tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23928783108147573072024-03-13T19:52:16.623-07:00danielle m. baker photographyBaker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-21837513159007108642010-08-11T08:50:00.000-07:002010-08-11T09:02:44.439-07:00Hanging up my Wings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/TGLHFkphFSI/AAAAAAAABOY/Ogd5xKoYC0s/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 373px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/TGLHFkphFSI/AAAAAAAABOY/Ogd5xKoYC0s/s400/IMG_0745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504180593151251746" /></a><br /><div>So I'm hanging up my wings for a while, while I figure out how to fix my knee and the cartilage that is no longer cushioning the joints I've been pounding together for the last 30 years. I assumed the orthopedist figured I was serious about running because I was in his office, the preeminent orthopedist to athletes and triathletes in the area. Then I looked down and remembered that running was something was I was planning on doing for the rest of my life. Now to figure out how to get there.</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-69031993548925881512009-10-23T06:41:00.001-07:002009-10-23T07:02:27.135-07:00It's been too long!<div>It has been too long since I have shared some of my recent photographs! So long in fact, this picture isn't even recent! It's from our trip to San Francisco in August!! We visited Muir Woods just north of the city. It is a space that commands awe and wonder:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SuGzGOTXRKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/p21CEKczqww/s1600-h/IMG_6330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SuGzGOTXRKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/p21CEKczqww/s400/IMG_6330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395790748066464930" /></a><br /><div>The most recent issue of National Geographic has a fascinating article on the <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/10/redwoods/bourne-text">Redwoods of California</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SuG1NDsVxpI/AAAAAAAAA5M/xYfzUNnLfx8/s1600-h/IMG_6318.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SuG1NDsVxpI/AAAAAAAAA5M/xYfzUNnLfx8/s400/IMG_6318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395793064500774546" /></a><br /><div>Of all the places that we visited in San Francisco, Muir Woods was probably my favorite. Jay liked it because it reminded him of the scenes in Return of the Jedi filmed in California's Redwood Forests. Ava enjoyed the magic of the forest as she looked for fairy houses! It truly is an enchanted forest!<br /><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SuG1_7iJd_I/AAAAAAAAA5U/xRCsXdlyjHw/s1600-h/IMG_6317.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SuG1_7iJd_I/AAAAAAAAA5U/xRCsXdlyjHw/s400/IMG_6317.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395793938483869682" /></a><br /><br /></div></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-42556446334991320222009-06-26T12:21:00.000-07:002009-06-26T12:31:05.033-07:00The difference between boys and girls...<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhM2hDuyI/AAAAAAAAA0A/pQoT4xBi9ig/s1600-h/IMG_5461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhM2hDuyI/AAAAAAAAA0A/pQoT4xBi9ig/s400/IMG_5461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351720236876020514" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhMdXA5cI/AAAAAAAAAz4/0UgtJI6KC3Y/s1600-h/IMG_5424.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhMdXA5cI/AAAAAAAAAz4/0UgtJI6KC3Y/s400/IMG_5424.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351720230123005378" /></a><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhMFcZZuI/AAAAAAAAAzw/iJlBq9dHNn4/s1600-h/IMG_5427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhMFcZZuI/AAAAAAAAAzw/iJlBq9dHNn4/s400/IMG_5427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351720223703131874" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhLzvVWII/AAAAAAAAAzo/bNpcO4lusIs/s1600-h/IMG_5429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhLzvVWII/AAAAAAAAAzo/bNpcO4lusIs/s400/IMG_5429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351720218950719618" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhLaQVC2I/AAAAAAAAAzg/KZ3HK4YDdy8/s1600-h/IMG_5437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SkUhLaQVC2I/AAAAAAAAAzg/KZ3HK4YDdy8/s400/IMG_5437.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351720212109790050" /></a><br /><div>Apples and oranges. Mars and Venus. Get my point?</div></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-6537150761039833162009-06-15T13:52:00.001-07:002009-06-15T14:37:22.739-07:00Roman Holiday: Last Day!<div>Our last day in Rome! As we walk to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum">Colosseum</a> these are the sights along the way:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja6LE_ztlI/AAAAAAAAAyY/bAELyPigkdo/s1600-h/IMG_4947.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja6LE_ztlI/AAAAAAAAAyY/bAELyPigkdo/s400/IMG_4947.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347666307031742034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja6K5xLYzI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/uOY_CqJyUbo/s1600-h/IMG_4948.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja6K5xLYzI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/uOY_CqJyUbo/s400/IMG_4948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347666304017589042" /></a><br /><div>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Forum">Roman Forum</a> is one of the most fascinating ruins to see:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja6KQzqOtI/AAAAAAAAAyI/I6rUDrm2bao/s1600-h/IMG_4953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja6KQzqOtI/AAAAAAAAAyI/I6rUDrm2bao/s400/IMG_4953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347666293022145234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4To37gkI/AAAAAAAAAyA/xSPLrde9cWE/s1600-h/IMG_4954.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4To37gkI/AAAAAAAAAyA/xSPLrde9cWE/s400/IMG_4954.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347664255078072898" /></a><br /></div><div>I thought the Colosseum was more interesting on the outside than inside! This is one instance where we should have sucked it up and paid for the audio tour! You know those little phone things that all the tourists walk around with up to their ears?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4TKArPGI/AAAAAAAAAx4/z4enUlWN6JE/s1600-h/IMG_4956.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4TKArPGI/AAAAAAAAAx4/z4enUlWN6JE/s400/IMG_4956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347664246793256034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4S6xIeHI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yrxC_2tusM8/s1600-h/IMG_4959.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4S6xIeHI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yrxC_2tusM8/s400/IMG_4959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347664242701531250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4SVk-e-I/AAAAAAAAAxo/-Nito_V90JM/s1600-h/IMG_4966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja4SVk-e-I/AAAAAAAAAxo/-Nito_V90JM/s400/IMG_4966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347664232718433250" /></a><br /></div><div>Inside the Roman Forum. I loved how the ruins had wild flowers growing among them. I also loved how architectural detail was strewn about on the ground!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2pImpbFI/AAAAAAAAAxg/cWBSrlSUgJ0/s1600-h/IMG_4978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2pImpbFI/AAAAAAAAAxg/cWBSrlSUgJ0/s400/IMG_4978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347662425349516370" /></a><br /></div><div>Market day in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_de'_Fiori">Campo de' Fiori</a>:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2otdsvCI/AAAAAAAAAxY/XWBuepbppn8/s1600-h/IMG_4979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2otdsvCI/AAAAAAAAAxY/XWBuepbppn8/s400/IMG_4979.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347662418064227362" /></a><br /></div><div>This photograph depicts pretty clearly the narrow dirty Roman side streets. Rome is not a clean city.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2ocrwY8I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/6ytJxgO6_1U/s1600-h/IMG_4981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2ocrwY8I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/6ytJxgO6_1U/s400/IMG_4981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347662413559784386" /></a><br /></div><div>Random act of doggy kindness:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2n9SRMEI/AAAAAAAAAxI/IGrzQPRGP3E/s1600-h/IMG_4998.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2n9SRMEI/AAAAAAAAAxI/IGrzQPRGP3E/s400/IMG_4998.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347662405131382850" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Tempietto_of_San_Pietro.html">Bramante's Tempeitto</a> we found by means of a happy accident!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2nmElO0I/AAAAAAAAAxA/whpX3FMrIlA/s1600-h/IMG_4999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sja2nmElO0I/AAAAAAAAAxA/whpX3FMrIlA/s400/IMG_4999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347662398899960642" /></a><br /></div><div>Now to pack up our bags for the trans-atlantic flight home! It was an amazing, busy, fun, crazy week! Stay tuned for an epilogue with photographs Jeff took on his mini-adventure!</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-25850427454007977712009-06-05T16:11:00.000-07:002009-06-05T17:50:37.564-07:00Roman Holiday: St. Peter's and Sistine Chapel<div>Our first full day in Rome. Second to last day of the trip. Thursday. We rise early, skip breakfast (big mistake) and head to the Vatican. When you get to the Vatican first thing, there are no queues to indicate where to enter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica">St. Peter's Basilica</a>, The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_Museum">Vatican Museums</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappella_Sistina">The Sistine Chapel</a>. So you wander aimlessly until a line forms that indicates the attraction. You then join a line, any line, because you are a sheep. