Ciao Bella........

I have thought about blogging a few times since Italy. However, the amount of awesomeness to discuss is just overwhelming!!!!! Pam and I had an amazing experience. The views, the history, the people, the food and wine all exceeded our expectations. It is hard to say which place we enjoyed the most bc it would not be comparing apples to apples. Each place had it's own wonderful uniqueness and we could have spent more days in a few! I think we both agreed Rome was just to much for us! After we had been to Tuscan countrysides and the seaside pool of Sorrento, the busyness was overwhelming. 15 wonderful days in Italy--how do you even write about that? Weather was pretty perfect, only a few overcast days after our initial rain soaked arrival day. That was quite an experience. 7 forms of transportation to finally arrive at Bellagio on Lake Como! We drove to Atlanta airport parking lot, took a shuttle to airport, plane to Milan, bus to train station in Milan, train to Varenna, ferry to Bellagio and then finished it off by walking 1/2 mile and up 100 stairs to our hotel in the pouring rain!! Needless to say we took a much needed nap (24 hours traveling) awakening to our beautiful lakeside view.   
I have chosen 16 favorite pictures out of 300!  Pretty good I think.   I wouldn't have traded this trip for anything. The best part was spending time and getting to know a dear friend better.  Amazed both of us how compatible we were with each other.  But knew we should have trusted Rod's judgement all along............ :)

Our room with a view in Bellagio

                                      Streets of Bellagio--so colorful and beautiful.

Planer Trees at the Melzi Gardens

Streets of Bellagio

Florence Bridges

View from our room in Cortona, Tuscany

Churches were breathtaking

OLD wine cellar in Montapulchino that we toured

View from our room in Sorrento.  I swam in the ocean! But that wasn't on Pam's bucket list!!

View from room.

Sorrento markets.

Me with the Colosseum behind.

Rome

Rome Churches

 

HOME!!!

Tahoe was even more amazing the second time around!  Lori agreed that it is definitely a place you want to go back to visit.  We drove the remainder of the lake and let the boys get in for a little swim at the scene below.  Just one of those places you want to just chill on a rock--or more like a boulder for the day.  We were able to experience some shopping in the Heavenly Ski Run plaza which was across the street from our inn.  Pics are below. Even though I think the only thing we bought was from the Nestle Cafe!!! Weather was perfection...Actually my entire trip was flawless weather wise.  Other than parts of OR which is just normal for them.  We headed to Truckee on Friday and stopped in Tahoe City which is only 12 miles from there.  Awesome little town.  Much more quaint, small town feel, great shops and food compared to South Tahoe.  South Tahoe was much larger than we both imagined.  If I returned, I would stay in Tahoe City or camp along the way. Truckee is also small. Only 16k people!  And all the stores close at 6pm!  We discovered this as we pulled up to downtown at 5:50, having our choice of parking spots!  Soooooo, no shopping occurred but we did eat at a place that has been on Diners, Dives and Drive In's, Burger Me.  I had seen that in the Truckee travel book but not sure WHY Guy was there?  No info was posted in the restaurant.  Just a burger, fry and milkshake place. Kinda boring and not worth the money.  We arose Saturday for our long drive to Wendover, NV.  It wasn't that bad after all. 7 hours on I-80.  Takes you right to the UT line. We stayed in a camping cabin at the KOA.  Nice KOA but the only thing to do in town is gamble---mucho casinos.  Day 2 of driving was even longer, 8.5 hours.  The drive was much more scenic however. Salt Lake City and it's surrounding communities is definitely somewhere I could live.  It was so CLEAN and new and completely surrounded by mountains.  Not sure how much snow they receive but it could be on my move list someday!  I had dropped Lori off to her car in Grand Junction so it was just the boys and I  when we arrived home around 5:00.  I swear I saw them smile!!!   They definitely knew where we were and happy to be there.  They instantly ran into their backyard and sniffed, smelled, rolled, pee"d, pooped, etc! Then into the house just as happy!   However, in the few days following I could see a definite sadness in them, maybe boredom is a better word.  They have been SO used to constant "entertainment" from the time we would awake to bedtime.  Being on continual security is a full time job!  Monday when I was cleaning out the van the boys got in and sat looking at me.  Their expressions were, OK, Mom, Let's go!  We're ready!!  I teared up. That small gesture made it feel so final.  Monday was spent cleaning, washing, repacking camping gear, etc.  Not as bad as I thought it would be.  It was only about a 6 hr process.  I have pics below of my decorated storage unit.  It was invaluable!  The amount of gear that unit can hold is incredible!  I realized quickly that since I was dressing plainly and not being able to decorate, etc. at home that I needed something to decorate and the Thule was it!!  My van was my home so I began decorating the first week!  I would have had so many more stickers but several towns and states did not have any sooo... I will just have to keep adding to it huh!!  Italy is bound to have one right! I am super excited to be able to visit Italy with Pam.  We are touring Lake Como, Florence, Tuscany, Sorrento/Almafi Coast and Rome. I will not be blogging during that time frame but will do a nice post when I return.  I am also able to see my family while in Birmingham so I will not be returning until mid-Oct.  The boys and I are going to have some definite withdrawals from each other! But I know they are in GREAT hands so that makes it  A LOT easier.

