Where the Heart is

A 253-day adventure by Geezers in Paradise Read more

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Where the Heart is Traveler
Heraculum (Ercolano)
March 16, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
This is the OTHER town, along with Pompeii, that was both wiped out and preserved by the massive eruption of Mt Vesuvius. We decided to buck the crowd and visit it instead. We were thrilled with the rich findings still on display here in quite a small area, especially since we read that most of the important artifacts have been moved to the Archeological museum in Naples.

This was Pompeii's rich sister so if you want to see the erotica at the brothels you need to go to Pompeii. We are too young to see that stuff anyway.Read more
Margaret NicholsI hear that the mosaics in the museum in Heraculum are the best in the world - even better than Ravenna. Did you get to see them? Envy, envy, envy ...
3/18/17Reply
TravelerWe didn't want to drive into the center of Naples and park. I would have loved to see the castings from Pompeii that they have there. Alas. Perhaps next time.
3/19/17Reply
TravelerOops just reread that. I think everything from both Pompeii and Heraculum has been moved to the National Archeological Museum in Naples. There were two museum looking buildings on site there that were quite empty and showing neglect.
3/19/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Heraculum 2
March 16, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Do you recognize the latrines?
Richard Clarkewonderful photos, incredible ruins and decorations. Thanks for sharing. Richard
3/18/17Reply
TravelerThanks for enjoying. They were spectacular. And very accessible.
3/19/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Heraculum 3
March 16, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
The skeletons were found at the docks end of town where people were fighting to catch a boat out of the inferno.
Karen AndersonTruly am in awe looking at your photo's. Such rich history here to experience.
3/20/17Reply
TravelerIt's especially rewarding to walk through the ruins themselves as opposed to seeing them in a museum.
3/20/17Reply
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Curses! We were foiled
March 17, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
We've been waiting for a nice day and for the haze to clear so we could drive down the famously beautiful Amalfi coast. Weather was nice but haze was TERRIBLE. Hoping it might improve a bit south, we struck out for adventure. It just got worse. When we could barely see Positano from the viewpoint above, we turned around.

We had fun poking around our little town though. We have two more days to try. In the meantime e found the best bakery in town.Read more
Richard Clarke Looks beautiful to me!
3/18/17Reply
Traveler My best photo of the trip (except for the finger in the top corner). The haze got worse as we drove on.
3/19/17Reply
Karen AndersonThe scenery is is stunning even in the haze. We were in Hawaii for 17 days and some of those days had haze like this from the Volcano there. Does put a damper on a sunny day that's for sure!
3/20/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Garbage
March 18, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Who knew it could be so complicated? Our hostess walked through it in detail when we arrived, and left these handy instructions on the dishwasher. She mentioned bags, but we can't find the right colored ones. And where is the green bin on the street for the organic waste? We're supposed to take it up the night before, but the one time Gordon figured he would just go up and do what everyone else did, nobody was doing ANYthing. So that's what we did.

The end result is we've been collecting garbage in 5 makeshift bags since we arrived 6 days ago. Our feeble plan is, on the day we leave, to sneak out under cover of darkness and load up the car with garbage. Every time we see a garbage bin along the road with no witnesses in sight we will jump out and drop some (wiping first for finger prints first, of course).Read more
Annanaomi SamsWow! That's detailed. Our garbage trucks are so big, ad so noisy, you can't possibly miss them. Must be different there.
3/18/17Reply
TravelerALL the traffic is noisy. And CLOSE!
3/18/17Reply
Rosemary EngleOMG!!!
3/21/17Reply
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Dang! Relaxing AGAIN!
March 18, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
We were hoping the predicted shift in wind would clear out the haze so we could try driving the Amalfi coast again. Well maybe it has. We can't tell.

We are having another bang up day relaxing. And the washer is keeping Gordon from getting bored. Since there is only a rack for drying and the weather is coolish, Gordon is further entertaining himself (and me) by microwaving the pillow cases, shaking each one out while the other one is cooking.