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter's_Square">St. Peter's Square</a>:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimuioybyVI/AAAAAAAAAv4/OlznuhALD5Y/s1600-h/IMG_4879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimuioybyVI/AAAAAAAAAv4/OlznuhALD5Y/s400/IMG_4879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343994342939543890" /></a><br />Pigeon photographed while attempting to find an entrance to anything:<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simuix9PINI/AAAAAAAAAwA/DAt_1oQHc-M/s1600-h/IMG_4877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simuix9PINI/AAAAAAAAAwA/DAt_1oQHc-M/s400/IMG_4877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343994345400770770" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard">Swiss Guard,</a> who turn you away, because this is not an entrance in which you are allowed:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimuiYopiiI/AAAAAAAAAvw/JqvMTprMdPs/s1600-h/IMG_4880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimuiYopiiI/AAAAAAAAAvw/JqvMTprMdPs/s400/IMG_4880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343994338603534882" /></a><br /></div><div>Well labeled Vatican Mail Box:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simuh5JRCSI/AAAAAAAAAvo/4APm_RKpI9I/s1600-h/IMG_4882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simuh5JRCSI/AAAAAAAAAvo/4APm_RKpI9I/s400/IMG_4882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343994330150406434" /></a> </div><div>Wow! Unreal. Inside St. Peter's Basilica:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimuhjDk_vI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Vd7zB_qLXfM/s1600-h/IMG_4890.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimuhjDk_vI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Vd7zB_qLXfM/s400/IMG_4890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343994324220968690" /></a><br /></div><div>We climbed the 500 some odd steps and fought off the ensuing vertigo to get to the top of the dome:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simsz5_V_CI/AAAAAAAAAvY/3RrP35yrEVg/s1600-h/IMG_4896.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simsz5_V_CI/AAAAAAAAAvY/3RrP35yrEVg/s400/IMG_4896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343992440591612962" /></a><br />Photographs are not allowed inside the Sistine Chapel. Although, people were snapping them left and right. In my opinion, no photograph can do it justice. The Sistine Chapel was more amazing than I could have imagined. The sheer amount of figures masterfully painted in the space is amazing. The Sistine Chapel was one of my favorite things in Rome. Cliche, yes. Awesome? Undoubtably. A hall inside the Vatican Museum:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimszcaiI5I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/ogLRJh2S8jY/s1600-h/IMG_4900.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimszcaiI5I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/ogLRJh2S8jY/s400/IMG_4900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343992432652592018" /></a><br /></div><div>There are lots of interesting paintings and sculptures in the Vatican Museum:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimszLmVCfI/AAAAAAAAAvI/7epmh_HpbBY/s1600-h/IMG_4910.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimszLmVCfI/AAAAAAAAAvI/7epmh_HpbBY/s400/IMG_4910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343992428138662386" /></a><br /></div><div>By this time we are hungry and follow the advice of the trusty guide book and seek out the highly recommended Dino and Tony's Trattoria. It was well worth the search. We entered Dino and Tony's and were seated by either Dino or Tony, I'm not sure who. He then noted the guide book in Jeff's hand and indicated that he was in it! I then somehow managed to communicate to him that I don't eat meat and he proceeded to bring us plate after plate after plate of delicious food. Did I mention that there is no menu at Dino and Tony's? You eat what they bring you. And you like it. You really, really, really like it! Jeff eating the pasta alla grigia (pasta with pecorino, pancetta, and black pepper sauce. Jeff will tell you this is the best thing he has ever eaten. Ever.):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimsyvanspI/AAAAAAAAAvA/fk0RVnau0dU/s1600-h/IMG_4918.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimsyvanspI/AAAAAAAAAvA/fk0RVnau0dU/s400/IMG_4918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343992420573360786" /></a><br /></div><div>After stuffing ourselves silly at Dino and Tony's we walked the streets of Rome. Which, honestly, we really needed, as we had just consumed 3000 calories easily, each.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimsyXQQURI/AAAAAAAAAu4/rqVnXHHAwk4/s1600-h/IMG_4924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimsyXQQURI/AAAAAAAAAu4/rqVnXHHAwk4/s400/IMG_4924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343992414087434514" /></a><br /></div><div>I was well into my winged angel kick at this point:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simqc00MSEI/AAAAAAAAAuw/hXDt8maD6dw/s1600-h/IMG_4927.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Simqc00MSEI/AAAAAAAAAuw/hXDt8maD6dw/s400/IMG_4927.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343989845042415682" /></a><br />Street Market:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimqcrP8ilI/AAAAAAAAAuo/xsQwby8F6xc/s1600-h/IMG_4933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimqcrP8ilI/AAAAAAAAAuo/xsQwby8F6xc/s400/IMG_4933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343989842474469970" /></a><br /></div><div>Secret Square (as described in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Lonely Planet Rome Encounter</span>). "At Via del Pellegrino 19, you'll stumble across a dimly lit archway called the Arco delgi Acetare (Vinegar Maker's Arch). Wander through it and into a magical medieval courtyard, flanked by sorbet -hued facades, flower-filled balconies and ivy-clad staircases spilling onto the cobbled square."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimqcRUD3LI/AAAAAAAAAug/QZZNzZQGSiQ/s1600-h/IMG_4938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimqcRUD3LI/AAAAAAAAAug/QZZNzZQGSiQ/s400/IMG_4938.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343989835512405170" /></a><br />I let Jeff touch the camera again! He took an amazing picture at dinner. Thinking back now, I'm not even sure why we ate dinner that day! Probably just to get a chance to sit down after all that walking!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimqcISjkNI/AAAAAAAAAuY/hheRdDKZup0/s1600-h/IMG_4945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SimqcISjkNI/AAAAAAAAAuY/hheRdDKZup0/s400/IMG_4945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343989833090175186" /></a><br /></div><div>Tomorrow's our last day in Italy. We still need to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum">Colosseum</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_Romanum">The Roman Forum</a>...</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-79618975999890082672009-06-02T19:45:00.001-07:002009-06-03T06:13:43.751-07:00Roman Holiday: In Rome!<div>I love love love Audrey Hepburn. And now that we've made it to Rome without incident (Ok, maybe there was one little incident that involved us walking 3 miles pulling our luggage through the streets of Rome. But somehow, it wasn't so bad, at least the streets were lined with people cheering for us.) I can share this with you:</div><div><br /></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eIFo0txAvuE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eIFo0txAvuE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><div>We spent our first afternoon in Rome wandering through the historic district. Our cheeky <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Lonely Planet Rome Encounter </span>describes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Navona">Piazza Navona</a>, "extravagant fountains and spritz-sipping poseurs in shades: Rome's most iconic piazza..." where the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_dei_Quattro_Fiumi">Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi</a>, by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianlorenzo_Bernini">Bernini</a> is found. After I got past the author's constant attempt to be hip and witty, which I found annoying at first, I read some actually funny one liners and we found that sticking with his restaurant recommendations were by far, the best food we had. Detail from the Fountain of Four Rivers:<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXmewm2DeI/AAAAAAAAAuA/T_vl-r_yLdY/s1600-h/IMG_4837.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXmewm2DeI/AAAAAAAAAuA/T_vl-r_yLdY/s400/IMG_4837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342929949063253474" /></a><br /></div><div>I found Rome to be a bit dirty and certainly crowded, but the sites are unreal. It is one thing to sit in an art history class and see slides of historical places, take notes, and read about them. It is completely another level to stand in front of a structure that dates from 120 AD. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome">The Pantheon</a> is amazing:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXmemjR29I/AAAAAAAAAt4/wVij-QEWABs/s1600-h/IMG_4849.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXmemjR29I/AAAAAAAAAt4/wVij-QEWABs/s400/IMG_4849.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342929946363943890" /></a><br /></div><div>You can pay the gladiators outside The Pantheon to have your picture taken with them. Or you can stand 20 feet way and shoot them with you 100-200 lens, but then they accuse you of being paparazzi. But, if I was being shot with a zoom lens like that, I might feel the same way. But, your husband may have wandered into the Pantheon without you, and then the gladiators might start hitting on you. Maybe.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXmeXCHrDI/AAAAAAAAAtw/3Fncfu-Cmcs/s1600-h/IMG_4851.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXmeXCHrDI/AAAAAAAAAtw/3Fncfu-Cmcs/s400/IMG_4851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342929942198332466" /></a><br /></div><div>Looking into the Pantheon:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXlXzvyIzI/AAAAAAAAAto/MWc-rbPyL9s/s1600-h/IMG_4852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXlXzvyIzI/AAAAAAAAAto/MWc-rbPyL9s/s400/IMG_4852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342928730135339826" /></a><br /></div><div>Lots and lots of walking, much to see:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXlXk6w1TI/AAAAAAAAAtg/IODCgH5P_bE/s1600-h/IMG_4858.