 

I was home---after 7627 miles, 8 states, 70 days, 21 KOA's, 56 KOA nights, 59460 KOA points and 1 HUGE circle later (route is highlighted in black below) .... I learned that I was strong enough to do an adventure like that by myself.  I learned that I am more of a risk taker than I thought.  I became more flexible and spontaneous.  My patience grew. My inner strength grew. I was happy being alone for awhile which I was NOT used to. I was fine with shorts/T shirt and no makeup everyday!! I could get dirty and stay that way after awhile and not mind.  I am comfortable with who I am and proud of this accomplishment.  I am so thankful for the amazing adventure we experienced.  For our safety. Other than Monty's escape we didn't have ANY negative experiences. A couple of bad camp neighbors were it so I consider myself very fortunate and blessed. Great weather, no wildlife dangers, no vehicle issues, no crazy people! Just me and the boys and nature.  And I would do it all over again....

 

Yosemite..........

After leaving Tahoe, I headed to Sacramento to stay a night at the KOA.  Lori's flight was delayed by 2 hrs but it all worked out.  Having a happy and tearful reunion, we headed to the Yosemite area to find a campsite.  We found a beautiful campground right outside the park and set up camp!  MORE SQUIRRELS!! The campground was really spacious & a small river ran through the property so the boys had wonderful walks daily.  We hit the National Park on Sunday and were amazed at the beauty of it. The hotel shown is the Awahnee Hotel which was built in 1912.  An architectural dream. The main part of the park is where El Capitan and Half Dome. Sheer vertical mountains where many climbers strike out to reach the top.  We took a hike to Yosemite Falls, which was dry!  The boys were able to hike there since the trail was paved. We made a day of it and back to the campsite at 5ish where the boys got to take a nice swim in the river.  The next day we drove through the second portion of the park, Tioga Road.  The road goes to 9500 ft and is the way to Mammoth Lakes, our next destination.  Many mountain lakes along the way with beautiful sunny skies made it a nice drive. We had decided to not make reservations so we could keep the trip flexible and go where ever the road would lead us.  We arrived in Mammoth and finally found a place that was dog friendly, the Edelweiss Lodge.  We thought we would stay one night but being flexible and spontaneous! we decided to stay another.  Very cool mountain town situated at 7500 feet having the best of both summer and winter activities.  Along with many lakes, The Devils Postpile National Monument is there.  It is a unique basalt rock formation.  We also hiked to Rainbow Falls--both pictures are below.  It was around 4.5 miles of hiking so we all got some great exercise.  Originally we were only going to explore Yosemite and Mammoth in a week but quickly found out we could see much more in our time.  So with that we have arrived in Lake Tahoe for a few days then through Truckee and start the drive home through Park City, UT.  We should arrive home on Sunday which at this point feels weird for me to say!

Ohhh oooo, Tahoe!!! (but sing like James Taylors Mexico!)

Drove 2 short hours from Nevada City to South Lake Tahoe. Along the way you go over Donner Pass and Donner Lake where I learned a little more about the incident that bears the name.  Really sad story.  It was all about a short cut!  A party traveling through decided to separate and try a shorter route. The terrain is terrible.  Trees and grass growing right on pure rock.  The group that stayed on the original trail made it to their destination in a week.  The Donner party was stuck for 6 months after a big storm socked them in making it impossible to leave the lake.   A search party, on it's 3rd attempt rescued the last few members of the party that were alive.  Members of the party resorted to cannibalism...uhhh..  all over a wrong turn! I was pleasantly surprised seeing Truckee.  I had always envisioned Truckee as dumpy and larger for some reason.  I think because the name.  But just the opposite.  Another great, small mountain town surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers. A wealth of outdoor activities to partake in.  Donner Lake/Pass is actually there in Truckee.  I didn't stop in Truckee but would definitely like to come back to the area in the future.  It is very close to the Nevada line. Another fact I was unaware of, Lake Tahoe is in both CA and NV.  It is about a 2/3 to 1/3 ratio. It is 21.6 miles long and 12 miles across. 72 miles of shoreline and you are able to drive along the edge most of the time.   GORGEOUS to say the least!!!  Definitely could spend a few days chilling there but had to be on our way to bigger and better.  We stayed at the Best Western right on the lake.  The boys loved the balcony.  I believe this was a first for them and they loved that they could be both inside and OUTside, continuously surveying the courtyard for dogs, birds, squirrels.....  The pier below was right across from the hotel and where I had lunch.  I had seen the bear crossing sign one other time near Mt Shasta interstate and didn't get a pic.  Hilarious to me...mama and baby next 2 miles.... Really?  However, I didn't see any so.......  Anyway, dogs aren't allowed on the beach or any area that I was near so we didn't get to get in the water....boooo....  Maybe next time!  I can see why Tahoe has it's reputation...It's like Aspen but with awesome summer stuff to do....tons of boats, parasailing, kayakers, hot air balloons or just enjoying the beach at a yummy 72 degrees....  We are now in Sacramento and off to Yosemite tomorrow for 7 days of camping.  REALLY excited about this next week.   Partly for the company of Lori and partly to see this amazing National Park.  Some of you may have heard about the sickness associated with Yosemite.  It is an airborne disease spread by the urine and feces of deer mice that infested some cabins there at the park.  We will not be affected bc we are staying outside and not in an enclosed area so should be fine.   This will be the first campground in which we will have to secure our food in bear boxes that are provided however.   The boys dog food contains high levels of fish oil for their joints so all that will be going in!!!   And I have about 20#'s worth :).....

