Monday, July 4, 2016
Kick back day, a meadow hike
When we meet for dinner and discuss today's agenda it is billed as a meadow hike. Not stressful at all, but if you want to continue up to the waterfall that is always an option. I am of little faith because by now I have figured out you can't get to the meadow without going uphill.
Sometimes it is a pain being right. Today, Reba and Verl and Dan hang with the tortoise. It is a beautiful area and there are even benches along the way to sit and enjoy the scenery in my case rest my legs.
I have been dispensing medical advise since Annie developed a rash under her socks, she has had a problem in the past with wool socks and the heat and prolonged use really caused her some problems so she was off to the "farmacia".
We did make it to the meadow, Bailey at this point decided she was over hiking and wanted to spend time with the slow group. The meadow is filled with all types of wild flowers (ask to see Dan's pictures) and cows. They are very friendly and just walk up to you wanting to be petted or just curious. The best part of being the slow group we were back at our lunch stop first. Had the best bratwurst ever and time to sit in the sun. There was a horse show and traffic, it made the walk to the car worse than the hike.
Rudy decided he needed to push his personal boundaries. Unfortunately it took an additional hour for him to get down from the waterfall. Annie wasn't too happy since she was his chaperone. Back in town and Reba has laundry to do, the good friend I am I help her but alas she had 3 trips to the proprietor. Why is doing laundry so hard?
Reba and I complete the first load and head to dinner. We are 15 minutes late and Gary the tour guide is waiting outside for us. States he ordered each of us a glass of wine and proceeds to tell us how proud he is of us. We make small talk and go into dinner. Should have been wary of what tomorrow will bring. We are back to the hotel to pack since we are going to be staying in the hills above Cortina after we "hike" to the next lodge.
Sometimes it is a pain being right. Today, Reba and Verl and Dan hang with the tortoise. It is a beautiful area and there are even benches along the way to sit and enjoy the scenery in my case rest my legs.
I have been dispensing medical advise since Annie developed a rash under her socks, she has had a problem in the past with wool socks and the heat and prolonged use really caused her some problems so she was off to the "farmacia".
We did make it to the meadow, Bailey at this point decided she was over hiking and wanted to spend time with the slow group. The meadow is filled with all types of wild flowers (ask to see Dan's pictures) and cows. They are very friendly and just walk up to you wanting to be petted or just curious. The best part of being the slow group we were back at our lunch stop first. Had the best bratwurst ever and time to sit in the sun. There was a horse show and traffic, it made the walk to the car worse than the hike.
Rudy decided he needed to push his personal boundaries. Unfortunately it took an additional hour for him to get down from the waterfall. Annie wasn't too happy since she was his chaperone. Back in town and Reba has laundry to do, the good friend I am I help her but alas she had 3 trips to the proprietor. Why is doing laundry so hard?
Reba and I complete the first load and head to dinner. We are 15 minutes late and Gary the tour guide is waiting outside for us. States he ordered each of us a glass of wine and proceeds to tell us how proud he is of us. We make small talk and go into dinner. Should have been wary of what tomorrow will bring. We are back to the hotel to pack since we are going to be staying in the hills above Cortina after we "hike" to the next lodge.
Day 2 or where's the Advil
The day starts out clear. We again met and head out to the longest chair lift in the Alta Badia area. Advil onboard so we are ready to go. Many lessons were learned after day 1. Uphill is a pain, no need to pee because you are really dehydrated no matter how much you drink and eat light at lunch otherwise you feel like a slug all afternoon.
After yesterday I am saying what did I get myself in for? The place for lunch was pointed out and I am sure there is no way we are going to go that far. Our group splits and this will be the norm for the week with the fast group getting to a stopping point and doing an additional hour or so since the tortoise (me) takes forever on the up hills.
Our guide seems to be walking the trail twice because he comes back for me or to make sure I am still upright. Today's hiking is less distance but more uphill. The scenery is amazing. Our guide also spend time talking about the history of the area apparently the Italians spent 3 winters in the hills fighting the Austrians during WWI.
We do make the lunch point, much to my surprise. We take the gondola back down and hike into town. Since we get back a little early than the speedy group, there is time to poke around some of the stores, always something to spend a few euros on!