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXlXk6w1TI/AAAAAAAAAtg/IODCgH5P_bE/s400/IMG_4858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342928726154859826" /></a><br /></div><div>Have I mentioned the walking? Along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiber">Tiber River</a>:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXlXc6FrtI/AAAAAAAAAtY/s5T7N89p39w/s1600-h/IMG_4869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXlXc6FrtI/AAAAAAAAAtY/s5T7N89p39w/s400/IMG_4869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342928724004548306" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica">St. Peter's Basilica</a>:</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXnPaI9UWI/AAAAAAAAAuI/JmMlKoIuWNk/s1600-h/IMG_4871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiXnPaI9UWI/AAAAAAAAAuI/JmMlKoIuWNk/s400/IMG_4871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342930784845910370" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now to find dinner... which is easier said than done, based on the fact that Rome has this weird way of numbering buildings on streets. The numbers follow numerically down one side of the street and then seem to continue way back down at the other side of the street. We ended up walking by so many things and then having to turn around and go back! It was well worth it to eat at <a href="http://travel.ciao.co.uk/Da_Buffetto__Review_5593110">Da Baffetto</a>! Somehow, we managed to get in without having to wait in line! Well, we did have to share a table with two other people, but that seemed to not be out of the ordinary to anyone but us. The pizza was simply amazing! Tomorrow we're up early to see St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel!!! </div></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-32457884006195234942009-05-31T07:25:00.000-07:002009-05-31T18:35:22.852-07:00Roman Holiday: Giro d' Italia Stage Four<div>Today's adventure takes us with the Giro from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padua">Padova</a> to a mountain top finish! Our gracious host Willem, has arranged for Jeff and <a href="http://www.prendas.co.uk/display.asp?ID=26">Mick</a> to ride in team cars with the race. I will be riding in the <a href="http://www.santinisms.it/en/home_page.aspx">Santini</a> Car in the parade in front of the race. It is interesting to note, that on this day, Jeff and I will have two very different experiences of the same road and same race. I am quite looking forward to enjoying the back seat of the car all to myself and seeing the sights as we go. </div><div><br /></div><div>The race begins in Padova. It is market day in the square, so one side of the square looks like this:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKgVQXDHtI/AAAAAAAAAtI/Fqtuo5d7yv8/s1600-h/IMG_4724.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKgVQXDHtI/AAAAAAAAAtI/Fqtuo5d7yv8/s400/IMG_4724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342008395044167378" /></a><br /><div>And the other side of the square looks like this (the parade cars are all queued up to preceed the race):</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKgU5ukqTI/AAAAAAAAAtA/ZUisF_wtxPw/s1600-h/IMG_4723.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKgU5ukqTI/AAAAAAAAAtA/ZUisF_wtxPw/s400/IMG_4723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342008388968818994" /></a><br /></div><div>It is incredible that every day the race exposition went up, functioned as a race village, and then came down to travel to the next day's start location. The same for the the finish area, barriers, and everything that has to do with the race. It is quite a study in logistics. Mick and Thomas chatting in the race village:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKgUu3gXVI/AAAAAAAAAs4/ewXPlC-PHPw/s1600-h/IMG_4735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKgUu3gXVI/AAAAAAAAAs4/ewXPlC-PHPw/s400/IMG_4735.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342008386053496146" /></a><br /></div><div>Padova behind the race start:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKfBt1pmJI/AAAAAAAAAsw/v5t04yOO7Co/s1600-h/IMG_4737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKfBt1pmJI/AAAAAAAAAsw/v5t04yOO7Co/s400/IMG_4737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342006959848134802" /></a><br /></div><div>The racers start the neutral portion of the stage in town and have a rolling start as they head out of town. Looking out of the starting corral:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKfBJIv1wI/AAAAAAAAAso/oj6idSb-JqY/s1600-h/IMG_4738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKfBJIv1wI/AAAAAAAAAso/oj6idSb-JqY/s400/IMG_4738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342006949996123906" /></a><br /></div><div>I enjoyed how compliant the spectators were with the sponsor's hats. I couldn't bring myself to wear mine!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKfA4g9MeI/AAAAAAAAAsg/6zV8wCVlNmk/s1600-h/IMG_4739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKfA4g9MeI/AAAAAAAAAsg/6zV8wCVlNmk/s400/IMG_4739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342006945534259682" /></a><br /></div><div>Paolo Bettini kept turning up everywhere! He is a beloved, famous Italian cyclist. Mick with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_Bettini">Paolo Bettini</a>: (Click on the link to learn more about Bettini!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdxm9L--I/AAAAAAAAAsY/je4CCdsHZHI/s1600-h/IMG_4740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdxm9L--I/AAAAAAAAAsY/je4CCdsHZHI/s400/IMG_4740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342005583611165666" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I loved these little mechanical bicycles. Although the vendor would mysteriously pack up his wares and slip out of sight every so often.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdxFg6cBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/NbXEdkw2qhE/s1600-h/IMG_4741.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdxFg6cBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/NbXEdkw2qhE/s400/IMG_4741.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342005574634205202" /></a><br /></div><div>I couldn't get enough of the variety of vibrant fruits and vegetables at the produce stands:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdw3jbflI/AAAAAAAAAsI/b9qW8k1VjdU/s1600-h/IMG_4742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdw3jbflI/AAAAAAAAAsI/b9qW8k1VjdU/s400/IMG_4742.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342005570886663762" /></a><br /></div><div>Jeff was so excited to ride along with a team car! There were two teams willing to take Santini guests in their vehicles. Jeff chose a team that he thought was going to make a move for the stage win that day. Mick got the other car. As we dropped Mick off with the Lampre team, we learned he was going to be riding in the number one car! That's the car that goes ahead if one of their riders is in the break-away! Jeff had gotten a seat in his team's van. They were going to be taking a short cut to the top of the mountain to hand out water bottles. Upon learning this, Willem decided we would not tell Jeff about this until later! Bad luck! Willem securing Jeff's spot in the Diquigiovanni van where he would spend the rest of the day bombing through the mountains with two men who didn't speak english:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdwn63q8I/AAAAAAAAAsA/MeskDtKOPyM/s1600-h/IMG_4745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdwn63q8I/AAAAAAAAAsA/MeskDtKOPyM/s400/IMG_4745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342005566690012098" /></a><br /></div><div>Danielle's artsy photograph:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdwG-dPxI/AAAAAAAAAr4/8qxCLhM97As/s1600-h/IMG_4748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKdwG-dPxI/AAAAAAAAAr4/8qxCLhM97As/s400/IMG_4748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342005557846687506" /></a><br /></div><div>The view looking out the rear window of the Santini Car:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb5Y1agtI/AAAAAAAAArw/8leA8q3zndE/s1600-h/IMG_4750.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb5Y1agtI/AAAAAAAAArw/8leA8q3zndE/s400/IMG_4750.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342003518236164818" /></a><br /></div><div>Leaving Padova:<br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb47d7tBI/AAAAAAAAAro/b-MO-I0MVVs/s1600-h/IMG_4751.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb47d7tBI/AAAAAAAAAro/b-MO-I0MVVs/s400/IMG_4751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342003510353048594" /></a><br /></div><div>The view out the front window of the Santini Car:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb4nyWUlI/AAAAAAAAArg/1cdATdQ5CMY/s1600-h/IMG_4752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb4nyWUlI/AAAAAAAAArg/1cdATdQ5CMY/s400/IMG_4752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342003505069970002" /></a><br /></div><div>Sights along the race route:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb4d_J_OI/AAAAAAAAArY/BVKBWXD1p3I/s1600-h/IMG_4757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb4d_J_OI/AAAAAAAAArY/BVKBWXD1p3I/s400/IMG_4757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342003502439333090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb33OquYI/AAAAAAAAArQ/v29_F5GMMrg/s1600-h/IMG_4765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKb33OquYI/AAAAAAAAArQ/v29_F5GMMrg/s400/IMG_4765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342003492035410306" /></a><br /></div><div>(Do you watch the Tour de France on tv? This guy is famous!!! I'm not sure, but it looks as though he's actually secured a <a href="http://www.luk.com/content.luk.de/en/index.jsp">sponsor</a>. Has he sold himself "to" the devil if he has actually sold himself "as" the devil?) My favorite photograph of the 600 I took on the trip:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZqMmqWfI/AAAAAAAAArI/PcMO5XpkMzI/s1600-h/IMG_4784.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZqMmqWfI/AAAAAAAAArI/PcMO5XpkMzI/s400/IMG_4784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342001058231769586" /></a><br /></div><div>More sights along the route:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZpg5y7TI/AAAAAAAAArA/ErzLnRG3oU4/s1600-h/IMG_4785.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZpg5y7TI/AAAAAAAAArA/ErzLnRG3oU4/s400/IMG_4785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342001046500863282" /></a><br /></div><div>Ansel Who?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZpDg7N8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/Twx2IV24gSU/s1600-h/IMG_4787.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZpDg7N8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/Twx2IV24gSU/s400/IMG_4787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342001038611920834" /></a><br /></div><div>We make it to the finish line and watch as the race leaders approach the finish:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZo5NxvBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/qQSRRlHpbJ0/s1600-h/IMG_4789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZo5NxvBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/qQSRRlHpbJ0/s400/IMG_4789.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342001035847253010" /></a><br /></div><div>Legging it out to the finish:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZosHF9FI/AAAAAAAAAqo/J22sSy1Ia4I/s1600-h/IMG_4791.