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Walking to my gate in Seattle, I passed a couple deep in conversation. I only caught a snippet: “…well after we did our FIRST round of Jager shots…” I bet the story gets good from there!

On a foggy Saturday in San Francisco, memories of a sunny Friday in Florence warmed my soul. Text is from Day 8.

Awoke to a brilliant sunny day. Met a charming British couple over breakfast…the husband a stone mason in London with a unique appreciation for the amazing stonework in Florence.

To get ahead of the surge of midday tourists, began our day with a climb to the top of the Duomo’s signature dome…the very first Renaissance dome. Scaled 463 steps to the summit of Brunelleschi’s masterpiece. Winding staircase straight up the walls of the Duomo, then along the inside rim of the dome past amazing stained glass windows and fantastic frescoes, and finally up narrow, slanting staircases until you’re actually walking on top of the interior walls. Popped up (finally) through a floor panel. Met by cool breezes in the face and sweeping panoramas of Florence and the surrounding hills. Passed crowds on the way down…we chose the right time.

Simple pizza for lunch, then off to walk the gardens south of the Arno. Our first visit to the Giardino Bardini…with numerous flower gardens, winding hillside walkways, and high views of the river and the historic center beyond. A simple 17th-century villa sat perched at the top. The Duomo was warmly lit in the distance.

Our entrance ticket allowed us to continue into the adjoining Boboli Gardens…the famous gardens behind the grand Pitti Palace. Entered the Bobili after a quick tour of Forte Belvedere, an imposing fortification on the hilltop. The fort’s ramparts and “ratholes” reminded of our trip to Germany…we know Keegan would have enjoyed this part.

Wound our way through the Boboli Gardens…tree lined paths leading to garden rooms with flowers or statues or fountains. At the rose garden at the top of the Boboli, we drank water from one of several continuous drinking fountains…this one saved us from dehydration on our last visit, a.k.a., the death march. Watched a heron fish for its dinner. Returned to the Pitti Palace to visit two galleries: the Galleria del Costume (our first visit to these ornate state apartments) and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna.

Dinner after a shower and much-needed respite. In the mood for pasta, so we returned to Baldovino. Fresh caprese and warm focaccia rabie. Two fine pasta dishes: spaghetti alla carbonara and gnocci with asparagus and bacon. Friday night drinks nearby. In one bar, watched the final 15 minutes of an American Idol type show but with Italian opera hopefuls. The Friday night crowds were out in force, and bars were full by 11. Pleasant temps outside; very warm inside…curiously, saw three people with heavy scarves…inside!! Cool Italian beers kept us refreshed.

My trip to Dallas had all the trappings of a typical business trip…the good parts revolved around good food with close coworkers…the bad parts involved boring hotels and infuriating flying…I will leave them for a future rant…I am home and relaxed 🙂

One highlight was our dinner Wednesday night at a quirky, local fried chicken joint named Bubba’s. Annette pointed out this Southern Living favorite, and we were not disappointed. Crispy fried chicken; sweet rolls; rich mashed potatoes and gravy; and perfect southern-style green beans my dad would be proud of. A big YUM.

Drinks that night at the new W hotel, and its trendy ghostbar lounge with 33rd-floor views of the city. I had a refreshing muddled mandarin orange drink.

I have this uncanny ability to visit hotels just prior to major renovations. Case in point…the Sheraton Dallas, where I am staying this week. When you step into the pink-and-teal carpeted lobby, or the cheap wood paneled elevators, you can tell this hotel is in need of an update. But my hopes were raised when the fake bronze/plastic sign on room read “Executive Suite”! What magic number had I drawn to get “upgraded”?

Well, I would hate to see the non-executive rooms. This plain room is severely dated with no signs of any modern conveniences. Oh wait, they did place a shaving kit–a cheap plastic shaving kit–in the bathroom. I suppose their research has shown that most executives don’t travel with razors?

Ah well…I hear that they are starting a renovation soon. Great timing.

One irritating “convenience” that I hope is not the start of a trend. When I plugged my laptio into the room Internet connection, I had the option of paying $9.99 for their basic rate Internet, or getting two levels of higher speed access for an addition $5 or $10 on top of the base rate. Are you kidding…this is expensive enough for 24hours of access…of which I use about 2 hours.

Pooh. I’m heading to Starbucks. At least I get a yummy latte while I’m being gouged 🙂

…my cab driver just farted 🙁