Over a year and 2½ continents later…..pain still there, and another loss!!

It has been way too long since I have updated my blog. 

I would like to dedicate this post to my brother-in law Terry; who passed away on June 27^th. 

He was such a magnificent brother-in-law.  Always giving me “Terry” leadership guidance on so many things in my life – big and small: from financial planning, to simple things like how to make a good cup of coffee while living in Rome, and everything in between.  And he had such a giving, selfless heart. He was always, putting everyone’s desires before his own.  And he did it with a humbleness that you rarely see with people anymore.    
 

I first heard this album when Terry, Vickie and I were driving up to Mammoth to go skiing.  Well Vickie and I were going skiing, and Terry was going snowboarding.  Anyways, whenever I hear Staind, I think of Terry:  

 

Dad - Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.  I can’t believe it has already been a year and three months since he passed away.  I think this song by Offspring sums it up:

Offspring - Gone Away

Maybe in another life
I could find you there
Pulled away before your time
I can't deal it's so unfair

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away

Leaving flowers on your grave
Show that I still care
But black roses and Hail Mary's
Can't bring back what's taken from me
I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it stings
Yeah it stings now
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away

Since my last blog, my major adventures have included:

·         Moscow Russia (hence, the ½ continent) – yay, yay I know Moscow is on the Europeon side of the house.  J

·         Iceland

·         Tuscany Italy (Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, and Siena)

·         Cinque Terre Italy

·         Ghana Africa

Rather than write a lot on these places.  I will just include a little bit of information.

Here is the link to the photos:

https://plus.google.com/photos/118086643884541631322/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/118086643884541631322/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1

MOSCOW -

Pleasantly surprised and less smokers – Wooohooo!!!!!

That is how I would describe Moscow.  We all have “ideas” of places we have never been before, some good, some bad, and sometimes a little bit of both.  Needless to say, my “ideas” of Moscow were a bit pessimistic before arriving. 

One of my first places to go was Starbucks!  Italians are not fond of this coffee so I was so stoked to be able to go to one in Moscow. When I walked in I thought, “Geez, just like Seattle Starbucks!”  J  Of course I got my supply to bring back to Rome with me. 

As the driver drove to the hotel I couldn’t help but notice a lot of the trees were painted white.  The driver explained to me that the reason that is done is to keep the bugs off of the trees!! 

Even though it was rainy and drizzly the day I saw them The Kremlin and Red Square were still amazing up-close.  

 

Many of the buildings in Moscow are marvelous! Very colorful, very unique.  Despite many of them looking like they came from “Candy Land” it is a very modern city with many high-rises,  and many modern buildings as well. 

 

 

        

 

 

ICELAND –

WOW!!! What can I say about Iceland?  It was everything I dreamed of and more.  I could totally live there!!  J  Our Mountain guide Katrin was so motivational.  She is a very petite woman with adult kids (you would not believe it if you saw her), but is in such amazing shape.   

 

 

Every day (of the week-long tour) we trekked.  It was physically very demanding, but was so worth it!! Some of my favs. were:  the Vatnajökull glacier adventure, the Blue Lagoon, Laki Volcano, and Vic Black Sand beach.

 

 

TUSCANY  (Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, and Siena) -

Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos on this trip.  Even though the Hot Spring in Bagno Vignoni was nothing compared to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, it was still very pretty.  The town was very small and cute and had a small Flea Market. 

Vignoni Montalcino was a larger town with lots and lots of wine stores.  The town is famous because of its “Brunello” wine.  Many people rave this is one of the best Italian wines.  Also in the town is the famous fortress.  And there is also a popular clock tower. 

Although I didn’t get to see a lot of it, Siena has more of a small city vibe - vs. the other two “towns”.  I did get to go to the Piazza del Campo.  This is the town square with many restaurants, street performers, and a beautiful gothic chapel.

 

CINQUE TERRE ITALY

 

A big thank you to Birgit and Pall from TrekGuyd http://www.trekguyd.com/ for making my trek from Riomaggiore to Portovenere so rewarding. 

 

They indicated this was the hardest of all their local treks and I believe it.  It took us seven to eight hours and I was very sore the next day.  I would have to say this area reminds me of the Amalfi Coast but with more places to go trekking and trail running. 

 

 

I am not much of a beach person (prefer the mountains), but have to say I really enjoyed being on the beach in Monterosso.  Following this, going on my own three hour trek along a step road and a back country trail I found was the perfect end to the day! 

 

I look forward to returning there next year for many more trekking and trail runs.

 

 

GHANA AFRICA (ACCRA)   

I wasn’t going to put my trip here in my blog.  But at the last minute I decide to. The reason – I have to give kudos to the natives and how tremendously friendly and hospitable they were to me!! 

I forgot my camera, but was able to take a couple of photos while I was there.  Here is one of a man playing the piano at my hotel.  

 

 

 

One of the things I found most mind-blowing is how the women can balance things on their heads and walk continuously while doing that.  I have never seen so many women with such excellent, excellent posture in my life! 