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKZosHF9FI/AAAAAAAAAqo/J22sSy1Ia4I/s400/IMG_4791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342001032329557074" /></a><br /></div><div>Lance! Lance! Over here! After finishing the riders have to turn around and go back out the finishing stretch:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKXVYJpx5I/AAAAAAAAAqg/opWE41LtVU8/s1600-h/IMG_4812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKXVYJpx5I/AAAAAAAAAqg/opWE41LtVU8/s400/IMG_4812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341998501530814354" /></a><br /></div><div>The peleton and Pink Jersey approach the finish:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKXVEN6maI/AAAAAAAAAqY/m31GmjsIZXk/s1600-h/IMG_4828.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKXVEN6maI/AAAAAAAAAqY/m31GmjsIZXk/s400/IMG_4828.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341998496179984802" /></a><br /></div><div>My favorite car in the parade:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKXUjA80SI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/eZ6eZW4IYMU/s1600-h/IMG_4831.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SiKXUjA80SI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/eZ6eZW4IYMU/s400/IMG_4831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341998487267234082" /></a><br /></div><div>An amazing and once in a lifetime experience! Our deepest and sincerest thanks to Santini, Willem, Mick, And Thomas for guiding us through these past couple days of the Giro d' Italia. Tomorrow morning we take a train to Rome! Fingers crossed!!! </div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-24841374619795277022009-05-27T11:14:00.000-07:002009-05-28T04:56:21.827-07:00Roman Holiday: Valdobbiadene<div>Have you ever travelled in a foreign country to a destination of which you could not pronounce the name? In our case, we had several factors weighing against us. For one, we don't speak Italian. Secondly, I was not involved in the travel plans. Finally, Jeff had only read the name of the town where Stage Three of the Giro 'd Italia ended and had never actually heard anyone pronounce it. Jeff, therefore decided, we were traveling to a town called Valdo-by-a-dean. </div><div><br /></div><div>Step one in our quest to Valdobbiadene (hereafter referred to as V. because it is nearly as hard to spell as it is to pronounce): ask the friendly English speaking hotel guy if he has a Tren Italia map. No luck. Step two: explain to friendly english speaking hotel guy that we are trying to get to V. to see the Giro. V.? Never heard of it. Hmm, this may be a problem. Step three: determine that we will solve this problem at the train station, somehow. Luckily for us, at the help desk in the train station there was a nice woman who is clearly used to dealing with stupid Americans. V.? Oh, you mean Val-dob-be-ad-a-nay! Oh! I guess we do! Sure, you can take a train to Castel Franco and switch to another train to Alano-Fener and catch a bus to V. Great! We'll take two.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got two panini for the road and and hopped on our train to Castel Franco. The train ride to Castel Franco was lovely, it was great to see some of the Veneto countryside. At the Castel Franco train station, I however, decide that I have to use the restroom. I am a bit hesitant about using a train station bathroom, but I have been drinking espresso (cafe) and diet coke (coke light) like they are going out of style. I hustle into the women's room, only to find what looks to me like a ceramic hole in the ground and an indication of where my feet are supposed to be placed while I dangle myself over the hole attempting to get everything into afore mentioned hole. Hmm, I have, up until this moment, somehow avoided these contraptions, yet here was a defining moment for me. What should I do? (I did not take this picture. I tried to jazz it up with some editing, but I couldn't do a thing to make it look better):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh3oK88jeAI/AAAAAAAAApY/6_3oZ0Pol2o/s1600-h/restaurant_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh3oK88jeAI/AAAAAAAAApY/6_3oZ0Pol2o/s400/restaurant_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340680007987722242" /></a><br /></div><div>The train station bathroom was actually a lot cleaner and brighter! After a moment of panic I checked all the other doors in the bathroom and thankfully found a handicap facility. That was me, physically challenged and unable to use the ceramic hole in the ground. So, I dangled my feet from the handicapped toilet (hard to do at 5'9"). This experience did however, leave me with some trepidation each and every time I had to use the bathroom again in Italy.</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, we made our connecting train to Alano-Fener and were on our merry way. The train from Venice had been a large double-decker commuter rail type train. Our connecting train was much older. As we approach our stop we gather our luggage and head for the nearest door. The train stops and we wait for the door to open. It doesn't open. Jeff quickly decides that the door is broken and we should hustle to the door at the other end of the car, that we see that people have exited. As we get to the other door, the train begins to pull out of the station. We look at the train door and the red handle on the door and Jeff reads the sign: Pull the red handle! Pull the red handle?!? When in your life is it ever ok to pull a red handle? Clearly, it is ok to pull the red handle when it is the door handle and not an emergency brake! We have missed our stop! We have no option now, but to hope that the next stop is not far and get off and catch the next train back to Alano-Fener. May I remind you loyal reader, that we are in the country and entering the hills of the Veneto region. It could be a while to the next stop, let alone the next train going back in the other direction! </div><div><br /></div><div>I am not feeling anger, I am not feeling fear, I am just hoping that we will be able to get to where we are supposed to meet our friends. Luck is on our side, it is only a few kilometers to the next train station! We get off the train and look around to find ourselves literally, in the middle of nowhere. We are doubly lucky that the train conductor gets off the train and clearly sees that we are totally out of place and asks us where we are going. He leads us around the train and tells us to wait there for the next train going back in the other direction, it should only be about five minutes. He doesn't actually speak any English, but somehow we follow him and do what he tells us. We are thankful to see the train arrive and even more thankful that we are able to get off of it at the correct stop. Now to find that bus...</div><div><br /></div><div>We walk around the train station to find that we don't seem to be in much of a town. There are a couple of buildings and not much else. There is a man in a minivan that appears as though it might be some sort of shuttle service or taxi. We find that he speaks not a word of english. Through the use of some clever spanish phrases we determine that the roads to V. are closed and he can take us only about a kilometer from the train station before the road is closed to traffic. We also find out that it is about 7k to the town of V. and the finish line of the day's Giro stage. I ask him how we are to get to V. He says on foot. On Foot!?! Yes, on foot. I resign myself to a long walk. I must admit that I am wearing a dress and wedge flip flops and am not exactly dressed for a 7k walk up a mountain to V. I pull my rolling luggage a few hundred meters and am feeling very Kathleen Turner in "Romancing the Stone," until I decide that I must change into shorts and sneakers. Quick-change by the side of the road and we are off, pulling our luggage up to V.</div><div><br /></div><div>As if it isn't bad enough to be two American idiots pulling our luggage up a mountain road, there are hundreds if not thousands of people standing along the sides of the road waiting to cheer on their favorite bike racers. I guess they had already had a few <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosecco">Proseccos</a> because quite a few cheered for us. It was a tad humiliating. Finally, we determined that our friends were going to be driving in the parade in front of the race, and going up the mountain anyway, there was no reason for us to walk up until they found us, so we parked our rolling luggage by the side of the road and waited for our ride. In fact, we waited 3k from the finish:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2InjUNsVI/AAAAAAAAApQ/3ilniZbjq9c/s400/IMG_4595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340574946207576402" /><br /></div><div>In front of us the race course and behind us the famous vineyards:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HwFdJiFI/AAAAAAAAApI/k5SAvPXHiVU/s1600-h/IMG_4596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HwFdJiFI/AAAAAAAAApI/k5SAvPXHiVU/s400/IMG_4596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573993299183698" /></a><br /></div><div>It was a happy moment when we spotted the Santini car driven by Willem, Thomas, and Mick. We stuffed our luggage into the car and hopped in, glad to be done with that adventure!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HvsfUSUI/AAAAAAAAApA/UlPfcNDlKDE/s1600-h/IMG_4597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HvsfUSUI/AAAAAAAAApA/UlPfcNDlKDE/s400/IMG_4597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573986597390658" /></a><br /></div><div>We made it to the town of V. and joined the crowd as the peleton approached! </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HvfxWFCI/AAAAAAAAAo4/DQxfXdEWfCQ/s1600-h/IMG_4605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HvfxWFCI/AAAAAAAAAo4/DQxfXdEWfCQ/s400/IMG_4605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573983183344674" /></a><br /></div><div>The peleton is an amazing, colorful, wondrous sight!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HvKV-64I/AAAAAAAAAow/4ll1xTd29KM/s1600-h/IMG_4610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2HvKV-64I/AAAAAAAAAow/4ll1xTd29KM/s400/IMG_4610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573977431436162" /></a><br /></div><div>Levi! Over here! I'll get him next time!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2Hu7cOZfI/AAAAAAAAAoo/lYMdDqg5gDE/s1600-h/IMG_4613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2Hu7cOZfI/AAAAAAAAAoo/lYMdDqg5gDE/s400/IMG_4613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573973431084530" /></a><br /></div><div>The peleton passed through town and went out of town and did a loop before they returned to V. for the finish.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E_5fEo_I/AAAAAAAAAog/n1ba51HeCdI/s1600-h/IMG_4615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E_5fEo_I/AAAAAAAAAog/n1ba51HeCdI/s400/IMG_4615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340570966429049842" /></a><br /></div><div>We found seats in the stands at the finish line and await the finish. There are jumbo screens around to view the race as it happens. Here are the winners:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E_QDKF-I/AAAAAAAAAoY/47kp0wBDxQI/s1600-h/IMG_4660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E_QDKF-I/AAAAAAAAAoY/47kp0wBDxQI/s400/IMG_4660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340570955306112994" /></a><br /></div><div>A very expressive lady with huge glasses. Lance! Lance! Over here! Susan says "Hi!" </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E_CiDtaI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/6ly4XEllKj0/s1600-h/IMG_4681.