Author: marniesteve

Gourmet Athens

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We’ve begun our Greek odyssey after a long, multi-day journey. We left Prescott on Saturday and drove to Los Angeles where we spent the night. The next day we flew from LAX to London and then on to Athens. We finally arrived into this ancient city on Monday evening.

We made it!

Ultimately we are here for the Authentic Athens Marathon which will be held this coming Sunday. Until then, we are exploring the city.

Plaka with the Acropolis in the distance

Today we wandered the ancient part of the city, called the Plaka. Eventually we met up with Ana, our guide for the Athens Gourmet Food Tour.

Ana led us through the less-touristed parts of Athens, to local coffee shops, food purveyors, and the fresh markets.

Miran charcuterie

We tried spinach pie, Greek coffee, olive oil, feta, special donuts covered in honey, Greek yogurt, wine, and more! Along the way we learned about Greek culture, the Orthodox religion, and Athens history.

Greek Orthodox Church

Our tour with Ana was a great introduction to the city.

After a brief rest we headed back out for another walk to see the 1898 Olympic stadium, where this weekend’s marathon will finish.

First trip to the Panathenaic Stadium

In all we walked over 21,000 steps and covered over ten miles on foot today. And we haven’t yet been to the Acropolis.

All Around Athens

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During our run-up to the Authentic Athens Marathon, we’ve been exploring this ancient city and preparing for the race. Steve will do the marathon’s 26.2 miles and I’m registered for the 10K.

Entrance to the Athens Marathon Expo

Both races finish in the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympics in 1898 and the finish of the Olympic Marathon in 2004.

Panathenaic Stadium

The all-marble stadium is a key landmark in Athens, so we are excited to finish our races there.

Yesterday we navigated the Athens bus system to get to the Filaro area of town to attend the Marathon Expo. We picked up our race numbers and checked out all of the running-related exhibits at the site.

You never know who you’ll meet at the Expo

This is a traditional step for any Marathon and it’s fun to see the various vendors and try out new products.

Athens Marathon Expo

The first few days here we were on our own but now we are part of Marathon Tours, a travel group dedicated to supporting traveling runners. Our package includes a city tour, welcome cocktail reception and pre-race pasta dinner, as well as other race support.

As part of the group we visited the Acropolis. We’d been here with Mom and Dad almost 20 years ago and boy have things changed!

Parthenon

The site has seen extensive restoration which makes it easier to imagine what it looked like 2500 years ago when it was built.

The Parthenon 🏛 originally housed a 40 foot gold statue of Athena and was a temple honoring the goddess.

Parthenon

In the 2500 years since it has suffered the damages of war and transformations into a Roman palace, Turkish harem, and a World War II sentry. This place has seen history. Now it is being carefully restored.

Besides the Parthenon, various other temples have been restored upon the Acropolis. The Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, flanked by the beautiful Caryatid Porch, are my favorite parts.

Caryatids of the Erechtheion

Another highlight of our trip so far has been the Greek cooking class we took. Our small group of four learned to make seven traditional dishes including dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and spanokopita (spinach pie).

Steve the dolmade expert

We got the recipes, so be prepared for Greek food coming out of our Prescott kitchen.

Greek Salad

After a final stroll through Athen’s Central Market and the Plaka, we are preparing for tomorrow’s run. More to come!

Olives in the Central Market

View from our room of the Parthenon

Sailboats in the harbor

Parthenon

Happy at the Parthenon

Athens and the Panathenaic Stadium in the distance

Erechthion

Beautiful day on the Acropolis

The Parthenon looms

Theater of Dionysius

Original stadium seats

Athens Central Market

Athens Central Market sausages

Egg delivery in Athens

Ruins in the Athens subway station

Athens subway is clean, safe, and well organized

Our Trip Across Iowa by Bike – RAGBRAI XLVI

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We did it again. Our second RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) is complete, and like the first time, it was an incredible experience.

Sunrise in Onawa on day one

Yes, there were eight nights in a tent, long lines for the port-a-john, bug bites, occasional thunderstorms, and sore butts, but somehow those were minor annoyances compared to the joy of riding your bike across a beautiful landscape with 10,000+ other happy people from around the world.

Steve and Gary in Ogden IA

This year we began our 400+ mile ride in Onawa, IA joined by Steve’s brother Gary and Gary’s buddies Alison and Blaine.

Gary, Alison, Blaine & Marnie in Denison

Over the week we biked 60 to 75 miles per day over rolling hills. Iowa is not flat! Stopping at small towns about every ten miles, we were fueled by pancakes, chocolate milk, corn-cob grilled pork chops, and homemade ice cream.

Every pass-through town welcomed us with music, food, and plenty of photo ops.

Fun in West Liberty IA

One highlight this year was the opportunity to ride inside Iowa State University’s Jack Trice Stadium. Football season will soon be upon us and the Cyclones are ready.

Inside Jack Trice Stadium

All of the crew (except Marnie, who took a day off the bike and opted for a massage instead) did the 100 mile option on the fifth day, successfully completing 110 miles for the day.

Ute, IA

We visited towns like Coon Rapids, Ute, and State Center, each of which had its own character and characters.

Fun in Coon Rapids, IA

Everyday we stopped at least once or twice at the Iowa Beer Tent. Ten stops during the week and you get a “free” t-shirt. Gary earned the shirt, but Steve and I opted for water.

Gary in his happy place

We travel with Pork Belly Ventures, Ragbrai’s largest charter operator.

Beer/Coffee Mug from Pork Belly

After each day of biking we were welcomed into camp with our tent assembled, bags inside. After a hot shower, we enjoyed live music, beer, and dinner. It’s camping elevated.

Steve & Gary, the Huskers

One day on the route was college jersey day, and we proudly wore our Sun Devil & Cornhusker colors. We also visited Riverside, IA, a town that claims to be the future birthplace of Captain Kirk. It’s kitsch at its finest.

Steve, Marnie, and Captain Kirk

As we rode into Davenport on the Mississippi River a week later, we were happy to be finished and sad it was over. Ragbrai is an annual tradition for many and will likely be for us too. Until next year…

Davenport, IA