was smaller than we thought (based on how many people had added on to it) and the lines were long and we were tired so we didn't see the inside. Maybe next time.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xfwO4TGq-tfEFKmGExr5IAFiU3aejs1H9XjJ9Q4nsSl-7UQ7VQpuyP0GxKQm06nvz5WPcCgUsaMqg6vV7xrV14H00AugvQcILr0igJr9FZMxPjmokRutC4nDekdvsoJgWKC0yKRm7a46vWby_GurqcIehHsf01PmZDPHeDayPJgBTygU9Of2NPr0ag/s3872/DSC_2615.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xfwO4TGq-tfEFKmGExr5IAFiU3aejs1H9XjJ9Q4nsSl-7UQ7VQpuyP0GxKQm06nvz5WPcCgUsaMqg6vV7xrV14H00AugvQcILr0igJr9FZMxPjmokRutC4nDekdvsoJgWKC0yKRm7a46vWby_GurqcIehHsf01PmZDPHeDayPJgBTygU9Of2NPr0ag/w640-h428/DSC_2615.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Deirdre mentioned an Egyptian tomb, I pictured something much larger like the pyramids, but on a slightly smaller scale.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo1pU4l_6KXf0YbnNYw5q578RX6QaGcU3ykbudlW1L2kOQ6GmizDQkwM3mfWvaNTX6BiM1ptVj6kLWHSk4D_8ceyumsTycNKogAuJIWO_xAS2D-hXtyyaTZYE576GQZKSz8hodX5rQUS2aiW9NgZts8nSK7FRvF6JnP6iddl43eTo68EkBaauNnWunQ/s3872/DSC_2617.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo1pU4l_6KXf0YbnNYw5q578RX6QaGcU3ykbudlW1L2kOQ6GmizDQkwM3mfWvaNTX6BiM1ptVj6kLWHSk4D_8ceyumsTycNKogAuJIWO_xAS2D-hXtyyaTZYE576GQZKSz8hodX5rQUS2aiW9NgZts8nSK7FRvF6JnP6iddl43eTo68EkBaauNnWunQ/w640-h428/DSC_2617.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see from these photos, the tomb was significantly smaller than any of the pyramids.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeQrDFyzGCnBnA8gcEY3WqN50-r655f-9u8o7Q5DxmMjf0Br99ky5QYsDoApSlP2XkORfYpZdknK9ExhUqQ5pyL8Vzot8VgO5rY23jwFQySY1mN9uVtplLmlWUp2g_EfVLtfMBW437LBuq0nVpgLJvKkDX_MyNNPmwSK9MWv41QKHOZKDhFbFBvNVdw/s3872/DSC_2618.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeQrDFyzGCnBnA8gcEY3WqN50-r655f-9u8o7Q5DxmMjf0Br99ky5QYsDoApSlP2XkORfYpZdknK9ExhUqQ5pyL8Vzot8VgO5rY23jwFQySY1mN9uVtplLmlWUp2g_EfVLtfMBW437LBuq0nVpgLJvKkDX_MyNNPmwSK9MWv41QKHOZKDhFbFBvNVdw/w640-h428/DSC_2618.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvZ6CDK6AfdHEvJDhSWxTH3rp8lf5u8za_MfzhXmo3SFkyUxDd3OeypLiDPJYvYJ13tmneYOZw7vb45tz4aUIi9qXFRddS-_qkYs03ls2cw0yjmRzC3D6BJnBPXI_KEAgxUv3_xwPkxzWi8ZnyfWi1s2mbsyYG7SLyo5iWi6y_hEsB2TnS8ReZQgHJQ/s3872/DSC_2619.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvZ6CDK6AfdHEvJDhSWxTH3rp8lf5u8za_MfzhXmo3SFkyUxDd3OeypLiDPJYvYJ13tmneYOZw7vb45tz4aUIi9qXFRddS-_qkYs03ls2cw0yjmRzC3D6BJnBPXI_KEAgxUv3_xwPkxzWi8ZnyfWi1s2mbsyYG7SLyo5iWi6y_hEsB2TnS8ReZQgHJQ/w640-h428/DSC_2619.NEF" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhcHbkzW-u13WBLCGyRO1Y3V3q67cF7J9e5fW5aSR73Z239c0kUAcB_Ce0g0ru-LZ1CorTGvzxLr5IWQ-k-xVSZJ75ULTYbWiM2mBHGl2wkW-JTt0gsy6UwijXNA1_Tw9AotbYRz3U-z2eGvW751Wq5zrnh161PhMcaYSrXkOEoMX6ATwCKV311ov2g/s3872/DSC_2622.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhcHbkzW-u13WBLCGyRO1Y3V3q67cF7J9e5fW5aSR73Z239c0kUAcB_Ce0g0ru-LZ1CorTGvzxLr5IWQ-k-xVSZJ75ULTYbWiM2mBHGl2wkW-JTt0gsy6UwijXNA1_Tw9AotbYRz3U-z2eGvW751Wq5zrnh161PhMcaYSrXkOEoMX6ATwCKV311ov2g/w640-h428/DSC_2622.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the area of the tomb did allow me to capture this view of the Cathedral from a different angle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hMkPjcLbwCN2l4olIGlH6uSbfFDOBnfJmcWX457JnVg_Bh4CqYaGhC_4Qhit85UUKChxKSi577EDH9fBLIHKVJ27-Pyb5Dr-9TSKZDmwcuCuu-t9j0vBQQbOjF86WTQWoABDToPVJcG5OK5FwyB-UUOzZTMfd1lGn-3klt_8NFxha6gcw08WnZwVhg/s3872/DSC_2625.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hMkPjcLbwCN2l4olIGlH6uSbfFDOBnfJmcWX457JnVg_Bh4CqYaGhC_4Qhit85UUKChxKSi577EDH9fBLIHKVJ27-Pyb5Dr-9TSKZDmwcuCuu-t9j0vBQQbOjF86WTQWoABDToPVJcG5OK5FwyB-UUOzZTMfd1lGn-3klt_8NFxha6gcw08WnZwVhg/w428-h640/DSC_2625.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fashion statement Deirdre would like to see abandoned is the "Daisy Duke" shorts which we spotted in France and here again in Spain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Retiring to El Retiro</u></p><p>Madrid has a number of beautiful parks but Retiro really stands out. We spent an afternoon strolling, relaxing and people watching in the park and it was one of the nicest times we had in Madrid. Beyond the park itself the whole Retiro neighborhood is a delight. It is an upper middle class neighborhood and really is a neighborhood. We would sit and have a glass of wine at a cafe and see families greeting each other on the street or meeting up at the cafe for wine or coffee. If you make it to Madrid, this is a neighborhood you might want to stay in. So, we'll conclude this adventure with some peaceful shots of Retiro Park.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1DhD_CjSA2HkQAubQvaBpkquYO7k_vQ5Bop4-MDr2BqoLQsaM1iiCY_QsTFgoju8jUzgjkpYdq0DL5c4gu6ptxvQ4QEYogtxML8cZiciPhZ_ZHjhXOELZQ90V_z01diqnqqUSV5ef-slLx_p0FJ8kyQc8wyIynqVKKgHuRhbjsJkTSjmTjOpbcGWfw/s3872/DSC_2496.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1DhD_CjSA2HkQAubQvaBpkquYO7k_vQ5Bop4-MDr2BqoLQsaM1iiCY_QsTFgoju8jUzgjkpYdq0DL5c4gu6ptxvQ4QEYogtxML8cZiciPhZ_ZHjhXOELZQ90V_z01diqnqqUSV5ef-slLx_p0FJ8kyQc8wyIynqVKKgHuRhbjsJkTSjmTjOpbcGWfw/w640-h428/DSC_2496.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the main entrances to Retiro Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjhs1-um_qxN8hPzcDlHoiTl1k3qr7UiqKZ2FsLDTDlQbqDo6hlfzzFnGA51XluvFIweYP4hX7luEAg6IOumoG1YLn3SLCjs9GhMC7WBZC0_wjmW7O2aBiJLHKi-XrBP5Y6-h7zRGeIT7gFiWEv9fkEaWyCAw9cMM6JQNYnQmA3Xsh5bbu7y5_aezgQ/s3872/DSC_2498.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjhs1-um_qxN8hPzcDlHoiTl1k3qr7UiqKZ2FsLDTDlQbqDo6hlfzzFnGA51XluvFIweYP4hX7luEAg6IOumoG1YLn3SLCjs9GhMC7WBZC0_wjmW7O2aBiJLHKi-XrBP5Y6-h7zRGeIT7gFiWEv9fkEaWyCAw9cMM6JQNYnQmA3Xsh5bbu7y5_aezgQ/w640-h428/DSC_2498.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topiary....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtkPWah8jm2MSx49Po1HDPwcMcmEd3jIdAY9oM9Wv-UfGYgXh2TEVLiov-1xAZK3q-XOIGE0-950S8IdskSsqzDTMqacdsogo5zcjHUzxg0-Y5CH0gzz_-gArolC5hrqqWOmR8Ih6EgSwf20Zb_9yqYR0P_u81rANvzQ9SLcTnRDmGNXOthcFR06q5A/s3872/DSC_2503.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtkPWah8jm2MSx49Po1HDPwcMcmEd3jIdAY9oM9Wv-UfGYgXh2TEVLiov-1xAZK3q-XOIGE0-950S8IdskSsqzDTMqacdsogo5zcjHUzxg0-Y5CH0gzz_-gArolC5hrqqWOmR8Ih6EgSwf20Zb_9yqYR0P_u81rANvzQ9SLcTnRDmGNXOthcFR06q5A/w428-h640/DSC_2503.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a fountain...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine6uxclVHp4KUTV8AA7IRUm-Q1nQNRlYHbuJMrOJatyeQMTCUqJKQ5VAuWyXgmeGYFh4JIDj3mL-EdALB6MdcOdMyvwV3WLYr6pjK-8Z_jcWZKePIKjeHVKqeI4TFKyyf7qo1mq-5Fzoq6PanAsrLq0jb3Oju_05IWq6caNqrGmCa9I7q2ZfCdpVqGw/s3872/DSC_2505.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine6uxclVHp4KUTV8AA7IRUm-Q1nQNRlYHbuJMrOJatyeQMTCUqJKQ5VAuWyXgmeGYFh4JIDj3mL-EdALB6MdcOdMyvwV3WLYr6pjK-8Z_jcWZKePIKjeHVKqeI4TFKyyf7qo1mq-5Fzoq6PanAsrLq0jb3Oju_05IWq6caNqrGmCa9I7q2ZfCdpVqGw/w640-h428/DSC_2505.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and even a lake for boating were all in the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1shP7YvNqNho1d0MKKbdQZuoR2KhvBAdfCPnopjlimvTrDHwHEDiuLeJBLZjeZe3dd6ft9ixl3ZeykKnaiwrKBvcswRvqRWdw6FWMQO7C5QxD13BhsJMEFJif_8Ku0yfY_R6XO5f7TxgGz-2Nbo_8JjWaGaJrz5zrKTHvWZ5_56uSR5c_BBZJ4Tdig/s3872/DSC_2507.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1shP7YvNqNho1d0MKKbdQZuoR2KhvBAdfCPnopjlimvTrDHwHEDiuLeJBLZjeZe3dd6ft9ixl3ZeykKnaiwrKBvcswRvqRWdw6FWMQO7C5QxD13BhsJMEFJif_8Ku0yfY_R6XO5f7TxgGz-2Nbo_8JjWaGaJrz5zrKTHvWZ5_56uSR5c_BBZJ4Tdig/w428-h640/DSC_2507.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palacio de Velaz had some very ornate tile work...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtqQp_BsKD-cWrIdoQ7JIZFmDABHSd2mfWjfxR8ZqUyYGQ7ZLONrHObawI7PMW7NWtI_ApwKTQVPL74wXYCpceCPIkf3wBIfY5HurvdNw4a6_fjIO7AB5B2EfXbeUlfIt2ZTV7nKsy6XW9ZNB4NlJFBF86_Ouy1bG3pEkp-jjmD5iAjILkLlGy5rzHA/s3872/DSC_2511.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtqQp_BsKD-cWrIdoQ7JIZFmDABHSd2mfWjfxR8ZqUyYGQ7ZLONrHObawI7PMW7NWtI_ApwKTQVPL74wXYCpceCPIkf3wBIfY5HurvdNw4a6_fjIO7AB5B2EfXbeUlfIt2ZTV7nKsy6XW9ZNB4NlJFBF86_Ouy1bG3pEkp-jjmD5iAjILkLlGy5rzHA/w428-h640/DSC_2511.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with one section that appeared to have some Mayan influence.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelFes6Ei8873o8-Btb4gfz-PM3oHLQYdH88r6MYy54QxR7R5aTpmJrt0VS5CXEXvqmbrIDz1vdWHm7BZez8jkllh0srv892l3dpZkbRSV8yey427A1Xv5_hMJ1_DMXP2kOPV13hlVSGhsLFYtGkx_2O8bAJ3z8NrsIo0S_DkVE3d2KNQJmlaIY40lg/s3872/DSC_2517.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelFes6Ei8873o8-Btb4gfz-PM3oHLQYdH88r6MYy54QxR7R5aTpmJrt0VS5CXEXvqmbrIDz1vdWHm7BZez8jkllh0srv892l3dpZkbRSV8yey427A1Xv5_hMJ1_DMXP2kOPV13hlVSGhsLFYtGkx_2O8bAJ3z8NrsIo0S_DkVE3d2KNQJmlaIY40lg/w640-h428/DSC_2517.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palacio de Cristal ("Glass Palace") is a conservatory in the shape of a Greek cross.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqssXM7CfkPHIrcKK7dngWK3YkzXNG5SpFx_yxQPcb0bsuhK4F8ETyJr6wyqwNSTcoCDtIk_wIK_wG5WEq7JpagKfsr2E1wwa9jhOr8CaIR8_hNPUbxFc5VeEf3GQ6k8qFaaXGhXZumlu1j0jVTijCi0kQdfpikKjeLIMQjJNITJOCO6UMi0lRrnjM3w/s3872/DSC_2518.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqssXM7CfkPHIrcKK7dngWK3YkzXNG5SpFx_yxQPcb0bsuhK4F8ETyJr6wyqwNSTcoCDtIk_wIK_wG5WEq7JpagKfsr2E1wwa9jhOr8CaIR8_hNPUbxFc5VeEf3GQ6k8qFaaXGhXZumlu1j0jVTijCi0kQdfpikKjeLIMQjJNITJOCO6UMi0lRrnjM3w/w640-h428/DSC_2518.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These turtles were sunning themselves by the pond of the Palacio de Cristal de Retiro.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mDgMg0O9pCgrvYYJcS8ljfzVCwt9LimPJdf9HPjOkeyn9bbch5DFMCcd5-_QybK8EEkdBaIustJ1H4BuYWmCKhc98j4F_GkdErtK652_zzSnOpvXTAGP2EOmTrD7LIMerett6_mHpLcWGblnDbOzNoki5r0en1bjsUH_sfxBry4qAfowgIRA9A8KeA/s3872/DSC_2521.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mDgMg0O9pCgrvYYJcS8ljfzVCwt9LimPJdf9HPjOkeyn9bbch5DFMCcd5-_QybK8EEkdBaIustJ1H4BuYWmCKhc98j4F_GkdErtK652_zzSnOpvXTAGP2EOmTrD7LIMerett6_mHpLcWGblnDbOzNoki5r0en1bjsUH_sfxBry4qAfowgIRA9A8KeA/w640-h428/DSC_2521.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palacio is made almost entirely of glass set in an iron framework...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jXGccCno3QAuytm0j-EKN3lH_4wOXuGR_ZBCdtATjU519JMNnpAH9x0P8B9Q1AUzBSRhITTucZ0dVXHUnUn3OvQ-ZH0PlG1OfHCq32LSvREKOOSzRR_kpKU8YGHDtSioUsmjQf2FWDF_Qux_myxddUGpCsyIMW7zIk8kberrQTeB71wZghAzOeZAMA/s3872/DSC_2523.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jXGccCno3QAuytm0j-EKN3lH_4wOXuGR_ZBCdtATjU519JMNnpAH9x0P8B9Q1AUzBSRhITTucZ0dVXHUnUn3OvQ-ZH0PlG1OfHCq32LSvREKOOSzRR_kpKU8YGHDtSioUsmjQf2FWDF_Qux_myxddUGpCsyIMW7zIk8kberrQTeB71wZghAzOeZAMA/w640-h428/DSC_2523.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on a brick base decorat with ceramics. This was one of the main venues of the 1887 Philippines Exposition.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl_sSvu625Pz0RsDUyk1sMZAZ8LKqf-pp5oiwjmiQzGGo-yf0lnF-tEYIrOBJBBRWQ8My2KZFqlE9EteOWOeYjXY1uMQ-ZpH918u6CzMWgIAn18lS0Tr-N3-xU25g0BZ_XMZLaQd_xisHRPQg4CsdtGrAHxesyQZf8ccQmD9wDeOgHnthac0eosQIDQ/s3872/DSC_2528.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl_sSvu625Pz0RsDUyk1sMZAZ8LKqf-pp5oiwjmiQzGGo-yf0lnF-tEYIrOBJBBRWQ8My2KZFqlE9EteOWOeYjXY1uMQ-ZpH918u6CzMWgIAn18lS0Tr-N3-xU25g0BZ_XMZLaQd_xisHRPQg4CsdtGrAHxesyQZf8ccQmD9wDeOgHnthac0eosQIDQ/w428-h640/DSC_2528.NEF" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue commemorates the playwright Jacinto Benavente.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoVgWoUpWB3OFElUbzfLuFBTw2UH1WTMQz75QBczpxCm4rC51BTwH9zFFODhdsVmn7dkMbvu7e2pD7E_Qq3mm7oIK3ZHb-lSGIciU-noUvq3bzf2kxjDhAuXRtY7QCXzJ9dnWej3qFMrzL4ITrbGxdq3k0zouJg3vazBGdDTBgJYIaOaKWBeAalxNuA/s3872/DSC_2529.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoVgWoUpWB3OFElUbzfLuFBTw2UH1WTMQz75QBczpxCm4rC51BTwH9zFFODhdsVmn7dkMbvu7e2pD7E_Qq3mm7oIK3ZHb-lSGIciU-noUvq3bzf2kxjDhAuXRtY7QCXzJ9dnWej3qFMrzL4ITrbGxdq3k0zouJg3vazBGdDTBgJYIaOaKWBeAalxNuA/w640-h428/DSC_2529.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just opposite one of the main entrances to Retiro Park is the Prado Art Museum, seen here during the day...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQdESrTTvjrGe5XPEkoQ_VvIKbgWFDHIHVm2NBMHzcClRFOn9Kd4QNfLAZKWhzdezu0DyKtuX5bO7th2HtAPKVV-g70WEziDp9-GsygG5r_M_PKfU-bKwt_JeEVtnQXYTg-fju1kDJcGGL9ZPdCgKyYsv-MQnv-CE_fv_azmpQp9VpTtIid1KbEZmVg/s3872/DSC_2538.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQdESrTTvjrGe5XPEkoQ_VvIKbgWFDHIHVm2NBMHzcClRFOn9Kd4QNfLAZKWhzdezu0DyKtuX5bO7th2HtAPKVV-g70WEziDp9-GsygG5r_M_PKfU-bKwt_JeEVtnQXYTg-fju1kDJcGGL9ZPdCgKyYsv-MQnv-CE_fv_azmpQp9VpTtIid1KbEZmVg/w640-h428/DSC_2538.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here again lit up at night.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Hitting the Road on The Sentimental Journey</u></p><p>We head out on our road trip in a couple of days. First stops in the States will be McAllen, Galveston, Houston, New Orleans and Mobile. We'll let you follow us on our journey and meet some of our friends, kin and favorite places. Take care and enjoy the summer.</p><p><br /></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-15364780365684029462022-06-14T16:10:00.000-05:002022-06-14T16:10:28.241-05:00A Potluck of Pastimes<p> <u>Wild Boars Would Make Terrible Pets</u></p><p>Why, in God's name, did anyone ever import Wild Boars. There are so many reasons NOT to import wild boars. Among many reasons are a few that stand out: 1). They have hideous dispositions and will attack humans; 2). they destroy anything resembling vegetation -- much less a garden; 3) They will attack any boar not within their family; 4) The "lead" male will attack any male member OF the family aged 4 or above and fight to the death for supremacy. Nice, huh? Well, despite all this, we decided to go visit a Wild Boar (Sanglier in French) farm to see the repulsive little devils for ourselves.</p><p>We found the farm and the little old farmer who was tucked into his store/bunker beneath the barn. He expressed great surprise that we actually wanted to visit the boars rather than just purchase his wild boar products. He shuffled into a deeper recess and emerged with a bag of stale bread broken into boar sized pieces. He then stared deeply into our eyes. His mind seemed to be having this monologue: "Oh, they are Americans. They will do something stupid with the boars -- like selfies or hand feeding. I must educate them". After a troubling amount of time, he stuck his hand into the bag. He then looked at me and waggled his finger in the universal "Don't" signal and mimicked handing the boar a piece of bread in my out stretched hand. He then, nodding approvingly, mimicked throwing the bread. Far. Hard. We got the picture. He demonstrated shaking the bag to attract the boars. OK, ready to go.</p><p>Shaking the bag at the first pen we were greeted by the blood curdling screeching and thundering hooves of a large family of boors racing toward the fence. Playing defense, I threw a large piece as far as I could. They descended on it biting, screaming and smashing into one another. There were no rules. I would try to toss one to a little one and they would just overwhelm it and steal the piece. Within minutes I knew that I hated these animals in every regard. From pen to pen we went and always witnessed a tremendous failure of manners. We returned to the store and bought a can of Wild Boar pate. I had one bite and refused more. Reading the label we found out it was the cheeks and head of Wild Boar. The only food in France that we found inedible. On to happier times....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-Nh6cRhDdjsuCKBf58fkZsW_MsOTz4fLgG3opbqoiXoAd1xjRAQ3bcUfZ_gGzx1pF4Ev2l55PwLwRHf390i640p2dAxsGvM9paQDbuMlbi9DCikKFDoTqkYkuWRW50S1PBLLWjcJk9GvU8pDd8ZosDuT9mi6Lxzj5UnCpwzvoMaNYfun2kL0DJ_nLg/s4608/Sanglier5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-Nh6cRhDdjsuCKBf58fkZsW_MsOTz4fLgG3opbqoiXoAd1xjRAQ3bcUfZ_gGzx1pF4Ev2l55PwLwRHf390i640p2dAxsGvM9paQDbuMlbi9DCikKFDoTqkYkuWRW50S1PBLLWjcJk9GvU8pDd8ZosDuT9mi6Lxzj5UnCpwzvoMaNYfun2kL0DJ_nLg/w640-h480/Sanglier5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pictures of the sanglier tell the whole story, with some nasty looking tusks on some of these characters.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo60DU3SJCdBhP6-krbINfLg1G2NDOnXc5sGJdJHaqLsnfJJCNdFZpxpPoCgZsVRwSKiOyfjbjZvdMd992DfXrJvvqrYBtkD6Xt0gNeAI0QtYlUOcGKcGiTKfvLqbhKWPAVqEqUlNT1QFKTA8qs9AswDdOQO1_rcoVWyYOtcXPnRRcvpmlGFHS2GrwA/s4608/Sanglier12.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo60DU3SJCdBhP6-krbINfLg1G2NDOnXc5sGJdJHaqLsnfJJCNdFZpxpPoCgZsVRwSKiOyfjbjZvdMd992DfXrJvvqrYBtkD6Xt0gNeAI0QtYlUOcGKcGiTKfvLqbhKWPAVqEqUlNT1QFKTA8qs9AswDdOQO1_rcoVWyYOtcXPnRRcvpmlGFHS2GrwA/w640-h480/Sanglier12.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwrHYjxU9h3NMVA2tqk2AR1ksllVYXoy7m0bC6VYa9lYK4VbDiWhd3GXHeMxyJHE_USIwdMqsBoHzMo6Eivks6qSexN8Onmd5kwFItKgiz-W5cXGXzqEBDsQUu9nVcJJTfQZCTmZcF4QrpJBYIudBfR-vQBwa1IPS2ZnH6j8REE1NQosmz20rxC5EqA/s4608/Sanglier19.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwrHYjxU9h3NMVA2tqk2AR1ksllVYXoy7m0bC6VYa9lYK4VbDiWhd3GXHeMxyJHE_USIwdMqsBoHzMo6Eivks6qSexN8Onmd5kwFItKgiz-W5cXGXzqEBDsQUu9nVcJJTfQZCTmZcF4QrpJBYIudBfR-vQBwa1IPS2ZnH6j8REE1NQosmz20rxC5EqA/w640-h480/Sanglier19.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fCR2Kk-4mkHGB6qqTvTt_qApdaArAffNh_Wc3mNRnEAbRFaq2L1STNdrJOJy5-mDuR_S7vlho4jN_ts8mgwbWIWQuU-VV5vIL3KL0toD3YQBbsx_bzMu1W-BMPCvlUYWWFpsZl3rinHl7MKUDZWN1Lb6mndSys-c0kNiYVUkL1uE_R8huTil2AN5XA/s4608/Sangliers9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fCR2Kk-4mkHGB6qqTvTt_qApdaArAffNh_Wc3mNRnEAbRFaq2L1STNdrJOJy5-mDuR_S7vlho4jN_ts8mgwbWIWQuU-VV5vIL3KL0toD3YQBbsx_bzMu1W-BMPCvlUYWWFpsZl3rinHl7MKUDZWN1Lb6mndSys-c0kNiYVUkL1uE_R8huTil2AN5XA/w640-h480/Sangliers9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O8eHpSHXSOlWY2TEEJgqjWVYr7HQz8Fpz17RDB1QzVZQX489oMKku9Nus3Ytkw5ATn5EQkKNb-GQO_Mw8RbLqUHw2h-r3CV980ZJjWucB-PaOmo3pm0ehCqVCC2fZ4RSP1iDrOYTCB3HfxZ7D1hMhKLcdPhMWUseDf2O8wRRTwL_knWiiVG1hyQLzQ/s4608/Sheep%20@%20Sanglier2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O8eHpSHXSOlWY2TEEJgqjWVYr7HQz8Fpz17RDB1QzVZQX489oMKku9Nus3Ytkw5ATn5EQkKNb-GQO_Mw8RbLqUHw2h-r3CV980ZJjWucB-PaOmo3pm0ehCqVCC2fZ4RSP1iDrOYTCB3HfxZ7D1hMhKLcdPhMWUseDf2O8wRRTwL_knWiiVG1hyQLzQ/w640-h480/Sheep%20@%20Sanglier2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In contrast to the wild boars, the farmer also raised sheep.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J0eSWHwVwIusqENslKNLXzls0xEThIGvGDQOmNDzocaQa-3ujX-dFGA7KP2HhT3SD6kdpBFY-OExNQcT2LC94uOBJbWhwfeE8-DhzPp9ImFBO2zpVz95g0NvXU6UrkwoPPvenfp92YgYB2efN1xCZKXuCE1vGF1ryPYgmTrX7fKEi0vCEk46oKZkOg/s4608/Sheep%20@%20Sanglier3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J0eSWHwVwIusqENslKNLXzls0xEThIGvGDQOmNDzocaQa-3ujX-dFGA7KP2HhT3SD6kdpBFY-OExNQcT2LC94uOBJbWhwfeE8-DhzPp9ImFBO2zpVz95g0NvXU6UrkwoPPvenfp92YgYB2efN1xCZKXuCE1vGF1ryPYgmTrX7fKEi0vCEk46oKZkOg/w640-h480/Sheep%20@%20Sanglier3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Terrasson Lavilledieu and The Gardens of Imagination</u></p><p>It was time for another garden so off we set for a relatively modern garden in the beautiful town of Terrasson. We climbed into the Old Town through a very small gate and ascended and ascended until we found a parking spot. We had reserved at a restaurant perched on the cliff overlooking the countryside and had a very nice lunch. We then went in search of the Garden. Then we found it. Then we looked at each other. Not in our wildest Imaginations were we going to climb up into those gardens of Imagination. Maybe on Day One of our trip. Maybe even in Week 2 of our trip. But certainly not after all we had been through trudging like mine ponies up cliff after cliff. But there are some nice photos of the town and the entry to the Gardens (I think).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHA7gq_zDIIZaVhpgDmmDII1f-YSvTxzUkASFIKpchUIeyGlqk8RCcwvNJV5ZlpRTrk874mL9InwtMEJ2lgOXS75AO5eRmg6rTEj8ozYosZowrbJ0-hgCBJa_mLcHs-XIBCNlySMyTK32XVhuN4LBsiX0_Hun56GAsAdwHymre7yXog2spsdkFbU_Og/s4608/Church%20Ext5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHA7gq_zDIIZaVhpgDmmDII1f-YSvTxzUkASFIKpchUIeyGlqk8RCcwvNJV5ZlpRTrk874mL9InwtMEJ2lgOXS75AO5eRmg6rTEj8ozYosZowrbJ0-hgCBJa_mLcHs-XIBCNlySMyTK32XVhuN4LBsiX0_Hun56GAsAdwHymre7yXog2spsdkFbU_Og/w480-h640/Church%20Ext5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front entrance to the Church of Saint-Sour (which dates from the 11th century), with topiary leading up to the church.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhvkuTcDlX7OjSJU8G5y5bAWYlqi0LCW7QmC_JuEclsScY1dsFqgxTtKA0_f56wo_CDzA-6cf_kJcZ1zsxu5x0z5p_up_V1VRDrNhZYgrQQXIdJWXx_UBFSjjyQGb-ai5LDmrFUEWQQ7Qc2L7J3illOEJUjlkoj-RVyze1LbVKUzs26GgsAOWUcCYLw/s4608/Terrason%20Church1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhvkuTcDlX7OjSJU8G5y5bAWYlqi0LCW7QmC_JuEclsScY1dsFqgxTtKA0_f56wo_CDzA-6cf_kJcZ1zsxu5x0z5p_up_V1VRDrNhZYgrQQXIdJWXx_UBFSjjyQGb-ai5LDmrFUEWQQ7Qc2L7J3illOEJUjlkoj-RVyze1LbVKUzs26GgsAOWUcCYLw/w640-h480/Terrason%20Church1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side entrance to the church was the way to get in...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxlM6el1eCtDEurGN00H00OURmi6ZgHCW9lwpAPjd2f339oS08Zx9G3oZMEwnv3EaNsJXX_Bmz8VqSX7aEFD724XZJde6PG1d26wuCX3ExrYD1yprUbnGLV3M-LUg9p4TVZ8ubmgwZ4Ois4p5jj--3_WsBRtmNxPhcy3puIdZyJjaaTOD5JjlMvQ50A/s4608/Church%20Int13.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxlM6el1eCtDEurGN00H00OURmi6ZgHCW9lwpAPjd2f339oS08Zx9G3oZMEwnv3EaNsJXX_Bmz8VqSX7aEFD724XZJde6PG1d26wuCX3ExrYD1yprUbnGLV3M-LUg9p4TVZ8ubmgwZ4Ois4p5jj--3_WsBRtmNxPhcy3puIdZyJjaaTOD5JjlMvQ50A/w480-h640/Church%20Int13.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to see the altar, and the interesting stained glass windows.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUefU-Sz_keFMT_Xjlp37zWI-bLmQv2f_CbU1lj2USq6wBj1v3Lc_h8newijvqZHNQ4HIDvVBTRgE4nFYFSOd4oJ9Zb9qq7uNEFA7IxQx3ZEuq2utnby7KpwvBUy34k3GTPJ5PV5s3Uqufq-IKHSzfKXgdkV8vuArgaowMnvSISVYgA7icoXzDoFk1hQ/s4608/Church%20Int10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUefU-Sz_keFMT_Xjlp37zWI-bLmQv2f_CbU1lj2USq6wBj1v3Lc_h8newijvqZHNQ4HIDvVBTRgE4nFYFSOd4oJ9Zb9qq7uNEFA7IxQx3ZEuq2utnby7KpwvBUy34k3GTPJ5PV5s3Uqufq-IKHSzfKXgdkV8vuArgaowMnvSISVYgA7icoXzDoFk1hQ/w640-h480/Church%20Int10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca0f9EXONETcQNYMJ5OU-4XcTZRhvidHFbScr0sd9fp_DEkDPZ_u3yiBajewRxBo0noI9HQDMMICgbMpjjHTL8nZWyOcq0bcCpF-W9R3lhVPHxsh54zQNatSIQVlntIUJxzQvUFR1MEZhs-DbGc_Ok6jZw7xs0EUgxdw5t1QIiJwhUY_X8LDnL0knyw/s4608/Bldg12.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca0f9EXONETcQNYMJ5OU-4XcTZRhvidHFbScr0sd9fp_DEkDPZ_u3yiBajewRxBo0noI9HQDMMICgbMpjjHTL8nZWyOcq0bcCpF-W9R3lhVPHxsh54zQNatSIQVlntIUJxzQvUFR1MEZhs-DbGc_Ok6jZw7xs0EUgxdw5t1QIiJwhUY_X8LDnL0knyw/w480-h640/Bldg12.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through the village we could see how old some of the buildings were by their construction.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ71S8ChEjpcZw8wkMnOOCGlLUgiXEArT0YqqHNTC5PVyG_-NoL8IZwcfB--YcEmgg5sbicpic7WhoxcrUkj4fdGTIrf8oAw6qBcxU6o8RdTqa4O84Nf6HufEqaHjSZBRzHJzTnHaQhzBII0Toap6dvtot7HImruspBNHxS2L5dfSSRT82xv7li3gomA/s4608/Cat1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ71S8ChEjpcZw8wkMnOOCGlLUgiXEArT0YqqHNTC5PVyG_-NoL8IZwcfB--YcEmgg5sbicpic7WhoxcrUkj4fdGTIrf8oAw6qBcxU6o8RdTqa4O84Nf6HufEqaHjSZBRzHJzTnHaQhzBII0Toap6dvtot7HImruspBNHxS2L5dfSSRT82xv7li3gomA/w480-h640/Cat1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also encountered this cat ambling along.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX3hKRkRcCj-un9AGo2AB4h1ZEmdzSlMuh5wjC2344ywgZiTx_iBbTimacBAddKujlak5ABGI_I1u8OrPEHlMEFiK0vCjOWpSHRxcfqhcBlNqFT8lX5VDHs7U5zs4mMALVV_V77Ebl8pizmMBJTiUg335KhyHCTQ3BzTmBhl_JtwJjSaF5H-1j6wabA/s4608/Kitchen%20Staff%20Lunch.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX3hKRkRcCj-un9AGo2AB4h1ZEmdzSlMuh5wjC2344ywgZiTx_iBbTimacBAddKujlak5ABGI_I1u8OrPEHlMEFiK0vCjOWpSHRxcfqhcBlNqFT8lX5VDHs7U5zs4mMALVV_V77Ebl8pizmMBJTiUg335KhyHCTQ3BzTmBhl_JtwJjSaF5H-1j6wabA/w640-h480/Kitchen%20Staff%20Lunch.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were early for lunch, but we caught the kitchen staff and the chef eating their lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1rrXavZVLcBhj14FG80njHzTPjCT4Dn9MNAG2v2HQUbWQyV2e1I3mqGuGxG9m-W7EXQec7MAQA8PR_vaxqP3dwpn6qLnGzf6G3WtAWnX7Ln9ysX2R4fvdgYT9GSybpVCi-Dpe4PfQwqG1sNApAAPRnM6E2lChiKrDCHqfesCGVIdv8Dnbz2N9K0paQ/s4608/river%20View4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1rrXavZVLcBhj14FG80njHzTPjCT4Dn9MNAG2v2HQUbWQyV2e1I3mqGuGxG9m-W7EXQec7MAQA8PR_vaxqP3dwpn6qLnGzf6G3WtAWnX7Ln9ysX2R4fvdgYT9GSybpVCi-Dpe4PfQwqG1sNApAAPRnM6E2lChiKrDCHqfesCGVIdv8Dnbz2N9K0paQ/w640-h480/river%20View4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the overlook where the Church and the restaurant were located, we had terrific views of the river and the town below...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgeRgNfYCdva497r5vt3cDZNqSTUlVTH0N_ssJEeMTe2zFOPtmZ7-lT6ZAsDPDsGQWbDM7q4ksdmr38rF0c_nXhO8t9bU_Q96YcbMllUsZdAFlKaAOMfPk3SQ8dOCrnlF2fMGpcqO1qMK6t32EKaSYXAr4gunPa2W9jgVuCMr_wL-aQAOmYCEf6Y9ow/s4608/river%20View8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgeRgNfYCdva497r5vt3cDZNqSTUlVTH0N_ssJEeMTe2zFOPtmZ7-lT6ZAsDPDsGQWbDM7q4ksdmr38rF0c_nXhO8t9bU_Q96YcbMllUsZdAFlKaAOMfPk3SQ8dOCrnlF2fMGpcqO1qMK6t32EKaSYXAr4gunPa2W9jgVuCMr_wL-aQAOmYCEf6Y9ow/w480-h640/river%20View8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">including this footbridge across the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQuiVt072thLrj5eVVZgOideMY4eCqoP8DAAmm17fQzcyewKWIG1i0zXQKev94XQHzaeL82loV6ATAGCcD4Kz-LtROhwiqndIOfKEISoKNVv8XKLSmiAd1gYWZ_QN9QHHGBM_XfpO6PO5mxE-jUNaXSGkQZX75YiaSLc1ab_7o3qm1C8YLBDxGBj47Q/s4608/Topiary1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQuiVt072thLrj5eVVZgOideMY4eCqoP8DAAmm17fQzcyewKWIG1i0zXQKev94XQHzaeL82loV6ATAGCcD4Kz-LtROhwiqndIOfKEISoKNVv8XKLSmiAd1gYWZ_QN9QHHGBM_XfpO6PO5mxE-jUNaXSGkQZX75YiaSLc1ab_7o3qm1C8YLBDxGBj47Q/w480-h640/Topiary1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amount of topiary and the quality of the topiary is revealed in this next series of photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W-IdS845PZwXct97frRnjmPC-PGdd-a0jzM8pI4UMnriVOa5ZxwEvoi1-VC3rmG55uI1kBtTklrUZqIoQWacVdlwWq89gssWyRqzX6k8ql9N53CPcuilVhqeHQASuLKhpGDKY9QZcdEx1ERaZtfeGLrXYV-R7m4pdlnR1gDc8zFbj9paq0waXwqiTw/s4608/Topiary2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W-IdS845PZwXct97frRnjmPC-PGdd-a0jzM8pI4UMnriVOa5ZxwEvoi1-VC3rmG55uI1kBtTklrUZqIoQWacVdlwWq89gssWyRqzX6k8ql9N53CPcuilVhqeHQASuLKhpGDKY9QZcdEx1ERaZtfeGLrXYV-R7m4pdlnR1gDc8zFbj9paq0waXwqiTw/w640-h480/Topiary2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEOmMt91Y4QcVvtNFGqhrh1tFJB3ElrEnxWKsYXxqGbsLM_3q8jDtmRkzvhXiYk64Ewr5q_vUz-mZi5mdj6RgkoMOq9Cp2n77eT7lY-m6jNp3g-NN7zHk0EOE_6ctVAAZafACCzQcBPz60JSDhNSLFGY-EktykU4qWkJ75-lhruqWsjriTwNxJWh1YA/s4608/Topiary4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEOmMt91Y4QcVvtNFGqhrh1tFJB3ElrEnxWKsYXxqGbsLM_3q8jDtmRkzvhXiYk64Ewr5q_vUz-mZi5mdj6RgkoMOq9Cp2n77eT7lY-m6jNp3g-NN7zHk0EOE_6ctVAAZafACCzQcBPz60JSDhNSLFGY-EktykU4qWkJ75-lhruqWsjriTwNxJWh1YA/w480-h640/Topiary4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp2JXUW53Q0BgHgCT2GBB1WcJHWgOcvN6OXFkFaQTg1guYwuLKdbEEiRWfKLG9TrVKblZzs6lTvFDX7JOBZYAsKtwfWI-tZRrJMFM5ImkWAiif4tw9WemjQfV_ACI8CQ_CyNQJ7M6-AHjaCEITLLliJAZQo06hx7tL1RMDz4sVK2t9SONEwNd9odang/s4608/topiary5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp2JXUW53Q0BgHgCT2GBB1WcJHWgOcvN6OXFkFaQTg1guYwuLKdbEEiRWfKLG9TrVKblZzs6lTvFDX7JOBZYAsKtwfWI-tZRrJMFM5ImkWAiif4tw9WemjQfV_ACI8CQ_CyNQJ7M6-AHjaCEITLLliJAZQo06hx7tL1RMDz4sVK2t9SONEwNd9odang/w640-h480/topiary5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lptft0kkzIb0CjUfFYZ5UT2lE1OY8-bInJ_935xoQ9dZFB-awwhgoyl0OldLTK83fCLH_IjTJldrd_pAxXrCfIn_WPSB5vltV6qhMIXw2yfmmp-PEptoagrsmBPQTDpUVbFQO2nalC_5Y5l3WEpXWJolUxllgxTSrBaeduH3vuzn7YXHRze3OxVEsw/s4608/Peonies1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lptft0kkzIb0CjUfFYZ5UT2lE1OY8-bInJ_935xoQ9dZFB-awwhgoyl0OldLTK83fCLH_IjTJldrd_pAxXrCfIn_WPSB5vltV6qhMIXw2yfmmp-PEptoagrsmBPQTDpUVbFQO2nalC_5Y5l3WEpXWJolUxllgxTSrBaeduH3vuzn7YXHRze3OxVEsw/w640-h480/Peonies1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peonies here were in full bloom as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgojdUMNPbgBeol3DVvkbepTX10FZkjl5cdP2iPeYafa1mPYfgixQtvqdzJKPcR_JSyZyegLhZbfly4Tbk5sQnUbBJSePRKEEYNW3_BFbJclfnI5L0gdrExV2CbEuEIIXa9dvQHf1T6WiDLhkeFwN1caYhWbBQyJhjXvbGYsrqRx0Mi7vgHFKJ10r7-w/s4608/Garden1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgojdUMNPbgBeol3DVvkbepTX10FZkjl5cdP2iPeYafa1mPYfgixQtvqdzJKPcR_JSyZyegLhZbfly4Tbk5sQnUbBJSePRKEEYNW3_BFbJclfnI5L0gdrExV2CbEuEIIXa9dvQHf1T6WiDLhkeFwN1caYhWbBQyJhjXvbGYsrqRx0Mi7vgHFKJ10r7-w/w640-h480/Garden1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the entrance to the gardens of Imagination. However having had a delicious lunch and viewing how we would have to walk straight uphill to see the gardens, we decided we would skip this garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP7qFEYo7W5HlwTNrCGv-bCw-mbUkl1hPWMRx_QUWu6lyc2C-2WA-7nh5KtPzpiPiTdEJIMYlxwaglzQhonVjjOLsfidi_5oVkdlcyuFbiVpktM4323ihELaj1IN2YnrjZh3RUtjQAr1_4QeDuw4_AJCtK6D7PvgQZVnArweljoRsNj6BZ2vOPuDctw/s4608/Lunch%20Place.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP7qFEYo7W5HlwTNrCGv-bCw-mbUkl1hPWMRx_QUWu6lyc2C-2WA-7nh5KtPzpiPiTdEJIMYlxwaglzQhonVjjOLsfidi_5oVkdlcyuFbiVpktM4323ihELaj1IN2YnrjZh3RUtjQAr1_4QeDuw4_AJCtK6D7PvgQZVnArweljoRsNj6BZ2vOPuDctw/w640-h480/Lunch%20Place.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from across the river at the Church and the terrace of the restaurant where we had lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBYhDNAzcEdxF2l8F-AwUwsnzaGfVRjEvCpGcdyXcyiVqkeMKIQTIWSRHHY90Z0ewKv6ruf4BoJoK-_wrW4qVthGroc6HUw49RSmtrfmx-KdWbbAm9LoR8cnr97xXy5wJvKRuKhG7ZfvkKRGsOZqIiaY4GcqAIDlayLlX9I3Cb_TValVSXV3KIxuoeQ/s4328/Memorial1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3246" data-original-width="4328" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBYhDNAzcEdxF2l8F-AwUwsnzaGfVRjEvCpGcdyXcyiVqkeMKIQTIWSRHHY90Z0ewKv6ruf4BoJoK-_wrW4qVthGroc6HUw49RSmtrfmx-KdWbbAm9LoR8cnr97xXy5wJvKRuKhG7ZfvkKRGsOZqIiaY4GcqAIDlayLlX9I3Cb_TValVSXV3KIxuoeQ/w640-h480/Memorial1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was one of the more interesting WW I memorials we saw on this trip. Neither of us noticed the figure on the flagpole to the far right, nor the figure on the pole on the left in the photo above. We will never know the significance of why these figures were place on the poles.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u><br /></u></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hwxl3rQ2Dp73yJAS091HVk9DHIuXlh5KvoNPjiF2zXhqxUyeOruEW5LCrDo5wgFSPHFAJtk0M9gUeQ4VnMmUi6TDLeTYTekv30wP4uQrIUY4VMqU5haHHseBXEhlayXrJ93lygPBQLxIpIcyiEQJwRuwIiSIvzNjInVNWeO6ZPbhq7TF18C0bfg5Sw/s4481/Memorial2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4481" data-original-width="3360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hwxl3rQ2Dp73yJAS091HVk9DHIuXlh5KvoNPjiF2zXhqxUyeOruEW5LCrDo5wgFSPHFAJtk0M9gUeQ4VnMmUi6TDLeTYTekv30wP4uQrIUY4VMqU5haHHseBXEhlayXrJ93lygPBQLxIpIcyiEQJwRuwIiSIvzNjInVNWeO6ZPbhq7TF18C0bfg5Sw/w480-h640/Memorial2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p><u><br /></u></p><p><u>A Bit of Asia in the Dordogne</u></p><p>Our host at the gite had told us that there was a Buddhist Religious Center in nearby Moustier so one day we set out to find it. This was intriguing because we were essentially in the middle of nowhere. This was not Paris nor Lyon where such an establishment would be less surprising. This was an area with no public conveyance or road signs or barely GPS. But we found it and it was impressive. Apparently there are 66 Buddhist enclaves in France which seems like a lot for such a secular country. But the buildings, Temple and outdoor Stupas were most impressive. It was the most impressive Buddhist institution we had seen since Tibet. The pictures will give you an idea. We opted out of the guided tour but, in retrospect, we should probably have taken it. I was relieved that there was no yak butter in sight.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_Asl6fvMMx2gbax4WL9R_dpr2N_MhZd0D7v8gZXMUTB-w0YdtI6K5SQYeCUFQmNd9wfUZNILWduUmHR5F1hgR0ruSulHE017HLHm_KB9UpHVityVVHmS7yCmYxtwMySB8-kVlRMhdR0X3T95SwWuHdELlJzT-N2wFIZByWmVFBN41nm4zT-Wcp3_ug/s4608/Buddhist%20Retreat1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_Asl6fvMMx2gbax4WL9R_dpr2N_MhZd0D7v8gZXMUTB-w0YdtI6K5SQYeCUFQmNd9wfUZNILWduUmHR5F1hgR0ruSulHE017HLHm_KB9UpHVityVVHmS7yCmYxtwMySB8-kVlRMhdR0X3T95SwWuHdELlJzT-N2wFIZByWmVFBN41nm4zT-Wcp3_ug/w640-h480/Buddhist%20Retreat1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first buildings give little indication of the nature of this property.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE6ZidY2bPXGPij4KvhX0jIDnjjWRh4wu2kvlSFHqg6YhtW-SJthUCh7zW51sf2a7HikkRQRfi_qRjm1NFsovafUqqo8-V3BFPEKe5FVafUqiauaavuAxU7c7l-b4aHRS5bQzsHMk8tKBMeivTL7kaRvUapnHOg9EQ17D9kj-49ThVdsnyyNhfTHgNw/s4608/Prayer%20Wheels3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE6ZidY2bPXGPij4KvhX0jIDnjjWRh4wu2kvlSFHqg6YhtW-SJthUCh7zW51sf2a7HikkRQRfi_qRjm1NFsovafUqqo8-V3BFPEKe5FVafUqiauaavuAxU7c7l-b4aHRS5bQzsHMk8tKBMeivTL7kaRvUapnHOg9EQ17D9kj-49ThVdsnyyNhfTHgNw/w640-h480/Prayer%20Wheels3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However soon we saw these prayer wheels, just like the ones we encountered in Lhasa, Tibet when we were there.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E7_nEcRBrAHSOA6b31Lf8PLlrkKwsR2TlURzXoV1Jq0I4nqP4A8OxpN2uzxOWZJ0wsPtvejE_MkL_3iZQE0NZ0tOr87FHJyHN2LtJ8gSSRx_P2EwYxYpUaRjtUB2dRO6WHbUEg58M5QH2idcJvell-bglRDdEh6e47hhG8xPJVSc144v251B1Ckm9g/s4608/Kalachakra%20Syllable2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E7_nEcRBrAHSOA6b31Lf8PLlrkKwsR2TlURzXoV1Jq0I4nqP4A8OxpN2uzxOWZJ0wsPtvejE_MkL_3iZQE0NZ0tOr87FHJyHN2LtJ8gSSRx_P2EwYxYpUaRjtUB2dRO6WHbUEg58M5QH2idcJvell-bglRDdEh6e47hhG8xPJVSc144v251B1Ckm9g/w480-h640/Kalachakra%20Syllable2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Kalachakra Syllable. The term kalachara means <i>wheel of time </i>in Sanskrit. It is the name of a meditation method taught by the Buddha. The theme of this teaching is the relationship between the different cycles that govern our existence: the cycle of the planets, of our breathing, of our bodies and of our lives.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGLpYhEqj7SEZsh4xqugoxaYDtz8v4Np-c9lBA_6Y8pjjysWfMsglM0WIoc-EsIFTg1DJ1t_Eh1E3Ow2KDz8hqLat_eEmy2LfyNQ2MS8i8SCQ98V5QfqRtG7a84VKuGxwrX8fNPKKyC8nNpP5csuRREEZr9oijNbPuqPHT9r8A5avvydHSyLKn0MM7A/s4608/Stupa2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGLpYhEqj7SEZsh4xqugoxaYDtz8v4Np-c9lBA_6Y8pjjysWfMsglM0WIoc-EsIFTg1DJ1t_Eh1E3Ow2KDz8hqLat_eEmy2LfyNQ2MS8i8SCQ98V5QfqRtG7a84VKuGxwrX8fNPKKyC8nNpP5csuRREEZr9oijNbPuqPHT9r8A5avvydHSyLKn0MM7A/w480-h640/Stupa2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Stupa of Enlightenment. A stupa symbolizes the Buddha's mind of wisdom and compassion. Statues represent his body and sacred texts represent his speech. This monument shelters relics of past masters and numerous consecrated substances.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfiKJHbapj-dAwGv5s7tHq7PT3OwHZY4ZzCz01im6VGZ2SSa-XJhuyFEIC6hkfoZtL-Mg2uq-PmVSGiIVgkKrH4OI6AJAV8EzbFG0rOdneHiPtTObbc-Ge1pCQDT6kYf7G1Tzt1THZjZJVObjDC1MDZHAJ-SiCqjOX1haV6JHYDFEMQNDalqtPPbkrQ/s4608/Stupa3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfiKJHbapj-dAwGv5s7tHq7PT3OwHZY4ZzCz01im6VGZ2SSa-XJhuyFEIC6hkfoZtL-Mg2uq-PmVSGiIVgkKrH4OI6AJAV8EzbFG0rOdneHiPtTObbc-Ge1pCQDT6kYf7G1Tzt1THZjZJVObjDC1MDZHAJ-SiCqjOX1haV6JHYDFEMQNDalqtPPbkrQ/w480-h640/Stupa3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the Buddha in the stupa.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTs3WR5kr3IAS4jlYUrYOwRYm69rVtSUB1WFhvDRTzzskgBV5qSwH4c9fqBKWy1GuXCTRDQmh6yYFV_IeJVWGZ4HB6y6jwS37RWvJmvPxZz8fDtxO0ueAODm1WEbiLkNcGFDxEcaUiWb_vkZtfuEgDk-wOEM3DHoytVvS_yL3roUhT75Z9Ofaep4f0A/s4608/Prayer%20Flags2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTs3WR5kr3IAS4jlYUrYOwRYm69rVtSUB1WFhvDRTzzskgBV5qSwH4c9fqBKWy1GuXCTRDQmh6yYFV_IeJVWGZ4HB6y6jwS37RWvJmvPxZz8fDtxO0ueAODm1WEbiLkNcGFDxEcaUiWb_vkZtfuEgDk-wOEM3DHoytVvS_yL3roUhT75Z9Ofaep4f0A/w480-h640/Prayer%20Flags2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also encountered these prayer flags. According to the Tibetan tradition, the wind that ruffles the flags carries the beneficial influence of the prayers, mantras and symbols printed on the fabric across space. It propagates peace, prosperity and harmony in the surrounding area.<br />The flags are a series of five color symbolizing the five elements: space, wind, fire, water and earth. <br />The flags are fabricated in India and Nepal and are replace each year after the Tibetan New Year.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTnTyHDSI5k0y48sXCx3cfuPxuaskXVqOvWJIy-7CL-rXUSphN8bM8hkLAYwuJ0zLAwHAJNhqd9JnSYK9DkzwaUlqxiBnzGZsXzHRimesCH4tknfrcd3f3NabYPtgwtnRCKpAcZCDH5NrVICNMk1AwpVFuKZ71k-N6tQg5ZEG18kt_uTF_glckpIrLw/s4608/Giant%20Prayer%20Wheel1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTnTyHDSI5k0y48sXCx3cfuPxuaskXVqOvWJIy-7CL-rXUSphN8bM8hkLAYwuJ0zLAwHAJNhqd9JnSYK9DkzwaUlqxiBnzGZsXzHRimesCH4tknfrcd3f3NabYPtgwtnRCKpAcZCDH5NrVICNMk1AwpVFuKZ71k-N6tQg5ZEG18kt_uTF_glckpIrLw/w480-h640/Giant%20Prayer%20Wheel1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pavillion of the prayer wheel houses this very large ornate prayer wheel...