Minnesota Fishing Report: Thursday

Gavin and I kicked off our Minnesota trip two days before Dave did.  On Tuesday, Gavin and I took a boat ride, but we waited for Dave to arrive for the fishing to begin. Wednesday, was a gray, cool day.  We didn't even go out in the boat because the water looked a bit choppy.  Bob and I didn't want to scare Gavin with choppy waters.

Gavin's first fish in Minnesota was this big, honking dogfish, or bowfin.  As you can see, G was all smiles. 

Gavin's next effort produced this pretty blue gill.

Imagine Gavin's dismay when he couldn't reel up his next fish.  He told Dave, "I can't do it, Daddy.  You try."  Dave had to give it a good try to get the second big bowfin in on the Batman rod and reel.  Since Gavin didn't actually reel it in, he doesn't count the fish in his tally.  I wonder how long that honesty in fish accounting will take place.

While Gavin was napping, Dave and I went out to try our luck.  (Dave didn't do a lot of fishing with G in the boat.)

I caught a Northern Pike and released him.

And, a second Northern.

We were headed in and about to call it a day, when Dave landed this big Walleye.  Of course, we had to troll over that spot again before heading in.  Our additional efforts were fruitless, but you have to try.
This big Walleye made a nice dinner Sunday night.

Day Trip to Austin

Friday Dave had to drive to Austin for a client meeting. Since school is out, I decided that Gavin & I would tag along. Then I found out Dave was taking a canoe down to drop off to have seats installed, which necessitates a truck ride. Ok, I can be a big girl and ride 400 miles in the truck--single cab with a car seat in the passenger side. Dave offered to spilt the ride with me.
Then, Dave informs me that we have to be out the door at 6 am. Again, I can be a good sport & keep him company. Plus, we can shop at the Round Rock Outlets and swing by for a quick visit with Sara and the girls. And, more importantly, we can actually see each other.
To save time, Gavin and I dropped the canoe off. It was a bit warm, so we headed to HEB-- how I love that store--for a cool drink. The produce there is incredible. I couldn't resist grabbing fine blueberries.
After that, Gavin noticed a PetCo, so we looked at the pets & bought treats for Mason. Following a quick drive through our old neighborhood, it was time to pick Dave up from his office.
We had a yummy lunch at Baby A's, then headed over to Sara's construction site. They're adding on a guest suite and a pool. They hope to have everything finished in two weeks, after three months of construction, I hope they do.
Gavin and Avery played well together while the adults visited. Rylee is growing and will be walking soon.
It was great to swing by. We'll be back in two weeks for a weekend trip to see the Avett Brothers in New Braunfels.
Gavin crashed on the drive home. He slept until we stopped in Waco for a burger and milk shake at Health Camp. The burger wasn't great. The shakes were delicious!
Gavin was a great little traveler. He looked out the window and chatted with us when he wasn't sleeping.

Final Italy Post

I end our Italy posts with these last three pictures.  The top were taken Friday evening at Ponte Vecchio.  There are shops lining the bridge.

And, this is our final piazza lunch in Florence in the Santa Croce piazza.  After this lunch, we headed back to the train station, bought standing-room-only tickets to Milan (not fun, but not terrible), waited for extremely delayed trains due to an earthquake in Bologna (we didn't find out about the earthquake until we returned to the States), transferred in Milan, and made it to the airport.  There we caught a shuttle to a Crowne Plaza.  I didn't realize what a pampered American I was until we stepped into that room.  The bed was cushy and comfortable.  The bathroom was still Italian, but Americanized.  We had a great night's sleep before catching our plane back to JFK then on to DFW.  

We had a great trip.  Our horizons and experiences were expanded.  We learned a bit about traveling abroad.  We're ready to go again (once Dave finishes this degree).

Sienna: Atop the City Wall

Dave climbed to the top of the city wall to take in the sights.  Above is Sienna's main piazza.

From the city wall, looking back over to the Duomo. Remember, this city wall was going to be the wall of the main cathedral, with the building you are looking at acting as an entry way, but drat the plague.

The picture below better shows the plan for the main cathedral.  Notice the striped columns that are already in place prior to the plague halting work.

I decided to sit this climb out--that pesky knee of mine.  Dave found my green sweater and me on the steps of the church.

Sienna: She Wolf

 Sienna is named for Senius, the son of Remus, who was suckled by a she wolf.  So, there are statues of the she-wolf, Senius' grandmother, everywhere.

Enjoy!

Duomo in Sienna

The Duomo in Sienna was the most ornate we visited.  We are amazed at the craftsmanship in this cathedral in particular because of the stripes.  Just wait.  You'll see.  The church is made of black and white marble in a striped pattern.  How did men work the marble to the precise sizes needed with just hand tools?

This wall lies perpendicular to the church you just saw.  It was supposed to be the back wall of an even bigger cathedral; the town's goal was to have the biggest church in the country.  The existing church was to be the entry into the larger sanctuary.  Sadly, the plague of 1348 depleted both human and capital resources, so the church never reached the dreamed of size.  Dave climbed the wall.  I took a break.

After his climb, we went inside the church.   The stripes are everywhere.

There were many decorative designs in the floor.  Some were cordoned off so you couldn't walk on them.  Others had cardboard taped over them in an effort to preserve them.  We noticed in Florence's Duomo that the different colors of marble must have different densities because the wear on some colors is more than on the other colors. 

One of the side rooms to the chapel, contained this ceiling art and books copied and illustrated by Monks.  The painstaking detail in this church is over the top.  Some complain that it is gaudy.  It's a bit much, but when you think of the intention, giving your best to God, you have to stop and pause.  Certainly best efforts were given; the craftsmanship is unrivaled.  However, as we strolled through the streets of Sienna, we also pondered the question of resources, the well-being of the people at time, and God's desire for our use of his wealth.  Does God want big gaudy churches showcasing craftsmanship or does He want us to feed his people and be sure that everyone's basic needs are met?

I'm not sure what the answer is to the question I posed.  I don't know that there is an answer, just a point to ponder while we wander.

Miglia 1000

Imagine our surprise when we heard the roar of engines echoing through the city center of Sienna.  Even greater was our wonder as the crowds parted for these cars to thunder by.  Some people in the crowd were waving flags that said "Miglia 1000."  

It wasn't until we were in the airport in Milan on Monday morning that we learned more about Miglia 1000.  We happened to be standing in line at the American Airlines counter behind a gentleman with Miglia 1000 tags on his bag.  As we turned a corner in the line, I mouthed to Dave, "Ask him."  Another risk for both of us, since we just don't talk to strangers.  It wasn't a huge risk as we figured he'd be willing to talk about himself and this mysterious Miglia 1000 since it was all over all of his luggage.  It turns out he was a driver in one of the cars.  The race started in 1927, as a true road race covering 1000 miles of public roads in Italy.

The race begins in Brescia, goes to Rome and then back to Brescia.  In 1957, a car went out of control.  The driver, co-pilot, and seven spectators were killed in the accident.  The Pope intervened; the race was no more.  Today it is a road rally, with check points along the way for drivers.  What a next opportunity to see vintage cars.

We hope Gavin will one day want race cars in his room.  We'll have just the images to print and frame to adorn his walls.  (I just updated his room with construction equipment, else I'd be updating it now--just to use the pictures.)

You can see the crowds pressing in as the cars drive by.  I can see how a car could go out of control and hurt people.  I'm really surprised that it took 30 years for it to happen.