Mary Anne Stops By

Mom was in for a five-night visit amid brisk Minnesota fall weather, perfect for solving crossword puzzles by the fire with the next-door neighbors.

What's In the Water?

Dad just sent me an e-mail asking about one of the photos from the Europe trip. "In the segment on Piran, there are pictures of what look like buoys out in the water (Adriatic), and then ropes with some kind of plant or seaweed attached to them. Do you know what that is?" he asks.

We were confused by that at first, too!! The photos in question (including the two above) were taken while we were on the boat cruise around the peninsula of Piran. We saw the buoys from a distance and were wondering what they were. We thought maybe they were something to do with harvesting salt? For centuries, Piran was famous for salt-making. (Later, though, we learned that they only harvest salt from local salt marshes now, not from the sea anymore.)

When we finally got up close to the buoys and went down to the glass-sectioned part of the keel, we got a good look (which did not translate well on camera) at long ropes covered in mussels. From what we can tell, no special effort is really done other than hanging the ropes in the water: the mussels just choose to attach there. The view we got made it look like it was a mix of mussels, versus just one type: which was borne out on the local menus, all of which advertised plates of "mixed mussels." We ate them twice -- garlicky and buttery, yum!

Hmmm. I wonder if I know anyone who would like mussels.

Bicycle Monday

Mike gots a blog! Digging the sweet shelves. :)

She's Number One!

We have just received news that Mom/Mary Anne has finished the year as the number one ranked Melges 17 sailor in the world. In the world, people! This is an amazing accomplishment for any sailor, let alone one who started seriously training in her forties. Mom, once again, you're a hero and a role model. Congratulations!

Photo Highlights of Piran, Slovenia

This is the view of Tartini Square, named for a local composer/violinist, from the top of the Campanile, which was modeled on the one in Venice.

In his eponymous church, St. George slays the dragon. (Isn't it interesting that Christianity allows for the existence of dragons?)
Like much of Ljubljana, Piran is prettiest at night. This is the view from our balcony.

These Slovenian preschoolers were soooo excited about seeing a train!This is near the Piran lighthouse; the photo was taken from a harbor cruise boat.

Piran is famous for seafood, such as these mussels. (We ate them several times -- delicious!)

This sweet kitty sat next to me both times we had lunch at Pizzaria Tartini, which included what may have been the best pizza M and I have ever had.
M gets into the spirit of the local graffit.