Author Archives: Kim Baumgaertel

Thanks to Anna for that little pun, and to both Nanfitos for the ride this morning.  You guys are great. We’re also thankful for such a lovely departure day, serene Puget Sound waters, a good-bye kiss and a tail-wave from … Continue reading →

A Drama in Three Acts You are about to read a sappy holiday play. If you think you’ve read enough sentimental Christmas stories to last until the nest is empty and you can decorate the tree any way you like, … Continue reading →

Although we’ve been home for a couple of weeks, Jim and I continue to live figuratively “out of our suitcases.”  Clothes are put away, laundry is done.  We brush our teeth with electric toothbrushes again and spray aerosol deodorant where … Continue reading →

A certain faithful reader of this blog has requested – twice! – for an ending of our travel tale.  Silly me, English teacher that I am, for neglecting the denouement.  I apologize, and here ‘tis – After rising at 3:30 … Continue reading →

We are in Florence, folks.  The capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence has been dubbed “the Athens of the Middle Ages”.  It has art.  It has fashion.  It has 13 million tourists each year, and six of … Continue reading →

Today was a day at the villa, with no other place to see and no obligations to meet  except to settle our bill with Yolanda and pack our bags. Yolanda, who speaks as much English as we do Italian, showed … Continue reading →

Today six Tuscan travelers are pleased to report the discovery of — yet another — picturesquely ancient hill town.  Monteriggioni (pronunciation unclear, however it is rumored that the “r” is silent) sits above vineyards (like they all do!) and is … Continue reading →

It was the best of days, it was the worst of days, it was a long, long, long day and we just got home from dinner. It was the morning of hopefulness as we departed early for Pisa It was … Continue reading →

Good evening from Tuscany. Due to technical difficulties in several crucial spheres tonight, this post will be brief. We spent the day in Siena, which is where the color of that crayon comes from. We made Jane and Dave climb … Continue reading →