7 Random Things...from Miranda

I was 'tagged' by Jodi to list 7 random things about myself. Here goes:

1. We back country skiied for the first time this year, yesterday.
2. I love a good glass of Merlot.
3. I started playing the piano again, and even had it tuned.
4. I usually wear long johns under my work clothes.
5. Sitting in the middle of the vegetable garden with a kitty in my lap is the best after a day of work.
6. I love winter squash- could eat it everyday of the year.
7. I didn't wear my hiking boots once this last season:(

So now I'm supposed to tag 7 others...
Holly, Mara, Adam, Jen Chodams, Tawnya, Rina (again), and my Rich; you're up!

Greece- Athens

More pics added Sunday the 9th.

We went to Greece with our friends; 3 couples, a sister, and a baby. Chris and Holly are old friends from med school times, and Chris's sister, Brie, came too. Adam and Mara are friends from WA. And Jenny and Hoss and baby Kyler are friends through Chris and Holly. The main point of the trip was rock climbing (you didn't really think we'd just be regular tourists seeing the sights, did you?). We did spend a few rest days touring around on scooters, and a couple days in Athens, too.

This first set of pics is from Athens. The Acropolis was amazing! Athens was a full blown city by today's standards 2500 years ago. It's sort of crazy, in old Athens there seem to be ruins on every block; a fallen column here, a foundation there, an aqueduct over there...






Adam, Miranda and Mara.


Acropolis at sunset.


We could see the Acropolis from our hotel balcony where we breakfasted.

Greece- Touring the Islands

Our main destination was Kalymnos, an island near Turkey, in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands. Traditionally, this island isn't one of the main tourist attracting islands. It's main industry used to be the sponge diving. Apparently, after Chirnobl (sp?) the sponges all died, and the industry for this little island with it. They are trying to reinvent themselves as a tourist destination. The island only has a handful of little towns, and one major town, Pothia.

This is an old monastery, on the top a big hill, with an amazing view. It was spectacular to tour it.



View of Pothia from the monastery.








Hiking to Chora Castle (in background).

Castle of St John, parts are still maintained.







We traveled to a neighboring island, Kos, on a rest day. We took are scooters with us. We could see Turkey, just 5 km away. Rich kept gobbling all day. Kos is larger than Kalymnos, and it was Hippocrates home.


Brie, Rich, Chris, Adam and Mara in Kos Town.


Inside a large castle complex from about 5-700 years ago.




Asklepieion: temple to the god Asklepius and Apollo: this was a large temple complex that was also a medical school and hospital. It was a therapeutic center that attracted patients and pilgrims from far and wide. Hippocratic medicine was practiced here; therapy was applied in a scientific fashion for the first time.


Columns from the Temple of Apollo, part of the Asklepieion.



Photos from the ferry ride to and from Kos. Our 'rest' day started at 6am.


We're all looking a little tired. It's only nescafe in those cups, but it was good enough.


Hopping on our scooters after the ferry.




This is a fun video to watch, listen for Rich's "gobble".

Greece- Relaxing in Kalymnos

Here are some fun pics of our time on Kalymnos, where we spent the vast majority of our trip. One day of hard climbing was followed by some drinking and very competitive connect 4 games.

Hoss and Chris with a fruity drink.




Sunset on Telendos. This was a tiny island with a bitty town. The boat ride was a few euros, and only 10 minutes. We went for the sunset and dinner one night.










Sunset from our villa, Fatolitis.




Scootin' around Kalymnos. There are goats everywhere one this island, all different sizes and colors, and they mostly seem free range.

Greece- Climbing

Here are just a few of the many climbing pics we have.

The rock is all limestone, which can vary from vertical, with very sharp edges to overhanging with large formations, called tufas.

Chris came up with the idea to do a climbing contest. Points were earned with each climb, more points for harder climbs and leads. The stage (daily) winner had to wear the yellow 'Leader' shirt the following day. Rich and Chris were the only two that ever earned the shirt.

This was a big leading trip for Miranda. She lead many 6b's (about 5.10c) and two 6c's (but had to rest on these). 6c is about 5.11


Brie and Rich.


Holly enjoying a warm, sunny day.


We had a couple cold, windy days; Miranda's leading in her ski touring jacket here.


Rich taking a well earned rest on a tufa.


Rich ready to lead!




Hoss working hard.


Jenny.


Chris taking a rest.


Chris- Leader!


Miranda.


Rich- Leader!


The gang having a great time.




Reaching for a partly pulled rope. Adam's got one strong back.


Hoss lowering off.


At the end of a very full day. Island Telendos in background, where we went by boat one night (see above).


Mara leading.


And Kyler. Who says you can't climb with a baby?