Corvara, Italy and Riding Passes in the Dolomites
Well hello, sunshine! What a difference a day makes.
I wish I knew why I am a morning person. I so envy those that can slumber into the late morning. Alas, it isn’t in the cards for me. I’m the first one up at home and seemed to be the first one each day on vacation. I quietly packed up my things, got myself dressed and padded outside on to our chalet balcony. Sunshine. Aaaahhh.
Kenny rousted himself up and we set off for a walk through town in the quiet early morning. We sat for a while watching the cows that dotted the hillside. The valley was completely silent except for the sounds of their bells ringing.
This was it, this was the place that I glanced at every time I got milk for my coffee out of the fridge, every time I buttered a piece of toast – this place was something my mind latched on to as being a someday for whatever reason. And there we were walking down the street in Corvara.
Some dreams are small. And sometimes you don’t really even know why they leave an indelible mark on you. But, big or small, silly or not – a dream followed is worthwhile.
This day was a little extra special. It was Kenny’s birthday. Lucky him, he would get to spend the day doing something he loves. Riding his motorcycle through the mountains. That sure beat getting something like say… a new sweater.
The Dolomites had a much more rugged, extreme and vertical look to them than the mountains we’d ridden through up to this point. They had an aggressive starkness about them that I loved.
The passes in this area were spectacular; Campolongo, Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Falzarego and Valparola. Beautiful road surfaces, the layout of the roads and the scenery made a trifecta of riding perfection.
It could have been the relief of having a nice sunny day after the rain. It could have been realizing a dream and seeing Corvara with my own eyes. Or, it could have just been that the roads were just that amazing – this group of passes was my favorite.
The Dolomites will definitely be our next European bike vacation. We were thinking that already based on what our tour guide told us in June, but after seeing your pictures, I’m sold. And don’t you just love the quiet punctuated only by gently clanging cow bells. Sigh…
Absolutely beautiful, but this is still my favorite Dolemite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KSZC99cVSQ
One of the best days of our trip…
Yea, I really loved the Dolomites and that whole area. Great views, great reddish pavement on roads for easier reading, just all around great.
Only problem with the Dolomites is if you catch a ‘coach tour’ day. These can spoil a good ride.
Great photos Fuzz. Did you manage to go to the restaurant on top of the mountain? It is in your last picture hiding in the cloud and is only accesable by the cable car.
No, BT –
I have a little bit of a problem with heights. Cable car rides are NOT FOR ME!!!!!!