After breakfast, we toured the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over Saint Paul’s grave. The church features a portrait of every Pope that has served the church. Next, we entered the Catacombs of Callixtus, built along the Appian Way. Here, 16 Popes from the 2nd through 4th Centuries were interred, though they have been removed to various churches over the centuries.

And then, we were off to tour the Colosseum. The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater in the center of Rome. It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world, despite its age. Construction began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. The three emperors (Vespian, Titus, and Domitian) who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty.

The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff or volcanic rock, and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles.  Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers, the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It has links to the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum.

From atop the Colosseum, we saw the the Arch of Constantine and the Forum.The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Melvin Bridge in AD 312. Situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, the arch spans the Via Triumphalis, the route taken by victorious military leaders when they entered the city in a triumphal procession. Dedicated in 315, it is the largest Roman triumphal arch; the arch is constructed of brick-faced concrete covered in marble.

And then was back to the hotel for dinner and packing for our Thursday departure from Rome.

Today, we toured the Vatican, and explored its museums. 

As reported by the CIA, popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid-19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope’s holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of “prisoner” popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. 

First up was queuing up alongside the Vatican City walls to enter the Main Gate. Long lines were seemingly everywhere, but moved at a reasonable speed.

Upon entering, the Vatican Museums awaited us. The Vatican Museums are the public museums of the Vatican City. They display works from the immense collection amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries, including several of the most well-known Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. Before entering the Vatican Museums, we traversed the the Pinecone Courtyard, and the New Wing.

One of the first parts of the Vatican Museums that is seen when the visit begins is the Pinecone Courtyard. It is a large open space of 300 square meters adjacent to the corridors and halls of the museum. This pine cone was made in the first century B.C., and it was a decorative fountain that, very probably, adorned the interiors of the Baths of Agrippa.

Pope Pius VII (1800-1823) employed the Roman architect Raffaele Stern to build what is now called the New Wing (Braccio Nuovo) of the Chiaramonti Museum. Photos were prohibited in many areas of the museums and photo ops were minimal.

We marveled at the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica and stood in awe of Michaelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

After touring the Vatican, it was off to the Port of Civitavecchia where we boarded Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas. We’re officially off the internet for 10 days more or less. We had a really good dinner on board, and listened to great jazz, “Jazz Standards” by the Odyssey of the Seas Quintet.

Kay and I left Hot Springs Village at about 10:00 o’clock AM on Monday, driving to the airport in Little Rock. From there, we flew to Charlotte, North Carolina, then flying to Rome, Italy, arriving at 9:00 o’clock AM.

Italy marks my 34th country visited. Luggage pickup and customs clearance went without a hitch, and we were immediately met by our tour representative, Educational Opportunities (EO) Tours, for Rome. From the airport we bussed to the City of Rome where we descended the graceful Spanish Steps, saw a number of the Egyptian and Roman obelisks, and observed several of the famous fountains of Rome, including the famous Trevi Fountain. 

The Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, climb a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità. They were made famous by the 1953 blockbuster film Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.

The Fountain of the Boat is a Baroque-style fountain found sat the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome’s Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna). It was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII in 1623 an completed between 1627 and 1629.

The city of Rome harbors thirteen ancient obelisks, the most in the world. There are eight ancient Egyptian and five ancient Roman obelisks in Rome. The Obelisk Trinità dei Monti tis is a Roman obelisk created during the reign of Roman Emperor Aurelian (reign 270 to 275 AD). Emperor Aurelian was so impressed with the Flaminio obelisk created for Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II during the 13th century BC, he ordered a replica. It is located at the top of Spanish Stairs, in front of the church by the same name. 

The Trevi Fountain is perhaps the most famous fountain in the world and definitely in Rome. The baroque fountain on the Piazza di Trevi square was initially designed for Pope Clemens XII. However, it was not built until 50 years later; construction lasted from 1732 to 1762. The fountain’s fame is in part the result of the many films, including the aforementioned Roman Holiday.

