Ferraris in Modena

Now for the very serious business of the cars. There are 2 Ferrari museums; one in Modena and one in Maranello. I’d gotten tickets to the Maranello museum so that we could try to get into the factory as we can get in free as Ferrari owners.

We hopped in a cab and got to Maranello; we had the driver leave us off at the factory. Dale was so impressed as there is a driveway that is in many photos and there he was, walking on the driveway. We asked about going into the factory and were told we had to ask at the museum so we walked there.

As it turns out, we could not take the boys into the factory as there is an age limit of 16. We were disappointed but at least we tried.

The museum in Maranello features the later cars mostly. But they are all so beautiful. And Dale loved looking at the motors displayed, although, he was disappointed by the fact that they were not put together as well as those in the actual cars.

After a lunch in the café, we wanted to go back to Modena, but it was just easier to give the cab driver the name of the Ferrari Museum. I thought we’d try to find the balsamic vinegar store and could find it from the museum. When we got to the Ferrari Museum, we thought, well why not see this one too.

The Ferrari Museum in Modena wasn’t as crowded as the one in Maranello, and didn’t have the people strutting around, trying to impress everyone with what they know and who they know, while wearing Ferrari gear.

In Maranello, the boys had wanted to drive a simulator, but the people running the photos and simulators were too busy to take any time to really help. In Modena, the woman running the simulators said “lets see if the boys can drive the simulators” brought some cushions to assist them and helped when they got stuck behind a fence. They were so funny to watch, driving across fields and landscaping, making U-turns on the track. But they did well for 10-year-olds.

The cars at the Ferrari Museum in Modena are older, for the most part. Some are from our car’s era, including a couple similar in shape to ours. A wonderful film was shown that included music from some operas. One included music from Pavarotti, music that we have enjoyed hearing at night at home. When we were visiting the Pavarotti house, a couple of years ago, we saw a photo of Enzo and Pavarotti so the whole presentation came together.

After walking back to our apartment, we found some dinner and ended the evening with nice wine.

Day 2 in Rome

We only had 2 partial days in Rome so had to make the most of them.

Today we had a tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum. This was supposed to include the underground but apparently no one could go underground today so the tour started in the arena area.

 The arena is where the contests took place, man vs, animals in the morning and the gladiator against gladiator in the afternoon. Apparently, it was a convenient way to hold executions. Hungry lions that had not eaten for a day face a person. Sounds like a real equal matchup!

Boys were really interested in the lifts that lifted animals and people to the arena and the guide was great with explaining where they were located.

From the Colosseum we went up to Palatine Hill. We spent a whole day there last year so this quick tour was fine. But Palatine Hill is really a great place to learn about Rome and its beginnings and they were impressed with the Circus Maximus. We ended the tour in the Forum but I’m guessing that the significance was lost of the boys. They were becoming more interested in chasing the pigeons.

Before going to the Colosseum, we’d asked the boys if they wanted to go back to the Pantheon and they’d said yes. After touring the Colosseum and Palatine Hill they were not interested in walking back to the Pantheon. It was hot, we were sweaty and hungry and ready to go to Modena.

We started walking towards the hotel and boys had been behind us, usually running amok, when Fynn asked “where is Emilio”? We turned around and there was no Emilio. In a panic, I ran back to where I thought I’d last seen him, Dale went in a different direction and Fynn sat at a wall, just next to where he had last seen Emilio. No Emilio.

I found a security person in the security area who did not respond to me. I then went and found another staff who took me seriously. We walked back to the entry of the colosseum and the site of the police car where a small group of people were protecting Emilio. We were not separated for long but it was really scary. There were just so many people around.

From the Colosseum we picked up our luggage and headed for the train station. Now for the reason we came to Italy: the cars and balsamic vinegar.

After dropping off our bags I told Dale, "lets walk to the main street and find a restaurant". These places pop up in the evening. Sure enough, we found an outdoor restaurant that had cheap but great wine, cheap but good food and a plaza for boys to run until food arrived.

Grandkids in Rome

Our first flight was at 7am to Chicago so we got to the airport by 4:30am. As “Trusted Travelers” we sailed thru security. Of course, I’ve found that having no liquids or foods other than crackers, biscotti, muffins, is a major factor in getting thru easily. If we take a check bag, which we each get a free check bag, then everything questionable goes there.

Bekki joined us at the airport, as she only came up with Emilio. Her departure gate was right next to ours, so she saw us off.

The Dino in Chicago

Flights were long but Chicago was a nice break. We did not eat in Chicago though because we knew we’d get food soon on the flight, at least I was hoping I would. Gluten Free is always iffy, at least it was during Covid. Now, as per United, I can order 24 hr. before the flight. And, as it happened, Gluten Free food was an option, but I will call ahead from now on.

Because our flight landed in Rome at 8am, we couldn’t check into our hotel room right away, however, we were able to leave our luggage though and go off for the day. A tired day.

1^st order of business for the boys was gelato. We found gelato and Emilio got 2 scoops while Fynn got 1. It really didn’t matter how many scoops; the cones were topped about equally high. Gelato was on the ground, on the clothes, on the face and hands.

2^nd order of business was Iced Coffee at Tazzo d’Oro for Dale and I. This is the best in the world as far as we are concerned. Our favorite is a frozen coffee that is served with whipped cream on the bottom and on the top. I prefer ½ of the cream. The coffee is frozen and then scooped out into a cup.

Cannoli and Iced Coffee

The Tazzo d’Oro is just steps away from the Pantheon so kids ran around it between eating Cannoli. We were not able to get a reservation to get in as it was a weekend but the boys didn’t seem to care. I would have liked for them to see the inside but they will need to do that another time.

Walking back to the hotel, we found a little restaurant so the boys had their 1^st real Italian pizza. There was excellent wine with gluten free Lasagna and gluteny Lasagna for Dale.

I didn’t know how the boys would react to all of the ruins. I love them, but not everyone is interested. But the boys actually enjoyed looking at them, especially, when there were cats residing in them.

A favorite Ruin, 8 cats were counted in here

When we left the hotel in the morning, we knew that thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon but we didn’t think it would be so bad. Well, as we walked back to the hotel, the rain started, and then dumped down. Fortunately, I had a rain jacket so I could cover my camera, but the others, well they got drenched. And the boys, well, they jumped in the puddles, kicked water in the puddles and carried on. Who says that rain puddles are just for little kids?

It was an early night after hot showers. We were all tired!!!

Grandkids Trip 1, Getting down to the States

 So, it is the beginning of Grandkids Trips season. This trip is with Fynn and Emilio, both 10-years-old. We are on the 1^st of 2 flights.

The trip originated after discussions over sports cars, of which Emilio is a super wiz. We thought that it would be fun to visit the super car area of the world, Modena, the land of Ferrari and Maserati. Plus, I am getting low on Balsamic vinegar so this was another excuse for visiting Modena.

We had really planned for a several things: hopefully visit the Ferrari factory, get to Modena in time for a car show, and see the underground of the Colosseum. Well, the reservations for the Ferrari factory were full, the Cavelino car show took place last weekend and we did not get tickets for the underground of the Colosseum. But we did score tickets for the Maserati factory, the Ferrari Museum, and tickets onto the Colosseum arena. And we will beg the Ferrari Factory for a tour, maybe Emilio can produce his large crocodile tears if necessary.

We came down to the States on Thursday, after Jen suggested that it might be less stressful than driving down on Friday. Was she ever right, well Thursday was a day hopefully not to be repeated for a long time.

As we were leaving Campbell River, we had stopped for a red light. There was the sound of brakes squealing. I looked in the mirror to see a truck partially sideways, nearly in the rear of our truck. That would have been an unfortunate delay.

Breakfast on the ferry

On the Ferry we were ready to offload. The 2 lanes next to ours offloaded, then the person in front of us took off in reverse. The person directing traffic was yelling “put down your phone”. Fortunately, for the person in front of us, stopped just before crunching into us, as they would have damaged their small trailer.

Once, back in the states, there were accidents going both directions. One with 8 cars northbound. After many delays we made it to Clayton/Jen’s. So glad to get out of the truck safe and sound.

Relaxing before a day of flying