Walking Across Italy

Today we hiked just under 10 miles in 3.5 hours. I took 20,400 steps. The weather was scattered showers and the temperature had dropped about 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) since yesterday (into the low 50s). Besides constantly putting on and taking off our rain gear, we climbed the equivalent of 67 flights of stairs during the trek.

The skies were overcast and the ground was soaked with overnight rain as we departed our hotel in Estaing.

We spent the night in the village of Estaing. This town is the ancestral home of the former President of France in the 1970s – Giscard D’estaing. The castle in the town has been converted into a historical museum of the D’estaing family. They have quite an impressive history. (Or at least that is the way they tell it.)

About 4 miles into out journey, we had to step aside because there was a major traffic jam on the trail. We all pulled to one side and let a herd of cows pass by. I have to say it was a little scary as some 30 cows (with horns) came barreling down the path. (I was reminded that I never want to go to Spain and participate in The Running of the Bulls.)

We climbed in the rain for another mile or two, hoping the top was just around the next bend….but it wasn’t.

When we DID make it to the top, it looked like the sun was coming out. (Not so fast, boys.)

5 minutes later.

All of the rain did help this dahlia grove to bloom and grow. It was a colorful surprise as we neared our final destination – lunch!

A few hundred meters later we found our restaurant for a nice lunch. I had the pork slice with peas and carrots. It was a nice, warm, comfort meal after a cold, wet climb. (My daughter Libby wants me to post more of the food, so here I go.)

Now usually we would stay in some lodging at our endpoint, but the best thing available in this village is a campground. (Sorry, homey don’t play that tune.) So, Stephen had a great solution. We hired a cab to take us to tomorrow’s destination where there is a 3-star hotel. (I never thought I could get so excited about a room with a bathtub and a real bar of soap!) Then, tomorrow morning, we will hire another cab to take us back to today’s end-point and complete the journey.

Tonight we had a nice meal which began with a giant salad covered in lardon (bacon)!!!

I’m heading to bed now. Bonne Nuit.