Bruges and Brussels in September

We've decided that each set of guests needs to see some of these European canal cities. Basically that means they each have a decision between Amsterdam and Bruges. Now, Amsterdam requires quite a bit more of a journey either in time or in money or both so usually we recommend Bruges to those who didn't plan ahead with high-speed train tickets to Amsterdam. Hence, Anna and Ryan in Bruges!

We came home after the outing to meet up with Chris and get dinner. Brussels was our next stop with them in Belgium. This is a non-negotiable visit. These waffles top almost every other version we've had in this country. The only exception are the waffles in Liege which come in vanilla-cinnamon flavor or chocolate bar-stuffed. So they're completely different. And the deciding factor is really just that, well, Brussels is closer. 

They never disappoint. Maybe with the exception of Dave who, when he visited, thought that the teeny tiny fork given with the dessert is a cruel joke played on tourists by the Belgian waffle houses. It really might be. But when that minuscule fork breaks, I go for it with my hands. Not pretty, still delicious. 

Chris felt left out. I'm always taking everyone else's picture with these waffles hah! 

Tomorrow we head into Greece! 

Florence (and food)

Florence!!! Oh, how I love thee. Of course because you're beautiful. But. Honestly. You've got the best food...

Gimme another one of those sandwiches. Or some strawberry gelato! Ahh! I must be hungry. It's all I can think about while writing this post. Food from Firenze. I better eat something before I go on or I might only talk food the rest of this post. Be righttttt...

...back. I had pasta, of course. Were you wondering? Probably not. Moving right along... When we entered into Florence we noticed barriers being set up along some of the roads. Turns out there was a huge cycling event happening right in the city. Possibly one of the largest...the Road World Championships! We happened upon the race course as it goes by the Duomo. Right on time! 

For dinner we went back to a restaurant we visited with Chris' parents during their visit. So unbelievably delicious. But here I am again talking about food.

It was wonderful to catch a glimpse of the sunset one last time in Italy before returning to Belgium and its clouds. Okay, I'll admit it was sunny here for a good week after Ryan and Anna left. The clouds are a recent, and very unwelcome, constant addition. I've been keeping the blinds closed and the twinkle lights on, pretending it's night time and getting in the Christmas spirit...can you tell I'm ready for the U.S. of A.? (I am) Luckily for me...MEGAN AND SEAN ARE HERE!!! I'll be doing more catching up posts while they stay with us but here's to a grand finale of all the visits we had!

Running in Tuscany

Another edition (and possibly the last for quite awhile during post-marathon recovery time) of "Kelly and Chris run through Europe!" This was a week and two days before said marathon and I was supposed to run about 3-5 miles each day. The run you see today was only two miles and the only one I did the entire time in Italy. The hill we stayed on was quite the climb in a car let alone on two legs and I didn't think it was prudent to keep breaking myself down so close to the ultimate beat-down. Again, iPod quality photos, but enjoy!

Killer hill.

After our run we stretched with all our new friends.

They stretched too. 

Pisa (but mostly just the leaning tower)

As soon as I stepped out of the car and turned around I saw it. Not as charming as the Eiffel Tower but just as iconic and so very, very impressive. I do not understand how it is still standing and not crumpled to the ground but I did know one thing for sure that day. I would not be climbing it. 

On our way our of town I noticed this guy attempting to right the tower. So helpful.

Finally, on the drive back, we stopped at a grocery store and right across the street was this beauty. I know that sometimes I take Canandaigua Lake for granted, the sunsets over the hills from the cabin and everything else that is beautiful about our Finger Lakes area. But I could not imagine taking views like this for granted. Next to your grocery store!? Insane.