Notes to Home
Montisi
Date: July 5, 2013 6:06:12 AM EDT
Subject: Greetings from Tuscany
Hi Joyce and Irv, I will take
plenty of pictures, but picture this, I am sitting at a round table in the
kitchen of the Cantina, old tiled floors, sky light , sun Brightly shinning
down on the yellow table cloth with motif of lavender and black olives.
This room is on the second floor, rustic beams, all windows shuttered
from the inside, all open, birds of many variety singing, sounds like an
aviary, breeze blowing, making the olive trees right nearby the door quiver,
leaves silver and grey tones. View to the southwest down to a valley and off to
a landscape of Tuscan Hills.
All travel went well. Boy did we sleep last night! Having a
hard time waking up this am, it is almost noon time..
I am sure this drowsiness has nothing to do with the two bottles of wine we
shared last night!
Date: July 6, 2013 11:17:07 AM EDT
Subject: Lunch with 5 turtles
Today we took off with Ruth driving to San Quirico
d'Orcia along a dirt road from Castelmuzio
to our destination. If you have a map it was Stradio Provinciale 71. It was a perilous journey - I don't know
what possessed my sister to drive so fast. Anyway, we survived and then walked
up hill from the parking areas to the town with all it's
shops. I stayed outside while Ruth and Wendy marveled at all the goods.
At lunchtime we just picked a place on the main drag. It had a spacious
rear open rear patio And only one other couple there. Plus a turtle. No, no said the waiter, cinque tortises. The tortises have been with the
family for 50 years. We spotted all 5 of them, and then one decided to be our
friend. He strolled across the room in less then five minutes and then snuggled
at our feet. At one time he started to climb up my leg. We placed a piece of a
sandwich on the floor and that seemed to keep him busy. I have had lunch with
cats, dogs, hens, and peacocks here in Tuscany, but never turtles.
Date: July 6, 2013 6:25:12 PM EDT
Subject: Contrada
in Montisi
One of those evenings! We just left a celebration of the Goose!
Streets of Montisi closed, tables set for two
hundred, lining down the street and the middle of the square, all lite up,
locals and visitors gathering for a local celebration, we left at midnight,
party still going on, dessert just being served! Met some very nice
friends of Ruth's - Brits. Needed to get back, cause she has a full
day planned for us tomorrow! Plus a concert in the
evening.
Very warm evening, no breeze tonight. All is still outside.
Date: July 8, 2013 10:25:24 AM EDT
Subject: Sunday in Montisi
We were invited to attend a concert for harpsichords given at a local
church in Montisi. These concerts are given every
Sunday by participants in the Montisi School of Harpsichords which is sponsored by Ruth and many others
during July and August. You may recall that Bruce Kennedy moved the school here
when the Costello at the top of the village became available. There were about
12 participants from all over the world - about 4 from Russia, one from Mexico.
The leader of this week's class was a Norwegian, holding a professorship in Cologne,
Germany who, thankfully spoke English, as did all of
his students.
The concert went on from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. All the kids were accomplished
musicians, but the leader saved the best for last four. These were absolutely
amazing. Two of these never looked
at the music -- they were playing all by memory. The applause they got was
truly heart rendering.
After the concert Bruce invited all the players and a select few of the
harpsichord aficionados up to the school for cocktails. That included me.
Robert Etherington (Roberto of Balloning-in-Tuscany) served the drinks as Wendy talked to
the participants.
After that, about nine, we and the Etheringtons went to a local pizza parlor and consumed lots
of vino and pizza. That ended about 11:00 pm as I finished up a glass of grappa
Such was the life in Montisi on Sunday.
Date: July 9, 2013 4:55:03 PM EDT
Subject: Driving in Italy.Tuscany
Hi you two, Boy did I think of you two
when David was driving us up to Montisi.....driving with
jet lag would not be fun. However, David said he went the quicker route
but more complicated and more congested. Ruth has been doing all the
driving, thank goodness, and she does a good job. One cannot take their
eyes off the road for one second. Saw a red convertible Farrari today. Now that is the only car one should have on
these roads! Today John offered that I should sit up in the front seat!!