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E_CiDtaI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/6ly4XEllKj0/s400/IMG_4681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340570951677621666" /></a><br /></div><div>That is one sweet ride!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E-r2joOI/AAAAAAAAAoI/6AF2CQdvc8g/s1600-h/IMG_4683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E-r2joOI/AAAAAAAAAoI/6AF2CQdvc8g/s400/IMG_4683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340570945589584098" /></a><br /></div><div>The pink jersey goes to... this guy! He's Italian! Exciting!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E-e78gXI/AAAAAAAAAoA/v31hFRYn_RY/s1600-h/IMG_4719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh2E-e78gXI/AAAAAAAAAoA/v31hFRYn_RY/s400/IMG_4719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340570942122525042" /></a><br /></div><div>It takes hours to descend from this town with all the traffic and finally get to Padova. I find that I get car sick riding in the back seat of cars. It has been a loooong and crazy day. I hope tomorrow is more predictable? boring? We'll see...</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-32966235934448277312009-05-27T05:48:00.000-07:002009-05-27T08:02:40.664-07:00Roman Holiday: Venice: San Marco and San Giorgio Maggiore<div>Our last morning in Venice! Our agenda for the morning: visit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Basilica">San Marco</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Giorgio_Maggiore">San Giorgio Maggiore</a>, check out of hotel, and figure out how to get to the end of Stage Three of the Giro in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valdobbiadene">Valdobbiadene</a>. Let the adventure begin!</div><div><br /></div><div>We queued up first thing, to see the amazing Basilica San Marco. It sits in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_San_Marco">Piazza San Marco</a> adjacent to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge's_Palace">Palazzo Ducal</a>. I honestly don't think that words can describe the exterior or interior of St. Mark's Cathedral. The exterior porticos and interior ceilings are decorated with elaborate golden mosaics! It's awe taking!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A7rppKkI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ZckyF6PAMCA/s1600-h/IMG_4570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A7rppKkI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ZckyF6PAMCA/s400/IMG_4570.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340496127205124674" /></a><br /><div>The Doge's Palace (We didn't go in, I'm sure it's nice inside too):</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A7O2alDI/AAAAAAAAAnw/6WO_MN8bFpI/s1600-h/IMG_4567.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A7O2alDI/AAAAAAAAAnw/6WO_MN8bFpI/s400/IMG_4567.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340496119474066482" /></a><br /></div><div>An interesting spot where St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace meet:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A67v8ZPI/AAAAAAAAAno/ffus6mouNFo/s1600-h/IMG_4556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A67v8ZPI/AAAAAAAAAno/ffus6mouNFo/s400/IMG_4556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340496114346648818" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Detail on the corner of the Doge's Palace:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A6ejyE-I/AAAAAAAAAng/Yj0vZ-63o9Y/s1600-h/IMG_4562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A6ejyE-I/AAAAAAAAAng/Yj0vZ-63o9Y/s400/IMG_4562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340496106511012834" /></a><br /></div><div>More architectural detail:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A54SqzlI/AAAAAAAAAnY/sHyg3T-Q1T4/s1600-h/IMG_4571.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh1A54SqzlI/AAAAAAAAAnY/sHyg3T-Q1T4/s400/IMG_4571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340496096238685778" /></a><br /></div><div>As we waited in line I spotted these unusual brown figures. I just noticed that they are described in my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Berlitz Pocket Guide to Venice</span>: "...note the four curious dark brown figures of the Tetrarchs (also known as the Four Moors), variously said to represent either Diocletian and associates, or four Saracen robbers who tried to loot the basilica's treasury through the wall behind them." A fortuitous shot indeed!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06u9jAzdI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/esk_E3JQTUQ/s1600-h/IMG_4573.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06u9jAzdI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/esk_E3JQTUQ/s400/IMG_4573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340489311601085906" /></a><br /></div><div>The portico around the Doge's Palace:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06uqAlrzI/AAAAAAAAAnI/WKTyuWeIbXQ/s1600-h/IMG_4574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06uqAlrzI/AAAAAAAAAnI/WKTyuWeIbXQ/s400/IMG_4574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340489306356428594" /></a><br /></div><div>I have been to Venice now twice, and both times I have photographed this hotel on the waterfront. It's one of my favorites:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06ueSCqlI/AAAAAAAAAnA/_kkWlbTCcGc/s1600-h/IMG_4575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06ueSCqlI/AAAAAAAAAnA/_kkWlbTCcGc/s400/IMG_4575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340489303208405586" /></a><br /></div><div>Approaching San Giorgio Maggiore:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06uMLEH7I/AAAAAAAAAm4/UmJCce_5ZL0/s1600-h/IMG_4576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06uMLEH7I/AAAAAAAAAm4/UmJCce_5ZL0/s400/IMG_4576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340489298347302834" /></a><br /></div><div>The best way to see Venice, actually see all of the island, is from the Bell Tower at San Giorgio Maggiore. It is unreal. There was a sign in the elevator up to the the top of the Bell Tower that noted that the elevator's capacity was 8 occupants and someone had added (a European no doubt) that it was 8 occupants or 6 Americans. Sad but true.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06t-5-K_I/AAAAAAAAAmw/3V-z9m9UbG4/s1600-h/IMG_4581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh06t-5-K_I/AAAAAAAAAmw/3V-z9m9UbG4/s400/IMG_4581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340489294785948658" /></a><br /></div><div>There is a weird trick of the eye going on that makes it appear that the Vaporetto above the Statue's head is sinking. I am pretty sure it isn't, but I could be wrong.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh048cKFr8I/AAAAAAAAAmo/mscn74F_RVI/s1600-h/IMG_4582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh048cKFr8I/AAAAAAAAAmo/mscn74F_RVI/s400/IMG_4582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340487344133091266" /></a><br /></div><div>This bridge was a mob scene, harder to pass than than any canal or church. I am not positive, but I think people are ogling the advertisement?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh048ErnNrI/AAAAAAAAAmg/_W21qqY1pJU/s1600-h/IMG_4585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh048ErnNrI/AAAAAAAAAmg/_W21qqY1pJU/s400/IMG_4585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340487337831249586" /></a><br /></div><div>A courtyard near our hotel:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh0478mgKyI/AAAAAAAAAmY/_bfWASzphgY/s1600-h/IMG_4591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh0478mgKyI/AAAAAAAAAmY/_bfWASzphgY/s400/IMG_4591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340487335662332706" /></a><br /></div><div>Goodbye Venice! Goodbye ugly lamp that I have walked by for the last three days! I will miss you, well, maybe not the lamp...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh047WAFd0I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Blp9ZLpTTFg/s1600-h/IMG_4594.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sh047WAFd0I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Blp9ZLpTTFg/s400/IMG_4594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340487325300651842" /></a><br /></div><div>We're off to catch a Vaporetto to the train station, to take a train to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valdobbiadene">Valdobbiadene</a>, where we're told we can catch a bus into town to see the end of the race...</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-30000948406741147692009-05-22T12:15:00.001-07:002009-05-25T18:54:06.193-07:00Roman Holiday: Day Two in Venice<div>Where were we again? Oh yes, Day two in Venice. Lest we forget, I am still bitter about having missed what would have been day one in Venice which would have made this actually day three in Venice. Alas, one can not fault the weather in New York...</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever been to Venice? It is known or renown, I suppose, for it's remarkable quality of light. I guess that quality can best be described as ethereal. There are also some "classic" sights of Venice. Some, that you just won't see here! For one, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rialto_Bridge">Rialto Bridge</a>. It's like the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_of_the_Border_(attraction)"> South of The Border</a> of Venice. Ick. We crossed it, but I refused to take a picture. Instead I got caught up in the whole narrow streets, crumbly buildings, and canal thing. Narrow Venetian street:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcDn9UfbEI/AAAAAAAAAlY/3gPL7m-kueU/s1600-h/IMG_4465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcDn9UfbEI/AAAAAAAAAlY/3gPL7m-kueU/s400/IMG_4465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338739868281302082" /></a><br /><div>I love the bridges over the canals. I just find it amazing that a place so different from my know landscape exists. It's easy to forget the monotony of a subdivision, sameness of every strip mall, and general suburban lifestyle, and get transported into another time and place.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcDoE9URkI/AAAAAAAAAlg/KNx-QmqIjZw/s1600-h/IMG_4467.