Thursday, July 11, 2013

Vacation Crazy

The bug of vacation craziness has bitten us.  For a few months now, we have been planning a trip in September with friends Anna and Sasha in Provence, France and really looking forward to it.  2 weeks ago we got up earlier than Patrick has in a long time on the weekend to conference call to go over itinerary of this trip.  The call had been proceeded by a few weeks of flipping through guidebook and one full evening devoted to the food glossary section.  Anna put the itinerary together and seemed reasonable and all was well.  Well, except that a day before the call I was notified that I would be expected to work through the holidays (Christmas time) and should take some personal time before then.  Thus the trip became extended to three weeks, and what should we do with the additional week.  Opportunities abounded - visit Paris, visit our friends' home away from home in Germany- examination of  the map suggested the delicious idea of a trip to Venice followed by an exploration of northern Italy by bicycle - and off the imagination went.  Tuesday guidebook of Italy arrived in full color glory - we called a friend on the west coast at 11 pm for advice regarding Venice and really have not slept since.  So many cycle route to work out, and how to fit the Ferrari museum in, and how tall are those mountains?

Other notes of exuberance the past few weeks : I won the local 4th of July 10 K and had a fantastic hike of the Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains - what a great route!  and Specialized replaced the Tarmac frame!!