I could see he was gripping the seats at every turn!
Today was a visit to the weekly open market, and then to the Coop (large
grocery store) two towns over. It would have been so much better with
Joyce there. John tolerated it, said nothing, but it was the body
language. Because I miss a good cup of American coffee, I had coffee
gelato at 11am. Boy did that hit the spot! Funny. all the men huddled under umbrellas, sitting around little coffee
tables while the women were shopping! I bought ribbon. This is when
I wished I had a larger suitcase.
Have to tell you, we are getting so used to the after siesta, don't know
how we will manage next week.
We were invited to have English tea with friends of Ruth's......the retired English balloonist and wife, Roberto and
Liz (a future story).
Supper here at Picciolo, Ruth served up the
last of her lamb, boy was it good!!!!
John is hanging over me to go bed! Oh, tomorrow we will be going
to Siena with a private tour guide. (this was to be a
special treat for you) so hope I can remember and can record the events
successfully.
Did you ever read Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes -..author
of Under Tuscan Sun? I am trying to read it this week, fun, but as you
know I am a pokey reader.
Date: July 11, 2013 9:51 AM EDT
Subject: Siena Tour
All. ... Yesterday was a long and educational day. Left for
Siena with Antonella our private tour guide, a young
(late 30's). You all would have enjoyed her immensely as we did.
Attractive, ah yes, Italian thin, pretty ankles, large Sardinian dark
eyes. Yes, she was born in Sardinia and very proud of it. Speaks seven
languages. Was very clear to say that her native language is not Italian,
and the closest to Latin of any language. BTW, if I do not say it again,
we suffer from the American guilt of not speaking anything other than
English...although most everyone speaks a little English. Antonella was brilliant. A back ground in computer
science, worked in Calif., for an Italian company that was the first to work on
language translations for the Internet. Also an art
history background. She is an expert in cheese. Her husband is
an expert in wine. He represents several vineyards for export. They own a
new bar and wine shop in Montisi..Gorgeous!
Emails are not meant to be lengthy, but hard to filter through the many
sites and thoughts one experiences.
Siena was marvelous. We were there only a couple hours. (Ruth has
trouble walking). The history of Italy not only the world during
many centuries a long time centered here. The stories of the
architecture, the sculpturers, artists...all
that talent, and fortunately, this city was spared during the later wars.
Our focus of the trip was to see the newfound discovery of another
section of the cathedral during some restoration in the year 2000. Once
the sand was scooped out and brushed away large rooms with frescos, still in
beautiful colors, remained since the 1400's. So
much information. What an imaging story. This was all found
under the main cathedral.
We then went up to the main cathedral, huge massive, Moorish a bit in
style - close to a thousand years old. And actually just think of the skills
acquired to build something like this. (But then, we are not even talking
about the work in the mid East. Boy, J & I, bet you are glad you got to
Egypt when you did. Wonder if they have put a travel band on that
country?)
We walked through the compo/main-square. Siena is loaded with tourists.
It was also graduation day for the students of the University.
Those who graduated were wearing a ring of flowers and leaves, even the
guys. By late morning they were celebrating, singing and dancing in the
streets.
As has been our custom here, we got home to the cantina and slept.
Hot and muggy. For the last three
days the clouds build up, wind blows, and there are thunderstorms. In
fact, I am sitting here at the table as the storms are building up again.
Yesterday afternoon we managed to get to La Foce
(a place Judy Bowman recommended).
Very large estate purchased in the 20th century, still privately owned
by the same family. The gardens are wonderful and opened to the public by
reservation. What a fantastic view from here, did not rain on us, but we
could see the storms all around us.
Dinner was nearby at a new restaurant Dopolavoro
La Foce. We ate inside, had barbecue pork ribs..yummy.
Each of these trips yesterday were an hour drive in one direction.
Scenery beautiful.
Bang!!!! Thunder storm right on top of
us! John was just awakened, I
can hear him stretching!
As Joyce and Irv know we took a nice walk in and around Montisi this a.m. Concert tonight and supper out if
weather improves.
