"Today is a Good Day to Drive!" .....Van-Go

There were shutters and laundry everywhere. Tree lined streets. Tunnels. Bob and Don knew we were on the right path when we passed the jet plane. The walled city of Lucca passed and Sueann said we would be back later in the week. We stopped at Maddalena's Bridge, better known as The Devil's Bridge. The Maddalena's bridge or Devil's Bridge (ponte del diavolo) connect the two banks of the river Serchio at the height of Borgo a Mozzano. Its construction goes back to the era of the Countess Matilde di Canossa (1046-1115), that had large influence and power on this zone of Tuscany, the 'Garfagnana', but its current aspect is due to the reconstruction carried on by Castruccio Castracani (1281-1328), Sir of the near town of Lucca , in the first years of the 14th century. The aspect of this medieval bridge is the classic, for its high frequence in Tuscany, called at 'donkey back', here, and this becomes a unique characteristic, with asymmetric arches. The bridge...

After 48 hours we have arrived in Pisa, Italy; Kathy takes a moment to relax and let the feeling creep inside. Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its leaning tower, the city of over 89,373 residents contains more than 20 other historic churches, several palaces and various bridges across the River Arno. Pisa draws its fame to an architectural project gone wrong. Tradition has it that you have your photo trying to hold it up. The Leaning Tower of Pisa or simply the Tower of Pisa is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square after the Cathedral and the Baptistry. The  Cathedral  was consecrated in the year 1118, ...

After sitting at the airport for hours watching planes come and go, people rush about to and fro,  and the sun going low, it was time for us to depart Montreal. Our destination was Munich, Germany. Up, up above the clouds looking down to the farms and fields like toys below us. In Munich we walked across the entire airport, through check points and gates and finally departed on the last leg of our flights to Pisa, Italy.  We flew over the Alps. And across the Italian Riviera  to land at Pisa International Airport. We no sooner got outside when we were Greeted by Sueann, Don and his brother Bob. With our luggage being rolled along we followed, our eyes soaking in this new country. The cars are small; they seat 5 at the most.  You can see Don is driving and his brother, Bob is navagator.   In the back seat with Sueann we gaze out the window as we are whisked away to Pisa where everyone else will meet us.