June 12:

Today was for exploring. We started by walking around our building to see what the spa and restaurant had to offer. Most everything was closed because it was Sunday and the same will be true for Monday. But, we did discover a salt cave room and reserved it for later in the afternoon.

The rain, in sprinkles, comes and goes. Reminds one of Holland. So, we took jackets and an umbrella and headed off through a tunnel that takes you under the main road into town. Up a slight incline and we cross a swift running stream. Mountain stream over lots of rocks - clear, clean, cold. 

Up the road a little further to the main street. If I have not pointed out the name of the town yet, its called Ponte di Legno and we're in the Dolomite Mountains in the Lombardy part of Italy. So, there, got that out of the way. The street is full of ski shops and schools, boutique ski clothing and gear, regular clothing stores, bars and restaurants. This place is definitely a ski resort and, of course, its off-season. (Don't forget, pictures have been posted on both of our Facebook pages.) There is an old mill that was powered by a water wheel that's been converted into a bar. It was one of the few places open, and the sun was coming out a little, so we stopped for an espresso and a water and sat outside. We were the only ones, everyone else was inside.

As we sat there, we watched four old guys (probably about our age) come out and prepare to get back on their motorcycles. Two were Triumphs. I didn't know they made them anymore. These guys were wearing a lot of clothing: two pairs of pants, boots, heavy jackets and a heavy plastic shell worn on their backs - one on his front. I guess to protect them if they fell off. But, it was on their backs. I'm not sure how that would work. The sun was staying out and heating things up a bit, so one pair of pants came off. Each bike had two bags strapped on the back. It looked like they were going somewhere overnight not just out for a Sunday afternoon drive.

As we walked back toward our room, we watched five sporty cars pull out of parking spaces and head out of town together - two Porsche 911's, two BMW's, and a Honda (but it was a very sporty model). Each car had a woman in it. I think these were Sunday drivers out for a good time on the mountain roads.

We spent about 40 minutes in the salt cave breathing salt air and getting healthier. If you don't know what I'm talking about - its a fairly large room with loose salt on the floor and salt attached somehow to all of the walls and ceiling. There is a blower that circulates the salty air. We did this once before in Venice, Florida. Nice place to meditate and take a snooze.

Linda prepared cauliflower and pork chops for dinner on our induction stove. She figured out how to turn on the burners to the setting she wanted. Its all controlled by touch sensors. Really good dinner.