Marathon accomplished

Marathon accomplished. Ashley and I finished strong and wouldn't have completed the race without one another. I started to hit the wall at mile 20-23 and then felt the runners high like never before and didn't feel any pain the last three miles. Ashley felt the wall at mile 22 and started to break down but we pulled ourselves together and finished strong. We finished the race in 4:21 which was better than our hopeful 4:30. It was definitely an experience I won't forget and a challenge to my mind and body I have never felt before. So glad to be done and to have accomplished running the whole 26.2 miles!!  The only problem is that they spelled her last name wrong....as usual.  Hoffman is so hard to spell....

Thursday---Vatican City

We arose early this morning to beat the crowds at the Vatican.  Turns out we didn't make it.  It also turns out that the tour guides offering "skip the line" services still take a good hour to get you inside.  Granted this is better than the two hour wait in the sun but not what you think you are signing up for.  After the 2.5 hour tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, we walked through St. peters Basilca.  Everything was pretty amazing.  The Vatican was probably my least favorite event due to the massive crowds.  Very chaotic and cramped, but it is Definately worth it after it is all said and done.  

Painting by Rafeal of all the Philosophers

If you look hard enough you can find Rocky in this picture.  

St. Peter's Basilica

Peter's Tomb

My favorite picture of the day

Yum Italian food..

I don't think any food we have had through our travels comes close to Italy.

Quattro formaggie Gnocchi and pizza. 

Caesar salad a little different than we are used to but still delicious. 

The food is different than American Italian in that there is a lot less salt and flavor additives used in general so Laurie loves it and Dustin is getting used to it. 

Wednesday---ROMA

So I love Rome.  So much awesome old stuff everywhere.  Call me a nerd whatever, I am fascinated by the fact that these structures were built thousands of years ago.  We were planning on doing a bus tour and then getting off for all the different areas but our hotel is literally 200 yards from palatino and about a block from the colosseum.  So we spend from 1030 till 330 walking the ruins.  It was extremely hot today so we are going to relax for a little bit, shower, and go to a quaint little restaurant down a cobblestone alley that we walked past last night.  

Tuesday--travel day to Rome

Today will consist of a van ride to the Vennice airport.  Shuttle from the airport to the train station and then a train to Rome.  Should be at out hotel downtown rome around 1900. 

Monday--Via Ferrata and Hike

On Monday Lauie and I split up.  She caught the sickness that I am almost over and Sunday she had the fever and cold sweats.  Laurie slept in and then went for a small hike right around our chalet.  I went with a Gide climbing.  We did a World War 1 Via Ferrata climb called Punta Nina.  Rated a 4 it was a lot of fun.  More challenging than I expected.  I think my favorite part was the descent.  We went from over 9000 ft to about 7000ft in about 15 minutes.  We did some scree skiing.  Who would think you can ski on rocks in just your boots.  It was a very cool experience.  I was dreading the hike back to the car the whole climb, but turns out that was the best part.  Pictures to come later