The 2025 Morgan Europe Trip

 March 29, 2025  Our Second trip to Santa Maria Del Monte with Collin along. We repeated our visit on March 23 to the Sacred Mount with Collin. We went up the funicular and visited the Cathedral and the home of the artist, Pogliaghi. Here are pictures of us enjoying the sites a second time. Collin taking in the sites. Rod, Paul, Clare, and Collin Inside the Cathedral. High up on the Sacred Mount. One view picture with flowers in bloom. Just a beautiful building. Back to Pogliaghi's house. On a balcony with a tripod made by Pogliaghi. Collin in the garden. Paul in the garden.

 March 28, 2025  Orta San Giulio On Friday, we drove to a small lake town called Ora San Giulio. We walked around a bit and then bought tickets for a short ride to the Island of St. Julian (San Giulio). The island has a long history of both military and spiritual use.  https://aleteia.org/2019/06/24/one-of-the-most-beloved-catholic-sites-in-italy-is-on-a-tiny-lake-island We went to learn more about Saint Julius who was born in the first half of the 4th century who traveled from Greece evangelizing the Italian peninsula. He and his brother arrived in the area around Lake Orta in the 4th century, founding the first church, the Basilica of St. Julius, on the island. This, however, was St. Julius and his brother's 100 church! Above Orta San Giulio with the island in the background. A random dock on the lake. Typical road in Orta San Giulio A plaza at the water's edge. The boats that ferry you across to the island of St. Julius. Happy passengers! The large building above all t...

 March 27, 2025  Collin Arrived today! Collin flew into Milan at 8:05 a.m. and Rod and I made our second trip to the city to retrieve him. He had a long line for customs, but other than that, everything went smooth. We came back to the villa and showed him the neighborhood, got him some coffee to help him stay awake until evening, ate out, and tucked him into bed by 8pm. Since I don't have much to post for the day, I will take this opportunity to share my photos of spring. They are definitely in a warmer growing zone than we are. It feels like Alabama, maybe? These pictures are for all the gardening fans out there! Forsythia Camellia Camellia Tulip tree Daffodils Grape hyacinth Old cedar/hemlock tree? Tulip tree close up. Hellebores or Lenten Roses More hellebores. Cute fern.  I don't know what these are. Maybe a type of viburnum? Vinca in bloom. Hydrangea leafing out Primrose grows like dandelions in the lawn. Not sure.  Hyacinths A corkscrew willow, Maybe? More hel...