La Morra

Relaxing in Wine Country

We have been hiding out in La Morra, deep in the wine country of North Western Italy. We are staying in an Inn that is not yet open for business for the season but let us stay in the place by ourselves. It is a converted barn although you would never guess its history. The conversion was beautiful and the rooms and common areas are first quality. It’s a little eerie having the whole place to ourselves. Each afternoon I’ve taken a long hike through the countryside in mild drizzles, which felt like exactly what should be happening. Today we spent a good part of the afternoon roaming around the town and seeing the sites. The town is built on the top on a major hill overlooking the wine vineyards in all directions. At least we think it is overlooking the vineyards. The central plaza has a sign with distant landmarks on a bronze plate with a logo that says something about “as far as the eyes can see”. Unfortunately our eyes could only see the thick fog about ten feet beyond the sign.

The roads are very interesting. Most of the towns are built around castles and/or churches and the roads were established at a time when most traffic was by foot or cart and the fastest vehicle traveled in bursts of speed up to six miles an hour. The buildings are built right up to the road so that you could literally get hit by a car on your first step out of your home. As often as not, no more than one car can pass at any given time. There are often blind curves with large mirrors on the outside of the curve to see approaching traffic. I’ve yet to see a right angle. The Italian drivers have developed an odd logic of making up for the challenges with excessive speed. It really does add excitement to life. We don’t have the history that they do but we do have the good fortune of having most of our cities laid out when cars were the standard of the design rather than donkey carts.

Well, the news has reverted to the fashion industry in India so we are going to head off to dinner. Jamie was able to get a “Insalade” that actually included lettuce and no Squid this afternoon so she is encouraged. I don’t know if I’m going to be permanently hooked on pasta or avoid it for months, but it certainly has become a part of my diet for the trip.

Hope everyone is doing well. We are roaming back towards Interlaken to turn in the car Thursday and take a train to the airport in Zurich and home on Friday. It’s amazing how much you miss the people and things in your everyday life. Traveling is fun for the new adventures and is fun for appreciating the things you have at home. See you soon.

Here are some pictures from a couple of days ago.

Here are some pictures from the wine country.