Did the Trampathon really happen???

As I sit here writing this entry I'm puzzled why it is so difficult to get my thoughts together and start typing my fingers off.  It's been four weeks since I ran the Madrid Marathon and three weeks since I flew back to Alaska, why then the block?  I feel like I am still decompressing from the European trip and from my trip to Ft. Collins to attend my daughter Laura's graduation from Colorado State.  This week is the first "normal" week, in that I am not having to prepare for another out-of-state trip and don't have pressing family events (like Hannah's graduating from 6th grade into Middle School)...although the week is indeed a busy one.  I'm reminded about my first day back to Anchorage...I arrived totally fried at 2:30 am on May 2.  I woke up later in the day in a daze and disoriented.  I stumbled through the day with the family and then later that night attended "The Wizard of Oz" performance at the Performing Arts Center.  Talk about a "what's on first and who's on second" moment, I wanted to click my ruby slippers and travel back to a quiet cafe in Paris, have a cup of coffee, and watch the world go by.  Well, that didn't happen.  Soon I was back doing outdoor chores, indoor chores, working back at the Corps of Engineers part time, and the days were flying by.  Everyday since I returned to Alaska, I wondered

when I would have the quality time I need to tell you about my European adventures and share the 2500+ photos I took along the way.  There's so much to tell.  My daily Facebook posts helped to establish some story line benchmarks that I hope to expand upon.  Luckily I took daily notes to help my fading ability to remember things in detail.  My sister Carol, a published author of poetry and retired high school English teacher, has given me some advice about how to organize my thoughts and how to present my stories.  Over the coming months, yes months and not days, I plan to post stories in a chapter format and provide slide shows as illustrations.  My immediate task, however, will be to develop an outline of topics worthy of your attention.  I know some chapters will cover the individual marathon events, adventures in each city/town visited, observations about European life styles, all the great food, the mass transit adventures, some of the folks we met along the way, etc.  I think the real problem I face right now is that the Alaskan summer is just around the corner and the last thing I want to do is be inside the house .... there are fish to catch, trails to hike and ride bikes on, camping opportunities, golf and tennis matches, etc. etc. etc.  Like I do for running my marathons, I'll go nice and easy and eventually reach the finish line.  I hope you all hang in there with me.  Now, back to my chores!

Photos: The Grand Palace in Madrid, Spain; Overlook of Florence, Italy (Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral); Bob and I with fellow Rome marathoners; the Alcazar in Toledo, Spain; My sister Carol and Mom with me in Toms River, New Jersey.