Ciao Roma!

Our first trip back was a 4 day jaunt to Rome. We've both been there before, but not together, so we decided to revisit. The weather was fabulous the entire time and we would wake up around 9, eat breakfast and sight see until 3 ish, nap, shower, and change for dinner, then wander around the city from around 5 until eating at 8 or 9. Throw in gelato and cannoli breaks, and it was a lot of fun, but very tiring trying to stay up so late!

As you may have noticed, very rarely do we go somewhere and not rent bikes. This time we rented bikes and rode along the Appian Way. This road was built (starting in 312 B.C.) to connect ancient Rome with the populations she conquered. Also, the slave rebels were crucified along it according to the old movie Sparticus... Along the way are ruins of inns, houses of rich merchants, and some chapels. Some of the original stones are still there (and really brutal to ride your bike on). It was beautiful landscape, and since we went on a Sunday there were lots of Romans cycling or out strolling and not many cars.

This is one of the remaining ruins that was on top of a hill. I believe it was called the Tumulus of the Curiazi (I'm guessing it represents cats who were killed by curiosity?).

Below is the remainder of the Forum, where the business of Rome was conducted. It is so incredible to think of how old these structures are, and what life must have been like in their heyday.

This is the area leading to Palatine Hill, where the palaces were located. It was interesting to read about the construction of the buildings then. Apparently (according to our good friend Rick Steves) there were holes left in the brick for scaffolding to be erected later if needed. We also learned that most of the buildings were constructed in brick, then a marble facade was erected. Sneaky! The road was also paved in stones similar to the Appian Way- we walked on the same stones as Julius Caesar!

Below the Palatine Hill is the Colosseum, another amazing piece of architecture. The brochure said that some of the marble had been stolen later by other maurarders after the fall of Rome, so it is not as in tact. I sure am glad there is tv and sports these days, because I don't think I would like the Roman's entertainment. The Colosseum's opening ceremonies lasted 100 days, and reportedly 2,000 slaves and Gladiators and 9,000 exotic animals were killed during the festivities. The men fighting would not know in advance who or what they were up against- elevators would bring lions, tigers, bears, crocodiles, elephants, etc. into the ring! Yikes.

We made sure to watch Angels and Demons before leaving for Rome, so we were able to recognize all the churches and cathedrals. The photo above is me among the columns, and below is Cameron at the doors. The scale of the building is huge. Unfortunately, we got there after it closed for the night. (The major flaw in the Angels and Demons plot- all churches were closed before nighttime, and they certainly weren't giving tours!)

Below is the Trevi Fountain. Lore goes that if you toss a coin into the fountain you will return to Rome. Well, back in 2002 when I was first in Rome, I tossed a coin over my shoulder and sure enough I found myself there again. I forgot to repeat this, but I hope that I will return again!

Last but not least, it is my duty as a traveler to find the best dessert and report back to all of you. This was what Rick Steves called "Death by Chocolate"- chocolate ice cream rolled in chocolate chunks and topped with whipped cream. And an extra surprise- a cherry hidden in the bottom of the frozen treat. MmmMmMmmm!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back Cameron!! After a loooong 11 months I got the call- "Your soldier will be on the next flight". Wohoo! The Welcome Home ceremonies were really exciting places to be. The excitement was palpable and friends and families were all practically hovering with anticipation. The other wives came even if their soldiers were on different flights to partake in the excitement, offer support, and to be photographers. First, everyone arrives early to get a good spot (after working "strategy" with friends we had a spot picked out I emailed to Cameron), then talk about how excited they are for about 30 minutes. The basketball shot clock counted down 20 seconds, and when the buzzer went off the soldiers came marching into the gym to "The Boys are Back in Town". There was also a smoke machine, which was cool but wasn't- my eyesight is bad and the smoke mixed with everyone wearing the same uniform, it was hard to pick out Cameron. The National Anthem was then played, and a little speech was given before the soldiers got the command that they were released. Cameron is in the back of this photo. My friend (and paparazzo) Andrea actually spotted him marching in, and Cameron spotted us. Andrea pointed him out during the formation, and I could see his head poking out to the side of the rows looking at us, then a big smile cross his face when I waved. This is me trying really hard to find Cameron in the sea of camouflage. I should have brought binoculars!

After the formation broke up I lost my visual- good thing Andrea was more composed (her husband came back two days before) because she saw where Cameron went and captured our "moment".

Cameron is enjoying being back and spends a lot of time inhaling deeply the fresh air, and saying things like, "Germany/beer/(fill in the blank) is so awesome". We hope to see you all soon, post with pictures from our weekend in Rome coming next!