Date: July 13, 2013 4:54:19 PM EDT
Subject: Last night in Montisi
All, Just found out that John did not check
to see if all messages We're sent out yesterday..they were not. Service connection from
here needs careful watch. Very difficult using
the IPad.
Sorry you all, we think of you all the
time.
Quick note: Just spent our last evening out under the pergola at
Ruth's. Today's quick notes. Another lazy a.m. Too hot to
walk. Left at 11.30 to return to the Monestary near by where we went on our last visit, years
ago. I went to get their most wonderful foot cream at their
store. This is an active Benedictine Abbey. Took a
little walk, then had a fantastic two hour lunch on location. Many photos taken. Returned to Ruth's to do two
loads of wash, and afternoon Siesta. When was the last time you hung
laundry out on the line????? We are mostly packed. Can not believe that we have to live tomorrow. Have to
depart at 8:30 am!!!!!! Now that is a real challenge.
John is hoping that is is cooler up in Sulden.
We have a 2 hr. drive to Florence to train. Should arrive at hotel
in Sulden about 5.00.
Sulden
Date: July 15, 2013 3:24:57 PM EDT
Subject: Arrived in Sulden
Jim, we are having trouble with reception. The kitchen help, a
chap about 16 has helped us all out! Also I cannot get the phone to
work, it says that I either have the wrong number or it is temp out of order.
Will get one of the members of our group to help tomorrow.
Well we made it here. Hotel
Gertraud is very nice, spacious, very clean, and
food very good and a lot of it. I had venison tonight!
I will try to write a new letter now and will cc you on it. Dad
had a tough time this morning, along with another person. But made it to
the lunch spot, enjoyed lunch at 2:30 , no nap!!!!
Did fine coming down. Hiked about 1700 ft
today. Tomorrow we will use lifts in some locations. This place is
spectacular, feels like Switzerland. Sulden is
not large but bigger than I expected.
The group is very compatible. We have had a lot of laughs.
Date: July 16, 2013 1:28:06 AM EDT
Subject: Arrived in Sulden
I will have to make this short, we have to get up at 6:30, you all know that is not John's favorite time of the day.
Day one: Very nice group and quite compatible. I will do the bio's another night when there is more time.
This hotel is very nice, rooms quite spacious, very clean and food
and service excellent.
Yes, we all made the first day hike. Going up was a
challenge, John had a tough time, but there is another John, a Brit, who had an
even worse time. We made it to the lunch restaurant,
the pomme frittes were out
of this world. Good salad. Going down was better for all.
Fred adjusted his pace, but at dinner tonight, everyone was very
satisfied with the pace. There is no one who wants to challenge Fred.
The whole group was very tenuous this am, and I think still is.
Tomorrow we are venturing higher also with the aid of a lift or two.
Fred is watching the weather, afternoon thunder
storms are in the forecast for a coupe of days this week, which means earlier
mornings. The scenery here is absolutely gorgeous, and the hill sides loaded with wildflowers as per advertised.
This is a tight valley, and the surrounding mountains are high. By
the way, we climbed 1700 ft. Today. Good thing
he did not tell us earlier!
Date: July 16, 2013 3:39:24 PM EDT
Subject: Thinking of you.
Hi, Not much free time. What a hike
we had today, much more than I ever expected. We made it up, but not to
the book time. Beautiful day, but a huge challenge.
We dragged to the top - a mountain hut, actually. Many others hiking.
Another challenge was a vertical traverse that lasted for almost two
hours. John and I took the lift down, along with the Brit. We did
enjoy the day!
Date: July 17, 2013 2:51:44 AM EDT
Subject: Minutes to day three
Hi, Today we are headed up Fred
says! BEEEE. GEEz. No nice
mountain hut for lunch. So we are headed to the store to get a picnic......that means more weight in the pack!
I am amazed that I have not been stiff, and so far no joint pain...Linda
I did switch to the same med you are taking. The thin air is an
issue for all. Area is just spectacular.
Gotta go. Good day
to all, sure am thinking of you all. I have taken a ton of photos,
hundreds so far.!!!!!!
Date: July 18, 2013 4:38:37 PM EDT
Subject: Day off, free day, whatever
Hi, We signed up for a private tour, four
of us went. First destination to an active convent of the Rule St.