</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PQ23WUYb5AkjzVUVpqu4utdL8j3QTNgodo-UoNJwyD_9EAk5TYJZw4GZp3NO2WAArONgttl8Q-1bzIaa3XyepyqPIAderatO4ZHk_DZngGtGveYs77u3CuFFOktR32uW8KfRHeGnYbZJ3HDd47q1UK641pDfIAkm7dpmA8zFXWL6qccDwsH2mSyoSg/s4608/Giant%20Prayer%20Wheel2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PQ23WUYb5AkjzVUVpqu4utdL8j3QTNgodo-UoNJwyD_9EAk5TYJZw4GZp3NO2WAArONgttl8Q-1bzIaa3XyepyqPIAderatO4ZHk_DZngGtGveYs77u3CuFFOktR32uW8KfRHeGnYbZJ3HDd47q1UK641pDfIAkm7dpmA8zFXWL6qccDwsH2mSyoSg/w480-h640/Giant%20Prayer%20Wheel2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whose symbols and inscriptions can be seen here.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8Kpg1yyfe-UYSdCQSD9IJ0Vxbh_Ct-rJZHRQ3n4-UgJjvwSCoNMXHoiDsBV13XHO2Xu4zeoNCF4Li80vsjYQGhD962JzoqVjYwNF2RLrTS4Lqq-JfGU91mcMnMwUnbq6N6QHRO-CV1LaEEMz710e8eYtQbZKIpjFResOK6ZGR316HwcpfYaVqA_p3g/s4608/Stupa9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8Kpg1yyfe-UYSdCQSD9IJ0Vxbh_Ct-rJZHRQ3n4-UgJjvwSCoNMXHoiDsBV13XHO2Xu4zeoNCF4Li80vsjYQGhD962JzoqVjYwNF2RLrTS4Lqq-JfGU91mcMnMwUnbq6N6QHRO-CV1LaEEMz710e8eYtQbZKIpjFResOK6ZGR316HwcpfYaVqA_p3g/w640-h480/Stupa9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a back view of the Stupa of Shamar Rinpoche. Mipham Chökyi Lodrö (born in Derge, Tibet) (1952-2014) was the 14th Shamar Rinpoche. He was recognized as the latest incarnation of the Sharma at the age of six and taken to Yang Chen Monastery in Tibet.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-zAcR9Ru_YE6f_XPNsAOqSDeBxw2aRtIUb7Sc3b2crP7NCHflW6Ia9XHEUeYaDB8Q5vhzqRPUpwbMFJ5nYzS30iY7erttXirh3Uo3qJDMphwYEs_xPIgHUME9sbD-8vp9I5EeeUHEpppE8_8msfmCqUgA8QODEAsa6-ivUDL4dgTdbXaJP0b9Fna1g/s4608/4%20pairs%20of%20Stupas1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-zAcR9Ru_YE6f_XPNsAOqSDeBxw2aRtIUb7Sc3b2crP7NCHflW6Ia9XHEUeYaDB8Q5vhzqRPUpwbMFJ5nYzS30iY7erttXirh3Uo3qJDMphwYEs_xPIgHUME9sbD-8vp9I5EeeUHEpppE8_8msfmCqUgA8QODEAsa6-ivUDL4dgTdbXaJP0b9Fna1g/w640-h480/4%20pairs%20of%20Stupas1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, there are eight specific forms of stupas that commemorate the important moments in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvwi6Dv8dllL5yglPDssC0R6YKkShxIoVTfYVx0PXe2M2X8JQ5mMCER7AU3tLJMquExgj22YaWEDe4Ngvfv5qUKRM4BkYeRq7dU4YV90BgTVtJgUJW4ra_XWZOHjpRPDFpM5frhDNuQM6P2uitT15gEP-VMPB4rBHUZa6JnlxME4yEC970-N8nDVMJA/s4608/1st%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvwi6Dv8dllL5yglPDssC0R6YKkShxIoVTfYVx0PXe2M2X8JQ5mMCER7AU3tLJMquExgj22YaWEDe4Ngvfv5qUKRM4BkYeRq7dU4YV90BgTVtJgUJW4ra_XWZOHjpRPDFpM5frhDNuQM6P2uitT15gEP-VMPB4rBHUZa6JnlxME4yEC970-N8nDVMJA/w640-h480/1st%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The All-Victorious Stupa celebrates victory over death at Vaishali. The Parinirvana Stupa recalls the Buddha's death in Kushinagar.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPL6MD8J3aM8ms5CQmREXnAIw0ojeSsHG6QCimtyGLlKROp6Ec7qPzsi3rFsODySgOXvlD1SR_r_qBd_loga8gBkznxnGMPWYAtEQJarrt4dpXfaKP_KqD13RSq98U3W1evZSZjwxbj9e9e_4dncD0prdAb7GjfrEHwyizF82a3WkltfhxnWYIl05Ww/s4608/Close%20up%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPL6MD8J3aM8ms5CQmREXnAIw0ojeSsHG6QCimtyGLlKROp6Ec7qPzsi3rFsODySgOXvlD1SR_r_qBd_loga8gBkznxnGMPWYAtEQJarrt4dpXfaKP_KqD13RSq98U3W1evZSZjwxbj9e9e_4dncD0prdAb7GjfrEHwyizF82a3WkltfhxnWYIl05Ww/w480-h640/Close%20up%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have included a close up of the Buddha in some of the stupas to show how each is a slightly different representation of the Buddha.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQp3FC-wU-erlACBtyplShHH-_gXZ8dPl_HnkEHipRRGe7e0C-UfBOacJQ67-L1CGn9qdWPvrxXUpkn_d21yvHQMRo14ilDUWt2YuwOjpEpIXVJUaklIxMFOJpx_ArOPMTF_8YDSKQKn5tvYpnz0mvcimINKsrkLeKsO70wy8H4zTUma6jluVBhvpgw/s4608/1st%20Large%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQp3FC-wU-erlACBtyplShHH-_gXZ8dPl_HnkEHipRRGe7e0C-UfBOacJQ67-L1CGn9qdWPvrxXUpkn_d21yvHQMRo14ilDUWt2YuwOjpEpIXVJUaklIxMFOJpx_ArOPMTF_8YDSKQKn5tvYpnz0mvcimINKsrkLeKsO70wy8H4zTUma6jluVBhvpgw/w640-h480/1st%20Large%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reconciliation Stupa recalls the end of the schism at Rajgir. The Great Miracle Stupa commemorates how the Buddha overcame mistaken philosophical masters in Shravasti. To fully understand the stupas, you should start at the last two stupas and read the explanation for the next stupa above.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3ivKNyQUfkv_kfX1Ybunx8SHzZha2l032Iqkb39utECUQlm2SZBKZFbQI0Y_pD44J9RD7ioR0BPRpVS3GfKnqkIS6Jr67ws1aySbsjMSsLMPTBZkn9CfDEsd3F-wfLwVgcgh2Qj2htLD6iLuMQcsWOeoU-C8TPgV7xzOgrh62nKGHtU2DppV-GVGog/s4608/Stupa%20Figure4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3ivKNyQUfkv_kfX1Ybunx8SHzZha2l032Iqkb39utECUQlm2SZBKZFbQI0Y_pD44J9RD7ioR0BPRpVS3GfKnqkIS6Jr67ws1aySbsjMSsLMPTBZkn9CfDEsd3F-wfLwVgcgh2Qj2htLD6iLuMQcsWOeoU-C8TPgV7xzOgrh62nKGHtU2DppV-GVGog/w480-h640/Stupa%20Figure4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9zeFIyfxejjiPisENFzkK9qWMg37q5VTHWmj7l_xezR4G_Ig0vtHbSAio5FheTorMQGln_2fc3AifDsZqc7Zzxim1dOGCJ8Zf_Sd8oRDAztedq4Er4NtkGI_tAKwXMjM4dQ53i02Om2bSR27SFA7iTl2i3vkoICNn2CkF0X5yM3q6hzdFkf0lm7O3A/s4608/Stupa%20figures3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9zeFIyfxejjiPisENFzkK9qWMg37q5VTHWmj7l_xezR4G_Ig0vtHbSAio5FheTorMQGln_2fc3AifDsZqc7Zzxim1dOGCJ8Zf_Sd8oRDAztedq4Er4NtkGI_tAKwXMjM4dQ53i02Om2bSR27SFA7iTl2i3vkoICNn2CkF0X5yM3q6hzdFkf0lm7O3A/w480-h640/Stupa%20figures3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt21mgBp3M2ES2b8B-unKqciTx1OLdgLM1T0gyYsiCQP73MNSdFJTV1G9fZffNFQvWQJG0a0mthvAZjTsfsaBV-ZpwghIf0wCtd3RHFyYIXpq9rxh-5LTRlmzDhm06IHK-aS9vYt9BHm0zxX-8gU996gWSW5Lx65e8jg9iGsmS9MKvTvlMws-MPsBfA/s4608/2nd%20Large%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt21mgBp3M2ES2b8B-unKqciTx1OLdgLM1T0gyYsiCQP73MNSdFJTV1G9fZffNFQvWQJG0a0mthvAZjTsfsaBV-ZpwghIf0wCtd3RHFyYIXpq9rxh-5LTRlmzDhm06IHK-aS9vYt9BHm0zxX-8gU996gWSW5Lx65e8jg9iGsmS9MKvTvlMws-MPsBfA/w640-h480/2nd%20Large%20Stupa%20Pair1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stupa of Turning the Wheel of Dharma recalls his first teaching following enlightenment in Sarnath's Deer Park. The Stupa of Descent from the Divine Realms, where the Buddha went to give teachings to his mother, celebrates his return among humans.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL62_scj-_tOnqg8NDxCywXfppj-sMDhVJMaRzfmNdjOG-KPg57k_8-NgF8ki3RrQqWbn-m8L9u8K6hALisOZ6331VBKAlbigd4NM4GoEB4nP0DTxbUbKF4Q-DObxqGp6OwJGKSXmmm2gZ74EHgIKTJW4xBDMzXe5mV3Mi0jbRGzlMuVXb3eAsXSIp7w/s4608/Stupa%20figure7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL62_scj-_tOnqg8NDxCywXfppj-sMDhVJMaRzfmNdjOG-KPg57k_8-NgF8ki3RrQqWbn-m8L9u8K6hALisOZ6331VBKAlbigd4NM4GoEB4nP0DTxbUbKF4Q-DObxqGp6OwJGKSXmmm2gZ74EHgIKTJW4xBDMzXe5mV3Mi0jbRGzlMuVXb3eAsXSIp7w/w480-h640/Stupa%20figure7.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiZWW-XXwRNdTPmQ7I3tH5FgiH3EkvA44s2SYDTClkKbQ0gpTCOar7gvtIO892c1O5XOY82l4eU-OEoTUPk-PAfJnXiG3kQD8rwNgP5D5A8E_XvbHy8S75vhmz20AV3s_3zIA3tUd5qctNJOfSuG4-ISxYJv7OTt8SFTRktCyr4gd0yr-c0YD0M6OcA/s4608/Stupa%20figure8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiZWW-XXwRNdTPmQ7I3tH5FgiH3EkvA44s2SYDTClkKbQ0gpTCOar7gvtIO892c1O5XOY82l4eU-OEoTUPk-PAfJnXiG3kQD8rwNgP5D5A8E_XvbHy8S75vhmz20AV3s_3zIA3tUd5qctNJOfSuG4-ISxYJv7OTt8SFTRktCyr4gd0yr-c0YD0M6OcA/w480-h640/Stupa%20figure8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ztqd02eByCg6Njh8PTB7GgBeR9NFy2wyQKvwNNXBcHHJ_JocMGvjWicgw6y1s1647UlONF-aDEaqsAVhhXh2QAjtBv1RJ0oXxPuJ33aju_tgqB5M3M3zCr1Jbk0Lo_NKnCfYdMJBegw5NliE1wgGBjPfqMUT9cdxsSXoV6V_8ew9RmxZ10JC-iSybQ/s4608/3rd%20Large%20Stupa%20pair1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ztqd02eByCg6Njh8PTB7GgBeR9NFy2wyQKvwNNXBcHHJ_JocMGvjWicgw6y1s1647UlONF-aDEaqsAVhhXh2QAjtBv1RJ0oXxPuJ33aju_tgqB5M3M3zCr1Jbk0Lo_NKnCfYdMJBegw5NliE1wgGBjPfqMUT9cdxsSXoV6V_8ew9RmxZ10JC-iSybQ/w640-h480/3rd%20Large%20Stupa%20pair1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lotus Blossom Stupa celebrates the Buddha's birth in Lumbini Park. The Conquest of Mara or Enlightenment Stupa commemorates his enlightenment in Bodhgaya.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ils4IT3SLTUQEnxPZ-fVi0DGvEJ9AbvhYGNJ_81QrjKDDubYywxyQauvVp56J7KhBx4vPVN_6JJ4hLVkmaBP297xC4TNSenVGxdvzkeP6O4hOZ17ZPQi4kTGx254LDX44HOpcswx-odN4xBoXEad4yIgWdXadK7msQQLeQSwMpY1F5Mmf9uWzgQSfw/s4608/Eight%20Stupa.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ils4IT3SLTUQEnxPZ-fVi0DGvEJ9AbvhYGNJ_81QrjKDDubYywxyQauvVp56J7KhBx4vPVN_6JJ4hLVkmaBP297xC4TNSenVGxdvzkeP6O4hOZ17ZPQi4kTGx254LDX44HOpcswx-odN4xBoXEad4yIgWdXadK7msQQLeQSwMpY1F5Mmf9uWzgQSfw/w640-h480/Eight%20Stupa.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Eight Stupas from the Stupa of Shamar Rinpoche.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbxuEB6tGlDjCGNNP8FJ9bbeLfQAMYeQ4LELl9Sctmf6I-3rVW8ImW8VPiVX2CQgRDxM67LNXJnYWkozDc50NJ0IJjaCx3cLlRf7DAutP_aSvIJ_sSfJkJb1kUhVcf1qjdnxJnerYsv1xcaFIUl9yv1Pv6-AzrGCMKg_6nZUHk1hU2eeJeODhVeWo_A/s4608/Stupa13.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbxuEB6tGlDjCGNNP8FJ9bbeLfQAMYeQ4LELl9Sctmf6I-3rVW8ImW8VPiVX2CQgRDxM67LNXJnYWkozDc50NJ0IJjaCx3cLlRf7DAutP_aSvIJ_sSfJkJb1kUhVcf1qjdnxJnerYsv1xcaFIUl9yv1Pv6-AzrGCMKg_6nZUHk1hU2eeJeODhVeWo_A/w480-h640/Stupa13.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front view of the Stupa of Shamar Rinpoche. Just as the physical relics of the Buddha were divided and protected within several stupas, a part of those of Shamar Rinpoche are likewise protected here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj334gjbkQyrJvHgNDvDFzR1JOg3kaqhHy_BgEJ8Yo78g_VM8IlYbYzuwWnbtlrxdx0jQX8SkDnzg7VbCR32ybMIR0fr__rktd1v-k7Yps5hH1iy0WzN6A7FszZbNZK1xgVY5JCwaj1eToa5wza1D1LF45wxVkc0qBOJwduCRfOTgT8kjulOraCu-IbXQ/s4608/Large%20Stupa%20figure1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj334gjbkQyrJvHgNDvDFzR1JOg3kaqhHy_BgEJ8Yo78g_VM8IlYbYzuwWnbtlrxdx0jQX8SkDnzg7VbCR32ybMIR0fr__rktd1v-k7Yps5hH1iy0WzN6A7FszZbNZK1xgVY5JCwaj1eToa5wza1D1LF45wxVkc0qBOJwduCRfOTgT8kjulOraCu-IbXQ/w480-h640/Large%20Stupa%20figure1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue shows the likeness of Shamar Rinpoche.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6A2nEcz1BwO5Z2SYwVt-CIcDHJyAr7mnvqbjNqwVDFNT23pOZGkEJYjwkok0inNYV6_ZkyH56iS25k4wcoamvYSvDQPkVS_Lf8BKr99UXQMGD11LaKP37AAuM939NGCp57vNPehcwVSlPIcdFfbRdXgo2M2JmeqaQ4nn0XHcflMwU-AIU4_HTnDsMg/s4608/Retreat%20Center%20side%20view2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6A2nEcz1BwO5Z2SYwVt-CIcDHJyAr7mnvqbjNqwVDFNT23pOZGkEJYjwkok0inNYV6_ZkyH56iS25k4wcoamvYSvDQPkVS_Lf8BKr99UXQMGD11LaKP37AAuM939NGCp57vNPehcwVSlPIcdFfbRdXgo2M2JmeqaQ4nn0XHcflMwU-AIU4_HTnDsMg/w640-h480/Retreat%20Center%20side%20view2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side exterior view of the Buddhist Institute, with its unique contemporary architecture. The wooden cladding is designed to be a reminder of the Perigord tobacco barns. The waving roof models the shape of the surrounding hills. The building has a beautiful and ecological living roof.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBDQ8Lnx4MKonbSdM-x1AB64phVmVxkjP8B2WqoiahXN8w7B6WvhhY5WLjXHV93dAGobFNH3UCnjM7B6_jv2QCkqk8vye0rPWAreyitO3xRPCNoe_UHwE-RqvhVk_g7T_kjbFGn43Mhyn0fItTFh5g_wgQVl9hp0WVdzr6bufFti1fsV3Pd78KrFhXg/s4608/Interior%20Retreat%20Center1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBDQ8Lnx4MKonbSdM-x1AB64phVmVxkjP8B2WqoiahXN8w7B6WvhhY5WLjXHV93dAGobFNH3UCnjM7B6_jv2QCkqk8vye0rPWAreyitO3xRPCNoe_UHwE-RqvhVk_g7T_kjbFGn43Mhyn0fItTFh5g_wgQVl9hp0WVdzr6bufFti1fsV3Pd78KrFhXg/w640-h480/Interior%20Retreat%20Center1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of the Institute has two levels with two meditation and teaching spaces, four translation booths and a sound control station as well as a room housing all library resources and a reading room.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QUvRJu5DkofKX08oSbPylI7RPPHNTJrPTCD-6vK7jzbNCeZOFxQ9Ld6mQUB-hJcgtG6IDTPXUPsgVyZk-gqHZNo4AjPUCJ4kE4pa0Mz1QCbTxxKDJhEFRZXBr_jxCoKYzcR73aurHocG_fhoXNcbwI2dmRg6YGFUBdkHKOQHNX4G-2MSkDVOAS7YJg/s4608/Int.%20retreat%20center3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QUvRJu5DkofKX08oSbPylI7RPPHNTJrPTCD-6vK7jzbNCeZOFxQ9Ld6mQUB-hJcgtG6IDTPXUPsgVyZk-gqHZNo4AjPUCJ4kE4pa0Mz1QCbTxxKDJhEFRZXBr_jxCoKYzcR73aurHocG_fhoXNcbwI2dmRg6YGFUBdkHKOQHNX4G-2MSkDVOAS7YJg/w640-h480/Int.%20retreat%20center3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the front of the main floor of the Institute is the Buddha and an area for meditation. While we were there a buddhist monk was tending to the fresh flowers placed around the Buddha.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C0jJY15668kZW7qYzpkrsAcvdwpDClHCoJpshuGqglSYel9MPRne3mb2-6AzruRrIo-8YznyQYURMznXRq0bOVSqcmT7x0q6iuWrmndI5D_Ctfpqm8VjHdPEO_Lg9NI-knduJDO2K1oqXcERcq0r7Od_tlST1Fnx8j7VBPxkjko3HidRmNbQArBP4A/s4608/Golden%20poppies4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C0jJY15668kZW7qYzpkrsAcvdwpDClHCoJpshuGqglSYel9MPRne3mb2-6AzruRrIo-8YznyQYURMznXRq0bOVSqcmT7x0q6iuWrmndI5D_Ctfpqm8VjHdPEO_Lg9NI-knduJDO2K1oqXcERcq0r7Od_tlST1Fnx8j7VBPxkjko3HidRmNbQArBP4A/w640-h480/Golden%20poppies4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These golden poppies on the grounds were stunning.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK_xu5yzxS8tX3eyR1489UkyvCZkY0eqQqC5eAwkSpRxUeYz65sAK4F5hqevXNWomyNiLAR9QO8mtgSd7FU-WZqf_zOMkEqxGIC3jDrx_tkXhous2t-TvSSljNoSfZ3Oy3_-UTUou8AuQBGIjFNoaIay_jHXbVO2sOrlyaF2SstTLqPTQIFTis7tM2A/s4608/Meditation%20Garden%20Milarepa3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK_xu5yzxS8tX3eyR1489UkyvCZkY0eqQqC5eAwkSpRxUeYz65sAK4F5hqevXNWomyNiLAR9QO8mtgSd7FU-WZqf_zOMkEqxGIC3jDrx_tkXhous2t-TvSSljNoSfZ3Oy3_-UTUou8AuQBGIjFNoaIay_jHXbVO2sOrlyaF2SstTLqPTQIFTis7tM2A/w480-h640/Meditation%20Garden%20Milarepa3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is also a meditation garden with this statue of Milarepa (1052-1135 C.E.), who was an accomplished Tibetan hermit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinlwgrT0tYHP7WiLKGNveYhHePuHMuIMpQ4TK8eBPfFQUby25Y83_OjfJU9i6CvzdA5USlF2QKb6hkBOIp5hChm9h-sWplNnqCBmAnRh65wi6ZE0Q7KKC-GiwxnyDUfCCGORCrmaD8OUafrucIOcbNwXHYAaV4knqpdi_iZ-lnuCsBXWyqOYFSR-ytQ/s4608/Meditation%20Garden.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinlwgrT0tYHP7WiLKGNveYhHePuHMuIMpQ4TK8eBPfFQUby25Y83_OjfJU9i6CvzdA5USlF2QKb6hkBOIp5hChm9h-sWplNnqCBmAnRh65wi6ZE0Q7KKC-GiwxnyDUfCCGORCrmaD8OUafrucIOcbNwXHYAaV4knqpdi_iZ-lnuCsBXWyqOYFSR-ytQ/w640-h480/Meditation%20Garden.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the garden with the statue of Milarepa to the right...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6Baozt0iXKNbB1VIhMlC3pb8NtemUNb8Ke09O4fjfICLHYVSK3d_6hJ9u4qsrT6n_muDCtWeUe2wRg62OrFr4IROmjfaWMXnDqau8da4jRC8PblXpRoHmSOtHZApUoc4iNSJnY9lBiWr111rJ3JUCmfF8h6JCxx6rPhpI-VwZMdHy0n_otfUvKWWpA/s4608/Peach%20Iris.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6Baozt0iXKNbB1VIhMlC3pb8NtemUNb8Ke09O4fjfICLHYVSK3d_6hJ9u4qsrT6n_muDCtWeUe2wRg62OrFr4IROmjfaWMXnDqau8da4jRC8PblXpRoHmSOtHZApUoc4iNSJnY9lBiWr111rJ3JUCmfF8h6JCxx6rPhpI-VwZMdHy0n_otfUvKWWpA/w480-h640/Peach%20Iris.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and close ups of this peach iris...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFEcG9C2rrFF5_CrxxDTh1TewAj65VA6Mke3o63rBRACWWC73MEsmXGppH4qmMI7HbhgMyzPe7PEOSoqA-nihnEfmAo-1Ecle_V7e9CWsw3JC35Wo8STCU2kgzZezkmsLsx_rgkh_UzT1ZJVjRLfbgi1_yQE34wl9cP266ziHBrX9xP5Pygedz9wUaw/s4608/purple:red%20iris.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFEcG9C2rrFF5_CrxxDTh1TewAj65VA6Mke3o63rBRACWWC73MEsmXGppH4qmMI7HbhgMyzPe7PEOSoqA-nihnEfmAo-1Ecle_V7e9CWsw3JC35Wo8STCU2kgzZezkmsLsx_rgkh_UzT1ZJVjRLfbgi1_yQE34wl9cP266ziHBrX9xP5Pygedz9wUaw/w480-h640/purple:red%20iris.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this maroon and purple iris...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQpX60A8AVUaNj3HYUNnjJkUr4mEfdmM1JWSu3ZmGbp5g8UVXbyqJETKVEOzBm_8yq0jWIThNSnnMXYTJbptZ2vPffZT1v3qu7aT2PI66BAQ-PHAhLm6u2iLzHgJGJ4fL1umIfos12E_A-eBpKYbLXBRXOV8Ed0Ams4cwnf_uRplo4Li3j5F1qR_K4Q/s4608/Rose2*.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQpX60A8AVUaNj3HYUNnjJkUr4mEfdmM1JWSu3ZmGbp5g8UVXbyqJETKVEOzBm_8yq0jWIThNSnnMXYTJbptZ2vPffZT1v3qu7aT2PI66BAQ-PHAhLm6u2iLzHgJGJ4fL1umIfos12E_A-eBpKYbLXBRXOV8Ed0Ams4cwnf_uRplo4Li3j5F1qR_K4Q/w640-h480/Rose2*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this beautiful rose.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eYrajkdnOSN7FRoeSbSp4tCVEwFP_pMCzLZEsJVtqx0kIXKsqdC6QolCnsA4CMqOL3bYEEwm-u8PMJD-C7IhDmzrywh-zkhv0UL0cz0hIkVXwkoOTY56cbw5t1FCO99r5PiURFn3Iq-XuiFZPqxrOOSsVM9RqVAprRoRn4ejhQwccMxdMPrBaX3dUA/s4608/Buddhist%20Temple1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eYrajkdnOSN7FRoeSbSp4tCVEwFP_pMCzLZEsJVtqx0kIXKsqdC6QolCnsA4CMqOL3bYEEwm-u8PMJD-C7IhDmzrywh-zkhv0UL0cz0hIkVXwkoOTY56cbw5t1FCO99r5PiURFn3Iq-XuiFZPqxrOOSsVM9RqVAprRoRn4ejhQwccMxdMPrBaX3dUA/w640-h480/Buddhist%20Temple1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the interior of the Buddhist Temple, with the Buddha in the center, the sacred Buddhist texts to the right, the statues on the left (which are supports for meditation symbolizing past practitioners who have actualized enlightenment), the photos on the right show eminent teachers in the Karma Kagyü tradition and finally the offerings (bowls symbolizing various sense objects: drinking water, ceremonial water, flowers, incense, light, perfume, food and music). These offerings are renewed daily.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjCsj5TJrP4ZXkXIOC-FcEhFLDlGdQiNB5qvcLnaso8ei8wpowy4f1-NpixFfrWLlwMMOpMoN_lrQhDC4LaTFUb9tJPAws2rl2475WrJYbIrwgyKO-Yo7dMmYSs7_c0rJ2qhsRmB3JJHEf2Dusz2LGhYIAY2f4erHnJHsxzMlNWllzT4blgco_cKNXg/s4608/temple1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjCsj5TJrP4ZXkXIOC-FcEhFLDlGdQiNB5qvcLnaso8ei8wpowy4f1-NpixFfrWLlwMMOpMoN_lrQhDC4LaTFUb9tJPAws2rl2475WrJYbIrwgyKO-Yo7dMmYSs7_c0rJ2qhsRmB3JJHEf2Dusz2LGhYIAY2f4erHnJHsxzMlNWllzT4blgco_cKNXg/w480-h640/temple1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mM82mPaAyOMKnSjKvhGb60_KQJ-a3yQ4ucvoQUiDr-90h0LaBJoWLd7Zw0zj4EvUaG6aDHOHKxBCWZv0i_IG8TCriUpc0T2eiyLkbCovqqu6xO0LZGl4l7fEmXQSToRhRwVKzW4TVoqPu8_qGgsh8fg-cX7WG_z2eCB1flqpN4ZTczhLfSuFZJH_DQ/s4608/temple3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mM82mPaAyOMKnSjKvhGb60_KQJ-a3yQ4ucvoQUiDr-90h0LaBJoWLd7Zw0zj4EvUaG6aDHOHKxBCWZv0i_IG8TCriUpc0T2eiyLkbCovqqu6xO0LZGl4l7fEmXQSToRhRwVKzW4TVoqPu8_qGgsh8fg-cX7WG_z2eCB1flqpN4ZTczhLfSuFZJH_DQ/w640-h480/temple3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUGVgOgHGdkj7yZw-n7PSpk_YdVgLSmaW_eGK4qRmx248JaHDBh5fmsmq-uG7BN82vCtywd2hXtfD8Y9E4i-8ct28lZiJeLuZznV_e7E6-QgYk0WoDSLVij4pSkiYtFNy_NUJ-Hwk7VM7xocNUYJBMj8xjom_rw6lwUfZCQIgUo5T6BqSMj1ctr-5Kg/s4608/temple4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUGVgOgHGdkj7yZw-n7PSpk_YdVgLSmaW_eGK4qRmx248JaHDBh5fmsmq-uG7BN82vCtywd2hXtfD8Y9E4i-8ct28lZiJeLuZznV_e7E6-QgYk0WoDSLVij4pSkiYtFNy_NUJ-Hwk7VM7xocNUYJBMj8xjom_rw6lwUfZCQIgUo5T6BqSMj1ctr-5Kg/w640-h480/temple4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Brantome, Sweet Brantome</u></p><p>The French are always yapping about "the most beautiful villages in France". According to them, virtually every village is superior in charm, ambiance and history. Well, some are, some aren't. Brantome is definitely, definitely, definitely the most beautiful village in France that we have seen. Anchoring the town is a captivating Abbey which sits on the banks of the river Dronne. The monks, seeking a more defensible site dug a canal the result of which was to create an island directly across from the Abbey. They then constructed an elbow bridge that connected the two sections (well there are more bridges now) which allowed crossing the river but, by its design, impeded invaders from a rapid ingress to the heart of the religious community. The entire town is just dazzling. We had a delicious lunch on the river, took a boat ride up the Dronne and watched kayakers of varying skill levels try to traverse the weir. If you EVER get the chance, go to Brantome.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAXEDvXOA0dE4oXeHcIDsivc2FTU-AqqFBTmnYzp0avpHn2teYwW_11bpFCEpGyqzbAFVgda5AquSIcnbzamXC5rfE8roVcfSFUHhvs-eGNjP0vsrBajMH2cWutMcyKoyqseIYHKgJQNSN5lJaYXi0ZCN_PJlHbdzhSQOebI7T04RiK5Yg2xeJWMIHw/s4608/Brantome1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAXEDvXOA0dE4oXeHcIDsivc2FTU-AqqFBTmnYzp0avpHn2teYwW_11bpFCEpGyqzbAFVgda5AquSIcnbzamXC5rfE8roVcfSFUHhvs-eGNjP0vsrBajMH2cWutMcyKoyqseIYHKgJQNSN5lJaYXi0ZCN_PJlHbdzhSQOebI7T04RiK5Yg2xeJWMIHw/w480-h640/Brantome1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the river and Brantome as we arrived.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSVBFW-A0StlL6lQEzbwNDsATR9Bx8bdArbV4HC68axeWZSw37qos5Dw1TJ8MOY_5eHtpLd7Jzx5ao3gEeRlEYv4SPqbfZ3iUS36CA3T4CWGHjN70NsvnyM4eTPtBVpuRNR1rDrMd9j-tg71zsmkFJfUQlOY8vl6zzOAf-oj4pSvLdE0dqWmbyCC-pw/s4608/B%20river%20view1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSVBFW-A0StlL6lQEzbwNDsATR9Bx8bdArbV4HC68axeWZSw37qos5Dw1TJ8MOY_5eHtpLd7Jzx5ao3gEeRlEYv4SPqbfZ3iUS36CA3T4CWGHjN70NsvnyM4eTPtBVpuRNR1rDrMd9j-tg71zsmkFJfUQlOY8vl6zzOAf-oj4pSvLdE0dqWmbyCC-pw/w640-h480/B%20river%20view1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkkwKqCZO3EhFWuzJIVehJ_Hs_32waXPDFFj4ev0uHTVFyWjOGfsfWNB54EsKdxgDoGsoLC5n2fIv0N17yN_ijAGqJFftyl9l4qyb3HWkAVhhq3sszTq6CazLyteoJSnyj2cN8kQFiORlCUS53aNPFw6R28LPcmKJ9JhqB_ans2G2mZn19TbJuEopIQ/s4608/B%20River%20View2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkkwKqCZO3EhFWuzJIVehJ_Hs_32waXPDFFj4ev0uHTVFyWjOGfsfWNB54EsKdxgDoGsoLC5n2fIv0N17yN_ijAGqJFftyl9l4qyb3HWkAVhhq3sszTq6CazLyteoJSnyj2cN8kQFiORlCUS53aNPFw6R28LPcmKJ9JhqB_ans2G2mZn19TbJuEopIQ/w640-h480/B%20River%20View2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9JOMn9d9sMMp8OMby-5WJNGtJ7m0zYYhZtZ8nJDorttgNNJxBzG1q5l2r89N44nvC4lbYuaIQkAbJqYJqU5EU77ck0gJYuG3q_N62CXAEm-9SCdbWtacZZNQrhMQdRstxvr28Wd72wC9ratr6PsLQsK5Eu151KxtVa4-Kdxvb0E1gX6yBvQ8og5O0A/s4608/B%20Falls1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9JOMn9d9sMMp8OMby-5WJNGtJ7m0zYYhZtZ8nJDorttgNNJxBzG1q5l2r89N44nvC4lbYuaIQkAbJqYJqU5EU77ck0gJYuG3q_N62CXAEm-9SCdbWtacZZNQrhMQdRstxvr28Wd72wC9ratr6PsLQsK5Eu151KxtVa4-Kdxvb0E1gX6yBvQ8og5O0A/w640-h480/B%20Falls1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnUIi8n0R6BluojB-uQU4T4cQgfrFtpg6vOrfrjpB1YhVgkDrUEMy9wP_IKHwsZqved3Br3OKACTsihn3Z7KAQQayiXibBm7iSPdyk6yfPrtvxoEnqAPjP1-DXDTEq4rAAxeU3wu_8XTiofIahnE2RRAm746nJ3kGECbPXljjDW3RvIzT2zDaYdhTPw/s4608/Dragon2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnUIi8n0R6BluojB-uQU4T4cQgfrFtpg6vOrfrjpB1YhVgkDrUEMy9wP_IKHwsZqved3Br3OKACTsihn3Z7KAQQayiXibBm7iSPdyk6yfPrtvxoEnqAPjP1-DXDTEq4rAAxeU3wu_8XTiofIahnE2RRAm746nJ3kGECbPXljjDW3RvIzT2zDaYdhTPw/w640-h480/Dragon2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dragon statue was on a man made island in the middle of the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzAkzBFxy6skAnX7CorRe90dp6Luy99AE4vzuWZAC-i0PsTla46Ib3OojG-XMLqPdWUvn23hBVoVBGFsIHa4rM0wUORVpifaXPCifOiBKxGa0gg7g9Lm51sGCA-dNwvgz8Edg0DGW0F9NMAP19OGAc4xMDhKWXTqKmTSx3pM7GM9pEN9eybc0hHIEGg/s4608/Dragon%20Sculpture1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzAkzBFxy6skAnX7CorRe90dp6Luy99AE4vzuWZAC-i0PsTla46Ib3OojG-XMLqPdWUvn23hBVoVBGFsIHa4rM0wUORVpifaXPCifOiBKxGa0gg7g9Lm51sGCA-dNwvgz8Edg0DGW0F9NMAP19OGAc4xMDhKWXTqKmTSx3pM7GM9pEN9eybc0hHIEGg/w640-h480/Dragon%20Sculpture1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87VTTfLU6one-IVgOqVq8m0mGjLHBnbarmjBugY_diJQc6HZLUUho0KOGJR48wqDIpkKiiTc0t9micn4QjQQ5ebbmgYZXiZFO6tJz6t1ocV-CiYQXgipmmImYXpTcITg9IObVWckJEw-If_KReyokmFKlVFBs_Ri_0wPWeUloODtDiiXyzNNt6cVglQ/s4608/Elbow%20Bridge4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87VTTfLU6one-IVgOqVq8m0mGjLHBnbarmjBugY_diJQc6HZLUUho0KOGJR48wqDIpkKiiTc0t9micn4QjQQ5ebbmgYZXiZFO6tJz6t1ocV-CiYQXgipmmImYXpTcITg9IObVWckJEw-If_KReyokmFKlVFBs_Ri_0wPWeUloODtDiiXyzNNt6cVglQ/w640-h480/Elbow%20Bridge4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This unique elbow bridge was designed to be more defensible against invaders.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1tT275KmK1HsFrp9JsDUOnTA50cog27Rn2CQCzQRX8TvdtnxdzLGDuYu__z3bZvmR6jiZ5XbLhu-Cplt4zSYxsI_vCJeJmaaTVwqjBZEmZUsXZeeufA4eqnZ3n9y1E7GS2V8fpu_Gr3FCFQ0r9Hq3o2-auZi93FX9OpMwGvwN2FQFvb-nrjC2eftpQ/s4608/Main%20Bldg.1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1tT275KmK1HsFrp9JsDUOnTA50cog27Rn2CQCzQRX8TvdtnxdzLGDuYu__z3bZvmR6jiZ5XbLhu-Cplt4zSYxsI_vCJeJmaaTVwqjBZEmZUsXZeeufA4eqnZ3n9y1E7GS2V8fpu_Gr3FCFQ0r9Hq3o2-auZi93FX9OpMwGvwN2FQFvb-nrjC2eftpQ/w640-h480/Main%20Bldg.1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weirs on the river extended in several directions.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4UkFexvDXVLSaeq1sBaCacUArLOKtNJTUu6IyGpVJ9A9YSLxpPeQjQCl0czT35tNFsCiMGCGor9E3QB6Rupf3TMDTJPiL9y4QD_-NrCXzgdFSjS2-zMKBzwAr-78aionL3tWBLKYdXaCc-QFi9ZtOgTHYVULcHIMNp3qa2B4T_WIIolzp1s5v8yKrw/s4608/Riverview2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4UkFexvDXVLSaeq1sBaCacUArLOKtNJTUu6IyGpVJ9A9YSLxpPeQjQCl0czT35tNFsCiMGCGor9E3QB6Rupf3TMDTJPiL9y4QD_-NrCXzgdFSjS2-zMKBzwAr-78aionL3tWBLKYdXaCc-QFi9ZtOgTHYVULcHIMNp3qa2B4T_WIIolzp1s5v8yKrw/w640-h480/Riverview2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSeKlWv-g4KXRm-sUir84Fzw0Gt2M_UUEng3sAmay31vIwWRQj0ITVg0AoaExbRIvY2UTvgJAEzINjQYpm06deCqt0OY8ycAXEQoLxd9njvk2r88Ue7YRRYb-ss0QnNjzrlecav6UL9LLJx0PZPSzLGd0HeFYIuUVJrMHsWZKpJyJR7xb_4rrqUh3QQ/s4608/Stuck%20Kayak2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSeKlWv-g4KXRm-sUir84Fzw0Gt2M_UUEng3sAmay31vIwWRQj0ITVg0AoaExbRIvY2UTvgJAEzINjQYpm06deCqt0OY8ycAXEQoLxd9njvk2r88Ue7YRRYb-ss0QnNjzrlecav6UL9LLJx0PZPSzLGd0HeFYIuUVJrMHsWZKpJyJR7xb_4rrqUh3QQ/w640-h480/Stuck%20Kayak2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These weirs were a challenge for these three in the canoe who momentarily got stuck on the weir...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLzx4kGVkdyRRRE9oZJIwWlirqUBKhCiuv3z0vj22US8ssPaovj14qjmOWFHsmohJnuNL8OKWthYEXB8kCApKcC9CdrhiYq3aqfYc9hhPGgPhLF4MaSGM6LltNYN_b2mDdP4EwHDu9dlmVWH2UUhgj5E8XuvR1-C8-FLO4HBkfcvk4n90PNPymRXbSg/s4608/Shooting%20the%20Falls1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLzx4kGVkdyRRRE9oZJIwWlirqUBKhCiuv3z0vj22US8ssPaovj14qjmOWFHsmohJnuNL8OKWthYEXB8kCApKcC9CdrhiYq3aqfYc9hhPGgPhLF4MaSGM6LltNYN_b2mDdP4EwHDu9dlmVWH2UUhgj5E8XuvR1-C8-FLO4HBkfcvk4n90PNPymRXbSg/w640-h480/Shooting%20the%20Falls1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">while this pair navigated the weir with ease.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZXUqItBO57jJN3VZ7DRCk0nknQqwGNqPVnOVI4YI60er7s55EsF_UgGF5Hqgu3o_7U5-UkLLCuD_EOMHbM1dQx8f0n0jEEmpt4g0rGi9QnTcyICKRj9vOSZm0QFvz7v_BKFZIAJzgnphG5jTPQqAMDy735NdnLH-YEnVGo4GNn9vAOJT66ofgp1GZQ/s4608/restaurant%20Charbonnel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZXUqItBO57jJN3VZ7DRCk0nknQqwGNqPVnOVI4YI60er7s55EsF_UgGF5Hqgu3o_7U5-UkLLCuD_EOMHbM1dQx8f0n0jEEmpt4g0rGi9QnTcyICKRj9vOSZm0QFvz7v_BKFZIAJzgnphG5jTPQqAMDy735NdnLH-YEnVGo4GNn9vAOJT66ofgp1GZQ/w640-h480/restaurant%20Charbonnel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate lunch on the terrace of this restaurant overlooking the river...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D6UH3GKsiM94XZaBeHyH9TsBqWo_imfJw6MzG-GmAgfHIKUnKUJYV_qF_TwvxnmvinlLACOYnmOW7sP-QiZOlvFiRuN_KHDwRCDQ25Q__htMXei1LRsMAfKlZrIyzn87sX7zMSB6S3LmZLYgTigvQzoDG3Q_VM2gALPC00msCFzLboRf285tskluQQ/s4608/Rest.%20Charbonnel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D6UH3GKsiM94XZaBeHyH9TsBqWo_imfJw6MzG-GmAgfHIKUnKUJYV_qF_TwvxnmvinlLACOYnmOW7sP-QiZOlvFiRuN_KHDwRCDQ25Q__htMXei1LRsMAfKlZrIyzn87sX7zMSB6S3LmZLYgTigvQzoDG3Q_VM2gALPC00msCFzLboRf285tskluQQ/w640-h480/Rest.%20Charbonnel.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and I later took this photo as we rode by in our tour boat.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkbls7i6okaGTXgvTSW3g2wZwypVLCSmpLqvk6X9BP6gsCHVoY1e-htMshOOzBoASO0g39llw4D1xG79AWfSrhkVGrFNiYHTT5ejo9uID5shucgzvWXhp72S_lyjq-uWztErMNCWHffQjGOeO3BoQ_xWg2e2BB79MUItBdvOlPhnE-G3J9Ocytl_vDg/s4608/Mural1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkbls7i6okaGTXgvTSW3g2wZwypVLCSmpLqvk6X9BP6gsCHVoY1e-htMshOOzBoASO0g39llw4D1xG79AWfSrhkVGrFNiYHTT5ejo9uID5shucgzvWXhp72S_lyjq-uWztErMNCWHffQjGOeO3BoQ_xWg2e2BB79MUItBdvOlPhnE-G3J9Ocytl_vDg/w640-h480/Mural1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did not see many murals in France, but this one caught our attention.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOsEGtZbPzZcb4-f5DO1YlbM8glx-RIgWpimEJ1wBjvWgN_PY4hGrBO8H-7SH1SQNVv0r_sU32kDdLSNvNz_hR-nPX4wRXH51kHOaQmpAse5x8WOiNSmhUa7FEymDdFWVO1px0FZzMKRe786ShLXf2pwC65ktrlRbWXR_TLVfxyXbrg5yH03XgFqM9A/s4608/Troglodyte%20Shops1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOsEGtZbPzZcb4-f5DO1YlbM8glx-RIgWpimEJ1wBjvWgN_PY4hGrBO8H-7SH1SQNVv0r_sU32kDdLSNvNz_hR-nPX4wRXH51kHOaQmpAse5x8WOiNSmhUa7FEymDdFWVO1px0FZzMKRe786ShLXf2pwC65ktrlRbWXR_TLVfxyXbrg5yH03XgFqM9A/w640-h480/Troglodyte%20Shops1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shops here were built into the side of the cliff.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCiidi6ULSftfo4e4JuZJrVHUtmFDwQiiakTVudQQqLv-cS0gM63qlRv9TOnqbDSAPxz9H5bYlxyH5j2Q477JXssvhf21tMfq9JbC60Xh9W83RvlYznccjeOBJpqlWuRsMGdYo0A-fIktoxYXC97XVMAyLA8vwLEC-mUxoC-FLPRinatfX1M8ZIzHyg/s4608/Mannequin%20of%20many%20things2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCiidi6ULSftfo4e4JuZJrVHUtmFDwQiiakTVudQQqLv-cS0gM63qlRv9TOnqbDSAPxz9H5bYlxyH5j2Q477JXssvhf21tMfq9JbC60Xh9W83RvlYznccjeOBJpqlWuRsMGdYo0A-fIktoxYXC97XVMAyLA8vwLEC-mUxoC-FLPRinatfX1M8ZIzHyg/w480-h640/Mannequin%20of%20many%20things2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the more unique shops had this mannequin of many parts, which encouraged us to check out the shop.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLQEnIkGVjoC1FyjgB4CFCRcCPkqtLiLxxIKlJ2jAivesk9HabuYetWNlfjhXGKVM2WnaRPPy5hTWm27KsgGUA8Ga91JKcWxc8bZDIHoYQAEkVTUdY62_lcIXHWGIOdfiCIi796DrZwELqOkeZ_QXJQMjGgRSRUeUoOsPtakcu57TeYMIkq8St9XWqg/s4608/Crazy%20Doll1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLQEnIkGVjoC1FyjgB4CFCRcCPkqtLiLxxIKlJ2jAivesk9HabuYetWNlfjhXGKVM2WnaRPPy5hTWm27KsgGUA8Ga91JKcWxc8bZDIHoYQAEkVTUdY62_lcIXHWGIOdfiCIi796DrZwELqOkeZ_QXJQMjGgRSRUeUoOsPtakcu57TeYMIkq8St9XWqg/w480-h640/Crazy%20Doll1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside were some very unique items like these two very strange dolls.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqmgOKseLgWcNucr9MFNwO624Sb2hhueD8t50_GfJo_3PNhNT1RFLRmxNxvIXmaHj7sDMoxKEKzo1k6AsjdJz6ifWt3tE78vpGKkqyh8ewTbpSiOjlYm0hflOVTNmmN3gH6HcoN4XvO4X4NgCxRxrCFgrlDmGxWzrNw6XdPdfrg8XR45z_jCyZ03z8g/s4608/Crazy%20Doll2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqmgOKseLgWcNucr9MFNwO624Sb2hhueD8t50_GfJo_3PNhNT1RFLRmxNxvIXmaHj7sDMoxKEKzo1k6AsjdJz6ifWt3tE78vpGKkqyh8ewTbpSiOjlYm0hflOVTNmmN3gH6HcoN4XvO4X4NgCxRxrCFgrlDmGxWzrNw6XdPdfrg8XR45z_jCyZ03z8g/w480-h640/Crazy%20Doll2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMFTXAd4B4s_3ES8QTeXYCaIz4Id92WHKvfOUZtUhRk0Y1iVr6aq7mUZb2VR7mzgL9vrX0sr7Rc5AX_CbSAsywcFdtEQrAqG7uQL20QqZIpRn7ivDT8zsCK7Uzrwq_Rjvgin7HkTa29FTTuKSpTolU-Oas391UlhEMZJwLaq3-ACo-vNTdLLSi2Uw5w/s4608/Lightstream1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMFTXAd4B4s_3ES8QTeXYCaIz4Id92WHKvfOUZtUhRk0Y1iVr6aq7mUZb2VR7mzgL9vrX0sr7Rc5AX_CbSAsywcFdtEQrAqG7uQL20QqZIpRn7ivDT8zsCK7Uzrwq_Rjvgin7HkTa29FTTuKSpTolU-Oas391UlhEMZJwLaq3-ACo-vNTdLLSi2Uw5w/w480-h640/Lightstream1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This light created a very interesting pattern on the solid stone walls of the store.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkGS4f0HPFeeqFBYc6ZsvzG4Q5OFtMMDkq_sxdYBV1jbO169glylx6UWkgr98xwyZpLY6GqXa5VTgAcsnDaUQodhpft6Hac6sYKfptDy5IjDD3dyniLbZmObRk9TKqj5aPOEAJY7RH3D3QHk99rK-xfX3XA1IDt-scmigl-YRQn-k3lTxO43RYLYJ3g/s4608/Riverhouse1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkGS4f0HPFeeqFBYc6ZsvzG4Q5OFtMMDkq_sxdYBV1jbO169glylx6UWkgr98xwyZpLY6GqXa5VTgAcsnDaUQodhpft6Hac6sYKfptDy5IjDD3dyniLbZmObRk9TKqj5aPOEAJY7RH3D3QHk99rK-xfX3XA1IDt-scmigl-YRQn-k3lTxO43RYLYJ3g/w480-h640/Riverhouse1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house has an entrance right from the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAR7_ln4VH_3qJ1T51Eo-i_wDfukGDrcIvRzRKdw_TiDvl8k6RjmXovGlWA2I3iNMVxAqY1xiy1zdtVc-XzY6WGI3F6g4bXo8gEqWecaY6Ntdj7yPI1k_nlC6roOiFq_EuprWoJekv6Nzux8Wlw4FE8Ogs_rrNV3Bbq1cdIAWCn-l2LiV9IloSDYGkA/s4608/Water%20Wheel2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAR7_ln4VH_3qJ1T51Eo-i_wDfukGDrcIvRzRKdw_TiDvl8k6RjmXovGlWA2I3iNMVxAqY1xiy1zdtVc-XzY6WGI3F6g4bXo8gEqWecaY6Ntdj7yPI1k_nlC6roOiFq_EuprWoJekv6Nzux8Wlw4FE8Ogs_rrNV3Bbq1cdIAWCn-l2LiV9IloSDYGkA/w640-h480/Water%20Wheel2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the old water wheel to the right as you look through the bridge.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvtyMd9qLJuTT38RI07IhK6aFTCfFTeNRGpPU_uQ2-afKWfKASh-Z-a5ZSTRWXKg1s19Hh458SyNt2BwsIEeyE6XUCXUTDD4BLnKtE8euml_VptR_TrZJWOJXCN2RYQVvFl8VwsMLwbUbVwc8BzOKB37giOoXPKSd1IQqznTlD3vgGwdYRzADPbY7tQ/s4608/Tour%20Boat1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvtyMd9qLJuTT38RI07IhK6aFTCfFTeNRGpPU_uQ2-afKWfKASh-Z-a5ZSTRWXKg1s19Hh458SyNt2BwsIEeyE6XUCXUTDD4BLnKtE8euml_VptR_TrZJWOJXCN2RYQVvFl8VwsMLwbUbVwc8BzOKB37giOoXPKSd1IQqznTlD3vgGwdYRzADPbY7tQ/w640-h480/Tour%20Boat1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the tour boat we took...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4NF3OSL9qL8-FvGfuH6kYJEkrlXN6Cudj-g2e7HdS8KHO7HI_IueqX66SiIn9Dxxoiqo8EQSFX2ZlTgRl8eyqP8FVcYeiWQ-x2Fj2ESWBWTxALh8WsxJr5pZxltX3SdE4PQpD7X54tNraoz2aA2vaIXf9z7iOKEqXkRdzkxMPX9mV5QTliFhqVCMfg/s4608/Father%20&%20Child.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4NF3OSL9qL8-FvGfuH6kYJEkrlXN6Cudj-g2e7HdS8KHO7HI_IueqX66SiIn9Dxxoiqo8EQSFX2ZlTgRl8eyqP8FVcYeiWQ-x2Fj2ESWBWTxALh8WsxJr5pZxltX3SdE4PQpD7X54tNraoz2aA2vaIXf9z7iOKEqXkRdzkxMPX9mV5QTliFhqVCMfg/w480-h640/Father%20&%20Child.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from which I capture this father with his child...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOrshOlkBpKIQH_MbvXgXS4qdTM54lhI1uXapj1hcLzCUIVKGUlctjuTwjWr4iHM0j2yC0FYuD0lGetxvhfmY4uhr8TCMZHuCwWTmNdNQ-4gdvrBIMX_v0LZhTAwFI8UnTrctvXSj392WJc8iHnZL6f4SvzjaCDDXbQtDe4jzEaWjbFO8HW58HB8luQ/s4608/Old%20Structure.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOrshOlkBpKIQH_MbvXgXS4qdTM54lhI1uXapj1hcLzCUIVKGUlctjuTwjWr4iHM0j2yC0FYuD0lGetxvhfmY4uhr8TCMZHuCwWTmNdNQ-4gdvrBIMX_v0LZhTAwFI8UnTrctvXSj392WJc8iHnZL6f4SvzjaCDDXbQtDe4jzEaWjbFO8HW58HB8luQ/w640-h480/Old%20Structure.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this ancient structure by the river...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU_8QLWibWqJbbHrMYEQCP_jPxrFuuAl3b5jiWy2WLwyidBt8TNKmpFNq2n1E-x9wOqPqefvkA12fq1mglocmO8_pYBPm4tSlgNCziIes7SADLs6Z6TIi5s_bgLn46jj44XiyLACKStMhRYhth2jjMWqZCBOCmabJnLpXSQX3vzzKBhpa7McPUbIyHg/s4608/River%20Reflections1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU_8QLWibWqJbbHrMYEQCP_jPxrFuuAl3b5jiWy2WLwyidBt8TNKmpFNq2n1E-x9wOqPqefvkA12fq1mglocmO8_pYBPm4tSlgNCziIes7SADLs6Z6TIi5s_bgLn46jj44XiyLACKStMhRYhth2jjMWqZCBOCmabJnLpXSQX3vzzKBhpa7McPUbIyHg/w640-h480/River%20Reflections1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as well as these reflections on the water.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSMcnxUSevd99xR4D406xkPcsFAIa1JAKXkz0oPA2E8srmGoTcKGZSZKhz__6agITToi2tFknoBbXCbvosZEBB9eOXeermvUr_APZEyqyqUyoaJ59J8H6J2IazI2guUMwNEQjUT2aHMldRv_uWXmd_Wmvts59fjOzadzAhG0qE7MeT9_tbxIOD2UBPw/s4608/River%20reflections7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSMcnxUSevd99xR4D406xkPcsFAIa1JAKXkz0oPA2E8srmGoTcKGZSZKhz__6agITToi2tFknoBbXCbvosZEBB9eOXeermvUr_APZEyqyqUyoaJ59J8H6J2IazI2guUMwNEQjUT2aHMldRv_uWXmd_Wmvts59fjOzadzAhG0qE7MeT9_tbxIOD2UBPw/w640-h480/River%20reflections7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwKE2AtqbDws8JsWURmd73m8Rf0SzcmNXNCrDVCwPPlMklqArrvWK_UXHylTEBO0VIIrEQVGSsfY1ri5ft9K3vP9U-SuvovbC3bsfCU8CBh7JaQ8dg7POUlTeXfGX9aiabCu5tohcrAsZLJDJJeRrrxpR60lrOW7omdIeQsI79j2eZLdV9Lm6QQ09ig/s4608/River%20Dog2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwKE2AtqbDws8JsWURmd73m8Rf0SzcmNXNCrDVCwPPlMklqArrvWK_UXHylTEBO0VIIrEQVGSsfY1ri5ft9K3vP9U-SuvovbC3bsfCU8CBh7JaQ8dg7POUlTeXfGX9aiabCu5tohcrAsZLJDJJeRrrxpR60lrOW7omdIeQsI79j2eZLdV9Lm6QQ09ig/w640-h480/River%20Dog2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our boat tour we encountered this dog enjoying himself in the water.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6k0jU6P8rqb-sJNUJBbeZyPGVA--Njm6Ghk4n6A9ifZKTO9eDhorFccULfydVB7F12v9A90xMOSSJupGYEeugWTvtmr4IjG9f7PkA3K2Wy7MpYJwmfCZiv-EicmDLxWWnfCtTH9K97uMhwzGuGN3oL1zC_wPCr_hQBUjWRkXxIz_bRsNLA2J_gBZmg/s4608/Flowerbells1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6k0jU6P8rqb-sJNUJBbeZyPGVA--Njm6Ghk4n6A9ifZKTO9eDhorFccULfydVB7F12v9A90xMOSSJupGYEeugWTvtmr4IjG9f7PkA3K2Wy7MpYJwmfCZiv-EicmDLxWWnfCtTH9K97uMhwzGuGN3oL1zC_wPCr_hQBUjWRkXxIz_bRsNLA2J_gBZmg/w480-h640/Flowerbells1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also saw these really interesting flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RoTGYkyRpxTPHRFHdwJEJCNl-n-z3NjV34lUUcE-JQFxMSndEofUR7I0xwTGXgSqu0MbJE4Q5RMeykp9RpMHT0f17nHZSCLnxuUG9FPxOckJiq8DMbI_N00EPDKyuaA7OHIS9haf6U6OToKiWBMdFqQzvA1xC6OsZtpF9G8m-V7sXwerBzJwfBlaCg/s4608/Flowerbells2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RoTGYkyRpxTPHRFHdwJEJCNl-n-z3NjV34lUUcE-JQFxMSndEofUR7I0xwTGXgSqu0MbJE4Q5RMeykp9RpMHT0f17nHZSCLnxuUG9FPxOckJiq8DMbI_N00EPDKyuaA7OHIS9haf6U6OToKiWBMdFqQzvA1xC6OsZtpF9G8m-V7sXwerBzJwfBlaCg/w480-h640/Flowerbells2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><u>One Last Paddle Down the Dordogne</u></p><p>By the time we launched on our paddle down the Dordogne we had already seen most of the forts, Chateaus, Roques and Grottes from land. But the perspective from the water is completely different. We were lucky (smart) to be there before "the season" began. According to our gite host in July and August the Dordogne is like a parking lot of canoes and kayaks all jockeying for position while trying to navigate. We were almost alone on the River which was great. The French are not big on giving detailed instructions and at a couple of bridges we encountered a bit of confusion. There were big Xs of steel across sections of the bridge and some sketchy intimation that you should not kayak through those sections. We could not figure out (help us if you can) what these the large concrete flume like structures behind the steel crosses were or what they did. Well, distracted by that, we ran aground before the bridge but Michael leapt out and freed us without losing me in the current to drift solo into the bridge. It was all fine.