Stella's visit

We were graced by a visit from Stella Fronius, daughter of friends Floyd and Marcia, earlier this week.  We watched Stella grow up over the past 16 years, and now she is a junior at UC Santa Cruz, doing a quarter abroad at NUI Galway in Ireland.  

Stella and Carmen

The occasion was a good excuse for a day trip to Siena, our first time there since our Italian vacation eight years ago.  Monday was rainy, but we set out anyway by the back roads of Tuscany.  Stella wanted to take pictures, but her phone was not cooperating, so Carmen offered her Nikon and turned her loose.  Most of these are Stella's pictures (with a little help on settings from the fotografa di famiglia).

Scenes from our drive through the Chianti Hills on a rainy day.  The vinyards are turning their fall colors.

It is nice to have someone to take pictures of both of us!

...and here are scenes from Siena:

Narrow streets; tie up your horse here

Statue of Romulus, Remus, and mother wolf

One of many entrances to the Piazza del Campo

Siena is famous for the Piazza del Campo and the Palio, a 700-year old bareback horse race they hold here twice every summer.  I have a hard time imagining horses and jockeys careening around this cobblestone piazza, and I doubt if I will ever get to see it since one would have to camp out days in advance just to be in the piazza for the race.  And even if you were there, you may not see the race for the crush of the crowd.  The piazza was much more mellow when we were there.

No need for a minute hand

Which hand's got the chocolate?

At the end of the day, it is time to relax by the warm fire with a glass of wine.