This the the view from the top of the Duomo's Dome. We climbed 463 stairs in narrow steep winding staircases to get this view of Florence.

On top of the Duomo, on top of the world.

Another view from another of the eight sides of the Duomo, remember the religious importance of the shape of the domes.

A closer view of the top of the dome from a walkway on the way up.

This little etching is of Michelangelo. Legend says that he was challenged to carve a self-portrait with his hands tied behind his back. This is the result. History says he wsa not a pretty man. He even had a broken nose that healed funny. He was the first to represent people in their natural form, making ordinary beautiful. This in on a corner of the building Palazzo della Signoria or the Town Hall in Palazzo Vecchio.

We did another bike tour to get our bearings and see what we wanted to see. This one only lasted two and a half hours. Thank heavens because we rode the worst bikes I have ever been on. I think we could have pictured them in the junkyard if we could find it. It is so Italian to kind of make do with whatever. All the bike tires were at least half flat which makes rides on cobblestone just peachy. My bell to signal to pedestrians that I was coming behind them was damaged so it made a very small clink that I couldn't even hear let alone someone I was trying to not run over. My left brake was a better signal because it sounded like an air horn when pressure was applied. I tried to stay off that brake and use the other, but the right brake was barely working. I should have taken a picture of Tanner's knees. His brakes didn't work at all so he would rest his knees on the petals and Fred Flinstone it with his tenni shoes to stop. You had to be careful too because your bike would turn the corner and your seat would keep going straight. I'm just glad we had enough bikes. This maybe why we got the ones from the crypt that day. We had eighteen people riding, some who looked like the last time they had been on a bike was during their childhood. I am glad our family rides regularily. Between the one-leg-in-the-grave bikes, the crazy motorists, and statuesque pedestrians we managed to stay right behind the tour guide.
Tyler is a funny kid. He always likes to be in the front of the pack. We started out in last, but before we knew it he was right in behind the tour guide. This is in everything he does. He is the first in line, the first to get up to the front of the ticket booth. He isn't buying anything; Todd usually moves him over. But he's a man large and in charge. He wants to be in the thick of things. He told Todd he could order what they were buying the other day so he goes up to the counter and says, "due Cokes." The man smiled and gave him a big, "Va bene."

O.K... all the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies. Who cares, any lady, or not, for that matter, there is an ongoing competetion in Florence as to who has the best butt - Persius or David. Both sit outside the Town Hall building in Palazzo Vecchio. I was a David fan, until I knew that Persius' butt existed. Above is David... and below is Persius. The Florentine's say Persius wins. He is not as famous as David. Maybe they should show his butt more and he might catch up. Remember that this is all carved out of marble thousands of years ago with chisels and sandpaper by hand. It could be my butt and still be awe-inspiring. Well, not really, but you know what I mean.. no pun intended.

This is a view off of The Ponte Vecchio Bridge overlooking the Fiume Arno, which means Arno River.

A view of the castle turrets from the fortified palace, Town Hall, in Palazzo della Signoria.