Domodossola

We drove up to the mountains this weekend.

 We stopped in Domodosolo the largest town in the region.  It was market day so we wandered around for a while.

The we drove north as far as the road would go.

The Italian love tunnels.  one of the tunnels had replaced some old very scary switch backs.  The new tunnel was a long ramp that slowly ramped up while turning over 360 degrees through the mountain.

The alps 

Near the end of the road was Cascata del Toce.  a large cascade.

Up on top of the water falls was this viewing deck that hung out over the falls.  Peggy Loved it!

This is much more spectacular in the spring when the water is flowing full blast.

There were many water falls

We then drove back to Baceno where we found our small hotel in this narrow mountain valley.  After checking in we drove up a different canyon to the west as far as we could go and fond this fabulous falls.  It was so powerful that the mist was blowing in our faces.  This area was called Alpe Devero.

The next day we drove south for a while past Domodossolo and then turned west again to drive up to Monte Rose.

At the end of the road was a fabulous old ski resort.  The old ski lift was removed but the town still has lots of tourist traffic in both Summer and Winter.  Here is a native carrying a basket load of sticks

On the way back down the valley we saw lots of water falls that I missed on the way up.

In this valley about half the building have slate roofs.

Thes cows all had bells on and you could hear the bells clanging from a long ways away. An old lady was leaning against the fence and watching her cows.

How would you like this water falls in your back yard?

Fake palm tree

Bassano del Grappa

After Nove and Marostica we drove about 10 miles east to the town of Bassano del Grappa.

The bridge is well known because it was an ancient bridge that was destroyed during the German retreat of WWII.  As soon soon the war was over the town rebuilt the bridge exactly as it was before the war.

We walked across the bridge.

Look close at the buildings on the other side of the bridge.

See the bullet holes from the war?

It says wine flavored tooth paste

The Alpini were local resistance fighters that defended the alps or mountaints that were north of this city.  Here one is kissing his girl friend good bye.

Nove & Marostica

On Friday we could not decide whether to go to the mountains or call up our Friends the Keeffers and see if they were free to show us around Nove and their end of the mission.  We called them and agreed to meet them at 9 am in Nove.

Nove is a small town north of Vicenza that has many ceramics factories.  You wold through the factory where they are making the ceramics and go upstairs to their show room.

Lots of really neat stuff.

After buying the ceramics we liked and having them packed up, we then drove several kilometers to Marostica.  This is a city built at the foot of the hill with the old castle up on the top of the hill.  Next to the castle ruins was this very nice restaurant.

Peggy and the Keeffers looking around the ruins

Looking from the castle ruins down to the city below.

The city wall goes down the hill on two sides and encompasses the city below.

We then drove down to the city.

Neat tree

The wall going up to the castle

In Marostica they have an annual live chess game.  Where they have live horses as the knights.  

Who are these folks?

The live chess board (field)

Alpini

Marostica