 

 

The scare.....

So we ventured to Nevada City, CA yesterday and I found it to be an amazing little town.  I had only planned to stay one night but desperately wanted to visit the shops and restaurants after driving through the small town.  I found a dog sitter/daycare in town and we made contact last night.  He was happy to take the boys at his home along with his dog Maggie.  The policy here where I am staying is dogs are not to be left in the room and even though I think they would have been fine, I didn't want something to happen and me charged some crazy fee.  Sooooooo.....off we went to Michael's house this morning for the drop off.   He has 1/2 acre wooded lot for them to run and the boys took to he and Maggie immediately.  And mama was off!!!  I realized when I got to town that this town doesn't really wake up til 11ish so some shops weren't open yet.  I found a few that were and started enjoying myself.  GREAT SHOPS!!  Some high end, some unique, some thrift and vintage...found myself in Solstice for while.  It is an eclectic vintage/consignment shop---best ever!!  I found a CUTE dress and  a pair of Ann Taylor PETITE red/white pinstripe pants for 18.00 total!!!  WOOOOO HOOOO....... after some success I made my way to the restaurant Ike's which was hopping... big local hangout and I see why---food was great.  Cajun/southern twist but breakfast looked amazing there also.  I got a half steak salad and Mac and Cheese!!!  There was enough for dinner too to yay!!  I found a few other musts for my upcoming trip to Italy also.  Michael had sent me a pic and text earlier in the day that they had just had a walk and the boys were doing great.   It was about 3:15 (told Mike I'd be back at 4ish) when Mike called and left a message.  I was in a dressing room so did not answer--assuming he was verifying my time, etc.   When I listened to his message, my heart sank and I wanted to vomit.  Monty had gotten loose and he had been trying to find him for the last 30 minutes.  I could hear the panic and desperation in Mikes voice and I was the one trying to stay calm.  Oh crap.......  this is not gonna be good.  For those of you that really don't know Monty, he is a hard core "smell" bird dog.  He has escaped a few times at home and Lori or I had to hop in the car and make chase.  YOU DO NOT WANT HIM TO GET AWAY.   And that's what I told Mike that morning.  They had just gone to the dog park and had a great time interacting with other dogs and playing ball.  He had made it home and coming up the bottom of his outside porch stairs when Monty bolted and jerked the leash from his hand.  He said Mont's bolted across the yard, nose to the ground and crossed the road.  He lives in a very wooded area, few homes and I just couldn't imagine Mont's finding his way back to a place he had really never been before.  It was only 3 miles from town to Mike's home and it was the longest I have ever driven.  I was going slow, every house I passed, looking for blurs of white, scared he would dart across the road.  My mind was thinking how close to main roads Mike's house really was when you cut through the woods.   I was crying.  I was thinking about what to do next...delaying my stay until we found him in this city! dog posters, etc.   I have never been in this situation and never want to be again.   I prayed.  And as I turned into Mikes driveway, there was Mont's...Tongue to the ground on the steps he had bolted from.   I couldn't believe it and started crying more!  He ran up to the car, leash still around his neck, SO HAPPY to see me.  I have never seen him that winded/adrenaline filled since I've had him.   It took him a good hour to stop breathing like that, even after we rested there at Mikes and then back to the inn.  I called Mike, who was somewhere in the woods, a mile from his car he said. He immediately thought I would hate him, wanted to refund my day and so on.   I didn't blame him at all.  It could happen to anyone.  I let Jackson out of the house as Mike had put him inside when Mont's bolted.   It was a definite reunion!!  We were all a happy PACK again!!!  I was just so thankful.  Mont's has been a little needy since we've gotten back, I definitely think it scared him a little.  Wow, what an end to a good day!!!!  It could have turned out so differently.  And I can't imagine what I would do.  It's one thing when you know your dog is dead/gone...but to think he is just lost and could be so close to you and you don't even know it....never want to experience that again.    BUT THE TOWN WAS GREAT!!! Highly recommend it.....

