Another unit drive

Far from a burden. If I ONLY got paid for driving vans all over Europe with a co-leader buddy like Lynny I would be a happy woman. The idea that this is only the start of my season is baffling. We joke about "Backroads time" often. Last year I led one trip with Lynny and then saw her on staff ride, but meeting back up to drive our van and equipment from France to Croatia feels like I have been reunited with an old friend. As if we have known each other for years.

This job is so unique and all the people that work for this company are so interesting that it often accelerates the standard friendship timeline. It's a process that is hard to describe. Within days of meeting someone you are often sharing responsibilities, a room in a hotel adn hours and hours and hours of conversation.

This year we drove about 8 hours to Toscana and met up with Lynn and Levi (lots of Ls in my life) then the following day we were onward to Puglia. I have been "through" Italy a number of times, but this is the first time I've been able to really explore beyond driving the autostrada northern route from one border to the other. We went clear down to the boot to hang out with Scotty, Paolo and Jill and it was worth every second of drive time.

I discovered that I love aperitivos, good coffee, pesce crudo, and dancing with friends till the wee hours of the morning. Dancing till I blister my feet type of dancing. This new route to Croatia (capped off by sleeping in the van for an 8 hour overnight ghost ferry to Dubrovnik) has reminded me that I love the job beyond description and it is all attributed to my co-leaders. I could not wipe this smile off my face if I tried.

Hence the beginning of Team Awesome Adriatic and the 2011 Snuggle and Snore Tour.

Instead of photos we took a lot of moderately poor quality but highly entertaining videos. Well, at least we think they are kind of funny. More memories coming soon...

Out with a bang

My last days in Pernes were spent with great friends, incredible rides, breathtaking sunsets, beautiful markets and delicious food.


I rode Gorge de la Nesque with Bronwen and Lynny. Two strong, independent women with an inspriring zest for life. Both have such bright and contagious energy...to say we shared a few laughs is the understatement of a lifetime.


As discussed before, I have a rule about playgrounds. If you have the time and see a good playground, I strongly believe that you should always stop. There isn't a bad day that swings can't cure. And if you can get off the merry-go-round without giggling and stumbling around...well...I'd say you are a bettre woman than I, but that's not really true now is it? Not that I'm better than you either, but I do think I am better off for enjoying the silly things. Enjoy ALL the little things. They literally can make the world a better place and every day a little brighter.

Ps. Irises are ditch weeds in France. Who knew?