Dinner is at family owned restaurant, the food is amazing with use of lots of fresh herbs from the restaurant garden. Our guide always orders appetizers and then we finish dinner. Tonight was the grappa experiment. The restaurant provided regular grappa which is an Italian liqueur made from grape based wine brandy that contains 35 to 60% alcohol by volume and a homemade plum grappa which was very tolerable and not as strong. Apparently grappa is medicinal as it calms the stomach and promotes digestion after a meal. Those Italians are so smart. Dan made sure he had all the medicinal effects and helped empty any shot glasses.
After yesterday I am saying what did I get myself in for? The place for lunch was pointed out and I am sure there is no way we are going to go that far. Our group splits and this will be the norm for the week with the fast group getting to a stopping point and doing an additional hour or so since the tortoise (me) takes forever on the up hills.
Our guide seems to be walking the trail twice because he comes back for me or to make sure I am still upright. Today's hiking is less distance but more uphill. The scenery is amazing. Our guide also spend time talking about the history of the area apparently the Italians spent 3 winters in the hills fighting the Austrians during WWI.
We do make the lunch point, much to my surprise. We take the gondola back down and hike into town. Since we get back a little early than the speedy group, there is time to poke around some of the stores, always something to spend a few euros on!
Dinner is at family owned restaurant, the food is amazing with use of lots of fresh herbs from the restaurant garden. Our guide always orders appetizers and then we finish dinner. Tonight was the grappa experiment. The restaurant provided regular grappa which is an Italian liqueur made from grape based wine brandy that contains 35 to 60% alcohol by volume and a homemade plum grappa which was very tolerable and not as strong. Apparently grappa is medicinal as it calms the stomach and promotes digestion after a meal. Those Italians are so smart. Dan made sure he had all the medicinal effects and helped empty any shot glasses.
To hike, or what have we gotten ourselves into.
Day 1: What have I gotten myself into. In all the preparation for the hike it was not enough. Let's face it I did little or no preparation. I asked a lot of questions and was told if you can walk around Disneyland you could do the hike. The plan, morning hike, stop for coffee afternoon hike stop for lunch, and the maybe an after lunch hike. None of the above was true. First of all there are no hills in Disneyland!
Okay I learn how to use trekking poles to help with the uphill and save me on the downhill. The trails we walk on are limestone and gravel about 4 - 5 feet wide. The plan is we will hike to waterfall and start by taking a gondala part way up. A lodge is pointed out where we will hike to for lunch. This is clearly a different picture then what I had planned. This is an introductory hike and quickly separates the hikers from the wimps, guess which I am.
We are luckily and have 2 guides so the fast group has some one to hike with. We trek along, in my group is Dan, Reba, Verl, and 78 years old Susie. Clearly the most fit are the Canadians mom and daughter and the Annie from Michigan and Bailey ( who really doesn't want to hike but can keep up), Rudy is a wild card, he is fit enough to hike but treks along at a slow pace. He is dying to climb some of the peaks, seems he is working to get to the top of the highest peak in each state. Clearly, NOT my goal.
Today's hike is long. Dan tracked 19000 or so steps and 14 flights of stairs; of course no stairs just increase in elevation. The groups have been declared by lunch and I remain the tortoise. I will finish but definitely last. This hiking makes my training hills look flat. The afternoon is a little better some flat and down hill and the slow group gets to take the gondola down versus hiking down. I guess there are benefits.
On a side note, the mountains are beautiful, air is clear and it is not too hot. Dinner is at a pizzeria next to the hotel. We are exhausted from the day and it is only day 1. I wonder what is in store for day 2.
Okay I learn how to use trekking poles to help with the uphill and save me on the downhill. The trails we walk on are limestone and gravel about 4 - 5 feet wide. The plan is we will hike to waterfall and start by taking a gondala part way up. A lodge is pointed out where we will hike to for lunch. This is clearly a different picture then what I had planned. This is an introductory hike and quickly separates the hikers from the wimps, guess which I am.
We are luckily and have 2 guides so the fast group has some one to hike with. We trek along, in my group is Dan, Reba, Verl, and 78 years old Susie. Clearly the most fit are the Canadians mom and daughter and the Annie from Michigan and Bailey ( who really doesn't want to hike but can keep up), Rudy is a wild card, he is fit enough to hike but treks along at a slow pace. He is dying to climb some of the peaks, seems he is working to get to the top of the highest peak in each state. Clearly, NOT my goal.
