Rest Day

*The continued story of our donkey trek*

      A room with a view - Casteluccio

The only sheep we have to count is when we wake up from our long slumber.  Nadia and Elliot come running into our room when they discover a flock of sheep across the street. Ever since Sardegna, we have been huge fans. The twinkling bells around their neck are just magical.  Plus we have a huge respect for the sheep dog who keep them in line. 

The view from our window is extraordinary. The large hills are soft and velvety. They are part of an area known as the Piani di Castellucio - a very unique ecosystem where rounded mountains rise up from a large flat valley. Parts of the valley are used for grazing lands and other parts are used for lentil crops, lending a wonderful patchwork design of browns and greens to the valley floor.   

The area is home to the best conditions for para and hang gliding in Europe. It is a Mecca and attracts people from all over the world. 

         Landing on the Pian Grande

            One of many para gliders

The town of Castellucio and the surrounding mountains instantly remind Brad and I of Nepal. Especially with the sub-culture of gliders who come in and out of the town. 

It is definently rough around the edges. Winters are brutually frigid here. As I mentioned before, this is the coldest spot in all of Italia - much colder than the Dolomites. The wind is known to whip up in a relentless fury. The town closes  around November 2nd and about 5-9 people remain, hunkered down for the season. I wanted to know who they were and found out that they are an inter generational family who live in the lower part of town and an older woman who lives in the upper. 

Their souls must be so attached to this land to not want to leave. I am told that Pian Grande is even more beautiful in the winter - a surreal lunar scape that is truly other worldly. 

We keep our day extremely low key. It is hotter than we expected at this altitude and our muscles are in recovery mode. We have an incredible meal at Taverna Castellucio and we eat what is typical to the area. 

            Lentils, polenta, sausage,

         meat sauce, and mushrooms. 

We check on Judith, Luna, and Mozart and they give us a look like "Well - is it time to go guys?" 

Not yet donkeys. It is late in the day and starting to cool down. Time to catch a short ride down to the Valley floor to check out what is going on there. 

Sit tight.