I made a delicious vegetable soup out of leftover ham, carrots and bitter greens in broth with a dash of pesto. Went beautifully with the loaf of fresh onion bread we bought on our morning walk.

The cat got right into the spirit she snuck in when the door was cracked and we found her napping in the bedroom upstairs.

Oh, and I found another sweater that I really like at a cute little shop on the village Main Street. Now I have an alternative to my fleece jacket. We are heading northward in a couple of days and I will surely need it.Read more
Richard Clarke It must be tough to have to relax so much.
3/18/17Reply
Traveler VERY difficult! We have to be at the top of our game 100% at all times.
3/19/17Reply
Cherie Sohnen-Moe You look great! So peaceful and centered...
3/21/17Reply
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Amalfi Coast
March 19, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Tried again. There was a low ceiling but no haze. It was a wild ride and Italian drivers are crazy! Got somewhere between Positano and Amalfi before deciding our stomachs couldn't take much more. We are glad we tried again though. Absolutely stunning views, most of which we weren't quick enough to photograph. Turnouts were all too rare.

Oh, and we found a garbage bin (one!) to tip some of oysters stash into. :)Read more
Annanaomi Sams I would hope that people living "up" must have no fear of heights. Looking down, at the bottom of the picture, is.... I think my fear of heights has come on in adulthood. I can imagine backing up from the edge of that cliff.
3/19/17Reply
Karen AndersonOne might benefit from wearing accu-bands on those roads! The views are so alluring!
3/20/17Reply
TravelerGood thought.
3/20/17Reply
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Um ... remember that view we had?
March 20, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Guess it's time to be going. Today we head to Orvieto north of Rome.
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Hill towns
March 20, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
We are obviously entering hill town heaven. Gordon managed to snap these two anonymous examples from the car on the way to Orvieto.
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Driving up to Orvieto
March 21, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Orvieto sits at the top of precipitous cliffs. It was exhausting even to DRIVE up. First thing we mosied over for a view of of the surrounding area. The cats were a bonus. I think.
Annanaomi Sams Ah! Sun!
3/22/17Reply
Bonnie BenedictCats are always a bonus!
3/22/17Reply
Traveler Almost 70 degrees! Balm to these two Floridians' souls.
3/22/17Reply
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Walking around Orvieto
March 21, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Rosemary EngleNow THAT is an interesting collection of photos.I can't begin to keep up with all the places you are seeing. I am doing the opposite of you - working hard prepping to get laminate in my livingroom and dining room. You did well divesting yourselves of stuff. I realize more and more how much I have - especially when you/I have to move it. Hmph That is why it takes me awhile to check in on your activities. Jealous...
3/21/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams Lunch?
3/22/17Reply
Annanaomi SamsThere are no people... the spaces, though, are lovely.
3/22/17Reply
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Walking around Orvieto 2
March 21, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Annanaomi Sams Potted gardens!
3/22/17Reply
Traveler They are big gardeners. If you don't have much space you can't believe what they do with pots. It's early in the season yet.
3/22/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams Impressive! I may do more of that this summer. Terry and I need to arm wrestle over who gets the planting beds. Him for jalapeños or me for flowers. The first challenge will be to retrain the dogs to stay out of the beds; they've been running wild all winter. You'd think the backyard is theirs!!!!
3/22/17Reply
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Riding the funicolare
March 21, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Rosemary EngleHeather you look like you are less than 40 yo, ie mahvelous. I think this travel is agreeing with you.
3/21/17Reply
TravelerYou are too kind. What you don't see are all the ones I made Gordon toss because I look like a prune or like death warmed over or fat. Haha. Digital cameras are the BEST!
3/22/17Reply
Richard Clarke What wonderful place to be!
3/24/17Reply
Traveler We are fortunate indeed.
3/25/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Visit to Civita
March 22, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
One needs to walk into the town, but my back was hurting, but it was still well worth looking at from afar.