Trajan’s Column is a Roman triumphal column in Rome, Italy, that commemorates Roman emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars. It was probably constructed under the supervision of the architect Apollodorus of Damascus at the order of the Roman Senate. It is located in Trajan’s Forum, north of the Roman Forum. It was constructed in 113 AD.

The Fountain of the Four Rivers depicts Gods of the four great rivers in the four continents as then recognized by the Renaissance geographers: the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Río de la Plata in America. The Fountain of Four Rivers is topped by the Obelisk of Domitian. It is dated to the reign of Roman emperor Domitian (81-96 AD). Originally set up in the Circus of Maxentius, the obelisk was broken and buried over centuries. Although Pope Sixtus V was aware of its location, it was not excavated until Pope Innocent X, in 1649.

And then it was off to the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a former Roman temple and, since 609 AD, a Catholic church in Rome, Italy, on the site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus. It was rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated around 126 AD. Built by Agrippa between 25 and 27 BC, the Pantheon was a temple dedicated to the twelve Gods and to the living Sovran. Traditionally it is believed that the present building is result of the radical reconstruction by Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD. It is the only ancient Roman building that has remained practically intact through the centuries. In 608 Pope Boniface IV had the remains of many martyrs removed from the Christian catacombs and placed in the Pantheon.

The Stadium of Domitian, also known as the Circus Agonalis, was located to the north of the Campus Martius. The Stadium was commissioned around AD 80 by Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus as a gift to the people of Rome and was used almost entirely for athletic contests. It was Rome’s first permanent venue for competitive athletics, erected for Domitian’s celebration of the Capitoline Games. It was patterned after Greek stadia and seated approximately 30,000. In Christian tradition, Agnes of Rome wass martyred there. This is a photo of the Arcade of the Stadium of Domitian. Architecturally speaking, an “arcade” is a succession of contiguous arches, with each arch supported by a colonnade of columns or piers. Exterior arcades were designed to provide a sheltered walkway for pedestrians. The walkway was likely lined with retail stores. 

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world (interior dimensions) and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic tradition holds that the basilica is the burial site of St. Peter, chief among Jesus’ apostles and also the first Bishop of Rome (Pope). St. Peter’s tomb is supposedly directly below the high altar of the basilica, also known as the Altar of the Confession. For this reason, many popes have been interred at St. Peter’s since the Early Christian period. St. Peter’s is famous as a place of pilgrimage and for its liturgical functions. The pope presides at a number of liturgies throughout the year both within the basilica or the adjoining St. Peter’s Square; these liturgies draw audiences numbering from 15,000 to over 80,000 people. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. Its chief architect was none other than Michelangelo!

From there it was off to the hotel for a quick nap, passing by Circus Maximus where preparations for a large concert—Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band—were being made. After our nap, we met for a group dinner at the hotel.

We both played pickleball at Balboa Baptist Church on Monday, and Kay played with her ladies’ group on Tuesday. I had an MRI on the right shoulder Tuesday afternoon and the results showed a full depth partial width rotator cuff tear, swelling, and fluid buildup—pretty much expected. Kay played golf Wednesday morning with the Lady Duffers, and a call from the orthopedic office advised that surgery was needed to repair the right shoulder; it is wait and see when I can get on the surgeon’s calendar—6 weeks to 2 months out AFTER clearances from the GP and cardiologist. I was so preoccupied that I totally forgot about a Board of Trustees meeting at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church! 

And “speaking” of the cardiologist, my checkup on Thursday provided much needed good news—everything was good and only an annual review.  Kay’s “The Book Club” met on Thursday afternoon, where the sisters of different mothers ate and discussed the book of the month.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we’re without “incident.”

No pickleball this week! For either of us! It’s been a varied week And, no golf either! We did continue semi-annual medical appointments and Kay had a couple of social events. And, of course, there were a couple of church meetings to attend. For the first time in memory, I did not have anything scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday—should have gone camping as weather was great!

I did get out to shoot photos on Tuesday, May 2, and again on Wednesday, May 3. Tuesday’s shoot was at the Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area. Here are some photos, gallery style. Just click on a photo to see an enlarged version. Of note is the first of Bee Balm blooms, a precursor to the emergence of Diana Fritillaries.

