Jul 16 - a perfect day

By 8:00am the fog bank in the Po Valley had roiled up to the crest of the ridge and hovered for hours. Our trail stayed on or near the crest all morning, peaking at 2430 meters. We had banks of fog on the left, and on the right we had huge views from Mont Blanc (we think) to Monte Rosa. From this side we could see the big glaciers that cover the top and north and west sides of Monte Rosa. Very beautiful. This was the most scenic stretch of trail so far.

Then we started a big descent which tomorrow will take us down to 290 meters. We stopped at 1400 meters mid afternoon for a fabulous late lunch. Just a few minutes after lunch we met Giovanni on the trail. We quickly established that he and Jim are of the same ilk. Sixty-something mechanical engineers. Giovanni specializes in heart related medical devices. He invited us for Grappa, and we spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with him, his wife, and a couple of their friends. They bought an old farmhouse which they visit on weekends. The keys in the photo open the cheese making cottage, the cow barn, the pig room, and the chicken coop.

They have gone home because the have to go to work tomorrow, and we are now camping on their lawn. Great conversation with interesting, kind, and generous people.

We only walked 15 km today, which I believe is a record low mileage day for us. Tomorrow will be a long descent followed by a long ascent. Never level.

We're happy and healthy, well fed, clean, and very happy to have met these folks.