Margaret NicholsSorry to hear about your back. The walk across the bridge is scary! The town was good though, although fairly deserted and dilapidated. Keep on enjoying. Sounds like a super time. We are having a rainy autumn. Bit like Olympia ;-) 90 sleeps til Bali.
3/23/17Reply
TravelerI had been to Civita but Gordon had not. But it was a treat anyway to see it from the outside. We have not missed Oly's weather at all and this winter/spring has been a doozy. 90 days is WAY too long to wait for Bali.
3/23/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
On the drive
March 23, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Rosemary EngleWow wow and wow again. Your photos are just awesome. I want to make screensavers out of a bunch of them!
3/23/17Reply
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Lunch at Bottega dell'Abate
March 23, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
The host was taken aback when we only had water with lunch, no wine. He told us to watch out for the police after drinking. In Chianti, when they do a blood test and find water, you get in trouble.
Rosemary EngleSuch a charming place but....what is that thing that looks kind of chocolate?
3/23/17Reply
Bonnie Benedict😂
3/23/17Reply
TravelerHaha! It's a regional pork dish prepared in red wine. It was quite delicious. The onion soup was my favorite.
3/24/17Reply
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San Gimignano
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Medieval walled town famous for it's defensive towers. Only 14 left out of many more built over the years.
Annanaomi Sams Oh! Wow!
3/25/17Reply
Traveler There was a wide mix of eras upon eras here going way back.
3/25/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
San Gimignano II
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Town of a thousand tourist shops. Most seemed pretty high quality. Fortunately I already purchased my 11 euro sweater so I didn't have to fork out 200 for a fancy one here.
Bonnie BenedictNice way to piddle an afternoon away.
3/24/17Reply
TravelerI put the cat purses first for you. 😻
3/24/17Reply
Bonnie BenedictAnd they were very cute !
3/24/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
I forgot to take a photo, again
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Bar dell'orso (bar of the bear). Yummy food. Heather had pasta with radicchio and Gorgonzola. Gordon opted for comfort lasagna. Tirimisu and ricotta torte slathered with chocolate for dolci.
Richard ClarkeI need to travel with you guys.
3/24/17Reply
Annanaomi SamsYou can't keep doing that! Gordon's dessert sounds amazing!
3/25/17Reply
TravelerRichard: yes you do!
3/25/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Etruscan Tombs
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Came upon these by accident in Castellina in Chianti.
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Driving through the countryside
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Annanaomi Sams Nice gutters! Seriously, nice play of dark and light.
3/25/17Reply
Traveler Thanks!
3/25/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Monteriggioni
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
On the pilgrim's route of Via Francigena. Just 2 miles from where we are staying.
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Daniel's House
March 24, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Staying with Daniel near Monteriggione turned out to be special as we actually got to spend time socializing with Daniel himself. The discussion wandered from travels to work to deep philosophical speculation. We also enjoyed sitting on Daniel's balcony and watching the town pass by in the square (circle?) below.Read more
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Heading North
March 25, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Italy is 10% smaller than California with about a fifth more population. For a few days now we've been humming, "Give me land lotsa land lotsa land don't fence me in!"

We had heard that the Aosta region on Italy was the most sparsely populated, so headed out from Daniel's in a northerly direction, weather be damned.

The central Appenine mountains were a welcome sight, and Gordon was well satisfied to get a take two on photographing the Carrera marble yards.Read more
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Hitting the Alps
March 25, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
The landscape became progressively wilder as we approached and passed through Genoa. However it was still intensely populated. Driving was tough, but as we spied our first glimpse of the Alps we were inspired to take up the camera again.

The skies clouded up but couldn't dim our enthusiasm as we drove into Aosta. Mixed rain and snow predicted for Sunday. Great! We're ready for a day of rest.Read more
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