Only a few butterflies were observed.

A Cedar Waxwing posed for a photo along with an Ozark Clubtail dragonfly.

On Wednesday, the forecast was for light winds and mild temperatures—perfect for a day trip to Mt. Magazine State Park. The wildflower bloom was spectacular.

The relatively high number of species of butterflies was surprising, though most of the butterflies were ragged and worn. The Giant Swallowtail and Tiger Swallowtail were the showstoppers!

On Thursday, Kay and I got our third COVID booster injection. For me, 24-hours of misery and despair followed. I have had a reaction to each of the four injections, lasting anywhere from 24-48 hours where my temperature runs about 3 degrees above normal, and I experience flu-like symptoms, This time, after 24 hours, everything was back to normal except for lack of energy from laying in bed all day.

Towards the end of the week a few Baltimore Orioles showed up at the hummingbird feeders. Kay put our orange halves and grape jelly for them, and they bring delight with each sighting. 

It appears that when you get our age, one’s life if filled with medical appointments: GP, pulmonologist, cardiologist, dentist, optometrist and ophthalmologist, orthopedic doctor and surgeon, and audiologist; I’m sure there are some “…ists” left out.

Kay quickly resumed her full social calendar along with golf and pickleball. My days have been filled with work on my paternal ancestry, some left-handed pickleball, a couple outings to take photos, printing, matting, and framing photos, and church work and meetings. I thought after a lengthy rest, the shoulder injury would get better, but it hasn’t! And, the results of various medical appointments reveal that it is in fact a torn rotator cuff; an MRI is scheduled May 8. It would sure be nice to be healthy again.

One of the accomplishments realized this month was the completion of a draft of my paternal ancestry. So many hours went into the research and writing, I feel as if I knew them personally. Regretfully, there was good, bad, and ugly ancestors!

Also, I managed to get out to the Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area a couple of times to photograph wildflowers and butterflies. It was almost too late for some of the usual flowers as many had already bloomed. A favorite, Fire Pink, was in the last stages of blooming, but offered a couple of photos. These photos are from an April 11 visit. Just click on a photo to enlarge it.

A few butterflies were flittering about as well.Again, just click on a photo to enlarge it.

On a personal note, I was diagnosed with a probable rotator cuff tear in the right shoulder by the orthopedic clinic on April 21, and have an MRI scheduled on May 8 to confirm the diagnosis. This shoulder has been hurting more or less for over 20 years, and movement has been somewhat restricted. It’s likely that I tore or finished the tear in December and January playing pickleball, golf, and water volleyball. Anyway, here’s the long and short of it.  I am learning to do as many things left handed as possible, e.g. pickleball. left handed.  The orthopedic (PA) spelled the process out for us.  She said she suspected his MRI would come back with a rotator cuff tear. If surgery is recommended, and it is highly likely, then it will be scheduled after the MRI.  The ortho surgeon is currently booked out 6-8 weeks, so we suspect the surgery will be after July 1 or later.  It will be done in Hot Springs at CHI as outpatient surgery.  The doc will check the labrum and repair if needed, as well as reposition the rotator cuff tendon and repair the tear.  I will be in a sling for 6 weeks with physical therapy, then physical therapy for stretching and movement for another 6 weeks, then physical therapy for strengthening for another 6 weeks, for a total of at least 18 weeks for recovery. Combined with periodic back pain from lumbar spinal stenosis, I have had better days. So, after surgery no big trips for us until possibly late fall. 

On the upside and in anticipation of a lengthy recovery, I upgraded the computer work station to gain a little speed processing photos—MacMini, new monitor, keyboard and mouse, and docking station. Time will tell if it is faster. And, bird feeders—seeds, suet, and hummingbird nectar—have been located in strategic spots. Next will be lots of flowers for nectaring butterflies and hummingbirds.

Dodging wind and rain most days, I returned to the Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area on April 28, almost missing the Larkspur and Blue Star blooms. Once again, just click on an image to enlarge it.

