Thursday, February 17, 2011

Dolomiti

Just in case you're thinking there's no such thing as trouble in paradise... here are a few pics of the missing Dolomite Mountains.


I'd been dying to see Val Gardena, that picture postcard area of world class skiing, nestled beneath the monstrous, jagged peaks of the Dolomites.


Alas... Heavy clouds hid the mountains. A cold, gloomy rain made for a less than enjoyable trek to the highest elevations...

Where rain turned to snow, then blizzard conditions during our walk to the restaurant.

Hard to believe this battered sign points to something marvelous, but sure enough, right around the bend on this desolate road was a cozy little spot for Speck (the local's prosciutto) and a warming glass of wine.

The chilly rains hitched a ride home and seem intent on staying for awhile.

Making this the ideal day to...


Get the heck outta town!

Surely you’ve heard that saying ‘what they don’t know won't hurt them?’ [as in hurt me?]

Well, I’m stretching the concept of President’s Day weekend about as far as I can take it, since Italians haven’t a clue what this long weekend means for Americans. (Please don’t tell them it’s not a religious holiday, that seemed to work like a charm.)

So, it’s off to Venice and hopefully bright, sunshiny skies.

11 comments:

Marguerite said...

I can't get over how the town looks to me like dollhouses. All intricately painted in pretty colours. I keep expecting to see little doll people.

D said...

Wonderful photos, Kate, beautiful place, and I can tell you are hard at work and NOT enjoying yourself. ;)

Carol said...

Venice!! Oh Kate, I cannot wait to see your photos. You should call Dona!! Have a great time . . . you lucky one!

Lona said...

The buildings and colors are so fantastic. What a wonderful trip you are having seeing all the different aspects of the culture. Have a wonderful time in Venice and soak up very minute of it Kate while you are there.

KC said...

All the more reason to go back in the summer! Looks gorgeous even in the bad weather.

Mariana said...

Absolutely wonderful pictures!! I loved them all!

Denise said...

Lovely pictures! Hope you also enjoy youreself in Venice!!!

Wally said...

Oh, shame about the weather. Lovely photos though. Looking forward to seeing Venice!

fer said...

It looks like a lot of fun! Hope you get a nice weather

Unknown said...

Hope you are enjoying Venice. Meanwhile, back here in the snowy lands of the arid West, we are experiencing the second big snow dump of the week. I feel your pain on the missing mountain range. I hear it's worth seeing. I had the same problem with the Grand Tetons -- they were missing, both times I was in their vicinity. It would seem hard to abscond with an entire mountain range. I suspect aliens have a hand in such things. Hopefully they will return the Dolomites in short order. And hope you will try, try again to send photographic proof of their existence before you leave the continent. I am SO loving your Euro-blogs. Keep up the good fu---- I mean work.

sasha said...

Keep trying to see and SKI the Dolomiti. We have heard how spectacular they are and your photos have been great! This will be a place that we will have to get to someday (can you be our travel guide?). Thanks for all the work.