Benedict, dating back to 12th century, located right over the border in Mustair, Switzerland. Lots of history, this area was quite
populated during this time. Ride over was splendid, driving through
orchards, neatly organized plots of farmland. Very lush.
Lunch in Glurns, a quaint old
village, several tourists. Then on to a famous castle still occupied by
a family for the last 500 yrs. The walk to get into the castle was steep,
so we felt we did our hike of the day! The driving is this area
would be fun if no one else was on the road.
There is only six inches between cars, buses trucks, and maybe twelve
inches to the drop off, in some cases several hundred feet. It is crazy.
Decision for tomorrow was debated at dinner tonight. Three of us
will take the low road tomorrow. The designated hike is 2500 ft and the pitch is very steep so we decided we would start
off with the group and then break off for a three hour
walk nearer the valley floor.
The dinner was delicious tonight! I realize I do not mention the
food much, but this place does a grand job. The chef is only 29. So creative. Fun trying new tastes.
Weather has changed a bit. Was chiller this evening, - good
sleeping weather. So headed to bed.
Date: July 19, 2013 7:04:57 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Day off, free day, whatever
John and I took today off from the big hike - did start out with the
group then branched off and had a wonderful three hour walk along the valley.
So peaceful, although passed several people on the
trail. Linda would love all the wildflowers in bloom; has been a
perfect time for that.
The temp. must be about in lower 60's, very
comfortable. Cloudy in the afternoon, shower later in the evening.
I am starving, so we need to find lunch somewhere! We have one
more full day here then go to Tiers, in the Dolomites----Fred says it is an
isolated place, and everything is up!
Date: July 19, 2013 11:14:05 AM EDT
Subject: Ortler
History
We went to a museum in Sulden this afternoon and
learned some incredible facts about the highest mountain here - the Ortler. It's right across from the hotel. It's 3905 meters
high. Amazingly, it was the scene of several battles between the
Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Italians during the First World War. The
museum had motion pictures taken during the battles. Cannons were dragged up
the mountain and used to assault the other side. There were actual pictures of
soldiers getting wounded in battle. What a stupid place to conduct a war. Of course
everything written about the war was in German or Italian.
When the war was settled, obviously this part of the Sud
Tyrol was seceded to the allies which included Italy.
But I can tell you that all they did was to add Italian names to the maps -
like Meran/Merano.
Everybody speaks German. When on the trail, we greet people with
"Hello" and they reply "Gross Gott",
which I guess means God is great.
Fred took three of the six hikers up to the Tarabette
Hutte this morning. We started out with them, and
then, as intended, we left the group and did two long traverses farther below
the Ortler. We could stop and smell the flowers. It
was wonderful. On the way back, we spotted a lone hiker and instead of
the usual "Hello" we addressed him in straight English. It was Roy,
the sixth hiker. So I can't say that everyone on the trails is German - only
99.999 percent.
Date: July 19, 2013 4:38:47 PM EDT
Subject: Enjoyed your old photos from ....
One of the members of our group is from Oxford area -
John Hewitt, Yew Cottage, Old Boars Head Hill, Oxford. He works
for one of the colleges and is head of fund raising - is
a stock broker, British and funny as anything.
I have been watching an Opera on the TV from Switzerland, elaborate
...but can not figure out the story .. Think it may be
a contemporary piece.
We are not going with the group again tomorrow. There are several
wonderful walking trails without much elevation. The 'going up' is a real
problem for Dad, however, keeping pace on the flat and
down hill is not a problem. Fred has been very kind to us and helpful
with suggestions. Says he will adjust things for next week so he can make
several trips. The others in the group do not mind waiting at all, they
like the breaks, however, as soon as we catch, they all take off!!
I am still doing fine with only a coupe of sore toes that should be
ok!
Another great dinner tonight!
Date: July 20, 2013 2:57:44 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Day off, now
Friday.
Soooo
glad to hear that all is going well with you. We had thunder storms during the night and the thunder was so
strong bouncing off the mountain walls, Quite something to hear. This
morning it is crystal clear and delightful cool air, but the sun feels strong.