Even a Pileated Woodpecker made an appearance.

And even a couple of butterflies survived the wind.

The winter season officially ended for us on Friday morning as we departed Palm Creek RV and Golf Resort in Casa Grande, Arizona. It was a bit of an uneventful winter with unusually wet, cool, and windy weather. Kay still managed to play lots of pickleball and golf  while I did very little in the way of outdoor activities. The likely rotator cuff tear really limited what I could do. Even taking photographs caused aches and pains. 

Nevertheless, we traveled from Casa Grande to Van Horn, Texas, a distance of just over 500 miles. With both of us taking turns driving, it was not a difficult day’s drive. After overnighting in Van Horn, the day saw us traveling to Santos, Texas, another almost 500 mile day. And, after overnighting in Santos, we finished the drive home, arriving mid-afternoon. Unpacking was more of a chore this time around, and we both were exhausted after the adrenaline stopped flowing. We were blessed in that there were no issues in the long trip home. Even the drive around Dallas-Fort Worth was not too bad.

To say that we stay busy would be an understatement. Kay has something going on almost every day and evening; on the other hand, without competitive pickleball and golf, there are large gaps of time in my days. Filling these gaps has been a relatively easy task, what with researching and writing about the Fred and Zoula Dunn ancestry (my paternal grandfather and grandmother), editing what few photos that have been taken this season, posting an occasional photograph on Facebook, and keeping this blog up to date. Wednesday evenings have become my personal favorite as we play “duplicate” bridge with the Seitz’s. Here’s how it goes. The hand is dealt, we bid the contract, and play the hand. And then, we reconstitute the hand face-up on the table, and discuss the various bids and ways to play the hand. Steve Seitz provides lots of very helpful guidance and input. Again, my favorite activity this winter. And, Friday afternoon “Arkansas” pickleball is always fun, but the dinner and adult beverages afterward is even funner!

Sunday afternoon is typically reserved for “Arkansas” golf and the 19th hole (or 10th hole in our case” but the last Sunday was called off due to lack of participants. Instead of golf, we drove to Elroy to watch the dare devil skydivers jump out of perfectly good airplanes, and free-fall thousands of feet before swooping in for a perfect standup landing. A long wait was in order because of dust devils and heavy wind.

And then, Sunday evenings are usually concert/show evenings. Our last Sunday evening concert was Down on the Country, a Credence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band featuring vocalist and professional entertainer Mike Yarema. The was a great concert with great music. And, Mike Yarema sounded just like John Fogerty.  Mike told the stories and sung the songs of this iconic group, including several favorite hits: Born on the Bayou, Fortnuate Son, Proud Mary, Who’ll Stop the Rain, Green River, and many more!

Monday afternoon, we met for the next to last HH (happy hour.) “Arkansas” happy hours provide a great time to visit, eat hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy an adult beverage or two with other Arkansans, but the number of attendees is dwindling as couples end their winter and return home. Also on Monday, Kay and I have been participating in “our street’s”neighborhood” Monday night pickleball.

The wind was howling in Casa Grande on Tuesday, March 21, so Kay and I opted to do a day trip to the Salt River area in Tonto National Forest near Mesa, Arizona, where the winds were not to high, but it was misting rain. Our goal was to view and photograph the wild horses of Salt River. We slowly passed by the 7 recreation sites where the wild horses have historically been observed: Granite Reef, Phon D Sutton, Coon Bluff, Blue Point, Pebble Beach, Saguaro Lake, and Butcher Jones. These 7 recreation sites are all within 13 miles of each other, only taking 20 minutes to get from the first (Granite Reef) to the last (Butcher Jones). There were no wild horses at any of these sites, but the landscapes were great.

We traveled further north and east on the North Bush Highway, and then veered north away from the river and Saguaro Lake. Near MP 35, we noticed a number of cars parked on the side of the highway. Sure enough, a few wild horses were coming into view on top of the hill, and they grazed towards the highway. As we watched we noticed several scattered bunches across the entire hill side.

