| June 2010 |
| Trek Alpi Orobie with Bronwyn. Our amazing, athletic friend from San Diego - what a special experience to share! Day 1 - 5 hour hike, straight UP, trail 34 from Agriturismo Baita near Introbbio. Weather in Milano melty, but here great for trekking. Not too hot, but still beautiful. Arriving at Rifugio Grassi ~ 2000 meters |
| Day 2: We had consulted with the people who ran Rif. Grassi and they said it was best for us to take the lower trail as there was a lot of fog, so we couldn't see the trail markers and there was still a ton of snow i.e DANGEROUS. They even accompanied us to the trail head to ensure we didn't lose our way. So nice. Left on our way to Rifugio Santa Rita ~ 1900 meters for lunch - Lago di Sasso. Below before Rif. Santa Rita - and right after I saw a Viper on the trail and Joe poked it with his stick and pissed it off. Trip highlight. Day 2 was cruisy - it was about 3 hours to Santa Rita, where we had a yummy lunch of local cheese, salumi & local vino and then about another 1.5 to Rifugio F.A.L.C |
| Day 3: Left: Our hike down from Rif. F.A.L.C it took us 4 hours - we passed Rifugio Madonna Delle Neve and Rifugio Tavecchia which had a cow herd and shepards (with cute little shepard, felt hats) and cow herding dogs - all their cow bells were clanging as they milled around - which made us quote the SNL skit with Christopher Walken, "I need more cow bell!" . Right: Bronwyn and I - stinky and strong - post trek! B hates this picture - but was such a good sport about posing and letting me post it!!! I think I am going to get paid back via her Facebook. |
| Left: Rifugio F.A.L.C 2200 meters - look at all this damn snow - we hiked across SO many snow fields - which we were not expecting! This Rifugio is ran by this little, spry, Italian pixie - Serena who is an architect and decided she loved the mountains (and cooking) and so comes all the way up here in the summer where she runs this fabulous Rigugio with passion and energy AND cooks the most insane better-than-city-gourmet type meals using local, fresh ingredients. We had a really fun evening with her uncle and his family, who finally made it to her Rifugio, after 5 previous failed attempts (it's difficult) and 6 men - 4 really old and 2 youngish guys who were friends from the "GAY" gym. B called that one - at first I thought they were just touchy - like Italian men. Anyway, I still doubt the old guys were gay - just blind to Lorenzo and Stefano's forbidden love. Totally fun atmoshpere - the old guys had me in stitches! One of them was an old movie star, of course that was lost on us. After 3 days of hard trekking, no shower, heavy mountain food and squatty potties we were ready for our trek to wrap up! |
| The welcome wolf/fox/dog Jan - Santo Settimo (Zaven) did GREAT as always, never complaining and just being fabulous! |
| View from Rif. Grassi 2000 meters |
| Bronwyn & Joe relaxing with a beer, Zaven relaxing with his book at Rifugio Grassi |
| Left: Daniel, Steven, Zaven and Ludivico - Daniel's Going Away Sleep Over |
| The Boyles swung by for a visit during their CH and IT tour. We had a great time! Fiona and Conor are gorgeous, confident, funny and just the nicest kids! It was so lovely to get to know them a bit after not seeing them for 10 years! |
| I love these pics and especially the one of Fi and B! We were doing some target practice - the kids are great shots...but I think Mrs. Leonetti was the best shot - Fiona and I teamed up and we beat the BOYS |
| Being boozy at Bar Milano - after 2 bottles of Prosecco and 2 bottles of Barbera and Greyhounds and beer - no wonder I feel like I was slipped a ruffie and why don't I have a hang over? |
| Leonetti Camp for Italian Terrorists |
| Joe and I looking like Nerdy Hillbillies |
| Zaven & Ludo on trek above vacay house |