Hey Boo Boo they forgot the pic-a-nic basket

For this year's 4th of July trip, we headed to Camp Jellystone Golden Valley in North Carolina. The resort had been recommended to us and glancing through the booking website we could see it was going to be an action packed week. 

Our tiny house cabin was pretty cool, we have always wanted to stay in one and this was the perfect opportunity. Surprisingly it was quite accommodating for four adults and two kids. We arrived late afternoon on Sunday the 3rd and had some slight rain showers. 

On July 4th, Jackson and I went to do the pledge with Boo Boo bear. We then went fishing with Pops. Jackson loves fishing, for about 10 minutes. Then if we haven't caught anything, he decides the fish are sleeping and we need to go do something else. We did the arts and craft activity of the day - tie-dye shirt making. Jackson's shirt came out pretty cool, unfortunately the kids small is still huge on him. We then did the 4th of July Golf Cart Parade and went to the waterpark. This alone is worth the trip. We had tons of fun. 

All day Tuesday the 6th, we hung out at the waterpark. Jackson had a blast going down the two big slides over and over. We were exhausted!

Wednesday was the activity day. We did mini-golf, gem mining, scavenger hunt, arts & crafts, glow stick party with Boo Boo, and Hey Hey ride. After the evening shower (3 for 3 at this point) ended we grilled steaks.

Thursday we tried our luck and fishing again. When this failed, Jackson and I decided to go on the hiking trail. There were no warning signs this was going to be a strenuous hike and I ended up carrying Jackson for large portions up and down slippery, steep mountain sides. But we made it and he was so excited that we had accomplished our goal. We did some more activities and then hit the waterpark up again later that afternoon. We decided the lake activities might be a bit much for Jackson right now. 

day 10

Early shuttle to airport, too early! Airport counter wasn't even opened yet. We had to wait for an hour, guess we could have slept some more. Florence airport is the size of Myrtle Beach airport. 

Hung out at the gate, we both did some work emails. Shortest bus ride ever to the plane. Flight to Munich. Brief layover. I got extra screening. 

Flight back wasn't too bad. We had a whole row. 

Got some sleep and a couple movies in.

Mom picked us up and we went back to her place. Amanda was there, hung out for a bit then headed to Greenville. Jackson was so excited to see us. 

day 9

Last day in Florence we visited all the major churches. Starting with St. Croce. Loved all the famous tombs and the beautiful chapels.

Next we got in line at the Duomo. Took about 45 minutes to get inside. Such a serene, beautiful place. Felt empty with it all roped off and barely any pews. Then we headed to San Lorenzo. I love the interior of this church and the beautiful choisters.

Next we walked around and to the market central. Got some sandwiches and ate in the piazza outside Santa Maria Novella. Beautiful church and we enjoyed exploring it's amazing art and cloisters. Next we did the museo novecento - modern art. It was some weird stuff.

Walked through the shopping district. Pineider store. Visconti store, Johanna let me pick out a pen. The sales lady was too much lol. Wonderful experience though. 

Went to a place called Volume for happy hour. Great beer, country music (Hayes, sturgill).

Then to 4 Leoni for dinner. Was an amazing meal. Great way to end the trip. 

Packed up our bags for our early departure.

day 8

Got up and had breakfast at hotel. Beautiful morning, looks like the weather will cooperate today!

Meet the tour group and loaded our awesome bus for the vineyard tours. 

First stop was the villa Le Corti, which is a famous old Chianti producer. Nice tour here with lots of beautiful old world winery operations. They had some great wines there.

Next we went to La Continetta Di Rignana. This place was incredibly beautiful and perched on a hillside overlooking gorgeous Tuscan countryside. Had a wonderful lunch if local food and some wine. third stop was the Poggio Torselli srl Cantina. This historic villa now owned by a Canadian billionaire (ordinary brand) was impeccable. Best wines of the day and such beautiful scenery. We got a small thing of olive oil.  

Made it back to Florence around 5:30. Then we walked around looking for dinner. Ate at La Osteria, it was pretty good. And gelato for desert.

