Back to Reality

It is hard to believe that we are back home on the island! The last few weeks of our trip were a bit crazy! Russ had a gallbladder attack and was in the hospital in Croatia…with surgery recommended as soon as possible. So after lots of paperwork, Skype calls, translations, and appointments…he will be having surgery in the next few weeks. Needless to say, my blog posts suffered as a result of all of this. I did keep a journal, and I plan on finishing all of my posts in the coming weeks…once I figure out where my journal is in the large pile of stuff on the bedroom floor!  I am letting you know that I will be  “post trip” posting so that  none of you think we actually have headed back to Europe! I want to finish what I have...

Day 62-70 Our Time At Vallee Magique

I am posting our time at Vallee Magique into one post, because honestly our days were pretty simple for the most part, working etc… so to save some time, and to help catch up…I thought I would post the time there in one big post! The first 3 days there, I headed to a retreat, and they boys were on there own. It was time for my years old high school and college French to get a workout.  I was headed to a retreat about love with 8 other people…all except 2 were French…and those 2 were Italian The workshop was interesting….thankfully there was a very kind French lady in attendance who was always willing to translate for me if I needed it…and I needed it a lot!  I do have to say by the end of the 3 days…my French was getting...

Day 62 Ciao Italy! Bonjour France!

It was a little tough leaving the Cinque Terre today!  The spot we were in was like a cozy little hide-a-way in the hillside!  We were starting to settle in to our little apartment with the big view…but alas all good things must come to an end…and we had a new adventure waiting!  Our drive today was about 6 hours, and getting out of the Cinque Terre was quite a feat!  The well maintained roads…wink wink…were just as fantastic on the way out!  When we have big transitions like this, I always think of a quote from Jillian Michaels (yes the workout queen) “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!’…of course she means it in as a trainer…but it really has worked for me as a traveller! We were headed into the...

Day 61 Getting Ready for New Friends

Well, quite honestly I would love to say that we did all kinds of amazing things today!  We hiked, we biked, we cured cancer….but honestly today was just a lot more of the same from yesterday!  We got up and went to grab a coffee and a brioche from Cristiana’s cafe in town!  We listened to the Italian men chatting it up…and talked to her and her husband about life.  Crisitana’s mom was in the hospital and her dad was not doing well on his own.  She had to take her daughters to different schools….she had her hands full! After walking around town…visiting the local dogs and cats…the swimming area…taking in the view…we headed to the apartment to do laundry and get ready for our trip to France.  Our next stay...

Day 60 The Art of Doing Nothing

The sun was shining bright again this morning!  We were a little slow in getting going today, but sometimes that is okay!  We had been hopping around Italy like desperate tourist trying to see it all.  Truth is we are desperate tourists trying to see it all!  Traveling is like a gift…everyday is a surprise waiting to happen.  After a bit, it becomes addicting!  You want to see more and more and more (that reminds me of one of Reid’s favorite books as a child “More More Said the Baby”) and I guess that describes us “More More Said The Travelers”! There are so many amazing places, we can never conquer them all on one trip…but gosh darn it we are going to try…just not today! We spent the morning doing some school...

Day 59 A Perfect Day For A Hike (Yes I am still catching up!)

This morning in Corniglia started with lots of sunshine!  Apparently, we had a huge rainstorm last night…guess we missed it while we were sleeping…because there was no sign of rain…but there was a lot of water!  Some of the trails that connect the Cinque Terre towns were closed due to storms (not just the one from the night before), so we could only hike to Vernazza and Monterosso…I say only…but let me tell you these hikes are no joke!  Honestly, I really thought they would be sweet little trails that just take you easily from one town to another…oh not the case at all!  I have to say the addition of water flowing down steps like a waterfall at several different locations made for even more fun too!  We are talking steep...

Day 100 Sunshine, Fun Rides, And A Movie

Day 100 Sunshine, Fun Rides, And A Movie

Today was absolutely beautiful!  We woke up to a bright sunny morning…just gorgeous!  There was no excuse not to get out and go for a run this morning! Well, we tried to think up some excuses…but to no avail!  We put on our pseudo mugger outfits and headed out for a run!  Now, I am not sure who put cement in my shoes this morning…but if I find them!  Today was just one of those days that it was difficult just to put one foot in front of the other!  Luckily, after a huge storm last night, the ocean was all bright blues and greens, the sky was a brilliant blue…so the scenery helped to ease my pain!  Reid did his run/walk beside me and we were off!  All went well…and then of course there was the walk up the 10 zillion steps back to the...