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0n_-wtaiqNAiPjcghLrUgqUZ4u3BXUzc7V7JRi0mtryekgPR_RLAg3neD3vJb6d5sIM5xTqhT2KAbmTDbVnc6DjFYCf2YCF-_1HsDf5k99tlSqQrvVYcgjnDs1GB8ul6JumIWMllVXAEsCcvNNnKVqSc6O06jpznzHfaL0rvd-PFyKZBljIaebcyCvw/s4608/Beynac2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0n_-wtaiqNAiPjcghLrUgqUZ4u3BXUzc7V7JRi0mtryekgPR_RLAg3neD3vJb6d5sIM5xTqhT2KAbmTDbVnc6DjFYCf2YCF-_1HsDf5k99tlSqQrvVYcgjnDs1GB8ul6JumIWMllVXAEsCcvNNnKVqSc6O06jpznzHfaL0rvd-PFyKZBljIaebcyCvw/w640-h480/Beynac2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These views of Beynac, the castle and the church from a totally different perspective while kayaking on the Dordogne.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QPuhOaLJPyExOb-30QNor_SDrI_ipt2lJ_-0d9tvILXiyaHbrvWzQ_LJQU6yzzUjPq5BvuhmBiW8qMBp91WmFSj1xzOy6szqa0C0yVbvLhN35acMuv6IN9i3ix6_RB0qzrvSQi5AKHRGnxlDKQmevYM6CAqDwARvQon50NPsyMi23aOXuXUPqiDYSw/s4608/Beynac5*.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QPuhOaLJPyExOb-30QNor_SDrI_ipt2lJ_-0d9tvILXiyaHbrvWzQ_LJQU6yzzUjPq5BvuhmBiW8qMBp91WmFSj1xzOy6szqa0C0yVbvLhN35acMuv6IN9i3ix6_RB0qzrvSQi5AKHRGnxlDKQmevYM6CAqDwARvQon50NPsyMi23aOXuXUPqiDYSw/w640-h480/Beynac5*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-J0f4sTxZ36IgOup3nCObZtVqMeaaN1nekqu92LKT_9Xf2SQbE_4KEM2E4PhtaJSFaGhR4rDBkDj6DzDxJ5PKVVwL5psZn-L2Av59osdxstq1QeCXN28OS_GTcpSRXWB-BTxGvJC0s9DjhtPg7MYTtMVd0g0ojHlAocyM3bgY-D5BHHxMJYfyBvjJA/s4608/Beynac7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-J0f4sTxZ36IgOup3nCObZtVqMeaaN1nekqu92LKT_9Xf2SQbE_4KEM2E4PhtaJSFaGhR4rDBkDj6DzDxJ5PKVVwL5psZn-L2Av59osdxstq1QeCXN28OS_GTcpSRXWB-BTxGvJC0s9DjhtPg7MYTtMVd0g0ojHlAocyM3bgY-D5BHHxMJYfyBvjJA/w640-h480/Beynac7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYPfwFN2f3JlOzExkV_TvPjmSziPYC9G-p7OlrYZH2PKAUvSAjYtQ8gimyfbDMLG28cI8d6oWKeiMBxSFuK43yxm_EYKRIZP0SlERttwY9VZ3ZlIIYJXHwRBISchg9_Odb1i2E2POMJHMeFMMvuWwaeRy2ITkxxxTxL_lWBGWBQ9IlQ5ITLEgglBPuA/s4608/Beynac%20Chateau3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYPfwFN2f3JlOzExkV_TvPjmSziPYC9G-p7OlrYZH2PKAUvSAjYtQ8gimyfbDMLG28cI8d6oWKeiMBxSFuK43yxm_EYKRIZP0SlERttwY9VZ3ZlIIYJXHwRBISchg9_Odb1i2E2POMJHMeFMMvuWwaeRy2ITkxxxTxL_lWBGWBQ9IlQ5ITLEgglBPuA/w640-h480/Beynac%20Chateau3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSe59-hEoOtc3wag5QHLxn9gP5fsn8_Q-dUP0Zp5MaK31O22aMnizFnoDIsR_nx5ujz5vgJtW7hG6Vz7E7sOVo-4Uh5dDJyRbiPS5ve59sha4tacxQ1ZVn1NsORxXuIUIRC4qI5Ho0WoTZdFNpKyiItKVvcH68L_Nuz8SHfyn1jV7rSNWbrJxt9L0wQ/s4608/Beynac%20Chateau.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSe59-hEoOtc3wag5QHLxn9gP5fsn8_Q-dUP0Zp5MaK31O22aMnizFnoDIsR_nx5ujz5vgJtW7hG6Vz7E7sOVo-4Uh5dDJyRbiPS5ve59sha4tacxQ1ZVn1NsORxXuIUIRC4qI5Ho0WoTZdFNpKyiItKVvcH68L_Nuz8SHfyn1jV7rSNWbrJxt9L0wQ/w640-h480/Beynac%20Chateau.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM0et-hTVo2Z83mWHCBnUScdv1yjzbSpigeLrdJUPWnsN0RphmnHJP01dkfUn36PHoWVjar8Iv_phP63fHi_BvnzZI5eGnWKLZ6jMRtFLKwLtyXY2ZqyzJ9I6_10dbeMPd_SZoNOP4AiRYPoLHz-U29E_4Vt1z9Okid_lW8uPKF5pYW486qUEVHL4Sg/s4608/Castlenaud1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM0et-hTVo2Z83mWHCBnUScdv1yjzbSpigeLrdJUPWnsN0RphmnHJP01dkfUn36PHoWVjar8Iv_phP63fHi_BvnzZI5eGnWKLZ6jMRtFLKwLtyXY2ZqyzJ9I6_10dbeMPd_SZoNOP4AiRYPoLHz-U29E_4Vt1z9Okid_lW8uPKF5pYW486qUEVHL4Sg/w640-h480/Castlenaud1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different perspective on Castlenaud as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjylppcQyiMShA4qFOmwA1p4lefg3mAGz-rZnk05hQg67N-XpreEuIL3ZJSQq2O8KcaASQmoHt_9yssTS8f1bchebxRHgyiy3TDGmEcbFrzNxNPjdB5j_O-pSbURl4PTQKzew29ZMdpCWdTFK85k9bx29gm5pv1Ikim5NRZUxM7aBhmTo_1eDZslpYg/s4608/Castlenaud6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjylppcQyiMShA4qFOmwA1p4lefg3mAGz-rZnk05hQg67N-XpreEuIL3ZJSQq2O8KcaASQmoHt_9yssTS8f1bchebxRHgyiy3TDGmEcbFrzNxNPjdB5j_O-pSbURl4PTQKzew29ZMdpCWdTFK85k9bx29gm5pv1Ikim5NRZUxM7aBhmTo_1eDZslpYg/w640-h480/Castlenaud6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVymgTeBQTwm-3OV7ZC8Xcyq_3cJSse6Ho4zbSCNXFlzOgZQVXHeWFj1E9XyUO6lfX0u4Spfv20lu57pAixEIkwMz4-63TLtSy0LwlTsvoNKRC98OFr1n1zq4g5UVU5zjVnITZiBDtgX2LO6J_o0t1wgxlYcHFaJEXuGR2GCWk1MtONFVYUq9en3H4w/s4608/Caves3*.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVymgTeBQTwm-3OV7ZC8Xcyq_3cJSse6Ho4zbSCNXFlzOgZQVXHeWFj1E9XyUO6lfX0u4Spfv20lu57pAixEIkwMz4-63TLtSy0LwlTsvoNKRC98OFr1n1zq4g5UVU5zjVnITZiBDtgX2LO6J_o0t1wgxlYcHFaJEXuGR2GCWk1MtONFVYUq9en3H4w/w640-h480/Caves3*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again more caves along the river were spotted, as well as...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvxrc4gZju5O5P4yurYxpEq0nxjYwxNXmyio9X7qO-mDTE9-Th1nkvUNWQbGnUMwkQfHC0GtyeqNQHyaoBP7XOdsj292nrHBIBWvNGHTE_mI_LZQZPEAiqTmqWQGF-6nwVy9ISYMGHiLt29RQge4PaCT-zHfIfdT9Rcf0B3SzcRJ0j7S0pIpVlAUzwg/s4608/Great%20Blue%20Heron*.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvxrc4gZju5O5P4yurYxpEq0nxjYwxNXmyio9X7qO-mDTE9-Th1nkvUNWQbGnUMwkQfHC0GtyeqNQHyaoBP7XOdsj292nrHBIBWvNGHTE_mI_LZQZPEAiqTmqWQGF-6nwVy9ISYMGHiLt29RQge4PaCT-zHfIfdT9Rcf0B3SzcRJ0j7S0pIpVlAUzwg/w640-h480/Great%20Blue%20Heron*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this Great Blue Heron. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymtSFYn9girI8RGO0ZN5SCz03C0OEPYTaz1jcphVKFuFDqmZ7qq01Xj86Ve6XfP-OwM69Fc-sdclsNqTUjjpiB799AVSVemB4HKUt6EenzUvnUISj-fNfylO_wEH8aK9TxKoQVP6pGbCZC204NH-WtpiHSiyfTncAa1FDojckd1UvkoKyMxWoSil_3w/s4608/La%20Roque%20Gageac3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymtSFYn9girI8RGO0ZN5SCz03C0OEPYTaz1jcphVKFuFDqmZ7qq01Xj86Ve6XfP-OwM69Fc-sdclsNqTUjjpiB799AVSVemB4HKUt6EenzUvnUISj-fNfylO_wEH8aK9TxKoQVP6pGbCZC204NH-WtpiHSiyfTncAa1FDojckd1UvkoKyMxWoSil_3w/w640-h480/La%20Roque%20Gageac3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally as we were kayaking we got these different views of La Roque Gageac</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTZ4rpHyp5vjIq8BTLz01mx3hwJZpZ7j-whxxNzi9FPx1gkBtgGs1pspftkHxui0W9JNZy_N9hawe4uhi54OsvigCB8AOw3IVzuV2gwIqmxt5MRBWuTKm7S4aEnRC7jD3SP8KH1zpNtb_aQn7ApNAtfZgerqz_fX2212fOARx5Oe9EoD6T7SiNHA6aA/s4608/La%20Roque%20Gageac4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTZ4rpHyp5vjIq8BTLz01mx3hwJZpZ7j-whxxNzi9FPx1gkBtgGs1pspftkHxui0W9JNZy_N9hawe4uhi54OsvigCB8AOw3IVzuV2gwIqmxt5MRBWuTKm7S4aEnRC7jD3SP8KH1zpNtb_aQn7ApNAtfZgerqz_fX2212fOARx5Oe9EoD6T7SiNHA6aA/w640-h480/La%20Roque%20Gageac4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nOQcnH1jEt75ibZXFfxftq-AS5NmEJEkqrd1Rl5lmGapj_lyFjz0acRzazcaPllbCZ_4sgdBaXokeQ9YzePaGzFJOK1nB3LDVzQvtLXr8kHORFeH-bfara43xVOm_1LrLKy3K4ZUCi9dhwJZYmi5mk63UA8weLSrqV1Gwomq4A5ehNdAaAwtrR4fIA/s4608/La%20Roque%20Gageac6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nOQcnH1jEt75ibZXFfxftq-AS5NmEJEkqrd1Rl5lmGapj_lyFjz0acRzazcaPllbCZ_4sgdBaXokeQ9YzePaGzFJOK1nB3LDVzQvtLXr8kHORFeH-bfara43xVOm_1LrLKy3K4ZUCi9dhwJZYmi5mk63UA8weLSrqV1Gwomq4A5ehNdAaAwtrR4fIA/w640-h480/La%20Roque%20Gageac6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOfDkZMUsgjwDlRSD6ye93_Z6Og-_fGWS7BvMehCeDJjM93USm_Yi10ORaBuhnhAsbcMucxS12T9GqaOgG9h2stIqQMXuR2d_mX5BUmvcM6Ltszamef-t_ov_D7o7M89wGkDpNoTCEznWti5Lp8D-NZF1B4rXh_s4V5PXfHo2wbyjpr8TduM9_Ce1qw/s4608/More%20Caves3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOfDkZMUsgjwDlRSD6ye93_Z6Og-_fGWS7BvMehCeDJjM93USm_Yi10ORaBuhnhAsbcMucxS12T9GqaOgG9h2stIqQMXuR2d_mX5BUmvcM6Ltszamef-t_ov_D7o7M89wGkDpNoTCEznWti5Lp8D-NZF1B4rXh_s4V5PXfHo2wbyjpr8TduM9_Ce1qw/w640-h480/More%20Caves3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcPuwzyrs5mT75HFkFJ0lMYhm1smSrJXrhUxdGe1v6UdACwdwU9A45Ux2nJqKf9Ll6wkSYPDwW5PoMW97oYiy5fUteDXRUebYOJrsbGkmtp5uqHTN2yqJ24VIVIllEGJ8C0HkR5ekD__vqCu7mY8oNpPCl46G5hI53F9YoBdjeGyGGunBVOorUkJcvQ/s4608/Castlenaud%20Up%20Close1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcPuwzyrs5mT75HFkFJ0lMYhm1smSrJXrhUxdGe1v6UdACwdwU9A45Ux2nJqKf9Ll6wkSYPDwW5PoMW97oYiy5fUteDXRUebYOJrsbGkmtp5uqHTN2yqJ24VIVIllEGJ8C0HkR5ekD__vqCu7mY8oNpPCl46G5hI53F9YoBdjeGyGGunBVOorUkJcvQ/w640-h480/Castlenaud%20Up%20Close1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we finished kayaking we were ready for lunch. We dined at a restaurant below Castlenaud.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ajuG_z1ggpQ1SjsO2EnvhGVfigMRj5e_aZPM7a7dhf164JiKfNYSRiDmII3GqzNfo0IqKWdtLuFkoyebMuNXoYapqGkEjQpv6LAcCrkxowBM7VCM9bvKAF4sDmM7g1fJQYDyPqMvjYTsY3zLG5C3bhdE0PWpzIAJ_bfKDJaJa6j22-OELTIgZN6Ovw/s4608/Castlenaud%20Tourist%20Trap1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ajuG_z1ggpQ1SjsO2EnvhGVfigMRj5e_aZPM7a7dhf164JiKfNYSRiDmII3GqzNfo0IqKWdtLuFkoyebMuNXoYapqGkEjQpv6LAcCrkxowBM7VCM9bvKAF4sDmM7g1fJQYDyPqMvjYTsY3zLG5C3bhdE0PWpzIAJ_bfKDJaJa6j22-OELTIgZN6Ovw/w480-h640/Castlenaud%20Tourist%20Trap1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We decided not to hike up to the castle, particularly after we saw how it was looking like a tourist destination designed more for the children to dress up as knights...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdQNGq49D1PchRNFDkOjhw_oGWmeak_rs1Ov2fTbokRTmqo8MQY44JfSfkT7ptFRtJlvwmMIcFfzejlnMw1RYxLusuiszh0RT40h6nJxEgi003ruHVx29AiGrD2RM2gioPKEuqosw7Na8-gNixZR0kq0GfehSRoNvizPZ9khGcnlBfgbz8i42viEGSA/s4608/Castlenaud%20Tourist%20Trap2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdQNGq49D1PchRNFDkOjhw_oGWmeak_rs1Ov2fTbokRTmqo8MQY44JfSfkT7ptFRtJlvwmMIcFfzejlnMw1RYxLusuiszh0RT40h6nJxEgi003ruHVx29AiGrD2RM2gioPKEuqosw7Na8-gNixZR0kq0GfehSRoNvizPZ9khGcnlBfgbz8i42viEGSA/w480-h640/Castlenaud%20Tourist%20Trap2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and ladies of yore.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u><br /></u></p><p><u>On to Madrid</u></p><p>We were about to enter the last leg of the trip -- Madrid. We spent three days there before heading back to Mexico. We'll take you to the Royal Palace (twice -- it will be explained), the Cathedral, the Plaza Mayor, an Egyptian tomb and El Retiro Park. And then we are home. And then we are off again. But more on that when we hit the road for The Sentimental Journey. Take care. </p><p><u><br /></u></p><p><u> </u></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-68155513460591011682022-06-10T11:16:00.000-05:002022-06-10T11:16:47.592-05:00Water, Water Everywhere -- Well, Almost<p> <u>Les Jardins d'Eau de Carsac-Aillac</u></p><p>On a very, very hot day we sought refuge in the Water Gardens of Carsac-Aillac. This unique garden sits on the edge of the Dordogne River and was only created in 1999. Having tromped up and down hills through acres of boxwood topiaries, this garden provided a nice counterpoint. The gardens boasted the remains of a Roman aqueduct which irrigated the area from 27 BC to 480 AD. The water lilies here could give Giverny a run for their money. Perhaps the most interesting aspect was a water lily maze. But, for gardens, pictures really tell the tale best.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQFFMdgRQR-wrr3h6u8b28IORXbMoNcdHRgLNqqprCdYsHlGrsQF3Zd0hN5zhbSRwgrTQVbM0ahma3iRLi6gJnguD4l0Abd9TrOVRKQx51AGMWXtslf5Uz13AqEluM9bH2pD5FSUbgCZFKD8NOGIb-PmYVX7bfqbt0647ZAxXdV1x5c-sKwrQRFMZoA/s4608/JDE7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQFFMdgRQR-wrr3h6u8b28IORXbMoNcdHRgLNqqprCdYsHlGrsQF3Zd0hN5zhbSRwgrTQVbM0ahma3iRLi6gJnguD4l0Abd9TrOVRKQx51AGMWXtslf5Uz13AqEluM9bH2pD5FSUbgCZFKD8NOGIb-PmYVX7bfqbt0647ZAxXdV1x5c-sKwrQRFMZoA/w640-h480/JDE7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The number of water lilies and variety were astounding, as can be seen from the photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXezxl7N0diEmnGyGVG5LZqNZ6OKPFOnsZ9JYhttVmKEHgAc60VekoaQBTg7mctZNsnJdNHZ4nZn1yu9DBr10qJmbtuEf6vbu_R9RdhRcTnvYEZesGv2xgwn8hvpKicVoTRjrychuMcsfxnETznp9qDm5DiycnOJRAQp7r9m6hKFI-zy0vE5zSCxypQ/s4608/JDE8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXezxl7N0diEmnGyGVG5LZqNZ6OKPFOnsZ9JYhttVmKEHgAc60VekoaQBTg7mctZNsnJdNHZ4nZn1yu9DBr10qJmbtuEf6vbu_R9RdhRcTnvYEZesGv2xgwn8hvpKicVoTRjrychuMcsfxnETznp9qDm5DiycnOJRAQp7r9m6hKFI-zy0vE5zSCxypQ/w640-h480/JDE8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUvJx4zIMgYz91b3Nbr8GL_2mfhzPUPmH9cuawFnrPBBom3oXYKZNVkidz-ymDBW3GRqPUXtkIgKGM4nSO6nZf-gFg62MYqT4B6CQLcy1mXTvrN7isLttyt4P6oViVi-WnIx2R8Ppq9ft1A2gk-uCLJXximFV0d73KqYqb47h25dYyczaZdCozrudcQ/s4608/JDE9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUvJx4zIMgYz91b3Nbr8GL_2mfhzPUPmH9cuawFnrPBBom3oXYKZNVkidz-ymDBW3GRqPUXtkIgKGM4nSO6nZf-gFg62MYqT4B6CQLcy1mXTvrN7isLttyt4P6oViVi-WnIx2R8Ppq9ft1A2gk-uCLJXximFV0d73KqYqb47h25dYyczaZdCozrudcQ/w640-h480/JDE9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tseVkCVWYSHtaBQQ_s2FKHuor7YH2rFAAmxpQCtXTvuj_QYRtsyejTl9FzmObz5vkdBi7MW9IJPvXKJelYB3iZWCMvS_IRGjV_W4z5zw8PWus2W-hXzF5us059NY5r-aPrDxhyO9eS06ZfMtV5ptJRs99a0wFZSwt30S_VW74ohPZ8ta8OVUE4Botg/s4608/JDE18.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tseVkCVWYSHtaBQQ_s2FKHuor7YH2rFAAmxpQCtXTvuj_QYRtsyejTl9FzmObz5vkdBi7MW9IJPvXKJelYB3iZWCMvS_IRGjV_W4z5zw8PWus2W-hXzF5us059NY5r-aPrDxhyO9eS06ZfMtV5ptJRs99a0wFZSwt30S_VW74ohPZ8ta8OVUE4Botg/w640-h480/JDE18.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK77t1eIEbRgHrL5q808YM6Ekn2GEY4E9Sdaq-5MoBPHfYydm3JqufyQ23OMx_s-luB0ot4k1cWdjWJQumLjOzn7ceLFYP1Vu9kohMvqFNTqGpuiUESs7A6XlqWs3aZvE1yh-r_ByDiEd1jSlERIT8s4cE1Mbk00k89bPJr8gaof6FYaf_fJEZ-RS6GA/s4608/JDE19.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK77t1eIEbRgHrL5q808YM6Ekn2GEY4E9Sdaq-5MoBPHfYydm3JqufyQ23OMx_s-luB0ot4k1cWdjWJQumLjOzn7ceLFYP1Vu9kohMvqFNTqGpuiUESs7A6XlqWs3aZvE1yh-r_ByDiEd1jSlERIT8s4cE1Mbk00k89bPJr8gaof6FYaf_fJEZ-RS6GA/w640-h480/JDE19.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDq6iH-xQsuTV9e0VQDyMz9r3am6LNEpdIYgJ99X44wxNwMBKli4lvHrOOCMUQYWjJpQYsU07ukjTNg_VAAjfl7Km2WN9j3oksvauTNZtmzrsIrFHHf5xKF2zq0fiED9J56n76EMm7y6LZEoVfXgUJ_ZGcX13Mp4LE8q92iq-rQyGgzK5rKjd5Q_grw/s4608/JDE20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDq6iH-xQsuTV9e0VQDyMz9r3am6LNEpdIYgJ99X44wxNwMBKli4lvHrOOCMUQYWjJpQYsU07ukjTNg_VAAjfl7Km2WN9j3oksvauTNZtmzrsIrFHHf5xKF2zq0fiED9J56n76EMm7y6LZEoVfXgUJ_ZGcX13Mp4LE8q92iq-rQyGgzK5rKjd5Q_grw/w640-h480/JDE20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZQvJ5C7YGvguOP4fDXHNcBxjklLZZ0yrqTq8S5Dq5Y8gAHaJQtdbh5sQNK4WnexnhnvEBroiuhS2KQXVwcuz7rkrm_9wuB53IOkDhn1mjzkZ9DE72xTgSflT2TdkKjwI4BR920NqZw6rbWiDKZNlEy5pLY96pfYfLRlnQzBYn6MDRZXSkutOGlxEJQ/s4608/JDE24.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZQvJ5C7YGvguOP4fDXHNcBxjklLZZ0yrqTq8S5Dq5Y8gAHaJQtdbh5sQNK4WnexnhnvEBroiuhS2KQXVwcuz7rkrm_9wuB53IOkDhn1mjzkZ9DE72xTgSflT2TdkKjwI4BR920NqZw6rbWiDKZNlEy5pLY96pfYfLRlnQzBYn6MDRZXSkutOGlxEJQ/w640-h480/JDE24.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJLef0L7dVk0uH45T8QY-X4IHukwmsqcC11u7zqBed-CoTSUzRC9nKkXQKccy8UAfnXTE1tIEw5kDnYdzng1tNmFX2gvwHS_Dv8iqgYSCGHt_K7XTdOEk5aSAG8wrI4pWxy8Cprg0chG-vJYhQnpzFdAQMMXwzu-8HDQ5_PtJ4M2BvKt-QdpXzYoIw/s4608/JDE26.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJLef0L7dVk0uH45T8QY-X4IHukwmsqcC11u7zqBed-CoTSUzRC9nKkXQKccy8UAfnXTE1tIEw5kDnYdzng1tNmFX2gvwHS_Dv8iqgYSCGHt_K7XTdOEk5aSAG8wrI4pWxy8Cprg0chG-vJYhQnpzFdAQMMXwzu-8HDQ5_PtJ4M2BvKt-QdpXzYoIw/w640-h480/JDE26.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70FpfiZmnwbh3rVuzByc2LIUZYLfUShDzZm1wudk7LXR2emmZdNhrkSKAee459MHsmiEbQYIWr8yUwvuPZCqY77UEl_PPdRHzns2FZd1sNKjmW97Pk4gyugSGvQ3FksvkS2meKRx2EYF0CiaWvnDFam5SCpZwq28QXzCK9X9zBLDm_GxDbkbl_ZClzQ/s4608/JDE28.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70FpfiZmnwbh3rVuzByc2LIUZYLfUShDzZm1wudk7LXR2emmZdNhrkSKAee459MHsmiEbQYIWr8yUwvuPZCqY77UEl_PPdRHzns2FZd1sNKjmW97Pk4gyugSGvQ3FksvkS2meKRx2EYF0CiaWvnDFam5SCpZwq28QXzCK9X9zBLDm_GxDbkbl_ZClzQ/w640-h480/JDE28.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJo1I0-uuRfAh55U2BQfeOf180873ZYG7Q8SB3-g224ldM2GLorMd9IDR_yfp91KGYcIf-QUvSco8sbsvWwvSxzS_OjZzcYpe9uQDu7nSesIYzMk3hMcn_J3wLQYkGAFIurw3RdQO6KLboFibdRVAOuMzxiPeWUfbh4CLoBFLDxwbVzwe9CWB3gwrQ9w/s4608/JDE31.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJo1I0-uuRfAh55U2BQfeOf180873ZYG7Q8SB3-g224ldM2GLorMd9IDR_yfp91KGYcIf-QUvSco8sbsvWwvSxzS_OjZzcYpe9uQDu7nSesIYzMk3hMcn_J3wLQYkGAFIurw3RdQO6KLboFibdRVAOuMzxiPeWUfbh4CLoBFLDxwbVzwe9CWB3gwrQ9w/w640-h480/JDE31.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaxDxZetI01jE_fRJYU4u7dG2NVousm7WLIFWNITpV-LK0qZXlsX5gZU7cLp570yUe_NGtmuZEBtUyokvyxuxbolP74iwy89IPhgE0MtkNcYaNP8XYti4QcuG6qSwXRJYaTLhKXHLYB5KpGeQ4kbb468iXmZSfitMG_UEaDJBS_f-3IvgrLtcjD4HWw/s4608/JDE33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaxDxZetI01jE_fRJYU4u7dG2NVousm7WLIFWNITpV-LK0qZXlsX5gZU7cLp570yUe_NGtmuZEBtUyokvyxuxbolP74iwy89IPhgE0MtkNcYaNP8XYti4QcuG6qSwXRJYaTLhKXHLYB5KpGeQ4kbb468iXmZSfitMG_UEaDJBS_f-3IvgrLtcjD4HWw/w640-h480/JDE33.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeauEDARklkqaXDCZjsqodDj2C-8_TtPwGIdGYnl9593OeaffZA-JKazdLoC7Mo0OJIiM9BnNGoybJE90VjomplmCTPwLysegjxp_5BWw1te-7R9Pf2hSrw6CdMIbolge8D4cQ-2WtYl4nbETFXRSmdtPr7hlKakuCgLll08Kkull6YDf5KQWKo4FTQ/s4608/JDE34.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeauEDARklkqaXDCZjsqodDj2C-8_TtPwGIdGYnl9593OeaffZA-JKazdLoC7Mo0OJIiM9BnNGoybJE90VjomplmCTPwLysegjxp_5BWw1te-7R9Pf2hSrw6CdMIbolge8D4cQ-2WtYl4nbETFXRSmdtPr7hlKakuCgLll08Kkull6YDf5KQWKo4FTQ/w640-h480/JDE34.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dVA6gYVEyn6vDOdnsG5zsSY4K1UhDt9MdbOtS3sSQb52Kje60BUxUxzFRvIHQKuqNCv0lkd_oHgsgzsjIwFZH0oEEWE44Zo_KottVlV7GZiDY3z5iJQq3T07Xz0n1B7DgenBXAIA6pNfub716Z1Ru6zihf9MX_MHUSD2USMXuvErmlG1MlGzAXzxPw/s4608/JDE45.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dVA6gYVEyn6vDOdnsG5zsSY4K1UhDt9MdbOtS3sSQb52Kje60BUxUxzFRvIHQKuqNCv0lkd_oHgsgzsjIwFZH0oEEWE44Zo_KottVlV7GZiDY3z5iJQq3T07Xz0n1B7DgenBXAIA6pNfub716Z1Ru6zihf9MX_MHUSD2USMXuvErmlG1MlGzAXzxPw/w640-h480/JDE45.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l9pVLBYvvIKstMh56R1hXiOBbYkFHtIdpMXhrYUMNZbYmiWhK8whDGwqvFa35CnsXJE4TX243920P_OJXzTWTc09VSHWLHkitZwSRrrmEND3iFLeuXmPgcp_au83V2SjSqgz19b2t0kHACfh289m7mqcD-k_qAOwmSBYLOhDn0aEsqjdvBJd1mx3tg/s4608/JDE47.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l9pVLBYvvIKstMh56R1hXiOBbYkFHtIdpMXhrYUMNZbYmiWhK8whDGwqvFa35CnsXJE4TX243920P_OJXzTWTc09VSHWLHkitZwSRrrmEND3iFLeuXmPgcp_au83V2SjSqgz19b2t0kHACfh289m7mqcD-k_qAOwmSBYLOhDn0aEsqjdvBJd1mx3tg/w480-h640/JDE47.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r7CmHnqJ4Rali8TlRwT24CjnyFL6fk-vXxS2uWzbVV_DKJe1hhHwcBevd2yE0CwVssa9WKdN_kGSiDPMFMXobhKofA03c98zI_Pbp_VivPw0aItHWaxDfMVLEiYj8p0VcsGPgRHxEtoq-LoQcaTBtGjgluOd3J46vNXH4X_RA089MGY0Yf-eGfYNow/s4608/JDE48.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r7CmHnqJ4Rali8TlRwT24CjnyFL6fk-vXxS2uWzbVV_DKJe1hhHwcBevd2yE0CwVssa9WKdN_kGSiDPMFMXobhKofA03c98zI_Pbp_VivPw0aItHWaxDfMVLEiYj8p0VcsGPgRHxEtoq-LoQcaTBtGjgluOd3J46vNXH4X_RA089MGY0Yf-eGfYNow/w640-h480/JDE48.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPTHibzAiEE1SDIpU8lCg-4qEariEpoSwk-eEHDPlylXiAQLVmApMjxWfT4ioBEdHTn_Cy5XUOtpQgKjW2sLTMEfuhuK1SNaUb7qrPHckocXupnBvB0yqqr3dKsG9MAdrqhxiGXcQOS0P6MPTiiPn3bieLIvN0_JlnZ3xpdyQIqJ-i-X4WKTzPtH66g/s4608/JDE50.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPTHibzAiEE1SDIpU8lCg-4qEariEpoSwk-eEHDPlylXiAQLVmApMjxWfT4ioBEdHTn_Cy5XUOtpQgKjW2sLTMEfuhuK1SNaUb7qrPHckocXupnBvB0yqqr3dKsG9MAdrqhxiGXcQOS0P6MPTiiPn3bieLIvN0_JlnZ3xpdyQIqJ-i-X4WKTzPtH66g/w640-h480/JDE50.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These rhododendron had just come into bloom.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWrcBRX_heZnnOpDpoe2vSxtb83O_tRScsY4lVwQOCwRBVc8UuFA6DLeaTRGOjNO1YBzogbaMShEbzT7M3KpAKP7yenFL4Dxw9UcL0YnKW39VvbWshAA7PXB0XupFEx0nIsdhnzVITrUBhganvZHx2HKmRw4OD9p9qdjuKKdICIyAHEcs-n6TTg9FjA/s4608/JDE54.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWrcBRX_heZnnOpDpoe2vSxtb83O_tRScsY4lVwQOCwRBVc8UuFA6DLeaTRGOjNO1YBzogbaMShEbzT7M3KpAKP7yenFL4Dxw9UcL0YnKW39VvbWshAA7PXB0XupFEx0nIsdhnzVITrUBhganvZHx2HKmRw4OD9p9qdjuKKdICIyAHEcs-n6TTg9FjA/w640-h480/JDE54.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even this lily pads made for an interesting photo, with the water droplets resting on top.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYHlIncZ3-AOxo3RURT6CfVjrN_eyirVo6gl1_tuDz29KTArmLLSAztt9W0o9qsVU2yNnCEzkbXMSX-MOvALe2V6sLU_O_miBGtbPafxLxbcrFpqxFWdCsuU15XItyrl8xO25yjMfHB3nUQ3-a_Tw4jiiEBu3ddZh20sKNP6_DIK3RfH-bEsg6B_ijA/s4608/JDE57.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYHlIncZ3-AOxo3RURT6CfVjrN_eyirVo6gl1_tuDz29KTArmLLSAztt9W0o9qsVU2yNnCEzkbXMSX-MOvALe2V6sLU_O_miBGtbPafxLxbcrFpqxFWdCsuU15XItyrl8xO25yjMfHB3nUQ3-a_Tw4jiiEBu3ddZh20sKNP6_DIK3RfH-bEsg6B_ijA/w640-h480/JDE57.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FdhTwSmA0QhANXOHzcDpeJCjsMZyNGKSc5URQ5q4x_1rdOLCEM-gtCQRAEOKggPWQ51isjdFwcJq4mKBwUL9isDmZSoSwjir7fEDy6Btal40qf3aisXquYROTkwymuWuTwA6MrM2N--ULdFmp69XLIfi0reM88JOjGB81_40UMeaoQzaaUyiwr50yw/s4608/JDE64.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FdhTwSmA0QhANXOHzcDpeJCjsMZyNGKSc5URQ5q4x_1rdOLCEM-gtCQRAEOKggPWQ51isjdFwcJq4mKBwUL9isDmZSoSwjir7fEDy6Btal40qf3aisXquYROTkwymuWuTwA6MrM2N--ULdFmp69XLIfi0reM88JOjGB81_40UMeaoQzaaUyiwr50yw/w640-h480/JDE64.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the flowers other than the water lilies were also spectacular.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORhoKZRU54cxYDPbFGclVxzssTJURVx2la_SQPdTK4aXpDHFVbFN0xY0yirCGF4cR8P29ajHiC9fYgnjXzD-TynEtXHbgoXsb8F5xIX26FM3oOyUWctaN0n5IQq4-mPb3gYDKodC0bw8AIrAn_HSKh4MwdK_RXODZ1gtzB2j0VG4GxLxG1FkolRKWHg/s4608/JDE67.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORhoKZRU54cxYDPbFGclVxzssTJURVx2la_SQPdTK4aXpDHFVbFN0xY0yirCGF4cR8P29ajHiC9fYgnjXzD-TynEtXHbgoXsb8F5xIX26FM3oOyUWctaN0n5IQq4-mPb3gYDKodC0bw8AIrAn_HSKh4MwdK_RXODZ1gtzB2j0VG4GxLxG1FkolRKWHg/w640-h480/JDE67.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm9C7qd6ZftHHrbtKDguV9miF_vwlawddd8agETXehcSDfPYp-idXUqG6W7D29Jll0QGfLz3EJXzFqL2HMI4sJ53KaD6XuRqg0K51HMGQPXtVmVOluld1hp9VCxMB4no957XQzWFfPPi_dQb67ggyYNJlhDbGDL_fD1kI-GHp7Uf9yrB1ThInBT73FQ/s4608/JDE%20Carp2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm9C7qd6ZftHHrbtKDguV9miF_vwlawddd8agETXehcSDfPYp-idXUqG6W7D29Jll0QGfLz3EJXzFqL2HMI4sJ53KaD6XuRqg0K51HMGQPXtVmVOluld1hp9VCxMB4no957XQzWFfPPi_dQb67ggyYNJlhDbGDL_fD1kI-GHp7Uf9yrB1ThInBT73FQ/w640-h480/JDE%20Carp2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was also a large water tank with all of these colorful carp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUZqRO-_gNBe99D8Bn4E6tYJU0Lj1_m0H1KuEYlaaKE0HbRYV6vfp_dLTpmuf0ZHBgNNRCMeaKsuNnWpq70FYTLmcwhG6cMpoVgjIoyWXaNDNVAFrkyePBIpm2xJr-nPNRhS9raIxVEHNWGiRg87jOveIuGAdr-rIZ3oNKIb2j38BGO4_ZVtnbR5pLw/s4608/JDE%20Carp3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUZqRO-_gNBe99D8Bn4E6tYJU0Lj1_m0H1KuEYlaaKE0HbRYV6vfp_dLTpmuf0ZHBgNNRCMeaKsuNnWpq70FYTLmcwhG6cMpoVgjIoyWXaNDNVAFrkyePBIpm2xJr-nPNRhS9raIxVEHNWGiRg87jOveIuGAdr-rIZ3oNKIb2j38BGO4_ZVtnbR5pLw/w640-h480/JDE%20Carp3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrMjouKs3KVuIXJx4vYbMMnxTwwwiOPQFvlqvTd3cFiGqBnCUR7u25PDOOAyH4TWqZahMCBDzUj2HUZifNWejmN-8TuYTIXlO9IBAUXFoqLbOs9ydDnmrrxioYbj2ZWOSiiuv8AUtCqBv6Lhs3lX_aR0sU6Q2guV6sfcq29pduHSOhMVGs3ZU7tcEnA/s4608/JDE%20Carp8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrMjouKs3KVuIXJx4vYbMMnxTwwwiOPQFvlqvTd3cFiGqBnCUR7u25PDOOAyH4TWqZahMCBDzUj2HUZifNWejmN-8TuYTIXlO9IBAUXFoqLbOs9ydDnmrrxioYbj2ZWOSiiuv8AUtCqBv6Lhs3lX_aR0sU6Q2guV6sfcq29pduHSOhMVGs3ZU7tcEnA/w640-h480/JDE%20Carp8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDZfgiVU13Rm-sSSGXUlilZwtDLnFL8-Wigd2ftWbm8mVyMVsap3gVDul77Vt5EUL8x-EaIXuQQnGtBGT_NoENhzIDAPKRsZ3nHTeqHHJ_oxCrT6yy0ZFb0YOu-7VcSy5p_Fi1_Tun7tvt8eQ5FaxOs3YcOlL20HLQD2xzzggrdUPPU7HlXp-wmLrzQ/s4608/JDE%20Carp12.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDZfgiVU13Rm-sSSGXUlilZwtDLnFL8-Wigd2ftWbm8mVyMVsap3gVDul77Vt5EUL8x-EaIXuQQnGtBGT_NoENhzIDAPKRsZ3nHTeqHHJ_oxCrT6yy0ZFb0YOu-7VcSy5p_Fi1_Tun7tvt8eQ5FaxOs3YcOlL20HLQD2xzzggrdUPPU7HlXp-wmLrzQ/w640-h480/JDE%20Carp12.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdTjPZSauEiSgcRGL1XHD5PE_Tf2q5LmBmD4oPOm45iIV1GNS8WpFpPWHxMSH7Iy6fBvObYlpK9-joxZWp3umpYFJJKDoPjS5BSsBwYECKxhx2XXMzFOwiclx_xcOrFq3Wm5u1Txt58XV0WfRia7YpzOLVTJJcwNwJ6sSsBhILQmyYBaeQ7N1A4Mkmw/s4608/JDE%20DSS1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdTjPZSauEiSgcRGL1XHD5PE_Tf2q5LmBmD4oPOm45iIV1GNS8WpFpPWHxMSH7Iy6fBvObYlpK9-joxZWp3umpYFJJKDoPjS5BSsBwYECKxhx2XXMzFOwiclx_xcOrFq3Wm5u1Txt58XV0WfRia7YpzOLVTJJcwNwJ6sSsBhILQmyYBaeQ7N1A4Mkmw/w640-h480/JDE%20DSS1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre revelled in the wisteria.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscyuVS5m_qfzwMnRmqQ7eZOESx8gsZhGsO2tEXIucWlpJU8QPdfprueLDAYwPqgD3_x2RIiFfcZGiYfb4Vm17vYU2oAIkhN3p5kRWSiaZU5o0GOq2tdK9nnOGR_IZP--8pw5BLMH7qaUdCuRhL47myqOwI1wJpygR6MQ4EbG4oZ0DnISs-Ow5R9kxUA/s4608/JDE%20Fountain1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscyuVS5m_qfzwMnRmqQ7eZOESx8gsZhGsO2tEXIucWlpJU8QPdfprueLDAYwPqgD3_x2RIiFfcZGiYfb4Vm17vYU2oAIkhN3p5kRWSiaZU5o0GOq2tdK9nnOGR_IZP--8pw5BLMH7qaUdCuRhL47myqOwI1wJpygR6MQ4EbG4oZ0DnISs-Ow5R9kxUA/w480-h640/JDE%20Fountain1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a section of the water maze with a fountain. You can see some portions of the maze were slightly under water.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-2xM09sX5Wa_j74N_rI2CWZoXUp0g6dftTwTuqT3iKL8motWU3vkLKPGFwHWShsS04ZTkZUa9MwO7K8d2PvSx82pjoVfH9I1aqv2vdhImo-VFydYzZYArLfXC2nGQvy2Qto3grySV_4IOAWN89KHBLm0Zi_YfWIHbQgB8mib2rxbAXanNKSXXNn1MA/s4608/JDE%20Frog1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-2xM09sX5Wa_j74N_rI2CWZoXUp0g6dftTwTuqT3iKL8motWU3vkLKPGFwHWShsS04ZTkZUa9MwO7K8d2PvSx82pjoVfH9I1aqv2vdhImo-VFydYzZYArLfXC2nGQvy2Qto3grySV_4IOAWN89KHBLm0Zi_YfWIHbQgB8mib2rxbAXanNKSXXNn1MA/w640-h480/JDE%20Frog1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where there are lily pads, there are frogs with some partially on the lily pad...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39Ms9hVJv7XkQ1k7xTHFaZ-sr-1y2tmJTnFx9p5jWiM607w1SeybXnfW7oglA3Ss93uX-we9JCkn3_53-q8rWjA-O9xzAh6O9Awg4CCSVSnug3i5owMoQdEBH7-5L7Qr10M1UHGU3RbAsNz4_DDIHRLFC7tXGDdyqYjjg2H830D3oK_CHI3gZ-BFb5A/s4608/JDE%20Frog3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39Ms9hVJv7XkQ1k7xTHFaZ-sr-1y2tmJTnFx9p5jWiM607w1SeybXnfW7oglA3Ss93uX-we9JCkn3_53-q8rWjA-O9xzAh6O9Awg4CCSVSnug3i5owMoQdEBH7-5L7Qr10M1UHGU3RbAsNz4_DDIHRLFC7tXGDdyqYjjg2H830D3oK_CHI3gZ-BFb5A/w640-h480/JDE%20Frog3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">others fully resting on the lily pad...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzq_UC3FGlfzgteiX7ao2_PenkvBEKRK24hq-WI01WMTp6osEu3KsiEhl8LkBT7MBnoW2JnwVgPxXrXeYowxgJKeXGgFcL2ikGNdLHWczZ7QVyYREmlHyQTnT8GIMCCdqRKY5CEbXvcRw5v12xhQYAPJlnR6F7V3ge0326b1pZ5xG2qsyYcdH41U86w/s4608/JDE%20Frog5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzq_UC3FGlfzgteiX7ao2_PenkvBEKRK24hq-WI01WMTp6osEu3KsiEhl8LkBT7MBnoW2JnwVgPxXrXeYowxgJKeXGgFcL2ikGNdLHWczZ7QVyYREmlHyQTnT8GIMCCdqRKY5CEbXvcRw5v12xhQYAPJlnR6F7V3ge0326b1pZ5xG2qsyYcdH41U86w/w640-h480/JDE%20Frog5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and some shy ones hiding under the lily pad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K9orHjnU4Q97LOa74qpk13LljSfQ20ClcPZPIu4ksPuzS1FN5ynlIx_RICmBLgtvYHQE0f6BfJOdjuyWLYr_dcKP-VL-Gv34lRlZMZauc243fXJXm33DwaMNC5NLr8RIvx_1DTah6mNzD9BidGlzej5HtG5PCoTuwZ6-1rU0qgqAmhTQoWhCEtjiTA/s4608/JDE%20Frog8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K9orHjnU4Q97LOa74qpk13LljSfQ20ClcPZPIu4ksPuzS1FN5ynlIx_RICmBLgtvYHQE0f6BfJOdjuyWLYr_dcKP-VL-Gv34lRlZMZauc243fXJXm33DwaMNC5NLr8RIvx_1DTah6mNzD9BidGlzej5HtG5PCoTuwZ6-1rU0qgqAmhTQoWhCEtjiTA/w640-h480/JDE%20Frog8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGF6oSsL4AGffi96fpPjONixemCCX3scYJcSiWr_QIdZQT5H9cbUIdNHF0rj_dejRI0LrUZ0lhZBkD9f3YJ2G2pcexaJA4qgRk67DE9TqtdiI_v-y5lGd9-EEigzQJfzNZC37MjrKqRNvjmPbsv7kta6SykwTOlEj9y0LdgOedBkBinC4ci9kgjQegQ/s4608/JDE%20Frog%20&%20Lillies.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGF6oSsL4AGffi96fpPjONixemCCX3scYJcSiWr_QIdZQT5H9cbUIdNHF0rj_dejRI0LrUZ0lhZBkD9f3YJ2G2pcexaJA4qgRk67DE9TqtdiI_v-y5lGd9-EEigzQJfzNZC37MjrKqRNvjmPbsv7kta6SykwTOlEj9y0LdgOedBkBinC4ci9kgjQegQ/w640-h480/JDE%20Frog%20&%20Lillies.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PoqUGfE09tGa96wX1bmitn6weZ1xIcwQK-QQUJG1_O1ClRjRLhYeQoRXq0dZEPhjP8xRq96r0e-UvCTEjK34R3tV3qL-32mPJ84SZ1CflLxXgiqyBOdl6IT-EU2gcRbpoeVFMzR9qTaJmqrekzI1iq8FrvR2al8xqw56OQGkdiQwVi58qQAm8shobg/s4608/JDE%20Wisteria2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PoqUGfE09tGa96wX1bmitn6weZ1xIcwQK-QQUJG1_O1ClRjRLhYeQoRXq0dZEPhjP8xRq96r0e-UvCTEjK34R3tV3qL-32mPJ84SZ1CflLxXgiqyBOdl6IT-EU2gcRbpoeVFMzR9qTaJmqrekzI1iq8FrvR2al8xqw56OQGkdiQwVi58qQAm8shobg/w480-h640/JDE%20Wisteria2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful wisteria (of which Deirdre could not get enough throughout the trip).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Kayaking on the Vezere</u></p><p>Water is everywhere in the Dordogne region. In addition to the Dordogne river itself, several smaller rivers and/or tributaries run through the valleys creating both lush farmland and endless recreational options. So, off we set to kayak on the Vezere before tackling the larger Dordogne. We rented a double kayak so that Michael could do all the work and I could labor with the taxing duties of reading the very brief, waterproof guide aloud while soaking in the sun and scenery. I will not belabor this with more verbiage than it warrants. Just check out the view from the kayak as we drift downstream. Michael noted that having a current carry you is significantly easier than kayaking on the lake. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgKQy_ADSvatOAsQyAVti9VP5ZL7vNvbPLNnzfF9hDv3Bx2ysXpAcmaoNAlO-iI5uIUwsiKrX2KmGKtk3i1dzoUO7_eLMtg2L65JfBchXqSwfUUnb9kjTr_zSxNczPN5YHsyYrpxZpPfctsVc3KRx7VH4ZKI55HCmpn1J3bY3XOG4VPQWrlq5Xh7rVQ/s4608/2%20Caves.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgKQy_ADSvatOAsQyAVti9VP5ZL7vNvbPLNnzfF9hDv3Bx2ysXpAcmaoNAlO-iI5uIUwsiKrX2KmGKtk3i1dzoUO7_eLMtg2L65JfBchXqSwfUUnb9kjTr_zSxNczPN5YHsyYrpxZpPfctsVc3KRx7VH4ZKI55HCmpn1J3bY3XOG4VPQWrlq5Xh7rVQ/w640-h480/2%20Caves.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All along the kayak trip we encountered limestone caves.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8t4T8Sb8cruE-ZMduAJ1uUhBn-Wh0Q5eNryjBUBkEgRZepEzJGAXcpf2kT99hmqsFvrmdOJqhkL_tXUDyGXCUJmanW4lxxwQ9HHL_bWj7Z6LFvvg68gLGTrbEuGnQwb-l8q08R3M_5WCBCWbJGV2cnqjSa62B5yCHxG27ppNHAKV4UEkhmjq08328w/s4608/Cave%20w.%20support%20holes2*.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8t4T8Sb8cruE-ZMduAJ1uUhBn-Wh0Q5eNryjBUBkEgRZepEzJGAXcpf2kT99hmqsFvrmdOJqhkL_tXUDyGXCUJmanW4lxxwQ9HHL_bWj7Z6LFvvg68gLGTrbEuGnQwb-l8q08R3M_5WCBCWbJGV2cnqjSa62B5yCHxG27ppNHAKV4UEkhmjq08328w/w640-h480/Cave%20w.%20support%20holes2*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see where wood posts were once stuck into the limestone on this one.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYD9V6-StnDFlhIcYz_LtYhWKvZIde3o0DLRDd7_il5LS6xaHTRYZUsaDgU8qM7Ewc7FzHuQLvxd54mVWmgHHduLKhu-wt284DOgK8RiEY1A6pK2NukbLjC0HRko-ujKXyqilxNVIO8X0PB1ClsT0K9NL9oDVVE-jROQkvcpBmtATGM58e0tOqbdqwQ/s4608/Cliff1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYD9V6-StnDFlhIcYz_LtYhWKvZIde3o0DLRDd7_il5LS6xaHTRYZUsaDgU8qM7Ewc7FzHuQLvxd54mVWmgHHduLKhu-wt284DOgK8RiEY1A6pK2NukbLjC0HRko-ujKXyqilxNVIO8X0PB1ClsT0K9NL9oDVVE-jROQkvcpBmtATGM58e0tOqbdqwQ/w640-h480/Cliff1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In some areas the limestone cliffs loomed over the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIess1NyBrjP1l1kG-jyP4GJEaNeolPiAjbN5374YfaQpK0v1QpVUD5D8uXj1AyXIhnfYIA36kA1TeafDfOPHD95n3AEiZ_2N4jam83vGgm-Z3xAim1LYREd8qN15SXTLyXzEI2UYDXrPgHz6fSPzsDy9WEwu51vkVHShvPUULW9WV1d4l4MxUtl4Cw/s4608/DSS1%20w.%20guide.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIess1NyBrjP1l1kG-jyP4GJEaNeolPiAjbN5374YfaQpK0v1QpVUD5D8uXj1AyXIhnfYIA36kA1TeafDfOPHD95n3AEiZ_2N4jam83vGgm-Z3xAim1LYREd8qN15SXTLyXzEI2UYDXrPgHz6fSPzsDy9WEwu51vkVHShvPUULW9WV1d4l4MxUtl4Cw/w640-h480/DSS1%20w.%20guide.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here Deirdre is reading from the guide as I paddle along.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3ZmaH4csVHfRlGvON89JvFk9OnBIxxqncp2IP7vJdXm8-Ix3cwZq1TL7_7CvH7nLnEunUEWHsFc6RQ3UhVSTPHeYbXEmgcxtOkFr-EcRiA1seCVnX0qmUDSaGTrM5frpPYgEX5adCrF2m7_8W6hEUxAsFYg2Mxq3XI5E5Qsuxt1fMIx-6jvXvK1xLA/s4608/Flowering%20trees1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3ZmaH4csVHfRlGvON89JvFk9OnBIxxqncp2IP7vJdXm8-Ix3cwZq1TL7_7CvH7nLnEunUEWHsFc6RQ3UhVSTPHeYbXEmgcxtOkFr-EcRiA1seCVnX0qmUDSaGTrM5frpPYgEX5adCrF2m7_8W6hEUxAsFYg2Mxq3XI5E5Qsuxt1fMIx-6jvXvK1xLA/w640-h480/Flowering%20trees1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These trees were in full flower, with many of the flowers drifting down into the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHYDA-QS62xsxoutTAfOhJngpidXggnmJcDHbzScYePQZLU6R42iXVXV2mzrK0Nq_35e-l6GKbg-s-dr-heO94jgPqUrSGh2-Py0x4kXwh0-JzYDxZ91Uoru7_jHMzUkyO0oWzULfUIAiSVp6NRfezNgWNSO2gMnZzM6GYyv97Pm3PvSatVDad-5aqw/s4517/River%20flowers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3428" data-original-width="4517" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHYDA-QS62xsxoutTAfOhJngpidXggnmJcDHbzScYePQZLU6R42iXVXV2mzrK0Nq_35e-l6GKbg-s-dr-heO94jgPqUrSGh2-Py0x4kXwh0-JzYDxZ91Uoru7_jHMzUkyO0oWzULfUIAiSVp6NRfezNgWNSO2gMnZzM6GYyv97Pm3PvSatVDad-5aqw/w640-h486/River%20flowers.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were also many sea grass mats which were covered in flowers as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSdahckg58X_xThWRXRG4kfwcmFmEKkWyuDrqE-uKSHEXdDf3dAOjrsdMaje_qGHzElv2UPZqygWxGG1zpugaTifNYAQl0YipIxJJkJ4BSMu9EDUjhM_fqwbzcH8mHYeKbaXCdSf3KzkoWRCUduK9aIrHXyhIW0rpZzSJd7oKcu0R-ss1zovC6hmHjQ/s4608/Troglodyte%20house3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSdahckg58X_xThWRXRG4kfwcmFmEKkWyuDrqE-uKSHEXdDf3dAOjrsdMaje_qGHzElv2UPZqygWxGG1zpugaTifNYAQl0YipIxJJkJ4BSMu9EDUjhM_fqwbzcH8mHYeKbaXCdSf3KzkoWRCUduK9aIrHXyhIW0rpZzSJd7oKcu0R-ss1zovC6hmHjQ/w640-h480/Troglodyte%20house3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is where a house has been built into the cliff...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCVygEgndxRD6BYnjF-dP75ZT7OnMs8T2jnTK7ZPVI5Ls9T05DkbvO7vLWQs50iOuNLkxyVgsOvPCYUt2ug-nVwC44xtvKDjM0R1eB0HaZM-nm1tiexRMAiv6H5DUH1ACh6Rl34iClvc_doEu79wihveGcFU8LxXtjOExt4gziHQCv4nrp0HzX3dNVQ/s4608/troglodyte%20house%20&%20cavern.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCVygEgndxRD6BYnjF-dP75ZT7OnMs8T2jnTK7ZPVI5Ls9T05DkbvO7vLWQs50iOuNLkxyVgsOvPCYUt2ug-nVwC44xtvKDjM0R1eB0HaZM-nm1tiexRMAiv6H5DUH1ACh6Rl34iClvc_doEu79wihveGcFU8LxXtjOExt4gziHQCv4nrp0HzX3dNVQ/w640-h480/troglodyte%20house%20&%20cavern.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with a large cavern next to the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Back on Dry Land Attending to Necessities</u></p><p>Eventually you have to do laundry. It is a fact of life. When we first ventured to Europe decades ago you needed a physics degree or a magician to figure out the workings of European laundry machines. I once spent 7 hours in a sweltering basement in London attempting to coax the machine to bring forth clean, dry clothing. Well, things have changed! Now there's the Euro. Now borders are transparent. Now laundry machines make sense and instructions are in French AND English. They even take credit cards! Eureka! So, faced with heaps of dirty clothes we went to Brugge and were lucky to learn that it was market day. We zipped the laundry into the washers and headed to the market. On the way, we noted people craning over the side of a walkway paralleling the River (Dordogne). There was a significant drop and I wondered if someone had taken the plunge. But no. They were admiring the most gorgeous Iris I have ever seen in my life. After oohing and ahhing and photoing we went on to the market-- which was terrific. We were done with our shopping and coffee sipping just in time to retrieve the laundry. So, we went on to lunch.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmXnmpsaDgonWv0pTxBmCkg8DPx4C8Yv_Bb_tJZYxD5myruVhq3oCKrZ1PgeXaxYJZRVwPxXN00023-PpQhg2yvt0tzzl4sWukDoQR--dbUuhjdmXlIYHkbLja-IJ3P2UpFfZ63ujbmmlT79hI7nKt5F6Cf8B5nsqhsCPFtGQiPOrt50fQ5NRv-1yyg/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Bridge1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmXnmpsaDgonWv0pTxBmCkg8DPx4C8Yv_Bb_tJZYxD5myruVhq3oCKrZ1PgeXaxYJZRVwPxXN00023-PpQhg2yvt0tzzl4sWukDoQR--dbUuhjdmXlIYHkbLja-IJ3P2UpFfZ63ujbmmlT79hI7nKt5F6Cf8B5nsqhsCPFtGQiPOrt50fQ5NRv-1yyg/w640-h480/Le%20Bugue%20Bridge1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We parked across the river, then walked over the bridge to get to the market. The parking lot was very close to the laundromat, which made our lives a lot easier.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4aR4A7S01Vxk0qrnQD3uXpxs_GLkNHF3v97C6_AOZcTAoFCgGTojDjKe9iUjJ745yP4DNNcOcDe1KUSzSTT6dzNmS6VPMoeMVcClrXnOw_CPgO_GaftToNaA2MPFYUBK3tOzb19fTXrxH8wW5l7dEE2kYxB6UZBxBMJLu9MCFAxioY3XX7BwprRqHg/s4608/LB%20Iris6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4aR4A7S01Vxk0qrnQD3uXpxs_GLkNHF3v97C6_AOZcTAoFCgGTojDjKe9iUjJ745yP4DNNcOcDe1KUSzSTT6dzNmS6VPMoeMVcClrXnOw_CPgO_GaftToNaA2MPFYUBK3tOzb19fTXrxH8wW5l7dEE2kYxB6UZBxBMJLu9MCFAxioY3XX7BwprRqHg/w640-h480/LB%20Iris6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just below the parking lot on the bank of the river we saw this amazing collection of a variety of iris.