Florence

Dec. 10 Siena to Florence. 79 km

My brother and wife landed around noon. Around 1:00 I met up with them at the hotel. Since they were jet lagged with thought the best plan was to go get pizza. We climbed the "el Doumo" tower around sunset. By 8:00 they were in bed.

Brother Craig and Sister-in-law Ellen

El Doumo

The tower we climbed. It was 400 something steps. I was a bit nervous at the top.

And i'm glad My brother can take a nice picture at least 1 time. 

Do you see? over there? do you see it?!?!

Dec. 11 Florence

We woke up early and caught a bus to Greve in Chanti. Craig and Ellen had been there 4 years earlier and they have been raving ever since about a restaurant there that has amazing wild bore pasta. It was good and live up to the hype. That night we when out and tied one on. Hilarity ensues.

This guy parked and left his car right where the buses com in. So the buses were blocking the street. Everyone was honking. People in Italy get very impatient in traffic. 

Another very mature picture.

Wild boar.

Cool old meat truck. 

We found a shopping cart and this was a good idea at the time. 

El Doumo at night.

Ellen thought it would be a good idea to put the stool under one side of my bed so it was on a slant. We don't know what her reasons were. 

Dec. 12 Florence

Craig and Ellen walked around the city and I slept in and ran some errands. I needed to print more xmas cards. We had another good meal but none of us even had wine that night. The spaghetti carbonara was quite good.

Dec. 13 Florence

I was very glad when Ellen and Craig wanted to take a train to Siena. We spent all day walking around the walled city. By the time we were back on the train going back to Florence, it was getting dark. We all passed out for a nice nap on the train.

No Pole dancing!

This guy didn't realize we were taking a picture... 

These are everywhere on the sides of buildings.. for horses perhaps? 

An out door urinal. 

Craig using the out door urinal

Some of the ladies were wearing wreaths on their heads. 

And some people were ruining pictures. 

Craig was pretty excited about this garaged door. 

Its a cross between a Lion and a Tiger. Its like my favorite animal ever... GOSH!

Dec. 14 Florence

It was a bit rainy so we went to the Uffuzi and Accademia Gallery. I am not one for art museums but it was cool to see the David. We ate dinner at a restaurant called Coquinarius and it was amazing.

Dec. 15 Florence

The last day in Florence with Craig and Ellen. We did a test fit of the snowboard stuff on the moto and we figured the best way to carry it would be across the back sideways. No more splitting lanes :(
I later realized I could connect it to the tank in front and the Giant loop. It has enough room for my leg to fit between the seat and the board. It is now no wider then my handlebars and doesn't act like a sail.
That night we went back to dinner at the same restaurant Coquinarius.

This guy remembered Craig and Ellen from 4 years earlier. He was fun.

Dec. 16 Florence to Ancona. 305 km

Craig and Ellen were up at 5 to get to the plane home. I slept in till 10 then rode about 300 km to Ancona to catch a ferry. There was no ferry till the next day so I got a hotel room

I was worried if I tipped over I would break the snowboard. Not good. I later found a better way.

 Dec. 17 Ancona Italy and Ferry to Split Croatia

There was a ferry to Split croatia boarding at 9 that night so I paid for a late checkout and hungout in the room all day. It was rainy crappy weather so good to get caught up on stuff. I paid for my own room on the ferry so I could get some sleep. I thought my Minnesota plate got a lot of attention. Now with a snowboard I get even more questions.

My cabin on the ferry.