roses2you

Athens

The flight here was uneventful, I think of it as “that which must be endured”. Sleeping in a sitting position is a skill I haven’t mastered. We got between two and four hours of sleep. Took a cab to hotel, The InnAthens, pronounced the inn in Athens but spelled as one word, our room wasContinue reading “Athens”

Venice

BYOB* We had no trouble getting the train from Florence to Venice. Most europeans know at least some English but we didn’t need any help, the arrivals/departure boards were easy to understand. Getting to the hotel from the train station was another matter. There are no taxi cabs, in fact there are no cars, thereContinue reading “Venice”

Florence Y’all*

Florence is nothing like I expected. And it’s hard to describe. Imagine the French Quarter of New Orleans but more than 50 times bigger, with buildings 6 stories instead of 2, and without the debauchery and your close. The city is ancient, many of the buildings date to the middle ages, most of the streetsContinue reading “Florence Y’all*”

Rome day 2

Our second full day in Rome was much more relaxed. We slept late and the day became a self-made walking tour. Took a cab to Ristorante Pancrazio where we had a very good brunch. It’s one of several restaurants and outdoor markets located on the site of Pompey’s amphitheater. About half the size of theContinue reading “Rome day 2”

ROME !!!

We had an easy gettaway, the drive from Charlottesville was uneventful, traffic manageable. The flight was the usual necessary evil, 8.5 hrs., fortunately it was only half full so we both could lay down, me across three seats in the center row, Peggy in two seats by a window. We left on Wednesday evening inContinue reading “ROME !!!”

Home and Attack of the Killer Muskrat

August 19 and 20, 2024 Nine hours to home from Empire is two days of driving for us. From the CG, near Sleeping Bear, we drove to Saugatuck Brewing Co. for a very good lunch and a really good beer. Afterwards we walked on Lost Rock beach, Sammy loves wave chasing and he entertained severalContinue reading “Home and Attack of the Killer Muskrat”

Sleeping Bear

August 18, Left Petoskey SP and drove through both Petoskey and Traverse City. Beautiful small towns on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Ate brunch at Bayside restaurant in Petoskey. Finished the day at Sleeping Bear NLS. Campground was full of course so we found a spot in a county park called Empire CG thenContinue reading “Sleeping Bear”

Mackinac Island

Saturday August 17 Ferry over to Mackinac Island, only 4 miles wide the island is famous for not allowing cars, everyone walks, bikes, rides a horse or takes a horse drawn carriage/taxi. This was the location of an important fort in colonial period to shortly after the war of 1812, known as Machilimacinac (spelling varies),Continue reading “Mackinac Island”

Finish the UP, start south

Friday August 16, 2024 Left Tahquamegon SP around 9:30 and drove to the upper falls parking area. My opinion, upper falls much more impressive. No one swims in the upper falls. Here it is….. Next drove to Whitefish point, known for two things: it’s the graveyard of Lake Superior, and it’s where migrating neotropicals tendContinue reading “Finish the UP, start south”

Yoopers here we come

Aug. 10, 2024 We decided a “beat the heat week” was in order so we left this morning for a few days circling lake Michigan with the UP, upper peninsula of Michigan, our primary focus. Our first night was spent at a Harvest Host site, Beans and Barley, a family owned restaurant just off I57,Continue reading “Yoopers here we come”