The Long Road Home

They got us up at about 3:30 AM to make a 6:45 AM flight up to Frankfurt, where we have an hour layover before we catch the flight back to Portland. We're scheduled to get into PDX at 11:20 AM. I hope to grab a moment in Frankfurt and post this for y'all when you wake up Wednesday. (Happy birthday, Jill!)

Photo: Assisi

Many of the kids were planning to stay up and get real tired so they could sleep on the planes. I slept a bit on the first plane and hope to get some snoring done on the second as well. I've never been able to sleep on planes or buses before this trip, but I've managed to get some solid snoozing done on the bus (and for an hour on the boat ride to Naples yesterday.)

Photo: Florence

Looking back, I have to say that Kate has gotten better and better at travel throughout our journey. She's also better about walking everywhere while we've been here. She's been an absolute trooper in the heat - and even the native Italians have been saying it's been extreme. Her working command of Italian is better than ever, and she's not shy about using it. She says "No!" to the hawkers of fake rolexes and purses with a finality I can only hope to emulate, and they leave her alone after that!

The other kids have similarly done great - they've all gotten along well with each other and with those around them. If they've missed home very much, they haven't shown it. But that's natural - there's been so much to see and do. Taking this trip has been good for their sense of independence and security in the world, in addition to showing them one of the great nations of Europe.

Photo: Fresco from the Vatican City

For myself, I'll be pleased if I walked off a few pounds over here. But with all the great pasta, pizza, and other yummies we've had, I'm not betting on it.

I'll post all this when we get home to Portland. Time for the last lap!


Photo: St. Anthony's in Padua