More Christmas pictures

A tiny little nest, maybe an old hummingbird nest, a rabbit hole and the sun getting ready to down behind McDonald Pass.

CHRISTMAS DAY 2013

What do  we do on Christmas Day in Montana? We pick a spot and go snowshoeing. This time we drove 20 minutes from home, up to McDonald Pass and the Continental Divide at about 6,900 feet elevation.

The Helena valley viewed from just below McDonald Pass

IT'S NOT OVER 'TILL IT'S OVER

Summer has been persistent this September, and so has our garden. We don't mind. Fall will be short, and winter will take away most of the colors and fragrances from our garden. The roses had a late start, but they are catching up now.  JIR

 Our deck tomato garden was fruitful and delicious

 First abundant lavender crop we've ever had

 Sunflower almost ready to open

 Dahlias were a prolific new addition this year

 Poppies

Honey Suckle

ARRIVEDERCI ITALIA-LAST 2 DAYS IN ROME

Finally, a picture of our 9 passenger party van, as we return it in Rome-on the 7th floor of a parking garage. Such feat required several reverse and forward maneuvers to get a the proper turning angle of very tight turns. The clearance between the roof of the van and the ceiling on the ramp to the 7th floor was about 1/2 inch

 Spanish Steps

 Carabineri, always texting

 Dinner al fresco at Mario's

 Outside the Galleria Borghese

 Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, huge massive monument  to Vittorio Emanuele II, built in the early 1900's

 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the entrance of the Monumento

 We really enjoyed visiting this monument, which has a great military museum inside. The views  of the city from one of the higher levels were spectacular. By then the air temperature in Rome had risen to about 90 degrees.

 Right next to the monument we stumbled on an ancient church, which we could not resist but explore

Arrivederci Italy. Even though we have a long travel list of places to visit, we may be back one of these days. JIR

ITALIA #8 ASSISI

Leaving Tuscany behind, as difficult as it was, brought us to other wonderful places. We traveled south in our party van on the way back to Rome with a 2-night stop in Assisi.

 The little town of Cortona, recommended by our tour guide in Rome, was beautiful and picturesque

 Perugia was another quick but worthwhile stop on our way to Assisi

 On the first evening in Assisi, we ate at this great restaurant and later walked its narrow ancient streets.

 Basilica di San Francesco, monumental but simple cathedral, a true testament to San Francesco di Assisi. Relatively little marble or gold is present, but instead, a large rustic wooden crucifix hanging from the ceiling above the altar is all that's needed to feel his presence. A sense of peace and spirituality is palpable in this beautiful town, perhaps our favorite during the trip. Of course, it helps that San Francesco has been our favorite saint before our visit.

 Many priests and nuns are visible throughout the town. This particular group of nuns, including one wearing a unique habit and boots, huddled in one of the narrow streets

 Chiesa di Sanat Maria sopra Minerva (Tempio di Minerva). Gold and marble are highly visible in this church

 Dinner high atop one of the tallest peaks of Monte Subasio. The 3 mile gravel/dirt road to get there seemed more like 10.

La Zuppa Inglese, the B&B we stayed at 5 miles outside of Assisi. The owners, Alessandro and Laura were wonderful hosts. Laura prepares  a fantastic homemade breakfast for her guests, including fruit tarts, cakes, egg/bacon dishes, and other delicious treats. JIR