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcDoE9URkI/AAAAAAAAAlg/KNx-QmqIjZw/s400/IMG_4467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338739870331586114" /></a><br /></div><div>These little water fountains are all over Venice and Rome too. I did see a sign that said the water was "potable," but I'll stick to bottled, thank you! </div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcDofjco9I/AAAAAAAAAlo/8BVbv9tYVew/s1600-h/IMG_4470.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcDofjco9I/AAAAAAAAAlo/8BVbv9tYVew/s400/IMG_4470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338739877470839762" /></a><br /></div><div>The Grand Canal is like the 15/501 of Venice. (Not really).</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcB5PP1AYI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Avrue9wTr-s/s1600-h/IMG_4471.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcB5PP1AYI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Avrue9wTr-s/s400/IMG_4471.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338737966128103810" /></a><br /></div><div>Palazzos on the Grand Canal:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcB4-laI9I/AAAAAAAAAlI/HGhMcth9ZCo/s1600-h/IMG_4473.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcB4-laI9I/AAAAAAAAAlI/HGhMcth9ZCo/s400/IMG_4473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338737961655215058" /></a><br /></div><div>The Grand Canal from a Vaporetto:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcA94oEz_I/AAAAAAAAAlA/MEf9kRH6O8c/s1600-h/IMG_4476.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcA94oEz_I/AAAAAAAAAlA/MEf9kRH6O8c/s400/IMG_4476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338736946443505650" /></a><br /></div><div>Right around Piazza San Marco there isn't a lot of greenery, but I do love how residents add their own touches of green. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcA9iDfrOI/AAAAAAAAAk4/q_ukJeYn1Ng/s1600-h/IMG_4487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcA9iDfrOI/AAAAAAAAAk4/q_ukJeYn1Ng/s400/IMG_4487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338736940384496866" /></a><br /></div><div>The "gondola ride" is a big thing in Venice too. I'm not big on the whole tourist aspect of it, but the Gondoliers were pretty cute in their striped shirts. I much more enjoy to compare and contrast the tackiness with which the interiors of the boats are decorated. This one, not too bad:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcAIeHQHLI/AAAAAAAAAkw/X60XEVM4QCU/s1600-h/IMG_4493.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShcAIeHQHLI/AAAAAAAAAkw/X60XEVM4QCU/s400/IMG_4493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338736028793445554" /></a><br /></div><div>And here begins my obsession with winged angels. This will become a major theme as we get into Rome later:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb_rILniTI/AAAAAAAAAko/GI0mZQ-vFMc/s1600-h/IMG_4511.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb_rILniTI/AAAAAAAAAko/GI0mZQ-vFMc/s400/IMG_4511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338735524689971506" /></a><br /></div><div>Crumbly Building: they just don't do architectural detail like they used to:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb_FfRXyNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/KvaAPACyg-k/s1600-h/IMG_4512.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb_FfRXyNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/KvaAPACyg-k/s400/IMG_4512.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338734878053091538" /></a><br /></div><div>Hello Kitty behind bars! Not to worry! There was a store just like this in Rome that I looted for Ava!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7r7fhsZI/AAAAAAAAAkY/IgBlJmMqp2E/s1600-h/IMG_4519.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7r7fhsZI/AAAAAAAAAkY/IgBlJmMqp2E/s400/IMG_4519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338731140417171858" /></a><br /></div><div>The Grand Canal as seen from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_dell'Accademia">Academia Bridge</a> at night:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7ru7X2nI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/zUpSQSszURU/s1600-h/IMG_4546.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7ru7X2nI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/zUpSQSszURU/s400/IMG_4546.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338731137044306546" /></a><br /></div><div>If I may interject one small tiny complaint here; dinner in Italy does not start until at least 7:30pm, and that's if you are lucky! Some days I didn't get dinner until 9 or 10pm. That's all well and good if you are European, but I have to admit I am a creature of habit and my habit is unfortunately to have dinner at 6pm. I have kids, what can I say? So on any given day, I have walked at least ten miles (no complaints yet) but am getting a bit hungry by, let's say, 5pm or so. All the museums, churches, etc. are closed, so there's nothing to see, but you can't get a bite of dinner until at least 7:30pm! This leaves an awkward two and a half to three hours to kill. Enter Happy Hour. I admit, I like Happy Hour or Two Happy Hours if need be, but I can only drink so much, until I really need something to eat. There, I said it. I started stealing prepackaged toast from our hotel to tide me over until dinner. But, I dipped it in Nutella, so it was ok.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7rn_A6GI/AAAAAAAAAkI/6EYI4GOwkRY/s1600-h/IMG_4548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7rn_A6GI/AAAAAAAAAkI/6EYI4GOwkRY/s400/IMG_4548.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338731135180531810" /></a></div><div><br />One last shot of The Grand Canal at night and then off to bed. Tomorrow we have a half day in Venice before we attempt to take a train out of Venice to catch up with the Giro 'd Italia!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7rGaCtAI/AAAAAAAAAkA/itWvvp-lf5g/s1600-h/IMG_4551.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shb7rGaCtAI/AAAAAAAAAkA/itWvvp-lf5g/s400/IMG_4551.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338731126167090178" /></a><br /><br /></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-25299425936188784692009-05-22T03:57:00.000-07:002009-05-22T06:32:24.852-07:00Roman Holiday: Take Two Part II or Time Trial on Lido<div>Here we are, finally! On Lido, a barrier island off Venice, at the race, and ready to see some racing! </div><div><br /></div><div>There are some photographs that Jeff likes to call, "Pictures of Jeff's Vacation." These are not to be confused with what Jeff calls, "Danielle's Artsy Pictures." I must warn you loyal reader, the pictures that follow mostly fall in the the latter category. There are however, a few rare photographs that can meet the criteria and are BOTH "Pictures of Jeff's Vacation" and "Danielle's Artsy Pictures." I'll let you decide for yourself which ones those are! But, since we are now on Lido and about to watch the opening time trial of the Giro 'd Italia, here is a "Picture of Jeff's Vacation" to start us off:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shag4Fh7JRI/AAAAAAAAAj4/1Q-HX7iG12E/s1600-h/IMG_4336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shag4Fh7JRI/AAAAAAAAAj4/1Q-HX7iG12E/s400/IMG_4336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338631293711885586" /></a><br /><div>It turns out that Skoda is a european car manufacturer and one of the major sponsors of the race. Not, as I had previously decided in my own mind, a european chewing tobacco. Team Lotto on the course warming up:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shag37BjuTI/AAAAAAAAAjw/wC4KhwTOLrE/s1600-h/IMG_4338.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shag37BjuTI/AAAAAAAAAjw/wC4KhwTOLrE/s400/IMG_4338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338631290891778354" /></a><br /></div><div>Lance? Lance are you in there? I have to say "Hi" and give you a hug from Susan. Lance?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShagDkDNJXI/AAAAAAAAAjo/OgTLGGuUtjk/s1600-h/IMG_4343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShagDkDNJXI/AAAAAAAAAjo/OgTLGGuUtjk/s400/IMG_4343.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338630391371474290" /></a><br /></div><div>Lot's of serious faces on trainers warming up. (BTW, if you know who any of these guys are please leave their names in the comment section, thanks!)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shaflk5qIII/AAAAAAAAAjg/CXSF5XKMdvI/s1600-h/IMG_4348.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shaflk5qIII/AAAAAAAAAjg/CXSF5XKMdvI/s400/IMG_4348.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338629876203790466" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is actually a person, whose job is to prepare the trainers for warm-ups. I'm assuming they have other responsibilities too, but this guys is good!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shae099itsI/AAAAAAAAAjY/iMZRjtgimTQ/s1600-h/IMG_4351.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shae099itsI/AAAAAAAAAjY/iMZRjtgimTQ/s400/IMG_4351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338629041117378242" /></a><br /></div><div>I heart Christian Vandevelde. I think Levi said today is his birthday. Happy Birthday Christian! (Those are ice pack vests that they wear while they warm-up, ironic, isn't it?)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabzNt4nVI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/rnK7aYEMiS8/s1600-h/IMG_4354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabzNt4nVI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/rnK7aYEMiS8/s400/IMG_4354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338625712452050258" /></a><br /></div><div>Heart palpitation. Heart palpitation. Sweet ride!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shaby01KmLI/AAAAAAAAAjI/ak3Lzpb4thk/s1600-h/IMG_4356.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Shaby01KmLI/AAAAAAAAAjI/ak3Lzpb4thk/s400/IMG_4356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338625705771702450" /></a><br /></div><div>In this picture, I have actually allowed Jeff to touch the camera and take a picture of some fancy shifter/brake combo thingy. It's all the talk around the water cooler at Performance.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabygfH7QI/AAAAAAAAAjA/BYc3V0gK9I8/s1600-h/IMG_4359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabygfH7QI/AAAAAAAAAjA/BYc3V0gK9I8/s400/IMG_4359.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338625700310543618" /></a><br /></div><div>When the teams warm up, they do intervals in unison on their trainers. The sound is similar to that of a jet engine taking off. They probably turn more watts in warm-up than most of us on our best day ever. (Often they have cotton balls stuck in their noses too. I didn't include any pictures because it's not very pretty, and I don't know why. Again, if you know why, please leave a comment.)