 

 

Besides how nice the natives were, I have to say I really enjoyed the food.  They eat a lot of spicy food, and that is one thing I miss about being back in the states; especially the spicy New Mexican food. 

 

 

 

Conclusion:

Of the places I have been so far I am torn between the Dolomites and Iceland being my favorite.  However, the Dolomites take 1^st place with Iceland coming in a close 2^nd – just because of the size difference in mountains. 

Although, I’m sure there are some great musicians from the Dolomites, I don’t know of any.    That being said, here is a song by Of Monsters and Men – they are from Iceland:

Of Monsters and Men - From Thinner

 

Dad and Terry, we miss you so much!! 

 

Italian Alps were waiting (again), had to get on my way!!!

Some of you may think it is overkill for me to make another blog about my on-going visits to the Dolomites.  However, if you are into the outdoors, you will understand.  If not, well at least you have some more beautiful pictures of the Alps and Ortisei. 

 












There is nothing like being up in the mountains; away from the hectic city life.  The calmness, the silence, and the enormousness makes you realize just how small you are in this world. 

I have been very lucky to be able to stay in Stuflesser’s B&B.  Stef and Christine have been very welcoming. Their B&B is very clean, the breakfast is wonderful, and you can’t beat the prices.  Here is their link:

http://www.salegg.com/

I was able to go cross country (cc) skiing during my January 18^th weekend visit.  No guide, just by myself and the trails.  I felt reasonably safe since it wasn’t in the backcountry (and the trails were groomed). 

I have to say I have really enjoy snowshoeing more than cc skiing in the Italian Alps.  Perhaps it is because this area is known more for its alpine skiers and not so much for cc skiers.  That being said, I was rather disappointed with the trails.  Not groomed very well.  And the specific trail I went on was mainly a big circle.  I suppose I was comparing it a little too much to the beautiful cc skiing trails in Washington state - where you have lakes, bridges, and streams along a lot of the trails.  Despite that, it still felt great to cc ski again!!!  But perhaps I will stick to snowshoeing here instead. 

 

 

The area is massive. And unless you live here, or have been here several times, it is probably best to have a guide. They know the area with their eyes closed shut.  And will take you to some of the most astonishing beautiful backcountry that “visitors” are not aware of.   

That being said, during my February 14^th weekend visit my guides from Catores were Willi (the first day), and Flavio (the second day). 

I believe Willi is the youngest guide of Catores - http://www.catores.com/cms/index.php?en_News.  Despite his young age, he is a very experienced mountaineer.  He loves leading foreign tours.  He shared with me the time he lead and climbed Mount McKinley, and what an epic time he had. 

 

 

He took me to Monte Rasciesa.  And the panoramic views are breathtaking.

April 6, 2014

I have been writing this last entry for sooo long now.  Every time I say I am going to sit down and finish it I don’t.  So I am cutting it short. 

 

 

The area Willi took me too was wonderful.  Not too brutal (as far as difficulty).

 

 

So the next day I was pretty stoked about Flavio taking me out.  Since I had gone the day before, I figured he would be nice to me (take me on a leisurely day of snowshoeing).  NEGATIVE!!!!  By the time we were finished, my body was sooo exhausted. 

Before we even began we had a one hour hike (perhaps a bit more) with all of our gear.  As we continued with our upward climb, I cursed at the buses that passed us with skiers inside.  It was then that I knew Flavio was not going to be lenient on me. 

 

 

The conditions were fierce; very cold and radically windy.  The sky was extremely gloomy and overcast.  Looking back, I believe we encountered getting hit with snow while we were in the backcountry.  To add to the terrible conditions, we were climbing to a higher altitude.  As we climbed, I could tell I had to breathe faster and deeper to get more oxygen in my body.  With the furious winds, there were a couple times I thought for sure I was going to fall down.  And no matter how hard I tried to keep up with Flavio I couldn’t.  He is a true mountain man!!!!

 

 

 

 

As the weather warms up, and the winter leaves us, I am incredibly melancholy.  I am making one more trip up there to get my last “fix” of the mountains and the snow for the season.  I am so thankful that Val Gardena received a huge amount of snowfall this year, and that there is still enough snow to go there one last time.  Like every time before I have no doubt I will have another epic trip!!!! 

 

“Your mountain is waiting, So.…get on your way!” - Dr.  Seuss

 

As always here is a link to the pictures from these few trips -   

https://plus.google.com/photos/118086643884541631322/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/118086643884541631322/albums/5997552066151275633

And for all you music lovers out there I have added a few more tunes on here as well (the Music tab).  Good stuff – The Killers, Arcade Fire (sis Vickie’s request), Silversun Pickups, Weezer, Angels and Airwaves, The White Strips, and TV on the Radio.   

Cheers,

~Jerrie J

Italian Alps/Dolomites – Ammmaazzzing!!!!

First for all, for those that celebrate it – Feliz Navidad (belated)!  Hope you were able to spend the day with friends, family, and loved ones.  Selflessness is the ultimate gift anyone can give during the holidays.  And for those of you who took the time to volunteer or give to those less fortunate, thank you!! 