Crashed at hotel.

day 7

Breakfast at hotel and then we walked over to Baptistry for our tour time. Definitely the nicest of the three buildings. Heard guy singing, perfect acoustics. Toured Duomo. It's very lovely, but some weird craftsmanship issues. Then we wandered around Pisa. Checked out and got a sandwich before heading to train station, took cab this time. Short train ride to Florence. Private driver met us there. Got to hotel. Very nice accommodations right on the river Arno. We got settled in and then ventured out to explore. Hiked over to pizzale Michelangelo. Hiked up to Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte. Even more amazing views. Then we did a super long walk to up past fort belvedere and into the boboli gardens. Incredible hike through gardens. Then we came out palazzo pitti and into the Basilica di Santo Spirito by Brunelleschi. Tried to get gelato, very long line. Came back to hotel and freshened up for dinner. Pretty good dinner, nice steak. 

Walked around the Duomo. Went to the Irish pub, gelato and finally to hotel. Long exhausting day but so amazing too.

day 6

Got up and packed for our train. I tried to find an ATM. Breakfast at hotel, walked to Genova brignola. Train ride to Pisa was beautiful along the coast. Switched trains on Pisa, stored our bags, and headed to Lucca. Walked into city, got some pizza slices. Climbed the st. Martin cathedral bell tower. Amazing views. Walked the city, hitting up all the points of interest and just enjoying the stroll. Such a beautiful place. Walked along wall back to train station. 

In Pisa we walked to hotel, checking out spina church along the way. checked into hotel, cool mid century vibe. Ate dinner at cantina vasari. Amazing food and feel.

Walked around Duomo and leaning tower after dinner.

day 5

Breakfast at hotel. Then we walk around Genova. San Lorenzo cathedral. Love the stripped facade. Continued down main drag with all the palazzos. Got a book and Jackson a shirt. Began our walk up the salitas. My legs have gotten older haha. Especially San Nicola the last 157 steps. Villa looked amazing. Had a great time seeing everyone at the open house. Made our way down and walked around a while longer. Could not get to the water, which I remember being a problem last time. Got ready and tried to take a bus. No ticket and we were going the wrong way. Took cab instead. Reception was awesome, so many people there. Kelly, Stephen, Cleve, . Terry Buchman. Had dinner at maniman. Fantastic time, the we went down to city for a drink at brittannia. They were doing last call. Tried to find other Clemson peeps, ended up calling it a night. So glad we decided to come do this trip. Put in some plugs for CAF board.

Italy day 3

Got up and enjoyed the most amazing breakfast spread at the Hilton. It was huge and all kinds of food, including honey comb and meats, cheeses. Private transfer to Milan in a range Rover. Checked bags at hotel and walked through Milan. Did the castle sforsecono museum tour. It was quite impressive the collection. School group of kids dressed up in 16th century with wood swords. Walked around Milan. Found a great local place to eat. Fasting working Italians we have seen. We to tour meeting spot. Walking tour of Milan. Went inside la Scala. It was amazingly beautiful. The Duomo. Always impressive. And then we caught a bus to the last supper. It is really quite gorgeous, and considering everything that it has been through that it still exist at all. 

Ate a Mexican/Asian fusion place. Italians eat so late, we were the first ones there.  Cab ride back to hotel.

day 4

Walked through Milan to the modern art museum.  Good exhibits, too impression for me. Saw some cool ad prints of Toulouse-Lautrec. Walked through Milan's fashion district. Mont Blanc, aleesi, pinedier. Towards hotel. Found amazing local restaurant. Private transfer to train station. Train to Genova. First class, was very nice. Arrived in Genova. Hotel is nice. German brew house for drinks, dinner at local place, it was pretty awesome. Bar on winding old streets afterwards. 

Italy day 1

Flight was uneventful, nice entertainment options now. Hard to sleep on plane. Munich airport was nice. Shuttle out to plane. 

Driver took us to como, very nice Mercedes. Checked into hotel and ate lunch on room. Interesting assortment of people.

Walked around Como. Loved seeing the evening stroll, all the town out. Went into duomo. Beautiful Romanesque cathedral. Dinner back at hotel restaurant, was quite lovely. Again great people watching.

Italy day 2

We got up bright and early, headed to water ferry terminal. Took rapid boat over to Bellagio. Coffee and breakfast. Walked these amazing beautiful salitas that wind up the hill side. Took local ferry to other side of lake, walked into the hillside saw small local church. Small lane down the main street. Villa corlatta. Amazing gardens and beautiful palace. Took ferry back over to Bellagio for lunch. Had lunch at a ln amazing outdoor cafe on a side street. Missed ferry because it did not say como. Walked some more and had A beer. Able to slip onto next ferry. Dinner down como at platea. Wonderful experience, amazing steak. No cabs so we hiked back to hotel. Exhausted. Had 31,000 steps!  Weather was perfect, not too hot.