I’ll keep this update brief, but again with lots of pictures. Seems that folks like pictures (grin).
Stage 1 – ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships
Flew from Charlotte, to Philadelphia, to Frankfurt, then to Madrid. Drove about 3 hours from Madrid to the race venue.
Stayed in Aldeanueva del Camino, population 789. What a quaint, country town. Not much to see, not much to do. Sometimes it’s best that way. Other than the race, we didn’t do much other than general race prep and relaxing. Dan, Cody and I did go for a run and explored a bit on Sunday before we left.
Some of these pics may be re-posts, so I apologize.
 Frankfurt Airport |
 These were EVERYWHERE |
 Racers perhaps? |
 Team USA Dinner |
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 Mmmm Café de Leche |
 Old Church. Inside was beautiful. |
Stage 2 – Madrid, Spain
We went to Madrid a day early. We had planned on staying less than a day then flying to Frankfurt to hit some spots in Germany. Long story cut short, Aaron and I decided to forego Germany altogether and stay in Madrid an extra day or so. It all came down to bike shipping issues, not wanting to travel so much we’d spend more time traveling, less enjoying the sites and the final reason of really liking Madrid. We did however, due to flight reservation debacles, end up staying a day more than we wanted. So here we sit in the Madrid airport waiting for a flight to Rome.
More pics.
Aaron, I, Dan, Kim, Rife, Cody, & Josiah hitting the town and having ice cream.
Aaron and I had dinner with Dan, Kim, Rife, Cody, & Josiah. Later, Seth, Emma and Christine showed up for a bit.
Monday pics:
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 This guy was good |
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 Mr Miyagi stepped up to bigger trees. |
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 From right to left: Me, Aaron & Dan’s finger. |
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 Too hard to resist. |
 Another statue performer |
 Tasted like soggy French toast |
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 Trying to find the chocolatier. |
 Found it. |
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 Churros! |
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Tuesday Pics. More walking and even a bike ride.
Beginning of Stage 3 – Trip to Italy:
