Firenze

Today we went to Firenze. In Italy, that is the name for the city we call Florence. It rained all morning so I don’t have many photos from there. We got a little wet but not too bad. After lunch it cleared up some and I had a little time to snap a few photos before heading back to our villa.

In the morning we saw the David by Michelangelo. You aren’t allowed to take photos of the real David but they have a few copies of the statue around town.

Copy of David

Bike and Pigeons

Fiume Arno River

I’m not sure when I’ll get another post up. Tomorrow we head to Venice by train and I don’t think we have an internet connection at that hotel. But I’ll try to upload a few more photos when I can. Until then, arrivederci!

Orvietto

On our way to the villa we are staying in, we stopped in a really beautiful little medieval village called Orvietto. Here are just a few photos from there. The town was filled with these quaint little alleyways with lots of shops and eateries.

Orvietto Alleyway

This church was really very beautiful. Later I’ll post more photos from it.

Orivetto Church

The town is known for the colorful ceramics you see displayed on the outside of this shop.

Orvietto Ceramics Shop

 

Three Days in Rome

We’ve just spent the last three days in Rome! It’s been wonderful and I am sorry to be leaving, but tomorrow we head into Tuscany and Florence for the next part of our adventure. Unfortunately, my internet connection is not that great and I don’t have much time so I’m not going to write much. But I wanted to share a few photos while I can. I’ll have many more that I’ll upload when I return home. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these.

The Colors of Rome

Our Hotel, the Bernini Bristol

A Secluded Trattoria

Trevi Fountain

The Vatican

Marco, Christina and Vincenzo, Our Fabulous Guides

 

Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern, 5/11/08

The Maidenhair fern has always been my favorite. I love the jet black stems and how delicate it is. This one just showed up in my garden last year as a tiny little thing. I was very careful not to pull it when I was weeding. This year it is all grown up and quite beautiful.

Morning Mist

The Dock on Emerson Lake, 5/27/07

Today’s photo is from a place that I hold very dear in my heart. Every summer I spend a little time on this small lake in Walhalla, Michigan.

What’s Up is Down

Fallen Tree, 4/27/08

I like this picture. It feels a little Escher-like to me. Even though I took it, I still have to study it for a minute before I can decipher what’s what.

Back to Spring

Bleeding Heart, 5/4/08

Bleeding Hearts are just the coolest flower I think. What a perfect name for such an intricate blossom. Right now my spring garden is near its peak bloom and looking quite lovely. This is Coral Bells (Heuchera) on the left - one of my favorites. On the right are orange Parrot Tulips.

Icy Falls

Photographing the Falls, 1/23/08

I guess I shouldn’t complain too much about our cold spring this year. This was taken back in January when the weather really was cold! This is the bottom portion of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia Gorge. This guy was much more dedicated than I was.