The others have left for the day. John is now looking at the map to
pick out our walk of the day. Think we will head back up to the hut we
were at the first day with the great pomme frittes..
Date: July 20, 2013 3:57:28 PM EDT
Subject: Lovely Last day in Sulden
The group of four plus Fred drove to another location just a short way
down the valley and took a long chair up to a location where they began their
long hike, the most strenuous of week. John and I went back up the east
side of the valley where we had hiked on Monday, only we walked up part of a
service road, took us three hours to reach the mountain restaurant. This is the
one that serves those great pomme frittes.
Had a relaxful lunch, then
walked down the same way we walked up and it only took us one and a quarter
hour to the hotel. John has no difficultly going down, I find it more difficult than
going up. Anyway, I started to pack before supper, and we will be leaving
by bus at 11:00 am to go to Tiers. We will be stopping in Merano for lunch...at the same hotel we stayed at ten years
ago.
We walked outside after dinner, and found it much warmer than last
couple of nights. Also it appears that a full moon is rising on the mountain tops, such a sight. This location is really
very beautiful and a great place to come for a few days of hiking. The climbing
has to be incredible...if your into that! We have seen many families with
young kids, all hiking along.. Also during the
week many older folks, like us, out hiking the trails.
And again, the wild flowers are so pretty. Of course, there are
window boxes and pots everywhere filled with either petunias or geraniums, and
assorted other flowers. Hope my pots and window boxes are surviving.
Really liked the accommodations here and the food. So will be
interested in seeing the hotel in Tiers. Think I mentioned that Fred said
the next place is quite isolated, no shopping nearby. We will be going to
Bolzano on Wednesday, which Fred highly recommends.
Busy weekend for all I am sure. Hope your weather clears up.
Tiers
Date: July 22, 2013 4:00:26 PM EDT
Subject: Weisslahnbad
Hotel, Tiers
Arrived at the Wiesslahnbad Hotel Sunday late afternoon. Clouds
started to form, and we were meeting at 6:30 pm. Started
to pour and hail stones as big as nickels, the temp probably dropped 20
degrees. It is Monday evening, after dinner as I type this and another thunderstorm
is building. Can hear the rain on the roof, starting to come down hard.
When it thunders there is a huge sound as it echoes off the mountains.
On our way here yesterday we stopped in Merano
for lunch at the Aurora Hotel. How absolutely beautiful and busy the town was.
We got a wonderful welcome from the same owners, had a great lunch, they gave us complimentary wine and dessert.
Place looked in great shape. Because it is now summer, the many
trees are of course out, made the place seem very different, and instead of
every corner and flower pot filled with pansies, they were filled with assorted
annuals. Wished we could have spent more time there. It was very hot, as
now the elevation is lower. It too is very warm here in Tiers, about 88
degrees today. (Boy is it pouring now, John is
lying in bed, pooped from today's activities.)
John seemed to have a good day hiking, the
going up part has been a struggle for him, but perhaps the lower elevation
helps. However, coming down this afternoon he was talking and not paying
attention - his words - and fell off the trail, being stopped by a rock and
tree. No injuries, he immediately was worried about his glasses, fine. We
cleaned him up and all continued down. The hIke today
was about 2700 ft., to a grand view point. Terrain very different here than last week (as was advertised).
Very warm this afternoon. Heat really got to us all. Had a great
lunch up at a darling, quaint, family run mountain hut, however.
Because of the weather forecast tomorrow, Fred has had to change the
plans, we will leave by bus at 9, driving about one
half hour away I think.
The hotel here is larger and accommodates more people. It is an
older hotel with all kinds of amenities, except they have the craziest hair
dryer I have even seen, and took me forever to do my hair. Hate that when you
are traveling. Our room is on the top floor, a
separate toilet room with sink, then across the way is a full bath with both
shower and tub. This hotel has a lot of history with pictures everywhere,
also some wonderful old pieces of furniture in the public rooms.
We are on the fourth floor, thankfully there is an elevator---we do walk
down the stairs!
