Trial Run

*The continuation of our donkey trek. See  earlier posts below*

                   Lucas with Judith

We lead Luna, Mozart, and Judith into Roberto's shady garden where he teaches us how to groom and tack our donkeys. Brad still has that "Are we really doing this?" look on his face but is somewhat comforted by the fact that I have a lot experience with horses (the tacking of the donkeys overwhelms him).  

            Roberto, Nadia, and Judith

     Playing with "Hope" in Roberto's    

     garden - a lovable 1 year 

     old St. Bernard. 

It is noon by the time we complete this process and Roberto asks us if we have brought food for our practice run. The temperature is reaching at least 38 degrees Celsius and we are somewhat in denial that we are going to walk at this time of day. Roberto seems unfazed. 

We head down the road to a local Alimentari (corner store) and purchase mozzarella, prosciutto, bread, fruit, and lots of water. By the time we get back to the donkeys, it is 1:00. 

Nadia takes the first turn on Mozart and Lucas leads. Brads takes charge of Luna and I lead Judith with Elliot. We quickly learn their pecking order.  Mozart and Luna are competing alphas and can take turns at the front. Judith is clearly a follower and will never be head of the pack. 

Elliot is tentative. Judith's stride surprises him and he feels unsteady. We also learn the importance of sticking together; if Luna and Mozart get too far ahead, Judith frets and tries to do the run walk to catch-up which worries Elliot even more. Roberto explains the nature of their pack mentality and the comfort that they provide for one another.  We agree to stick closely together. 

The scenery is breath taking. We walk through shady forests on the edge of hay fields and then right through the Main Street of two medieval villages.  Our biggest struggle is getting the donkeys to stay focused on the trail - they are interested in consuming anything and everything that is green. Leaves from trees, thick weedy grass, shrubs, and even thistle. This involves a lot of pulling and anticipating their desire to drift towards the edges of the trail. Nadia gets it down pretty quickly when it is her turn to lead Mozart. 

We finally reach Campi, a town high in the hills. We eat lunch under the shade of a castle. The kids are ravenous but still no takers on the prosciutto. It is about 40 degrees now. There is a fountain in a small piazza with dozens of bees circling above the spigot. We put our heads under the freezing cold water and are grateful for that mountain spring coming from somewhere under the earth. 

The ride back is shorter and on the hot pavement. We make it back to the barn, release the trio into a corral, and go over the map for our 5 day trek.  We decide to be on the road  by 7 am the next day to capture the coolest part of the day.  We have a three hour uphill trek and two hour trek downhill in store for us. 

By the end if the day, I am the one fretting. Brad is sold.