Vail 2011

I titled this post "Vail 2011" because hopefully there will be another "Vail" post next year, and the year after that, and the year after that...

Mid photo, where the break in the trees is, is Vail Village. Our hotel was a short walk from the gondola and there are some shops and restaurants in the village. Its a loooong way down!

This post is pretty much just pictures of me skiing, so I apologize for lack of diversity. There is some beautiful scenery- it would be better if it stopped snowing more than 10 minutes total in 4 days. Remind us next year to bring the camera on our apres ski adventures!

Check out our form! Okay, Chandler's is a little better than mine...

Unfortunately the last day was the best day of skiing for me. I was warmed up and comfortable on my skis, then it was time to go :(

We are post card ready!

Stingray City

Hello again- I have some pictures from the Caribbean to warm everyone up! As you know, Cameron and I went down to Grand Cayman after a few days in Vail. We forgot to transfer the pictures onto my computer before Cameron went back to that place so you'll have to remain in a state of anticipation for any pictures taken from land.

Per usual I brought the cold weather with me to the Caymans, but fortunately that just means they had an abnormally windy few days and the temperature remained in the 80's. One of the "must do" things in the Caymans is to visit Stingray City. Stingray City is a sandbar where stingrays congregate to sun themselves in the shallow water and probably gossip about which fish from the reef have gotten fat. Story has it that many years ago the sandbar was where fishermen would stop to clean their fish before heading back to land, so the stingrays would hang out around the boats and eat their scraps. One very smart (and now filthy rich I assume) entrepreneur decided to make some money off of it. Fast forward a few years, the sandbar is now regulated by the government and the rays are totally domesticated and dependent on the fish the tourists feed them.

These are some pictures of us snorkeling off to the side of the reef. It was just like "Finding Nemo"- colorful fish everywhere; you could almost touch them. I couldn't find Nemo though...

This is Cookie. She hangs out on the reef more than the sandbar I guess, but she's very friendly. She lost her stinger and tail at some point so she is totally harmless as well. I liked her. The guide said that the big rays are female and the smaller ones are males.

The good part about bringing the "cold front" (as the locals called the breeze) was that the government closes the sandbar when the waves were too big because it was dangerous for boats to be bouncing around silly tourists. (also cool- we saw dolphins swimming when we were jet skiing back to shore, which I guess is rare unless the seas are angry. No pictures though- they were swimming fast and I was driving somewhat erratically...) The bar was closed for a few days and our first trip was canceled, but we were able to squeeze in a Jet Ski tour the morning we left the Caymans. There was only one other boat on the sandbar, and since the rays are dependent on the fish from tourists, they were VERY happy to see us. As soon as the guide stopped his jet ski you could see huge black saucers coming at him from all angles. Very cool but also a little scary.

They come right up to you and nuzzle with their sides looking for food and just saying hello. Because of the waves I was afraid of stepping on one or having it pushed into me and getting angry, but I guess they are used to it. I still refused to hand feed them or hold one like Cameron did (give me some credit, I got into the water and touched them after a harrowing jet ski ride!).

Cameron is holding/kissing this ray. The guide knows the rays so he waited for one he knows is super friendly and picked it up. They are very slimy and sort of rough and its very startling when they come up from behind and rub on your legs!

I'm not sure what is going on below, I guess Cameron is getting a hug from him or something. They can sort of launch themselves up a little bit to get closer to you if they want. The guide got this stingray to pose like that.

Totally unrelated- after Grand Cayman we stopped in Miami for a couple nights with college friends. We rented kayaks and went around islands off South Beach. It was a work out but it was really fun to look at all the mansions and get out on the water. There was a little island with a beach we stopped at for a break, and this photo has South Beach in the background. I feel Statue of Liberty-esque.

Daniel's Snow Day

These are pictures from the snow day! I stayed at Rach and Phil's Tuesday night so I could enjoy Rachel and Daniel's no- school day. We played outside in the snow, had a good nap, made cookies, and went back into the snow for round two.

Daniel tried out Nana and Grampy's sled- he loved getting pulled around the cul de sac (the plows came early and we haven't seen them since). He also wore Rachel's ski goggles to protect him from the blowing wind. The camera batteries ran out as soon as he put them on though.

Although, Daniel was just as happy to tube inside!

"I want to go outside NOOOOW!"

All bundled up!

It was tough work getting him dressed for the blizzard

We all had a great snow day, Angus had a blast chasing snow balls too.