Updating

Wow, I can't believe that this poor blog has been neglected for over a year now!  I genuinely had the best of intentions of capturing our experiences through this blog but I guess life got too busy and it was the first to go.

Given that my schedule has lightened up a bit, thank you Mother Ship...not, I have decided to make a concerted effort to go back and blog our adventures for our own historical purposes as well as to document the travel we have coming up in our final year here in Napoli.

Stay tuned for some updates!

CC

Sicily

You thought I forgot about this blog didn't you.  You were wrong though, really you were, as posting to the blog has literally been on my to-do list for months now - staring at me daily and mocking me for my lack of ability to cross it off!  This means I am woefully behind on sharing our adventure and travels.  I will do my best to catch up now though.

I never finished detailing our mini Spring Break Trip #2 to Sicily!  So today, I shall do so.  If you recall from months ago, we did the kids' Spring Break in 2 smaller trips - ambitious though they both were now that I look back on it.  The first involved Pisa, Lucca, and Firenza.  Then a few days back in Naples where Dirk and I both worked.  Next, we took off for a few days down in Sicily where there is also a Navy base.  

We took off driving in our very large rented van down to Sicily.  Our GPS said 6 hours or something like that - it took more like 8 thanks to an unremitting amount of construction zones.  Indiana friends, think of the song, "orange barrel, orange barrel" and you get the drift.  However, sometimes those detours on trips (and of course, in life) yield great surprises.  The constant road construction caused us to detour off the main highway and so we decided to stop and eat our packed lunch and use the restroom.  We stopped at this little town, all centered around the cute little lake behind Sullivan and I.  Seriously, an adorable little village that I could have spent more time in.  The name of this fabulous little town - ah, well, that is why I should blog our travels as soon as we return as neither Dirk nor I remember its name:(.

We finally made our way down to Reggio Calabria where we managed to find the ferry terminal, drive our big beast aboard, and hop up to the deck to enjoy the views on our 20-minute ferry over to Messina, the arrival town for the ferry on the island of Sicily.  

The preparations we made for this trip, other than booking our lodging, were minimal to say the least.  Our neighbors (who have sadly now moved away to San Diego) used to live on the island with the Navy and gave us our best information - in fact, really our only information!  Our lodging though was great - stayed on the Navy base in the Lodge and it was lovely.  The base even had these gorgeous pansies that I had to snap, making my somewhat willing cherubs sit in front of and pose.  Cheers to my sorority sisters:)!

Fortunately, the Navy base is very close to Mt. Etna and it provided for the majority of our entertainment while there.  The first night we were in Sicily, we knew some religious ministry staff from Naples that were down in Sigonella and we met them for supper.  After we were returning home, lots of people from our hotel were standing in the parking lot staring at something.  Well, we are curious humans after all, so we joined them in their standing and staring and occasional pointing.  It seems that Mt. Etna was erupting and every great once in a while, a little flare of red light went off in the sky - but you REALLY had to be paying attention - but still, I was jazzed, I was seeing a volcano erupt!  Little did I know, it had a much better show in store for us!

The next day, we journeyed up to Mt. Etna to check it out for ourselves.  It was very high up there, chilly, and very breezy!  In many ways it looked like images of the moon - cool experience to explore.

We then set off to explore Taormina, it is a cool little town up on a hill with an amazing old amphitheatre that we got to explore.  Here is a picture (sorry for the darkness) of the cherubs at our lunch location in Taormina, watching the cable car go up and down to the water - lovely view (also had a soccer field right below us we could see).  

The town of Taormina, looked mostly like this with lots of shops.  We ended up having serious parking difficulties in Taormina (one of those lovely trip issues I would like to forget) and drove down some rather narrow streets in said large van due to those parking issues - ahhh, the memories!;)

The ancient amphitheatre in Taormina was stunning, check out the views of the water.  

We are getting pretty good at family "selfies"!

Lots of cool little inlets for shopping and theoretically cool photos - or as cool as my iPhone can handle... 

So, back to that show that I indicated Mt. Etna gave us.  See the fire and smoke below, that is her - she is showing us some fury - AMAZING!  I also tried to attach a video, crossing my fingers that it shows up here okay.  

The next day we ventured to Siracusa.  After figuring out exactly where to go and where to park (the more frustrating parts of our travels I must say), we set out to enjoy the day.  

The Cathedral of Siracusa, beautiful and amazing on the inside.  

Another selfie - it is always fun to try to squeeze ourselves into one shot.  Cheap fun. 

Following our rather long and tortuous drive down, we did some research and worked with the travel agent on base in Sigonella (she was extremely helpful) and booked an overnight ferry up to Naples.  We drove on, had a cabin with a bathroom in which to try to sleep - all for the same price as staying another night in a hotel and paying for gas to drive back up to Naples = WIN/WIN!  We also essentially gained a day since we woke up in the morning in Naples instead of spending all day driving back to Naples, arriving tired.  Worth it many times over.

 Thanks for a great time Sicily, we enjoyed our trip!

*Upcoming traveling chronicles:  US, Tuscany, and Capua!

Another Voice in the Mix...

This is not Cathy, nor has her blog been hacked.  I am her husband, Dirk, and she has given me "permission" to contribute to the blog also.  This is my first ever blog on The Google (perhaps my favorite reference to Google), so we'll see how it goes.

Cathy and I have decided that together, we'll try our best to keep this blog updated between the two of us.  Fortunately, Cathy has already described our recent travel, so I don't have to write that much today.  Since we haven't been out and about Europe since Spring Break, there's not really much for me to contribute.

Mt. Vesuvius is still quiet.