Oh, about the food. Food is good, but definitely not like last
week, last week was over the top, and we found out that the chef was only 29.
IT is still thundering, John waiting for me to shut off the light!
We do not get any news here, no
English anywhere. We did hear that Kate was in labor however!
Date: July 23, 2013 3:57:19 PM EDT
Subject: Beautiful Day, Body aches
Hi, What gorgeous scenery today, and a
work-out to see it. Everything is relative you understand, we were not
the only ones on the trail going up. Popular route. However, after another
great mountain lunch (I did pasta with pesto-huge portion, needed a doggie bag,
or at least our grand kids as I know they like it. Passed out free
schnapps! A lot of that going around up here.
The walk down was on a different trail, and no one else on it - we did
3000 ft. going down. We walked back to the hotel arriving at 5:30 . I was pushing past very tired to extremely pooped, could barely make it up to the room. Shower
always feels good. We are going to do our own thing tomorrow with another
hiker, as tomorrow's hike has steep vertical terrain. John did very well
going up today, however, the fascial expressions, and
occasional remarks to JC were part of the morning.
We will be departing on the bus with the group and it leaves shortly
after 8am. Another challenge. Then once at a particular location,
we will separate from the group. Hope we do not get lost,
seems tricky figuring out where one is. We just follow Fred.
Our weather forecast is now pretty good, no more late
afternoon thunder storms.
Early to bed, early to rise.
Date: July 24, 2013 1:23:31 PM EDT
Subject: Re: Beautiful Day, Body aches
Well the above Subject line still stands! This is Wed. And John
and I and Roy did our own trip in the area where the others took off from. We are now sitting out on the patio
finishing a gin and tonic and the others just returned from their long day
hike. I was tired at 2:00 as the heat was strong today and we had a
fantastic walk.
Date: July 25, 2013 5:02:15 AM EDT
Subject: Twenty Years Ago
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO IRV from Tiers Italy!!!!!
Several times this trip we have made reference to our time in Murren and all the hikes made in the Lauderbrunan
(sp) Valley twenty years ago.
So this is our official day off this week. Fred has just left for
Bolzano for the day, and to get a hair cut! He really likes this barber,
and sees him a coupe times a year. The rest of us may be hanging around
the hotel area, this place is extremely charming and amenities many, hotel
accommodates 80, so is larger than many Fred stays at. Plus, the weather
is beautiful BUT hot during the day. For the most part the heat has not been
too much of an issue as we leave early enough to get to the lunch restaurant
just in time for a cool drink!
We will probably find a short walk to do ourselves today, but for the
most part will just try to let this place sink in. We are very isolated...Tiers
the village is a mile down the hill. A public bus has come up here once
an hour. The buses travel like race car drivers,
one just hangs on. Yesterday we drove up to a bus stop that went between two
buildings covered with ivy of some sort, and the greenery was mushed against
the bus windows (no picture, I just had my eyes closed)!
How technology has changed travel...the hotel has Internet connection up
here, but only in a very small area outside the bar. It is so funny with people
sitting around with their faces in their respective devices, and no body
acknowledging each other. Fred does not appreciate this. He is
still not connected.
Date: July 25, 2013 6:10:48 AM EDT
Subject: Tiers - My Version
I find this to be a very confusing place. Reason #1 is that we had no
map of the area until yesterday when Mom found a store, next to the ladies
room, in the basement under the lift at Seis. Reason
#2 is that there is no WiFi in our room. We have to
go down to the porch outside the office to get it. Therefore,
no maps available on the Internet until today - our day off. No time to
use the Internet for studying a map when hiking.
I have studied the map now, so I can tell you where we were yesterday.
If you have a map or access to the Internet, locate Tiers
which is east of Bolzano and south of the Schlern.
To the WNW, about two miles, is Wiesslanbad, where
our hotel is. We took a bus around the Schlern, to
the west, and ended up in Seis, above the Schlern. The bus roads were in many areas, only one-laners, so you won't find our route but it went through St.
Katherine, Voser Aicha, Prosels Dorf, Ums, and Vols.
From Seis we took a 20-minute ride on a
beautiful Doppalmayer lift to Compatsch.
