Animal farm

Some of the not-so-wild life on our bike ride up the valley of waterfalls.

Do you want fresh goat milk with your coffee?

Valley of waterfalls

We learned of the Val di Genova, known as the Valley of Waterfalls, located near our pensione. A paved road alongside the river open only to hikers, bikers, and park shuttle buses runs up the steep, glacial valley. You had me at Valley of Waterfalls. We rented e-bikes for the 1000-foot, 18 km, climb. The largest glacier in the Italian Alps feeds the falls and river. (Devoted readers of my flying blog should know that this alluring place reminded me so much of Stehekin!)

Breakfast

I don't know why I'm gaining weight on my hiking vacation...

Beam me down, Scotty

On our route back to the magic gondola that saved our knees from 3000 feet of descent, we ran into a school group of 50 Italian kids heading down the trail. They start them young. After all, they have to be adept at skiing down a mountain without skis, and while eating a sandwich, by 18.

To celebrate our successful tour of the Brenta we found an appropriately named gelateria in town. Arlo is either down in the mouth about my larger scoop or coming down with a bad case of spumoni(a).

Brenta there, done that

Check out Arlo's time lapses from our Brenta trek. 

https://youtu.be/5vd2MkqJihw

Fossil record

The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains 9 sections. In addition to the breathtaking landscapes, sheer cliffs, and vertical walls, the Dolomites offer a glimpse of the fossil record of the marine life in the Triassic period. Twice we glanced down to find fossils at our feet. We've scratched the surface of two sections of the Dolomites on this trip (Rosegarden and Brenta groups). Now adding the others to my bucket list.

Wildflower wanderland

A Norwegian hiker we met while shooting wildflower pics said that the calcium in the limestone contributes to the richness of the flowers here.

The first photo cracks me up because I'm looking at a tiny flower while surrounded by vast grandeur. It's the little things!