The weather is just about perfect right now.  Never mind the guy in the picture, just focus on the weather - although I applaud his courage and self-esteem.



The kids are doing well in school.



Cathy is back from England with a new-found appreciation for the authentic "pub" - and has a great story to boot!



As I mentioned, the weather has been just about spot on, and so the windows to our living quarters have been wide open.  And it's just warm enough to sleep on top of the bed covers and have a light breeze cool us down.  Since they've been open, I've recently noticed that there's a rooster somewhere close-by.  You know what roosters do when the sun comes up - although lately, I've been beating them to the punch!!!



I was unexpectedly appreciative of these little cluckers as they urged me to get up.  They cheered me on as I swung my feet and legs over the side of the bed.  Stretching and staring out of our bedroom window was a brand new day, a beautiful gift waiting to be received.  This week, I was able to understand a little better why that little loud-beaked  cock-a-doodle-doo-er got up so early.  A new day, a new gift, all the blessings that await...why not get up early and get started as soon as you can!  But that was this week...who knows, I may want to wring it's little neck next week!

Pisa, Lucca, and Firenze (#3 - LAST ONE)

The last journey on our Mini Spring Break Trip #1 was Firenze, more globally known as Florence.  I had been here once on a work trip back in November and they had arranged for a night tour of the main touristy sections so I had a bit of knowledge about Florence.  I would highly recommend the night tour as everything looked even more magnificent lit up, not that it was disappointing during the day mind you.  

One thing that is different about living in Europe and traveling, in my opinion, is that you are able to explore differently than if you were on a scheduled tour.  We have our own vehicle and can do as we please, when we please.  However, we also have our own vehicle and must navigate directions and parking - two details that are not always fun!  We made it though to a parking garage in a seemingly safe area and then set about on our journey to the attractions.  The arch below was our landmark beacon to know when we were close to the parking area.  I have absolutely no idea if it has a name or is famous.  While I appreciate all that history can teach us, I am sadly not much of a history buff...I know, I know, you are thinking Europe is ruined on someone like me, but I promise I am appreciating it!  

 I tried to get a good picture of my traveling companions.  I honestly cannot tell you how in awe of them I am.  They walk and walk and walk, mostly without complaining;).  They are taking it all in, going with the flow, and enjoying what Europe has to offer. I am one proud mom.  Oh yes, that handsome man there, he is the sane to my crazy - enough said. 

Fortunately, Cadin and Cambria are so easy going still that they allow me to take their picture in front of a TWINS' Caffe!  Too cute...yes, corny I know, but look(!), our twins in front of the TWINS' Caffe.  OK, I shall stop now.

This Dali' sculpture was right outside the Accademia - which is where the real statue of David is kept inside.  So far, we have opted NOT to go into any of the museums and this could be one of the reasons that the kids have remained happy travelers thus far.  We still have more than 2 years so that could change, perhaps when we have visitors - hint, hint!

The first sight of Duomo Square, which is definitely more exquisite at night.  It was also very crowded with lots of tour groups.  

Perhaps my best picture of this trip, my gorgeous Cambria exploring her new love of photography.  

The cherubs in Duomo Square.

We continued to explore and guess what we happened upon??!!  Oh yes, a little market in a piazza that was focused on wine, cheese, lovely sauces, and olive oil.  The heavens opened and sang...:)  As you can see, some of us were more into this little detour than others.

However, her disposition had improved as she was belly up to the tasting table...and no, we did not let her taste the fermented grapes.  I did taste grappa for the first time though - ewwww!!!!  This man had a lovely brochure for his agriturismo that is a working B&B in addition to a winery.  I hope to get a visit there in our time here.  Love this kind of thing.

After prying me away from purchasing more pesto and wine (darned backpack only holds so much), we made our way to another shopping plaza, this one fairly famous for its bronze wild boar.  The Loggia del Mercato Nuovo is a little structure that has been around since 1551 and was designed to be a refined place for merchants to sell their goods.  This one is housed with lots of lovely leather products as well as the famous boar which is said to provide you with great likeliness of returning to Florence if you rub its snout!  

Ah, more nudity.  This whole open area in the next few pictures is the Piazza della Signoria and it is sort of a big open area with lots of incredible sculptures and structures.  This replica of David is outside the former ruling Medici's home and is the Palazzo Vecchio.  Just a few of our closest friends checking out the place too.  

I love capturing them when they are focused.  Grandma Stonebraker (Grandma Francie, also known by one of my cousins as Grandma Flyswatter...love family names!) was the kind provider of these cameras for Christmas and the kids have had a ball capturing their own memories of our travels.  I will have to do separate posts capturing their pictures.

Here the cherubs are along the Arno River and the next standing at the end of the Ponte Vecchio, a famous bridge that houses about 2 million pieces of jewelry in a very small amount of square footage.

Sullivan is apparently sending kisses your way and Cambria is modeling the new Firenze bag.  The ladies have started collecting bags of all shapes and sizes that document where we have traveled.  They are having a grand time seeking and selecting.  I am feeling bad for Cadin in not getting much, but he is holding out for something more grand I believe.

All of this trekking led to a hungry and tired crew, so we were on the lookout for an off-the-beaten-path restaurant.  We happened upon this incredibly cool place that was underground.  The architecture was awesome and the atmosphere just what we were looking for - not mobbed by tourists.  The food was good and the company even better.  

Two of the nicest people in the world, right there.  I am so lucky they are my family!  Look at the background, such a neat little place.

 Post-meal, we were ready to get back in the monster van and head back to Naples.  Until next time...when I will bring you our Mini Spring Break Trip #2 to Sicily!