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GcYgAq3xLtNKy1op4APEl87HUg7Y4vR2mItufL0I-t-Wvll-jh5bGE2zLUh_3EHDfGWFmqEa3CHirGnqo8mrQcYxfUlt3WWd7wpw4G3nXKz2Dop-dl2YVg2_Miis-QyjPffwLXBVLV_YmTn22szw-HsCGwmIM02j3juKzqwHXZ5khj54E3M4JjPcaw/s4608/LB%20Iris8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GcYgAq3xLtNKy1op4APEl87HUg7Y4vR2mItufL0I-t-Wvll-jh5bGE2zLUh_3EHDfGWFmqEa3CHirGnqo8mrQcYxfUlt3WWd7wpw4G3nXKz2Dop-dl2YVg2_Miis-QyjPffwLXBVLV_YmTn22szw-HsCGwmIM02j3juKzqwHXZ5khj54E3M4JjPcaw/w640-h480/LB%20Iris8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs12cwN6fVPzOpqRxuqGd2Y7rX_bS_RAcFsKKYRDfqfHDSwGJbGcWGn3jVeByvQrDIH0NyLqYiDjO53g6ci4SZwujrYEGRmj9YpSjKMIJgbCbQFbZGOmTGVmbLu79V3aRLdhVPRoCyi5RlZ6wPcYCu6M9wUM1R_5UI8iq2LwEGRcIDqDLNqWehh623Q/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Iris2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs12cwN6fVPzOpqRxuqGd2Y7rX_bS_RAcFsKKYRDfqfHDSwGJbGcWGn3jVeByvQrDIH0NyLqYiDjO53g6ci4SZwujrYEGRmj9YpSjKMIJgbCbQFbZGOmTGVmbLu79V3aRLdhVPRoCyi5RlZ6wPcYCu6M9wUM1R_5UI8iq2LwEGRcIDqDLNqWehh623Q/w640-h480/Le%20Bugue%20Iris2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW_x4gJ46T_3eD5WRErkVwS5mo2iGPEpp9XbCuEoAt_-gCs3tVMFArInURVs7yfmbMK9cg_G4-OisR6dCbZH3TkU4L38ALdi3EC9zXQv0efkx6ICAdFkC1DQioc-eigt93GcqyddfQqwyHmFIOUMh0VF25qkZQdVw67CKjn-4I6KAWYwJEdTX_32FEQ/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Iris3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW_x4gJ46T_3eD5WRErkVwS5mo2iGPEpp9XbCuEoAt_-gCs3tVMFArInURVs7yfmbMK9cg_G4-OisR6dCbZH3TkU4L38ALdi3EC9zXQv0efkx6ICAdFkC1DQioc-eigt93GcqyddfQqwyHmFIOUMh0VF25qkZQdVw67CKjn-4I6KAWYwJEdTX_32FEQ/w640-h480/Le%20Bugue%20Iris3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t00uMx6dmHUBpqLNy6P96D2RT1YlntMKfQt6yx-aE2YxqHu7APkUUfvflNIqEcl2DEdDDS2olBfzYJ07blaxAjHWtrw1aj_4eesBXRGBnZARWHouaXjiHHvVgKoTe5ecyY8QjCvCYuTTIMQDJm8dXUlnLyRkP08dgsyZuBWhLzkJKDsrQcn3UVN1cQ/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Iris4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t00uMx6dmHUBpqLNy6P96D2RT1YlntMKfQt6yx-aE2YxqHu7APkUUfvflNIqEcl2DEdDDS2olBfzYJ07blaxAjHWtrw1aj_4eesBXRGBnZARWHouaXjiHHvVgKoTe5ecyY8QjCvCYuTTIMQDJm8dXUlnLyRkP08dgsyZuBWhLzkJKDsrQcn3UVN1cQ/w640-h480/Le%20Bugue%20Iris4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbXp2DNxV2fUZdA3lhhdB-ocBciRIrMtXdB1lTH3PEbFCclbE7vr_BhQDs6fqCTj3lS9piI_mkgD9t2eQJ0U5uniuJ53UhYMd3imLfhSGVr0haqtUiqJoVSQXE9sTYu1eBqoJLHZzQqqi1i7aLbD5SDBn0UKRCyBWYd4VCInUc35vIMGpHN3iVdWYNg/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Iris5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbXp2DNxV2fUZdA3lhhdB-ocBciRIrMtXdB1lTH3PEbFCclbE7vr_BhQDs6fqCTj3lS9piI_mkgD9t2eQJ0U5uniuJ53UhYMd3imLfhSGVr0haqtUiqJoVSQXE9sTYu1eBqoJLHZzQqqi1i7aLbD5SDBn0UKRCyBWYd4VCInUc35vIMGpHN3iVdWYNg/w640-h480/Le%20Bugue%20Iris5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_axioJXDcnbVJ3XgmT0Mi5FTn_Oobsr1m11nk8ezA-R-tkbCAc5Y5tWQiSv8_KGlrlxv5q_pPvusqsMBnDHQ7n96LNyxQRb5wX4nqPYQ0UE32PIW0JN7H7qZL8KSC46-ldcy2HHud8D0rwYHvA-cjNv1m6nXiJqDwQ-Fye3r5yHh7layBPX5YNvWbQ/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Mkt2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_axioJXDcnbVJ3XgmT0Mi5FTn_Oobsr1m11nk8ezA-R-tkbCAc5Y5tWQiSv8_KGlrlxv5q_pPvusqsMBnDHQ7n96LNyxQRb5wX4nqPYQ0UE32PIW0JN7H7qZL8KSC46-ldcy2HHud8D0rwYHvA-cjNv1m6nXiJqDwQ-Fye3r5yHh7layBPX5YNvWbQ/w640-h480/Le%20Bugue%20Mkt2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Le Bugue market had these colorful butterflies strung up above the market. In another market town they had colorful ribbons.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6wDYbILdgTSm6njNGJ0Jlbk9gq4W5cZ-beItEEg8fFXU7t0nJAif_DIwjzmJ543fznYwycKiNKT7eXkiY_VlRkpzc5dxY6OZ8Ub95Xb2kne7AWMKciP63ySD_TaVFz-zK8OtIxYWXWo_5YKIhgO9ueWzb-sUEZe5fOGw3m2hRUj32X-38V2z1cVNlQ/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Mkt1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6wDYbILdgTSm6njNGJ0Jlbk9gq4W5cZ-beItEEg8fFXU7t0nJAif_DIwjzmJ543fznYwycKiNKT7eXkiY_VlRkpzc5dxY6OZ8Ub95Xb2kne7AWMKciP63ySD_TaVFz-zK8OtIxYWXWo_5YKIhgO9ueWzb-sUEZe5fOGw3m2hRUj32X-38V2z1cVNlQ/w480-h640/Le%20Bugue%20Mkt1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first thing we encountered were all of the food stalls, each specializing in different foods. This one had all things seafood...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX2Sw5E11Dt2xDSY6qS8iJmEx0n-DFr_VRuOTHwQqUN9XZG0sLySTzcKlv8Bc_lDrPTWty_vNSc0NpH57wjSpCGbAbdryK9SANydejnAik5EHSVnta7kZchNovAX2Iv3GZ5IY4RiHj9x2bCMz3i5drLgX5DsQrZuZgxKHd_c3ne0AHT1sVn2-uuSR6g/s4608/Le%20Bugue%20Mkt4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX2Sw5E11Dt2xDSY6qS8iJmEx0n-DFr_VRuOTHwQqUN9XZG0sLySTzcKlv8Bc_lDrPTWty_vNSc0NpH57wjSpCGbAbdryK9SANydejnAik5EHSVnta7kZchNovAX2Iv3GZ5IY4RiHj9x2bCMz3i5drLgX5DsQrZuZgxKHd_c3ne0AHT1sVn2-uuSR6g/w480-h640/Le%20Bugue%20Mkt4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">while this one had everything to do with olives.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_uO5z1leFCrPt9KpRcf2u7ZV-OGPplTl2YfsBjQppHMlLUqn8EXcczid0uWYOiFJdkB3ijFQroaIWX1Tz0_rsmwD6nw4pTptg_xeO2AkF96O7m_KCCcC7SAk2nFeJGXmoIkuyP141y1Sg1z04dOo95Qf3zIRXpdevQ3SeO7sw3Ta8Q2Y-X7Pz0tbBw/s4608/LB%20Mkt8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_uO5z1leFCrPt9KpRcf2u7ZV-OGPplTl2YfsBjQppHMlLUqn8EXcczid0uWYOiFJdkB3ijFQroaIWX1Tz0_rsmwD6nw4pTptg_xeO2AkF96O7m_KCCcC7SAk2nFeJGXmoIkuyP141y1Sg1z04dOo95Qf3zIRXpdevQ3SeO7sw3Ta8Q2Y-X7Pz0tbBw/w640-h480/LB%20Mkt8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it wouldn't be France if there weren't one market stall dedicated to wine.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVZUAdQUnmVZC92PY8JdeVmWNWT-5ZsjOhsJezveckedCPvI96uvIUr6JI4R4xtc9jCJCevvs58JFZDt59qY2jquo5NQ8U07NrENMlqAfvR8HL350THoZJ-CYJQkEX_zBU11YKj9yJTxluXia7bfCb9iwZc7O1dXiVAZi_x5_8VJQPBoZ-ivE43kuug/s4608/LB%20Mkt6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVZUAdQUnmVZC92PY8JdeVmWNWT-5ZsjOhsJezveckedCPvI96uvIUr6JI4R4xtc9jCJCevvs58JFZDt59qY2jquo5NQ8U07NrENMlqAfvR8HL350THoZJ-CYJQkEX_zBU11YKj9yJTxluXia7bfCb9iwZc7O1dXiVAZi_x5_8VJQPBoZ-ivE43kuug/w640-h480/LB%20Mkt6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French markets are similar to Mexican markets in terms of the variety of items available for purchase, such as items of clothing...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5w_EjFwHWNoaGdlR81A_YHmS1XVrJJdFj_Z07y-VTXhqiIxEv7r5FuiqOVbbkGRTxqaSSXuS3CytlHwcOcjT2BeuPy4Dl3R6b85uMzuDjeSQ7KTMx6eGdD1quKM6t3NpOhMQrLRE0T3z_AaRXV39Pmf4GPVQctezx1Uz9Lm299YZYgKUyN5iUuTNKQ/s4608/LB%20Mkt10.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5w_EjFwHWNoaGdlR81A_YHmS1XVrJJdFj_Z07y-VTXhqiIxEv7r5FuiqOVbbkGRTxqaSSXuS3CytlHwcOcjT2BeuPy4Dl3R6b85uMzuDjeSQ7KTMx6eGdD1quKM6t3NpOhMQrLRE0T3z_AaRXV39Pmf4GPVQctezx1Uz9Lm299YZYgKUyN5iUuTNKQ/w480-h640/LB%20Mkt10.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such as dressses,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk6qSkSNyNbWAFNfSpl1IUMBecKsvtlQ8QYagjAN7rx1A50XWEg0YMWEoJhUR3YnHuYfZnZhXvv77es01Zo1KGPjfuQ6cIB2ukyWAf_LplXbebEF6On_azDxLajWk2aAqHX0DnvxW1fMFDeepB9BWLvkcLobwkZgxSgJn4CCkkoDsGi1OkrU3I-lBng/s4608/LB%20Mkt11.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk6qSkSNyNbWAFNfSpl1IUMBecKsvtlQ8QYagjAN7rx1A50XWEg0YMWEoJhUR3YnHuYfZnZhXvv77es01Zo1KGPjfuQ6cIB2ukyWAf_LplXbebEF6On_azDxLajWk2aAqHX0DnvxW1fMFDeepB9BWLvkcLobwkZgxSgJn4CCkkoDsGi1OkrU3I-lBng/w480-h640/LB%20Mkt11.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hats,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcOKunyjJypihe8_OYQfPOXq39pNMwS6e1CvNBoSP214GR3K8gh3f0dz-7id0WPPsJ65zzrTtiJ4abDNIFMbNck3pVyDpiEJwiA2q0kf8kceesElb7ynrjOq0ENEJX-q6Iu6aKsSZ8mcYJB6UX-6J5kEtZgrG6sFJdINzkAVZ-WoOjGHAreBJ6yax6g/s4608/LB%20Mkt14.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcOKunyjJypihe8_OYQfPOXq39pNMwS6e1CvNBoSP214GR3K8gh3f0dz-7id0WPPsJ65zzrTtiJ4abDNIFMbNck3pVyDpiEJwiA2q0kf8kceesElb7ynrjOq0ENEJX-q6Iu6aKsSZ8mcYJB6UX-6J5kEtZgrG6sFJdINzkAVZ-WoOjGHAreBJ6yax6g/w640-h480/LB%20Mkt14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfumed soaps,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds4jg6nRDVpEhim04OrWoVyjJpJQPY_EsjQUaSDNVdlgwRPJcJhoZ6B166D4lqKF7b1igiYjaSMwY-MmAmjAkvcdKPaXha-XkoSi8M72c0rp6jSYB6xFsaw2QokI4YfxXGMwiJSoVlQgvbSpKriOrEaJAIH1ZjE_fRqMOQbX92MhZMJfrpDa9yxesFw/s4608/LB%20Mkt17.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds4jg6nRDVpEhim04OrWoVyjJpJQPY_EsjQUaSDNVdlgwRPJcJhoZ6B166D4lqKF7b1igiYjaSMwY-MmAmjAkvcdKPaXha-XkoSi8M72c0rp6jSYB6xFsaw2QokI4YfxXGMwiJSoVlQgvbSpKriOrEaJAIH1ZjE_fRqMOQbX92MhZMJfrpDa9yxesFw/w480-h640/LB%20Mkt17.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and even cookware.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>St. Leon Sur Vezere</u> </p><p>Back to the water again -- or adjacent to the water. This is a sweet little town very close to where our gite was. We wandered for a while and then lunched at a delightful terraced restaurant. Not much else to say.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo3E_AqTD83n5p3XhtHm1bXQpou9lPsltI5YMteiDeZZSPTYoZAASD3dYxSiTtsbI1GE-2tVAApPK_NwubNNKRvhUK01VTbE-tuNLroLaRGHRRA-cxi7YwK-wZg9PqlLLTeCMxMNX2m784zQ7FZvRvGi6F6HCZgPKxIQpUxQSESXJ9MLsHBmdOgfa2Q/s4608/Church%20SLV1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo3E_AqTD83n5p3XhtHm1bXQpou9lPsltI5YMteiDeZZSPTYoZAASD3dYxSiTtsbI1GE-2tVAApPK_NwubNNKRvhUK01VTbE-tuNLroLaRGHRRA-cxi7YwK-wZg9PqlLLTeCMxMNX2m784zQ7FZvRvGi6F6HCZgPKxIQpUxQSESXJ9MLsHBmdOgfa2Q/w480-h640/Church%20SLV1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The the town had this church with the three round towers,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8Jm4to36XWbWObJvfp5XOf9mHB3dfdU5Lhs7JZIpQlvjNDOUGoCvG5Zg3EQhJDSn9EC8VeE0q53hdsUyVrejcHVhN0MSwntBIe8f1bpLr8n2gkSmVUQQXfe0dQBTD3V539LVIf9JPq2AriIAiue5AMNLgYJN_YgtKQLZYwCt0TkgVmQBlFKhLUtdCQ/s4608/Wood%20Head.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8Jm4to36XWbWObJvfp5XOf9mHB3dfdU5Lhs7JZIpQlvjNDOUGoCvG5Zg3EQhJDSn9EC8VeE0q53hdsUyVrejcHVhN0MSwntBIe8f1bpLr8n2gkSmVUQQXfe0dQBTD3V539LVIf9JPq2AriIAiue5AMNLgYJN_YgtKQLZYwCt0TkgVmQBlFKhLUtdCQ/w480-h640/Wood%20Head.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this interesting carved wooden head.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Chateau de Losse</u></p><p>Early on during we trip we had passed a Chateau that hovered over the Vezere and looked intriguing. One afternoon when we had not yet packed our activities to the hilt we decided to make a visit. This chateau, like a number of others, belonged to a private (wealthy) family who had provided the initial money to renovate it from ruins. Now, they lived on the upper floors of the chateau and allowed the public to come and enjoy it. All admission fees go to the further enhancement of the Chateau. I would suggest they use our contribution for better signage as we traipsed from pillar to post attempting to follow a theoretical "route guidee". But it was very pretty.....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjO8pHjjVZsiphxtRyIJqHVxbKCfKDVAZAyNQjoTkH9JxmHnZBT0qbPxsejd9urK8x6wYdo12ywVTK6X4b_TH4IYpzYP8dr-aYWWuLpWeuWZ9MsxFue_HB6L35gFkWK7jdJdYcUnhbsyVC-_ZXEww41wLwiTJIxGpagGyYhMKMyUuaRBv1zT4ELQcyg/s4608/Entrance1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjO8pHjjVZsiphxtRyIJqHVxbKCfKDVAZAyNQjoTkH9JxmHnZBT0qbPxsejd9urK8x6wYdo12ywVTK6X4b_TH4IYpzYP8dr-aYWWuLpWeuWZ9MsxFue_HB6L35gFkWK7jdJdYcUnhbsyVC-_ZXEww41wLwiTJIxGpagGyYhMKMyUuaRBv1zT4ELQcyg/w640-h480/Entrance1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gatehouse of the chateau...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbnutkfLIffwgp9urwa2qeDNF-gdBY7gw9u0_dbOtXOZCOR2zLM5ybOrIfA67g2mVTLwsESg8YVokGkfH68HLT10Y04MRhv1_F2MhGYteJiVIduZ5rhQRjhOU6Ccr76qXbZRHxp6FH0lV6k5iraf9vBJXKNEy2Rp48PY-Sz_0IN1ZgsVvxHRAIDBeag/s4608/Man%20&%20Fortune%20saying.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbnutkfLIffwgp9urwa2qeDNF-gdBY7gw9u0_dbOtXOZCOR2zLM5ybOrIfA67g2mVTLwsESg8YVokGkfH68HLT10Y04MRhv1_F2MhGYteJiVIduZ5rhQRjhOU6Ccr76qXbZRHxp6FH0lV6k5iraf9vBJXKNEy2Rp48PY-Sz_0IN1ZgsVvxHRAIDBeag/w640-h480/Man%20&%20Fortune%20saying.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with this interested carved saying above the entrance. Translated it reads: "Man does what he can. Fortune does what it wants."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB_ApGQlh39vIiGIIttWvZdRV9ucsAJvEZrINbtn5Hn3EiQvKblp6FdnsflYE_1_1zqTluW3zW8qAdZyEXYmNp1vDIeyPUwTgwaIfbs-lgWHznrHYpwIkLjuvmJfWq-UkU2B7nkBKx4byLB1f5V1mQJmtHIKgv96pVH5YbADjXlMNME53xj1BhiXDeg/s4608/Courtyard%20garden%20&%20chateau.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB_ApGQlh39vIiGIIttWvZdRV9ucsAJvEZrINbtn5Hn3EiQvKblp6FdnsflYE_1_1zqTluW3zW8qAdZyEXYmNp1vDIeyPUwTgwaIfbs-lgWHznrHYpwIkLjuvmJfWq-UkU2B7nkBKx4byLB1f5V1mQJmtHIKgv96pVH5YbADjXlMNME53xj1BhiXDeg/w640-h480/Courtyard%20garden%20&%20chateau.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chateau from a corner of the courtyard garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekwhqTJhN4vx_ErPo9yLO699tJW93TrytRyIPgZLmIdTLbzr2Bi6pdGduuEJZdWXSlZD9jQ4tGXTltFnBLhkcoa1AwyJ4raEhTXc5fElww-4y2WYVJ1g76PCa3PoRBlrPzVzWTUCdQ1hVSz-F4BDDXWoHEwGDlBijx9dgF1Nguq14r6njdLN9atigsA/w480-h640/Tower%20&%20Moat3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chateau had a moat surrounding it on three sides and the Vezere river on the fourth side.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6goiRJ8hPX-cABllUyfGzLaroY7H6ISn2s0R7z7U4gzGx6gLNQA9pAy1hoISWZ8py_k6NTlajTfvbd3JlEGPUI_BMOe6hT4rUe4TslpxCJRzw8laF7vVt7T5ynIzQ6-KyyiXrLak8smDwV3v1I3XfqQMg4n5jUfE1PBPqQRDppgQ1ASOkGyFNIUmZog/s4608/Door%20knocker.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6goiRJ8hPX-cABllUyfGzLaroY7H6ISn2s0R7z7U4gzGx6gLNQA9pAy1hoISWZ8py_k6NTlajTfvbd3JlEGPUI_BMOe6hT4rUe4TslpxCJRzw8laF7vVt7T5ynIzQ6-KyyiXrLak8smDwV3v1I3XfqQMg4n5jUfE1PBPqQRDppgQ1ASOkGyFNIUmZog/w480-h640/Door%20knocker.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This door knocker may have been adapted from the families coat of arms.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1EoG32hDUSDZjzGAqMNzKLkg9_DyQ1IoAmwyP33IhgU20N96laHKDLX1_OlcLQTxv_TOIq8pe-JC93H9xWJ78c8bKLSlhD5kQGsFSawdlvh1zYkLgMAZ_Cub_9JJwKZiuBsNiZxTgvv2xpLZsx6f1RpoacN6erDkct1mq2heXUIIM9_F0TpxLsexvg/w640-h480/Bedroom1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ornately carved bed was a bit too narrow for our tastes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CNrBy0UZRgRu8ji2z1WQYXxQH3T2QNgqolZzsAFBjMcFvBvGFB-QYjeBpOTjU7UEld7JcLaREuBVIgby9zavx1OVr-gO_4VzA2Cq0pHdX_T_qf4lXyxc2VcH5vZkLiuHH7Ap4V1mWOoe6K7PNaTyI_yRSvJTwMENkKJbzqxVAuijBBIk8F0oJXXAXg/s4608/Desk%20&%20tapestry.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CNrBy0UZRgRu8ji2z1WQYXxQH3T2QNgqolZzsAFBjMcFvBvGFB-QYjeBpOTjU7UEld7JcLaREuBVIgby9zavx1OVr-gO_4VzA2Cq0pHdX_T_qf4lXyxc2VcH5vZkLiuHH7Ap4V1mWOoe6K7PNaTyI_yRSvJTwMENkKJbzqxVAuijBBIk8F0oJXXAXg/w480-h640/Desk%20&%20tapestry.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One noted feature throughout the chateau was the number of tapestries. The one behind the desk is rather small compared to the other ones in the chateau.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpktyybZj96tkmNIcyEFaST2jFb7Cy1u7rB759PX41bpW03U7BWWgD7IFTtX1hP3wdZOtdDy5y5O6hN4qfVdVo_amE-3obQn8WM_-_cvLd9Qnfhkf1EnXL_Jsf0S6KbJ78PbRU3-iOeH1AqtOwDyMxxT_mldcCYTHu6OUsQ1eKXZ9iB386VNJFhRNlA/s4608/Reception%20room.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpktyybZj96tkmNIcyEFaST2jFb7Cy1u7rB759PX41bpW03U7BWWgD7IFTtX1hP3wdZOtdDy5y5O6hN4qfVdVo_amE-3obQn8WM_-_cvLd9Qnfhkf1EnXL_Jsf0S6KbJ78PbRU3-iOeH1AqtOwDyMxxT_mldcCYTHu6OUsQ1eKXZ9iB386VNJFhRNlA/w640-h480/Reception%20room.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reception room featured a capacious fireplace and damask covered chairs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_1ViB2BqYns4XTq9ZWeQ16brHsZqX3RkEnUfBaumIXt9rv7o1L8MXxGY1D1Ly1UEpXBLjikM-CGVDQo3pOrG7LNsxarZCoTC4eECo2wVum-_mprf0eCS_RGvwh42f9ZcBYYP4vozXO3BZJhIBbaSXRo5wC1ozzNK4H0F4-v4n4ET8yJsjKvxtLPieg/s4608/Tapestry1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_1ViB2BqYns4XTq9ZWeQ16brHsZqX3RkEnUfBaumIXt9rv7o1L8MXxGY1D1Ly1UEpXBLjikM-CGVDQo3pOrG7LNsxarZCoTC4eECo2wVum-_mprf0eCS_RGvwh42f9ZcBYYP4vozXO3BZJhIBbaSXRo5wC1ozzNK4H0F4-v4n4ET8yJsjKvxtLPieg/w640-h480/Tapestry1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The following photos will show the number of old tapestries (many in excellent condition) adorning the walls of the chateau.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupEKxye_0HDwf8Mj0FHE0zwSw07IhEm_IDp5hnzoA8fTp4nlzH-vFlKJoF1jcNp5d7Fa0_oyaFA8wSzCpqu92fQAtSk2FMstqztKxQDv51A7U_yPHRWRG_JQR5JJNxRBcIrN4D87-s8FWM8ImxnF0ZlJljlAHUOxX87BbyVTcHfRNB9KhlgyQsx9L3A/s4608/tapestry2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupEKxye_0HDwf8Mj0FHE0zwSw07IhEm_IDp5hnzoA8fTp4nlzH-vFlKJoF1jcNp5d7Fa0_oyaFA8wSzCpqu92fQAtSk2FMstqztKxQDv51A7U_yPHRWRG_JQR5JJNxRBcIrN4D87-s8FWM8ImxnF0ZlJljlAHUOxX87BbyVTcHfRNB9KhlgyQsx9L3A/w640-h480/tapestry2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI4f7NO4mysRvenXGMo-XE3-y5XhVuNtdPQlH3q8_YKnGwIxn41-BNI18ZW7GfuPs5gTzBRgpM0srvgJzyBgclX7osXNGOGlXkHX2C9z9OYWPB_i0s6QcjfErG579t7-65wase3Mk1P4EYPek91h6a07kXVkJaU5pEul6b6DIPqT-TJwohikBfxv9Bg/s4608/Tapestry3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI4f7NO4mysRvenXGMo-XE3-y5XhVuNtdPQlH3q8_YKnGwIxn41-BNI18ZW7GfuPs5gTzBRgpM0srvgJzyBgclX7osXNGOGlXkHX2C9z9OYWPB_i0s6QcjfErG579t7-65wase3Mk1P4EYPek91h6a07kXVkJaU5pEul6b6DIPqT-TJwohikBfxv9Bg/w480-h640/Tapestry3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAtw1Wky6aRgD8JkR_yfqp1SVpiu_-RMhbvUQ-B0EvSaIqmF0kQW-Nzz22MdF80aiUcfldt2wXUsYHuURyxnqdr8dtijhqLgbAz4IVWH52NMxE41ED50tqbEZzzxljcv6FUKcryTT0NX90cABNyzSbQJiljSDQ4slk1zo2G3Fp2r_MPzd98Fvmnzi5A/s4608/Tapestry4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAtw1Wky6aRgD8JkR_yfqp1SVpiu_-RMhbvUQ-B0EvSaIqmF0kQW-Nzz22MdF80aiUcfldt2wXUsYHuURyxnqdr8dtijhqLgbAz4IVWH52NMxE41ED50tqbEZzzxljcv6FUKcryTT0NX90cABNyzSbQJiljSDQ4slk1zo2G3Fp2r_MPzd98Fvmnzi5A/w640-h480/Tapestry4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WLKdKr54alc1IgW1-OotwtC6GkwoTp1Ph6ZuKOq5gEuAaOvrWOgfcw054hQloU3pevZxcoNO8muv7eoQylAtOnN6gbO4L9ep9ZAvnN_N-nhnuYvayjPx04kl1M8dnjxuN2YqyJr_lI9t8fpD9ZzBlnieAUWJvJ-WnAyT3irvw9TF4IUB5N0aziJTkg/s4608/Fountain1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WLKdKr54alc1IgW1-OotwtC6GkwoTp1Ph6ZuKOq5gEuAaOvrWOgfcw054hQloU3pevZxcoNO8muv7eoQylAtOnN6gbO4L9ep9ZAvnN_N-nhnuYvayjPx04kl1M8dnjxuN2YqyJr_lI9t8fpD9ZzBlnieAUWJvJ-WnAyT3irvw9TF4IUB5N0aziJTkg/w640-h480/Fountain1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fountain in the garden...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtOiNbQUiQzHab2eXBJs4i8C8mCAUezCUbV655LosXR2RZqd_SnaG5mDbCaiD1rWS2fPSleBHSwk4LIE8T9t14aVUvqo3B8imBTUz2TQyJaf15RQMEiCtIBmH9taYtUdGj6guBsbeGOPHCt9NNjH6Vfk3fh0TCM9SL8AlFWKns5SQrgCFoxYtxoQt_Q/s4608/Garden%20w.%20gardeners.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtOiNbQUiQzHab2eXBJs4i8C8mCAUezCUbV655LosXR2RZqd_SnaG5mDbCaiD1rWS2fPSleBHSwk4LIE8T9t14aVUvqo3B8imBTUz2TQyJaf15RQMEiCtIBmH9taYtUdGj6guBsbeGOPHCt9NNjH6Vfk3fh0TCM9SL8AlFWKns5SQrgCFoxYtxoQt_Q/w640-h480/Garden%20w.%20gardeners.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and gardeners tending to the gardens around the chateau.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V910h4U-eaFAfh3PqDDpXV7Ejsq_e3s03abFRuMem4QGDcoKci45pg49wuUiH91VryZBXAz1ybT0rAolyWw6UUIw6BDhL7bHmG6bsL0IG3Rt2Vosfw96cpC3yXJ9-oWjGpuTmBrD6e8w5y19rWF1TGPsIns2lvZhMaVsczSNIBrE6y1ur5BhZ5_y4w/s4608/criss%20cross.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V910h4U-eaFAfh3PqDDpXV7Ejsq_e3s03abFRuMem4QGDcoKci45pg49wuUiH91VryZBXAz1ybT0rAolyWw6UUIw6BDhL7bHmG6bsL0IG3Rt2Vosfw96cpC3yXJ9-oWjGpuTmBrD6e8w5y19rWF1TGPsIns2lvZhMaVsczSNIBrE6y1ur5BhZ5_y4w/w640-h480/criss%20cross.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This criss-crossed hedge pattern was one of the more intriguing things in the garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40i2A4V5dUjE3U2OLwct_5yRhQFX3YvhCyx_IyRGcOe16QeN4jaMwbl5C8ROD19T5KZlv0irJED8kA_9vKgaZ9gr9xxFwj-iOcaNer6LCabGLU01__TVYVpdSTTaRnuh55Yh7OaI3Fr4KH6bEgMmtVIN-SPheiaJENeIlcXcD50Pn4KMPFWa9eT01tw/s4608/Vezere%20River%20Flowers1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40i2A4V5dUjE3U2OLwct_5yRhQFX3YvhCyx_IyRGcOe16QeN4jaMwbl5C8ROD19T5KZlv0irJED8kA_9vKgaZ9gr9xxFwj-iOcaNer6LCabGLU01__TVYVpdSTTaRnuh55Yh7OaI3Fr4KH6bEgMmtVIN-SPheiaJENeIlcXcD50Pn4KMPFWa9eT01tw/w640-h480/Vezere%20River%20Flowers1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a better view of the sea grass with flowers that we saw on the Vezere and the Dordogne Rivers.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Back to the Dordogne and the La Roque-Gageac</u></p><p>By now you have noticed that almost every place we have visited or activity we have enjoyed has be on or adjacent to one of the rivers within the Dordogne. La Roque-Gageac is no exception. Settlers have always gravitated to rivers as they provide food, water, transportation and some level of defense. La Roque-Gagneac is much like the Roque Christophe which we visited earlier but where Christophe eventually ceased to shelter a population, La Roque-Gageac has never ceased to support a population from prehistoric times to the present. The town boasts a semitropical microclimate which allows banana trees and other species usually seen in warmer climes to thrive here. We climbed to the fort (I was actually almost getting used to these climbs) but when I saw the additional zillion stairs to explore the fort I rebelled. Michael barely put up a protest. We were wearing down....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC1wv6Ye8esReloAwHdqoMC9FVxGYghUW3WgdWYhHl3VLIZp3asDKOzM8ZVV00D3gLQlvNH_gb_SdQ1azJ_cI4uj3bI7ggtZtS_nOiKiILRVVlQya76i6d-AqRXlOB1QtgZRosMMC_WYnE2J7EeUzMyTesP1N0pI-d0BLcaKha-Im2oP47_auXw2Uqg/s4608/LRG%20DSS%20pointing%20to%20stairs.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC1wv6Ye8esReloAwHdqoMC9FVxGYghUW3WgdWYhHl3VLIZp3asDKOzM8ZVV00D3gLQlvNH_gb_SdQ1azJ_cI4uj3bI7ggtZtS_nOiKiILRVVlQya76i6d-AqRXlOB1QtgZRosMMC_WYnE2J7EeUzMyTesP1N0pI-d0BLcaKha-Im2oP47_auXw2Uqg/w640-h480/LRG%20DSS%20pointing%20to%20stairs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see Deirdre's finger pointing the the stairs in the lower right of the photo. She is saying "No way am I going to climb those stairs."</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqfO4-zMvlROuj0730tEf8r2WUvqhLJW4DTEez-BkL_djHMPDGOJMkDpgmGCYusW__VlxRAzRiAJERvIh3uhzVK-wEI8bHTsuhe4yb3xuFRUv4OzzlpFg3mY8D6X7exUfg1yp3fpX4I_dx567MrMn9aePEZA_oclBH3Pa3sWj5LQsEXr25hmfXd5PbA/s4608/LRG2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqfO4-zMvlROuj0730tEf8r2WUvqhLJW4DTEez-BkL_djHMPDGOJMkDpgmGCYusW__VlxRAzRiAJERvIh3uhzVK-wEI8bHTsuhe4yb3xuFRUv4OzzlpFg3mY8D6X7exUfg1yp3fpX4I_dx567MrMn9aePEZA_oclBH3Pa3sWj5LQsEXr25hmfXd5PbA/w640-h480/LRG2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The limestone cliff not only needed these supports, but the wire mesh was put in place to prevent the rocks from falling on the houses and villagers below.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMU1-m0Q0ulsWNNYxtNMQF5U6jJLT268o9fe96DeWkZJjOs_faztIXoJRwiEa9dOZb2oOmdRrma9V0Qp3DfPfupZGRStrhPNvGrcmuhQ07IQo9o8WxscO6Qg7aHBjTPuC9AQ0pDPuLW814LR-Jej3n4HDQ1jiX6hsSAnS06V1KK23lucaGWcOsxWJWg/s4608/LRG1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMU1-m0Q0ulsWNNYxtNMQF5U6jJLT268o9fe96DeWkZJjOs_faztIXoJRwiEa9dOZb2oOmdRrma9V0Qp3DfPfupZGRStrhPNvGrcmuhQ07IQo9o8WxscO6Qg7aHBjTPuC9AQ0pDPuLW814LR-Jej3n4HDQ1jiX6hsSAnS06V1KK23lucaGWcOsxWJWg/w640-h480/LRG1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This church...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbb-0hqHfOx-yKEKt2SdBedMAkbdJZAbBtUQGTKaYAvrMoZOV7gG1TGzrQjdMDG35Fp70_GWHlBRkKXhYmIG4icxHoeoQkMClu8GokqRBS4-NwO34x0ink8rXgFLJf6clbK-ADV2j5Bjkd3OXBGRH3xGtdSTdJllnqXZTqrmF5BbN913vxPVf73zQjw/s4608/LRG3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbb-0hqHfOx-yKEKt2SdBedMAkbdJZAbBtUQGTKaYAvrMoZOV7gG1TGzrQjdMDG35Fp70_GWHlBRkKXhYmIG4icxHoeoQkMClu8GokqRBS4-NwO34x0ink8rXgFLJf6clbK-ADV2j5Bjkd3OXBGRH3xGtdSTdJllnqXZTqrmF5BbN913vxPVf73zQjw/w640-h480/LRG3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and these buildings and houses were well below the wire mesh.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMWnz7tp9WcPOqWL-LgJ5xSP7g55GNpAGz5MTO7IaAg8yS5o8ozuNfgWVvoFkpVciTzbRH7kKTxoYfRHqVrvpWOzNmlAsGSyAaLvCxYFCBWznZ_NCPzTQSCObEI9MijzXLJx5waPYGeDkHpJnbbxEBopUFvDPYOBmNAlYJgTtHu_Cq6ZCwVBqCSiPCg/s4608/LRG%20Church%20Ext..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMWnz7tp9WcPOqWL-LgJ5xSP7g55GNpAGz5MTO7IaAg8yS5o8ozuNfgWVvoFkpVciTzbRH7kKTxoYfRHqVrvpWOzNmlAsGSyAaLvCxYFCBWznZ_NCPzTQSCObEI9MijzXLJx5waPYGeDkHpJnbbxEBopUFvDPYOBmNAlYJgTtHu_Cq6ZCwVBqCSiPCg/w480-h640/LRG%20Church%20Ext..jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though the church was small, it had a bell tower...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQMXqaCML4KfXB3O1_mS_-1AOr0rrDklOPANgtzVK6YwAIfpqUPq_ECd0Z3xNL1IsyApp6qAG226aggHuNl5gAXJJxra13NYcKOq8ZRGOAmTh6ldgbyR_7yVsIf_5ni7RFWMfsEaZv2dFZx5WkASH8krCS6zTR6Xv8uhTWXjzKqE6gc-cWKdRK-8Lwg/s4608/LRG%20Church%20Int.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQMXqaCML4KfXB3O1_mS_-1AOr0rrDklOPANgtzVK6YwAIfpqUPq_ECd0Z3xNL1IsyApp6qAG226aggHuNl5gAXJJxra13NYcKOq8ZRGOAmTh6ldgbyR_7yVsIf_5ni7RFWMfsEaZv2dFZx5WkASH8krCS6zTR6Xv8uhTWXjzKqE6gc-cWKdRK-8Lwg/w480-h640/LRG%20Church%20Int.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the arched inside was quite charming.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OnQ4t4ebRsQA3KDqjvhY0wfZPlqkbgIv3hogGgjWp1OFQBLUo8rZKxqR4ieIC__5Qn-qIFZ74qjJM7QsfGiD2UyjvyUza7YSpnqzee_3UZYEo0-Jr_aPq8F9npMBnHRT7eKIejm470xYWWDIFpWwGKAik_qEC5ILDwYmfC7yExVYktIw9HUnClQv0g/s4608/LRG%20Crown%20Flowers2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OnQ4t4ebRsQA3KDqjvhY0wfZPlqkbgIv3hogGgjWp1OFQBLUo8rZKxqR4ieIC__5Qn-qIFZ74qjJM7QsfGiD2UyjvyUza7YSpnqzee_3UZYEo0-Jr_aPq8F9npMBnHRT7eKIejm470xYWWDIFpWwGKAik_qEC5ILDwYmfC7yExVYktIw9HUnClQv0g/w640-h480/LRG%20Crown%20Flowers2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because the town is protected by the cliff and is south facing, many interesting flora thrives here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0RaniMFcLbW5FulVtnZRgRSVxFdjmKIzIpcUmuco5bUizve0JjJZ4-gNhC7LzejNBUp5Wj_rUwg2_iFVkNurD2wfkwwYRwOuY_UDe1uQ4uWdcW-Tq_1rfI7TDPdgB7eOf9HmjColU_4NYbyzePdYPpkxsdvzeFK20xliQFYyBQ24S2I_iTStFJF_ag/s4608/LRG%20Flora2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0RaniMFcLbW5FulVtnZRgRSVxFdjmKIzIpcUmuco5bUizve0JjJZ4-gNhC7LzejNBUp5Wj_rUwg2_iFVkNurD2wfkwwYRwOuY_UDe1uQ4uWdcW-Tq_1rfI7TDPdgB7eOf9HmjColU_4NYbyzePdYPpkxsdvzeFK20xliQFYyBQ24S2I_iTStFJF_ag/w480-h640/LRG%20Flora2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of these plants would not be out of place in Mexico.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jrqcHozcDpQKU0I8RQsVCx36Ab8VmVQP0yTtL8BrUJ2kU3lksjVCPp_G0JshWHOdHsQ9_Zter0-IvybnGgciECQjsEFM8IAg4DP16XEzZBfLXZiMPCvf5b-cXYlkffFT2R9TE2TFP2TTUTuUTjIBTojoUm4d5t6DZKA7y0ESes_GwP-mIrg6vfEMvg/s4608/LRG%20Flora5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jrqcHozcDpQKU0I8RQsVCx36Ab8VmVQP0yTtL8BrUJ2kU3lksjVCPp_G0JshWHOdHsQ9_Zter0-IvybnGgciECQjsEFM8IAg4DP16XEzZBfLXZiMPCvf5b-cXYlkffFT2R9TE2TFP2TTUTuUTjIBTojoUm4d5t6DZKA7y0ESes_GwP-mIrg6vfEMvg/w640-h480/LRG%20Flora5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmOe8aMv-qRaA-lZnpqsRhZMcXLO9cpBmqCbzrON2H0tyzQeJJ_NhWsWlKVtuZFScjzx5eecaNH_PQMHOoQqUxgONHfZcG_lNJKbcyP3XcpZrIslumC-7lYnFd7TLKY5wf1QzsNNfOtUzL44Ha4QqK6i-zHfdLGp9vO2en1-dO_XI8HUMDKZ43blGog/s4608/LRG%20Store.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmOe8aMv-qRaA-lZnpqsRhZMcXLO9cpBmqCbzrON2H0tyzQeJJ_NhWsWlKVtuZFScjzx5eecaNH_PQMHOoQqUxgONHfZcG_lNJKbcyP3XcpZrIslumC-7lYnFd7TLKY5wf1QzsNNfOtUzL44Ha4QqK6i-zHfdLGp9vO2en1-dO_XI8HUMDKZ43blGog/w640-h480/LRG%20Store.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This store was built into the cliff face, with the limestone cliff as the back wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxoNOMI6BMV3mabGhRas-x7JX5TZsV514AWbeO4AgViVPfGJHxh-06zqolJIOBQhgRVoYPt6xYpgNJ4udSLoxn_ZnAV4yMPycsThV2G1XaEtJFWLnIeEIWQbWf5euMBwlWhVkWxdFVghylzK_xvlu2VNJ2QvN10wmVzZe1Ksm9rlcLxUHiJnY5wwo-Q/s4608/Dordogne%20view%20from%20high%20point1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxoNOMI6BMV3mabGhRas-x7JX5TZsV514AWbeO4AgViVPfGJHxh-06zqolJIOBQhgRVoYPt6xYpgNJ4udSLoxn_ZnAV4yMPycsThV2G1XaEtJFWLnIeEIWQbWf5euMBwlWhVkWxdFVghylzK_xvlu2VNJ2QvN10wmVzZe1Ksm9rlcLxUHiJnY5wwo-Q/w640-h480/Dordogne%20view%20from%20high%20point1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hiked up higher on a path which took me above the slightly lower part of the town in order to capture this photo of the river...</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u><br /></u></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibIDkD6QASdVM4sXbsmrZTkXKDkXXDW1Md4l-QqJ754qF5Y25mcJhcE44jEGYCcyp-MSpW0-7b_4xYK7brLgYSjP32hEiwg_gCUTjWh73UHS2osRimadODP72AJ6iljjxR4BVFbeXhj-rV0-3fWkdYJTofIn43Q3fY8imY0nusthgeUf6butHmqbgUw/s4608/LRG%20-%20Castlenaud.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibIDkD6QASdVM4sXbsmrZTkXKDkXXDW1Md4l-QqJ754qF5Y25mcJhcE44jEGYCcyp-MSpW0-7b_4xYK7brLgYSjP32hEiwg_gCUTjWh73UHS2osRimadODP72AJ6iljjxR4BVFbeXhj-rV0-3fWkdYJTofIn43Q3fY8imY0nusthgeUf6butHmqbgUw/w640-h480/LRG%20-%20Castlenaud.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Castlenaud in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u><br /></u></p><p><u> Down but Not Dead Yet</u></p><p>The next blog takes place (mostly) on dry land. We will spend an afternoon with wild boars, visit a major Buddhist Retreat, drop into Brantome (absolutely the most beautiful of all the beautiful villages) and Terrasson and end with a kayak down the Dordogne. We'll finish up with our quick trip to Madrid. So, hang in there. We're on the home stretch.....</p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-45631777887812587572022-06-06T17:09:00.000-05:002022-06-06T17:09:02.990-05:00A Grotte, A Bastide, Some Cabanes and Strawberries<p> This is a rather eclectic blog featuring geology, gastronomy and construction oddities. So, read on.</p><p><u>The Grotte de Rouffignac -- or the Cave of a Hundred Mammoths</u></p><p>"Why are we going to this place," Michael asked. "I actually can't remember," I said. "I've planned so many places I can't remember why it would be memorable but I'm sure it will be...for something." Turned out I was right. We got to the Grotte and were informed that we had to wait for the next tour which would be conducted on a small electric train. Yeah! No more walking in dark, slippery caves. Michael was not allowed to take any pictures in the cave so we'll have to get by with a shot of the entrance and my attempts at description. To see just a few of the cave drawings you can link to: <a href="http://www.grottederouffignac.fr/index.php/fr/visite-guidee">http://www.grottederouffignac.fr/index.php/fr/visite-guidee</a></p><p>The images in the cave date back to the Upper Paleolithic Period 13,000 years ago. One would assume that the cave was used as a dwelling (well, it was for bears) but humans, it is believed, used it as a sacred site. This makes sense because the cave is 8 kilometers deep and dragging dead animals and firewood etc. down to where the illustrations are would have been impractical -- not to mention exhausting. Within the cave there are 158 drawings of Mammoths. This is rare because in most cave drawings horses and bison are depicted. It is also unusual because very few Mammoth bones have been found in the area. But, if you think about it, there is more interest usually in portraying the unusual than the common place. In addition to already mentioned beasts, the walls and ceilings held depictions of ibex and even a rhinoceros. I never realized rhinos lived in France but hey, live and learn. Another fun fact. When bears hibernate their claws grow dull. They used the walls to sharpen them leaving significant indentations. They were big suckers.</p><p>You might ask why we didn't go to Lascaux -- the most famous prehistoric cave. The answer is we did that 20 years ago with our sons. At the end of the tour one son said,"I would have gotten more out of that if the guide spoke English." I told him the guide WAS speaking English but his accent was so heavy it sounded almost exactly like French. Same at this cave when the French speaking guide would take pity on us and speak "sort of"English. He was sweet though. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSh9In64h2ZRO92W0Y7nvdHNayk10j8uFWJUp58DdqNUOIq2vwLeWgfVyHqmMXRVAylVEmwUqGEIe-A9ur07RYEwsm3uneoG8Xj1KNX-D_4eMmNuICUsQmHDQnHgpT1WULfd5KBLWor3kSQvpAMTIAArNJw0foay_f9h7vWNYf4epoooK9DWwZ7Vovew/s4608/Grotte%20Rouffignac%20Entrance1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSh9In64h2ZRO92W0Y7nvdHNayk10j8uFWJUp58DdqNUOIq2vwLeWgfVyHqmMXRVAylVEmwUqGEIe-A9ur07RYEwsm3uneoG8Xj1KNX-D_4eMmNuICUsQmHDQnHgpT1WULfd5KBLWor3kSQvpAMTIAArNJw0foay_f9h7vWNYf4epoooK9DWwZ7Vovew/w640-h480/Grotte%20Rouffignac%20Entrance1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Grotte...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZLpUwtE1VV_UiGbl0fVzJrSmgEjHZWCRbowj-ItOlKDXpn50CFE8BFt3iOfhcW37PGuI9HCgu6raK115_fxdYVrwg5kFAWWRyMoOEwTwAhYnCFCgEBO-74ccMSUwvQGOvUAMwmMD1ozLmuMOMu6yiK8BFI7Ck7ISYQS68h1vNWF9tKUNEsHBDn4Hig/s4608/Grotte%20Rouffignac%20Ext..jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZLpUwtE1VV_UiGbl0fVzJrSmgEjHZWCRbowj-ItOlKDXpn50CFE8BFt3iOfhcW37PGuI9HCgu6raK115_fxdYVrwg5kFAWWRyMoOEwTwAhYnCFCgEBO-74ccMSUwvQGOvUAMwmMD1ozLmuMOMu6yiK8BFI7Ck7ISYQS68h1vNWF9tKUNEsHBDn4Hig/w640-h480/Grotte%20Rouffignac%20Ext..jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the outline of a Mastodon outside the entrance to portend what lies within.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>Domme - A Bastide Town and Delicious </u></p><p>A bastide is a town built for defense. Unlike the Castle/Forts it is usually just a town. It is usually built on a hill and laid out to maximize the defensive posture. Domme is not only a bastide town but also has a large cave under the town which, I guess, offered redundancy. Once we arrived in Domme we looked at each other and said, "Another cave, really? Let's just go have a long, leisurely lunch." Agreed. Now we almost never post photos of food. However... this was the best meal we had in France. And that is saying something. We just wandered into this restaurant where two typically French post middle aged women were wearing the floral apron things they love and they scooted us over to a table and lavished magnificent food upon us. After indulging excessively we waddled up the hill to the Belvedere to take in the wandering Dordogne River and surroundings. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWRF9eDsAgsqI8yQL7CzGa6ZIYx1FhOKWap5pn2BPrUV_DcREifPF59cmI2TGQLne7s1ALN41Az7cLExistjQZ77bmARO-lHzhI2tpUMTDJufPfP1WpqWppLeryBeEskAWnmMtlgTP30EdjbwMPcJxhlLP0FUbQl20G-DEkU3kvWZYTl-tu7SmquPQg/s4578/Domme%20Wall.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4578" data-original-width="3434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWRF9eDsAgsqI8yQL7CzGa6ZIYx1FhOKWap5pn2BPrUV_DcREifPF59cmI2TGQLne7s1ALN41Az7cLExistjQZ77bmARO-lHzhI2tpUMTDJufPfP1WpqWppLeryBeEskAWnmMtlgTP30EdjbwMPcJxhlLP0FUbQl20G-DEkU3kvWZYTl-tu7SmquPQg/w480-h640/Domme%20Wall.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domme was an old walled town...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMuDm-Cx_g4YLFw8JKyywmT3HRXxo6p9piBw7nhdOf_B3A50bqDydo5eX5uywg5XVZk5RxoeD1m_DoT2vu6bd2Cv8pj2rwuURK-s6sVZhKEhIYc9mgEULa4-2Gfo7I0p0QMDP_K462zRcn1f9oB6j7ZlYIyYkU1vqurtDfja1vGdHkYNozMtzFhrraQ/s4608/Domme%20Castle2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMuDm-Cx_g4YLFw8JKyywmT3HRXxo6p9piBw7nhdOf_B3A50bqDydo5eX5uywg5XVZk5RxoeD1m_DoT2vu6bd2Cv8pj2rwuURK-s6sVZhKEhIYc9mgEULa4-2Gfo7I0p0QMDP_K462zRcn1f9oB6j7ZlYIyYkU1vqurtDfja1vGdHkYNozMtzFhrraQ/w640-h480/Domme%20Castle2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with a large chateau...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP_coEAqAZviojlaIaqCJCjTZiDtvlb7--LyTBSmYmsVS7gdwteoGZQOSBLVkcgbpYuNRW-saVaB6iNkSWfvhsIJV9cdbVImbtdL2PTQFa-QtRta2Op6E8HMUe6tTe1HVHB7Lfmi186bEdNQCKUMpQjCYC7F4Ri_yNMildjo6YijTD6MH5_751eXU9w/s4608/Domme%20Sun%20Dial.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP_coEAqAZviojlaIaqCJCjTZiDtvlb7--LyTBSmYmsVS7gdwteoGZQOSBLVkcgbpYuNRW-saVaB6iNkSWfvhsIJV9cdbVImbtdL2PTQFa-QtRta2Op6E8HMUe6tTe1HVHB7Lfmi186bEdNQCKUMpQjCYC7F4Ri_yNMildjo6YijTD6MH5_751eXU9w/w480-h640/Domme%20Sun%20Dial.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and (as we saw in other medieval towns) a sundial mounted on the wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rX38TODd-Zuj4yLw3gLuBDqrn6DXubW2skyvrTv0UcGqWNUV18EnApQpVhE9X0305cL1DqqdYBcF4nKd_R9GO19m0yFe9wnOS7-XTmds3oohNPXuGrQXE9Y5zLDNpmE1RO7vS1x6gZFjcrBxh-KN4q7VF37tIB-hQCzE8g3xjPb9xSwiwO9OGQLwDQ/s4608/Domme%20Door.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rX38TODd-Zuj4yLw3gLuBDqrn6DXubW2skyvrTv0UcGqWNUV18EnApQpVhE9X0305cL1DqqdYBcF4nKd_R9GO19m0yFe9wnOS7-XTmds3oohNPXuGrQXE9Y5zLDNpmE1RO7vS1x6gZFjcrBxh-KN4q7VF37tIB-hQCzE8g3xjPb9xSwiwO9OGQLwDQ/w480-h640/Domme%20Door.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old door with its numbered location caught our eye as we strolled through Domme.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y41O7m9iOwVl9QXdQqFBPxQ8sYHthTd-Dip75r56_vds32wGJBzyuChZyLTN__hyXWFu32NA5Bl_mcbCrUPn1uqg47gTD_p5qeuOi2mzNuKjhC7DJUTLp40-BVR7dQLKAWYvb6lcaDCP5MsjoRfE2ULn8hK_UxY_Pz69pG5qJ-Yp4Hc1LORZjE7row/s1024/Domme%20Food1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y41O7m9iOwVl9QXdQqFBPxQ8sYHthTd-Dip75r56_vds32wGJBzyuChZyLTN__hyXWFu32NA5Bl_mcbCrUPn1uqg47gTD_p5qeuOi2mzNuKjhC7DJUTLp40-BVR7dQLKAWYvb6lcaDCP5MsjoRfE2ULn8hK_UxY_Pz69pG5qJ-Yp4Hc1LORZjE7row/w640-h480/Domme%20Food1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not only was the food delicious...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadNgZvLYI-3w2lKbaRa5vZJG1L7vY-gOIyi-mARfkhcuenYL73aVuo-AnSgAoDM-Cq1lvdnlY6iQYl51sR9D-Oxd2EwY4pQJLyU3RjpQ5bvZrjK5G6P9ttjOoKR0r3aGJ8Lvl6GVApLVP-aryFgtoajmpH5S0bX6MIpmSFlxHtyvYUrWOtcJXHzuD2g/s1024/Domme%20Food2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadNgZvLYI-3w2lKbaRa5vZJG1L7vY-gOIyi-mARfkhcuenYL73aVuo-AnSgAoDM-Cq1lvdnlY6iQYl51sR9D-Oxd2EwY4pQJLyU3RjpQ5bvZrjK5G6P9ttjOoKR0r3aGJ8Lvl6GVApLVP-aryFgtoajmpH5S0bX6MIpmSFlxHtyvYUrWOtcJXHzuD2g/w640-h480/Domme%20Food2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but its presentation was equally impressive,...