snowmaggedon or how we came to be the owners of catene da neve

Plans to try out cross country skiing were thwarted by the weather Saturday. Snow. In the mountains. Lots of it. Going sideways much of the day. Only, this wasn't just any snow, Folgaria received record amounts of wet snow, so much that local officials had difficulty keeping up clearing the roads.

As we returned to Passo Coe to pick up Young One from her ski lesson in the afternoon, we faced a snow-covered road, uphill.  

Years ago Richard made the decision (after encouragement from a neighbor) to switch to snow tires each winter; I've always wondered if it was an unneeded extravagance, but as we were progressing nicely in the mess, I became certain that these were a good investment.

She had an impromptu lesson in "survival skiing." If we made it up, surely we could make it down.

And just as we made if off the most treacherous part of the mountain with everyone safe and warm, just as we were two minutes from our apartment, just as someone in the car boldly claimed, "We made it!" we stalled. We slipped, we slid, we shimmied, we shook. We did not make it. We were not making it. But..we. were.so.close.

But can I tell you?

We kept our cool. We held our shit together, so much that not even one curse word was uttered! Richard patiently took my direction as he tried to back the wagon down the snowy hill. I calmly dodged the other vehicles racing up the hill. (Do you know that trick? The "gun it" trick when navigating snow-covered roads?! Put the pedal to the metal and hold on!)

Richard volunteered to go for help, to brave the unforgiving climate, the snowstorm of the century, to seek out assistance, in whatever form it might arrive. 

I stayed with the two children, watching in awe as car after car after car, including MANY Fiat's made it up the hill.

And soon after he left, the Vigili del Fuoco stopped.

Hello, ma'am. Do you have chains?

My husband went to get them.

Does he have the tire size?

Yes!

Can you put the chains on the car?

We hope so.

We will return.

This is a literal transcript of the conversation. It was, of course, in Italian. This was not a man of many words, this mountain fireman.

And after an adventure of his own in getting these chains, Richard returned at nearly the same time that they did. They put the chains on. Gave us a little lesson. And sent us on our way ... 100 Euro poorer & the proud owner of whatever chains the gas station had in stock, but finally able to make it up the hill, after a two hour delay.

And Sunday morning we woke to this beautiful sight!

This weekend we are returning with a few small tokens of thanks for the kind people who got us home safely, which extended beyond the two firemen.

People are good. People are kind.
Yes they are.
I know it.

corner view

corner view :: experiment

This weekend my husband and I had our own little experiment in the great outdoors: snowshoeing. And while this might seem like a no-brainer to you, please remember that I am from the Deep South and am much more comfortable in swamps and rivers than I ever will be in the mountains, even with my new-found love of said mountains. And the snow...goodness...the snow. In the grand scheme of my life, it's all fairly new, friends.

So there is a great deal of testing and exploring that has to be done, and I don't know the rules...I bet there are rules. Everything has rules. This day we rented the snow shoes, inquired about a starting point, and off we went.  After two weekends in the mountains and observing folks from all walks of life participating in this activity, we were sure we should, and could, too. How hard could it be?

By the time we were about thirty minutes into the walk, the next tall guidepost labeled "Percorso Ciaspole" (Snowshoe Route) was nearly up to its neck in snow. After that one, we never did see another.

Hello. What the heck are we doing out here in the unexplored back country?  We did take the course marked "facile." Soon we were off course and doomed, equipped with only a pair of phones sans reception. We didn't even wear snow pants! Richard forgot his hat. Clearly, rules exist for a reason.

At no time were we exactly alone out there or very far away from civilization, and we did favor form over speed. (We were slow!) But let me remind you...I'm a Cajun, a Cajun married to a reluctant sportsman, both in the deep snow on a blustery day high in the Italian mountains, with no fancy gear like all the others who passed us.

We did end up off course at some point, and we did climb the edge of the ski slope as skiers raced down, giving us odd looks. Hello! There were snowshoe tracks ahead of me...surely we weren't the first to blaze this trail up the slopes with our ciaspole. And...really...what was I thinking...I might just take up downhill skiing as it sure beats trekking up a hill in snowshoes. Geeeezzzz.

Maybe there are rules about things like this after all.

But I suppose that "all's well that ends well" with mountain experiments.  A little post-adventure mountain refreshment was in order, of course.

Next experiment: cross country skies.
Laughable, to be sure.
Stay tuned.

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We rented snowshoes or ciaspole  or racchette di neve with poles for the day from a ski rental place right at Passo Coe for only 8 Euro a pair. Better rates for extended rental periods are offered as well. Of course, we kept it simple, but you can hike out in the wilderness for hours and can even join groups on guided walks.

Corner View is a weekly appointment shared by people around the globe, an appointment started in the spring of 2009 by Jane in Spain and currently hosted by Francesca over at Fuori Borgo. We welcome you to join us; next week's theme is "slow."

in the mountains or 50 shades of white

 

Sometimes taking a group picture of these four is like herding cats.

We have been spending some of our time in the mountains at Passo Coe, which is just past Fondo Piccolo in Folgaria (Trento.) There is a fantastic ski school, Sci di Passione, there, where Young One has had a couple of lessons, and this area is also great for walks and sledding. Free WIFI and tasty mountain beer, too, my friends. And did I mention the Cold War remnants? They are indeed a contrast to the general peace and tranquility of the area...a few missiles emerging from the snow.  Goodness.

There is something for everyone.

This weekend we are going to try out snow shoes or ciaspole. Yes we are.

 ........................

Which shade of white is your favorite? OMG.........I can't even begin to take a picture in the snow. Shooting in RAW has saved my behind, I tell you. Or least I thought it did...but it turns out I have 50 shades of white! What's your favorite? Personally, I LOVE them all. Variety is the spice of life, or something like that.

A dopo.
D

winter in the mountains

We've tossed around the idea of renting a place in the mountains for the season for quite some time now. One good fortune led to another, and now, here we are, renting a place in the mountains for the second half of the winter season. 

We found the place through a friend, who did something similar last year, and we are able to make it work because some other friends are sharing the space and cost with us.

After the first weekend, my only regret is that we haven't done it sooner. I hope I feel the same at the end of our little adventure and that all those wonderful friends are still wonderful...and my friends...when this is done! 

You can follow our winter weekend mountain adventures on my Instagram feed. We have only eight more weekends to go, but who's counting?

finally some snow @ home

A few months ago I purchased a second hand snowman kit and have been waiting patiently for the oppurtunity for Young One and friends to put it to good use.  I know you are probably thinking that I should allow them to be creative in finding their own bits and pieces to bring him to life, allowing their little minds to blossom. I mean, what if they wanted a snowwoman? And certainly I shouldn't promote tobacco with a pipe!  It could have been a perfect match -- physical activitiy with creative thinking; instead we have quite possibly the most perfect snowman in the province of Vicenza.

The kids love him.

Today he will melt away.

Easy come, easy go.

I just hope we can salvage the bits and pieces for the next snowman. And don't you worry, these are (mostly) "free-range" children who have lots of chances to think creatively and problem solve while not under the watchful eye of adults. They've even been known to walk down to the corner grocery, unsupervised.

It's a school holiday. Lighten up.

Happy Mardi Gras :)