July-18-2005

Word of the Day
rispetto: 1: respect 2: What the mountains constantly teach JenFu by scaring him with their awesome power.

It’s nice to survive a close call. One escapes the mountains. One NEVER beats them.

We had a lovely climb on Torre di Falzarego. It was the Torre Piccola route that we took on. Too bad that we (meaning “I”) messed up the approach, scrambled on loose ledges, and started at the top of pitch #2. No worries. We had plenty of excitement anyway.

The route was wonderful. We topped out, found the rappel and both made it into the gully. But, just as things were moving smoothly, weather moved in. Just as one shoud never turn one’s back on the ocean, one should never turn one’s back on the mountains.

Thunder clapped and lightning flashed. Corinne and I started our sprint down the mountain to avoid our demise. The rain fell but not in its most extreme until we reached the safety of the restaurant at the trail head. What a delicious cappuccino that was!

Of course, the rain stopped by the time we reached John’s meal truck. Corinne was nice enough to bring him a peach torte…in appreciation of the help that he has graciously given us.

John invited us to join him at a local haunt where he often enjoys dinner. The restaurant was called Azienda Agrituristica Corte’s Ranch, located in Auronzo. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was unique. It was nice that Giorgia could join us as well.

Giorgia was a lovely person who we met at John’s truck. It was clear that he was quite fond of her. Corinne and Giorgia developed an immediate bond, both having spent time in Alaska. We learned all about life in Cortina and what it meant to be a local there.

I must say, the meat was delicious as was the wine. The night concluded with grappa poured by the restaurant owner. I must remember that it is best to sip the grappa, which would be my natural inclination anyway.

The rain is falling right now but I expect that tomorrow will be a fine day anyway.