L'aventure américaine

Yesterday, Charles, Randal, and I were hiking the whole day - so no time for blogs. But, today we rest and can catch up. Monday was Levico Terme aka Lake Day! The lake in Levico puts others to shame with its crystal clear water, backdrop of mountains, and warm temperature. It was gorgeous. The town is delightful with a little stream running through the sidewalk for kids to play in. And miracle of miracles - Milo swam in the lake and played in the sidewalk fountains. We had dinner at Valconover - a delicious meal and a playground right outside so the kids could play after dinner rather than tormenting us. It was a relaxing, gorgeous day. Playing in the lake Lunch in the grass Lawn games More lawn games! Grandmother and granddaughters Sidewalk creek A sleepy walk home Yesterday was our hiking day. I have liked this little small little tradition (two years running) of Randal, Charles, and I taking a day to hike. The destination was clear this time: La Vigolana. Twelve years ago, when Char...

Neither Milo and Marian wanted to guest-author today's blog, but pitting kids against each other is an effective tool to get them to do something, so here is yesterday, according to Milo and Marian! Marian: Yesterday, we put up party stuff. The party stuff was for Aunt Elisabetta. We ate food. We ate gelato, strawberry and raspberry.  Milo: We went to a castle. And there were a lot of people in costumes. They wore armor and they also had real swords. There were no people dressed up as dragons, but Mom did chase Marian and tried to catch her and she pretended to be a dragon. Marian: Yes there was a dragon with a costume! [ See photos below. ] Milo: Oh yeah. Marian: And there was a giant lady. But, it didn't spit water at me. Milo: It doesn't spit water. It cries out water. Marian: It did it at him and him. The two boys. Milo: There was a birthday party. After the party, we went home. And I got ready for bed and then my mom read me Harry Potter.  And then I went to sleep. And...

 We fall into bed - well satisfied with our full days here in Vigolo. Maybe it's the fresh mountain air. Maybe it's the wine. Maybe it's the days full of activity and conversation, but bed is always welcome at the end of the day. Yesterday we went to Fort Belvedere, about 45 minutes away on windy mountain roads near the town of Lavarone. It was a fort on the eastern front of WWI, held by the Austro-Hungarians against the Italians. It is large - held 200 men - and was never taken. It would have been a terrible place to stay... in the dark and stone. There was a fair amount of cognitive dissonance visiting the fort of those who you do not want to win the war (and they fortunately didn't). Who are the protagonists in the story you tell yourself? Like most wars, it just seemed like silly boys seeking power. Ugh. A tunnel under the fort The view from the fort was fairly spectacular Today we visited Bolzano, home of Otzi, the Ice Man. Though he died at around 45 years old, it...