Visitors From The West

Visitors From The West

Our two week temple break for the closedown started with a fantastic visit from family.  Sherod, Emily, Jack and Charlie arrived in Madrid and we were thrilled to be there to meet them.  They arrived looking way too good for such a long trip across the USA and Atlantic.  We got three full days with them, and had a blast showing them some of our favorite places in close proximity to Madrid, before they left for a fun tromp through the UK.

On day one we started out by going to breakfast at our favorite Madrid breakfast spot, McDonald's.

No surprises here.  Its the same all over the world, pretty much.
 I'm not sure you can get tomato on your toast at home.

Then we hopped onboard the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus for a tour of Madrid.  Our first
hop-off was the Palacio Real, or Royal Palace for you non-Spanish-speaking folks.

They turned around for a view of the National Cathedral.

Charlie standing guard.

Inside the Palace.

We hopped off again at Plaza Mayor.  A crazy "Roman" attacked us.

Sherod was a good sport.

We hopped back on.

Hopped off again for the Museo Arqueologico Nacional.  I bet you
can figure that one out.  Everyone went to bed exhausted.

Day two was a trip to Toledo about an hours drive from Madrid.  I love this town!

Jack and Charlie were introduced to Don Quijote.

I was surprised they had never heard of the Man of La Mancha.
I hope by now they have at least watched the movie.

There was a festival going on in Toledo.  That was good, because it was
 decorated to the nines.  It was bad, because it was very very crowded.

The banners provided some needed shade, and that was good.

One of the best places to visit in Toledo is their fantastic Cathedral.

Everyone was properly impressed by the vastness of the edifice.

The intense workmanship was also impressive.

Larger than life-sized figures adorned the stage.

This puppeteer was amazing.

So was the puppet.

I couldn't get the shot I wanted, but it is still a great looking family.

Since the boys had never heard of Don Quijote, we decided
to head out to windmill country, La Mancha.

Charlie and Jack got to go inside and take a look around.

We made a quick stop at the local castle.

Some interesting characters were inhabiting the place and preparing for an invasion.

Charlie felt right at home.

Views from the castle.

King and Prince are taking audience.

Mulling over the options.

The Queens says. "Enough!"

One cool King, and the coolest of Princes.

Like I said ... cool!

A great day.  We ended it with a nice dinner at THE oldest
continuously running restaurant in the world, Meson del Botin.

Day three.  We're heading north this time.

Segovia

Their first view of  a Roman Aqueduct. 

A party going on in Segovia as well, with dancing in the streets.

Sherod and Charlie give the Tango a try.

Jack and Charlie still in the dancing mood.

Now for the Segovia Cathedral.

More coolness.

Now the Moorish Castle of Segovia.

Just about his size.

A little True Confession.

Charlie was giving his mother more than little anxiety.

We all climbed the highest tower, while Greg waited below.

Storks nesting in the top of the trees.

We had time for a short trip to Avila.

Still happy campers.  I can't believe what good sports they were with major jet lag and all.

Well, some were feeling the jet lag more than others.

We only had time for a walk on the city walls.

More storks.

We can't get it to grow in fertilized soil, but they grow in cement over here.

I couldn't help but get a shot of this.

We had such a wonderful time with the family.  Thank you so much, Sherod and all for coming to see us.  It was such a treat.  And thanks for all the great treats you brought.  We enjoyed our first bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's last night, and thought of you.  Thank for all!