Opening the door just before the dogs came charging in to greet us.

Home is quiet for a few seconds before the dogs came storming in to greet us.  After catching up with the kids, we began catching up on our sleep.  The trip may be over, but the memories will survive forever.

Home!!!

After so many hours in the air and in airports, home looks great.

Departing Boston for DFW.

Our return to DFW and the end to an amazing 40th year celebration of our wedding is near.

Only one more flight home.

Arriving in Boston, back in the USA!

Madrid Airport

Here we are on the people mover passing through the modern Madrid airport en route to our departure gate for Boston.

Returning to the hotel

The sky is brighter and my memories of Madrid are very fond.

Departing the park

I exit Retiro Park with fond reflections of both my early morning walk and our wonderful stay in Madrid.

This residential balcony directly overlooks Retiro Park.  Did I mention that I am consummately jealous of the occupant?

Other living things also enjoy art, but for different reasons.

I think that this could be noted as a bird's eye view.  I just wanted to point out that  the bird lives to fly, while the sculpture remains permanently in recline.

Tranquility in the park

This is the life - with your own piece of the park.

The sculptures lead to forever or so it seems.

I keep finding amazing sculptures attracting my attention.

My morning hike continues and I am loving it.

I am enjoying a very inspiring, early morning walk in Retiro Park, Madrid.  Simply put, I am having the time of my life.

The monument keep inspiring as morning comes alive.

As the sky clears, I encounter the Monument of Alfonso XII, quite a setting!

The ducks are also up early to enjoy the park.

Obviously, some of the regular visitors to the park liked this morning setting as much as I.

Crystal Palace in Retiro Park

I had so looked forward to this site of the Crystal Palace in Retiro Park.  I was delighted to find that the actual, morning view was much better than my anticipation.

A sculpture in the park

Around every bend of a path in the park, I was introduced to Spain's culture.

The peacock family is also out early

While strolling in the park among birds, ducks, swans, and cats who were also up early, I came across this family of peacocks out for a leisurely jaunt.  I dare not get any closer as they live here and I am simply the tourist.

Madrid's central park comes alive.

The blends of color are ever present.  Note the blue and white color of the sidewalk immediately in front is emblematic of the old Spanish flag.

My walk in Madrid's Retiro Park begins early.

As sunshine begins to creep into the park, I find blends of water, greenery and monuments everywhere.

My last walk in Madrid is amazing.

As I head off to Retiro Park, The views and the sky keep presenting wonderous contrasts.

Dawn of our last day in Madrid

Up early to view Madrid and what a beautiful morning sky awaited me.

The end of the last night of our vacation holiday!

As we return to the Palace Hotel, for the first time, we find their exquisite lobby quiet.

Another view of the Chocolateria San Gines

Just to confirm that we were not the only chocolate lovers enjoying the Madrid night, here is a view of some of the tables along the sidewalk outside the Chocoloteria San Gines.

Closing out our last Madrid night in style.

We closed our night at the famous Chocolateria de San Gines.  The cup in the front on the left is filled with delicious chocolate for dipping.  We avidly took to this eating ritual which draws crowds beginning after midnight with the post dinner crowd and the late night partiers concluding with the morning traffic headed to work.

Madrid - alive at night!

After dining Thursday evening on Spanish cuisine in the oldest restaurant in the world; we walked the streets to enjoy the night atmosphere of Madrid. Our dinner reservation was for 10:00 PM; so, this photo was taken after midnight. They do live for the night.