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_kE1iChRvQkdxEMkCAN6g8PGSTvx85L3VsGOYrFtO1Ep2W4vKuLvO8Zm6aRmq6UGhus6wAkCWQdZb0qKRxUW2xwt71YmR4--KXLpkIX0wNIDVJWJ_T469T-C_cPSYa7OZ87rPQecHpcBGbw8mxIoY0zrrYsb55y6Y7KrWWVIVlyoxribeCTE5V_SPw/s1024/Domme%20Dessert.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_kE1iChRvQkdxEMkCAN6g8PGSTvx85L3VsGOYrFtO1Ep2W4vKuLvO8Zm6aRmq6UGhus6wAkCWQdZb0qKRxUW2xwt71YmR4--KXLpkIX0wNIDVJWJ_T469T-C_cPSYa7OZ87rPQecHpcBGbw8mxIoY0zrrYsb55y6Y7KrWWVIVlyoxribeCTE5V_SPw/w640-h480/Domme%20Dessert.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">especially the dessert.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lHlGUBU4ENiWSNEnwvsfeWo8UuGAenXk9Beyl28y0PxmZo7h9Qz-ZPM2jkj1EeTRtRH6YQPHxck627-tWQi-JuB6zfH4Sf-gTllCu6r2jDTslDoTUjBdmS9LngXWn9-K0tXOLSRYCGzSMBL00NB8zY80QhvDjuT5xVhffi-8OsbAGPohAd_GZyaNkA/s4608/Domme%20View2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lHlGUBU4ENiWSNEnwvsfeWo8UuGAenXk9Beyl28y0PxmZo7h9Qz-ZPM2jkj1EeTRtRH6YQPHxck627-tWQi-JuB6zfH4Sf-gTllCu6r2jDTslDoTUjBdmS9LngXWn9-K0tXOLSRYCGzSMBL00NB8zY80QhvDjuT5xVhffi-8OsbAGPohAd_GZyaNkA/w640-h480/Domme%20View2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views of the French countryside from the belvedere were amazing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4WjFV22hnMBJrgGtZYBw3H48E_ecqmkRB2qb63ILop9Cbw1KWxndF6Bo22-ZxNK_sw0TdtggRRL7IK4F5Xx32QPCJQajWPbLZFo5L0F5z9udpsQGrXpx4nJuzcOnAAYOkVI9ClebfRsxXdjyhko8CJ_KsSIu-Z37tW3gngpgKZcE0ccHl8yNEjsocQ/s4608/Domme%20Views1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4WjFV22hnMBJrgGtZYBw3H48E_ecqmkRB2qb63ILop9Cbw1KWxndF6Bo22-ZxNK_sw0TdtggRRL7IK4F5Xx32QPCJQajWPbLZFo5L0F5z9udpsQGrXpx4nJuzcOnAAYOkVI9ClebfRsxXdjyhko8CJ_KsSIu-Z37tW3gngpgKZcE0ccHl8yNEjsocQ/w640-h480/Domme%20Views1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRFMm2-vSW1OR3rMEfUp67A6QwTlGfXfw5tKwF6TYDu3xCSfGDtuc0Njs_ZIIC7aewHuARwDiQBOP-mRuds4uycUi8yG7vgbhP5Fh0auSZ_LlftG428Iah6FEeN_0NWY5PvC1f2n2lTMd7cHf97lSLOCsB5nTpk9cAdmYiVGdez2Y4jjS-cj7ODplsA/s4608/Sanglier%20w.%20mask.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRFMm2-vSW1OR3rMEfUp67A6QwTlGfXfw5tKwF6TYDu3xCSfGDtuc0Njs_ZIIC7aewHuARwDiQBOP-mRuds4uycUi8yG7vgbhP5Fh0auSZ_LlftG428Iah6FEeN_0NWY5PvC1f2n2lTMd7cHf97lSLOCsB5nTpk9cAdmYiVGdez2Y4jjS-cj7ODplsA/w640-h480/Sanglier%20w.%20mask.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French may not have been masked, but this sanglier (wild boar) was as we passed this shop.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>The Cabanes de Breuil</u></p><p>Throughout southern Europe there are these strange little stone cabins often called bories. They are round, small, constructed entirely of stone using no mortar. They were often used for shepherds, or workers who may have needed shelter from the elements. Today, many have been added on to and converted into houses in Southern Italy or, in their original form used as storage sheds or chicken coops etc. We decided to go and visit an unusual cluster of the Cabanes located near our gite.</p><p>The date of their initial construction is not clear but the attendant said they believe they were first built in the 1200's and rebuilt over and over during the ensuing centuries. In the 1400's the Benedictine Monks acquired them from the Bishop of Sarlat. After that, things become very vague. Today they are owned by a family which runs a farm (sheep, chickens and grain I think) on which the cabanes are found. As you can tell from our previous posts the #1 concern in this area over the centuries was defense. The Cabanes are the only significant medieval habitation known to NOT have any defensive methods. Maybe the monks didn't think it was necessary. Anyway, they are interesting so we thought you might like to see some shots.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XbpLjmSCjtbpKJuO33DUwjwZeONsUXTg-_7qB21wJe_CWa529NFX-Eq0jappYvdBwNo8S2TZOwqkjB3Z9tbZxDGXjRgYqP1v_YswSJ-s-Rpksn5Dg7i88kTvQt9atewihqM6bQDrCIKy4Su8lqboSUqPsFzYEoSBwoTaPKudJiyTSeVWnd9L5zBMOg/s4608/BC%20ofi2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XbpLjmSCjtbpKJuO33DUwjwZeONsUXTg-_7qB21wJe_CWa529NFX-Eq0jappYvdBwNo8S2TZOwqkjB3Z9tbZxDGXjRgYqP1v_YswSJ-s-Rpksn5Dg7i88kTvQt9atewihqM6bQDrCIKy4Su8lqboSUqPsFzYEoSBwoTaPKudJiyTSeVWnd9L5zBMOg/w640-h480/BC%20ofi2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we first entered the area we encountered a lot of old farm equipment...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqV73dLtjIUuIqLHX-mSTsy8ag8J0JQfx1ZLEKCEC0yb_E-9dlPEBxZ6KIbh4opgH_ybRCmW6_yL6P-eEzq5_yu7-Fsi-tiLVrYp_b4Uzxg7tgHxG6Ycwk67sLYXv5GZvN9qe8y6EuDDYVxlGcxZU5wQb3cJ0mpuyrNnodqFD-djCoYg1bv0BEf_6YA/s4608/BCofi4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqV73dLtjIUuIqLHX-mSTsy8ag8J0JQfx1ZLEKCEC0yb_E-9dlPEBxZ6KIbh4opgH_ybRCmW6_yL6P-eEzq5_yu7-Fsi-tiLVrYp_b4Uzxg7tgHxG6Ycwk67sLYXv5GZvN9qe8y6EuDDYVxlGcxZU5wQb3cJ0mpuyrNnodqFD-djCoYg1bv0BEf_6YA/w640-h480/BCofi4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like this harrow</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJkqICi_H2xgpK2MwyO00-doGnL1kDkyMjD4e_aQyA9AUw2CjXHNrVI5ulGNRMkcEF9GUxpjY3Ondx3Iz-_H-ll_h5prUfEco7h0ve7xvEocUemmtOkXtLOvjgNKi7UKTtdtY1da30f5NxMsYVPuYPc47OlcMUTTD6HbJ-R4z2FE4Y7j5owbln4lWCw/s4608/BC%20ofi7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJkqICi_H2xgpK2MwyO00-doGnL1kDkyMjD4e_aQyA9AUw2CjXHNrVI5ulGNRMkcEF9GUxpjY3Ondx3Iz-_H-ll_h5prUfEco7h0ve7xvEocUemmtOkXtLOvjgNKi7UKTtdtY1da30f5NxMsYVPuYPc47OlcMUTTD6HbJ-R4z2FE4Y7j5owbln4lWCw/w640-h480/BC%20ofi7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this old tractor...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-27EBTTaEbCGpHXmBJn9jP5ezJD2j8i_4LPrWt4CQnHXNnPxY5yXXvuZ8C1BN3hzJhIfebUY3pNahle70rnIsx2H1nrxL7o5I1HDlBp4lAbw4d7ZVqJEo7UlMAkyj4FohbAimEu5Bc6K3bkoeKNBUP4b00ioFbc1xbZDAR3PILGTljImQ-yo5svBPQ/s4608/BC%20FMI%20pommes%20de%20terre.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-27EBTTaEbCGpHXmBJn9jP5ezJD2j8i_4LPrWt4CQnHXNnPxY5yXXvuZ8C1BN3hzJhIfebUY3pNahle70rnIsx2H1nrxL7o5I1HDlBp4lAbw4d7ZVqJEo7UlMAkyj4FohbAimEu5Bc6K3bkoeKNBUP4b00ioFbc1xbZDAR3PILGTljImQ-yo5svBPQ/w640-h480/BC%20FMI%20pommes%20de%20terre.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this device to dig up potatoes...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt2HK2x-xBeM9XsYyCsrwKMYDSK9ATexqtFsXU-l0zqTPdRygw1o51okb4Spc5CjoGtCFpeQGzX6gTSSwaVUZwzPwnRd6zEutg28FBLyWVUmuTEkui4yqc0XxLiG_Y14AM9uHPngvDl4dtEjGBqctGPVAU8tun_EYawpAwyXOiSlg8hYGBEwyanNTdg/s4608/BC%20ofi3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt2HK2x-xBeM9XsYyCsrwKMYDSK9ATexqtFsXU-l0zqTPdRygw1o51okb4Spc5CjoGtCFpeQGzX6gTSSwaVUZwzPwnRd6zEutg28FBLyWVUmuTEkui4yqc0XxLiG_Y14AM9uHPngvDl4dtEjGBqctGPVAU8tun_EYawpAwyXOiSlg8hYGBEwyanNTdg/w640-h480/BC%20ofi3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this device which according to the sign was used to cut up beets to feed to the pigs.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32QzVGKRZoa1p7KJ07FHuMyYNVFRad3xto7DbwUVOBRjN8rjRbGX8NpoSneUqaYRvrcTDj47INL8yps6pEdqrQy9naP3fBiuN1_fxvUnMGL7SYurMNQKt5GAN7HKevODAvIC93KQ2T4M7Dy04FjnCd7dmaYd0t00BLdoWeiih_RzQDl4NK7n_3kgjfQ/s4608/BC%20Cabanes1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32QzVGKRZoa1p7KJ07FHuMyYNVFRad3xto7DbwUVOBRjN8rjRbGX8NpoSneUqaYRvrcTDj47INL8yps6pEdqrQy9naP3fBiuN1_fxvUnMGL7SYurMNQKt5GAN7HKevODAvIC93KQ2T4M7Dy04FjnCd7dmaYd0t00BLdoWeiih_RzQDl4NK7n_3kgjfQ/w640-h480/BC%20Cabanes1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the old farm implements, we finally got our first site of the cabanes.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNdWnkmNr_QGNaoudHFMfHgOdrvpe023CZV4hztmJk8Pw4mq0sbCLdhWUnB94EZCDt93V4E3F-4BUz3VWjbz54yHd9xLehe4WTpajbL52wLA8O8E94Wru4X5dGrebCXYnum2ldJJFZewgLoJM_EnC381iUJ5Tr6xZ-emYQ6zVoY_oDkI4WV-VIiiMOw/s4608/BC%20Cabanes4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNdWnkmNr_QGNaoudHFMfHgOdrvpe023CZV4hztmJk8Pw4mq0sbCLdhWUnB94EZCDt93V4E3F-4BUz3VWjbz54yHd9xLehe4WTpajbL52wLA8O8E94Wru4X5dGrebCXYnum2ldJJFZewgLoJM_EnC381iUJ5Tr6xZ-emYQ6zVoY_oDkI4WV-VIiiMOw/w640-h480/BC%20Cabanes4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather than being a small cabane, the cabanes pictured in these two photos formed a whole house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaFiPVeSq35QPHDy_aV4XZwTMiGdA9JrWbGmyaw57BwZUM7Mb_lX1pGOq4ho4uKiaXY2Wvc7HeIeqrOvaADEWywiqOx-UH94Gnw6HwmiWCWJdFycE1nFALQsHhtGpkAeBn0y_Q8D8wskVBpxlhSIAvkVEag9XE5-ao-_LbYB_LMeMZjtpqhn0y6MLcQ/s4608/BC%20Cabanes5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaFiPVeSq35QPHDy_aV4XZwTMiGdA9JrWbGmyaw57BwZUM7Mb_lX1pGOq4ho4uKiaXY2Wvc7HeIeqrOvaADEWywiqOx-UH94Gnw6HwmiWCWJdFycE1nFALQsHhtGpkAeBn0y_Q8D8wskVBpxlhSIAvkVEag9XE5-ao-_LbYB_LMeMZjtpqhn0y6MLcQ/w640-h480/BC%20Cabanes5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UyGPiBUp7nIYF0CuHlsKCCNwW__6q3T-Ywdn6Hp0TacipBODLlRuZu3v6yQlIQOG28zZBfchovaiVwxQaA4-0mJk3duS6ZUQUf1Y685t3koHyfTzOsYGoJr_SWv0zDGPUhzLH8_esA5Lp1mh8e5lOn4WEuItVoAS3zl4TPxcwDY7kIL4NMNGsSa5vg/s4608/BC%20DSS%20@%20Cabane.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UyGPiBUp7nIYF0CuHlsKCCNwW__6q3T-Ywdn6Hp0TacipBODLlRuZu3v6yQlIQOG28zZBfchovaiVwxQaA4-0mJk3duS6ZUQUf1Y685t3koHyfTzOsYGoJr_SWv0zDGPUhzLH8_esA5Lp1mh8e5lOn4WEuItVoAS3zl4TPxcwDY7kIL4NMNGsSa5vg/w480-h640/BC%20DSS%20@%20Cabane.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre is standing in front of one of the more traditional smaller cabanes...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1OqjktZ3bawZNutrrPc_lCMdJCNuCDPHrg8aaIfDOPCsusNSKeMGc6eOCHZ7Z_77v93Mr1UVAl5Pt2RLuBOxY_gVRurHTpBv80keBuS_LY3xnl3Z2ny5KO4mT5MdkYgOsuyX4yabw_g_iFE5lpWezLDRXnkMkZR6PIMJjLaHdSeR8bswcKlgOTisBQ/s4608/BC%20Cabane%20Int%20Dome.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1OqjktZ3bawZNutrrPc_lCMdJCNuCDPHrg8aaIfDOPCsusNSKeMGc6eOCHZ7Z_77v93Mr1UVAl5Pt2RLuBOxY_gVRurHTpBv80keBuS_LY3xnl3Z2ny5KO4mT5MdkYgOsuyX4yabw_g_iFE5lpWezLDRXnkMkZR6PIMJjLaHdSeR8bswcKlgOTisBQ/w640-h480/BC%20Cabane%20Int%20Dome.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with the domed roof where the rocks are laid so precisely that no mortar is required. The wood is not designed to support the roof, but rather to allow things to be hung from the wooden bars.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc88dZZIOv1Elm_uQ2igIPLDlPSRL1WuT_U7gAHCGEazXpyUxUfwdcdtphBI1Lm5lAkybLpkyzR0JpAXAUsFTGcxiicELDiA1vwdSwJto56uC-g43PeuhBpiKTHWebipUbEAfeWVQQiEakHb-8fYNwLqGMby4RJ7mFApX0cjxrxeTyj99Blx3xRufKg/s4608/BC%20Cabane%20beginning.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc88dZZIOv1Elm_uQ2igIPLDlPSRL1WuT_U7gAHCGEazXpyUxUfwdcdtphBI1Lm5lAkybLpkyzR0JpAXAUsFTGcxiicELDiA1vwdSwJto56uC-g43PeuhBpiKTHWebipUbEAfeWVQQiEakHb-8fYNwLqGMby4RJ7mFApX0cjxrxeTyj99Blx3xRufKg/w640-h480/BC%20Cabane%20beginning.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shows a cabane that has not yet had the roof added, to show how precisely the stones are stacked one atop the other.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_jOkhVK7RR2wuS3cYhvHVQBliz6oZrNWD7qgQCAkcilxQu1TJeDenWHPcEM86Dw8faiStaze-18bZBhxrom_uOiJHyvtMdrRrdSzhgqtj2LiwFrGXWbJdWQdjLruZC6DZ7XJteonv7XJkZ3gNMJXynk4Me5QEO2IWZOLOPCfLzith3Sdm5Mx4zINTA/s4608/BC%20Arch3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_jOkhVK7RR2wuS3cYhvHVQBliz6oZrNWD7qgQCAkcilxQu1TJeDenWHPcEM86Dw8faiStaze-18bZBhxrom_uOiJHyvtMdrRrdSzhgqtj2LiwFrGXWbJdWQdjLruZC6DZ7XJteonv7XJkZ3gNMJXynk4Me5QEO2IWZOLOPCfLzith3Sdm5Mx4zINTA/w640-h480/BC%20Arch3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cabane with the arches was once a Church used by the Benedictine monks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uUixCEyUZwSWjd_mMcnsaY_YE8C0p-CR6a6LZIXUBBO-iLQ98UO-FJxj7lnstjadaeJu43rSzpzF6eP5xpnyA07MstZnLjFiafXE7USwwNskHkFz04LTsVXjk0BrBkOV1YeqyCtVfJI1HUHuCmavDLHMShYy_hvnySNZt7u0CGh2s09flmm_CbYaGQ/s4608/BC%20Cabane%20Int1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uUixCEyUZwSWjd_mMcnsaY_YE8C0p-CR6a6LZIXUBBO-iLQ98UO-FJxj7lnstjadaeJu43rSzpzF6eP5xpnyA07MstZnLjFiafXE7USwwNskHkFz04LTsVXjk0BrBkOV1YeqyCtVfJI1HUHuCmavDLHMShYy_hvnySNZt7u0CGh2s09flmm_CbYaGQ/w640-h480/BC%20Cabane%20Int1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cabane displayed old farming & household tools...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bdHwzNzRzF86xCi-Sva32JM5Ue0Q5IVMRaBRvyTvf4dsQBxbEOlbKp8wzJQ2fmn1ulxPwQrS9T_C-z_hhhyppuVsH3_1IL08T1gDLK1ESkbWuzUjytIEw3Gsb41MnCtslXIOQxjszOKOFFdb3AN2BjRBgGpQ3M1vLsXurGKji7bN-IZeFRfuCYcVLA/s4608/BC%20Cabane%20Int5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bdHwzNzRzF86xCi-Sva32JM5Ue0Q5IVMRaBRvyTvf4dsQBxbEOlbKp8wzJQ2fmn1ulxPwQrS9T_C-z_hhhyppuVsH3_1IL08T1gDLK1ESkbWuzUjytIEw3Gsb41MnCtslXIOQxjszOKOFFdb3AN2BjRBgGpQ3M1vLsXurGKji7bN-IZeFRfuCYcVLA/w480-h640/BC%20Cabane%20Int5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">including wooden clogs. Note the date on the fireplace mantle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVArd9zqKFRzphgduXKgjm0CuuixOjXOgR8sjYdcAkeN1Uf1njiUEmEKGOjDtT8hLX-fcaLK_oHuB4KRuoBH8hyib8kNw_rNSuLBjr-gpgOk9rYK93LOQ1ub2rv_e19C_3RYPz_G7aHde8_gU8RudqfR8FNrdRTjhnspIZnj44AnrZfZE5mhHP-VAfQ/s4608/BC%20Cabane%20Mossy%20Roof.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVArd9zqKFRzphgduXKgjm0CuuixOjXOgR8sjYdcAkeN1Uf1njiUEmEKGOjDtT8hLX-fcaLK_oHuB4KRuoBH8hyib8kNw_rNSuLBjr-gpgOk9rYK93LOQ1ub2rv_e19C_3RYPz_G7aHde8_gU8RudqfR8FNrdRTjhnspIZnj44AnrZfZE5mhHP-VAfQ/w480-h640/BC%20Cabane%20Mossy%20Roof.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moss growing on this cabane has given it a green roof.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIstD3NMIfsQO2jexNi3Fd2fpEaLO28CvMjKEbGwJrmsTLdYi9wLzeSz8mBCpuyNbH2xMEeS68wl2SsTYo9v7jjejU9tvH0ZbQd1GPX83LOKQ4dqiYPo3lJkSxcg5mPrB5T3Ut0U298VVnq2Z-ilvvSCxkXL3Y3rhgCgiHfmZSo5z8IYFZHdleWktEQ/s4608/BC%20Cabane%20tunnel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIstD3NMIfsQO2jexNi3Fd2fpEaLO28CvMjKEbGwJrmsTLdYi9wLzeSz8mBCpuyNbH2xMEeS68wl2SsTYo9v7jjejU9tvH0ZbQd1GPX83LOKQ4dqiYPo3lJkSxcg5mPrB5T3Ut0U298VVnq2Z-ilvvSCxkXL3Y3rhgCgiHfmZSo5z8IYFZHdleWktEQ/w480-h640/BC%20Cabane%20tunnel.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocks were used here to create a tunnel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZiUO_HlXxC_G_cdDmT_UJKxJTSAlKfIvmdZpX0nhJYvqvdZeo54J5zkUV7ogAh7Qu7uyopawVgd35vsxtYNlyKQvA_suG3tGJkS0rfBJUhfOwMoQzxmAmTSrNB7jEJMJQJCqKpA5V2x1UiAIQXKZ3FRlHPED8cQSk9fDELaUDVpygBOifysAy5AFbQ/s4608/BC%20Sheep%20Closeup.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZiUO_HlXxC_G_cdDmT_UJKxJTSAlKfIvmdZpX0nhJYvqvdZeo54J5zkUV7ogAh7Qu7uyopawVgd35vsxtYNlyKQvA_suG3tGJkS0rfBJUhfOwMoQzxmAmTSrNB7jEJMJQJCqKpA5V2x1UiAIQXKZ3FRlHPED8cQSk9fDELaUDVpygBOifysAy5AFbQ/w640-h480/BC%20Sheep%20Closeup.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a working farm with these sheep laying together in the meadow.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIVfi7V_kZZ40qiZAK-8W77tVbLidFnbCOyr7f2KpLxBdyL6-1dreCan7qCVdixMDCUeOAqSMxxFx2GHgWYP9OfEAGS7ekiDuZxT_ORw5xJw7-YovRm-NkO9qNau9WMoZPMoJZrWMq-M4vvQ2vCPFoT3k7F9CaC0UnTGoxceDDM8I-6Fs9lbMfIz1KQ/s4608/Practice%20making%20Cabanes*.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIVfi7V_kZZ40qiZAK-8W77tVbLidFnbCOyr7f2KpLxBdyL6-1dreCan7qCVdixMDCUeOAqSMxxFx2GHgWYP9OfEAGS7ekiDuZxT_ORw5xJw7-YovRm-NkO9qNau9WMoZPMoJZrWMq-M4vvQ2vCPFoT3k7F9CaC0UnTGoxceDDM8I-6Fs9lbMfIz1KQ/w640-h480/Practice%20making%20Cabanes*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This area was reserved for those who wished to try their skill at making their own miniature cabane.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwWoFNAee8_Xp6HPFUknfRX8tAuowfEaFMsy6A6F_JxXdcnjtRnhk9yBupFRzRfP2BgAxIB2UwJT8M7Mr2scl1PpF7gc9vDj6ZV8X10HJ2mAnG9UjTi0uEVwycR9xy4_aNUy0BYXaIWhMiILa6_OyXALW63yt10kHEIzHUxusTXU-V5SIpTEFcsMiqA/s4608/BC%20Elsewhere%20in%20the%20World.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwWoFNAee8_Xp6HPFUknfRX8tAuowfEaFMsy6A6F_JxXdcnjtRnhk9yBupFRzRfP2BgAxIB2UwJT8M7Mr2scl1PpF7gc9vDj6ZV8X10HJ2mAnG9UjTi0uEVwycR9xy4_aNUy0BYXaIWhMiILa6_OyXALW63yt10kHEIzHUxusTXU-V5SIpTEFcsMiqA/w640-h480/BC%20Elsewhere%20in%20the%20World.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this little wood cabin with its sign in French: "Ailleurs dans le monde", which translates to "Elsewhere in the world", very intriguing.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>The Amazing Strawberry Festival of Beaulieu Sur Dordogne</u></p><p>We were in this absolutely beautiful village 20 years ago and when I looked it up to schedule a revisit I stumbled upon the Annual Strawberry Festival which would take place on the second Sunday of May. We would be there then. Hurrah! We drove to get there early and already people were directed to parking lots out of town and ferried in by van. Let me clarify that this town is in the middle of nowhere. Clearly, this was something to achieve this kind of draw. </p><p>It is fair to say that I have never seen so many strawberries in my life -- and I am very old. The town square was bustling with booths selling every possible thing one could make with a strawberry. In the center were a group of dancers, clad in peasant clothing and clogs, merrily clogging away. We watched for a while and then ambled down the street. When we got to a second square the main event was front and center. A very large tent dominated the square and, within, dwelled a 75 foot (approx.) strawberry tart which, in the past, has garnered the Guinness World Record for strawberry tarts -- or so it is said. Fans can observe it all day and then at 4PM they carve it up and participants can have at it. Adjacent to the tart, we heard Country and Western music which was a little jarring. We moseyed over and there, before our unbelieving eyes were about 20 French folk dressed in boots and cowboy hats and gear line dancing their hearts out. They did it all day. Where they found 20 (or more) devotees of Texas line dancing in very rural France is anybody's guess but there they were.</p><p>The crowds were growing so we decided to go down to the River and relax a bit on the banks. Michael will provide photos. We looked in vain for the very fun hostel we had stayed at with the boys on our 20 year ago trip but it had disappeared. Such is life. After a long day, we went home laden with an assortment of some of the best strawberries ever to pass our palates. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEWYoChhSfLfEDmzZsFcbiGzNawPPotXmFBQrlNC23adBDpu5gJQN4QoyShCVYs6niNWc7-6Uk0Y3ihVmP5ViHau9YSCOMitArqDkRWwPwsUtQzOAvvSKbNu5LDVwqq5pILL5C-Wgx53t0o3tv_i3FqlMu3Wc1Wjw5r4X4MVn28rtyIMlWLCmf87u2g/s4608/BSD%20FdF2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEWYoChhSfLfEDmzZsFcbiGzNawPPotXmFBQrlNC23adBDpu5gJQN4QoyShCVYs6niNWc7-6Uk0Y3ihVmP5ViHau9YSCOMitArqDkRWwPwsUtQzOAvvSKbNu5LDVwqq5pILL5C-Wgx53t0o3tv_i3FqlMu3Wc1Wjw5r4X4MVn28rtyIMlWLCmf87u2g/w480-h640/BSD%20FdF2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though we arrived early, there were already large crowds gathered for the fête.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBruEtZQE_zHVVv0rR79Zt5ViJofXNy0W5Ls7L8y5KsznfjEg6Ir9vLOhDCzrYtNfgLt_jeqAcJTy7nIiav7PX9AFTgh770piFz9ExHWjzy90EFyTcNAciZGei2a0PoFO9wmjlTRZyRee4IJSR4aSiXJ12MxFSlGbHAP2z97eYhw9rlezwgWhJkJA6w/s4608/BSD%20FCD2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBruEtZQE_zHVVv0rR79Zt5ViJofXNy0W5Ls7L8y5KsznfjEg6Ir9vLOhDCzrYtNfgLt_jeqAcJTy7nIiav7PX9AFTgh770piFz9ExHWjzy90EFyTcNAciZGei2a0PoFO9wmjlTRZyRee4IJSR4aSiXJ12MxFSlGbHAP2z97eYhw9rlezwgWhJkJA6w/w640-h480/BSD%20FCD2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Deirdre mentioned, one of the first things we encountered were these French country dancers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3luTYwFK_zodB2bDvZgIbnkcnp-ICbwGYB0ZvCRBU-gbQOwjcu4zsjWgIPK7WcQ1PXbaCQnCUmGEwbyTvvx2HZfGfDn2WcY_XpfBhV1KrYP7oD1gH0w8RdAVydsMDaB02YGD_HKXF-rzHk7R7RqvM0PmY42Gssjqx0rtrawewnzjip6OnzHMBZUXxA/w640-h480/BSD%20FCD4.jpeg" width="640" /></div><p><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQm1OPOR14YaR4rAcdiDBkE0i2duO36Mb6xGy91jJNV3KprPNgisM6vydxaRuyUKNvVXFi2Erioa6nhJAqHcUqjY99fXFryOJzwLdhaO8QYBDZw93DBdFvf6kdqj_IpopnXXFRB4McPykFrEYkZIkqGZDjYhkrNOlfK3eRpm3ODVWgcOCCjeCcuZWRQ/w640-h480/BSD%20FCD10.jpeg" width="640" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGqkfd0KfJ6T5PyxUYxXTv8YyauLacLYZUnI5ggkGfoS7ULbKe_UNxKTv9fjaWDhCKoCUB3XzCKjsXWG-wUlLzTqxls5kVjGQB8WoDoQivGimymEtLaIFnipukm0ZSvuOwvbRA_GdPsn8j-jvr2hEV5ZGWrTB4pJ0IVnMC2uaog2h1b0kut1sI9i2-w/s4608/BSD%20FCD%20Musicians.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGqkfd0KfJ6T5PyxUYxXTv8YyauLacLYZUnI5ggkGfoS7ULbKe_UNxKTv9fjaWDhCKoCUB3XzCKjsXWG-wUlLzTqxls5kVjGQB8WoDoQivGimymEtLaIFnipukm0ZSvuOwvbRA_GdPsn8j-jvr2hEV5ZGWrTB4pJ0IVnMC2uaog2h1b0kut1sI9i2-w/w640-h480/BSD%20FCD%20Musicians.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These musicians were providing the tunes for the dancers.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSloyz8CFaB_hr98-oTsWDN69IPmado-ejkc0oXWS5XAa1pwHilMnknrBpuzZp_3ayhyxSNqtApy9fe21uW20fQCDRT43zS9qnlT9CXAPLAp8_IU23RycZT-cilbucuAYfq703cQRtNgcrr4aqR9uITI8WvcI65k_FB_0IDNHPJ9q335EsPHJl3-VSQ/s4608/BSD%20Strawberry%20Stand1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSloyz8CFaB_hr98-oTsWDN69IPmado-ejkc0oXWS5XAa1pwHilMnknrBpuzZp_3ayhyxSNqtApy9fe21uW20fQCDRT43zS9qnlT9CXAPLAp8_IU23RycZT-cilbucuAYfq703cQRtNgcrr4aqR9uITI8WvcI65k_FB_0IDNHPJ9q335EsPHJl3-VSQ/w640-h480/BSD%20Strawberry%20Stand1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stand was providing all things strawberry, from eclairs to tartes to pies, etc.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-zMh0FltJ-j24Z3FiZ8aMcY1ohf6NrqVWheN6bEuMpbGEXyA-_DqyBufvMSgUL3PJJQNL_q2XHC3DwOkEG3TYw9oXKotM9eLlDqbWln4Auc0a_D9ue8ve4AzeFlCEIlUBxAm2v-jyPS44ravSSQbA4sjo8m66VqmHijjoduU1_XwkR0jknSjOMbgZg/s4608/BSD%20Standing%20Tall3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-zMh0FltJ-j24Z3FiZ8aMcY1ohf6NrqVWheN6bEuMpbGEXyA-_DqyBufvMSgUL3PJJQNL_q2XHC3DwOkEG3TYw9oXKotM9eLlDqbWln4Auc0a_D9ue8ve4AzeFlCEIlUBxAm2v-jyPS44ravSSQbA4sjo8m66VqmHijjoduU1_XwkR0jknSjOMbgZg/w480-h640/BSD%20Standing%20Tall3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also encountered this very tall gentleman who willingly posed for his photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnljXszlpluGYgaviO60pY4Mrx1KOhTOD6o31tpy0YXHDbDReswksYiOihfzAPZETcbdzHc9kbY4ohhL90M18nOK91anJv7YgqWPJkMUUChiw1dfQHAKOgiCS576sUARFhzCTdwhOSW2NveimDCl9fE6h_udtTN_Ix5xqnaIIgQJt-xj4Cb0z1MIIow/s4608/BSD%20LD2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnljXszlpluGYgaviO60pY4Mrx1KOhTOD6o31tpy0YXHDbDReswksYiOihfzAPZETcbdzHc9kbY4ohhL90M18nOK91anJv7YgqWPJkMUUChiw1dfQHAKOgiCS576sUARFhzCTdwhOSW2NveimDCl9fE6h_udtTN_Ix5xqnaIIgQJt-xj4Cb0z1MIIow/w640-h480/BSD%20LD2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This incongruous site was the next thing we encountered. We thought we were back in Texas.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRDPNKbXqKLOWqHxYX7zBBmBmJ3XuXWdTjJVP18C7aaednR9zDNKM5MZnLhYchCIONEHeMQuroGWZJrzjTzBRD4jHLRiCtOQccVuW9fdyzTfXtZGb-5fWiZbajrfkj2ctmVfvCNzTa3Z8stveEjLoZ96fj0jPlv_-ccXpemAVXDa54uu_FDJ0S9PxQQ/w640-h480/BSD%20LD3.jpeg" width="640" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxT4ePJoEW7xeV5EJkXYdiFLJQ4EEiHiB5qoNPpNZgJ0Ka_Q4CUVtJvkygApoXLmlklB5sZt8gL9qBNi6pJOndXFDfPpG1ZS7uOf6ARc2eziInHzTKMbJ5VBRqbSEKryish8nXod4q0OnN0Uur_bh1YqPBY1NugfDtE92qVNM9HF7Nah8mtQTPdc6hA/s4608/BSD%20WBST2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxT4ePJoEW7xeV5EJkXYdiFLJQ4EEiHiB5qoNPpNZgJ0Ka_Q4CUVtJvkygApoXLmlklB5sZt8gL9qBNi6pJOndXFDfPpG1ZS7uOf6ARc2eziInHzTKMbJ5VBRqbSEKryish8nXod4q0OnN0Uur_bh1YqPBY1NugfDtE92qVNM9HF7Nah8mtQTPdc6hA/w480-h640/BSD%20WBST2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally reached the world record strawberry tarte still being prepared...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUfVD6u2S_NE8uUH_fZPNY8w4HVpXhbVtoYuWUZhf0u6xA697ICxw0dst87b51bzhvpLDQlPo7UqmP4FiqhHYI-PiFRjWd9qbrSnt8Y6BcorBIQgiHIQuzQuE_NNgKO2SAOrzosryd8AuAN33Am2HxrPZd0pLVBx6WTpElKTuH64yD-05PCdzedt-w/s4608/BSD%20WBST4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUfVD6u2S_NE8uUH_fZPNY8w4HVpXhbVtoYuWUZhf0u6xA697ICxw0dst87b51bzhvpLDQlPo7UqmP4FiqhHYI-PiFRjWd9qbrSnt8Y6BcorBIQgiHIQuzQuE_NNgKO2SAOrzosryd8AuAN33Am2HxrPZd0pLVBx6WTpElKTuH64yD-05PCdzedt-w/w480-h640/BSD%20WBST4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it seemingly went on forever.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzSAC0AVWfV5UgdjfnzTb6yRPZmBiwX-1FQTLVc2jnDhpbfGtNiPeG1It0CQTFsukvV9wsHcDyLkYZXKnIjeJVWz_3uvk1AR6nMxp9tJC3aKMVilEDgN12LAWDYjcolQEGYySSIh4559Zj0S5vxD5v4gTWlltM6_PhNvI0e3fxVNzJ3_n7AEq6Iljlw/s4608/BSD%20FD3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzSAC0AVWfV5UgdjfnzTb6yRPZmBiwX-1FQTLVc2jnDhpbfGtNiPeG1It0CQTFsukvV9wsHcDyLkYZXKnIjeJVWz_3uvk1AR6nMxp9tJC3aKMVilEDgN12LAWDYjcolQEGYySSIh4559Zj0S5vxD5v4gTWlltM6_PhNvI0e3fxVNzJ3_n7AEq6Iljlw/w640-h480/BSD%20FD3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also never knew there were so many varieties of strawberries....</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCdrtt3vg986WCM2_J88JAzWZ1MswO1IodUFtnwnioMk2GudgJROJKV5esP-Qxl8kmDqYsCtKId8fPQ20qGIRXdDmI8AZ8ti-1rpR0xlOCDOiSeIzsSlUKBRGn4QoAISlEbhq2NYfmATNj6ZoWxgJrIYkVzBtJfIX9ffe7t4qFvWM-tQATuYbsTDdCg/s4608/BSD%20FD4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCdrtt3vg986WCM2_J88JAzWZ1MswO1IodUFtnwnioMk2GudgJROJKV5esP-Qxl8kmDqYsCtKId8fPQ20qGIRXdDmI8AZ8ti-1rpR0xlOCDOiSeIzsSlUKBRGn4QoAISlEbhq2NYfmATNj6ZoWxgJrIYkVzBtJfIX9ffe7t4qFvWM-tQATuYbsTDdCg/w640-h480/BSD%20FD4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">each with their own unique name.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLcmTLmURGO8Ql9LYBWiHEqZkzntYlbMeTKVTOhod4keZMcqTSlMbXfAw5n0nE37u3w18jsfxn3XhETARB0xNBCt3PlLLJKFwpHRVNCpXOjEXDRww7WZnEeE-sdA30udl0_TsK0k_VWNq9SgAvZ4m8m6Tvgs12THzl3724JroZADvIHkraGeTLYbK0g/w640-h480/BSD%20FD5.jpeg" width="640" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafsXdeGOBq7JBkRntXro9vksZQBVDry3Je11qYOv1YYu_vHAru35_aVgLKc_gE-vC9RMbCaFx_99K6l3z1c0UuigcXOAOxheh1sJvU2t5s1OCmhvxPTXR2jIWSwN4xhjn_4BcXEjFfJ_Vn2-3hEicnavtbMBV6vNG4vHxzCyr0adRp02Zol7ikv7Asw/s4608/BSD%20Strawberry%20Plant.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafsXdeGOBq7JBkRntXro9vksZQBVDry3Je11qYOv1YYu_vHAru35_aVgLKc_gE-vC9RMbCaFx_99K6l3z1c0UuigcXOAOxheh1sJvU2t5s1OCmhvxPTXR2jIWSwN4xhjn_4BcXEjFfJ_Vn2-3hEicnavtbMBV6vNG4vHxzCyr0adRp02Zol7ikv7Asw/w640-h480/BSD%20Strawberry%20Plant.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were even hanging strawberry plants for sale.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ktRg4TpkVjv8Jubt3zv9IXFwePQBJl_HxCgy9CB6ieOgzl2eF_L74mYa0xosCa1AKLHv6llGd3bLW3HQgL8WdvdfB4zWwi1vb0tu2eOl5NZacQIIGJm65MhKhmH09NX3Np6m3ZcLnGqLrZE8NtyQd0ZDiC4IObUInXofn_RVWpxh4z11i05vkfizQ/s4608/BSD%20FB3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ktRg4TpkVjv8Jubt3zv9IXFwePQBJl_HxCgy9CB6ieOgzl2eF_L74mYa0xosCa1AKLHv6llGd3bLW3HQgL8WdvdfB4zWwi1vb0tu2eOl5NZacQIIGJm65MhKhmH09NX3Np6m3ZcLnGqLrZE8NtyQd0ZDiC4IObUInXofn_RVWpxh4z11i05vkfizQ/w640-h480/BSD%20FB3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was also additional musical entertainment. Although I never knew the bagpipe was a French tradition.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDLsFK6ul7TgG0nEz1SWVSZtHdYWzjuylUnd68edZ_OeNC8MjrRC9stdS8wK3xt-oNws-eH40DXsv9uACzxEVyXEa0dp8132_nm_PeGx_hN1MMzEooWInbCymA1VIUjUOly75SFFngyLV0LQwGNEIKLRsoL-6WtNXmTDNYROmvttBiuJgHCY5e8CvFg/s4608/BSD%20Church%20Entrance1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDLsFK6ul7TgG0nEz1SWVSZtHdYWzjuylUnd68edZ_OeNC8MjrRC9stdS8wK3xt-oNws-eH40DXsv9uACzxEVyXEa0dp8132_nm_PeGx_hN1MMzEooWInbCymA1VIUjUOly75SFFngyLV0LQwGNEIKLRsoL-6WtNXmTDNYROmvttBiuJgHCY5e8CvFg/w480-h640/BSD%20Church%20Entrance1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ornately carved entrance caught our eye as we wandered through the town in search of the hostel we had stayed at many years ago.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FbqgRaqn06XWx5ovrRrBrwKAR_0FuTl43xueo1HfeO05VYfS9uQTUudXea0oJnR18aAPWs8_pr0rodD_rkvY-lGHySWmSL-O8nnD5qKMwyNC12XC_EsNo31XsIDshoiKsB_csJE8GSVapt6UPSLuoID87QNpvVD91wETN3cNxTyh5q_SAUXXrf5ftA/s4608/BSD%20DR%20Scene1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FbqgRaqn06XWx5ovrRrBrwKAR_0FuTl43xueo1HfeO05VYfS9uQTUudXea0oJnR18aAPWs8_pr0rodD_rkvY-lGHySWmSL-O8nnD5qKMwyNC12XC_EsNo31XsIDshoiKsB_csJE8GSVapt6UPSLuoID87QNpvVD91wETN3cNxTyh5q_SAUXXrf5ftA/w640-h480/BSD%20DR%20Scene1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We recognized this area where we had picnicked many years ago near the hostel, but alas the hostel was no more.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H_KCjOqrpRnzARAVqZK50XNytYknRI9zbWpckhkYG4jzmmyje62I156B_1ZTw5cLlhJe0zq6WJIlsEBAnLOVwIJ04-jp0EAN8laGZNjkQ5Gya5mWYediT6ZTypUr0WFb6WJhajsOi7NZkwXp9h8jn1_tr45VS8RrPrs9DQPd4Kbjh9eapfPNFt9DbA/s4608/BSD%20DR%20Macquillage%20Girl.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H_KCjOqrpRnzARAVqZK50XNytYknRI9zbWpckhkYG4jzmmyje62I156B_1ZTw5cLlhJe0zq6WJIlsEBAnLOVwIJ04-jp0EAN8laGZNjkQ5Gya5mWYediT6ZTypUr0WFb6WJhajsOi7NZkwXp9h8jn1_tr45VS8RrPrs9DQPd4Kbjh9eapfPNFt9DbA/w480-h640/BSD%20DR%20Macquillage%20Girl.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had tried to convince Deirdre to get a macquillage treatment being offered during the festival, but she declined. Instead I found this charming girl whose parents acquiesced to having her picture taken.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc9X6isWjSz5BoI7xKqCvB82kROp9UcHAwdRjq-pGNVZpx3c_EsFRSqW-kdrhTq0VnS7P5GBMDx3jgsy6U1Yz04zPPABP-gv8NjRrTwYIhToyGlfwAKBFTgyhU606PQaXxkDqVdWo0San0_DO8BhbSuuHqjoSwz4Ly8OfBCxIiATFGURaveKDNWIH6g/s4608/BSD%20Antique%20Car2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc9X6isWjSz5BoI7xKqCvB82kROp9UcHAwdRjq-pGNVZpx3c_EsFRSqW-kdrhTq0VnS7P5GBMDx3jgsy6U1Yz04zPPABP-gv8NjRrTwYIhToyGlfwAKBFTgyhU606PQaXxkDqVdWo0San0_DO8BhbSuuHqjoSwz4Ly8OfBCxIiATFGURaveKDNWIH6g/w640-h480/BSD%20Antique%20Car2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew the Fête des Fraises included a car show as well...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvuBiwSnU0QeGMD9xEKlaMZDCRWUxIPJzkxwvfL3vMmo7DL9h8xqr1f7JbM5MqTfC16n0BfU187CBgNeEVZWJtoZUgzVitZJnUBEzcjZ7Xr6yLUofL-JszELY9qxqG93ctnzEumXc_7q_Qf-NkbJrrI37KPIvQtKCidsszVbDc2s06NI5_GKj9s76Mg/s4608/BSD%20Delorean1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvuBiwSnU0QeGMD9xEKlaMZDCRWUxIPJzkxwvfL3vMmo7DL9h8xqr1f7JbM5MqTfC16n0BfU187CBgNeEVZWJtoZUgzVitZJnUBEzcjZ7Xr6yLUofL-JszELY9qxqG93ctnzEumXc_7q_Qf-NkbJrrI37KPIvQtKCidsszVbDc2s06NI5_GKj9s76Mg/w640-h480/BSD%20Delorean1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">including this "Back to the Future" Delorean.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt_56enCDIwJFuU-wNCmSYeGNNLhZrA3MfMYFrrRNSkFV2n_60UmrZtc5B5UJUZBPVss4pypc2HuJY_SY5sEJW-BxqY0AVCOtUnzdh-U2m_LKEbn0L_iiI76XX7mMFaHKIUK81vL0UfDmyll3NkU8TkhANzJjaHpwtUGa82dsnGY4l_uoq9nYLKvN5A/s4608/BSD%20DR%20Scene4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt_56enCDIwJFuU-wNCmSYeGNNLhZrA3MfMYFrrRNSkFV2n_60UmrZtc5B5UJUZBPVss4pypc2HuJY_SY5sEJW-BxqY0AVCOtUnzdh-U2m_LKEbn0L_iiI76XX7mMFaHKIUK81vL0UfDmyll3NkU8TkhANzJjaHpwtUGa82dsnGY4l_uoq9nYLKvN5A/w640-h480/BSD%20DR%20Scene4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I speculated that this might have been the hostel building where we stayed, but Deirdre was not so sure.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1woxdeC7szdZhT_1hXgD504jWvizli68872w1XIBTPuYtFafiVOA04O_ms9QrXRsuBi9JQ2JvWd9vFJ-lOxS1qHHyXW2sRA9ViAwdClyWoUr4DBOxcAs8Cp3eJuRoLDPCicmDpN16XOOATXTMx_FZlzIAR-gqzPKXF53-J1QfSvdQv11ciNtZB0EaQ/s4608/BSD%20DR%20Church%20form%20the%20gabarre2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1woxdeC7szdZhT_1hXgD504jWvizli68872w1XIBTPuYtFafiVOA04O_ms9QrXRsuBi9JQ2JvWd9vFJ-lOxS1qHHyXW2sRA9ViAwdClyWoUr4DBOxcAs8Cp3eJuRoLDPCicmDpN16XOOATXTMx_FZlzIAR-gqzPKXF53-J1QfSvdQv11ciNtZB0EaQ/w640-h480/BSD%20DR%20Church%20form%20the%20gabarre2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a boat ride on a gabarre, from which these photos were shot of the church,...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOANfIYKD-fhwpHYsueQ7YKH2tVNEEU1uofso1OpiJpDjRJxO1eoiw1oTgAIUHSBp2deA5s9TRM4qv5IIfTOJ6j-ePMwtTTBjYvun_YQLo-PMf-pmRATdTIG3PDu2X8o6wmfpGTStZqivY_CFDgWJ24qQ_ogriEej3HW08ZTcv8G2zj-2pc-nCgVYkrw/s4608/BSD%20DR%20Gabarre%20view7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOANfIYKD-fhwpHYsueQ7YKH2tVNEEU1uofso1OpiJpDjRJxO1eoiw1oTgAIUHSBp2deA5s9TRM4qv5IIfTOJ6j-ePMwtTTBjYvun_YQLo-PMf-pmRATdTIG3PDu2X8o6wmfpGTStZqivY_CFDgWJ24qQ_ogriEej3HW08ZTcv8G2zj-2pc-nCgVYkrw/w640-h480/BSD%20DR%20Gabarre%20view7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the surrounding countryside....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_RPdel3Dh5n9vSPuUNu-UzebMcqelUcx3rTikUFLnXrBB7ihdFLeC4HIY9mgXG7cmHkVu9CHTEd6fSv4lZcAGfVvlxnjAGgnJkv-DB-Yc1PZR16a0US_77EsC6pTI0Dyx3FNPmivjO75LMGcEhyl59B1pwsUYWFZIUUDuc4ydspgaubMfv7BHKHQew/s4608/BSD%20DR%20View%20gabarre4*.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_RPdel3Dh5n9vSPuUNu-UzebMcqelUcx3rTikUFLnXrBB7ihdFLeC4HIY9mgXG7cmHkVu9CHTEd6fSv4lZcAGfVvlxnjAGgnJkv-DB-Yc1PZR16a0US_77EsC6pTI0Dyx3FNPmivjO75LMGcEhyl59B1pwsUYWFZIUUDuc4ydspgaubMfv7BHKHQew/w640-h480/BSD%20DR%20View%20gabarre4*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AxrdhOwqFlx2_ldeumldgtEg5aBSY2YSbhvYnSJY0HV3O1qFWEw67vLUTC8lTF1h8HgcxE5dPd4_6TTtzL0Ra6IniA_2aeLglln7BihrZjodZ35FdtlVcNF-_Boa_XmJ3u4RkRcLQbvRggAT0sSZPesA9-GjrLX0YmtqNLekOFzsXhNbw8thr33kig/s4608/BSD%20Bldg%20Facade.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AxrdhOwqFlx2_ldeumldgtEg5aBSY2YSbhvYnSJY0HV3O1qFWEw67vLUTC8lTF1h8HgcxE5dPd4_6TTtzL0Ra6IniA_2aeLglln7BihrZjodZ35FdtlVcNF-_Boa_XmJ3u4RkRcLQbvRggAT0sSZPesA9-GjrLX0YmtqNLekOFzsXhNbw8thr33kig/w640-h480/BSD%20Bldg%20Facade.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way back through town to take the shuttle back to the parking lot, we encountered this building with the carved stone figures...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecdgxUoJ_LnDfzzlxNX9dxCdmtkJIIeNuquE0ppbFOV-VafNBIsSFopd5R_YyiFiPNruurxj0OMWOJZpCZ9qA3GsHTmVAqVcni1SGpce8TK-aSDylPNxDsSBUuWvVALrjf-T5-ZFRuYfk7PvPgZCn1udybUv401bWukxPctPyxPe_vTKQMxKjjCW7uw/s4608/BSD%20Virgin%20&%20Child1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecdgxUoJ_LnDfzzlxNX9dxCdmtkJIIeNuquE0ppbFOV-VafNBIsSFopd5R_YyiFiPNruurxj0OMWOJZpCZ9qA3GsHTmVAqVcni1SGpce8TK-aSDylPNxDsSBUuWvVALrjf-T5-ZFRuYfk7PvPgZCn1udybUv401bWukxPctPyxPe_vTKQMxKjjCW7uw/w480-h640/BSD%20Virgin%20&%20Child1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the statue of the Virgin and child.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know. You are starting to wonder if this trip will ever end. I can't remember EVER having a trip that was so photo worthy. So we will slog on and, if you tire, tuck them away and read them on a snowy/rainy or otherwise inclement day when you need a dose of France in spring. Next up: Le Jardin D'Eau, Le Bugge Market, Kayaking on the Vezere and the Chateau de Losse. Until then, take care and enjoy the summer!</div><br />deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-39644400565614495772022-06-01T18:10:00.000-05:002022-06-01T18:10:04.862-05:00From the Heights to the Depths of Dordogne<p><u>First a Little French Geology:</u></p><p>A Gouffre is a chasm. A Grotte is a cave. A Roque is, one would think, a rock. But after seeking a proper translation I got everything from a chess move to a form of croquet so let's just believe it means rock. The gist of all this is that we visited them all. Some forms twice. So here we go.</p><p><u>But First Martel </u></p><p>We headed out one morning towards Martel -- a particularly adorable town nestled among a plethora of adorable towns. There isn't all that much to say about the town itself except that it has some interesting history. So, after the British sacked and plundered Rocamadour the commander, Henry Mantel, ambled over to Martel and stationed himself in a house on the main square. He was in line to become the King of England. But he died. In Martel. This left his brother Richard (Richard the Lionheart) to inherit the throne. OK, this story is pretty interesting. After Henry (the son) dies, Henry (the father) wants Richard to give up his land in France to another brother, John, who has no land. Richard doesn't want to because he loves France whereas he cares little about England. It is argued that he didn't even speak English. Richard teams up with Phillip of France and subdues his father and thus becomes King of England. He spends less than 10 years in England because what he really likes is fighting -- like a lot. Off he goes on the Third Crusade and many, many interesting and weird things happened from there. But I am REALLY digressing. Please google Richard. It is a great story. Well, after a short morning of adorable (not Richard, the town) we were ready for more active pursuits. Off to the Gouffre.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SXvjci_4pboq8Akx3GufFonTfxY2WNQEeYV3thiLjvZZDx79j13a9XSEdStk58QUKhrnfGjWuvbT88wGRiPexnKKS_KNTnss7BlUIeQXLxwxErbdhCtCpN5Y4iTCJfCSH6re9j1Ecn3AQfdMoIjOcQy9hC0JvpQKaparzwYMCTAmXhZ6NHBikKl-MA/s3872/DSS%20thru%20the%20Arch.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SXvjci_4pboq8Akx3GufFonTfxY2WNQEeYV3thiLjvZZDx79j13a9XSEdStk58QUKhrnfGjWuvbT88wGRiPexnKKS_KNTnss7BlUIeQXLxwxErbdhCtCpN5Y4iTCJfCSH6re9j1Ecn3AQfdMoIjOcQy9hC0JvpQKaparzwYMCTAmXhZ6NHBikKl-MA/w428-h640/DSS%20thru%20the%20Arch.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old buildings & architecture made this town a noteworthy place to explore, as Deirdre looks through one of the arched entrances to a short tunnel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPn9E3iKFzh2VNrNq2pNm2Hi171Ad-INFKTVbQ7WmDREJ5J93x97cYrsgE5BMqoHoq_G7qXzNvs3eaRZzOLcSQ8nC90X3sW1VhDpAtvmm-_z_ElYRPwxBYaAM7XZp3J4DY-6weFrbEN6IA9ndDLHjCsiR0xU4Cfit8vqRafdaUwi0FsXVs3jNN97Ox8A/s3872/Martel%20Bldg.