This is my hotel for two nights - Hotel Cecchin, pronounced like chicken. I spent last night here and I will stay here tonight.
Last night's included dinner at the hotel was fabulous. The first course was this yummy pasta with butter and parmesan. I like the Italian style of serving pasta with less sauce.
My next course was a French-style omelet. I had several choices, but I love this type of omelet. I much prefer them to our American-style fluffy omelets. Gu ess that is why there are lots of food choices in the world. Plus, I figured I needed some protein.
My dessert course was fruit salad. Yes, I know it looks like the canned fruit salad that every school and hospital serves, but everything in this one was fresh. I nee d something lighter and healthier. It did not skimp on flavor.
My dining companion. I thought he was going to jump.
So this morning, I started with high expectations of a 17-mile journey. Then I was supposed to meet a taxi driver to take me back to the same hotel. There are no hotels midway.
All went well for a while, and I enjoyed the journey. I was walking through the Aosta Valley, which is an Alpine valley that includes the Italian slopes of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, and he Matterhorn. The highest peak is Mont Blanc (15,780 ft). This makes this valley the highest region in Italy.
I walked through several vineyards. The grapes are very young and very green.
I walked a long ay along this water channel and felt like I was on a balance beam. It was about the same width.
There were these water control devices every so often.
You can see how narrow it was. This was the only person I saw on the trail.
Some of it had no rail. Still, the hike was breathtaking.
It all went well until it didn't. kept losing the trail, although I had it downloaded to my iPhone. I was told there was some confusion because of trail repair, but there were no alternate route signs. My hotelier had severely warned me that I HAD to be at the end of today's route between 3:00 and 4:00 pm to meet my transfer ride In fact, he told me that several times in a most severe tone. I was worried I wouldn't make that deadline if I kept getting lost. And the wind had picked up. I could see what looked like storm clouds in the mountain. Much to my disappointment, I decided to head back the way I came. I decided it was better to be smart than spend the night in the woods.
I had walked full tilt for almost 5 hours and decided I better eat something before I bonked. I had a lovely lunch companion who came close enough to take some cheese from me. He wouldn't let me pet him.
Pretty nice gourd hanging over the fence. Almost every house has a small garden.
I took this photo for all my pit bull friends and relatives.
Well, the decision to return to Aosta had some benefits. I had walked 24+ kilometers (a little over 15 miles) with some severe climb. Aosta is a fascinating city, and I had a chance to explore it. All I had to do was walk around some more. Just what I needed. But my curiosity overruled my body. This is the Arc d'Auguste which was erected in 25 BC on the occasion of a Roman victory.
A closer look.
The Aosta Cathedral or Cattedrale di Aosta is also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and Saint John the Baptist. The entrance was magnificent.
A closer view of the brilliant colors in this Romanesque church, built around 1000 AD.
Looking up at the archway.
The altar.
A closer look.
At the top of the Atarpiece. The figures are three dimensional.
This was a small chapel beside the altar. Look at those incredible stained glass windows.
A view of the large relic chest of Saint Grato, which was created by the Flemish sculptor Jean de Malines.
It seemed to be the main attraction in the room of treasures.
The clock tower was part of the original structure. I assume without the clock?
This building, within the old city walls still has some of the original frescos. It is now an art gallery with some really interesting three dimensional art.
The Porta Pretoria dates back to 25 BC and was the eastern entrance to the old Roman city.
Every character on this sculpture by Dorino Ovrier is playing the accordion.
Just for you Dennis. You coulda been famous.
Dinner was at my hotel again. My first course was this pasta which was sort of a very light alfredo over penne pasta. It only had a little cream and parmesan. Quite tasty.
My second course was this extremely fresh salad paired with veal roast.
The veal was fork tender and exceptional. I put most of it in a baggie that I always take to meals. I was too full from the pasta which I couldn't finish. It will be made into a sandwich on a French roll for my hike tomorrow. I was sitting outside and the temperature had really dropped. I had gelato for dessert. I ordered my meal earlier today and maybe I would not have chosen gelato since I was already cold. Didn't stop me from eating it. LOL.
So tomorrow is a big day - 18 miles if I don't get lost. Say your prayers for me. I have to be packed and move my suitcase down 4 double pairs of stairs by 7:30. I am anxious to get a good night's sleep which isn't always a guarantee at this age. So until tomorrow!
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