Having scoped out Riomaggiore and Manarola the day before and after a good sleep, we were ready for a more ambitious walk. But first to enjoy coffee and breakfast on our balcony. Our hiking plan was to walk on the mountain trail from Monterosso to Vernazza and onto Corniglia. Bailey and Jett returned from theContinue reading “Italy Day 10: Hiking and Swimming Cinque Terre”
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Italy Day 9: Pisa and Cinque Terre’s Lovers Lane
Hello from Italy! If you could do me a favor and “like” or leave a comment on the platform that you get this blog from, I’d greatly appreciate it. A comment would be a bonus! Thank you for reading my musings. The pace-slowing in Florence after Rome continued. With our next destination in northwest Italy,Continue reading “Italy Day 9: Pisa and Cinque Terre’s Lovers Lane”
Italy Day 8: Florence
Our full day in Florence was another chill day, but that does not mean we didn’t walk and climb! We had reservations to climb the bell tower at 8:15am, but Bailey and Jett opted out so we headed out without them. Our next objective was a walk that started from a piazza on the otherContinue reading “Italy Day 8: Florence”
Italy Day 7: Rome to Florence and a Sunset
After six active days, it was good to have an easier day without climbing but we still walked over sixteen thousand steps. The difference between Rome’s hustle and Florence’s Tuscan tranquility was refreshing. Our plan for the evening was to catch the sunset over Florence and the River Arno. It was a couple of milesContinue reading “Italy Day 7: Rome to Florence and a Sunset”
Italy Day 6: The Vatican and a Cooking Class
We wrapped up our three days in Rome with visits to St Peter’s Basilica (including a climb to the top of the dome), and the Vatican Museums (to see the Sistine Chapel), with an Italian cooking class as our grand finale. The Basilica is overwhelming. I used Brian Schmisek’s The Rome of Peter and PaulContinue reading “Italy Day 6: The Vatican and a Cooking Class”
Italy Day 5: Ancient Rome
Time to go back 2000 years. My two previous visits to the Colosseum and Forum had left me somewhat underwhelmed by the piles of ancient rocks through my lack of understanding. This time, the Gladiator movies, Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion books, and a PhD in a related field helped me understand what IContinue reading “Italy Day 5: Ancient Rome”
Italy Day 4: Rome
Two-nil. Naples scored two goals last night to win their national championship. I’m sure we felt the cheering through our apartment walls when they scored, and the fireworks outside our window were definitely loud! This wasn’t the best evening to have a 5:30am taxi to catch a train to Rome. After the delays in gettingContinue reading “Italy Day 4: Rome”
Italy Day 3: Capri
The day went to plan but not how we intended. We reached the sites but not in the way we would have liked. Yet we had a fantastic time and made the most of our day on Capri. We walked through sleepy streets as Sorrento woke up and arrived at the port in time forContinue reading “Italy Day 3: Capri”
Italy Day 2: Path of the Gods and Positano
Each of us did our favorite activities today. Janet and Peter hiked the Path of the Gods, a trail that hugs the cliffs as it winds along the Amalfi coast for a few miles. Bailey and Jett had a photo session with a local photographer using multiple outfits, locations, and early morning light to captureContinue reading “Italy Day 2: Path of the Gods and Positano”
We Own a Campervan!
We have known for many years that we wanted to embrace a campervan while empty-nesting. This journey started a couple of weeks ago and the fun is just beginning. We both love the outdoors and our nomadic tendencies have dissolved any interest in a conventional second home. Our first campout together was after just threeContinue reading “We Own a Campervan!”
Giving Bailey Away: Phase 1
I didn’t think “The Lying Can Finally Stop” was the best title for my daughter’s engagement story. While this phrase had been lurking in the back of my mind until Jett escorted his new fiancée into the party room, it was quickly overwhelmed by joy from seeing their ecstatic smiles while sharing the moment withContinue reading “Giving Bailey Away: Phase 1”
New York City in Four Days
It takes an Ireland-style tour to see this much of NYC in four days. Visiting over St Patrick’s Day weekend and the NYC 1/2 marathon was fitting. We focused on independent self-guided tours (planned by Janet) and marveled at the tremendous variety we found in Manhattan. A couple of shows and many great meals roundedContinue reading “New York City in Four Days”
Road Trips
North America is made for road trips. When we married, an hour-long drive for Peter was significant! On road trips with lots of distance to cover, hotels are quick and convenient accommodation. We undertook five significant hotel-based road trips in North America. They were tremendous adventures, and we learned that hotels and dining out gotContinue reading “Road Trips”
Greece: A Cliff-hugging Monastery in the Lousios Gorge
Hiking to see a cliff-hugging monastery seemed like such a good idea. This looked really cool: However, perhaps there was a reason that it was not in our guidebook. AllTrails reviews were all positive, but we hadn’t slept well the night before and perhaps we were just ready to get home to our own bed.Continue reading “Greece: A Cliff-hugging Monastery in the Lousios Gorge”
Greece: The Ancient Olympics, with no Gold Medals
The ancient Olympics started in 776 BC in Olympia. For centuries, it was a celebration in honor of Zeus. Winners were awarded a wreath of leaves from a sacred olive tree by the Temple of Zeus. Winning was a tremendous honor for the victor’s village and it led to many privileges. It sounded more likeContinue reading “Greece: The Ancient Olympics, with no Gold Medals”
Greece: To the End of the World
Today was a road trip to the most southern point of mainland Greece at the top of the Mani peninsula. The road ended about a mile short, so of course we had a hike to get to the Tenaro Lighthouse at Cape Tainairon. The drive along the Mani Peninsula, which leads to the lighthouse, wasContinue reading “Greece: To the End of the World”
Greece: Sparta and Monemvasia
It was time for a change of pace. Less chasing sites and more chilling. Well, chilling our style, which included a five mile hike up a huge rock! We identified a new game for Greece in the car – follow Google Maps. We set the destination as Sparta and chose the shorter, more direct routeContinue reading “Greece: Sparta and Monemvasia”
Greece: Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, and Nafplio
At the end of the Liberty University trip retracing Paul, everyone said their farewells and headed in their different directions. Some went east, others north, and the majority headed west back to the US. While a few stayed in Athens, we headed south to explore the Peloponnese for the next seven days. The first adventureContinue reading “Greece: Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, and Nafplio”
Greece: Corinth and Cenchreae
Summary: We visited the remains of the city of ancient Corinth, which Paul visited twice, staying 18 months. And from where he wrote Romans. We visited Acrocorinth’s castle from the time of the Crusades. We also visited Cenchreae, from where Paul departed Greece at the end of his “second” missionary journey. We also visited theContinue reading “Greece: Corinth and Cenchreae”
Greece: Athens Part 2
Summary: We returned to Athens, and visited the ancient agora and Areopagus Hill, that Paul visited, and the Acropolis. Paul in Athens The current size and importance of Athens does not align with Paul’s Athens, and Acts 17:16-34 describes his visit. The Bible does not include any other mention of Athens. Its military losses hadContinue reading “Greece: Athens Part 2”
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 