Vulci...

I feel a little behind on our adventures right now...I was pretty busy this weekend getting things ready for Clayton's birthday...hopefully I will catch up this week! On Friday afternoon, we (the kids and I, Grandma, Shilo, and Shannon) went to Vulci. Vulci is an archeological park very close to Montalto and it is the most intact ruins of an Etruscan town in Italy. It's crowning glory (which were closed when we were visiting) is the frescos in the Francois Tomb...they have the most preserved frescos with the colors intact...next visit! It also has an Etruscan museum in a castle which we saved for another occasion. As it was, we went on a 4 km hike with the kids through the Lazio countryside. Warm when the sun was out, but pleasant with the breeze. Here is a picture of one of the sites...this is an aristocrat's residence...

Here is a picture of the tilework that was under the roof...tiles were about 1/4 inch square...

This was probably the coolest part of the park...this is an underground corridor, lit by sky lights from the ground above us...it is called a criptoportico...

Here is Gwen with her map...taking after her mom...I never leave home without a half a dozen maps these days...you never know when you need one, or what fun stuff you might miss out on if you don't bring them!

Ah, Gwen...had been acting VERY two in Vulci...it was a good thing there weren't alot of people. She has a very independent streak and stubbornly refuses to do anything with help...wonder where she gets that! The silver lining...she is the only one of my kids who threw a major temper tantrum in an Etruscan ruin! Eventually, she came around a bit and at least wanted to be with the family. Here she is peeking over one of the ruin walls looking at a lizard sunning himself...

And what would an Etruscan ruin be without a picture of an Etruscan road...

And the prize for hiking down the hill...a pretty waterfall!

We enjoyed our walk, Etruscan ruins, and beautiful Lazio countryside. Now, if I can get my 2 year-old to behave and enjoy ruins...life would be perfect! (I am dreaming...life is perfect just as it is)

Ciao a tutti