Sciare e La Dolce Vita

So we’re clearly living large.

We slept late again and decided to rent skis and go cross country skiing in a mountain bowl. The ski rentals are within the hotel and the car was in the garage 5 feet away, and the Wilhelm, who fit us, was easy on the eyes. Good start.

We drove further in the valley to Selva di Val Gardena where the signs are in German first, Italian second. Of course we made a rookie mistake and turned too quickly and ended in the Carabinieri’s training camp, which was a two way, one track road. After some gnashing of teeth, we made an unglamorous U Turn and found our way to the parking lot to be greeted by a circle of majestic mountains.

Brad is always so patient with me. I’m a terrible skier, with no balance at all, but I do love it. I only fell twice. :). Then of course we stopped for Brad’s daily strudel and a look around the famous woodworkers shops.

They explained how they start with a block of wood, have a machine carve a basic shape, and then begin the two week process of carving, followed by painting.

We enjoyed meeting these craftsmen and and it gave Ampy some good ideas for his projects this summer. Be on the lookout for elaborate bird houses.

Of course there was the spa in the afternoon. Today we did a skin scrub, steam, outdoor whirlpool and waterbed relaxation. We caught up with some Germans we had taken a fitness class with and some Brits we had jacuzzied with previously. All so very convivial in robes and herbal tea.

Then it was time to hit the town for a little aperitivo.

Say what you will, but Italians have perfected enjoyment and good wine.

There is a healthy chance that we will not make Mass tomorrow, so we lit a candle for Chazy tonight with St. Ulrich.

Back to our chalet for another fabulous dinner, topped off by a glorious dessert buffet.

The last one is for Jean.

We stumbled upstairs to our heavenly bed, and remembered we had ordered another pillow (from the pillow menu) that is filled with Swiss Pine Wood shavings which is medically proven to lower your heart beat an ensure a deep night’s sleep.

Between that and the Anti Aging down pillow, you won’t recognize me when I get home!

E buon riposo!