A Quick Hop Across The Pond

March 12, a day which will live in infamy: the day that James, Gordon, and Sara revealed a year long secret that Shelly Warren was going to London.  Do you KNOW what it's like to keep a YEAR LONG SUPER AWESOME secret?!?!?!  I can almost guarantee you do not.  She THOUGHT she was dropping Gordon and I off for our annual European vacation to which we would be visiting Iceland before driving to Dallas with her husband.  She. Was. Not.  I know, I know, you're wondering,  how did she have her passport?  How did she pack?  I'll tell you.  Jesus and three near sociopaths.  It makes sense in my head.  So, here we are at the airport as things are sinking in.  There was a lot of crying and smiling, and more crying, but I think this is where she really got it:

We boarded the plane for a 7 hour red eye:

When we landed, we took a cab to the rental car pick up spot.  They really are like in the movies!  James and I sat backwards and we jostled down the road on the left side with the driver behind ME!

We picked up the car and CAREFULLY drove (and driving is a story all of it's own) to Windsor. First of all, did you know everything in England is metric EXCEPT the speed limit?  50 MPH is a LOT different from 50 KPH.  Driving on the left is terrifying!  You don't just have to switch sides, you have to switch your spacial awareness four feet in a moving death trapl...er....car.  We made a quick stop at a pub got us breakfast and beer/cider, but more importantly, OUT OF THE CAR.

The royal crest adorned the ceiling of the restaurant.

After some duck pate, we were ready to start exploring.  She looks, happy, right?

Windsor Castle was BEAUTIFUL.  The weather was cool and crisp as we walked the grounds.  

Windsor Castle is still one of the Royal Families main residencies.  The Church they attend is inside the gates.  We walked in as an orchestra and choir were rehearsing.  There were truly no words to express the beauty of the building and the music within.

Windsor Castle is also the home of the oldest Tudor castle in the UK!

We could have spent DAYS, just touring the castle.  We were jet lagged, tired, and dreading the 45 mile drive to our hotel.  

We came back to our rental car and received our first UK souvenir, a parking ticket!  Apparently, even the parking signs are polite.  When we asked the meter maid about the ticket, he apologized, and recommended we stay parked there for free for the rest of the day.  Toto, we weren't in Kansas anymore!  We found it rather humorous that the rental agency gave us a Cactus.  Do you think they were politely mocking our Texas origins?

We took the M4, on the left side of the road, with Gordon on the right, with the stick shift on the left down to Lingfield Surry where we were staying.  Jet Lag, Stay Away!  The WarNigs have things to see!

Where I got really wet

Kayleigh took most of the burden of driving the night of the Lobster.  I couldn't button my pants or keep my eyes open.  Feeling like a complete glutton, I did what any other American would have done.  I handed the keys to the 17 year old, pointed west, and fell asleep.  She drove past the "Moose Crossing - Next 4 Miles" sign in Vermont.  She drove to a beautiful turnpike pull off in New Hampshire.  The next morning, we got Dunkin' Doughnuts because my girlish figure hadn't suffered enough damage the night before, and continued towards Niagara Falls.

We paid a ridiculous amount to park.  We paid a ridiculous amount to eat.  It was the most expensive, and by far, the WORST burrito I've ever eaten in my LIFE.  Oh well, it's New York, right?  My bad for not ordering lox and a bagel.  We finally made our way to the ticket booth for the observation deck and the Maid of the Mist.  I'd been to the Canadian side as a kid, but we'd not got to take the boat tour.  I was probably more excited than my kids!

The sound of the falls is overwhelming.  Millions of gallons of water pouring into the canal, mist soaking the parts of us exposed from the trash bag ponchos.  Everyone was smiles and happiness until Gannon realized he was steps from a foreign country, but couldn't cross over to Maple Leaf Land.  We compromised, and he stood on the left side of the boat.  I'm almost positive he was in international waters.  Whatever.  He was happy. 

Click here to see the video on the Maid of the Mist

We finished up and started our long trek out of New England.  Next Stop.....Bowling Green, OH

Italia!

Our next camping trip is in FIVE DAYS!!!!!!!!!  FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I figured before we set out on that adventure, I should catch up posting my excursions.  In March, the Jolly Camper took a break from camping, ditched the kids with Grandma, and flew to Italy.  My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in Rome, Venice, and Pompeii.  It was amazing, surreal, beautiful, awesome, amazing.  Here are some of our pictures:

March 7th-8th Flying from San Antonio to Munich to Rome

Beer for breakfast in Munich

Flying over the Alps

View of the Mediterranean Sea

Spanish Steps

The Pantheon

Pantheon 

Pantheon Dome

Tomb of Rafael

Gelato at Giolitti, Roma!

VITTORIO EMANUELE II MONUMENT

March 9th: The Vattican, Vittorio Emanuele Monument, and the Trevini Fountain

Entrance to the Vatican

On of the amazing tapestries.  Jesus keeps looking at you no matter where you stand!

Frescoes

"School of Athens" in real life!

Original model of "The Thinker"

Hall of the Cardinals - This is where they sleep while choosing a new Pope

The Pope's Balcony

St Peters Basilica

the "Pieta" by Michelangelo

Pope John XXIII who was said to have not decayed.  He mummified.

The Dome

St. Peters Baldachin

From the front to the back of the Basilica

Swiss Guards.  Never did figure out their camouflage....

The Vatican

Trevini Fountain.  It was under restoration when we went.

More Trevini Fountain

Vittorio Emanuele Monument

View of Rome from the top of the Monument

One of the bronzes on top of the Monument

March 10th: Venice!

The view of the main city from the train

A side Canal

St. Marks Basilica

Beautiful Architecture

Gondola Ride!

Gordon looks scared!  Representing Arias in Italy!

Birthplace of Marco Polo

Home of Vivaldi!

The Grand Canal!

March 11th: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and The Forum

Do I really need to caption this?

Massive!  Colossal!

Gladiator Gate

The under section was covered by a wooden stage and had a system of lifts to bring out animals and prisoners.

The far section is what the whole thing would have looked like

The Arch of Constantine

The canopy commemorate where Julius Caesar was cremated

Forum

Temple of the Vestal Virgins

Palatine Hill

Circus Maximums!

The Old Roman Road

Dinner picture of Pumpkin Prosciutto Brochette.  Um, Yum.

March 12th: Pompeii

Il Principal Restaurant for lunch.  They've catered at the White House!

Pompeii Colosseum

Vineyard in Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the background

City Necropolis Statues outside the city of Pompeii

Some of the victims of Mt. Vesuvius

Pompeii Bath House

Bed in a brothel.  I didn't include the menu which was preserved on frescoes on the wall...

Temple of Venus

Sunset over Ancient Pompeii

March 13th: Day in Rome

Cobblestone Streets everywhere

Obelisk in Rome.  There are many around the city,

Presidential Palace.  I couldn't get a good picture, but a guard in full Roman garb (with the broom hat, cape, spear, etc) guards the entrance!

Statue on a street corner

Gordon enjoying antipasti of caviar and brochette with wine.  I think he had fun!

What are some of your favorite placed to travel?  I'd love to hear!  Subscribe and comment!