%20w.%20arched%20doors.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPn9E3iKFzh2VNrNq2pNm2Hi171Ad-INFKTVbQ7WmDREJ5J93x97cYrsgE5BMqoHoq_G7qXzNvs3eaRZzOLcSQ8nC90X3sW1VhDpAtvmm-_z_ElYRPwxBYaAM7XZp3J4DY-6weFrbEN6IA9ndDLHjCsiR0xU4Cfit8vqRafdaUwi0FsXVs3jNN97Ox8A/w640-h428/Martel%20Bldg.%20w.%20arched%20doors.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arches were a common theme as can be seen with these arched doorways and window.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC3EdWUSKnzzYDO_Uv3yevW7B4ZKKJ_nfLp93JHNEXn-11EUCxbjFvGDAeBFk12wxngYgPWpjFps_xDzlizSWiA0aP4tZHjjQuR6Pj9oHmdn0kuxgc9_uCDL41AOuC6J76Syqk5At-MOiYCxdZ-eHBGMbHDP4LVO-h8iYTn7cCwXPuth59Ix_jAGzug/s3872/Martel%20Bldg.%20w.%20Round%20Tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC3EdWUSKnzzYDO_Uv3yevW7B4ZKKJ_nfLp93JHNEXn-11EUCxbjFvGDAeBFk12wxngYgPWpjFps_xDzlizSWiA0aP4tZHjjQuR6Pj9oHmdn0kuxgc9_uCDL41AOuC6J76Syqk5At-MOiYCxdZ-eHBGMbHDP4LVO-h8iYTn7cCwXPuth59Ix_jAGzug/w428-h640/Martel%20Bldg.%20w.%20Round%20Tower.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martell boasts of seven towers, this being one of the seven.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4WyrQJcll1i8SICebUvFIKEhpi4aXfNbnfRVCLhxhl-9oT-UfA6khJb5T8_WwOqNxM6HQ72vCNJquNcOe5HusSKiipu-Epl2QIQREf7AURFTZxZSst1vY0Dgi8mbfcqpl8ZTs9AO9v5ILnwq5VEbAjRVsdKwa3_BK-bhugedAD5M3q4FEgPkFmX-WQ/s3872/Martel%20Boulangerie%20Sign.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4WyrQJcll1i8SICebUvFIKEhpi4aXfNbnfRVCLhxhl-9oT-UfA6khJb5T8_WwOqNxM6HQ72vCNJquNcOe5HusSKiipu-Epl2QIQREf7AURFTZxZSst1vY0Dgi8mbfcqpl8ZTs9AO9v5ILnwq5VEbAjRVsdKwa3_BK-bhugedAD5M3q4FEgPkFmX-WQ/w428-h640/Martel%20Boulangerie%20Sign.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No neon signs in this ancient town, just a tasteful sign showing one of the seven towers and indication this shop is a boulangerie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcW8j4JJCX4-ngubU6F1drMvGC1hW9TUONeBL42EdaqP6CSUtnNTfVx6T7E4YjCX3tABfuENiMXBoScgv3_lll0dQC10pXIdTCfA1u_T2liWIe7X4fsFoEtCscDrnR0FIlcBEjWRCqzWUBQPCmVKOXiYxk1UdXnmuC7s9vW9rmp2Lzyr1UwiHCcK9PAw/s3872/Martel%20Covered%20Mkt.2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcW8j4JJCX4-ngubU6F1drMvGC1hW9TUONeBL42EdaqP6CSUtnNTfVx6T7E4YjCX3tABfuENiMXBoScgv3_lll0dQC10pXIdTCfA1u_T2liWIe7X4fsFoEtCscDrnR0FIlcBEjWRCqzWUBQPCmVKOXiYxk1UdXnmuC7s9vW9rmp2Lzyr1UwiHCcK9PAw/w640-h428/Martel%20Covered%20Mkt.2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every town has a market and a market day. This is Martell's covered market, which dates back to the 18th century. In December & January a truffle market is held here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidz4hUIclnPbOwUYsYd_tO9aT8J5THnSEYTfZ_vW9TAoKYP1HUSbTzC_Cu0sE05Hw7A1Ty5QH8ZfzxTkXMrxCPP268sB_GfIuWh_9AnuPbyCAcSKuAieYW3Ny9NolB1_CwRWMjKpWdfvX08y33pRV08fDWB4SO9jNNn1VeRI5rfRr7N_bFNVj8yhnhQ/s3872/Martel%20Spider2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidz4hUIclnPbOwUYsYd_tO9aT8J5THnSEYTfZ_vW9TAoKYP1HUSbTzC_Cu0sE05Hw7A1Ty5QH8ZfzxTkXMrxCPP268sB_GfIuWh_9AnuPbyCAcSKuAieYW3Ny9NolB1_CwRWMjKpWdfvX08y33pRV08fDWB4SO9jNNn1VeRI5rfRr7N_bFNVj8yhnhQ/w428-h640/Martel%20Spider2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way back to our car I spotted this huge spider on this tower wall. There was no explanation for its presence there and I have been unable to find or read anything about how it ended up there. One of the many interesting discoveries when traveling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBiBpemMtVKbeqpqr5hTKegE_LJkiWfFfBPgTnAZ2WDHFTp_LhlNZBVNhoQ8-B2drtlXP0C8LMwqOXViGF3tHNEzm8eq_5rYa3uF3UH3ceC1tEYBJlo93cATKL-JX7SJTsgwttms90_8PLyMODSx7LI-eO4yC5CZ5QIFuVZfAPd-eDjj3hapUD5r4pA/s3872/Martel%20Wisteria.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBiBpemMtVKbeqpqr5hTKegE_LJkiWfFfBPgTnAZ2WDHFTp_LhlNZBVNhoQ8-B2drtlXP0C8LMwqOXViGF3tHNEzm8eq_5rYa3uF3UH3ceC1tEYBJlo93cATKL-JX7SJTsgwttms90_8PLyMODSx7LI-eO4yC5CZ5QIFuVZfAPd-eDjj3hapUD5r4pA/w428-h640/Martel%20Wisteria.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also spotted this purple wisteria with two more of the seven towers of Martel in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>The Gouffre de Padirac</u></p><p> The Gouffre presented with a set of challenges. Before purchasing a ticket there was a warning: If you have a heart condition (check), vision issues (check) or are pregnant (fat chance) you should not attempt to tour the Gouffre. "Well," I thought, "Two out of three's not bad". So off we went. The good news is we didn't have to walk down the 300 steps (103 meters) to enter the Gouffre. The bad news is that we are so old that when the guides saw us they didn't even ask if we'd use the stairs, they just pointed to the elevator. We were both insulted and grateful.</p><p>I got the vision warning first. It was DARK. I know, it's a cave so what would you expect. But this was dark AND slippery. I know, it's a cave so what would you expect. Too late now, onward. I negotiated the endless steps and corridors by gripping the handrails with both hands and slithering up/down/forward one step at a time. But it was truly worth it. You walk/climb/descend for a while and then you reach the river. Yes, a real river! You ride in a boat for a while and they explain how the explorers had to build a boat, named the Crocodile that could be collapsed and reassembled as the water level varied and walls narrowed and widened. The water was crystal clear-- this is the type of water you find in an aquifer. We really should not deplete aquifers (can't help myself with the environmental laments).</p><p>But let's move on to the part where your heart is put to the test. After you leave the boat an announcement is made that if you need to, you can take the boat back after poking around because the way out goes through the Great Dome. The Great Dome (97 meters high) requires you to ascend 150 dark, slippery steps and descend 150 dark, slippery steps. I am ambivalent. The Great Dome offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the full majesty of what nature can create but also offers the opportunity to end my life by heart attack or a grand fall. I decide to go for it. Michael is encouraging me because he admires my guts but also because he really wants to see The Great Dome. It does not disappoint. Michael tried for pictures and even though it was very dark, he managed to get a few. If you want to see it (and you really should) just google the Gouffre. I did and there are many pictures (I guess a scientific group that was allowed to light things) of this amazing area. That was the last big challenge (well there were 75 more slippery, dark steps I think) and then out. Well, out after two more elevator rides. We looked at each other and said,"Well, I think that's it for today".</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wBZBe3urRCPedRH_WU5dJRyp49IQRq7qTX3BU24qsA4R0F_jqsFvAQqZeVcPSJD7MoBkjyUCU4DN4YXhHZobiS8T_39XZvpGhN6hjB2lzphmPR2-ddFb-XeelLT6R0F6jfV-kvDDCMdX3644TFfr77F4w3ENx5AHaA2ARUdX4NuvlLNveFy4u9rVgQ/s3872/Gouffre%20de%20Padirac%20Shaft2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wBZBe3urRCPedRH_WU5dJRyp49IQRq7qTX3BU24qsA4R0F_jqsFvAQqZeVcPSJD7MoBkjyUCU4DN4YXhHZobiS8T_39XZvpGhN6hjB2lzphmPR2-ddFb-XeelLT6R0F6jfV-kvDDCMdX3644TFfr77F4w3ENx5AHaA2ARUdX4NuvlLNveFy4u9rVgQ/w428-h640/Gouffre%20de%20Padirac%20Shaft2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is looking down into the shaft where you enter the Gouffre and begin your descent.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDI8XoUgkGgkMLd3JU_kZPqvZyFEj43f-BmGfq4lMoHkgq12TLWtUjLXnld6hG5GH2MgoicWbEUYQrfmcf1jUR3CYHaxYv5qlfsHTOwypij5aRahrGeA_P22QR797dIr425Qq9Kz0g09hUhhyGs0agf1dLsJ34DIBhPvTyd0ntZjnT653vsQQvlRHFuA/s3872/GdP%20Bust1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDI8XoUgkGgkMLd3JU_kZPqvZyFEj43f-BmGfq4lMoHkgq12TLWtUjLXnld6hG5GH2MgoicWbEUYQrfmcf1jUR3CYHaxYv5qlfsHTOwypij5aRahrGeA_P22QR797dIr425Qq9Kz0g09hUhhyGs0agf1dLsJ34DIBhPvTyd0ntZjnT653vsQQvlRHFuA/w428-h640/GdP%20Bust1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bust of Edouard-Alfred Martel, discoverer of the Gouffre de Padirac is fittingly placed in the cavern,.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9Xhpo5mb3kyKE4yHU7e1XhoQCnv5yWWqnvW0g79nAWqHKWneQaFBIQy1IfM9JQ4L80hQsBfHbiwopMZ7P9yEb96yib70bJW-pUTtZ505fwnvwro0u6jSTG-LBO8Zm9j4PV4g6RAEQ-PvBrYjpmZ1R1w5cGlQtvsywR0XQKu2Gq0s65TEpCDPKXgMDQ/s3872/GdP%20Dam1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9Xhpo5mb3kyKE4yHU7e1XhoQCnv5yWWqnvW0g79nAWqHKWneQaFBIQy1IfM9JQ4L80hQsBfHbiwopMZ7P9yEb96yib70bJW-pUTtZ505fwnvwro0u6jSTG-LBO8Zm9j4PV4g6RAEQ-PvBrYjpmZ1R1w5cGlQtvsywR0XQKu2Gq0s65TEpCDPKXgMDQ/w640-h428/GdP%20Dam1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From here on I will let the photographs speak for themselves of the wonders of this magnificent cavern.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr4Y-GtxUKPkp1w2s0XuyL7jnuSodop1BPERlreQB7KHqbW4wSw9xCR8mFrb-c4PsIPFPEpJdfEQo0HZzSUYnCmTovYS-HRE4gWNn45y0B9Ga9ykEcj78YuXCDoIs2yzJHQaeOlHcR6QyL7U0OJztKX62Wv03ly390VB0I4nK4DePlm0RS4Q9Pa0hbQ/s3872/GdP%20Dam%20&%20Boat1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr4Y-GtxUKPkp1w2s0XuyL7jnuSodop1BPERlreQB7KHqbW4wSw9xCR8mFrb-c4PsIPFPEpJdfEQo0HZzSUYnCmTovYS-HRE4gWNn45y0B9Ga9ykEcj78YuXCDoIs2yzJHQaeOlHcR6QyL7U0OJztKX62Wv03ly390VB0I4nK4DePlm0RS4Q9Pa0hbQ/w640-h428/GdP%20Dam%20&%20Boat1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ur-MYoDv1pyqUwQzijzGv1mMJum92y8iQpozH_5hEuKlCKYI3c4Oa4cqSturcer8TxZD2gtzpGaJCdPVL2cFFrf8kXFpmAqRvrqxlkccTk-aGIrPgfVSHEa_dwzDM-ImRi71LA6mwDJ-NVk-_yWe5h7W5ynATlUy6xGipi5d2SbDgcRRsKumOQDUpw/s3872/GdP%20Flow1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ur-MYoDv1pyqUwQzijzGv1mMJum92y8iQpozH_5hEuKlCKYI3c4Oa4cqSturcer8TxZD2gtzpGaJCdPVL2cFFrf8kXFpmAqRvrqxlkccTk-aGIrPgfVSHEa_dwzDM-ImRi71LA6mwDJ-NVk-_yWe5h7W5ynATlUy6xGipi5d2SbDgcRRsKumOQDUpw/w640-h428/GdP%20Flow1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqGUmnckvc1SXRVaTiHAPntY5wRFScp_46ZcHv5tQl3npATHd9R8Ybrfr8-XCvqRZRCLELYfGKsBH3Q_QlI09TpE0czJonoWl3GTdJEzttcnt2dpKFyzVrUkyiojPEtJTKqlF8jF-kLpYAdK8IM7llLDjelBZgmpLQnl9-bMZx5xDeGFWvMJK-DVj-w/s3872/GdP%20green%20flow1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqGUmnckvc1SXRVaTiHAPntY5wRFScp_46ZcHv5tQl3npATHd9R8Ybrfr8-XCvqRZRCLELYfGKsBH3Q_QlI09TpE0czJonoWl3GTdJEzttcnt2dpKFyzVrUkyiojPEtJTKqlF8jF-kLpYAdK8IM7llLDjelBZgmpLQnl9-bMZx5xDeGFWvMJK-DVj-w/w428-h640/GdP%20green%20flow1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ml5woErspQ7Fh5nON56WjTrFCjcyaKyK_u9ftBQZ1ZOBraVAA7PiSCBwNT0UvsQH0G9-o2ysOEkzwns1GYTsHZHEpx7QgNVwyvQ5EOyWiYcyQHo1F-KuLrPNa4HUSg6SIUhuLQNpQTSXDBsKTmqm9PtgoKiRIKv8GhOEw6zeZJNnhMod5C95hFPt1w/s3872/GdP%20Interior2*.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ml5woErspQ7Fh5nON56WjTrFCjcyaKyK_u9ftBQZ1ZOBraVAA7PiSCBwNT0UvsQH0G9-o2ysOEkzwns1GYTsHZHEpx7QgNVwyvQ5EOyWiYcyQHo1F-KuLrPNa4HUSg6SIUhuLQNpQTSXDBsKTmqm9PtgoKiRIKv8GhOEw6zeZJNnhMod5C95hFPt1w/w428-h640/GdP%20Interior2*.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eYgiepafRFsKgjthTvaZx9Ei3GH3sXQOeDFFwgItGCIhyKGsikAaukdHZPZiwFJ04eyCcLezd6IsWbq_KBOc9Q-A9zsHLJlbYrG7smy4dz7pDMryvjtQYDdme_dINkAVJ_nZziR32K_vCy4cD37giKxi1aebEoHYx5RND_LiK06-_Mj3cmrA5eekGA/s3872/GdP%20Interior4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eYgiepafRFsKgjthTvaZx9Ei3GH3sXQOeDFFwgItGCIhyKGsikAaukdHZPZiwFJ04eyCcLezd6IsWbq_KBOc9Q-A9zsHLJlbYrG7smy4dz7pDMryvjtQYDdme_dINkAVJ_nZziR32K_vCy4cD37giKxi1aebEoHYx5RND_LiK06-_Mj3cmrA5eekGA/w640-h428/GdP%20Interior4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOK44BsdJFWUJeCAj7WzZlMEl3RrsdC3xfcmEmcU5C_sDb38Bx7IS4Mt1W_0svh1c3sq-kf47DzbGJhrdgCzaZamtyXKnlmSrEvyC7Wz00DPBWihM_f2aALHcnLvuUw4ZXIi0mKLhC0Se_XNS_VudoDzJS3BMXG_pxRS6BOWwkvznrKIxO5Of7J6wNg/s3872/GdP%20Interior7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOK44BsdJFWUJeCAj7WzZlMEl3RrsdC3xfcmEmcU5C_sDb38Bx7IS4Mt1W_0svh1c3sq-kf47DzbGJhrdgCzaZamtyXKnlmSrEvyC7Wz00DPBWihM_f2aALHcnLvuUw4ZXIi0mKLhC0Se_XNS_VudoDzJS3BMXG_pxRS6BOWwkvznrKIxO5Of7J6wNg/w640-h428/GdP%20Interior7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmIoBMIB5mYcNz-joEmPsnLJQWrZRaNjXi3xc9Cbki3GDmfVv0R_RphrtgrZPUpEldva9V5OFIFJf6kUTbx20unroAI3M3LDqyAGB0xYRLtchSI3ogBivYbKEr6I-5PCdaVZ0lsykRiRYx9tpe9JQgCxTyV5QTZMuQBlYIMrsfrKh5dId6BW8o7tKlw/s3872/GdP%20Interior10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmIoBMIB5mYcNz-joEmPsnLJQWrZRaNjXi3xc9Cbki3GDmfVv0R_RphrtgrZPUpEldva9V5OFIFJf6kUTbx20unroAI3M3LDqyAGB0xYRLtchSI3ogBivYbKEr6I-5PCdaVZ0lsykRiRYx9tpe9JQgCxTyV5QTZMuQBlYIMrsfrKh5dId6BW8o7tKlw/w428-h640/GdP%20Interior10.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtV54UWr5qwF0a0YmyDd-UUmv46Nd2v_IZd5e3VrrW_wZ1cCb7UtV5p8UAFbuqYrU8oqkpY0e5OoarKj38ue1zthR_O1U-re0cGQpM5kDntzfEAwEGbLsDAoidxeXFtPLibIsCprTbucZfDUvxRcqNER7zF5jNgEnd-oygCwyNwDrQMhXeE0wlaIRuw/s3872/GdP%20Interior11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtV54UWr5qwF0a0YmyDd-UUmv46Nd2v_IZd5e3VrrW_wZ1cCb7UtV5p8UAFbuqYrU8oqkpY0e5OoarKj38ue1zthR_O1U-re0cGQpM5kDntzfEAwEGbLsDAoidxeXFtPLibIsCprTbucZfDUvxRcqNER7zF5jNgEnd-oygCwyNwDrQMhXeE0wlaIRuw/w428-h640/GdP%20Interior11.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghziXe3eewYOpk8wpdHvds1cDrTFgpTPMR52ljngGgqbLwuCg4jvADLqrxZPFUO9peY21BlvrLh-t5PUGG4_F0Tz6BBbbEIv8VV66JfGnBEb1LFij9vsTfiXt1MvmhcD7xTZQeuVihfZWS40asE8BPeCrPEV61D0AsUvySWnxQYXVD-Ks8oRevst00bA/s3872/GdP%20Lake%20&%20Flow1*.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghziXe3eewYOpk8wpdHvds1cDrTFgpTPMR52ljngGgqbLwuCg4jvADLqrxZPFUO9peY21BlvrLh-t5PUGG4_F0Tz6BBbbEIv8VV66JfGnBEb1LFij9vsTfiXt1MvmhcD7xTZQeuVihfZWS40asE8BPeCrPEV61D0AsUvySWnxQYXVD-Ks8oRevst00bA/w640-h428/GdP%20Lake%20&%20Flow1*.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sKdtJ7OjASuk9pLQCI9FeKX5ziAP56BmMtBsOgAPOi17XntYJLApxO5sldC3UkCO8PkZqKkREw2wKWwpqfmXjsP-e3m_M-ZQ1BdcJn7KJKvaHH432SXEyT4XHfJBiKVGXM8XifZSpbklCv5SkcGd64-qk6_C3D84chwhE_yAlo6n2bzlnTatYppfdQ/s3872/GdP%20Plates1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sKdtJ7OjASuk9pLQCI9FeKX5ziAP56BmMtBsOgAPOi17XntYJLApxO5sldC3UkCO8PkZqKkREw2wKWwpqfmXjsP-e3m_M-ZQ1BdcJn7KJKvaHH432SXEyT4XHfJBiKVGXM8XifZSpbklCv5SkcGd64-qk6_C3D84chwhE_yAlo6n2bzlnTatYppfdQ/w640-h428/GdP%20Plates1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><u>The Roque of St. Christophe</u></p><p>This one is an ascent and not a descent. The limestone Roque extends for 1 km. and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It consists of a series of levels (I think three) which loom over the Vezere River. Because limestone is soft, people (from "cavemen" up) were able to excavate and create shelters and even things such as cisterns and a church from the malleable stone. From the earliest days of habitation, houses were formed in an ingenious manner. First, using harder stone, they would create a cavity in the rock. Then they would insert a round log and infuse it with water. As the log expanded, it would crack the soft limestone and they would remove the log, replace it with a larger one having scooped out the broken stone, and repeat the process. From the widened hole they would ultimately insert a long log to be used to support the roof. After the roof was on, they would complete the sides. No back was needed since these houses rear walls were the cliff itself, and in some instances the limestone formed the roof as well.</p><p>Michael's pictures and captions will explain the entire village more clearly. The Roque was inhabited continuously from prehistoric days through the Middle Ages. It offered a tremendous defensive position and in the later years an intricate warning system was devised. Small watchtower caves were built into the cliff over a distance of 18 km. When a signal was sent it took only 6 minutes (as proved by an experiment in modern times) to transmit the danger signal to the village. The Roque played a significant role in the Hundred Years War during which the French held off the British admirably until the British finally starved them out and took over. Ironically, the Brits only held onto it for 5 years before also losing it. But now, after a few (many) photos we must march on to a totally different experience.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcoFhKEOeW4qhdgHfCnq9OzkFs5ZV-5HPLgJd1nvBlCeT-j1b3i4C4mEyTRXcD1y0zwaz1TPYdZwKicnuqqUWOYq8Dish2rUih1xnw8fMc221ErjJkvNL71ieId1x9hbsjfb9IkTEgm20tTrVyvwBOzo3gQzSMBb6JQqW6rDDTYAFYha5Z62tsgx1Tg/s3872/Roque%20St.%20Christophe.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcoFhKEOeW4qhdgHfCnq9OzkFs5ZV-5HPLgJd1nvBlCeT-j1b3i4C4mEyTRXcD1y0zwaz1TPYdZwKicnuqqUWOYq8Dish2rUih1xnw8fMc221ErjJkvNL71ieId1x9hbsjfb9IkTEgm20tTrVyvwBOzo3gQzSMBb6JQqW6rDDTYAFYha5Z62tsgx1Tg/w640-h428/Roque%20St.%20Christophe.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is an example of the wood placed in holes in the limestone, both perpendicular and horizontal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVvhJzUKPk5nGZgJzXdsY3CXDzwwHHp76tWQe6N4l9XHJyMgILjI5QuccCfji-zLQzMNJCH5D0VYGTxDaN_ZpNj8dO_UGgI7mH2GNnVTAEJX9wg8FC89LP9RvR8ATKQ2FePl1PrdEbO44t8Ql2FSjH_7Fvhj0HWVbG075rDAvQ5XrN-76iJpMJePR5Q/s3872/RSC8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVvhJzUKPk5nGZgJzXdsY3CXDzwwHHp76tWQe6N4l9XHJyMgILjI5QuccCfji-zLQzMNJCH5D0VYGTxDaN_ZpNj8dO_UGgI7mH2GNnVTAEJX9wg8FC89LP9RvR8ATKQ2FePl1PrdEbO44t8Ql2FSjH_7Fvhj0HWVbG075rDAvQ5XrN-76iJpMJePR5Q/w428-h640/RSC8.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This carved out section of stone once held an iron safe to store valuables.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWCJ0Desj34iM9CtqOwI5CmQAcmngpO3TlkAudi6ggmEISE5fj8WY6yRemrX3VZ0S0c_5s-MOXn8QDeiOzmY04R7bzrWvEs9rlWQIYjmt9OJJwwcFYbKS0Sxd4vAtCU7zOsO4oCrwzs-7TC31QeOlz5Fs8EohVy8R4JnlCUzspz8-XtJfLWoG0cDxTg/s3872/RSC9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWCJ0Desj34iM9CtqOwI5CmQAcmngpO3TlkAudi6ggmEISE5fj8WY6yRemrX3VZ0S0c_5s-MOXn8QDeiOzmY04R7bzrWvEs9rlWQIYjmt9OJJwwcFYbKS0Sxd4vAtCU7zOsO4oCrwzs-7TC31QeOlz5Fs8EohVy8R4JnlCUzspz8-XtJfLWoG0cDxTg/w640-h428/RSC9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron railings have been added to protect the tourists. In the middle of the photo you can make our the original stairs leading up to this level, which are no longer used by tourists.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z5_zjxfQeGwso7-cOFIEXPFo9UOSts6-el1c8t_ED7YW-7Ldgl5auYsAKk_2n4dD983VzMzDJUFTyjuEDzKSQV_F3lDaFy_UVVWvFnypgbld0cSunF-Q-2wnCbYFG7M5kh-vuIvcnY9J50R-KHfu7GPxXLLAnF7k74r_CIRCMprJ7Q04hkKFrO6_xg/s3872/RSC10.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z5_zjxfQeGwso7-cOFIEXPFo9UOSts6-el1c8t_ED7YW-7Ldgl5auYsAKk_2n4dD983VzMzDJUFTyjuEDzKSQV_F3lDaFy_UVVWvFnypgbld0cSunF-Q-2wnCbYFG7M5kh-vuIvcnY9J50R-KHfu7GPxXLLAnF7k74r_CIRCMprJ7Q04hkKFrO6_xg/w640-h428/RSC10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pool was still being slowly replenished by water dripping from above through the limestone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9NU0cg7PR3eIpsZvpyggd_un78cJNOk62DlISnA8nEFuwBl_aia9Q7uWSuOk4aeemU27LbS6O3YmGgINZgKH1LprSabaC5NerRvNXs7FuBdMn6jkScwC-lkp_f7iNHl-tzftVzHjm_X6NlAKmxEFhHsHUGwoba6nme9_Tn6BGrInvGutWCPZIlr9Zg/s3872/RSC11%20scale%20model.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9NU0cg7PR3eIpsZvpyggd_un78cJNOk62DlISnA8nEFuwBl_aia9Q7uWSuOk4aeemU27LbS6O3YmGgINZgKH1LprSabaC5NerRvNXs7FuBdMn6jkScwC-lkp_f7iNHl-tzftVzHjm_X6NlAKmxEFhHsHUGwoba6nme9_Tn6BGrInvGutWCPZIlr9Zg/w640-h428/RSC11%20scale%20model.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a scale model of what the structure would have looked like in Midieval times.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrhPklOBBzZbW3JLHK5jjeP4NjBFzjAc9W0cSYjYPM9geM1sjEpeBoI7lxFG4wFARcBGZI_Jb-CBtvBKWRcpx2mR1Rlyx8umKINrdw9A18eBUGGxf0uFGRx0XoRTCvfRN1ukTwmEu4dni628Hw5RB0EsY5h1SGGEXW4IB5MFXshcdvSFlVfzABXBJ9Q/s3872/RSC13.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrhPklOBBzZbW3JLHK5jjeP4NjBFzjAc9W0cSYjYPM9geM1sjEpeBoI7lxFG4wFARcBGZI_Jb-CBtvBKWRcpx2mR1Rlyx8umKINrdw9A18eBUGGxf0uFGRx0XoRTCvfRN1ukTwmEu4dni628Hw5RB0EsY5h1SGGEXW4IB5MFXshcdvSFlVfzABXBJ9Q/w640-h428/RSC13.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the Church built into the cliff with the altar and the baptismal font to the left...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbScnRWDcBKHDE38tD-RNZSlHpUudOlMGCxDLaCU6YlF2mbxTNyYDRP7vHW9g2dQ6XvUurpWbayS6af7bCR_RrxOKXp_tIJ3TA9qDUDwhVIXo-PEdm3aPs6m3BImP8ohz39JGaLj6iWEstFN4DJyKp2G9GaO6d2CkY8vvki9JLl9sRczYYARWyv1_giQ/s3872/RSC14.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbScnRWDcBKHDE38tD-RNZSlHpUudOlMGCxDLaCU6YlF2mbxTNyYDRP7vHW9g2dQ6XvUurpWbayS6af7bCR_RrxOKXp_tIJ3TA9qDUDwhVIXo-PEdm3aPs6m3BImP8ohz39JGaLj6iWEstFN4DJyKp2G9GaO6d2CkY8vvki9JLl9sRczYYARWyv1_giQ/w640-h428/RSC14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and to the far right is the confessional.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2N90rEsHK6xeTRH9Fu7xx3_tSLjicLyG_f7TdeSQ6188SBs8rH222_0wZd7zZMb1QIJ6spdXJrxB2i9M_D-NQiMJN6ryxfZjkhTIIFmP6SeScQybwg0Q1lg50p9PxFqIcUcIddGmwoIYNVHwpMwqw5NX8Z1Scn8M3jST9OUI_0DGP6M9zOI0ldPT5A/s3872/RSC16.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2N90rEsHK6xeTRH9Fu7xx3_tSLjicLyG_f7TdeSQ6188SBs8rH222_0wZd7zZMb1QIJ6spdXJrxB2i9M_D-NQiMJN6ryxfZjkhTIIFmP6SeScQybwg0Q1lg50p9PxFqIcUcIddGmwoIYNVHwpMwqw5NX8Z1Scn8M3jST9OUI_0DGP6M9zOI0ldPT5A/w640-h428/RSC16.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The indentations in the stone within the Church were where sarcophagi were placed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnZeOjBHN5rXvHMfEL61fqyhiJseTWjKW-9l_OUg8cS71Z3jmhqm_viLyZSKAzBjv6z1tS1pdKDOyAWrmElaD1Mu5M7UN_2kvUCYO1Bg4KhgBSvkTyUvEz3ffbuqNtdp7XSb5THV0nTKd7GVr_RPaCXbALBVuGe57RuGosoXGEKR_h2YvXpArLMubZg/s3872/RSC17.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnZeOjBHN5rXvHMfEL61fqyhiJseTWjKW-9l_OUg8cS71Z3jmhqm_viLyZSKAzBjv6z1tS1pdKDOyAWrmElaD1Mu5M7UN_2kvUCYO1Bg4KhgBSvkTyUvEz3ffbuqNtdp7XSb5THV0nTKd7GVr_RPaCXbALBVuGe57RuGosoXGEKR_h2YvXpArLMubZg/w640-h428/RSC17.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This view looking back shows the extent of the length of the structure carved out of the cliff.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VN8vZ9fAekWGuRpq-RVRvXeHFVfvTQKuwRgMmB0B_SjtIeOZyugmbMC_VRc8v5ciB_w-8UeOJ6TDxQsmt5aJ7tvgyILwFzZ1BQqFGexlMmfF9uxpO2MnaYlL_0eelKh80vOKGFtg7kYKfXV59_oCmU7FPTgyl0WKRAbZT_nKkppoy9oEe1c13ZPyWA/s3872/RSC20.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VN8vZ9fAekWGuRpq-RVRvXeHFVfvTQKuwRgMmB0B_SjtIeOZyugmbMC_VRc8v5ciB_w-8UeOJ6TDxQsmt5aJ7tvgyILwFzZ1BQqFGexlMmfF9uxpO2MnaYlL_0eelKh80vOKGFtg7kYKfXV59_oCmU7FPTgyl0WKRAbZT_nKkppoy9oEe1c13ZPyWA/w640-h428/RSC20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several ingenious systems were devised to lift things up from the bottom to the upper levels...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9pLeeSmAL45CEsCdYhNxjMDSIlrY9_8HDn-7uGInhzGdrqhUgdk5RrZ9b37dd8g7qip0-Np6-4Ax7U4EQT5rlDpmhh1lfUW_1qFifLJ5H_kg-wm5NQ4kRcG-d6O8jZvkFQC9vned702k-p7KFx8VTOxLciRkolQ5WsFV4N_4mCCd8GzPNXnmkaDa2g/s3872/RSC21.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9pLeeSmAL45CEsCdYhNxjMDSIlrY9_8HDn-7uGInhzGdrqhUgdk5RrZ9b37dd8g7qip0-Np6-4Ax7U4EQT5rlDpmhh1lfUW_1qFifLJ5H_kg-wm5NQ4kRcG-d6O8jZvkFQC9vned702k-p7KFx8VTOxLciRkolQ5WsFV4N_4mCCd8GzPNXnmkaDa2g/w640-h428/RSC21.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some using pulley systems with hand cranks...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3FRmyssGf00yF2O1lREvIx-THj1-peZb607jPHqqWOmnub5o9uJvPYa7gibIVeRQV51uEJZSdOh6HeZBj8evUiU60heiv6hQdj4TbrAF4Og-_zrCPSNiVCMGy0diVfTE-OpPqnOFJyduywm5pIUl98AzWMrZe5sxqsErC6SLtj5RFmShKSra-JNzXw/s3872/RSC25.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3FRmyssGf00yF2O1lREvIx-THj1-peZb607jPHqqWOmnub5o9uJvPYa7gibIVeRQV51uEJZSdOh6HeZBj8evUiU60heiv6hQdj4TbrAF4Og-_zrCPSNiVCMGy0diVfTE-OpPqnOFJyduywm5pIUl98AzWMrZe5sxqsErC6SLtj5RFmShKSra-JNzXw/w640-h428/RSC25.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and others like this one involved a human inside the wheel (like a hamster) providing the lifting power.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDO1U1f4nmwwAfof5UKuaWmIKeNeWmrzLPRSegieoSuM3pv0uiko0ecGdJ-7k_Fn6aRHkhNg1wXNypvBL4dKj5560Khr1_eeD30X6ZgjJHEVznU-TMUHO4bZHXbQJ4Zzzk5-KGrYqcJf18dH4TX4ZUvMXTDtAFsveAa9dkNoEU_cXPQfesz41fD5xVg/w640-h428/RSC26.jpeg" width="640" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiDSFzv0fu4PBWPzviexfXjCRvjS6BA9S5FUoKqPx5GU1rCWJxa2c_jgprUHFcZE_X8H8Jcruko4XlK54PfAjI62Ra_DuHiBok5rP2oS-jOQl-rc_XvoD5zwgFiqYTzb84QVf18SBng83x7Sj3Zrtaj1Bk5HsIEO08cyLWamLtfVXlwOgRCSLSWSc5g/s3872/RSC22.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiDSFzv0fu4PBWPzviexfXjCRvjS6BA9S5FUoKqPx5GU1rCWJxa2c_jgprUHFcZE_X8H8Jcruko4XlK54PfAjI62Ra_DuHiBok5rP2oS-jOQl-rc_XvoD5zwgFiqYTzb84QVf18SBng83x7Sj3Zrtaj1Bk5HsIEO08cyLWamLtfVXlwOgRCSLSWSc5g/w640-h428/RSC22.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the foundry (note the giant bellows).</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYfIWyjHYUhgfQhjkPaoCgDP8M2E6ST3qpR3cbpLO89dbcBsKQR-JwXdKVq4bsh17Ihh-gLd_kj5MQ7_KBF5kplhr_UMhf5SNr4yEUmj33pqIlJTUe49ffb2Y_COEkmNthPJZdNxmwG5sODtvbCDQNhrKytqEyeZQVOMyGQT4XUVnpfyok4xh2K8wdw/s3872/RSC28.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYfIWyjHYUhgfQhjkPaoCgDP8M2E6ST3qpR3cbpLO89dbcBsKQR-JwXdKVq4bsh17Ihh-gLd_kj5MQ7_KBF5kplhr_UMhf5SNr4yEUmj33pqIlJTUe49ffb2Y_COEkmNthPJZdNxmwG5sODtvbCDQNhrKytqEyeZQVOMyGQT4XUVnpfyok4xh2K8wdw/w428-h640/RSC28.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limestone pillars were left in place to provide passageways or doorways.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdYm1HCXePiKflUhHgUg2p2nNz61jxh1Kwy-6KXTVea5WCC2ZLovTqfSK5GAn-kxakIGlUkult1_uunb0R0vx-rye_8kW6XjEnYtyj9kXA8iJDy-BGSzTO-vsVjiFVAXKWuW7HqF0E9FN24g-3K6tdnim1FFLG2dh3ZRaqCsisr7shgLF8FAi0DskYA/s3872/RSC30.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdYm1HCXePiKflUhHgUg2p2nNz61jxh1Kwy-6KXTVea5WCC2ZLovTqfSK5GAn-kxakIGlUkult1_uunb0R0vx-rye_8kW6XjEnYtyj9kXA8iJDy-BGSzTO-vsVjiFVAXKWuW7HqF0E9FN24g-3K6tdnim1FFLG2dh3ZRaqCsisr7shgLF8FAi0DskYA/w640-h428/RSC30.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this room wood logs were cut to provide supports and fronts to the cave rooms.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho70tGspeLCA_YN_3J-6hpnXhiYkCFfmfF8KnxX6S3wOKaE5dt9N6Dx_8r3FzVWRkbhCkJkiy9D8NCYhHkiBhHiOXUD6fKrsJRu9KQTSo5pHdG_Z2fQbio4iryAM4o9Twm4fSiUEgaPQmRdHu3xSv-yILtzvGCDLEtYQ8caYgz6w0CEJnyEpkk17pNvA/s3872/RSC32.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho70tGspeLCA_YN_3J-6hpnXhiYkCFfmfF8KnxX6S3wOKaE5dt9N6Dx_8r3FzVWRkbhCkJkiy9D8NCYhHkiBhHiOXUD6fKrsJRu9KQTSo5pHdG_Z2fQbio4iryAM4o9Twm4fSiUEgaPQmRdHu3xSv-yILtzvGCDLEtYQ8caYgz6w0CEJnyEpkk17pNvA/w640-h428/RSC32.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here were some of the tools used to dig into the limestone...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LGfjBWwQYbHCmFo1e6IUNGd4FcXy4dFUqRijLwJ-CGAD_Ft5Fy8_qCt-RqMpCXYbSAUf7Z3g_xRSRO177HM0WMUH8IPTXW5Gjo22sKjU8kIPB-jp1CjknwFSGmQCrO8jmuv2Ji53NrNeWXOLshqJYjsiSluLRX4zGyBdhjslybJkyrGDFeYcq2qPIw/s3872/RSC33.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LGfjBWwQYbHCmFo1e6IUNGd4FcXy4dFUqRijLwJ-CGAD_Ft5Fy8_qCt-RqMpCXYbSAUf7Z3g_xRSRO177HM0WMUH8IPTXW5Gjo22sKjU8kIPB-jp1CjknwFSGmQCrO8jmuv2Ji53NrNeWXOLshqJYjsiSluLRX4zGyBdhjslybJkyrGDFeYcq2qPIw/w640-h428/RSC33.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this demonstrates how once the stone was carved out with the iron tools above, wood was placed in the gap created and soaked in water to expand the wood and crack the stone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSMZPYyWQnOSkWYbe9YAhIoRrF2Ph54U2bDGccIZPZHyGwzUSalETWSLQK30erm_rKGA50ji1S7YjWvLtDCTra0qcuMUK6J8igIzXVMnGjKaI7yASdAyVxAOeKnBiWtTKArz-gbQj10TDMrWD-uhv4lslv3384kOLoo_NmArFS2TWClU9-rZBz3g3dg/s3872/RSC36.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSMZPYyWQnOSkWYbe9YAhIoRrF2Ph54U2bDGccIZPZHyGwzUSalETWSLQK30erm_rKGA50ji1S7YjWvLtDCTra0qcuMUK6J8igIzXVMnGjKaI7yASdAyVxAOeKnBiWtTKArz-gbQj10TDMrWD-uhv4lslv3384kOLoo_NmArFS2TWClU9-rZBz3g3dg/w428-h640/RSC36.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deirdre standing next to another lifting device.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULS1zqcFAYJ5eJsO9yIvoLGEH4eNSGXsjZxmPAjgoRRof48P389CQSbBEs8B33ZFxfTrwf15EhFfMUO-ZHlnR4wZBGBHF0xBTe3yrgVZUrmSHu2aXljHZ6WW3-NppcCdjfu9SypFORf_WKwJrCY4P4tLc92K1RLtzpLwl2-OWpJLXAXexywkE7frYBg/s3872/RSC37.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULS1zqcFAYJ5eJsO9yIvoLGEH4eNSGXsjZxmPAjgoRRof48P389CQSbBEs8B33ZFxfTrwf15EhFfMUO-ZHlnR4wZBGBHF0xBTe3yrgVZUrmSHu2aXljHZ6WW3-NppcCdjfu9SypFORf_WKwJrCY4P4tLc92K1RLtzpLwl2-OWpJLXAXexywkE7frYBg/w428-h640/RSC37.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doorway was only four & a half feet tall. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj4jAoIjU0QCnfLoohHXboIRZVK0OF50wBRaF7Eh2pM1_ztuBLAo2Pl88aVrp6BAtVJ876vK53BEajkuSXr55HhHUdZiLUT9UtfFhTqrDzXY0XrXoa5HUlPINgOX_rk_Mwwj6MAsLZShc-Bc0mEVxlzErSjs8ZgF65uG5I-PdXl2eyiKkKScWWBetxQ/s3872/RSC43.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj4jAoIjU0QCnfLoohHXboIRZVK0OF50wBRaF7Eh2pM1_ztuBLAo2Pl88aVrp6BAtVJ876vK53BEajkuSXr55HhHUdZiLUT9UtfFhTqrDzXY0XrXoa5HUlPINgOX_rk_Mwwj6MAsLZShc-Bc0mEVxlzErSjs8ZgF65uG5I-PdXl2eyiKkKScWWBetxQ/w640-h428/RSC43.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone steps were carved out to reach the next level (but are not available for tourists to traverse).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8Gie5Vc0LvvCGmD-lpjLkpv88owXtcNviXFmFfc2q3ODdL7hsBg91pC7B0-dnAuswakD1KmhVxePKV1FWkfMyo7hQb9Nqkd6a3wuWV8sx5zD3UxJQWfGUpA8X-XmuNrZ9f3JjE6MkYTrWU7YCekyltT0X2lD01YT7zRDdHs2-eLRZThcjEOWq5B-MA/s3872/RSC45.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8Gie5Vc0LvvCGmD-lpjLkpv88owXtcNviXFmFfc2q3ODdL7hsBg91pC7B0-dnAuswakD1KmhVxePKV1FWkfMyo7hQb9Nqkd6a3wuWV8sx5zD3UxJQWfGUpA8X-XmuNrZ9f3JjE6MkYTrWU7YCekyltT0X2lD01YT7zRDdHs2-eLRZThcjEOWq5B-MA/w428-h640/RSC45.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was even a tunnel carved out of the limestone (with the more recent addition of a handrail). The handrail was welcome due to the very uneven nature of the floor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2lgORYxXE52I08r2WBpo6vfp8njgIPMALk5T_zFzxP3_AJzFtzNywal7Wdw2rGqmI6A7bNc81AJH_dUeaWSP5k9NEhX2LTXIrUCzNh4lI2DS3ON0_d_4ku0DtBQbbIPcYQxejs0dOZrvqwiyKzM5_z1-bI7ReVZds41UTxIZGgNLl7pypTF-F6OUew/s3872/RSC48.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2lgORYxXE52I08r2WBpo6vfp8njgIPMALk5T_zFzxP3_AJzFtzNywal7Wdw2rGqmI6A7bNc81AJH_dUeaWSP5k9NEhX2LTXIrUCzNh4lI2DS3ON0_d_4ku0DtBQbbIPcYQxejs0dOZrvqwiyKzM5_z1-bI7ReVZds41UTxIZGgNLl7pypTF-F6OUew/w640-h428/RSC48.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the dining room...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3edvrJHmWYOPB3qN2ICXovkBTc9hfhwb5mBpPXc28vObHATOBWDTCGbDIdFqNJCIZPsfxJuSJYbLIMKGFpB-F-VrFYooGUrQQpxm8o7FxI2pkvOZSJtqKSLoiAy3i_xBRnIDdVNo9BXOIl6Kw2zNypI2aL0XJKYuIr84vWXwN_XNZMkFmKUW6Mb0Fhw/s3872/RSC49.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3edvrJHmWYOPB3qN2ICXovkBTc9hfhwb5mBpPXc28vObHATOBWDTCGbDIdFqNJCIZPsfxJuSJYbLIMKGFpB-F-VrFYooGUrQQpxm8o7FxI2pkvOZSJtqKSLoiAy3i_xBRnIDdVNo9BXOIl6Kw2zNypI2aL0XJKYuIr84vWXwN_XNZMkFmKUW6Mb0Fhw/w640-h428/RSC49.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with the next series of photos showing the kitchen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnAVwwboSg9B2B_A5rj9S58ZV_v6apZStcJ5d9zC-HQzh_CgB8CBtq5ZF2b6cLAnRbMqhkIs1sXB91_0878l4kAUJjxfcf-bbNwqqrh7IDyhyBzewc6shKk04ZrIDN1yMKbYpd07IRR154YppvdQkLSMd_yzgr5caF5EKGZf7a1FxaJWx3oyjuyylFw/s3872/RSC50.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnAVwwboSg9B2B_A5rj9S58ZV_v6apZStcJ5d9zC-HQzh_CgB8CBtq5ZF2b6cLAnRbMqhkIs1sXB91_0878l4kAUJjxfcf-bbNwqqrh7IDyhyBzewc6shKk04ZrIDN1yMKbYpd07IRR154YppvdQkLSMd_yzgr5caF5EKGZf7a1FxaJWx3oyjuyylFw/w640-h428/RSC50.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAhwWDGSrWw9pbQjJmv5ypCmhjro1S6io9qFqRrUmyqTiWgYMlTdPQVq6ZHpeHcUckQs9NeHeGMOtnrAce5HsDTdI2DK4Fk_WXxzmDTmQYEapfXNc4MUQm1BQRTCKMJaqLj4CUDcjnOiHIqCel32wi5Y2taRGEVXXzHXpbP0C7rOwuIfoqCwuwxUUdw/s3872/RSC52.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAhwWDGSrWw9pbQjJmv5ypCmhjro1S6io9qFqRrUmyqTiWgYMlTdPQVq6ZHpeHcUckQs9NeHeGMOtnrAce5HsDTdI2DK4Fk_WXxzmDTmQYEapfXNc4MUQm1BQRTCKMJaqLj4CUDcjnOiHIqCel32wi5Y2taRGEVXXzHXpbP0C7rOwuIfoqCwuwxUUdw/w640-h428/RSC52.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKnawfnEpeZkPDgSdCPk0KmbgwxcdGPjq27fs8o6e5f4_r9KKxkrm7FkFdkH72e9_mr_ulOyrKWbsDCXz88CjoNlgiU1dxThac2-0ixu-p078__sryOxd3k5PkcwdkAewCipkxiKTId2GAkqxZVfUAZFhqreJXzEm1os-MP_eCRDltnPI4UtPeLyRrA/s3872/RSC55.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKnawfnEpeZkPDgSdCPk0KmbgwxcdGPjq27fs8o6e5f4_r9KKxkrm7FkFdkH72e9_mr_ulOyrKWbsDCXz88CjoNlgiU1dxThac2-0ixu-p078__sryOxd3k5PkcwdkAewCipkxiKTId2GAkqxZVfUAZFhqreJXzEm1os-MP_eCRDltnPI4UtPeLyRrA/w640-h428/RSC55.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The earliest denizens of the roque had to deal with other creatures who wished to use the caverns as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vPZf9nm5yEoUUhPXdibYwd6QrQCnTAzv7Rge4KNm5kumKiw77FPYOrjCnmVxGqX1y98Qv32UNkCmisfFTQdiBUbe62cpJGlSh03HnToxQqrSbtzfCvw8k2aVGMdNablBuYJyO_ESVjROEw8hL76se6OiwFjhvW64x5RAdswUhVqL_fS3HAXEErFPuA/s3872/RSC57.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vPZf9nm5yEoUUhPXdibYwd6QrQCnTAzv7Rge4KNm5kumKiw77FPYOrjCnmVxGqX1y98Qv32UNkCmisfFTQdiBUbe62cpJGlSh03HnToxQqrSbtzfCvw8k2aVGMdNablBuYJyO_ESVjROEw8hL76se6OiwFjhvW64x5RAdswUhVqL_fS3HAXEErFPuA/w428-h640/RSC57.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A soldier stands guard over the one doorway and entrance to the roque.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX905QTccD2ff64vNd-HbMCgaBUk5krxab2IYmzdtHYCcAbPG1xhIFhB4C4m7nzoEfk82xhntNfzCxr1xLCDN_9ztEtiC1ZgGh4uCfeIybecgvRRAB-JlXzE5Fm3T-l3Leb3-8fuG1oMDoGfJoEcb0BuqG81t2nv_v-VdvkAvgxG6mEHg7VjveNODzQ/s3872/RSC58.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX905QTccD2ff64vNd-HbMCgaBUk5krxab2IYmzdtHYCcAbPG1xhIFhB4C4m7nzoEfk82xhntNfzCxr1xLCDN_9ztEtiC1ZgGh4uCfeIybecgvRRAB-JlXzE5Fm3T-l3Leb3-8fuG1oMDoGfJoEcb0BuqG81t2nv_v-VdvkAvgxG6mEHg7VjveNODzQ/w428-h640/RSC58.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In prehistoric times this individual would have kept out intruders.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM6v7gghf8dNN0XSOa_89oa-HLdlXtxB055hDxKNFq4_hzVGAKqCgFjbZ-CsKJOQQbIGbqZeRCTktZ5PGUk3-COn1BSKPlPkpfUzFjDQ89zMpfpEiqWhN9H-n7zQh5VAbGjRO5CzpQLd0KazxDHwRKjfGMmc6OyN-g7Lsrl_-djTNnU4LXP3R7F_lAw/s3872/RSC%20View38.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM6v7gghf8dNN0XSOa_89oa-HLdlXtxB055hDxKNFq4_hzVGAKqCgFjbZ-CsKJOQQbIGbqZeRCTktZ5PGUk3-COn1BSKPlPkpfUzFjDQ89zMpfpEiqWhN9H-n7zQh5VAbGjRO5CzpQLd0KazxDHwRKjfGMmc6OyN-g7Lsrl_-djTNnU4LXP3R7F_lAw/w640-h428/RSC%20View38.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views from Roque St. Christophe were spectacular, which was just a side benefit of being a troglodyte.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEcgZjeQcm0mg5fNqw09jBHQWJRiCNr0FuaKqGNFTxWyWAz11xbn9knPmw8q9GG2izo4WONP2yxGbRLmS27Xc5GEzZ7XVi9q87G49XahIv7C1eB8CQcRCjeUNDRDuA9xWp_SRpfiFRDSDMVHbbRq4nmjDe5A15ahA07n2KzMbKpkhwsVcTpbRt4Caxg/s3872/View%20from%20RSC1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEcgZjeQcm0mg5fNqw09jBHQWJRiCNr0FuaKqGNFTxWyWAz11xbn9knPmw8q9GG2izo4WONP2yxGbRLmS27Xc5GEzZ7XVi9q87G49XahIv7C1eB8CQcRCjeUNDRDuA9xWp_SRpfiFRDSDMVHbbRq4nmjDe5A15ahA07n2KzMbKpkhwsVcTpbRt4Caxg/w640-h428/View%20from%20RSC1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSgdx378xIAw8dtAjv3nKVvvcQpVxs0ZJe-PVzxlcesQCUpAEqImr1qVv7qS6Vdo3OoXfrOaHC85k4tvAW-5Wb7MKAd-5GQRpy0uw_MFsth49bkySup-v8H5mShm-PcI1_dv7834JoVc542SLu_V3OWxOQTQduR7j1dhoLRuftAJquPqpmIPZtxzxNQ/s3872/View%20from%20RSC4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSgdx378xIAw8dtAjv3nKVvvcQpVxs0ZJe-PVzxlcesQCUpAEqImr1qVv7qS6Vdo3OoXfrOaHC85k4tvAW-5Wb7MKAd-5GQRpy0uw_MFsth49bkySup-v8H5mShm-PcI1_dv7834JoVc542SLu_V3OWxOQTQduR7j1dhoLRuftAJquPqpmIPZtxzxNQ/w640-h428/View%20from%20RSC4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>Le Moulin de la Rouzique</u></p><p>I had read about this paper mill that had been functioning since the 15th century and still had functional machinery and was, in fact, still making paper. I noted also that they had a boutique (EVERYTHING has a boutique these days) and I thought it would be tres chic chic to obtain some handmade french place cards to use at our very unchic chic pizza parties. Well, I didn't find them but the place was fascinating. Thank God that it was a very visual, step by step type tour because it was given in lightning speed French. This means that by viewing the pictures you will understand exactly as much as Michael and I understood from listening to the verbal description. While we were there a group of exuberant French 10 year olds were trying their hands at creating their own paper designs. They were having a great time and their products were quite impressive. All in all, the paper mill and an excellent lunch preceding our tour provided a fulfilling (and filling) afternoon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStUxKYJM3XbKLTTE7HqtgHguQjcra-EkQBkavH8FKho9EgR-HBVSQeaoG1jgA-jXc_8QRmE-eMf1NxlCDoLVPUa47Q3auxZpy5w570F4BKlzciIXGhmCCWY_vtWolfN7UPtnDVsXs60HV3GxqSpHAc_rWXrxjeT6oewlIx8bWL0pQ1Fc--PqHnJ38kQ/s3872/Paper%20Mill%20Ext2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStUxKYJM3XbKLTTE7HqtgHguQjcra-EkQBkavH8FKho9EgR-HBVSQeaoG1jgA-jXc_8QRmE-eMf1NxlCDoLVPUa47Q3auxZpy5w570F4BKlzciIXGhmCCWY_vtWolfN7UPtnDVsXs60HV3GxqSpHAc_rWXrxjeT6oewlIx8bWL0pQ1Fc--PqHnJ38kQ/w640-h428/Paper%20Mill%20Ext2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One view of the exterior of the paper mill...