What a magical day. The scenery was astonishing, amazing, and gorgeous.
The lazy cows were just munching away, paying no attention to me what so ever.
There were mountains in every direction.
After a 4 mile climb, the first challenge was within eyesight - Mount Velora.
At the top, I met a Dutch man who had started from his house. He was going on to Rome. He and I were the only two people on top of the nountain.
As I topped the hill, I was in for a wonderful surprise. Look Janet, horses!
The herd seemed to be enjoying the view as much as I was.
I was a little afraid I would spook them over a cliff, but there was a trail on the other side of them.
Looking down from the first pass over the mountains. Today I leave the Emilia Romagna region and enter Tuscany.
Leaving the Mount Velora
Another wonderful surprise. A bar with Coke Zero. Aptly named Cisa Bar. There must have been a hundred motorcycles. I didn't hear much of them today but yesterday, they sounded like angry hornets and I watch them almost scrape their knees on the sharp curves.
The arch officially welcomes pilgrims to Passo della Cisa.
I had to walk up even more to pass the chapel. Unfortunately it was not open. I think it was reserved for a wedding.
Another heavenly cross on top of a mountain.
I walked for several miles through this lovely woods of beech and chestnut trees. All day I had a cool breeze and very few areas without shade.
I couldn't resist snapping this photo of Mama and baby.
About this time, it started pouring rain with thunder and flashes of lightening. I thought I was very close to my destination but I had to run all the way up another mountain and I got soaked. Not my favorite thing to do, either be out in a storm or run up a mountain. I do have sense enough to get out of the rain but there was no where to go. Talk about some prayers going straight up. My camera went into a ziplock and that ended my photo taking for the hiking day. A shame because it was a beautiful trail.
This is my charming B & B. Photo taken after the rain stopped.
My little room. I have four beds but I do not have to share because I have a private room and bath.
I walked around the tiny, remote stone village at the top of yet another mountain. First I saw these gorgeous white wine grapes. Then...
... these red wine grapes. Must be a mixed pair like Dennis and me.
This is Max. He and his girlfriend, Jena were my dining companions. They were so much fun. They are from Germany. I actually like this red wine.
My host, Marcus cooked this meal and it was superb. We had pasta with fresh tomatoes and a chickpea patty. We also had homemade bread similar to fry bread. Everything was homemade and home grown - even the olive oil for the bread. My camera ran out of battery so I couldn't take a photo of the rest of the meal. For dessert, Greta, our hostess made sort of a very light cheesecake with chocolate drops sandwiched in between two boozy pieces of cake. It was yummy. It looked like an ice cream sandwich. All three of us ate numerous helpings of everything. There was a lot of mmmms going on. And at the end Marco brought out three bottles of what I would describe as Italian Moonshine that he made. Too strong for me! But I did taste one of them. Whew!
So you must forgive my grammar mistakes and lack of commas. It was a challenging 14 plus mile day and I am tired. I wouldn't trade the day - it was magnifico.
Good night.
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