The drive (about 1 1/2 hours) is harrier than the hike (about 1 hour each way). But the views on both are superb...until you encounter a truck meets truck collision on a narrow mountainside road. It seemed no one was hurt, except Italian patience:)))
Arriving at the Refugio Vinezzi, we had a nice cheese and salami lunch before burning it off on the hike. We couldn't decide if we should eat first and "burn it off" or eat after and "earn it off". Ben finally said, "I think eating sounds good." So we ate:) After about 3 or 4 miles of fairly flat walking, with a few ups and downs, some stinging nettle avoidance and one bull scratching his hoof at us forcing a quick left turn on our path, we arrived, with Dan and Ben waiting for us excitedly....as you can see.
The view straight down lets you see Bellagio...when the mist blows away...which was just before and just after this photo...
Never to be out of form, Peggy again practicing that world famous Polish balancing technique...
The Refugio provided a nice refuge (see how I did that...) for relaxing and enjoying some rays before the hair (and scream) raising drive back down the hill....(BTW, the cross we hiked to is just over my hat button on the far left:)
We all made it safely back to our B and B...with only one required reversal of 50 yards between two rock walls about 6 inches wider than my car. "Why did you go down that road in the first place only to find 3 parked construction trucks blocking the way?" you might ask...well the correct way was no wider and required a sharper initial turn....in both cases I felt like Luke Skywalker going into the steep canyon of apartments to eliminate the Death Star. (He never had to reverse out backwards did he?).
Okay, you may be saying...too much with the Elva Burlingham memorabilia...NEVER!!!! We love the way Elva loves stuff.but we really love when she loves stuff we love...like sitting on the patio in Lake Como and having Prosecco looking at Belaggio..Here's to you Elva, you sweetie pie!!!
Tonight's menu, ...maybe not the best explanation...but a great taste the local recipes, included this fish tart with pine nuts...
Pasta with caramelized onions and anchovies...pretty nice!
The recommended wine to pair with the night'smenu was this 2 grape beauty from the south of Italy...Nero d' Avola and a Cherry, Grenache like grape...made for a perfectly fruity and solid blend..
Next came the silly wabbit....lovely if I must say so myself....which is unusual for my tastes...
Dessert unfortunately arrived when Dan and Ben returned from their Pizza and beer venture...so the photo was a bit late, as they devoured in record time, this cake with just a little bit of powdered sugar.
Sitting together in Ben and Dan's room after dinner, testing Peggy on 90's songs, and watching Weird Al parodies is pretty special.... that guy is amazing...and a Cal Poly grad to boot...Ben reminded me....
It's pretty late, and tomorrow the men want to chill...so we ask that you experience God's richest blessings in Christ!!!! until tomorrow...ciao bella!
Elva is blessed with every memory! She so wishes she were there and remembers the loveliness and joy of a Proseccho on the patio. Thanks for the encouragement as she heals--today walked with just a cane!
ReplyDelete