One of the places I was most energized about going to when I first found out I was moving to Italy was going to the Dolomites – AKA the Italian Alps.  Here is some background 411 so you can understand why this was on my “have to go to” list while living abroad:

 

When I lived in Seattle, CC (Cross Country) skiing became a frequent love of mine during the winter.  I would go every other weekend (or third weekend).  Or even sometimes during the week to avoid the weekend peeps.  It was completely so convenient for me to jump in my car and be at Iron Horse Trail or Snoqualmie Summit with-in 40 minutes.  I can still remember my Cougar passing the semi-trucks while “climbing” the Snoqualmie Pass.  And me yelling out-loud, “Take that you semi –trucks!”  While at the same time, my music blaring.  And my Starbuck’s seven pumps cinnamon dolce coffee in hand (yummy).  :p  When I would arrive at the ski area, I could not help but give my car a “pet” and thank it for getting me there safely. 

 

Go Cougar go!!!

Fast forward to this trip; which is a four and a half hour fast train ride from Rome, followed by a one hour bus ride to get to the Italian Alps.  Yup, a lot different than my 40-minute drive back in Seattle to go play in the snow...  But if you have a passion for something, you do what you have to do to make it happen.  And with that being said, the five and a half hour journey to get to the Italian Alps was totally worth it!!  Yes there are closer places I can go here in Italy, and I will go.  However, I have a feeling they will not even come close to the awesomeness of this trip. 

 

 

 

It was Thanksgiving weekend.  And the CC Skiing trails were not open, not even groomed.  So snow-shoeing it would be.  In my opinion it is not as good of a workout as CC Skiing, but it is still a totally fierce cardiovascular exercise.  In addition, just like CC Skiing it works your entire body.  And if you plan to be out there all day, and do some vertical climbing you had better be in shape!  Thank goodness for me keeping up with my running and doing upper body strengthening/gym work-outs prior to this adventure.  

A Rainbow - Woohoo!

 

I have to thank Flavio and Stefan from Catores Alpine School (link listed below) for making this trip such an epic magnificent experience.  Especially Stefan!  Flavio went out of his way to pick me up from the hotel in Bolzano the first day of my adventure.  Yaayyy, I didn’t have to take the bus to Ortisei my first day!  He also lent me some boots that kept my feet warm and dry the two days.  Of course, wool socks are a must as well.  Stefan was my guide during my two days. 


                                   
                                                                 Stefan and Flavio
 

Stefan has a wonderful sense of humor.  And he fed me chocolate to keep me motivated throughout the day.  What I like best about him is he pushed me.  Keep in mind most of the people who have pushed me (to do my best) are fellow runners, skiers, or hikers.  Stefan does more extreme sports such as Ice climbing, and Rock climbing on a regular basis.  Even though I was stoked to have someone so gifted as my guide, I could tell he expected me to push my limits.   
 

 

There were times when I didn’t think I had it in me to keep going.  My arms were so sore, my legs ached, and I felt worn-out.  And I don’t know how he did it (perhaps tempting me with chocolate), but we were able to climb and climb and climb.  The conditions were perfect! The sun was out, and the snow could not have been more powdery.  I decided to take a little break; and try and run in my snow-shoes.  Here is a very short video of Stefan encouraging me/cheering me on to “run.” 

 

 

 

The second day we went to a different place to snow-shoe.  I thought for sure Stefan would be “nice to me” and it would not be such a brutal workout as the day before.  Boy was I wrong!!  Before we even started our snow-shoeing, we had to climb up a dreadful steep hill and more climbing into the wilderness.  With all of our equipment mind you.  The whole time I am thinking, “Gosh, we haven’t even started shoe-shoeing, and I am already dead.” 

When we finally started snow-shoeing, the surroundings were a lot different than the Limestone Alps the previous day.  This day was like being back in the PNW – green.  A mixture of Pine, Spruce,and other trees; and they were all around us.  I defiantly felt like I was snow-shoeing in the woods.  This picture was from the day before, but it gives you more of an idea of this day’s shoe-shoeing surroundings. 

 

Even though this was not a full day of snow-shoeing (as the previous day), I was extremely drained and tired at the end.  But, despite that, I still had an astonishing time! 

 

 

 

This post would not be complete without giving the link for Catores Alpine School:

http://www.catores.com/cms/index.php?en_News

Catores Alpine School does it all – winter sports, summer sports, foreign tours, trekking expeditions, you name it. 

Flavio and Stefan – much gratitude again!!!!  And I will see you again soon!

My next trips will more likely be very similar to this one (playing in the winter elements).  That being said, it may be some time before I add any new post(s) to my blog. 
 

                         

In closing I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year!!  I hope the New Year brings you adventures, fantastic live music/concerts, serenity, and most of all happiness.  Be safe everyone!!
 

                         

 

Here are the rest of the pics from this trip:

https://plus.google.com/photos/118086643884541631322/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/118086643884541631322/albums/5961726455621513377

And please don’t forget the “Music Videos” tab on here.  Didn’t add any new ones tonight, but will sometime soon! In the meantime enjoy some of my current favs!!

 

Tanti Auguri,

~ Jerrie