At that point, we split, and I led our group to a smaller lift that took us to
our destination - the Pluflatschalm above Kastelruth. This is a high unwooded area that also overlooks Ortesi where we skied (Val Gardena) a number of years ago.
Upon my successful navigation, Mom took over and said we were going to
take the complete PU route around this vast area. I am not sure if she was
fascinated by the name of the route, but I said, no way, we won't make the bus
for our return trip. The negotiations ended in the usual manner - we took the
complete route, which, of course, began with a one-hour ascent. But that is
where we saw the villages of Kastelruth and Ortesei, so it was worth it. We stopped for lunch at the Puflachutte, when Roy, looked at my watch and said,
"We gotta go now ". Luckily I had
finished my kleine bier and gemusesuppe
so we virtually ran down hill for 20 minutes to Compatsch,
got the lift to Seis and were 7 minutes early for the
2:00 pm bus.
This area is beautiful. Hopefully our day off will stay
as it is now - just me and five other people typing on our iPads.
Date: July 25, 2013 3:31:00 PM EDT
Subject: Two more days
What a beautiful day, but hot. We just lounged
around the hotel, John has been studying the one map we finally got....for hours he has been looking at this thing. After the IPad gets over heated, he,s back at the map....driving Fred crazy with
questions about locations! Fred is not good with much information, and of
course, much of it is names of places we do not know
of and always in either Italian or German. So who can remember????
Lots of laughs this trip. Three crazy men, very smart, extremely
well read, stories are endless.
Any of you remember the incident about twenty years that happened to a
Mr. Bobbitt???? His wife got so mad at him she cut off his you know
what???? Well, the Doc who spent the nine hours sewing it back on is Dr.
Jim Sehn on this trip. You can read about it here.
Have to get mentally prepared for tomorrows walk. Going to be hot and a
little steep. We have the option of taking a lift down. Sounds like a good
idea!
Date: July 27, 2013 3:36:36 AM EDT
Subject: Last Morning, Saturday
John and I are sitting out on the lawn area out in front of the hotel,
air is much nicer than we thought...still shaded by the trees. Years ago this
place was the first establishment on this hill side, dating back almost two
hundred years, and there were no trees around the building. One could get a
great view of the surrounding dramatic peaks .
The forecast for today is extreme heat, so John and I decided (reluctantly) to pass up the last hike and have a casual day
before starting the trip back home. Yes, it really has flown by. I
am so glad I have taken so many pictures, cause it will help us to review.
Haven't even taken any time to reflect, but there will be plenty of time
for that. The hike we took
yesterday was the highlight of the trip, and we are so happy and surprised at
what we did it. Must say I had some freak out moments. John wanted to
quit before he was ahead, that is why we are here now! John from England
also felt the same way, the others left for a walk to a special meadow, about
an 1800 ft.walk, couple of steep places, and Fred
said it was not that hard, but I was very concerned about the heat not the
elevation. Think he was disappointed we did not go today. We know where
they are lunching, so will try to meet up with them.
Spring in Italy has got to be beautiful, Keep
that thought!!!!!!! Did I mention that the olive harvest this year
looks very good, so hoping for a good supply for all of us!
Of course, we have mentioned you every day. Fred has expressed his sadness many
times about your not being able to come. I have said to the group how
they would have loved meeting you and the added nonsense of conversation which
ends in fits of laughter was right up your alley..just pure silliness. Of course Fred's jokes
can be a little on the rough side....He has repeated
them many times. What a memory he has.
I look up at the front of the hotel, four floors, not counting the main
floor.....beautiful, typical Tyrolean facade and
window boxes with red cascading geraniums, tall peaks of the Dolomites
behind.
Date: July 27, 2013 5:02:49 AM EDT
Subject: Last Day, Saturday
Roads and driving. Think I have
mentioned this before. Guess I am too timid. The roads here are hair-pin turns everywhere you travel, yet the drivers do
pass on these roads. You do not see signs of auto accidents, all repairs
must be made quickly so as not to scare the traveling public. Surprisingly, the
buses are long and maneuvering around these bends makes one hang on for dear
life. Often the on coming vehicles have to stop and back up, lots of hand
movements. Learned after the first day to not sit in the back of the bus as it
feels like being on the back end of a cats tail. Tomorrow will be a long
travel day, over four hours to the airport. We all have flights tomorrow
evening.
