summer 2014 snapshots | mountain time

Which way should we go next?

Of course we spent a couple of nights in the mountains. These Cajun folks all grew up in the Mississippi River Delta, where the only bumps in the landscape are Cypress knees in the swamp and the levee restraining the mighty Mississippi. They HAD to experience the Dolomites. 

And it's one of my favorite places in Italy: the vast expanse of mountains that covers much of the north of the country. All of it. Favorite. Both the German part & the Italian part.

Here I am!

And just in case you think that Young One is completely cooperative all the time...here she is imitating a cow in the pasture...or refusing to walk another step.  Moooooooooo!

We rented an apartment in Siusi all Scilar for a couple of nights, and we were able to fit in two great hikes for the short time we were in the mountains: from Siusi to Laghetto di Fiè and the Giro del Bullaccia, which begins in the alpine meadow & requires the cable car.

The weather was perfect, the scenery unmatched and the company divine. I am certain that we could have spent the rest of the time together in the mountains. Instead we headed South.

More Mountains

The first time we visited these mountains

Gorgeous Alpe di Siusi

Hiking some different mountains, Madonna di Campigilio

Madonna di Campigilio

On our last morning in Madonna di Campiglio, we stopped at a local caseificio to purchase a couple of souvenirs (cheese!) to bring back to the paese. In addition to a couple of local cheese selections (cheese from unpasteurized milk is the speciality) and salami, we scored some organic apple juice from this year's crop of apples in Trentino, the Italian province known for its delightful apples. I've never tasted any juice like it. Fresh and local...nothing beats it. 

We struck up a conversation with the friendly young woman selling us cheeses. Evidently, Madonna di Campiglio is not on the American tourist circuit, and she was somewhat surprised to see us there. We went for the long weekend with some old and dear friends, friends who have in some ways have embraced the dolce far niente culture of Italy, which is essential for a late summer weekend in the mountains.

Because while we did take a three-hour+ hike high in the mountains, we did spend a whole lot of time just hanging out, just being together, just relaxing, just skipping rocks, just eating too many s'mores. Italian mountains are the perfect place to do this, even if kids had to roast marshmallows over a controlled fire in a grill.

I'm ready for the new year.

Madonna di Campiglio is located in the Trento/Alto-Adige region of Italy. It is a popular (and chic?) ski resort during the winter months but also offers great outdoor sports in the summer. We took a lovely hike that began at the top of the 5 Laghi ski lift and then took us to Lago Ritorto and a malga by the same name. Our accommodations were nothing to get excited about but there is a lovely campground nearby in Pinzolo; I'm sure it wouldn't take much to find great lodging.

It's a beautiful area. I'm sure you'll love it.

about the mountains | lodging idea

Having only visited the Dolomites once and with no idea of where to go or what to do and with a last minute decision to venture to the mountains...I did what any good traveling American would do and consulted our pal Rick. I never consult Rick much anymore; it seems kind of silly when I have so many other resources to rely upon...namely, the ability to speak the language, a gaggle of traveling friends who willingly share experiences, and the wealth of info on the Internet from fellow bloggers and travelers, in two languages. In the early years, though, I relied heavily on his suggestions, and when we do travel outside of this country, I may consult him from time-to-time. Richard hates when I do!

Rick recommended making the village of Castelrotto our home base and staying at Hotel Zum Wolf al Lupo right in the pedestrian zone of the town. The hotel was convenient and clean with a nicely sized triple room ... and full of American travelers seeking out the beauty of the mountains, just like us. The best part of the hotel and the reason I would consider returning was the help and hospitality offered by the proprietors. From the offer to help carry in our bags upon first arrival to the suggested hikes, they were always warm, welcoming and willing to help. I highly recommend the hotel.

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However ....
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We have decided that next time we visit, we likely will not stay in the town of Castelrotto, rather we'd like to find a place high in the alpine meadow. Yes! There is lodging right up in the Alpe di Siusi, and with a car, we can easily reach those places (I think.) The apartment above, immersed deep within the meadow, would be lovely! Instead, we drove to a neighboring village and used the gondola to reach the meadow where we wanted to spend most of our time. It just seems smart to stay up there instead.

Granted, our time was limited and so is our experience, but take a look at this place...divine, no? We took a hike that started nearby and then ended with lunch here. Without exception, it was our best meal of the weekend. To make a good thing even better, the place has a playground connected that on this day provided supervised entertainment for children. Undoubtedly, this is for the guests of the hotel, but it was extended to restaurant patrons as well. Score! This place may be a bit out of our weekend travel budget, but I'm convinced there are places in the meadow that are within our reach.

Now...just to find the perfect time to return! This is becoming a challenge for us, especially as we continue to find places we "love so much" while having a long list of places we long to explore. Anyone up for Zagreb or Budapest or Corsica or Normandy or Split or Madrid?

on stability

She found the bottom three rocks already stacked during our hike through the forest and immediately proceeded to add more. Just after placing the final stone, she took a step back and let out a blood-curdling scream, startling her daddy resting nearby and waking the critters of the forest for miles. "Yep. It's stable," she reported, nonchalantly.

Because if it can handle the sound waves emitted from that mouth, it can withstand anything, right?

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Happy weekend, my friends! We have a weekend of downtime scheduled in the paese -- "Slow Living,"  I'm calling it. We had take-out pizza for dinner, and I have dough rising for the morning. It does feel good to be welcoming fall, and I feel more stable at the start of this new year than I have in a very long time. Not sure of the reason...but I have my theories ;)

road trip | alpe di siusi

We had a fabulous three-day weekend in the Dolomites of Trentino-Alto Adige & I am thoroughly convinced that I am a mountain girl over a beach girl. Just photos for now ... leave a comment if you'd like travel details & I'll be happy to share our experience.