Mountain Climbing Practice

We had some seriously gorgeous days last week.  It was warm and sunny with a clear sky.  The mountains looked amazing and I got bit by the springtime bug.  Last Sunday Fabri and I went to this discount store I really like (sort of like Big Lots or Tuesday Morning) and bought a bunch of pots and dirt and gardening tools.  I am ready for spring gardening.  In fact, I am going to plant some daffodil bulbs this week!  

Then on Wednesday I just couldn't stand looking at the gorgeous mountains with the sunlight reflecting off the snow covered peaks and not get closer.  Fabri got home from work and was relaxing on the couch when I walked up to him and said I'm going for a walk.  He asked where too and I said further up the Saluzzo hill than I've been before.  We bundled up (it's still winter after all) and headed out on foot.  We began by walking up the hill of old Saluzzo passing Il Bichio on the way.  

Then we made our way up a very steep hill to the old main square of medieval Saluzzo.  There we found the old town hall and the castle of Saluzzo.  It had been a prison which was recently moved and the castle is now being restored for visitors.  There are few different walking trails that leave from the castle so we decided to try out the shortest one to San Lorenzo church.  As I was panting and climbing and enjoying the views when Fabri mentioned that a nurse he works with goes hiking/climbing a lot.  The trail to the top of Mount Viso is a relatively easy one and we should ask her to take us sometime.  I thought that sounded pretty cool, but Fabri and I had started out on that trail before and did NOT get very far.  So we resolved to do a lot more walking and climbing and practice so we can go this summer and make it to the top!  By the way, Fabri doesn't remember this conversation, but I won't forget it.  

On our way to San Lorenzo we took a wrong turn and ended up walking through a small development of villas over looking the mountains and the valley.  They all had beautiful yards and gardens and Fabri and I discussed buying a villa on a hill someday.  I can't wait to have a big yard to turn into insect habitat!  When we got to the end of the neighborhood we knew we made a wrong turn and went back to climbing up, up, up!  When we reached San Lorenzo I was a little disappointed because it's not visitable.  It has been transformed into a vineyard, but that did offer some nice photo opportunities.  

Then we turned back and headed home stopping to take some photos of Saluzzo.  The duomo was very beautiful from up there and it was really interesting seeing it in relation to the rest of the city from that angle.  We took another route down which was less steep and therefore easier, but I was getting a cramp in my leg and was happy to stop for a tea and croissant at a bar at the bottom of the hill.  

Next time we're going to try the longer trail and go more prepared.  Bottle of water, comfy clothes, good shoes.  But it was great to get out in the sun and even though my legs were sore the next day, it was good to get the exercise.  

This week is not like last though.  It is back to being overcast and cold.  In fact on Monday I almost didn't get out of bed because it was so cold!  I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't said I would be at the museum on Monday.  Hopefully this weekend and next week will get better.  If it's not going to snow, then it should be spring!  That's what I think anyway.

Anywho, here's the slide show of our hike: Enjoy.