il Blogorino

il Colosseo

I just go back from Italy, after a couple weeks vacation with my family. We flew into Rome (above), where it is oppressively hot all the time.

After taking this picture, the gladiator asked for some money.
This is the cornerstone of the Roman economy in summer. Literally.

Topless at steps of St.Peter's Basilica.

This was not an egregious case of "sun's out, guns out," but rather
altruistic self-sacrifice that enabled Liz to enter the magnificent building.

Her scandalously short shorts were considered an affront to God and I'm inclined to
agree. The Swiss guard denied her entrance (thank God!) until she pulled my shirt over her
legs, stretching the neck beyond repair.

Next stop was Venice, an impressive town.
It's really nice at night when the people empty out,
but during the day it's too crowded.A pizza in Venice

Perhaps the most touristy/American thing you can do
is order a pizza (apparently an American invention) and then take its picture
in the restaurant. In Italian restaurants, they pretend that their tap water
is poisonous, so you have to spend at least 10 euro on bottled mineral water.
I would say this is the second cornerstone of the Italian economy.


Then we went north to the Dolomites. The mountains were incredibly beautiful.


Dante Brown, or as scholars know him, "the Michelangelo of manuscript."

Brushing up on some of the finest literature Italy has produced.

Submerging yourself in unpleasantly cold rivers is just part of being a man.

Shooting Star Over Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

That's what I like to call it.

Liz and I strike a pose.

Liz spent the summer leading overland trips (the hat), and will be
working full time at overland starting in September.




An ephereal pasture: l I had been hiking up a treacherous cirque, conquering pitches that would have slain lesser men. As I crested the headwall of the ravine- prepared to see a sight known by only the most courageous and good looking mountaineers- I lifted my gaze and saw.. about 500 cows grazing.It was at this moment that I truly realized what it was to be an Eph.

I was going to "borrow" this guy's cowbell, one eph to another.

But these seemingly docile creatures possess strength
(and flexibility) unparalleled in the animal kingdom. I thought
it best to respect their awesome power and limberness
and keep a safe distance.

Released into her new home.

The real purpose of the trip was to put Liz out to pasture.
This is eph heaven, where graduated ephs really end up.

A shameless plug for Evan's and my upcoming photography exhibit:
A retiring suns casts its last rays over a bed of stones as mist clings to jagged spires.
The setting sun is the mortality we must all face.The bed of stones is the rocky
road that lies ahead. The mist is the deception that only the enlightened may see through.
The spires are phallic.

That's a pretty big glacier in the distance.

Prospect-East

Construction of the ski venue in Dobbiaco. This will be the sight of a stage of the Tour De Ski this winter. I want to say that the racers will ski over the arched roof of this building, but I'm not sure.

We also went to Tuscany, which was lovely and deserves many pictures,
but I'm running out of blogging energy. Suffice it to say that every view looked
like above, and I spent four days sitting beside below.

And finally, please continue on to Evan's illuminating post about Maine (which I rudely buried after a few short hours), which includes an exclusive photo of Bud.