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabyfiJpnI/AAAAAAAAAi4/CAMJtdaJnGs/s1600-h/IMG_4362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabyfiJpnI/AAAAAAAAAi4/CAMJtdaJnGs/s400/IMG_4362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338625700054804082" /></a><br /></div><div>This is why I am now the proud owner of my very own aero-helmet: so I can look just like this guy; who appears to be the champion of something in his country (note the green suit even though he is clearly on Team Colombia High Road).</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabyIyGyHI/AAAAAAAAAiw/y2zO3BeTZuY/s1600-h/IMG_4364.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShabyIyGyHI/AAAAAAAAAiw/y2zO3BeTZuY/s400/IMG_4364.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338625693947709554" /></a><br /></div><div>This lesser known european team is waiting behind the starting line for their team time trial.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaZXmGa6yI/AAAAAAAAAio/6ZE1LcJVzPs/s1600-h/IMG_4391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaZXmGa6yI/AAAAAAAAAio/6ZE1LcJVzPs/s400/IMG_4391.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338623038937819938" /></a><br /></div><div>Team Lotto rider that keeps getting into all my shots, what a camera hog!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaZXUvkZUI/AAAAAAAAAig/yHv7lfPVM9Q/s1600-h/IMG_4396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaZXUvkZUI/AAAAAAAAAig/yHv7lfPVM9Q/s400/IMG_4396.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338623034278569282" /></a><br /></div><div>Mark Cavendish awaits the other finishers as they determine his fate:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaYVKJeSpI/AAAAAAAAAiY/vaGHKlKp_jg/s1600-h/IMG_4397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaYVKJeSpI/AAAAAAAAAiY/vaGHKlKp_jg/s400/IMG_4397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338621897563064978" /></a><br /></div><div>Lance! Lance! Over here! Oh well! I'll catch him next time.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaUOsGD22I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DGaxyYFBfwc/s1600-h/IMG_4406.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaUOsGD22I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DGaxyYFBfwc/s400/IMG_4406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338617388369959778" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cavendish wins the time trial, the stage, the pink jersey, and all the other jersey's up for grab!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaTw7dPh3I/AAAAAAAAAiI/LkrWW_UX7TA/s1600-h/IMG_4444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaTw7dPh3I/AAAAAAAAAiI/LkrWW_UX7TA/s400/IMG_4444.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338616877097650034" /></a><br /></div><div>Ever wondered how they make the winner's jersey's? There's actually a man at the finish line with his iron press, awaiting the results and cranking them out. He's trying to cool this one off, I think, so as not to singe our winner, Cavendish.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI_PM1zUI/AAAAAAAAAiA/aEWpVOCw4sA/s1600-h/IMG_4425.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI_PM1zUI/AAAAAAAAAiA/aEWpVOCw4sA/s400/IMG_4425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338605028287827266" /></a><br /></div><div>Cavendish celebrating his win. He is later accompanied by Dolce and Gabana, who keep walking by our seats and as stupid uncultured Americans, we have no idea who they are.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-ge7pHI/AAAAAAAAAh4/zQHZTA8Sd4g/s1600-h/IMG_4449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-ge7pHI/AAAAAAAAAh4/zQHZTA8Sd4g/s400/IMG_4449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338605015747241074" /></a><br /></div><div>We finally return to our hotel after an amazing dinner with our new friends. On the way I stop to shoot St. Mark's Cathedral. Next time, I will bring my tripod and sneak it into Jeff's bag, so I can have it, but won't have to carry it.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-W__EYI/AAAAAAAAAhw/TmkqhOkuIYs/s1600-h/IMG_4460.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-W__EYI/AAAAAAAAAhw/TmkqhOkuIYs/s400/IMG_4460.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338605013201523074" /></a><br /></div><div>Piazza San Marco:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-LLkz-I/AAAAAAAAAho/CZEcacXJEMU/s1600-h/IMG_4462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-LLkz-I/AAAAAAAAAho/CZEcacXJEMU/s400/IMG_4462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338605010028908514" /></a><br /></div><div>It's been a forty hour day and I am ready for bed, but not until after one last shot of the amazing Venetian streets at night!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-DfxBTI/AAAAAAAAAhg/mXy3lRow9LI/s1600-h/IMG_4464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShaI-DfxBTI/AAAAAAAAAhg/mXy3lRow9LI/s400/IMG_4464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338605007966111026" /></a><br /></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-35192352757202119802009-05-20T17:35:00.000-07:002009-05-21T04:47:34.043-07:00Roman Holiday: Take Two<div>After my last workout for what would be ten days, vowing to never fly through JFK (until we had to get back into the country), and another few hours in beautiful Terminal Two at RDU, we are finally en route to Venice! Upon missing our flight to JFK, where we would have made our connection that would take us directly to Venice, I rebooked us for a flight the following day that went from Raleigh to Atlanta to Paris to Venice. I seriously vowed never to go through JFK again, ever. Until, of course, we had to fly home. But that's another chapter of our story, later to come!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjxLMzGHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/XwXZsz9n2Q0/s1600-h/IMG_4305.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjxLMzGHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/XwXZsz9n2Q0/s400/IMG_4305.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338071523556268146" /></a><br /><div>Arriving in Venice is such an amazing experience! You take a <a href="http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/vaporetto_routes.htm">vaporetto</a> (water bus) from the airport past the barrier islands to Venice. The Vaporetto can best be described as something akin to the "T" on water. After an overnight trans-atlantic flight, there's nothing more refreshing than the sea wind in your face and the beautiful panoramic sight of San Marco getting bigger and bigger as the vaporetto approaches! (Which is not what is depicted here. I think this is the cemetery island as seen from the vaporetto.)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjwzd2RDI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-FE2yrBwnW4/s1600-h/IMG_4323.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjwzd2RDI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-FE2yrBwnW4/s400/IMG_4323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338071517185328178" /></a><br /></div><div>Sadly, because we were a day behind in our schedule, we had to hustle off the boat, check in to our hotel (after finding it first), drop our bags, and catch another water bus to Lido, to catch the start of the opening time trial of the Giro 'd Italia. I believe our plane touched down around 11am in Venice and the race started around at 3pm. I think this day turned out to be no less than forty hours!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjwuAV9TI/AAAAAAAAAhI/fLNfIfPjdNw/s1600-h/IMG_4322.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjwuAV9TI/AAAAAAAAAhI/fLNfIfPjdNw/s400/IMG_4322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338071515719398706" /></a><br /></div><div>I was however, not in too much of a hurry as to miss one of my favorite things about Venice: the amazingly confusing yet beautiful street signs! En route to Lido:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjwEbHTHI/AAAAAAAAAhA/i-nPi4Ep3MA/s1600-h/IMG_4329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjwEbHTHI/AAAAAAAAAhA/i-nPi4Ep3MA/s400/IMG_4329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338071504557395058" /></a><br /></div><div>Jeff felt right at home in Italy, as they worship the scooter as much as he does!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjv2RgOXI/AAAAAAAAAg4/K1vMjEwMJx0/s1600-h/IMG_4333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShSjv2RgOXI/AAAAAAAAAg4/K1vMjEwMJx0/s400/IMG_4333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338071500758989170" /></a><br /></div><div>We finally made it to Lido! Would I ever catch a glimpse of Lance? Did I realize just how much walking I was about to under take this week? Just how may calories are in a tiramisu...</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-23093512723784208292009-05-20T04:42:00.000-07:002009-05-20T04:56:11.656-07:00Roman Holiday: Day OneI've decided to post photographs of our trip to Venice and Rome on the photography blog, so my loyal reader can get the full story of the trip! With any luck, I'll be able to keep that reader on the edge of their seat, anxiously awaiting the next installment! And so we begin!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShPuBUTpV2I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/NpTGoWIdPiE/s1600-h/IMG_4301.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShPuBUTpV2I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/NpTGoWIdPiE/s400/IMG_4301.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337871689762559842" /></a><br /></div><div>Have you been in Terminal Two at RDU yet? It's so nice! The architectural detail is very industrial and airy. We got to inspect every I-beam and panel as we waited with anticipation to find out that our flight to JFK went from being "delayed" and status updates every hour to cancelled after seven hours.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShPuBBa8x4I/AAAAAAAAAgI/AfXS6ZJIIlE/s1600-h/IMG_4299.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShPuBBa8x4I/AAAAAAAAAgI/AfXS6ZJIIlE/s400/IMG_4299.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337871684692920194" /></a><br /></div><div>Jeff was less than thrilled. We spent the first night of our vacation at La Quinta Inn at the airport. The upside? They had a gym there and I got to workout. Jeff got to make himself some waffles. The downside? One less day in Venice. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShPuBGNDdhI/AAAAAAAAAgA/VLKhCNHIkJo/s1600-h/IMG_4275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/ShPuBGNDdhI/AAAAAAAAAgA/VLKhCNHIkJo/s400/IMG_4275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337871685976815122" /></a><br /></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-54715246642595957032009-04-27T10:46:00.001-07:002009-04-27T10:51:09.822-07:00Unique Portraits<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SfXvu2wOO5I/AAAAAAAAAfY/7m7lV-LBuO0/s1600-h/IMG_4183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SfXvu2wOO5I/AAAAAAAAAfY/7m7lV-LBuO0/s400/IMG_4183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329429322313644946" /></a><br /><div>There's an ethereal quality to this photograph that I just adore.