June 20:

Today dawned bright and sunny (first day of summer) and we were off to see more mountains northeast of here. Linda's painting teacher, Janis, had told us that whenever they were in this area, they stayed at Kastel Ruth or something like that. We decided to investigate.

We headed down the road, over one range and down into a valley. Along the way we stopped for coffee just past a town called Cles. 












We wanted to sit with a view of the lake that we had just passed, but had to settle for a view of a small valley and a bike on the veranda.













In this valley were many, many orchards but we didn't know what they were growing. Asking our waitress - the answer turned out to be apples. Mele in Italian.


A little farther down the road we found a veggie stand, just like you would find in the States.












A bottle of wine (everyone sells wine), an onion, and two apples were purchased.

Finally over to an interstate-like road for 40 kms.

Based on where we thought we were and the terrain and the signs, we believed we were approaching the famous Brenner Pass. Its obvious this was a natural north south highway over the years.








We drove past our target town because there was no exit for it, got off and doubled back and found Castelrotto or Kastel Ruth (Italian or German). We quickly learn that this area is German speaking. We are close to the Austrian border and our history tells us that the Austrians have been around for a long time. 

We find a lift almost immediately and up we go.















Its time for lunch and we walk right over to a restaurant and sit outside, surrounded by goats.



One of them had a bell around his neck and for awhile, he sat under our table. But, mainly they were muchers and were trying to look cute so we would feed them.



This one looked like he was ashamed of himself for doing something bad.






Here are some nomes guarding the restaurant. We've seen them in other places here in the mountains.



We were hungry, because we didn't have a breakfast. I spotted weinerschnitzel on the menu and had to have it. Linda went for what was probably a Austrian style minestrone soup. 

Good food with another spectacular view.














Along with the goats, cows with bells were around too. This one ignored us. Too busy eating.






We had been told there was another restaurant about 20 minutes down a path through the woods. A good place to have a coffee and some dessert (dolci).




My tree hugging wife wanted to "read" the trees and landscape: tall pines, moss on the rocks, and views of the valley below. So, it took us a little longer than forecast. I participated.





After about 30 minutes we arrived at our destination.


















A coffee and a shared cake and we were off, back to the lift and down to town.

There was another lift outside of town that went higher. This one was enclosed. Not a chair lift, but enclosed with an automatic sliding door. All of these lifts take about 20 minutes to go one way.


























At the top, we see another lift about a 20 minute walk away that would take us even higher. We decide that we're so close we should keep going.







Along the way were a few isolated houses that looked like a hermit's abode. This is called the boonies.



The neighbors are not close. This is for people who want to be alone with their animals.

We walk down the gravel trail only to learn that the lift is about to close and can't take us up today. Then we start wondering if the main lift that we need to catch to get to the car will be closing too. Not so, we still have over an hour. 

Back down to the car and head home. Linda remembered a nice looking restaurant near Tonale and wanted to stop there for dinner. Just before we reached it, we passed this guy.




The nice looking restaurant turned out to be one that caters to buses. And the dining room was arranged with long rows of tables. Not what we were looking for.


But, outside, across the road was this large frame of a great scene.




A little farther down the road we found a small, mom and pop restaurant that took good care of us. Linda ordered deer and veggies and I had a local ravoli dish. You might have noticed that the Owens' have ditched their non-gluten, no dairy diet. Heh, we're in Italy. Next week we go back to the regular food.

This was outside the restaurant.




It was still light when we arrived back at the resort about 9:30.

Good day. Actually, all of them are good. As our younger daughter might say "best day ever".