14aug

Valle d'Aosta Trek August 2014

Introducing our newest family member
Babaloo Leonetti

I had spoken to the local farm wife and
she said I could have a kitten, if I could
catch one. After many unsuccessful
attempts with tuna, finally I was able to get
close enough to throw my coat over him
and scurry out of the barnyard. We were
worried he would be antisocial and feral,
but instead he is a total vicious love bug.
He terrorizes us all but we love him so.
Baci is still deliberating.

Joe and I will be doing a trek this weekend
for Ferragosto - we had planned Zermatt
but the forecast said a high of -1 and
snow. So we regrouped and will be going
to Aosta. Hooray!

We will be celebrating my birthday on the
Riviera. Can't wait!

School starts for Joe on the 25th and
Zaven on the 1st.

And school will start for me too - applying
for my teaching certificate, program will
start in September.
I will likely be coming to Portland to visit
my mom and dad/family and friends in
October.

So very grateful.

August 2014

Beach day with E & Z -
our friends, Joe's
colleagues, food war
competitors, and Z's
teacher. They are
moving to London, we
will miss them but know
that we will stay in touch.

What the hell were we
thinking?! We have
done this once before -
ride from our house to
Milano - but we
decided, what the heck
let's do it again. Round
trip and with all the city
riding around about 70
kilometers. It was fun
and we had really real
bagels so that made
the sore butts worth it.

Another bike ride. We haven't been
to Serole in about 2 months. Yikes.
We are gearing up for a big
remodel / new roof and know we will
have to be there a lot when that
kicks off. After tidying the jungle of
a garden, we decided to go for a
bike ride, which is challenging
because of the crazy hills. We rode
from Serole to Roccaverano. I love
Roccaverano but we have never
been into the piazza, off the main
road - this time we went and there
is a darling restaurant and bar (duh
a little local gem discovered after 8
yrs of visiting) and ran into our
Serole Dutch neighbors Anita and
Pat (and Anita's cousin and
husband) What a lovely lovely
surprise. We enjoyed the company,
wine and cheese.

HI ANITA :) xxooo

We rode from Roccaverano to
Gentile Olmo then back to Serole.
The views made the steep climbs
worth it.

This sign is much fancier than
Serole will ever be.

We have been training for our
26th wedding anniversary half
marathon - October 5th. Taking
advantage of beach days,
heading there early then
running from Celle Ligure to
Varazze, enjoying the lovely
views along the way and then
laying on the beach.

Day 1 | We departed from Etirol and
headed up to Lago Cignana and Rifugio
Barmasse at 2200 meters. This is part of
the Alte Vie - we had done a portion of it
about 7 years ago - the one where we got
lost and were on the trail for 13 hours.
Crap Kompass map and poorly marked
trails.

This time was much better but still
averaging about8 hours of hiking a day.

Valle d'Aosta Trek
August 2014

We had passed Lago Cignana 7 years
ago but didn't stay at Rifguio Barmasse.

I think this is the most beautiful and
magical places I have ever seen. The
color of the water, a tiny island and
ancient church perched on a hill.

I took tons of pictures.

Day 2 | Departure from Rifugio
Barmasse and after 8 hours on the trail,
better marked this time, we arrived at
Rifugio Cuney 2656 meter

When we arrived at Rifugio
Cuney it was snowing. Yes
snowing.

Day 3 | Gorgeous and sunny.
It took us about 7 hours to
get back to our car in Etirol.

Finito! Our traditional testosterone
power pose. We were blistered and
rubbed raw but it was worth the
beautiful views. So happy to come
home to Zaven, Baci and Babaloo...and
our bed.

Next up - Varazze for my birthday
weekend. Hooray!!!

I am so excited to be coming home for a
visit 15-25 of October - I get to spend
time with family and catch up with
friends.

#grateful

17 agosto 2014

I don't even drink coffee, but I
love when it is served in a
bowl with milk / the French
style.