Am back from an indescribably beautiful trip (in every way) from the peace conference in Italy.  Over 200 global participants from almost every spiritual background looked at signs of change and ways to engage others in what is considered by many to be the 2^nd Axial Age (a focus on global interdependence). Instead of “talking heads”, group workshops covered four areas:  Reconciling with the Other, Transforming Society, Embracing the Earth Family & Rediscovering the Sacred.  I was assigned to the "earth" group. The feeling is our planet has gone too far with “me first” and we’re in the midst of understanding the importance of how connected we are.  Met some remarkably talented people and it was reaffirming to be with so many from every corner of the world working to improve conditions in their area.

 Spent four days in the hills outside Rome at a former monastery which culminated in a trip to Rome and a press conference and reception with municipal and government leaders at the Campidoglio or the Capitol Hill of Rome.  The terrace of the building overlooks the Coliseum and the ruins of the Roman Senate.  Had time to do some sight-seeing so joined a group to visit the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.  And yes, I tossed in a coin.

Next was a bullet train to Florence, a wrap-up of workshops, a press conference at the Palazzo Vecchio (the Medici palace, complete with the family album in statuary) and sightseeing.  What a magical city!  Narrow streets open up to spacious palazzos with huge churches, museums, & fountains.  Am amazed, however,  there are any Italians left standing – the pedestrians share the narrow streets  with cars, buses & scooters; all driving like they’re in the Grand Prix.  That said, I’d love to go back.

Another highlight was dinner in a 12^th century town in Tuscany called Certaldo,  It’s perched atop a hill so we took the funicular (Italian mechanized mountain goat)  to the top. Nothing in the town’s exterior has changed. We were served a tasty Tuscan dinner in a lovely courtyard.

A little R & R in LA with Erika & a walking tour of downtown LA.  Rode on the Angel Flight and strolled thru some beautiful old buildings.  The Bradley Building was quite a maze of wrought iron staircases with a cute Charlie Chaplin statue seated on a bench.

Back on the road - beginning with Sequoia NP.  Beautiful drive thru the foothills up into the mountains.  Cute little towns, one with a sequoia sized carving of Paul Bunyon out in front.  However, a deli that also specialized in bait didn't sound too appealing. By default, I picked the perfect time to be on the road.  Can’t imagine what this would be like in the summer.

The sequoias are huge.  Instead of large groves (like the redwoods) they’re interspersed among the evergreens so when the sun hits them, they’re a bright, almost iridescent, orange.  Watched a film about the reclamation of the park from a heavily populated assemblage of cabins, homes and hotels to its more natural state.  Lodges are few and small. The rooms were filled so I stayed in a small cabin.  Was warned to take all the food out of the car so Patience wouldn’t be assaulted by a bear.  I keep getting warned and seeing signs – but no bears.  Heard some rustling outside the cabin tho.

Risked a heart attack and climbed up Moro Rock where I met a father and his Jr. High daughter who were taking a “bonding” trip.  Lots of the people I met were visitors from other countries – England, Australia, Japan, Germany – just to name a few.  Figure we’ve got an economic goldmine in the tourist business.

After Sequoia, I took an ear-poppin’ ride down thru Kings Canyon.  As gorgeous as the view is from the top, it’s just as beautiful looking up from the canyon floor.  

On to Yosemite!  Imagined John Muir wandering the trails and feeling so grateful that these parks have been preserved.  Yosemite has put all the “clutter” (hotels, shops, restaurants, even a post office) in one area and left the rest of the park for hiking and some camping.  Visited Yosemite Falls, minus the water so had to take the word of a woman from the Bay area that in the spring it’s spectacular. 

The snowfall from the previous week had been cleared so over the Sierra Nevadas on the Tioga Pass we went. Started out first thing in the morning so there were very few cars – so peaceful.  Amazing to see the plants and trees growing out of the rocks. What a place this must have been millions of years ago when volcanos were poppin’, earthquakes were heaving and glaciers were leaving their trails.

A completely different view on the other side.  We went from mountain lakes and pines to rocky crags and desert.  Since I was in the neighborhood, decided to stop off at Death Valley.  Parker, my friendly bus driver in Glacier, had urged me not to miss it and he was right.  What a contrast – canyons, outcroppings, "sand" lakes in a variety of hues – browns, slate green, adobe, honey beige.  Looked like acres and acres of sand paintings.

Back in LA getting ready for the trip to San Diego.  Will get my granny fix with Raya then take her back to Salt Lake City.  I’ll spend a few days there before coming back to San Diego and beginning my southern route toward Grand Canyon.  We’ll talk later.