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIKpmqUtycrX45_6FQ9O_Zn3rTdQwQrl86hbbns1HO5rNXE3LDOzEY9wjHO_CNZkEEZvrf5wMyzDJS1XmYcBnRv1dgpwW8yIRFXVrVuKB6urCs3Pco4Lp9n5YEMKYQJX5xadprxYbL8xrN5DyBnzZbWyREBox4qzItQ99u0Reez_slYBI63KbqUIvAw/s3872/Paper%20Mill%20River1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIKpmqUtycrX45_6FQ9O_Zn3rTdQwQrl86hbbns1HO5rNXE3LDOzEY9wjHO_CNZkEEZvrf5wMyzDJS1XmYcBnRv1dgpwW8yIRFXVrVuKB6urCs3Pco4Lp9n5YEMKYQJX5xadprxYbL8xrN5DyBnzZbWyREBox4qzItQ99u0Reez_slYBI63KbqUIvAw/w640-h428/Paper%20Mill%20River1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another showing what powered the paper mill.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmT9KyroS-0M4T_nCoIsKI_7zkvU4m_FO98C8vEG553vEJSaE54vI8WhDTZceypWTCac_8B1B_Jad19ZXkSNDgUPa_MAzRK76BoOnynS_yBw88GVIjJFGcQHsCBIKR2Lroe9bSiadECbsMRpqshZQc_saI_kSYoiFytv8X8FFVGIAQcACUinKM9i-Fg/s3872/PM%20Bldg2%20Ext1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmT9KyroS-0M4T_nCoIsKI_7zkvU4m_FO98C8vEG553vEJSaE54vI8WhDTZceypWTCac_8B1B_Jad19ZXkSNDgUPa_MAzRK76BoOnynS_yBw88GVIjJFGcQHsCBIKR2Lroe9bSiadECbsMRpqshZQc_saI_kSYoiFytv8X8FFVGIAQcACUinKM9i-Fg/w428-h640/PM%20Bldg2%20Ext1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was part of the paper mill complex and shows how structures were built right into the limestone throughout the area.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYaM2uww3YbqUUQqgT4EFv1dvE2Y7bjM0ZxHCt9ZCfy3izeyYIdK-DP41MEn3i6_O_qNokDgfV6qApZLD3EVPuGB9gGd_uP8DWppazAPylTpn6JEb1TshyK95BEzl7GKmGriLqbiwfoHsrQcLdu0P0LHh3HnFuYmExwvwtf4iimirZazCNGQMtSfcog/s3872/PM%20Children's%20pretty%20paper1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYaM2uww3YbqUUQqgT4EFv1dvE2Y7bjM0ZxHCt9ZCfy3izeyYIdK-DP41MEn3i6_O_qNokDgfV6qApZLD3EVPuGB9gGd_uP8DWppazAPylTpn6JEb1TshyK95BEzl7GKmGriLqbiwfoHsrQcLdu0P0LHh3HnFuYmExwvwtf4iimirZazCNGQMtSfcog/w640-h428/PM%20Children's%20pretty%20paper1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the very creative and colorful designs created on the paper by the children.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoPnGoRRLxSCYGp4h7BKdgfVQhO3cyUCw5xEjXSIKcyE0EZKvldA_gnCiYt-B8rMeBFF6QwslbOb-vajVLe-9GgTHdfM3VY2V5HkXdJnN907RyrJsPCrvdNoL8kmPUZmeIC6TDMWHWFl9n5BbPHwcZReWAyOvTsZROneCvnQ5ezHs5o_Oosf2dxZhLw/s3872/PM%20Mill%20Wheel1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoPnGoRRLxSCYGp4h7BKdgfVQhO3cyUCw5xEjXSIKcyE0EZKvldA_gnCiYt-B8rMeBFF6QwslbOb-vajVLe-9GgTHdfM3VY2V5HkXdJnN907RyrJsPCrvdNoL8kmPUZmeIC6TDMWHWFl9n5BbPHwcZReWAyOvTsZROneCvnQ5ezHs5o_Oosf2dxZhLw/w640-h428/PM%20Mill%20Wheel1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This water wheel powered the machinery in the paper mill.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxuvuCVe3Wpqt8TdyhHjt80msb6KS2LVZVQkLtV6-2jCr3CclpJ-3tY2kTrmIOW1XW3WtbpxvioyXYuUUJDG8hmQaOIdqrD4fIfsQKBAauRwFToAr_w0klqDH_9i6mAuD_93fvDF-NThZhJ_eV1MmiojFIVlcIj9sRtzYDBeSDAJcnhT6MQxbT7tNqQ/s3872/PM%20Mill%20Wheel%20&%20Drive.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxuvuCVe3Wpqt8TdyhHjt80msb6KS2LVZVQkLtV6-2jCr3CclpJ-3tY2kTrmIOW1XW3WtbpxvioyXYuUUJDG8hmQaOIdqrD4fIfsQKBAauRwFToAr_w0klqDH_9i6mAuD_93fvDF-NThZhJ_eV1MmiojFIVlcIj9sRtzYDBeSDAJcnhT6MQxbT7tNqQ/w640-h428/PM%20Mill%20Wheel%20&%20Drive.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our French guide opened the gate to the canal from the river which powered the water wheel, which in turn powered the wheel to the left...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpConOypIhLsoSyD6oAjrms0_Ye0lz9abUKYxlxn79sg36HcBjbgjuC2xDbvN8cuBFXwDdOLgHDoxEvau-mkFxZM0DNsFeLaZWLIFwNKxiVzz_eMk76HuZiBN65COpgfOgZ1U_ou_GlsbKCZRTTn6t6rr5M4ln4H22fg9gwylrqcyNVpCYnH7bB9Vcsg/s3872/PM%20Interior%20Machine1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpConOypIhLsoSyD6oAjrms0_Ye0lz9abUKYxlxn79sg36HcBjbgjuC2xDbvN8cuBFXwDdOLgHDoxEvau-mkFxZM0DNsFeLaZWLIFwNKxiVzz_eMk76HuZiBN65COpgfOgZ1U_ou_GlsbKCZRTTn6t6rr5M4ln4H22fg9gwylrqcyNVpCYnH7bB9Vcsg/w640-h428/PM%20Interior%20Machine1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">transferring power to the belts and machinery within the paper mill. This is an example of a large slurry machine which turned the shredded cotton mixed with water into a slurry.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUlyFUMgN9FBG9mQVrjtkOj0q3vMJ-Pc8SZ7ToWC_EPnxwgV7uiXO_VjpkxvOHJydEBLtWfh4HtZhdLYhMB4ZQrMUykDKkVetzPMVomiSKDt9H8gpWguyanyy8bth1e8UEL-4s2i-y1dgnx8q8Dl1Cv1eyBmSlBXn_mlfHkXvE2RflWLTpTVp90R8Ig/s3872/Interior%20Machinery2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUlyFUMgN9FBG9mQVrjtkOj0q3vMJ-Pc8SZ7ToWC_EPnxwgV7uiXO_VjpkxvOHJydEBLtWfh4HtZhdLYhMB4ZQrMUykDKkVetzPMVomiSKDt9H8gpWguyanyy8bth1e8UEL-4s2i-y1dgnx8q8Dl1Cv1eyBmSlBXn_mlfHkXvE2RflWLTpTVp90R8Ig/w640-h428/Interior%20Machinery2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ0mhBd-YHj90cUJf9ZK-W_05D54n8smR54hcjEm17uVgE9Kqdyj12BLlteZG7YgnA0U7kFzwuvKtdOj0sEaYcTDpyybaVJcr4x3dUkaQBwQ-qlMgKB54-tpnMIaAvSPk16fRNw6n7Tm8xY__5JCOd52GqECMDvN0pbT9xpiaw8tZ-kcUrqoamnuG1w/s3872/PM%20Paper%20Slurry%20Machine1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ0mhBd-YHj90cUJf9ZK-W_05D54n8smR54hcjEm17uVgE9Kqdyj12BLlteZG7YgnA0U7kFzwuvKtdOj0sEaYcTDpyybaVJcr4x3dUkaQBwQ-qlMgKB54-tpnMIaAvSPk16fRNw6n7Tm8xY__5JCOd52GqECMDvN0pbT9xpiaw8tZ-kcUrqoamnuG1w/w640-h428/PM%20Paper%20Slurry%20Machine1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a more modern and smaller version of the slurry machine...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QjTZHHCedD-V5XnIHPqJhNbbD47S6qYX5jtYtEXFtdw5dJK-0q7U9hyi1GOsAG9vEaJ7zgXQhO3J0Z-Cc4f6wEj_-w5dmBuN1r3FDN5-Wuzp-8PH2oUxERGfOwR8HHIq2xkPP9UyLzrAQW0OiVeLlUGCQt5o_0Rrbu9jncACdgMX-AR57zdp4EFBjg/s3872/PM%20Paper%20Slurry%20Machine2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QjTZHHCedD-V5XnIHPqJhNbbD47S6qYX5jtYtEXFtdw5dJK-0q7U9hyi1GOsAG9vEaJ7zgXQhO3J0Z-Cc4f6wEj_-w5dmBuN1r3FDN5-Wuzp-8PH2oUxERGfOwR8HHIq2xkPP9UyLzrAQW0OiVeLlUGCQt5o_0Rrbu9jncACdgMX-AR57zdp4EFBjg/w640-h428/PM%20Paper%20Slurry%20Machine2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which our guide showed us with the cover open to explain the process.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9Oi2yvtROwKGnNQvRlV2zjxtv0HqUrIg2H2JZiXBkdko6P3SHYIMXXQ00jcQdVoBCBb_DeJP8daTsr1xPVaQL6SfWM3lLDABdGs0rzQksmy6-jnUtCLGOdQT5M_fqbXJqUC-du-ost_PYR-KWL80TbBEs4mAfe9EgZGZOcv3gSsUXHIIJNokgKP43Q/s3872/PM%20Paper%20on%20frame1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9Oi2yvtROwKGnNQvRlV2zjxtv0HqUrIg2H2JZiXBkdko6P3SHYIMXXQ00jcQdVoBCBb_DeJP8daTsr1xPVaQL6SfWM3lLDABdGs0rzQksmy6-jnUtCLGOdQT5M_fqbXJqUC-du-ost_PYR-KWL80TbBEs4mAfe9EgZGZOcv3gSsUXHIIJNokgKP43Q/w640-h428/PM%20Paper%20on%20frame1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the slurry is turned into a soupy mixture it is emptied into a large vat. The contents of the vat are stirred prior to placing a frame into the slurry. When the frame is removed you have a paper with the dimensions of the frame.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAxzcICFudYCFyIdIWmXINobyfcEs7FRvO02HHKlxSbPMgrKL6SWLkaeY9YBFj-kNtM-3kT8iO3_nKOfaXGtaYa5NRbSddq4ky2ARCwDN-OvtXby9CWJA2M5an6GcjbBE2wXpOwTpSU8qWEyozuXE89HaointcEgV61cyQOdGwQKWuZpHJiM45eGekw/s3872/PM%20Paper%20Drying1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAxzcICFudYCFyIdIWmXINobyfcEs7FRvO02HHKlxSbPMgrKL6SWLkaeY9YBFj-kNtM-3kT8iO3_nKOfaXGtaYa5NRbSddq4ky2ARCwDN-OvtXby9CWJA2M5an6GcjbBE2wXpOwTpSU8qWEyozuXE89HaointcEgV61cyQOdGwQKWuZpHJiM45eGekw/w640-h428/PM%20Paper%20Drying1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paper is removed, pressed and then hung up to dry.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNIfhPisaaS-AVzh07tcJKfe-YH1nhbYo4s--woRmzZAL4sw_Gyd1obh4DUR5rBlhyz2pKsKe6qJJRZZtOHkf65PvJwi08dnOOndvUSq8zS8BYbDErb8z7PJWWngV4kmz53aI1LqkHrjNa4tfzAspOhhV7G3ilaalGh130wWqR-TlvRZHaT_BiDX7bQ/s3872/PM%20Paper%20Frames2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNIfhPisaaS-AVzh07tcJKfe-YH1nhbYo4s--woRmzZAL4sw_Gyd1obh4DUR5rBlhyz2pKsKe6qJJRZZtOHkf65PvJwi08dnOOndvUSq8zS8BYbDErb8z7PJWWngV4kmz53aI1LqkHrjNa4tfzAspOhhV7G3ilaalGh130wWqR-TlvRZHaT_BiDX7bQ/w640-h428/PM%20Paper%20Frames2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frames were designed to create different sizes and shapes for the paper.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm72Z7XC44gFdpbIy_nnAyUiUieqOejgnvHSTDb1JhfcwQaePPnKHa3U7I1ciFD228lv5ngp1RrqEhjKKolqSb8Rqb4DWS53FiTMKM3kij9voa5wtKv-UKro-bmkT_SYn3c0b1tt3Q8KWs6L6xQlcZdV2iG0isJDdk6dNuYGOew39Gqvb3ETMyASuIgg/s3872/PM%20Paper%20Frames.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm72Z7XC44gFdpbIy_nnAyUiUieqOejgnvHSTDb1JhfcwQaePPnKHa3U7I1ciFD228lv5ngp1RrqEhjKKolqSb8Rqb4DWS53FiTMKM3kij9voa5wtKv-UKro-bmkT_SYn3c0b1tt3Q8KWs6L6xQlcZdV2iG0isJDdk6dNuYGOew39Gqvb3ETMyASuIgg/w428-h640/PM%20Paper%20Frames.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqATpi-OMUuFAyyYXj6vRZYdC2-P-NMh50aGUD7v3YKKIHErJCIya3O5ZHAN7PQ4d2vdibP9hh5juMNeN4-to77ktNswi3S2G57m94F0VHrJvbCUxRy2MKOR08QlLxs6hZIX74GJg14365_L0l2n87f3y6Hrtdmp7J99itt7KhNmrEpl50ImfsWA-I_Q/s3872/PM%20Paper%20Press1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqATpi-OMUuFAyyYXj6vRZYdC2-P-NMh50aGUD7v3YKKIHErJCIya3O5ZHAN7PQ4d2vdibP9hh5juMNeN4-to77ktNswi3S2G57m94F0VHrJvbCUxRy2MKOR08QlLxs6hZIX74GJg14365_L0l2n87f3y6Hrtdmp7J99itt7KhNmrEpl50ImfsWA-I_Q/w428-h640/PM%20Paper%20Press1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of the old fashioned paper press, which fascinated the father far more than the baby.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgjAlH15XZMbc4-xV3vUbl4Z2m3rc89dt6tmqW_d_cH11KG2JBpqsnjmpROPUrd8hKNhNmyAhUaHFKtUDEX683Ywp3v3BjCdWClZpZPtO0tplM09JCeVbqajGuIALU2W4rRU8jJG9ug1ELAxrwaGbcAaGVaPYtaUmV7WPLv7aFxED4ojzF4Qwa9NmUQ/s3872/PM%20Town%20Twin%20Arches1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgjAlH15XZMbc4-xV3vUbl4Z2m3rc89dt6tmqW_d_cH11KG2JBpqsnjmpROPUrd8hKNhNmyAhUaHFKtUDEX683Ywp3v3BjCdWClZpZPtO0tplM09JCeVbqajGuIALU2W4rRU8jJG9ug1ELAxrwaGbcAaGVaPYtaUmV7WPLv7aFxED4ojzF4Qwa9NmUQ/w428-h640/PM%20Town%20Twin%20Arches1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were leaving the village we walked past this old abandoned building with the dual arches.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u>What's Next?</u></p><p>Up next on the extravaganza of French blogs are visits to the Grotte de Rouffignac, The Breuil Cabanes and an amazing Strawberry Festival in Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne. So until then.....</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-7055802637558170572022-05-26T16:46:00.001-05:002022-05-26T16:46:42.325-05:00Beynac Reboot<p> <u>If At First You Don't Succeed...</u></p><p>If you read the last post you'll remember our episode of Obstinate Optimism in attempting to summit, by car, the mount upon which Beynac Castle resides and the quasi-tragic outcome of our attempt. Well, cinching up our sneakers, we set off the next morning to scale the heights on foot. Basically here is how you have to ascend. Begin with a moderately steep, cobbled street rising about 300 vertical ft. from the road at the base. Turn left and then up several "flights" of rock semi-steps of uneven levels for about another 200 vertical feet. Turn right to a very narrow, slippery stretch of randomly strewn rocks for another 100-200 feet arriving at a smattering of tourist shops, ice cream shops and coffee shops lining yet another inclined cobblestone street. There are no handrails anywhere because those are for sissies. Turning one last uphill corner you see the entrance to the castle. And directly across from the entrance you see.... the parking lot. Yes, you COULD drive to the very top of this cursed hill. If you knew how... which we didn't. Oh, well. </p><p><u>Worth The Effort... Well, pretty much</u></p><p>We have seen our share of castles but this one is something special. The pictures will show how impressive the outside is in terms of sheer size and height. You can see Beynac from miles in any direction. It is positioned directly above the Dordogne River and its arch rival, Castlenaud, sits slightly down river on the opposite side, Beynac was English while Castlenaud was French. Oh, how they hated each other. I mean you have to hate each other to stage a Hundred Year War. A serious grudge. We will not be covering Castlenaud in depth because it has been turned into a tawdry tourist attraction (think "dress up like an ancient knight") and besides that we simple could not climb up another damn mountain to see another damn castle. Back to Beynac. The defenses devised as the castle was built were intricate and many. I felt is was a bit over the top because all those knights ladened with all that armor surely would have died just trying to scale the heights to reach the drawbridge but the English are known for being fastidious. While the entire tour of the Castle was interesting, the best part was seeing where Richard the Lionhearted laid his head to sleep after a long day of fighting, guzzling ale and wenching. The kitchen was also nifty. Michael will provide exhaustive photos so you will never feel the compulsion to have to ascend to the Castle to personally experience it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhmTnsOX4Kn4Tk5Eg4KqRFotNTCxnvARtaxLVcGOlkgYOsdUVxxqGGWLP0ryLl2CTJn0-SFsTgLw6R1Gr4a7fptDRvSMEzo6zJHXc9Y-DNPk4Lf2jDzqBL1B1qDIV2KWbtOFQka_3odi-pJbS7X6fQVtTkn7sYjwVpT3008gtn4v-e5FbNTPLXvUZMw/s3872/Beynac%20Castle%20form%20below%20far%20view1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhmTnsOX4Kn4Tk5Eg4KqRFotNTCxnvARtaxLVcGOlkgYOsdUVxxqGGWLP0ryLl2CTJn0-SFsTgLw6R1Gr4a7fptDRvSMEzo6zJHXc9Y-DNPk4Lf2jDzqBL1B1qDIV2KWbtOFQka_3odi-pJbS7X6fQVtTkn7sYjwVpT3008gtn4v-e5FbNTPLXvUZMw/w640-h428/Beynac%20Castle%20form%20below%20far%20view1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting from below, it is impossible to get the full impact of the Beynac Castle...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySkPJRKpHSWL2P-vgPDxRwDGh4M0WKyAt_r9e19GzH9Uv_a24nl2-zrl9_Khr8Q65cg9n3Ok-wvn7RHLwX3wGgH0JlShKjKP9oiQ0Uc51Eo5uJu-pTSriT04uLY6NJZ7UC6Q5ewRdpCmc9yod2-Y7ag1LSBaMvdPTS7CieqmfF87zX57DzRP02K1z2g/s3872/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20below%20long%20view.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySkPJRKpHSWL2P-vgPDxRwDGh4M0WKyAt_r9e19GzH9Uv_a24nl2-zrl9_Khr8Q65cg9n3Ok-wvn7RHLwX3wGgH0JlShKjKP9oiQ0Uc51Eo5uJu-pTSriT04uLY6NJZ7UC6Q5ewRdpCmc9yod2-Y7ag1LSBaMvdPTS7CieqmfF87zX57DzRP02K1z2g/w640-h428/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20below%20long%20view.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">although in these photos you can see the birds...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mU--wdtLgDBmskrSYyYN3lKRDQAdemqGqw_esUYTnASbtvZJN1l_oKiNcHsJDAcwECn2L2lXjMeu2ngy09vj2m-GMSTAatqLqhdQ8fxtx6tJQRpYx8zdvX5IHAZf8smsa3hpCjTFfAHcSfavC5Yg7aiy7lXPq7OQQkHb4Q6oLej7OdfddpkzNC5Lag/s3872/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20below%20w.%20birds2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mU--wdtLgDBmskrSYyYN3lKRDQAdemqGqw_esUYTnASbtvZJN1l_oKiNcHsJDAcwECn2L2lXjMeu2ngy09vj2m-GMSTAatqLqhdQ8fxtx6tJQRpYx8zdvX5IHAZf8smsa3hpCjTFfAHcSfavC5Yg7aiy7lXPq7OQQkHb4Q6oLej7OdfddpkzNC5Lag/w640-h428/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20below%20w.%20birds2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">are actually flying below the castle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU1juBxuLcIBugU7B5ZSQGWBfmyQ2QA0-KReWfc8VwZ-LExQC0fL4JavRPNDRqNpjMq8153zjB5FbYXKuoVWUnn08GoJA4vPUk0sx9U38RIY910kvMCa6YNRAAyjIJ0zE97o_hMOKDTICbbncXVVIjF_mco9F33LJclO2j9DbIZuDhsF7st14pQhaaw/s3872/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20Marqueysac.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU1juBxuLcIBugU7B5ZSQGWBfmyQ2QA0-KReWfc8VwZ-LExQC0fL4JavRPNDRqNpjMq8153zjB5FbYXKuoVWUnn08GoJA4vPUk0sx9U38RIY910kvMCa6YNRAAyjIJ0zE97o_hMOKDTICbbncXVVIjF_mco9F33LJclO2j9DbIZuDhsF7st14pQhaaw/w640-h428/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20Marqueysac.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo from Chateau Marqueysac gives one a much better perspective.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriZwjKXifWPx7lQuVmUaEn3lXUKejPuV5iKpEctv76Em5YdGLH_TXKFITT0UshzpZhPMAvD55xauVNXnN5hdV38iNuwEykBFHx8HyqRJBmsJDtSqtHqBxNnJooCR9SvtLv3tJ1NsMF7aaUleMQ0MMLH5ciTThvWmc_hwh6xkU9qaG3pIjdtHtirozDg/s3872/BC%20Parking%20Lot.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriZwjKXifWPx7lQuVmUaEn3lXUKejPuV5iKpEctv76Em5YdGLH_TXKFITT0UshzpZhPMAvD55xauVNXnN5hdV38iNuwEykBFHx8HyqRJBmsJDtSqtHqBxNnJooCR9SvtLv3tJ1NsMF7aaUleMQ0MMLH5ciTThvWmc_hwh6xkU9qaG3pIjdtHtirozDg/w428-h640/BC%20Parking%20Lot.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parking lot was on the other side, where you see the car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5yr_XvLPE8iTbdeAIMh7pTfpU3TMY0VYQOi3ru2WFu264AaLyvH2I3F7384JghN0-mS_tBQ9KJzQ2-VkDCwIqHKlkZ73qckXKjBsnPR9QQiFjfZB6nR4NZQJq47LzPXHGoyRwY4KD6Osi9PbuB8b0Puw3NrXMPsEf1KdGp42gk-rQS212Lb2-5NYHA/w428-h640/BC%20Cobblestone%20Path.jpeg" width="428" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portion of the cobblestone path we hiked up to the Castle.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdX8NB0yNF4AEPBaME-CZ9cSfpGRgkpKjra_Sw7F_rFic9yzSVg8_nknFeocSjxB2VQfoiWZqCi70j08YSDIREnTM_AeVE3YITkgQbGGnD0No2d2szfCA_jB9BFunmDDjdJ0207zuKHGIdhJoujTHFwLoNtHmBKSoZQ4nsmtOx05jTzlFa8VgfcuZ7A/s3872/BC%20Castle%20w.%20Wooden%20Structure1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdX8NB0yNF4AEPBaME-CZ9cSfpGRgkpKjra_Sw7F_rFic9yzSVg8_nknFeocSjxB2VQfoiWZqCi70j08YSDIREnTM_AeVE3YITkgQbGGnD0No2d2szfCA_jB9BFunmDDjdJ0207zuKHGIdhJoujTHFwLoNtHmBKSoZQ4nsmtOx05jTzlFa8VgfcuZ7A/w428-h640/BC%20Castle%20w.%20Wooden%20Structure1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not sure if I would be comfortable standing in a wooden structure hanging off the wall with a very significant drop to solid ground.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg3nAiAqEUOs36d8i1Yl0Zu2qK7uTlAOR1H3eJWxxIfRzdpNmhjXlKl_zjQaoO007Rc87Q1kLZMTvNlCXdqkJ8Z6Lx-syXH5C9wBv4rItuOrd5Pqc0L-daiZ87aq7pJpm1IrVLsR8EcEeWVYIErqwSSnvDMWf76z5_B61KNSGeS1PCKyi3HKXa82LWQ/s3872/BC%20Castle%20Yard%20View1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg3nAiAqEUOs36d8i1Yl0Zu2qK7uTlAOR1H3eJWxxIfRzdpNmhjXlKl_zjQaoO007Rc87Q1kLZMTvNlCXdqkJ8Z6Lx-syXH5C9wBv4rItuOrd5Pqc0L-daiZ87aq7pJpm1IrVLsR8EcEeWVYIErqwSSnvDMWf76z5_B61KNSGeS1PCKyi3HKXa82LWQ/w428-h640/BC%20Castle%20Yard%20View1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side view of a section of the castle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQPgIsbs5J1rYvfHo6s94KbfPXAwB7Y_4w76PHgqG0gz1vgKf8uiwXyZEmxvY8gaPw_AlEOVj7Wg4NWOJat7dPf3P-JI_-uM4cqm7bvOZJP6W6k15S7muGyd9TFUpbRHZ2MOgBkPHTFeILzwCU2k6rrYnj8tU7ZPpBbYj8G1kJ-wjkx99q_0qoxqDWw/s3872/BC%20Chapel%20Altar.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQPgIsbs5J1rYvfHo6s94KbfPXAwB7Y_4w76PHgqG0gz1vgKf8uiwXyZEmxvY8gaPw_AlEOVj7Wg4NWOJat7dPf3P-JI_-uM4cqm7bvOZJP6W6k15S7muGyd9TFUpbRHZ2MOgBkPHTFeILzwCU2k6rrYnj8tU7ZPpBbYj8G1kJ-wjkx99q_0qoxqDWw/w428-h640/BC%20Chapel%20Altar.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chapel altar in the Castle...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qvnQn0olufyTdn2_we_lco0X5w0oQzBIVMce6lGlTmyJ-GWIFbSFw37niD8w2cJFyYE5wYqR-_Yxs7-IjQslqnWIch8ym-7RmcI1zF87WppExe5dftOB9mmlyZr_CdSIaC5_R8b7mQIc3t23U6AgR9666X6pwOb5PNyP3konZkdY4vwizxm1nRfObQ/s3872/BC%20Church%20View%20from%20Above1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qvnQn0olufyTdn2_we_lco0X5w0oQzBIVMce6lGlTmyJ-GWIFbSFw37niD8w2cJFyYE5wYqR-_Yxs7-IjQslqnWIch8ym-7RmcI1zF87WppExe5dftOB9mmlyZr_CdSIaC5_R8b7mQIc3t23U6AgR9666X6pwOb5PNyP3konZkdY4vwizxm1nRfObQ/w640-h428/BC%20Church%20View%20from%20Above1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as opposed to the Church located on the Castle grounds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQMzPLh99swkRZdShXE1Fa0Ak5MyBiUqgrPRT8ROv8nWeNZv-mCRlEA-GIAyVJ_8-HP419mw08oB5Yy7BUomUGo2UkB5_dRWUJ78aenYigFXPJKZ4KG7An-Po_S2x1wGXEo51CQQRfQtksB9uQuvQSwfRrePsnLiNgPxG25saJIpC0t6L7OE5o0bn0Q/s3872/BC%20Countryside%20View3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQMzPLh99swkRZdShXE1Fa0Ak5MyBiUqgrPRT8ROv8nWeNZv-mCRlEA-GIAyVJ_8-HP419mw08oB5Yy7BUomUGo2UkB5_dRWUJ78aenYigFXPJKZ4KG7An-Po_S2x1wGXEo51CQQRfQtksB9uQuvQSwfRrePsnLiNgPxG25saJIpC0t6L7OE5o0bn0Q/w428-h640/BC%20Countryside%20View3.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Dordogne river & countryside from the top of the Castle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVN5YA-yiGvlhltWuZp7Nz1vCt8XpZdrolsae2l9ky5VCoEGY4I1g0Et_7QUWd69tByLuXt38eRHys2vTjKashPwniJDIEUM3LPxzvdhUBV-OHKiMZ0MTEUhATGf9t37mZAEdz3keCQVm2cM7hch7Axl5aGB-CobjVnjUZae7uRppR6PF-otq9CQHB_A/s3872/BC%20Great%20Hall%20Tapestry1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVN5YA-yiGvlhltWuZp7Nz1vCt8XpZdrolsae2l9ky5VCoEGY4I1g0Et_7QUWd69tByLuXt38eRHys2vTjKashPwniJDIEUM3LPxzvdhUBV-OHKiMZ0MTEUhATGf9t37mZAEdz3keCQVm2cM7hch7Axl5aGB-CobjVnjUZae7uRppR6PF-otq9CQHB_A/w428-h640/BC%20Great%20Hall%20Tapestry1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are two of the tapestries adorning the walls of the Castle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq81dI69G5577ChEsrdsIynam8eTzIxGeV0ahmP3yaHuy72m6PsJAoF_atC_3T807qRQHOUzaGAYO53UOYuLt9wshRaaX9b6-rNL3fnM41oQg7AmDtLJP1yb7wZvZFCNzF6M1fCHwhXaOGcgD0RN_CV_eHv6C3Nx_2uxozz06nmhCCsbi_87e9hyOYhg/s3872/BC%20Tapestry4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq81dI69G5577ChEsrdsIynam8eTzIxGeV0ahmP3yaHuy72m6PsJAoF_atC_3T807qRQHOUzaGAYO53UOYuLt9wshRaaX9b6-rNL3fnM41oQg7AmDtLJP1yb7wZvZFCNzF6M1fCHwhXaOGcgD0RN_CV_eHv6C3Nx_2uxozz06nmhCCsbi_87e9hyOYhg/w640-h428/BC%20Tapestry4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJrFu0DDD3szrm5iq7iMo9hj1HXZ5fZPdvzc6Fp6hvbdy44gtXsZa_ISMBObA0GguMAQkEDADOaaB2uhSrBqibO91s_lh72OhQ_UDn_QtYnJITJpDdiI7HDNNh9rwTIAz45LA_lhAX9_fduwIRO7Pp42b1EkPMybRAA6kFkKpVsPTDEZxcAEDFF9lxw/s3872/BC%20Worn%20Stairs2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJrFu0DDD3szrm5iq7iMo9hj1HXZ5fZPdvzc6Fp6hvbdy44gtXsZa_ISMBObA0GguMAQkEDADOaaB2uhSrBqibO91s_lh72OhQ_UDn_QtYnJITJpDdiI7HDNNh9rwTIAz45LA_lhAX9_fduwIRO7Pp42b1EkPMybRAA6kFkKpVsPTDEZxcAEDFF9lxw/w428-h640/BC%20Worn%20Stairs2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see that these stairs have had some wear over the years.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCFyldkX8NFN5Om07q7DiyVVUDv77fv3WwSNJ42qVQO0_KBCjCeyUaR6rxZbuN9xuPYELELOljcNMzVxM8scWf34i74xubVuiISpj761qDrq9XJrur1cJBo6sicXQDvrERuyxv59dSNMGErho9o_itVj0UM40HvWOslYxz2usWYOCSS_TWb_BSHNpBQ/s3872/BC%20Richard%20Lionhearted%20Bedroom1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCFyldkX8NFN5Om07q7DiyVVUDv77fv3WwSNJ42qVQO0_KBCjCeyUaR6rxZbuN9xuPYELELOljcNMzVxM8scWf34i74xubVuiISpj761qDrq9XJrur1cJBo6sicXQDvrERuyxv59dSNMGErho9o_itVj0UM40HvWOslYxz2usWYOCSS_TWb_BSHNpBQ/w640-h428/BC%20Richard%20Lionhearted%20Bedroom1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the bed & bedroom of Richard the Lionhearted in Beynac Castle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfr-s2po-1Gk8wbnbI5h5KhccX9A27qidSwjpmboQUI5esLaKSqttqqWG8GeDgsaKbB1tScgW_CxDUmbnUD505A521whYjZhWB-EGpvuDHX5T-p21lzoImp7SyTL88Y7BJbT8s900esXO4RM5MU5HIScwS0qiAeY7ltNGtH7b07HfZaCYh7KJCCCFJA/w640-h428/BC%20Kitchen1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two views of the Castle kitchen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSRQ7Nj0IvVZBSs7lmcmatTk7E6DpAWj0gA8Fo5GU6Wf39qLsf6_NftXG3Olm_bZWL8OquYVrNYKF8xlCQU-B_VmJ-hUB3MhxMc546PikmgfLTis39H5jDI946fc9vBtuaz2_WxH69mRmOZnfgFhpjcQapwCXoH56D9qDGliO_7Scl28KJ7qvWlEGbg/s3872/BC%20Kitchen6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSRQ7Nj0IvVZBSs7lmcmatTk7E6DpAWj0gA8Fo5GU6Wf39qLsf6_NftXG3Olm_bZWL8OquYVrNYKF8xlCQU-B_VmJ-hUB3MhxMc546PikmgfLTis39H5jDI946fc9vBtuaz2_WxH69mRmOZnfgFhpjcQapwCXoH56D9qDGliO_7Scl28KJ7qvWlEGbg/w640-h428/BC%20Kitchen6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVr2tOmI0EdJTw4jIGYvwPIuXC3N_xuFY_7_U0HwK7_3Kzzy3zIZ39fGlOFUb6Z7EHItLjnTejkz5_jflSFj2iUo72aAiVB0nZhwq-dG1VfKdis9kqdnaPW9gurPx6FiW4ZtRDn2F0bCj-QbhKRG7ve4ADKQRJaf2aujDV-Z8L3E33_2xfJ95-93wsQ/s3872/Dordogne%20River%20view%20from%20BC2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVr2tOmI0EdJTw4jIGYvwPIuXC3N_xuFY_7_U0HwK7_3Kzzy3zIZ39fGlOFUb6Z7EHItLjnTejkz5_jflSFj2iUo72aAiVB0nZhwq-dG1VfKdis9kqdnaPW9gurPx6FiW4ZtRDn2F0bCj-QbhKRG7ve4ADKQRJaf2aujDV-Z8L3E33_2xfJ95-93wsQ/w428-h640/Dordogne%20River%20view%20from%20BC2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Dordogne River & countryside from the Castle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>And Now An Amazing Story - The Story of Josephine Baker</u></p><p>I will give you the short form -- which actually isn't that short. For more in-depth information you can watch The Josephine Baker Story which is, I think currently, on Netflix. After Beynac, for a change of pace, we visited Chateau Milandes -- the home of Josephine Baker for many years. The Chateau itself is beautiful. It is so easy to pick out the chateaus or manses that were built by women. Less angular, more cozy, generally on a smaller scale. Chateau Milandes was ordered constructed by the wife of the nobleman who commanded Castlenaud because she was sick and tired of being in a cold, drafty, immense fortress. I mean, who could blame her. Years and years pass and the chateau is passed along or appropriated by various folk who let it decline. There were the Religious Wars which pitted Catholics against Protestants and the inhabitant of Milandes always seemed to be on the wrong side and ended up being murdered in various ways. There was a lot of turnover.</p><p>So, Josephine Baker visits Milandes with a friend who owns it and she falls in love with it. The owner sells it to her and she lives there for many years. But I am getting ahead of myself. Josephine Baker was a black woman born in 1906 into extreme poverty in Saint Louis, Missouri. At 8 years old, until she was 10, she left school to help support her family. By her mid teens she was dancing in revues and by the early 20s she was in New York where she spent several years dancing and in various revues. She left New York for Paris in the mid 20s and took the town by storm. Many black actors, writers and performers found France much less prejudiced and they were not subjected to the rigid segregation that plagued the States. Baker performed in many dance halls and revues with the most famous being the Follies Bergere. She stunned audiences when she appeared on stage wearing a G String with bananas hanging from it in profusion. She was also part of the Revue Negre in which she introduced the Danse Sauvage -- once again a big hit. Many of her outfits are on view at the Chateau.</p><p>The 20s become the 30s and we all know that the 30s did not end well. Josephine, who by then is an international sensation, becomes involved with both the Red Cross and the French Resistance as Europe is engulfed in war. She arranges a series of tours across Africa and Europe and she is accompanied by a top resistance officer who is posing as her agent (or something like that). At each stop, while entertaining an audience, they are gathering intelligence for use by the Allies. After the war, Josephine was awarded several of the highest military honors awarded by the French.</p><p>The war ends and Josephine really concentrates on fixing up Chateau Milandes while continuing to perform until 1956. In 1950 she begins to adopt children from all around the world to try to demonstrate the power of brotherhood. She calls them her "Rainbow Tribe" and they all come to live at Chateau Milandes. Perhaps this is where Angelina Jolie got the idea? She insists the adopted children be integrated with the local children and ensures that all her children, and the town children, get the very best educations. She is a terrible financial manager however and by the end of the 50s she needs to re-enter show business to support the Chateau, the children and herself. During the 60s Josephine also made several tours in the U.S. and participated in Civil Rights Marches and Demonstrations. She was a busy, if financially inept, girl.</p><p>And she never mastered that financial thing. Ultimately she couldn't meet here obligations and the Chateau was foreclosed upon. Josephine barricaded herself in the house and refused to leave. One day, when she had to leave to get groceries they locked the house so she could not return. The next morning she was found asleep leaning against the kitchen door. Enter Princess Grace of Monaco. They were buddies and Princess Grace was not going to put up with this so she whisked Josephine away and provided her with lodging and succor in Monaco. Her children were grown, well educated and are now scattered around the world. Josephine died in Paris in 1975. This place and the story of Josephine Baker was one of the best days of our trip. Rarely have we been on a trip that encompassed such a variety of historical events, personalities and geological oddities. But more on all of those later.</p><p>Unfortunately no photographs were allowed in the Chateau. However the garden and the wild avian show made up for the lack of photos in the Chateau.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fhJlqiPFNgl5Cz7dURZ-k2_6NHX922oAOPV-Wz_9IQufFhcj_4u59NlEnqPAJ6pVm_Ig1fHVoizftyWcBPOuL8jGXTKirsMaz1qDyXFK-Tmn72g59RF3TGmu_Xs_b9WYnlS87qgoiIsRlan7IeOtmVSlKejGTe7mU9XZ4OC0_5zKBU5ZWDvikBozFg/s3872/Chateau%20de%20Milandes%20Garden1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fhJlqiPFNgl5Cz7dURZ-k2_6NHX922oAOPV-Wz_9IQufFhcj_4u59NlEnqPAJ6pVm_Ig1fHVoizftyWcBPOuL8jGXTKirsMaz1qDyXFK-Tmn72g59RF3TGmu_Xs_b9WYnlS87qgoiIsRlan7IeOtmVSlKejGTe7mU9XZ4OC0_5zKBU5ZWDvikBozFg/w640-h428/Chateau%20de%20Milandes%20Garden1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again the clipped, sculpted hedges reminiscent of the other French gardens was in evidence here as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE6I2ZxTfX2WJtSlCxfD4r8eZ0ImjsIg4Lgh3Tf9BOA99ExE3sa-t24qK4J7ujcmlVmh5aWuoQEz3dCDMR1rof29Lh7tlgQC3kHsmt-TDCVVdQR2FCRep2NmZY5Ye9cAWeG_Xo7vokZpdRUNkW3ntgrSqnNpaNfocil9MpZR3NCs7yxrE5rApoGUDFA/s3872/CM%20Church3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE6I2ZxTfX2WJtSlCxfD4r8eZ0ImjsIg4Lgh3Tf9BOA99ExE3sa-t24qK4J7ujcmlVmh5aWuoQEz3dCDMR1rof29Lh7tlgQC3kHsmt-TDCVVdQR2FCRep2NmZY5Ye9cAWeG_Xo7vokZpdRUNkW3ntgrSqnNpaNfocil9MpZR3NCs7yxrE5rApoGUDFA/w640-h428/CM%20Church3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chateau even had its own Church on the property.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoB5Pmg5uBoLivi97-d8a777ht91obk6EYqymkTxvzGRKDvjvqPdzTtjnDGkI7-tMynt7KspdtAW9paOWajz6HDQXIWkbQJVpauDC8aOZTmBaGHc0zbNwt4VpYM9DFUWLh5BBFGwqiWlotd2NIWAE_6yKi-hOZ-MyMxn8zS17J-HSCjxKuqg_48NJxw/s3872/CM%20Right%20back%20tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoB5Pmg5uBoLivi97-d8a777ht91obk6EYqymkTxvzGRKDvjvqPdzTtjnDGkI7-tMynt7KspdtAW9paOWajz6HDQXIWkbQJVpauDC8aOZTmBaGHc0zbNwt4VpYM9DFUWLh5BBFGwqiWlotd2NIWAE_6yKi-hOZ-MyMxn8zS17J-HSCjxKuqg_48NJxw/w428-h640/CM%20Right%20back%20tower.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rounded towers was one of the most prominent features of the Chateua...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF5jWwHSctxFFO5us3pkv3U1tRTEqozUyrN1mOG6JzWkIBOomCCegMnHWwPtvHkJJhIIlQ2dIfkRM_VfsmpVgx1qTIU-pGQz-BU6DxW-kRWrHQ9ptiYSgzA0Cxg_7GeAK1buo3mtBvDV9erKuZcwKLGJf1RwAwzeF6uBWMeseWaRMK0dQZsXHoG_bOw/s3872/CM%20Exterior%20Tower1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF5jWwHSctxFFO5us3pkv3U1tRTEqozUyrN1mOG6JzWkIBOomCCegMnHWwPtvHkJJhIIlQ2dIfkRM_VfsmpVgx1qTIU-pGQz-BU6DxW-kRWrHQ9ptiYSgzA0Cxg_7GeAK1buo3mtBvDV9erKuZcwKLGJf1RwAwzeF6uBWMeseWaRMK0dQZsXHoG_bOw/w428-h640/CM%20Exterior%20Tower1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">acting as bookends on either end of the Chateau.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQeqdRDL2H-KlXH9STASJu2P-ewIF4KGE52kClhqvExWX2dSiFAfC4JhJ5-kKEI0j5qRMimAfykmJuykKoug5GRXA_LcCtbS_Il4fPYQuSEPFzPLQObcdbrByosJ-WydWR2kDtrw-m_pHCIzW84Bh-yvuzLYIgBIseyReyezHXIbdjzB3YPNPkde1Jg/s3872/M%20Barn%20Owl.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQeqdRDL2H-KlXH9STASJu2P-ewIF4KGE52kClhqvExWX2dSiFAfC4JhJ5-kKEI0j5qRMimAfykmJuykKoug5GRXA_LcCtbS_Il4fPYQuSEPFzPLQObcdbrByosJ-WydWR2kDtrw-m_pHCIzW84Bh-yvuzLYIgBIseyReyezHXIbdjzB3YPNPkde1Jg/w428-h640/M%20Barn%20Owl.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before touring the lower garden, we stopped to admire the raptors in the aviary.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezWcMfQcGuNGSd0vJrTLyQ1nU8SIm1WVq-U_om_TJVlfzqgVAoEjyBClLmAe2pLN6Ir0wlxOgSAmAtta2zQgrKW6jK6g8SFBYZjn104uLvjl8poknoboor3pfRZDWpxAZFfgHCHKm-rYqDLxX9Ck09FrRL9CN5klpB84KP55HaeKLct17nqmhDxPxAg/s3872/M%20Snowy%20Owl1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezWcMfQcGuNGSd0vJrTLyQ1nU8SIm1WVq-U_om_TJVlfzqgVAoEjyBClLmAe2pLN6Ir0wlxOgSAmAtta2zQgrKW6jK6g8SFBYZjn104uLvjl8poknoboor3pfRZDWpxAZFfgHCHKm-rYqDLxX9Ck09FrRL9CN5klpB84KP55HaeKLct17nqmhDxPxAg/w428-h640/M%20Snowy%20Owl1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This owl was in very much of a Zen mode.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEWSH3HbnjtoVyS59lkv21MC9tNSpIZ-GB5cEFuk-a_K4Gd-pfx-Je4KwetA2VYOIbgvLofMS0sIVI9-oHZ875SZcdu4F5pOUsEqzpSKUaFYVP0ozzfqgkf05-W7Ejew0Snjry5j1zB9RFNwLAlMM3vJ4XJ9JL3s2G8PGS7_V5BMSR9VfiK4QMvQqTQ/s3872/CM%20Back%20of%20Garden%20to%20Chateau2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEWSH3HbnjtoVyS59lkv21MC9tNSpIZ-GB5cEFuk-a_K4Gd-pfx-Je4KwetA2VYOIbgvLofMS0sIVI9-oHZ875SZcdu4F5pOUsEqzpSKUaFYVP0ozzfqgkf05-W7Ejew0Snjry5j1zB9RFNwLAlMM3vJ4XJ9JL3s2G8PGS7_V5BMSR9VfiK4QMvQqTQ/w640-h428/CM%20Back%20of%20Garden%20to%20Chateau2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back toward the Chateau from the lower garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNLjPjmV1T5yKI0V9UL4GORH7Lpgdbgr1j44CcNHIywU9-NXcozgbtYBXIHkUO5Sp3aZzDIrZm-cXJQ1s6QTtHmAfAjUK7Ri-Hqr7hwGYX4zw9icO0FWupOKGeajOrpbkxYVpzg2Q5fAs5t8brdfjR3UUDUydsfxQZBq76pkG9rYPT-wibxA_xxmcgA/w428-h640/CM%20Fountain2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="428" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">These stairstep pools led down one hill of the garden...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW8vcqdqgfqgEE-G3-X5Sb1AjOEwsvVG5gh2GzX5F4fqpezXD5uVRN1-cjIvZG32Cuemlj1ug44rMI9GR2rFeiY-pVTZVvnmFhy8vc82XkIH1BpJ_YAMbcLPTgzNhr3Fq_j4ZRdzPZEj7vm98zJN8KFy3uAfLn41C8cr3DuN-y2PPy1eoTeBDApKaEQ/s3872/CM%20Stairstep%20Fountain2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW8vcqdqgfqgEE-G3-X5Sb1AjOEwsvVG5gh2GzX5F4fqpezXD5uVRN1-cjIvZG32Cuemlj1ug44rMI9GR2rFeiY-pVTZVvnmFhy8vc82XkIH1BpJ_YAMbcLPTgzNhr3Fq_j4ZRdzPZEj7vm98zJN8KFy3uAfLn41C8cr3DuN-y2PPy1eoTeBDApKaEQ/w428-h640/CM%20Stairstep%20Fountain2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and up the other side of the hill...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q_rL2K6DUdjlxGx6RXW4dngVgUtYYIOAlAazWF_aT0QNB0vJ1d-e_iOtzXBfnSwOgEEjS9zk7IJkvEJK2GAb0pC_uNuz8ZGyTQQ2Tl3aSvAzCq9U8lOsgYoxnjuRCU3ZY0vQaU7ATFQomRptYxMj8gHEVHBuXpYoa6vVBVZP2z_VXmUBKVytgxTsmA/s3872/CM%20Reflecting%20Infinity%20Pool1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q_rL2K6DUdjlxGx6RXW4dngVgUtYYIOAlAazWF_aT0QNB0vJ1d-e_iOtzXBfnSwOgEEjS9zk7IJkvEJK2GAb0pC_uNuz8ZGyTQQ2Tl3aSvAzCq9U8lOsgYoxnjuRCU3ZY0vQaU7ATFQomRptYxMj8gHEVHBuXpYoa6vVBVZP2z_VXmUBKVytgxTsmA/w640-h428/CM%20Reflecting%20Infinity%20Pool1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This infinity pool was between the stairstep pools.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2senl-vNe3cIr6hipuJi43IaESM5f9GEAFHzwqDrRwWboMk-UPCCEcapvNUxBZYQkOHOPt_oRwO9x4wghCLPaGIhPGgE6S-DV5QUjNYAI9B_rK4tDNnGdC_hflMb-LSDeyaGRN2efce3BXFX2V1HXLqvSsApLpZIFrOjd-H8Gc2ogwnTA_wuT1MI-6A/s3872/CM%20Reflecting%20Pool%20&%20back%20garden.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2senl-vNe3cIr6hipuJi43IaESM5f9GEAFHzwqDrRwWboMk-UPCCEcapvNUxBZYQkOHOPt_oRwO9x4wghCLPaGIhPGgE6S-DV5QUjNYAI9B_rK4tDNnGdC_hflMb-LSDeyaGRN2efce3BXFX2V1HXLqvSsApLpZIFrOjd-H8Gc2ogwnTA_wuT1MI-6A/w640-h428/CM%20Reflecting%20Pool%20&%20back%20garden.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the back of the garden from the infinity reflecting pool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ9I-vOGoZT3xKLTIhEOf1rHlA3pkDhRz4FwemjYWHxJyN51eZlX3-xrz3lhba1ZWxCNI6xNjI9gXqsd4_p4cD4QYLVyBuHzePDnBEp51m3OC_JrIJTh2uonqKNT_K0dBTNEV2QtgsNZp02qYkKHQIXHV9cu6z0c5wjFRd6ZZl4c5ehLQN2no0bdjsQ/s3872/CM%20Bald%20Eagle2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ9I-vOGoZT3xKLTIhEOf1rHlA3pkDhRz4FwemjYWHxJyN51eZlX3-xrz3lhba1ZWxCNI6xNjI9gXqsd4_p4cD4QYLVyBuHzePDnBEp51m3OC_JrIJTh2uonqKNT_K0dBTNEV2QtgsNZp02qYkKHQIXHV9cu6z0c5wjFRd6ZZl4c5ehLQN2no0bdjsQ/w640-h428/CM%20Bald%20Eagle2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The avian raptor show was a highlight of the visit to the Chateau, with a bald eagle...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHsrKMcaYEzlGJjwaGFtawtVm7BmH2Vs8rbcLPMST1jzu9UVS6VuRO0z_evyxj1bww56NIw9HsReb6RouKN1XHnVDb1CxGvZBzrMYzfBAkZLY6uV_AKZkhy1wsRak8d1ruzi8_412jPL6FDq21-2wgx7yj9qvKUyvTv9nz-QXsgMTveEwvc0-XbfmYQ/s3872/CM%20Bald%20Eagle3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHsrKMcaYEzlGJjwaGFtawtVm7BmH2Vs8rbcLPMST1jzu9UVS6VuRO0z_evyxj1bww56NIw9HsReb6RouKN1XHnVDb1CxGvZBzrMYzfBAkZLY6uV_AKZkhy1wsRak8d1ruzi8_412jPL6FDq21-2wgx7yj9qvKUyvTv9nz-QXsgMTveEwvc0-XbfmYQ/w640-h428/CM%20Bald%20Eagle3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P29ho5WS9gokaQJLbHmVRylYKfCu8NqaYbRD-R19GRzep_EaAdomFpTvdLc4AUaUgyX6DXdgUnf-iiLo1XBwkGjxbK48jXTt9fmNVRym_rMn-6PzyHEMwgtPcYRkXcfEWElbezGd4wRkXjrn741ES0cTHGuymnfkfCXPKmgg_WTd4IbdkRJeZxnHXQ/s2592/CM%20Owl%20in%20Flight1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P29ho5WS9gokaQJLbHmVRylYKfCu8NqaYbRD-R19GRzep_EaAdomFpTvdLc4AUaUgyX6DXdgUnf-iiLo1XBwkGjxbK48jXTt9fmNVRym_rMn-6PzyHEMwgtPcYRkXcfEWElbezGd4wRkXjrn741ES0cTHGuymnfkfCXPKmgg_WTd4IbdkRJeZxnHXQ/w480-h640/CM%20Owl%20in%20Flight1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these pictures of a great horned owl in flight...