Haying. That time of the year, ever since we have been here, even
at Ruth's, the fields, alps, no matter what the angle of the land are being
hayed, and a lot is done with hand labor, using old well used tools. Amazing,
little old ladies out with their aprons on, feet in black leather boots
schlepping the hay. No matter where you look, even the sides of the roads, are
all being tended to. Right now a hotel worker is
out with a power trimmer..so
the quiet has turned into the noise of a weekend in the suburbs.
Time for a little walk. Don't want to
stiffen up!
Date: July 27, 2013 6:30:40 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Last Day - My View
There was no doubt that yesterday's hike was the highlight of the trip.
For those of you who have been tracking our trip on the Internet, here are the
details. As you now know, Tiers is the advertised name of our hiking location,
but we have spent no time in Tiers. We are in area about a mile west and a half mile above - shown on the map as Weisslahnbad.
This is the also name of our hotel. We hiked about 15 minutes down to St. Zyprian where we got on a bus headed west on a road that
was built by people that had no idea what a straight line was. We then headed
south through Nigerhutte, Frommer
Alm, before coming to an intersection at Paolina. There we changed busses and went a very short
distance to the Karerpass where we dismounted for our
hike.
We then slogged northwest for 2 hours, up steep slopes and reached the Rafwandhutte where we had lunch. This was an amazing site
surrounded by tall spires on three sides. The Col de Ciampas
was about a 20 minute walk, which we did not do, but
we could see hikers looking down at us. The place was loaded with hikers. There
were smaller spires nearby, that kids were all over - a perfect place for John
and Reid. It was Dr. Jim's birthday, and Fred arranged for the crew to
sing Happy Birthday in what ever language they spoke, give kisses to Jim, and
then provide us all with schnapps of all flavors. I hope that Mom got
some pictures of that place, but Fred was in a hurry, so time was limited.
After lunch, we headed south and east at our elevation of 2800 meters
and came to a monument of an eagle that overlooked the Karerpass.
We stopped for a rest and Fred questioned one of the hikers that had come down
a trial from the Rosengartenhutte. Fred had wanted to
go there, but there had been avalanches earlier this season and it was considered
unsafe. The hiker said that the devastation had been limited to only about 20
meters and a new path had already been beaten in. We continued on our trail
until the branch to the Rosengartenhutte took off,
and then Fred said, "What the heck, let's do it - it's only an
extra hour". Thus began our two hour adventure
with rock walls of 500 feet high on our right, a trail of width 18", and
abysses, rock slides, an avalanches on our left. Now this is what it's all
about. There were hikers passing us from the front and the rear. One was a
bunch of campers - it made me think this would be a good place for Katherine to
work out. Fred did his usual ,"Wendy, follow me
and put your feet where mine were" bit to try to speed things up.
But hopefully Mom was too busy taking pictures.
In addition to all of this, we passed a lone hiker, down one of the slides, who
was trying to rescue a sheep. Crazy. Then a helicopter came over the cliffs
above us and circled, circled, hovered - we could not figure out what it was
trying to do. Then it flew away.
Finally we rounded a cliff and our destination was in sight.
Unfortunately we were pretty much exhausted and the final quarter mile was
almost straight uphill. Fred had left us behind, and when we got to the lift
and the four stories of buildings on top, we could not find him. I said,
"Let's just take the lift down" but Mom insisted on finding Fred. He
was in the top building enjoying apple-strudel.When
Mom found him, he invited us to join him. Then we hung around for a half-hour
as he introduced us to all of his friends. Then we heard several thunder claps,
so we ran for the lift and made it down to the Frommer
Alm location mentioned earlier. That was the end of
the trip. Except that when we got back to St. Zyprian
we had to hike up trail that Gretel (that's another story) had told him about
that took another 30 minutes. We got to the hotel at 6:45; dinner was at 7:00.
I hope that Mom got a few pictures.
