Goofing around on the Pian Grande

The owner of our Agrtitursimo gives us a quick ride down to the valley. Up until now, we have only seen it from above. The winds are light and Lucas breaks out his para kite and learns how to keep it in the air under such mild conditions. 

For para gliders, on the other hand, these conditions seem to be ideal. A half a dozen land right in front of the area we are standing in. They make it look effortless and graceful. 

One after another, they make their way down after riding the thermals above the valley. 

Of course we are reminded of my brother Mark who is an avid para glider. He has never set sail here but he knows about the fine reputation of the Pian Grande. 

We text him several pictures and suggest Castellucio as a fun place for a honeymoon.  He and his lovely Lajanni were engaged last week.  Here is a picture of the love birds!

Congratulations Mark and Lajanni!!

Being on the valley floor versus admiring it from Castellucio are two entirely different experiences. For one, the valley has no trees or other structures which deprive you of a sense of space and distance. We had fun taking silly shots of us lifting up one of the mountains. 

Here is Nadia getting ready to step over one. 

And Brad has really built some muscles during this trip. 

The valley gives you this strange giddy feeling that is hard to explain. It is such a large flat area somehow it makes you feel like you can do anything. There were horses to rent - why not gallop across the whole valley? Bikes to rent - why not bike up to one of the bases of the hills? There is a sense of freedom and it seems everyone down in the valley feels their heart soar like one of the paraglides. 

Here Nadia and Lucas are lifting Elliot up and over the mountain. 

Brad - looking molto bello in his capello. 

Pian Grande is one of Italy's most photographed places. In the spring time, it is striped with red, yellow, blue, and purple flowers. The flowers are so dense it looks like a crazy quilt stretched out from one end of the valley to the next. Another place for your list. 

Sun is going down. Time to head back to Castellucio. We need to have an early start tomorrow to get to Refugio Perugia with Judith, Mozart, and Luna.