On the Road Again......

Well, still not much has happened since writing last. I had decided to stay in Mt. Shasta for 2 more nights, totaling 8 there and left on Labor day.  Partly bc it was cheaper than most campgrounds and if I wasn't driving, I wasn't spending!  Just wanted to stop the bleeding a little I guess you would say.  I really liked the town also.  I finished 2 books while there.  It was nice to just stay in one place for a week.  The only caveat was the DIRT....It was a place in which there was no grass or much ground cover but ALL dirt.  Dirt/dust covered everything.  My phone, book, anything left outside, was just covered. That included us!  My feet looked like continual grocery store feet!  Maybe only those readers in AL will know what that means!  I just never felt clean.. and the boys...dirt to the core!  The dips in the lake helped but the last day they just rolled in it sooo.....  we got baths when we got to the hotel!!  Not happy but so much better.  They won't admit it but they slept good last night!  I had to get a hotel after being so full of nature for days, as we have tent camped 14 out of 17 days.  We are in Auburn, CA and on our way to Nevada City which is supposed to be a quaint little town full of inns and surrounded by mountains.  Then hope to catch Lake Tahoe area and then back to Sacramento to pick up Lori on Saturday! 

It's so amazing when you take yourself out of a normal routine with your normal comforts how you really start to appreciate the small things.  Take the hotel for instance.  I spent months in hotels when traveling with an old job and didn't hate it but didn't care either.  When we walked in yesterday, I just smiled!  A large, hot shower...wonderful.  KOA showers are typically small, cramped--touching something like a shower curtain or wall that you don't want to! And the water pressure is poor.  To be able to get the boys clean after days of filth. To have coffee and breakfast waiting in the lobby for you!! The luxury of electricity!  Camping for an extended period means you have no power so everyday I was charging something at the KOA office and limiting use bc I didn't want to run out later when I really needed something.  But you know, I still haven't missed the TV! Nothing is STILL on.   I want to try to not get into that habit when I get home of watching just for the sake of watching. But taking advantage of things like reading, doing, etc.

 

I have learned a lot about myself in these 8 weeks. Yes, 8 weeks and 5400 miles later!! I am a strong woman, not easily frightened by the night sounds or darkness. I choose healthy over crap when it comes to eating.  Occasionally I have craved a big fat burger and fries and eat it! But then go back to my carrot juice with oatmeal and string cheese bc that is truly what I want.  I am genuinely a nice person wanting to help people in all situations.  But lately I have noticed myself becoming jaded.  I think it has been the baht of rude camp neighbors and transients that ask you for things.  I was being nice to someone in town who was traveling through as well.  Well, she ended up stalking me for 2 days, trying to get a campsite next to mine and even asked to share a site. NO! I said immediately.  She got the hint and left me alone after that.  So I also learned, you can't be to nice and don't share information. I need people though---need to be around them, hold conversations, laugh. I have appreciated being alone but ready to get back into the world of being social.  I love myself and am more proud of me than when I left the house!!!  

 

Pics below...It was this kind of blatant squirrel behaviour that was driving us crazy!! The squirrel was drinking from the hookup 10 feet away from our site!  The boys just watched but couldn't get to him!  They were everywhere! Next is a pic of Lake Syskiyou from the trail as we were walking. The trail goes ALL the way around the lake but I think we only did about half during different times. The small part you see is an inlet.  Gorgeous lake!   There were different trees in this area I had never seen before.  The type of trees that are only part of a little Christmas snow village! Just a pic to show the smoke in the area from fires burning miles away.  I had to drive 200 miles from Mt Shasta to almost Sacramento to leave the smoke behind.  Redding, CA was just engulfed in it.  Yuck! 

The next pic with the rocks is hard to recognize but this is at the city park in Mt. Shasta. This is where the beginning of the Sacramento River starts.  It travels miles underneath the surface from Mt Shasta, mainly from runoff and comes out here.  I could have gotten a better pic but a transient was wading in it!  The river then grows to the width of the Mississippi at some point.  Pretty cool.  Next 2 are of a car show that was in Downtown Mt Shasta.  Some duzzies there!   And then lastly was a shot of Mt Shasta from the cabin.  That was the first or second day when it was clear.  The smoke moved in after that.