Preamble To An Italian Vacation

After trying to do this vacation for the past three years, we are finally going to Italy.

The first attempt was 2008, and we are all familiar with WAMU's role in the financial calamity. 2009 was turned on it's head by my now resolved heart issues. 2010 was still too much economic uncertainty.

2011 saw us putting our heads down, and vowing to make it work. Madeleine will be a senior next year. There is a certain amount of unknown associated with her heading off to college and her connection to summer family life.

Well, I threw a wrench into it all with my decision to cross the mainline of the University Bridge in the rain, with the subsequent trip to Harborview and the injuries to my shoulder, face and hands.

My doctor said I would be well enough to go and he is looking like a seer. My face is pretty much healed. My hands and wrist are functional for the most part. My shoulder is slowly getting better. I can effectively manage the pain now, and, I am starting to have longer periods where it doesn't hurt at all. Without physical therapy to cause it to flair up twice a week, I am hopeful of a relatively pain free vacation.

We leave Saturday. It is the four of us going, with Bunty staying home, tending the dog and enjoying the quiet. The schedule has us in Venice, Verona, Florence, Tuscany, then Rome.

I have always kept travel journals when we've gone abroad, and I have decided to do the same, only I will do this one as a blog. After Cathie and the girlies have gone to bed, I traditionally head down to the pub or cafe for a late night drink and half an hour of writing. I plan to do this on the iPad now, and I will post this as I find wifi.

I'd like to thank my brother, Jim and my buddy Mike as I am co-opting their idea. It is just too easy to do it this way. Plus, It is an easy way to let Mom and Dad know where we are.

Enjoy or ignore, I'll write from the road.

Gary

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Seattle