Going to San Marino was unlike anything we had ever seen before. Higher and higher to the top of this mighty fortress that was reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings. I could picture Gandalf riding his horse to the top! We parked and started climbing steps stairs and streets of brick and cobble stone to the cafe above where we had ring side seating for the "rally" cars. Anthony is so very excited, videoing everything. It is such a great group to be with all so serious too about this great race. It costs around $5,000 to enter the Mille Miglia which mean the "1000 mile race". Several "princes" were also in the race. We sat at another cafe where some of the cars sped right beside our table!
Ripping The
Forest Out By The Roots
We finally got through to our son
Anthony. Tao ran off today and the woman a Bailey's business systems
had him held when Anthony got there. He said Charlie and another man
had been working our our building and the "Platinum" people came out
of nowhere and were ripping the forest out by the roots, making it
look like Sauroman's forest. He said he was ok and not to worry.
Note: The above occurred during our first trip to Europe where I
was not home to stop what some termed an attack on the Southern
Front of our property noted in Red.
Our early introduction to
massive encroachments in regard to our Western Front,
noted in Blue, occurred after what some
termed my
1999 Miraculous Unexpected Recovery.
Before long it was time to travel to our next destination, Firenza, (Florence in province of Toscany-
Tuscany). The country mountain roads from San Marino to Florence
were very beautiful and reminded us of our blue ridge mountains. We rode in the Maserati.
About 17 km form Florence in "Vaglia" we came to our destination. Resting in the hills north of Florence, the ancient farm houses of Coiano offers places of tranquility that is populated by deer, falcon and wild boar. An area rich in history from the Etruscanspresence to the splendor of the the Medici's Villas of Trebio and Pratolino
Farmhouse In
Tuscany
We would
stay in a restored 15th century
farmhouse, our host "Donatella" was very gracious. Walking back to
our accommodations, Valerie said "La Vita Bella" (Life is Beautiful), and
Dirk asked where she had learned it and she said from our hometown
Italian Heritage Festival.
Beautiful scenery,
where we were then off to Cessatico
Library Of
Congress
An evening during dinner, the Library of
Congress, Valerie's Journaling, American State Quarters and a Vatican
Historian's Austrian Land Rally were some of the topics. We would
finally get through to WV and were provided dire news.
Mille Miglia
A very large rooster woke us up this morning outside of our window. Horses, sheep, pigs and chickens all around. Two medium sized fig trees were growing near the doorway, as Manfred pointed out the same as in Jesus's time. We left around noon and came to a nearby town to have coffee and lunch. I had espresso and Anthony had his Coca - Cola. We would then watch the Mille Miglia cars come through. Sterling Moss drives by in his Mercedes 300 SLR, number 722, the car that he broke Mille Miglia records with decades prior. We then load up and go.Then as our boys put it "hold on to your nuts" Dirk the daring was in the lead car, Holger second and gracious Gretel last.
Roads Were
Like
The roads
were like driving through Galloway to Philippi WV. Spectators lined
the road, everywhere in dangerous sharp curves, cheering madly and
waving. Many small towns with buildings close to the road! What
excitement, dangers and suspense all at the same moment. I was with Yurgen and Holger in Jurgen's car, who loved it when the crowd screamed look a Maserati!
Anthony rode with Dirk in the open top "Beauty", who drove the car like crazy, Anthony would tell me later. He held on not because he was scared, he didn't want to fall out of the convertible. Holger looked in the mirror and said my big beautiful eyes were wide open like I was scared. I said no - it was just like being on a roller coater ride. He said yes, but they are over in two minutes. It was intense to say the least, but the three divers Holger, Dirk and Gretel were up to the challenge!
Stop, Slow
Down
Manfred was scared, he kept telling her to stop, slow down, watch out. Afterwards, we would stop at a gas station and a McDonalds was behind it and we ran for it. WC time, tea and burgers. We made it to the Hotel Casablanca in Lazise around 9 P.M. Alexandro was very happy to see us again. We sat outside at the restaurant. At one point during the meal, Manfred exclaimed; Valerie, dear sister in Christ, would you pour me me some red wine? Which also brought much laughter. The good night! Buona Sera Buona Notte. The next morning as we head to the cars, Alexandoro and his Mama came carrying a bottle of "Groppa" for each of us. The whole famiglia (Fam-ee-yah) were a very special group.
Kufstein
Dirk would take Anthony and I to the village of Kufstein. A long hike to an area that reminded me of Heidi. I stopped and wondered how many miles we actually walked! Our ending point was the oldest farmhouse in Kufstein. They serve their own products to finished hikers, (milk, bread, cheese and meats). When we got back to our car we drove to pub/restaurant that was a favorite of Arnold Swartznegger's. Once home, we watched a video of the 1959 Imperial's arrival from America in 2003. Then Dirk got out Gretel's accordion and she played for us.
The next day, Dirk took us to some shops where I found "Drindl"
clothing, (traditional dress for Germany). I found E,R and J one also. Dirk
said I cannot complain if Anthony buys car parts, as I had spent $450.00.
(What if we never come back to Germany?)
We made it to the airport and found our way through security protocols and ate a bite. We then departed for America.
