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

 

 

Sorrento - Yaaaay!! Amalfi Coast - Breathtaking!!!

I know it has been some since my last entry.  And as I write this, I can’t help but curse myself for not writing this sooner. Time goes by, and you forget the little details you want to include in your blog.  The little details that make a post soo much more entertaining for those that are reading it.  With that being said, I will have to rely on my memory for the little details. 

My favorite season is autumn.  And there is nothing like being on a somewhat secluded beach during this time - except for the brilliant natives of course.  The air is crisp and a little chilly.  And during the early mornings and late evenings the fog rolls in (which I love).  Not to mention there is somewhat of an isolation peacefulness.  Being on the coast/beach during autumn was the deciding factor on where to go for this trip.  I looked at a map, got some recommendations on where to go, and I was off.  It was Halloween, and three hours later I was in Sorrento.  

I got off the train and started my 1.5 mile walk (yeah right) to the B&B.  As I continued to walk, it occurred to me that it was taking a lot longer than I had anticipated.  Google maps is wonderful, when it is good to go. *sigh*  It was time to think back to my good old land navigation days to get to the B&B.  Along the way, I came across these cute kittens. 

 

Despite the excitement of being in such a magnificent town, I was getting frustrated.  I was on the beach and knew I was close to the B&B.  Then I stumbled onto a little bar.  And asked the owner if he knew where “Casa a Mare” was at.  And he did!  I was just about there.  He kindly asked me to sit while he called Sergio (the owner of the B&B) to come get me.  He gave me a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake.  I knew there was a reason I got lost!!! He did not want payment from me. Wow!!! That wouldn’t happen in Rome. Wooohoo!!!

 

I realized the reason I was unable to find the B&B is because it is "hidden." You can’t get to it via car and have to walk to it.  And you have to walk through somewhat of a cave to get to it.  Needless to say, it is in an extremely concealed location.  As Sergio and I walked there, for some reason it reminded me of Carlsbad Caverns.  And my family trip there when I was little.  Once again reminding me of my dad and that trip.  Him and I sitting down trying to get our headphones to work during the cavern tour.

The next day it was time to explore the city.  Of course my main purpose of this trip was to go on the Amalfi Coast excursion, and that was for the next day.  Sorrento is a great town.  It is well known for its Limoncello.  I have never been one for anything with lemons, but I do have to say I enjoy this drink.  Of course I probably like it because it is so sweet.  But be careful!!  It is very strong.  And if you are not cautious you will be feeling the effects in a very short amount of time.

 

As I gallivanted along the beach that morning I was not alone. The local women were there with me.  They spoke to me about how they love living in Sorrento (despite the tourists).  They even suggested a few hiking trails.  And places for me to go Cross Country skiing in Italy.  They had their bathing suits on, ready to take a early morning dip in the sea.  I put my hand in the water, and realized it was pretty cold.  I thought to myself, these women are like me, they are not scared of the cold. And they love the outdoors.  They have an adventures outdoor spirit that is very different that the mainstream women in Rome; who’s majority of interests are fashion, make-up, and “looking the part.”  Note to my female friends in Rome:  you are beautiful outside AND inside.  And I know you won’t take offense to that comment.  J  To sum it up, I totally fit in with the women of Sorrento, and their outdoor, “let’s do this” mentality. 
   

 

One of the local fishermen offered his bicycle to me to ride along the beach that morning.  It was an old bike, but it worked.  And as I rode it along the water, I felt a very strong desire of not wanting to live in “a city.”

As I walked along the town, I could not help but notice how clean it was.  The streets were hardly polluted.  Yes, there were still smokers, but for some reason the air just felt cleaner there. 
 

 

Of all places to meet a fellow New Mexican, “Lupe” was staying at the same B&B as me.  Her and her husband and two of their close married friends were on an Italian trip. I hung with them that night.  We had a light dinner and wine at the B&B. And talked, and talked, and talked.  And then went off to get some Gelato.  They were upbeat and I had a fun time with them!  And it was nice to be able to talk to Lupe about New Mexico (NM). We exchanged stories about our family lineages in NM, and about missing the food.  Especially missing the red and green - for those of you who are not from NM “red and green” pertain to the chili.  To meet someone where you are originally from – in a small private B&B (not well known), in a town in Italy; it truly is a small world!!

 

I thought Wikipedia has some great 411 and pictures of Sorrento. And am including that link.  The last picture in the article “Marina Grande Sorrento” is my favorite.  As that is where I spent most of my time – with the native fishermen, hospitable women, and along the sea. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorrento

The next day it was time for my Amalfi Coast Excursion.  YAAAY!! Andrew – my excursion guide was awesome.  I wish I had taken a picture of him.  Gosh, darn it!!  He is from Sorrento, and knows the Amalfi coast with his eyes closed.  The only word that comes to mind to describe the Amalfi coast is BREATHTAKING!!  The cliffs are radically vertical.  And the sea is so crystal clear.  Along the excursion we stopped at the little towns.  My favs. were Positano, and Amalfi. 

 

We did a lot of walking.   We did some brutal stair climbing in Positano.  There was a merchant who had a little puppy.  As he talked to Andrew I entertained myself by playing with the puppy.  He got a hold of my shoestring and would not let go, it was so cute.  It reminded me of what a wonderful dog Sable was.  I should have taken a picture of him chewing my shoestring. Since I didn’t however, here is one of Sable. She was the most adorable Pomeranian in the world! She was my baby girl!

 

This week I was stoked to see Amalfi Coast was listed in a CNN link, “Your most spectacular travel photos.”  It is the 10th photo.  And I had to smile, and say yes!!! I was there, I was there!!!

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/17/travel/gallery/best-travel-photos-irpt/index.html?hpt=tr_t2

Here are the rest of my pictures from this trip.  The only regret I have is not taking more pictures.  However, as you will see - my next post will def. make up for that!!! J

https://picasaweb.google.com/118086643884541631322/SorrentoAmalfiCoast#

Last but not least, I added some new tunes on the music tab of my blog - some old, some new, all fantastic!!!!

Cheers,

~ Jerrie