The Leaning Tower and our Farewell Dinner

Driving through Tuscany there are fields and fields of sunflowers. I've never been a particularly big fan of sunflowers, but to see them growing in such huge numbers with the mountains in the distance was really striking. One thing that struck me was how they all faced the same direction. They lift up their "faces", always looking towards the sun. They follow the sun across the sky, basking in its glow and reflecting its beauty. It reminded me that we should lift up our eyes, always looking towards the SON. Then we, too, will reflect HIS beauty and glory!

Day five we went to Pisa! It's a small little town, but with a great attraction! Check out how strong we are! What would it do without all these tourists propping up the tower?

The Baptistery, Cathedral, and tower in the distance.

With one finger, ladies and gentlemen. Pure strength.

I needed my leg strength!

My favorite hotel! SUPER COMFORTABLE BED and beautiful room! It's the Starhotel Vespucci. I highly recommend it!

Our last night we all got dressed up and went out for a Tuscan dinner. It was at a vineyard among the hills of Tuscany a few miles south of Florence. They had strawberry wine waiting for us while musicians walked around strumming their guitars. We stood in the courtyard and drank our strawberry wine. (and tried not to sing Deana Carter!)

They they took us to our tables, which were outside in tents. They had a buffet of cold appetizer. I tried and for the first time enjoyed a black olive! There was plenty of wine, grown and produced by the vineyard. Then they brought fabulous pasta dishes. It was a nice slow luxurious meal with plenty of time to let each course settle before the next was brought out. This way we could enjoy everything!

Check out that prime rib!!!

The prime rib was fabulous. The guitarists followed us to our eating area. At times a vocalist came out and sang (and flirted). It was such a nice evening with perfect weather!

After dinner there was amazing desert. JC had the berry pound cake and I had tiramisu. They brought out champagne and then coffee. It was fabulous!

It was also the fourth of July! To help us celebrate they provided fireworks and sparklers! Afterwards, someone in a different group started the Star-Spangled Banner and all the Americans joined in. It was incredibly touching and so beautiful and meaningful. It brought tears to my eyes and was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I love visiting Italy, but I LOVE AMERICA. God bless our country!!

Happy Birthday, America.