Today's hike is long. Dan tracked 19000 or so steps and 14 flights of stairs; of course no stairs just increase in elevation. The groups have been declared by lunch and I remain the tortoise. I will finish but definitely last. This hiking makes my training hills look flat. The afternoon is a little better some flat and down hill and the slow group gets to take the gondola down versus hiking down. I guess there are benefits.
On a side note, the mountains are beautiful, air is clear and it is not too hot. Dinner is at a pizzeria next to the hotel. We are exhausted from the day and it is only day 1. I wonder what is in store for day 2.
What has happened in the last week???
Well as usual I am way behind in documenting our travels. To my excuse one whole post was somehow lost with the Internet connection and non connection issues. To catch you up.
Sunday, June 26th we were to meet the guide at 12 noon to 1PM. A water taxi was suppose to take us to the airport for pick up. He was not available or did not answer when we called; plan B instituted. We leave the apartment at 10AM, 3 hours should be good enough. We water taxi to the train station and find no direct vaporetto we ask for information and are sent on a 50 min boat ride back past where we started. We then have to get a special shuttle to the airport. It will take 70 minutes, it is now 11:58AM; clearly we will be late. More stress and worry; a call to the tour director who kindly states he will wait for us and save a 3 hour bus ride for the 15 minutes we are late. Things are looking up.
We meet the other hiking members. This trip Gary Scott agreed to 10 hikers, usually it is only 8. Our group was 88 year old Rudy, his wife Suzie 78, daughter Annie and granddaughter Bailey 21 from Michigan; group 2 a mom and daughter also 21 from Canada and Reba and Verl; Dan and I.
We arrive in Corvara for 4 nights, the accommodations are terrific, Finnish all is new, a spa in the basement and best of all a washer and dryer. Both Dan and I will have clean clothes this week. We are located on the 1st floor and the laundry is in the basement. It is a good thing I have a masters degree and have not hiked yet so can't blame my ignorance on those 2 things. It took 5 trips for the owner to explain the washer, dryer including what button to push to open the door. No need to hike today I did 15 flights of stairs to get our laundry done.
We go out as a group a time to learn about each other. Gary arranges for our food to be covered but not our alcohol. This could be an expensive trip after all. Dinner is great and started with appetizers of chocolate pizza. Off to bed after getting the laundry out of the dryer. Still after 11PM since dinner is at 7:30. Tomorrow we hike, meeting back at the restaurant at 8:30AM.
Sunday, June 26th we were to meet the guide at 12 noon to 1PM. A water taxi was suppose to take us to the airport for pick up. He was not available or did not answer when we called; plan B instituted. We leave the apartment at 10AM, 3 hours should be good enough. We water taxi to the train station and find no direct vaporetto we ask for information and are sent on a 50 min boat ride back past where we started. We then have to get a special shuttle to the airport. It will take 70 minutes, it is now 11:58AM; clearly we will be late. More stress and worry; a call to the tour director who kindly states he will wait for us and save a 3 hour bus ride for the 15 minutes we are late. Things are looking up.
We meet the other hiking members. This trip Gary Scott agreed to 10 hikers, usually it is only 8. Our group was 88 year old Rudy, his wife Suzie 78, daughter Annie and granddaughter Bailey 21 from Michigan; group 2 a mom and daughter also 21 from Canada and Reba and Verl; Dan and I.
We arrive in Corvara for 4 nights, the accommodations are terrific, Finnish all is new, a spa in the basement and best of all a washer and dryer. Both Dan and I will have clean clothes this week. We are located on the 1st floor and the laundry is in the basement. It is a good thing I have a masters degree and have not hiked yet so can't blame my ignorance on those 2 things. It took 5 trips for the owner to explain the washer, dryer including what button to push to open the door. No need to hike today I did 15 flights of stairs to get our laundry done.
We go out as a group a time to learn about each other. Gary arranges for our food to be covered but not our alcohol. This could be an expensive trip after all. Dinner is great and started with appetizers of chocolate pizza. Off to bed after getting the laundry out of the dryer. Still after 11PM since dinner is at 7:30. Tomorrow we hike, meeting back at the restaurant at 8:30AM.
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