In addition to photographing these magnificent creatures whose genes date back to the 1600s in this area high desert flowers were in bloom and presented great photo ops.

We were particularly drawn to the Cactus bloom and the Desert Globemallow, aka Apricot Mallow.

Bush Highway, we traveled south to the small city of Apache Junction, then northeast on East Apache Trail. Apache Trail is a scenic byway designated in 1998. It is approximately 39 miles long, winding in and out of some of the most awe-inspiring country in Arizona—or for that matter, in the West. A couple of years ago, we drove the section from Roosevelt to Globe, and a couple of weeks ago we drove the section from Globe to near Apache Junction (we had also driven this route a couple of years ago.) Today, we closed the loop by traveling the drivable portion of the Apache Trail from Apache Junction to Fish Creek Hill Overlook/Rest Area (MP 220). Note: Due to the potential for severe flooding from areas burned in the Woodbury Fire in June 2019, a 5-mile, unpaved section of the Apache Trail from the Fish Creek Hill Overlook/Rest Area (MP 222) to MP 227 (near Reavis Trailhead Road) remains closed for public safety reasons, due to extensive roadway damage and rock debris.

The first main attraction (4.5 miles from Apache Junction) on the Apache Trail was a reconstructed 1890s ghost town, Goldfield Ghost Town. The second main attraction was Lost Dutchman State Park. It gets its name from a longstanding legend about a lost gold mine within the mountains that was discovered, then lost to time by an infamous “Dutchman.” Even today, treasure hunters continue to scour the Superstitions looking for the lost gold. Next was Canyon Lake. It is one of three man-made lakes along the Apache Trail, and by far, the most scenic. Dramatic red rock cliffs surround the lake. Following Canyon Lake was the small town of Tortilla Flat. Founded as a stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail in 1904, Tortilla Flat is one town that’s refused to be swept away by the desert sands of time. The saloon and restaurant are famous for their hamburgers, a fact we didn’t know until later. And then, Fish Creek Hill presented itself. The drive from Tortilla Flat up to the Fish Creek Hill Viewpoint is quite challenging but very scenic. We stopped at viewpoints along the way for dramatic photos of the Sonoran Desert vistas.

Three miles east, the road passes above a short slot canyon with pools and dry falls. The road forded Tortilla Creek, up to our running board, and then soon after, the paved section ends and a narrow gravel track continues to Fish Creek Hill Overlook/Rest Area, where the road was closed.

After turning around, we traveled back to Casa Grande, winding up a great day.

While Kay is keeping active with pickleball and Sunday afternoon golf, and partying, I have been working on writing a book on the ancestry of Fred and Zoula Dunn, my paternal grandparents. My participation in sports is limited to playing occasional pickleball left-handed as the right arm is useless due to a suspected rotator cuff tear.

Weather continues to be subpar, with cooler than normal temperatures, occasional rain (much needed in the area), and high winds.

Highlights of the week include Wednesday evening bridge with the Seitz’s, Friday afternoon pickleball with the Arkansas group, Sunday night concerts, and Monday afternoon “Arkansas” happy hours.

Sunday night concerts have mostly been really good, but on Sunday, March 12, the Eagles and Friends Show featuring music of the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Joe Walsh, and JD Souther was average. It was the same band, The Big Zephyr, that performed for the Linda Ronstadt concert a few weeks ago, with another lead vocalist. Most of the musicians were “mature” and one of the lead guitarists pranced around stage like Mick Jagger—not becoming!

The “That’s Country—The Outlaw Show” On Sunday, March 17, featuring music of  Johnny Cash and his outlaw friends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Charlie Daniels was really good.

All the musicians and vocalists were good, but the fiddle (and violin) player, Cathy King from Mesa, was excepti0nal. She had all the audience rocking in their seats.

Monday afternoon “Arkansas” happy hours provide a great time to visit, eat hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy an adult beverage or two. But, the number of attendees is dwindling as couples return to their domicile.

And, Friday afternoon “Arkansas” pickleball is always fun, but the dinner and adult beverages afterward is even funner!