</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SfXwP5EkRPI/AAAAAAAAAfg/iAE75H094OM/s1600-h/IMG_4188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SfXwP5EkRPI/AAAAAAAAAfg/iAE75H094OM/s400/IMG_4188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329429889871529202" /></a><br /><div>This photograph captures a sweet moment as well!</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-68306031410573553062009-04-13T14:53:00.001-07:002009-04-13T14:56:46.353-07:00Sugar<div>She's that sweet. That creamy skin. Strawberry hair. I could eat her up!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SeO07nk-H7I/AAAAAAAAAcg/UhNuwl2aln8/s1600-h/IMG_3662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SeO07nk-H7I/AAAAAAAAAcg/UhNuwl2aln8/s400/IMG_3662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324298120811388850" /></a>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-39959184161066990252009-04-10T11:11:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:50:16.020-07:00Photo ShootBehind the scenes at a catalog photo shoot. This wasn't my shoot, but it was fun to take some pictures behind the scenes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-Nt8xUx-I/AAAAAAAAAbw/DVoBPkdZHGI/s1600-h/IMG_3382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-Nt8xUx-I/AAAAAAAAAbw/DVoBPkdZHGI/s400/IMG_3382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323129105121855458" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-NuPv43mI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Obx9t07MY1w/s1600-h/IMG_3383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-NuPv43mI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Obx9t07MY1w/s400/IMG_3383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323129110216105570" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-NuT4p8iI/AAAAAAAAAcA/0vCePmBeGW8/s1600-h/IMG_3391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-NuT4p8iI/AAAAAAAAAcA/0vCePmBeGW8/s400/IMG_3391.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323129111326618146" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-NutJgsgI/AAAAAAAAAcI/LXTD1cb-IXI/s1600-h/IMG_3397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-NutJgsgI/AAAAAAAAAcI/LXTD1cb-IXI/s400/IMG_3397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323129118108201474" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-i17ue7BI/AAAAAAAAAcY/u29zZt4h7fI/s1600-h/IMG_3411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd-i17ue7BI/AAAAAAAAAcY/u29zZt4h7fI/s400/IMG_3411.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323152332024638482" /></a>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-81730395551641110562009-04-08T16:10:00.000-07:002009-04-08T16:18:05.913-07:00National GeographicThat's what I think of when I see shots like these. Something about catching a fleeting moment. People living their lives despite the presence of the camera...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd0waCepg4I/AAAAAAAAAbg/-2HQzIogAJ4/s1600-h/IMG_2826.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd0waCepg4I/AAAAAAAAAbg/-2HQzIogAJ4/s400/IMG_2826.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322463558521947010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd0wZ-NpK6I/AAAAAAAAAbY/kodZd-Ma0oQ/s1600-h/IMG_2834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd0wZ-NpK6I/AAAAAAAAAbY/kodZd-Ma0oQ/s400/IMG_2834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322463557376879522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd0wZqGey1I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/HFtGpS7L2VY/s1600-h/IMG_2878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sd0wZqGey1I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/HFtGpS7L2VY/s400/IMG_2878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322463551978130258" /></a>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-46567533642663787302009-04-07T16:16:00.001-07:002009-04-07T16:32:29.761-07:00First Birthday<div>It's great to be one! You get to wear a cute hat...<br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdvgcEhI8kI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Smm1WlTqeCk/s1600-h/IMG_2744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdvgcEhI8kI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Smm1WlTqeCk/s400/IMG_2744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322094157522072130" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Be more interested in the wrapping than the gift...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sdvgc-atveI/AAAAAAAAAag/xHfywN3UKOI/s1600-h/IMG_2819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sdvgc-atveI/AAAAAAAAAag/xHfywN3UKOI/s400/IMG_2819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322094173064379874" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Eat all the cake you want... with your bare hands...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdvgdSlM7eI/AAAAAAAAAa4/3r5Y3tH7j-c/s1600-h/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdvgdSlM7eI/AAAAAAAAAa4/3r5Y3tH7j-c/s400/IMG_2931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322094178477075938" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-86136347687591356512009-04-03T12:59:00.000-07:002009-04-03T13:01:07.411-07:00Spring!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdZq1R6QZjI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ohg_wXvFZI8/s1600-h/IMG_2706.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdZq1R6QZjI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ohg_wXvFZI8/s400/IMG_2706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320557473358177842" /></a><br /><div>My lawn has gone to seed, and sadly, not with grass.</div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-48359679070359273262009-04-02T10:04:00.000-07:002009-04-02T10:26:09.169-07:00Durham<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdT1CYmt_SI/AAAAAAAAAZo/SV-_6aR1HtY/s1600-h/IMG_1963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdT1CYmt_SI/AAAAAAAAAZo/SV-_6aR1HtY/s400/IMG_1963.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320146481144790306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdT1Bp_vn8I/AAAAAAAAAZg/HhauBKvU1Qg/s1600-h/IMG_1275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdT1Bp_vn8I/AAAAAAAAAZg/HhauBKvU1Qg/s400/IMG_1275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320146468633288642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdTzweSXooI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Sq0DrWg3YFQ/s1600-h/IMG_1662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdTzweSXooI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Sq0DrWg3YFQ/s400/IMG_1662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320145073920778882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdTzwCG4FFI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/SMGrH82wmnA/s1600-h/IMG_1660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdTzwCG4FFI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/SMGrH82wmnA/s400/IMG_1660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320145066356380754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdTzvUXXL4I/AAAAAAAAAZI/E7it94eYsvE/s1600-h/IMG_1632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/SdTzvUXXL4I/AAAAAAAAAZI/E7it94eYsvE/s400/IMG_1632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320145054077497218" /></a><br />There are so many interesting spots right here in Durham!Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-49889413856277213562009-03-29T12:12:00.000-07:002009-04-02T10:04:19.887-07:00Children's Portraits and Candids<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc_JJVy-BXI/AAAAAAAAAY4/CDY3_PWU8s8/s1600-h/IMG_2655.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc_JJVy-BXI/AAAAAAAAAY4/CDY3_PWU8s8/s400/IMG_2655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318690847254775154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc_JJFD2n8I/AAAAAAAAAYw/24K9dOE30Pg/s1600-h/IMG_2678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc_JJFD2n8I/AAAAAAAAAYw/24K9dOE30Pg/s400/IMG_2678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318690842762190786" /></a><br />A beautiful day and an adorable model!Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392878310814757307.post-32948187734393328492009-03-28T18:00:00.000-07:002009-03-28T18:30:22.921-07:00Recent PhotographsI've been taking lots of pictures recently and just wanted to share a few!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7N2WY5pcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/1U3M-yCWwHU/s1600-h/IMG_2422.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7N2WY5pcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/1U3M-yCWwHU/s400/IMG_2422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318414543577785794" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7N2Qds4gI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Q5gaRTPn1Hk/s1600-h/IMG_2412.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7N2Qds4gI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Q5gaRTPn1Hk/s400/IMG_2412.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318414541987308034" /></a>At a shoot in a dental office.<br /><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JcX5x38I/AAAAAAAAAXY/sJ_FMCS4Sec/s1600-h/IMG_1960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JcX5x38I/AAAAAAAAAXY/sJ_FMCS4Sec/s400/IMG_1960.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318409699261013954" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JcsfZ-SI/AAAAAAAAAXg/SG9uVSxJ7II/s1600-h/IMG_1993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JcsfZ-SI/AAAAAAAAAXg/SG9uVSxJ7II/s400/IMG_1993.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318409704787540258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JcskHK6I/AAAAAAAAAXo/UdYNFC3P8WE/s1600-h/IMG_2058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JcskHK6I/AAAAAAAAAXo/UdYNFC3P8WE/s400/IMG_2058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318409704807279522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JdBJHu_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/UCsB3ZunoNc/s1600-h/IMG_2061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7JdBJHu_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/UCsB3ZunoNc/s400/IMG_2061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318409710331214834" /></a>The ever recognizable, North Carolina Museum of Life and Science.</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7MaL7hvXI/AAAAAAAAAX4/QMGJZ7kUpcU/s1600-h/IMG_2554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-vzxq3OFgE/Sc7MaL7hvXI/AAAAAAAAAX4/QMGJZ7kUpcU/s400/IMG_2554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318412960222264690" /></a><div>Sporting events.<br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Baker's Cakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01272707988348981621noreply@blogger.com0