Day 20: San Martino, Bellagio and Scrabble Humbling

As the day started off in a very relaxed fashion, Peggy had time to catch up on some logic puzzles on what we now call the "Elva Burlingham Memorial Porch"....Can we call it that now, or do we have to wait til she's...you know...dead?  Whatever the politically correct way to go is, we still know it as the EBMP!

Our primary hiking destination, actually our only hiking destination for the day, was San Martino...a tiny chapel on the side of a cliff that was beautifully surmounted last year by Steve, Elva, Aimee and Alyssa...with a little help from Peggy...It's the white church just barely visible hanging on the side of this cliff.

When we arrived at the summit, because the day was so clear, we were even able to see across Bellaggio (just over Ben's left shoulder) all the way down the east fork of Lake Como.  Oh by the way, for those who think I've forgotten Dan now that Ben's around, I want you to know that Dan is in this photo too...I guess....

Also, for the first time, there was a small crack in one of the windows of San Martino, so we got a photo of the inside...pretty cool...

Ben, ever ready for the photo op, has Bellaggio framed over his shoulder ... a nice combination if I must say so myself...and for those with perceptive eyes, the ferry from Menaggio is just entering...stage left...

Arriving back from our hike we ferried to Bellaggio, we stopped for dinner where the Burls and Goobs had a few meals...on a nice patio in the middle of the river rocked sidewalks, half way up the little village.  The meal was excellent again, and this dish was their oven fired pasta with bacon and anchovies...So I said to myself, "Did I just see pasta, bacon and anchovies in the same dish???  and all of that toasted and roasted in the oven until parts were crispy and crunchy???"  This realization prompted a one word response:  MINE!!!

Peggy's appetizer was also tasty...braseola (dried thinly sliced beef) with arugula (rocket) and parmegiano reggiano...coated then with EVOO (as Rachel Ray would say)...

Grilled Vegetables in the wood fired oven (NICK...we can do this!!!!)

and then it was time to return to our B and B for some Scrabble...but first we got to see the goal of tomorrow's hike...it's the highest peak, backlit by the setting sun, and you might see a cross on top.  That's our goal.  Thankfully, we drive up nearly all the way, park at a Refugio...that has full lunches...hike flat across the ridge, and then take amazing pictures making folks think we are mountain goats...we then walk flatly back to the Refugio, eat and drive back to our B and B.  If the weather is nice...it really is a treat...except last year we came face to face with mad cows ( that is cows that were mad, not cows that had mad cow disease)...

The ferry is always a fun experience for landlubbers like us...

and this combines the whole ferry/hike thing in one photo:)

Just before the humbling dining patio Scrabble Match (Monday the restaurant is closed which is what prompted us to eat in Bellaggio, and allowed us to sit and relax on it after our dinner and return ferry..), the family used the remaining sunlight to each read their favorite novels...while I photoed...

I couldn't hold off the challenge any longer...Ben was ready...unfortunately, too ready!

By the time it was over, blood was spilled (mine), tears were shed (laughing from Dan) and 48 points separated our scores.  He had 2 Bingos, nearly a third Bingo, and at one point was up 276 to 138.  I'd like to say I had an amazing comeback and almost won...that's what I'd like to say...but the reality is he played smart throughout the entire contest and let me think I was getting close only to shut off every possible opportunity I had for large point gains.  The man is a master, and I humbly accept defeat at his hands...all I can say in my defense is what genes!!!  

Tomorrow may rain, (so I'll follow the sun)...I mean, but if not...we'll be hiking with the mad cows.  Bless you all!!!