Italy Trip, Monday, July 24 (Day 5)
After a great buffet breakfast at our hotel (Hotel Monte Rosa), we gathered outside in our hiking finery to begin our first real hike of the trip. This was measured at 11 KM/7 MI. I thought of it as sort of our shake-down cruise as we were testing to be sure we had all the right equipment and were prepared for the hike. I had a feeling I’d occupy my normal place, which is at or near the rear. Short legs, careful stepping, high altitude, and picture taking all combine to make me a pretty slow hiker at higher elevations. I’m comfortable with that.
This hike had several different surfaces. I took pictures of a couple–continuous stone steps, and stone steps with some earth between them. And of course, altitude change. It was all UP!
The rest stop was about half-way. Here seems like a good place to mention that these trails have had something wonderful–fountains! Just like in New Zealand, the water in the streams is good to drink, so you can just fill up your water bottle wherever there’s one of these so you don’t have to haul all of your water from the beginning of the trip. This is a very nice thing, and really makes some good pictures, too!
From there, Kim and and I went the shorter way with Jo staying with us. Everyone else opted for a longer path up with Andre (not sure of this spelling, but I’ll find out as he’s been really great as our local expert guide–he’s very knowledgeable and kind and helpful). It was all the same elevation since we were going to the same place, and I thought fewer overall steps sounded like a good idea!
The picture through the trees to the mountains in the distance was too good to pass up. The sky was cooperating with beautiful blue and bright fluffy clouds…just soul-inspiring.
At the top of this trail, the trees quite suddenly give way to a beautiful meadow. I walked about 50 feet into the meadow and decided it was time to get out the big camera. All the day’s pictures up to now were with the iPhone, but the meadow itself, and the buildings, and the surrounding mountains, were just postcard perfect. This is truly why I’d hauled the heavy camera up the mountain in my backpack!
[I don’t recall if I’ve explained the camera situation. I found a backpack online that has a stiff-sided camera compartment in the bottom. That opens up from the pack on the side that faces your body, so the camera is very secure. The rest of the pack is for day-hike essentials, even a water bag. I figured with this I could pack the camera up with it in a comfortable position in the middle of my back without having to have it dangle from the sling where it tends to pull me off balance ’cause it’s so heavy. Well, the plan worked! The camera was pretty easy to carry, didn’t dangle, and was easy to get out when the “big gun” was called for.]
I managed to arrive at the top of the trail first and our guide Jo and Kim made it up shortly afterward. Kim and I posed for a SUCCESS! picture commemorating our making it to the top. It was a real effort and we were both very proud of ourselves!
From the top of the trail, looking right is a cluster of buildings that are reminiscent of a swiss chalet. There are beautiful flowers being grown here and gardens for the folks who live here, as well as those who eat at the one restaurant in this area. (Supplies for the restaurant mostly come in my helicopter, BTW.)
There are several pictures of the rest of the buildings, which are to the left of the trailhead, including the chapel–outside and in.
I got a couple of “advertising” shots of tour leader Jo with Kim and some other beautiful pics. When you get to the one with the berm on the back and the folks eating at a table behind–that’s our group having lunch at the back of the restaurant. Bread, cheese, some meats, polenta, and plenty of water. Even coffee for those who wanted. Nikki had a hot chocolate. I had had one of those earlier while we were waiting for the rest of the group and I can attest that it’s really thick and good!
The last picture was one I sneaked of Kim and Trish with the church and the meadow and mountains in the background. What a setting!
The trip downhill was faster, but I felt I had to be even more careful about where I put my feet. One false step and the results could be, um, very uncomfortable. 🙂
Once we were back in town it was time to cool off and get cleaned up. Then we went out for dinner at another restaurant in town. They were great to us and we all enjoyed the foot, and the desserts!
Back at the hotel, Kim and Robin and I motivated ourselves to the sauna (dry sauna) and got a good warm-up. Being out walking through town had cooled us down quite a bit as it’s a bit chilly here in the evenings. Tomorrow is another hike of about the same length, but in the national forest this time. It’ll be interesting to see the terrain, but we’re now all sure we can handle whatever it is.
Day after that is going to be a kayaking day, which I’m really looking forward to, too. But, one day at a time. For now it’s time to upload this and get to bed. The beds in this hotel are really comfortable, by the way, with a comforter covering that’s really warm. Nights are cool here in the mountains, so that’s a good thing.
’til tomorrow, ya’ll!
