From the Sea to the Mountains

This morning we boarded the vaporetto for the last time, and took the waterways to the train station.  We left with heavy hearts, assuring one another that "...one full week in Venice and we would know our way around semi-comfortably."  So much culture, good wine, plays, museums...but no, maybe for some other time.  At the train station we went right to EuropeCar (having scoped it out the night before), presented our papers, and 20 minutes later drove into Venitian traffic in our little Fiat Panda.  How nice to have a little, silver bear as we struck out for the Dolomite mountains.  

The little silver Fiat Panda is a 5-speed stick.  Without thinking, I step on the brake, turn the key and almost buck the cub right through the wall in front of me.  Stick shift.  I love this (now that I'm paying attention).  The roads are clear and mostly wide until we turn up toward the mountains and Cortina.  Even then, they are two-lane, winding tarmac.  Fun to go through the gears.  Two hours later, with flawless navigation (provided by Pam, of course) we arrive in Cortina.  This is a mountain town somewhat on the order of Aspen or Breckenridge.  There are tourists here as the season turns to fall, but the mainstay of the town is the ski folk who will come to the neighboring ski areas in another month or so.  

Installed in our chalet-style room in the Hotel Montana (very close to the bell tower of the church next door--WOW!!) Pam shows me all of the errors I made in last night's blog.  Mama, Mia!  Spelling, wrong words, bad grammar, and a misidentification of a restaurant for Carol 'n Jim (so sorry).  In a blog filled with pictures, I did it all.  So, just now she says, "Are you fixing your blog, Bonnie?"  "No," I tell her.  I figure if I apologize, own up to what I did, I'll just leave it as is.  Fatto! (done).

After we unpack, we reconnoiter.  Some of the streets are cobbled in brick.  I think that means no cars here...so we walk up and downhill.  Eventually we stop in a cafe for lunch, then return to our hotel, quietly humming "Hotel Calfornia."  The Hotel Montana is definitely not like the song, but such a lovely place, indeed.  

For our next adventure, we head out of town in the Panda to locate a couple of trailheads for tomorrow's hiking adventures.  By this time, the weather has closed down and it is raining off and on.  The road twists up, and up...We pass longhaired, horned sheep in a meadow, some beautiful Refugios (places to get coffee, a meal, or stay overnight)...and are passed by at least 10 cars speeding up the mountain.  After locating one trailhead, we come back down the mountain to find the other trailhead on the far side of town.  "I'm not sure about the road," says Pam as we wind steeper and steeper.  "Oh, turn up here!"  I do and now, we are on a one lane, paved road up the side of a mountain.  "I sure hope this isn't one way," I say gingerly rounding a sharp turn and shifting down into second gear.  "I dunno," she says.  Suddenly, another car appears coming DOWN the road.  It pulls to the side into what is not quite large enough to be called a turnout.  We squeak past.  The driver flashes his lights and waves.  We pass a family walking down the road.  They move to the side.  Another car comes head on around a curve...this time I pull over.  The driver waves.  I wave back.  "Well, no one seems to be gesticulating wildly...so I guess this is the right way."  "Just be careful," replies Pam.  No kidding!

Finally, we reach a parking lot.  To the side of the lot are gold spotted cows complete with bells on their necks.  The refugio sits next to the trail head, and the rain is really coming down.  Inside, the refugio is warm and dry.  We order cappuccino coffees and as we sip and savor, a one year old girl crawls up to our table, hauls herself up by Pam's chair and says, "Ciao!"  

Coming back down the mountain road seems so much easier than our ascending trip.  Tomorrow, hopefully, it will feel like a routine drive.  The rain continues to fall outside our window.  The church bells strike out the half hour, and we are content and snug.  The little Panda is locked and parked for the night, awaiting tomorrow's adventure.  From the Dolomite Mountains in Cortina...Ciao!  BB n P

      Leaving Venice 

Fiat Panda...the little bear!

The Hotel Montana

Sun breaks through and we see some of the Dolomites for the first time.

   The Refugio, trail head at top of parking lot.  Cows are off to the left.

PS:  for those of you who like boots n gear stores we have all of these a plenty in Cortina--Patagonia, North Face, Woolrich, and several Italian gear stores. If you love Lowa hiking boots, check out the colors. WAAAAHOOO!