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrp3QEK5dWRZMPEW_OQiUv5GI81K0vX4ehhUWuVQO92Inx6RWaYJnh5OR0c1JrbwsZDhsvWKaCLYTVuvUYA0Wc-1J9BsG2-dNdC7Y-FNKJKOGd_5XGALf8AsZInB3PWDEGE27sKFSTHlCYhzp3yw0o0flDsR6NAoUm7nlIdbQUJJPgM00Tqu1rAgxYg/s3872/Owl%20in%20Flight2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrp3QEK5dWRZMPEW_OQiUv5GI81K0vX4ehhUWuVQO92Inx6RWaYJnh5OR0c1JrbwsZDhsvWKaCLYTVuvUYA0Wc-1J9BsG2-dNdC7Y-FNKJKOGd_5XGALf8AsZInB3PWDEGE27sKFSTHlCYhzp3yw0o0flDsR6NAoUm7nlIdbQUJJPgM00Tqu1rAgxYg/w640-h428/Owl%20in%20Flight2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaeGkqg3n4BQhA2pJh-6UIbDh4tXQzDDS1FLJzjg3DfjLFhhk9gUEKz7R2n3ef2ZR6jaSR7_Af6VkIAFV3g-feITnYN5AsrOGtVyby91x5Y9qCGbCgY-wRFvOMlz5ZuTCtlB7Ycrn5GGVrPN2uMncNb9kS9pOw50DeDJqtxRqyNpUOWRixghRMb9xbQ/s3872/Owl%20in%20Flight3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaeGkqg3n4BQhA2pJh-6UIbDh4tXQzDDS1FLJzjg3DfjLFhhk9gUEKz7R2n3ef2ZR6jaSR7_Af6VkIAFV3g-feITnYN5AsrOGtVyby91x5Y9qCGbCgY-wRFvOMlz5ZuTCtlB7Ycrn5GGVrPN2uMncNb9kS9pOw50DeDJqtxRqyNpUOWRixghRMb9xbQ/w640-h428/Owl%20in%20Flight3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDFOdGqWmG-YB_Qvr0nL58rd-WAxC9gl7AON6rP0-I1R9O1mWflWOAdMUVy8Xj2LF5ne2pyCTe8gRtRm3Dq4nUSOF0EhLWI_w64M87hGlDkI2Yp_MbBLKXkboV15GaZFMKCT4VxrMvm-LzB6SsX5cVoWOK7Vk_5BaJXt6r0etuRyTieBfW8I_-Bop_A/s2592/CM%20Pygmy%20Owl.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="2106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDFOdGqWmG-YB_Qvr0nL58rd-WAxC9gl7AON6rP0-I1R9O1mWflWOAdMUVy8Xj2LF5ne2pyCTe8gRtRm3Dq4nUSOF0EhLWI_w64M87hGlDkI2Yp_MbBLKXkboV15GaZFMKCT4VxrMvm-LzB6SsX5cVoWOK7Vk_5BaJXt6r0etuRyTieBfW8I_-Bop_A/w520-h640/CM%20Pygmy%20Owl.jpeg" width="520" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and finally this cute pygmy owl resting on the rail. Looking at the talons, one can understand why the handlers wear very thick leather gloves.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><u><br /></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u>One More Thing</u></p><p>I've got to squeeze one more thing into this blog or we'll end up with a zillion blog posts just from this trip. Market Day is Wednesday in Sarlat. Actually Saturday is the BIG market but we thought Wednesday was about all we could handle. Sarlat is a beautiful town on any day but on Market Day it is truly vibrant. We spent the morning strolling the market buying more things than we ever should have and settled down for lunch in a Square away from the cacophony of the market. While sipping wine, we listened to a cellist who had set up in the middle of the Square. After a few minutes he was joined by a violinist. A while later by a guitarist. The music was marvelous but the ambiance of the square completed the picture. Michael has pictures which try to capture those moments in time. But still photos can't capture a toddler "dancing" to the music before making herself comfortable in the nest of the cellist's instrument case. So, until next time my friends.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0nVL3eqsJYnL68Fcm2B2sreSZDFuWLOfYBjZQFYZIdd15WcS7OXmqJ_TPmkUpGv3AfeUbfyYaEY48txgXrSppeRaTj-BQUz0jPiSLL8cG9-2AG2BTgZpwlyGq2u9BSMxPMIk_-UJBRItUsfsxySZtDFnqsWqp4gZ2G_j-Nb-uL9Oced1bYpN1jVhGQ/s3872/Sarlat%20market%20Day2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0nVL3eqsJYnL68Fcm2B2sreSZDFuWLOfYBjZQFYZIdd15WcS7OXmqJ_TPmkUpGv3AfeUbfyYaEY48txgXrSppeRaTj-BQUz0jPiSLL8cG9-2AG2BTgZpwlyGq2u9BSMxPMIk_-UJBRItUsfsxySZtDFnqsWqp4gZ2G_j-Nb-uL9Oced1bYpN1jVhGQ/w428-h640/Sarlat%20market%20Day2.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market Day in Sarlat is a crowded affair with many vendors selling their wares.</td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq7Eqves5f4c-GfnaKPrlZXJ8b2dwBE46X4hx8uXZpOVWemGwdklDMhz-DHTDEPl3cbmKi7xLqK9yLST1ShM2sFUhwq4pUHAbA0VQrNboTwvBEpKw3zZSyFvDPsrKBZZFWmDp7N2Gi_dk8TnjJPrjSyY03G9nJo_ik77ZYfMaXxKyLLYk0z6o62qAcw/s3872/S%20Musician3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq7Eqves5f4c-GfnaKPrlZXJ8b2dwBE46X4hx8uXZpOVWemGwdklDMhz-DHTDEPl3cbmKi7xLqK9yLST1ShM2sFUhwq4pUHAbA0VQrNboTwvBEpKw3zZSyFvDPsrKBZZFWmDp7N2Gi_dk8TnjJPrjSyY03G9nJo_ik77ZYfMaXxKyLLYk0z6o62qAcw/w428-h640/S%20Musician3.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Deirdre mentioned, a highlight & delight was encountering this cello player in a quiet square away from the hustle, bustle & noise of Market Day.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshdmhj8cCElHNWvFDyOGDizGLCQFvmLJQpWss_3d5AmkIL-TjOqFk2HESpUXPnPNR3tCcJeiBuGlOwArLb3oL5ocwD0N21vv3w-uVNOf4rv4F5tZBHD0w2JGekkIwhS_vue-pbE-oWE9QZAGsZAgjudJZp6TZ02odzgKf8_-uB9dGhJi34ORdfZzoww/s3872/Little%20Girl%20&%20Musician1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshdmhj8cCElHNWvFDyOGDizGLCQFvmLJQpWss_3d5AmkIL-TjOqFk2HESpUXPnPNR3tCcJeiBuGlOwArLb3oL5ocwD0N21vv3w-uVNOf4rv4F5tZBHD0w2JGekkIwhS_vue-pbE-oWE9QZAGsZAgjudJZp6TZ02odzgKf8_-uB9dGhJi34ORdfZzoww/w640-h428/Little%20Girl%20&%20Musician1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were also entertained by the young girl who decided to rest in the cello case...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO125fRJ_GOBEOJNXai3f8cXMWGWz-DaPpyx1wU_4zPunEBQ-fkxR1aE-NLMULj-HmExKiHuLTKvt78olfUQCLCXAXYieZmJBpXUnP-qZgMQEOyM5PJdYekpLk1QhcloHi7mGebVZAwXycCmhei_No4PR6uY8S37nfIumtcO5e3DcEOlVSOJjtvoSmQ/s3872/S%20Little%20Girl%20in%20cello%20case.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO125fRJ_GOBEOJNXai3f8cXMWGWz-DaPpyx1wU_4zPunEBQ-fkxR1aE-NLMULj-HmExKiHuLTKvt78olfUQCLCXAXYieZmJBpXUnP-qZgMQEOyM5PJdYekpLk1QhcloHi7mGebVZAwXycCmhei_No4PR6uY8S37nfIumtcO5e3DcEOlVSOJjtvoSmQ/w640-h428/S%20Little%20Girl%20in%20cello%20case.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and contemplate all those Euros which had accumulated.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiPIy1sBa74KvXGxgy2PULJS0vSyF1S7lnYlIkW0UFP7o-KHbfLW-zDW7gLUGMbwJwNPNQ0KioLNu2hRngehxc1ZJg0J9CxFP7Nx6Gttrbesokwku1Rhp2rmQwXThf6ixjKQaDvJQ_h31LcMnMqY2kdIVc74WJARlptkJeUQMJhJVz4gGu46HrWwkkw/s3872/S%20Cello%20&%20Violin.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiPIy1sBa74KvXGxgy2PULJS0vSyF1S7lnYlIkW0UFP7o-KHbfLW-zDW7gLUGMbwJwNPNQ0KioLNu2hRngehxc1ZJg0J9CxFP7Nx6Gttrbesokwku1Rhp2rmQwXThf6ixjKQaDvJQ_h31LcMnMqY2kdIVc74WJARlptkJeUQMJhJVz4gGu46HrWwkkw/w428-h640/S%20Cello%20&%20Violin.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two women showed up with their instruments, and first the violinist joined in with the cellist...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU1JGbfMJR2NgGi38uShAs5GNHttpgBWPcRISL-9Fv5CEAcO0UNvy8Uixaduhc_9G7aAXm-tmVF0rbyuPZ7xCtHPgrwW8_7mkehptGynZG0GWlrGhAv2D2mn8QLj62Cgw4OgmdXoe50ZlgJIArk7CN54lCIBGI7_K7GUoX0wA5RlCB5IwlTmAu6EeKw/s3872/S%20G,%20C%20&%20V%20Musicians.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU1JGbfMJR2NgGi38uShAs5GNHttpgBWPcRISL-9Fv5CEAcO0UNvy8Uixaduhc_9G7aAXm-tmVF0rbyuPZ7xCtHPgrwW8_7mkehptGynZG0GWlrGhAv2D2mn8QLj62Cgw4OgmdXoe50ZlgJIArk7CN54lCIBGI7_K7GUoX0wA5RlCB5IwlTmAu6EeKw/w640-h428/S%20G,%20C%20&%20V%20Musicians.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and finally the guitarist joined in as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We'll be heading out to discover some of the amazing geologic treasures of the Dordogne in the next blog so hang in there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919863016320845417.post-65401641298116608902022-05-24T11:36:00.001-05:002022-05-24T11:36:26.393-05:00A Deep Dive in the Dordogne<p> <u>First, A Little Background</u></p><p>The Dordogne is both an area and a river. France is highly confusing in that there are regions, departments, communes and several other divisions I forget. So the Dordogne is in the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine, the area Dordogne is a department (#24) and the department is divided into 4 sub departments eventually ending up in communes. However, if that is not complicated enough, people (but not the government) refer to the area as either Dordogne or the Perigord depending on their mood or time of day. Yes, of course, the Perigord is itself divided into four sections (White, Black, Purple and Green) associated with each area's particular virtue. The Black area for its truffles and forests, Purple for its wine, Green for its rolling meadows and White for the chalk and white stone unique to the area. The Dordogne River is one of the prettiest I have ever seen (photos will follow at some point) and runs willy-nilly through all four areas (I'm pretty sure). OK. Enough geography. On to the stuff you actually read our blog for --scenic beauty and our miscalculations and near disasters while traveling.</p><p><u>First the Beauty Part</u></p><p>After settling in, we headed to Eyrignac Gardens. As noted, Dordogne was in full blown spring and I anticipated the gardens being awash with flowering plants of infinite variety. No. Well, some flowers. But, at least in this part of France, gardeners are heavily into topiary. This requires huge amounts of precision clipping for many months of the year. Most choose to do it by hand -- which means a LOT of hands are employed doing this. In the case of these gardens it takes 20,000 hours annually to keep things tidy. After almost two weeks of pretty heavy duty moving around it was a relaxing break to just amble through the gardens with no plan or direction. And then, it was time to get back into the action.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuVlkTTe-L_gyIW90aUD2EhCQrUJiovb-79vgTiaVAY0VJBsYr2Db-B-xYqWfhzewh4yzOzUQl9Doa9GvWgQYlyFT-qbZBP3l3kgZIsb7EX93D5jmZW3UpSLl7J_d_KtES2FOV0wDQW1TG7OoNBie20kbA6OXayx6L5NDwUVh3swzpGjcDmrGkG1g7Q/s3872/EG2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuVlkTTe-L_gyIW90aUD2EhCQrUJiovb-79vgTiaVAY0VJBsYr2Db-B-xYqWfhzewh4yzOzUQl9Doa9GvWgQYlyFT-qbZBP3l3kgZIsb7EX93D5jmZW3UpSLl7J_d_KtES2FOV0wDQW1TG7OoNBie20kbA6OXayx6L5NDwUVh3swzpGjcDmrGkG1g7Q/w640-h428/EG2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the gardens from the terrace where we ate lunch. The gardens cover 10 hectares (24 acres).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ugAaAhjPpYVSj4lJlshs1q7FrzoiS6icXVO9prx-GKlBbha9o2bmBpXTR56brZdoRVyzUNWDpnjZwKJNqEmsil7l0pi2R9TVQKROLS_nQZd6u3XvekxF68WAlzrTvrib4gCDa54X1JVT24rCmOIR5kqXCN896I5NhiyjonoZiPMw_Vat1onCbWbs6Q/s3872/EG6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ugAaAhjPpYVSj4lJlshs1q7FrzoiS6icXVO9prx-GKlBbha9o2bmBpXTR56brZdoRVyzUNWDpnjZwKJNqEmsil7l0pi2R9TVQKROLS_nQZd6u3XvekxF68WAlzrTvrib4gCDa54X1JVT24rCmOIR5kqXCN896I5NhiyjonoZiPMw_Vat1onCbWbs6Q/w640-h428/EG6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alée des Charmes is 100 meters long and consists of hornbeams & yews between the hornbeams. The hornbeams must be pruned by hand every month between May & September. The yews only require pruning twice a year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_lea8_uVyFKsQ0JNA0aec3FapkypoNtVbSMvYDiqI_luCcXp4HDS20KZBqPgk6xjHag0BOCm8EyDLm-1LpW-SyNXmboszlT_KTbcbesQj86SZXVfnwQypQjOkJ0s7yeGHtQUZ7jpszCzP_oPQ6yxkgTRcP8Izc_tfuMtivMz-Ji2zSuXz9CcSv3_yQ/s3872/EG10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_lea8_uVyFKsQ0JNA0aec3FapkypoNtVbSMvYDiqI_luCcXp4HDS20KZBqPgk6xjHag0BOCm8EyDLm-1LpW-SyNXmboszlT_KTbcbesQj86SZXVfnwQypQjOkJ0s7yeGHtQUZ7jpszCzP_oPQ6yxkgTRcP8Izc_tfuMtivMz-Ji2zSuXz9CcSv3_yQ/w640-h428/EG10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The main detail of the garden is the topiary, but there are also broad lawns.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9eCAXiwvsXm_EJjwA-lBMknkRNi2nNJ2TIJX9-YVNv8ytWOzHor7i3LPI5y8hwu-95iIblHvQUmlO0NK_J-KCZE4nfhDdKWy20W40jqo1b2Hp-vzHNISEarioDIbTvdN5psDdf-pHzNLvuz66V8djNfDdGQAsmlSNICSt7WqAJELhYV7IEIVVVzQvw/s3872/EG14.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9eCAXiwvsXm_EJjwA-lBMknkRNi2nNJ2TIJX9-YVNv8ytWOzHor7i3LPI5y8hwu-95iIblHvQUmlO0NK_J-KCZE4nfhDdKWy20W40jqo1b2Hp-vzHNISEarioDIbTvdN5psDdf-pHzNLvuz66V8djNfDdGQAsmlSNICSt7WqAJELhYV7IEIVVVzQvw/w640-h428/EG14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the terrace where we enjoyed a delicious lunch while looking over the gardens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgwUkGOhV33weLH1DPN3XI7kTC_SQJKV_fcQjmuvJNyNaQiQG65cplk-_7o04c4I3OiTmiqixqTf-r9FkR3t_ZhNziUa0Eu0HDVjzCP63I7Kigys_nyg1Dq_UJrVEL4c454F3q2sFtlTgtypaRSwoDn8e_LLVljA4Zr2iADVvAJnelcLNWaylwvwatQ/s3872/EG16.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgwUkGOhV33weLH1DPN3XI7kTC_SQJKV_fcQjmuvJNyNaQiQG65cplk-_7o04c4I3OiTmiqixqTf-r9FkR3t_ZhNziUa0Eu0HDVjzCP63I7Kigys_nyg1Dq_UJrVEL4c454F3q2sFtlTgtypaRSwoDn8e_LLVljA4Zr2iADVvAJnelcLNWaylwvwatQ/w428-h640/EG16.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pavilion of Rest, which dates from Louis XV, as seen though the arch of greenery.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsUFZZmtw5ac1uTPFYjmabwiESw5xOi4sn9rWDczfEQMrf_SQxRWqO4myJGebWTnmhWn0BxlY5zAscHTjjv4Bq78Y6DLgJScVU9X5hoYj_sZ0w8cibMdHU4O_tY2LrBwTG67VXXQRCMjeq-oOzekhFlP66bC0gvJOrSiZk7CDdBgnwy7_aIhDiOgeaA/s3872/EG18.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsUFZZmtw5ac1uTPFYjmabwiESw5xOi4sn9rWDczfEQMrf_SQxRWqO4myJGebWTnmhWn0BxlY5zAscHTjjv4Bq78Y6DLgJScVU9X5hoYj_sZ0w8cibMdHU4O_tY2LrBwTG67VXXQRCMjeq-oOzekhFlP66bC0gvJOrSiZk7CDdBgnwy7_aIhDiOgeaA/w640-h428/EG18.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large pond was called the "mirror" and was originally used as a fish hatchery.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wZHKbAHA0E83oroR1VE7PvUb9q_zdv07am5TnNN_tghak6lcxoqZ0Qo52VXrJqVNINv_lc1qpr-myPy1DKrRmXGY93f_5QhRCbrW0b8QYEhIemwPZ3v3ePITaHLzcnq0Gjkmxq79pej0O8CMQdLVUTqMMKx0xvlmryyzO4bKdUA1q3XlGD9GAYmoaQ/s3872/EG21.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wZHKbAHA0E83oroR1VE7PvUb9q_zdv07am5TnNN_tghak6lcxoqZ0Qo52VXrJqVNINv_lc1qpr-myPy1DKrRmXGY93f_5QhRCbrW0b8QYEhIemwPZ3v3ePITaHLzcnq0Gjkmxq79pej0O8CMQdLVUTqMMKx0xvlmryyzO4bKdUA1q3XlGD9GAYmoaQ/w640-h428/EG21.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As can be seen from this photo & the following photos, topiary is one of the outstanding features of this garden and not flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZjaGxAs4-Cl6zBrvrXM68Hzr2KMCxwDMBYYMV1XTGEJk5RceBI91N9dJB06bMBzgwc3xxHxqzj-U9ID5jvncb-P3hhUXfTkrmnKaVGo7rwVJRWs58D4-XQoSoz3HnVFyjJewGEciwMKvQxfpd37gG7neTwFFam77W-XstZoaxaMANOvreFqpuEN2BA/s3872/EG27.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZjaGxAs4-Cl6zBrvrXM68Hzr2KMCxwDMBYYMV1XTGEJk5RceBI91N9dJB06bMBzgwc3xxHxqzj-U9ID5jvncb-P3hhUXfTkrmnKaVGo7rwVJRWs58D4-XQoSoz3HnVFyjJewGEciwMKvQxfpd37gG7neTwFFam77W-XstZoaxaMANOvreFqpuEN2BA/w640-h428/EG27.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-kNcefsQQQQeII4Z6nNtsJHe16ABiDsjTBa4H1yosRb3wUnAlPOXKim9EJwIV3DQA70MqaYYagRSHc9RITf9RV54r9rzoHIfrZn2A3ocW3YFmV3qY88eMI7eimbBqqAFzGjpiU60VfPS5g1J1aKB0251uGZoOSKkGhFkiQ-CKUfnwgU4tZdZitfgNA/s3872/EG35.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-kNcefsQQQQeII4Z6nNtsJHe16ABiDsjTBa4H1yosRb3wUnAlPOXKim9EJwIV3DQA70MqaYYagRSHc9RITf9RV54r9rzoHIfrZn2A3ocW3YFmV3qY88eMI7eimbBqqAFzGjpiU60VfPS5g1J1aKB0251uGZoOSKkGhFkiQ-CKUfnwgU4tZdZitfgNA/w640-h428/EG35.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabzXFFHKDVJd-702jSsiwWroR_Ez81SLGwM8_aLUoKhRQkVpx5NRediBh3nJirDQ5jVf_op1Q1EyMpWmuc6zYyI5CrFPhl40OEiQ1CI2OoaV7gnyHL42rsEmAgxg3cgxim77wvGUYA48qybrq3dm1dXCselUoy0mbFmebKZEfY5xo51ZMZlfEo8phRA/s3872/EG%20Bird%20Key%20Sculpt2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabzXFFHKDVJd-702jSsiwWroR_Ez81SLGwM8_aLUoKhRQkVpx5NRediBh3nJirDQ5jVf_op1Q1EyMpWmuc6zYyI5CrFPhl40OEiQ1CI2OoaV7gnyHL42rsEmAgxg3cgxim77wvGUYA48qybrq3dm1dXCselUoy0mbFmebKZEfY5xo51ZMZlfEo8phRA/w640-h428/EG%20Bird%20Key%20Sculpt2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another feature of the gardens were the sculptures. If you look closely you will see the sculpture is largely made of old keys.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkZEx-N0z7Aei7lDHWCslH-cTPsVSyQ6MnpPJoIMkO5rM_oUEAY-FJPNFz0_h0nzRsCQc8k3j3f-jJ6eSimn3IRV2UsIJTCw_jTreoZC4aRHSdyYEP77Zd5h5-od42EWIb5R6K4Vcgxucr3hvh9fw09OyHCRCCPOB7VdtgSOUe9piOprKfeWtRKbtSA/s3872/EG%20Cottage1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkZEx-N0z7Aei7lDHWCslH-cTPsVSyQ6MnpPJoIMkO5rM_oUEAY-FJPNFz0_h0nzRsCQc8k3j3f-jJ6eSimn3IRV2UsIJTCw_jTreoZC4aRHSdyYEP77Zd5h5-od42EWIb5R6K4Vcgxucr3hvh9fw09OyHCRCCPOB7VdtgSOUe9piOprKfeWtRKbtSA/w640-h428/EG%20Cottage1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guest cottage with a slate roof. The slate on the roofs could weigh as much as 700 kilograms per square meter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynuPyv3tHeBP0QjYzS__mf9few_Qb7Dt1djpSXg2XiApsMdrj37Bt-jD5ptIJlg7gF55xf5PHFN2caKXu9JNnyuY1xC8itgsrvSwhXSqEpOW3VJYY1Dmssrk_TK8YQm2XSyxZt_Senn2lK5H6bSNaJ2FvDHQI7I-ZuWpaiYJ3ybyB3bi7oscSX4Q2yw/s3872/EG%20Fountain%20&%20Tori%20Gate.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynuPyv3tHeBP0QjYzS__mf9few_Qb7Dt1djpSXg2XiApsMdrj37Bt-jD5ptIJlg7gF55xf5PHFN2caKXu9JNnyuY1xC8itgsrvSwhXSqEpOW3VJYY1Dmssrk_TK8YQm2XSyxZt_Senn2lK5H6bSNaJ2FvDHQI7I-ZuWpaiYJ3ybyB3bi7oscSX4Q2yw/w640-h428/EG%20Fountain%20&%20Tori%20Gate.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a few flowers in the garden, but they were not as prominent as the sculpted hedges.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguis7IbZC5eX1gj6FunhcPGByEQkTqkKkIK4HvGGjxSong-y1rBrkCYAWpb--V2viJLAvZug3wkv0Y3lnAzspM_QBASHQddz0X9N69XFXVUmuQbIMNaReyCnidLGcL-mWz6RsoG2ZDrsYG5bhlLgXjWu5Ta2yhhQqWSiMPn2viqZbNqBnR-jgZnO-RvA/s3872/EG%20French%20Garden1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguis7IbZC5eX1gj6FunhcPGByEQkTqkKkIK4HvGGjxSong-y1rBrkCYAWpb--V2viJLAvZug3wkv0Y3lnAzspM_QBASHQddz0X9N69XFXVUmuQbIMNaReyCnidLGcL-mWz6RsoG2ZDrsYG5bhlLgXjWu5Ta2yhhQqWSiMPn2viqZbNqBnR-jgZnO-RvA/w428-h640/EG%20French%20Garden1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Alée des Charmes from the opposite end.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTdvdEZ6-7YouGg9Ghwh105rn2yQaLFED-Anz8rDFFlG1ZyQYgcrQOzeJ5Dz7vaPlOKCC6zAV2Xt1ETRb5QYFjcPSBhLOEF8RLnQnRos_2fjjp4rtqOsP7BRfG6XbHBx0jnYib0arXcM6w0ahKeAdR9JN6nsjtgUHSM2d2Hsk8wa3QwPd0n4VgjcBrw/s3872/EG%20Manor%20House1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTdvdEZ6-7YouGg9Ghwh105rn2yQaLFED-Anz8rDFFlG1ZyQYgcrQOzeJ5Dz7vaPlOKCC6zAV2Xt1ETRb5QYFjcPSBhLOEF8RLnQnRos_2fjjp4rtqOsP7BRfG6XbHBx0jnYib0arXcM6w0ahKeAdR9JN6nsjtgUHSM2d2Hsk8wa3QwPd0n4VgjcBrw/w640-h428/EG%20Manor%20House1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two view of the manor house, which dates from the 17th century...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoGHQnO_ihLyHaKTIW-2OOEvaHIJwJyDBTzG9PQWoCceWj_KpRUF9W2agjbEdjGlqz4xj4CyCFc8QHsrMWKIMr4p8HkjuoN2dnIMBYqnpL-luFxdP9D0QgiKvyKLIXxg0n9LKl_HpxY-fB7DwKOqoqw7LKs5q2OklVv4uZE6OghpobQl7j5ZyXF_azQ/s3872/EG%20Manor%20House2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoGHQnO_ihLyHaKTIW-2OOEvaHIJwJyDBTzG9PQWoCceWj_KpRUF9W2agjbEdjGlqz4xj4CyCFc8QHsrMWKIMr4p8HkjuoN2dnIMBYqnpL-luFxdP9D0QgiKvyKLIXxg0n9LKl_HpxY-fB7DwKOqoqw7LKs5q2OklVv4uZE6OghpobQl7j5ZyXF_azQ/w640-h428/EG%20Manor%20House2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and is known as Artaban Manor. An ancestor wrote a monologue entitled "Fier comme Artaban", which can be translated in English as "Proud as a Peacock".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfoTW8sEyYUV4-qpcTWCXyjXOdUBiUEsIKMBkoDtSE07rJPGmkC5CKwDSy5DvZF3b1aCaskm7w4JXx5KiyYAvxReU4rAVQiHqtxOf0AHpLLMORuvOBDVpGiRcTOJnY9XOnkuVFapYGlQ14aX07blg9Y9BjIljx5ifymPqE__5Aa20Y8elN9DbKBIZmA/s3872/EG%20Overview%20of%20Gardens.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfoTW8sEyYUV4-qpcTWCXyjXOdUBiUEsIKMBkoDtSE07rJPGmkC5CKwDSy5DvZF3b1aCaskm7w4JXx5KiyYAvxReU4rAVQiHqtxOf0AHpLLMORuvOBDVpGiRcTOJnY9XOnkuVFapYGlQ14aX07blg9Y9BjIljx5ifymPqE__5Aa20Y8elN9DbKBIZmA/w640-h428/EG%20Overview%20of%20Gardens.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo of a photo gives the best perspective view of most of the gardens and a portion of the manor house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7wNGaB5id3cBLw7WvUNDW2_nMNL2XYw66e3T2xFjjfr1UrG7mkB_b4STLC5FD1M2JTCjhPqv8_LfyQ7SgPbNzQQACc7iU11rN1AVIkDWOMBHBkfqvdyUOUjkGZHkizkFk4HAH4W2R1sHpvOWVBNSHip71ph5Fnt2ZDOQKohcypWlE1qAtRTTefHlUg/s3872/EG%20Sculpture2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7wNGaB5id3cBLw7WvUNDW2_nMNL2XYw66e3T2xFjjfr1UrG7mkB_b4STLC5FD1M2JTCjhPqv8_LfyQ7SgPbNzQQACc7iU11rN1AVIkDWOMBHBkfqvdyUOUjkGZHkizkFk4HAH4W2R1sHpvOWVBNSHip71ph5Fnt2ZDOQKohcypWlE1qAtRTTefHlUg/w640-h428/EG%20Sculpture2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sculptures in the gardens, all made from old keys.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4xheXv4_fV44qiGRMtx5ASst6UH1vrbJ14dZ7Z3Io2Mvxo_IJpEBx49Z39E73IE1UgzyYmkp4dITvb2kUPhI0BgCV_NJ9RLHjMoUmGgfsvPlhkWbEa-dWGI1wfacbhShdGUPNXx9NWRQhHvzBaUhjDszCNnFM2bF1AhbTU7nolZYwJ_tgtW_-Ixgng/s3872/EG%20Sculptures4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4xheXv4_fV44qiGRMtx5ASst6UH1vrbJ14dZ7Z3Io2Mvxo_IJpEBx49Z39E73IE1UgzyYmkp4dITvb2kUPhI0BgCV_NJ9RLHjMoUmGgfsvPlhkWbEa-dWGI1wfacbhShdGUPNXx9NWRQhHvzBaUhjDszCNnFM2bF1AhbTU7nolZYwJ_tgtW_-Ixgng/w640-h428/EG%20Sculptures4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CLB2KRRx4ODAaetKXkIQOajCkqU4BR3aYDX_Bm9rr7rS4SLSoJ9TH3ju4rE_HFMyxWeyzX_0vti4-oPxdr-RYjvGvStMX28zIeRClPv9ag7lWlCPdrOU6xArCj9JMPc0QXMxZ1n1pj381OMN8pqRShH0JcJe7Dvxu_4tAZCMn0Ka35AcrkvV-o7TUg/s3872/EG%20Swordfish%20Key%20Sculpt.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CLB2KRRx4ODAaetKXkIQOajCkqU4BR3aYDX_Bm9rr7rS4SLSoJ9TH3ju4rE_HFMyxWeyzX_0vti4-oPxdr-RYjvGvStMX28zIeRClPv9ag7lWlCPdrOU6xArCj9JMPc0QXMxZ1n1pj381OMN8pqRShH0JcJe7Dvxu_4tAZCMn0Ka35AcrkvV-o7TUg/w640-h428/EG%20Swordfish%20Key%20Sculpt.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7X_X58xv44B0vkITqad3GZ32V-8QWmMNO6-AZWiSM2xe0u_9Hg-5kfYLQ810QlYCK992oUEXGKWDA0mAkECHSPLZJHmWdDT_CuMTH9kNAQxpoI99WIRn0K1ffASdWSekKoS3h1VLULquaeKQ187aEOchoCAX1rXtxg_Kh2F2LxPyA8hYVrpwVlp9mQ/s3747/EG%20w.%20DSS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3747" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7X_X58xv44B0vkITqad3GZ32V-8QWmMNO6-AZWiSM2xe0u_9Hg-5kfYLQ810QlYCK992oUEXGKWDA0mAkECHSPLZJHmWdDT_CuMTH9kNAQxpoI99WIRn0K1ffASdWSekKoS3h1VLULquaeKQ187aEOchoCAX1rXtxg_Kh2F2LxPyA8hYVrpwVlp9mQ/w640-h428/EG%20w.%20DSS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side view of the manor house with Deirdre exiting the pedestrian gate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><u>A Case of Obstinate Optimism</u></p><p>We have finally given ourselves a diagnosis for what causes us to repeatedly get ourselves into unfortunate, and occasionally terrifying travel situations. Yes, the ailment is Obstinate Optimism. A condition typified by fastening onto a belief which you or authorities have proposed and, even after sensing that it is sheer lunacy, you are incapable of changing direction because you are sure "it will all work out". Our latest flair up of the condition occurred in Beynac.</p><p>Beynac is an amazing castle set high (very, very steeply high) above the Dordogne River. We set out to visit it but had little interest in scaling its heights via several (at least) hundred steps. Reading an article I excitedly told Michael: "Listen to this. If we just go past the last parking lot and follow the signs to the Castle, the road will take us all the way to the top. Hurrah!" So, we did that. And yes, there was a road after the parking lot. And yes, it did have signs to the castle. But it was a little road. (OK, here we start to display the telltale symptoms.) "Well, I don't know. This doesn't look right," one says. "But look, there are cars in garages, it will be be OK." </p><p>We reach a crest and can no longer ascend. Rather than turn around or back down, we descend via an even smaller route. Mistake #2. We now encounter a hair pin turn of such an acute angle that nothing but perhaps a Smart Car could negotiate it. "I think we can make it." (Mistake/ Delusion #3). At the hairpin is a stone wall on which are perched many people resting after their arduous climb halfway to the Castle. Michael performs multiple maneuvers to clear the turn with no success. Two young Frenchmen jump from the wall to provide guidance. Each attempt is greeted by groans or sharp intakes of breath by the observers on the wall. </p><p>The reverse gear doesn't hold and Michael hits the wall (but not THAT hard). "Sacre Bleu! Mon Dieu! the crowd emotes. At times the car is on three wheels -- once two. Finally, our guides manage to direct Michael to get the car backed up to where we can turn around and retrace our steps up the tiny road to the somewhat less tiny road. The hill is so steep I must exit the car to lighten the load (ahem!). After three attempts, and much burning rubber, Michael gets the car to the crest of the hill. Cheers erupt from the onlookers. I hug our two French saviors (who said the French are difficult?) and then confront and conquer the hill on foot. We decide we will not do Beynac that day. "Well, that wasn't as bad as it could have been," one says. It appears we have not yet dealt with our issue. </p><p><u>The Gardens of Marqueysac</u></p><p>What we needed, we decided, was a low stress, low energy activity to recuperate from our morning trauma so we headed to another amazing garden. However, like virtually every other thing in Dordogne the gardens were set on a significant hill and kept climbing relentlessly. This somewhat diminished their relaxing quality. After ascending the first formidable path to the entry and chateau and having completed a tasty lunch (French food even at tourist sites is pretty terrific - no burgers or dogs here!) we girded ourselves for a lengthy hike uphill to the belvedere. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbQzuCIURMbuqgUmTn-1nm_l9Jc_xYCpZqGt1geq4EFuD8iIMLCeh1a361Sh-bYCu4uUr3PWJUhikGy_HiuUdjKTWncQB2uqPKPC6dg6uQzs21lZxdwD8o7A2u7g7kiWNTQiPNjpzygGRKhahMoV8bOVXvcWpLXKj3f5DMg2tf9E3xGDzoyA9u5Pggw/s3872/M%20Sitting%20Room.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbQzuCIURMbuqgUmTn-1nm_l9Jc_xYCpZqGt1geq4EFuD8iIMLCeh1a361Sh-bYCu4uUr3PWJUhikGy_HiuUdjKTWncQB2uqPKPC6dg6uQzs21lZxdwD8o7A2u7g7kiWNTQiPNjpzygGRKhahMoV8bOVXvcWpLXKj3f5DMg2tf9E3xGDzoyA9u5Pggw/w640-h428/M%20Sitting%20Room.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of rooms of Marqueysac Manor were available for viewing --- the living room and...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUrmdonTcgMrZ-A-XbsTq5HHJplzdlky7-guoRNUC_Wk4LmThrH_f1C5osvfn2EIpgybqyKyvXt5Y70F6UZyDE0_Mzy4SYB7ZUocqoXISYb2tSpzqJa7hGPgkVAUkI5k_nRP711gA25cB0vNdYkKAYXFqWoo2m3RuZ39d17EyDkZyQL_yPce20-yCRw/s3872/Marqueysac%20Dining%20Room1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUrmdonTcgMrZ-A-XbsTq5HHJplzdlky7-guoRNUC_Wk4LmThrH_f1C5osvfn2EIpgybqyKyvXt5Y70F6UZyDE0_Mzy4SYB7ZUocqoXISYb2tSpzqJa7hGPgkVAUkI5k_nRP711gA25cB0vNdYkKAYXFqWoo2m3RuZ39d17EyDkZyQL_yPce20-yCRw/w640-h428/Marqueysac%20Dining%20Room1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dining room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ230Ux7e6IOsRYUIoUFHj5Z7TvANVHmpf8q2or8jT26ltMkjwLJ09SZ2xTv3_uQDNMqPJvAUO3nPynwj4BBEl-eQBgNDsIAf0OrnyaCzwBtLQ8kM83__ZNj4qp1fO3SCcCYzbhTrAOSr5kXd2kzUyL4ErLjrkrRsVZPF05Zoyg7p8mdI6AREddduCQ/s3872/Michelin%20Man%20Designer%20explanation.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ230Ux7e6IOsRYUIoUFHj5Z7TvANVHmpf8q2or8jT26ltMkjwLJ09SZ2xTv3_uQDNMqPJvAUO3nPynwj4BBEl-eQBgNDsIAf0OrnyaCzwBtLQ8kM83__ZNj4qp1fO3SCcCYzbhTrAOSr5kXd2kzUyL4ErLjrkrRsVZPF05Zoyg7p8mdI6AREddduCQ/w640-h428/Michelin%20Man%20Designer%20explanation.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This details the creation of the Michelin Man by a former resident of the Manor who initiated "the first ever international mass distribution advertising campaign". </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH2jtWMCt4N7gu6JZ3DOlBxY6bwQKWb1ODIdVpwBemHN8SOOce0WlvBA31OPFzfosjT9I_wmvujo8p50kNSD_2qYNVaGpZueF7F4gKMB_ZuJjYlVoi3cwSeQbzwyDrdEhy4v-QTcVOiKiyNq3-N6R5J7CHdqw2NZEPOtQW3E89NHneaW0hHM0ZFWGAw/s3872/Michelin%20Man%20Poster.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH2jtWMCt4N7gu6JZ3DOlBxY6bwQKWb1ODIdVpwBemHN8SOOce0WlvBA31OPFzfosjT9I_wmvujo8p50kNSD_2qYNVaGpZueF7F4gKMB_ZuJjYlVoi3cwSeQbzwyDrdEhy4v-QTcVOiKiyNq3-N6R5J7CHdqw2NZEPOtQW3E89NHneaW0hHM0ZFWGAw/w428-h640/Michelin%20Man%20Poster.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examples of early posters used in advertising featuring the Michelin Man.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Michael led the way and, after a short distance, he turned to me and said: Oh-h-h...Deirdre, you are NOT going to like this..." I stepped back and said, "It's a snake isn't it. I know it's a snake (phobia #2). Is it an Asp?" The snake (4 and 1/2 slithery feet long) was doing its best to get away but there was dense topiary on both sides sitting above a 3" high edging of granite which he/she couldn't negotiate very well. Finally, the serpent found an opening and left us. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPiY5x7zyGl95wZyxxr_dn5XQEleiZ95k737NxSy1yIj4JW2IiXuHaynNsh-kmq8B6rIBLIRxdp-y0IL9n9if399FeuFPIbiXzQvNg5hoW2OeQ03l2EDsgzhlKLy-WcdD0P7skPuQRzx7yn_YopeB9aWQOXjzao3jATk1u7Q2SOOCy81s0RSSFRTgw/s3872/Marqueysac%20Snake1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPiY5x7zyGl95wZyxxr_dn5XQEleiZ95k737NxSy1yIj4JW2IiXuHaynNsh-kmq8B6rIBLIRxdp-y0IL9n9if399FeuFPIbiXzQvNg5hoW2OeQ03l2EDsgzhlKLy-WcdD0P7skPuQRzx7yn_YopeB9aWQOXjzao3jATk1u7Q2SOOCy81s0RSSFRTgw/w640-h428/Marqueysac%20Snake1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>While somewhat agitated and fearful I was not actually terrified because I had (as always) fully researched all venomous and/or disgusting creatures we might encounter in the locale we were visiting. The only venomous snake was the Asp which is short (like a foot and a half) but a little aggressive. They are fairly prevalent in Europe and, in some rural areas, locals are known to keep anti-venom in their fridges. But enough of that. After coping with my second upset of the day we continued on and finally reached the Belvedere and an astounding view over the countryside and the Dordogne River. Enough for one day.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwmsLtSaL64gxiXjJgaU9BXU5-i5Y1EVjAzgEt0vWxg6GugjIFl1KTYNGGfRw7fTz_bCpt6zWA9Grlrz8nE5l9mCQ0aiz9XjYevfExKfADmV826yV-nTt9ZtJHSt3MaQN1MI6i0ki1QoVhm-UMnFdWkCrUpcscSBMKIvDFfh9AednzTQb305lHjjsbA/s3872/M%20Manor%20from%20garden.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwmsLtSaL64gxiXjJgaU9BXU5-i5Y1EVjAzgEt0vWxg6GugjIFl1KTYNGGfRw7fTz_bCpt6zWA9Grlrz8nE5l9mCQ0aiz9XjYevfExKfADmV826yV-nTt9ZtJHSt3MaQN1MI6i0ki1QoVhm-UMnFdWkCrUpcscSBMKIvDFfh9AednzTQb305lHjjsbA/w640-h428/M%20Manor%20from%20garden.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the rear of the Manor house as we begin our ascent through the garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySg54eroKjtiII7nVk7mgVhwCulXSCHhavBz6i8AMxYhRHSqepQatTyUwM21U29vmdwJMjHQ2T8THotbrFa-zmUbQZAmbYSbOVNPvijm0i7WdGLpDaH8t2AOAOqHIxzZWg0qBZqVwQDG1FKoA6tQ1Au_aQzjxBdbN1LM85nER0BhLzJY4357nxRc_Ow/s3872/View%20from%20M%20Garden4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySg54eroKjtiII7nVk7mgVhwCulXSCHhavBz6i8AMxYhRHSqepQatTyUwM21U29vmdwJMjHQ2T8THotbrFa-zmUbQZAmbYSbOVNPvijm0i7WdGLpDaH8t2AOAOqHIxzZWg0qBZqVwQDG1FKoA6tQ1Au_aQzjxBdbN1LM85nER0BhLzJY4357nxRc_Ow/w640-h428/View%20from%20M%20Garden4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we ascended the view of the towns...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dVpA1X1H1oRxJLOOE9bK8GyuKc4-cZY6_LXDCEtxeDzJPrw9W-SWNAXwj7A4Vn9M_8Nz8q-SUQ5MdQgR279kZZwLixPbhV0IuDx8nVrdykGzcBNkEmhHv2kqi9cNj6Pe9_3APEfpsbkyliZqGbcbKI7lpXVMKrwXcCsIFrdKccwT85dc06eutSfy7Q/s3872/View%20from%20Marqueysac%20Garden1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dVpA1X1H1oRxJLOOE9bK8GyuKc4-cZY6_LXDCEtxeDzJPrw9W-SWNAXwj7A4Vn9M_8Nz8q-SUQ5MdQgR279kZZwLixPbhV0IuDx8nVrdykGzcBNkEmhHv2kqi9cNj6Pe9_3APEfpsbkyliZqGbcbKI7lpXVMKrwXcCsIFrdKccwT85dc06eutSfy7Q/w640-h428/View%20from%20Marqueysac%20Garden1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the countryside became more spectacular.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTQwMT6pERhgYYEywM_5tCIMn-7JcdkP1TIrXF4ONfqZx5FUIsWwtKv7pejsbN62nzWB8Vr_Oh0T8zW0dJY-Im27UfcY6JcCbKzcBQE6b4YAHHmPA0m8R_oWhvqG-BBAoGZrB1LzgRkaG45sd3-nBnuRMbtgaUpZUM6SsTu-ZjSnc6bme4iv-KNCzbA/s3872/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20highest%20lookout.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTQwMT6pERhgYYEywM_5tCIMn-7JcdkP1TIrXF4ONfqZx5FUIsWwtKv7pejsbN62nzWB8Vr_Oh0T8zW0dJY-Im27UfcY6JcCbKzcBQE6b4YAHHmPA0m8R_oWhvqG-BBAoGZrB1LzgRkaG45sd3-nBnuRMbtgaUpZUM6SsTu-ZjSnc6bme4iv-KNCzbA/w640-h428/Beynac%20Castle%20from%20highest%20lookout.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a view of Beynac Castle from Marqueysac Garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNgfgYG4q8oU_uZAyn33Yt_MsKcfnsMBASTwrZFAVI9qCZzsmEqAPxMQjY60C759hLHu0Bu0cLNsBhqE6bHXPtMCu7Hvn6dySpI2EGAUFPoVTtYWnBcmtjp51kKr3wZNw2IwhY7_U2N9YT4DtqKIXWjQ3qooZD9gunfh8U1OTuk-lKNhMRTBPRrihjg/s3872/Cloche%20Cabane%20in%20M%20garden1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNgfgYG4q8oU_uZAyn33Yt_MsKcfnsMBASTwrZFAVI9qCZzsmEqAPxMQjY60C759hLHu0Bu0cLNsBhqE6bHXPtMCu7Hvn6dySpI2EGAUFPoVTtYWnBcmtjp51kKr3wZNw2IwhY7_U2N9YT4DtqKIXWjQ3qooZD9gunfh8U1OTuk-lKNhMRTBPRrihjg/w428-h640/Cloche%20Cabane%20in%20M%20garden1.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cloche cabane in the garden was created by piling stones up without using any mortar.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-bw_QF2rpEP-OopIcO7mnAWSZlD-DONHWRxh_kogL8iGKdPaLNFNipRssXjCde18Er3nPQ8sjb1PdFnblnTQZx6TvZMEipzgZuspWs46efN7Pa6hcXdhoz8lve9BoW-ptYwxQaUyC77XpZOO-uCZyCXb4tYA3j2eruuJ_01UGI2ce87UOvLcDecig/s3872/Interior%20dome%20of%20Cloche%20Cabane.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-bw_QF2rpEP-OopIcO7mnAWSZlD-DONHWRxh_kogL8iGKdPaLNFNipRssXjCde18Er3nPQ8sjb1PdFnblnTQZx6TvZMEipzgZuspWs46efN7Pa6hcXdhoz8lve9BoW-ptYwxQaUyC77XpZOO-uCZyCXb4tYA3j2eruuJ_01UGI2ce87UOvLcDecig/w640-h428/Interior%20dome%20of%20Cloche%20Cabane.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the interior dome. The word cloche in French translates to bell in English.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk83hwYxvGMwGGHDH-gc1FYaix8Y-UNZHgDRnGkhVMS6FvagmFEBD77m83Kdst2VNUFWupkyhv-q13Upiv5GwTSTGQQlCzXbU_s7nDQeQWZQai6I9kdnIo0-4QRGCJhlBZ7-mxg_dMQ_r3epixRSofsUz-P7dJA0WWWhAn4H4fAsPGgfFrHDPIkcLLTw/s3872/Tree%20in%20M%20Garden.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk83hwYxvGMwGGHDH-gc1FYaix8Y-UNZHgDRnGkhVMS6FvagmFEBD77m83Kdst2VNUFWupkyhv-q13Upiv5GwTSTGQQlCzXbU_s7nDQeQWZQai6I9kdnIo0-4QRGCJhlBZ7-mxg_dMQ_r3epixRSofsUz-P7dJA0WWWhAn4H4fAsPGgfFrHDPIkcLLTw/w428-h640/Tree%20in%20M%20Garden.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lone tree perched on the edge of the cliff stood out as we continued our ascent.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuboijcrLLuIr__qFuafnHilXz_LJzgyLsPqqrVsaFlL9Kxe089fuoHjwF75xGiLw2eulQiXEZNwwHiCifqxCIcP1xvrKAuj8U16cTGuIrhVny11evDivu-9Ejt6eHlau5tbwQEbG7ceRMNeBVEjdtGA8rIX6Gl1_4tsnBWWEOy65hq_4RanUUIUoLA/s3872/View%20of%20M%20garden%20high%20lookout.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuboijcrLLuIr__qFuafnHilXz_LJzgyLsPqqrVsaFlL9Kxe089fuoHjwF75xGiLw2eulQiXEZNwwHiCifqxCIcP1xvrKAuj8U16cTGuIrhVny11evDivu-9Ejt6eHlau5tbwQEbG7ceRMNeBVEjdtGA8rIX6Gl1_4tsnBWWEOy65hq_4RanUUIUoLA/w428-h640/View%20of%20M%20garden%20high%20lookout.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were still not to the highest belvedere yet as this photo shows people above us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqDF_N6XKcL-IBXesXDG0jCcdKPqAIKcIphvaNZ2Y6j5s05pLD2eG7JcPV1Uhp4MZmDth7hKxcfRJngjKEXjNne7CmJD8p2qQzM87yJJGE1LcyN2V9wZFFQfqJCgFCWLCu4zV6_ku0GQLK-0l3T3gpYsffETnyVRG9xK_QcxfcmP7NZ3Fp4-nqakhzw/s3872/View%20from%20highest%20lookout%20M2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqDF_N6XKcL-IBXesXDG0jCcdKPqAIKcIphvaNZ2Y6j5s05pLD2eG7JcPV1Uhp4MZmDth7hKxcfRJngjKEXjNne7CmJD8p2qQzM87yJJGE1LcyN2V9wZFFQfqJCgFCWLCu4zV6_ku0GQLK-0l3T3gpYsffETnyVRG9xK_QcxfcmP7NZ3Fp4-nqakhzw/w640-h428/View%20from%20highest%20lookout%20M2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the town and the countryside...<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKH3fi4zS1xvjACSW7RNrljprfVBvJKeA-SA604mkQ8jZTywd_sKzOUe3wSBZURuzbK17BfEZlEowclwXGaJ0CEEf3iEKFYmU9K9cwfE878UiLTAfjJba4B71Z0M0uwn_vDNjPVQeT0X_E7LN3BVAzlBVrSLZMsWWRIQSFF-8JKN954WE2YAJqxfJ9w/s3872/View%20from%20highest%20lookout%20M3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKH3fi4zS1xvjACSW7RNrljprfVBvJKeA-SA604mkQ8jZTywd_sKzOUe3wSBZURuzbK17BfEZlEowclwXGaJ0CEEf3iEKFYmU9K9cwfE878UiLTAfjJba4B71Z0M0uwn_vDNjPVQeT0X_E7LN3BVAzlBVrSLZMsWWRIQSFF-8JKN954WE2YAJqxfJ9w/w640-h428/View%20from%20highest%20lookout%20M3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as well as the gabarres (tourist boats) became even smaller as we finally reached the highest belvedere.<br />The gabarres are flat bottomed and were originally designed to transport goods along the shallow Dordogne River.<br /><br />As we finally made our descent from the heights of the Marqueysac garden we spotted this peacock pair shown below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtulmo9dBq_DWweeGq_WwEU4m-8yI0nZs-byl3OQdYL_1i-9ZGixIYntbaOa6WGMrMOpXAV4umdczSt8M1TFkb0qGTW8UY8QrLwpxdYODYO4cgXXf1mbiTWxgXPCvUXdbHLTWCtNAD_px9zyWMdjBjxxLmht21Do6XivWIpS6Qe7MzCU5yxqCHYnKgA/s3872/Peacock%20Pair2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtulmo9dBq_DWweeGq_WwEU4m-8yI0nZs-byl3OQdYL_1i-9ZGixIYntbaOa6WGMrMOpXAV4umdczSt8M1TFkb0qGTW8UY8QrLwpxdYODYO4cgXXf1mbiTWxgXPCvUXdbHLTWCtNAD_px9zyWMdjBjxxLmht21Do6XivWIpS6Qe7MzCU5yxqCHYnKgA/w640-h428/Peacock%20Pair2.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, that's it for this post. Next up: A Renewed Assault on Beynac Castle and a marvelous Chateau with a marvelous story. Have fun and stay cool our friends North of the Border. </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>deirdrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350346102712489355noreply@blogger.com2