OK, well I meant to write a bit about these pics and life at Arpisson in more detail, but the night is getting late, and this may be the last opportunity I have to use WiFi again for awhile so pictures will have to do for now!!
Love to all, hope everyone is healthy and happy!!
Con amore,
Car
One of the greatest perks about living at the alpegio (Italian for alpine farm) is having the opportunity to explore the mountains practically every day. Whether you have to go find the goats or cows to bring home for the evening, have time for a trek after lunch, a day off or have to go searching for a newly born calve (that actually happened) you can always find yourself in the depths of a valley, on one of several of mountain tops, in the midsts of a 'via ferrata' ('iron road' for use of cables, metal ladders and stairs built into the mountain) or next to a glacier lake. Not bad, if you ask me, and for the most part we've all taken advantage of this!
I've gotten to know the ins and outs of the valley pretty well but each time I venture out I'm surprised by something I've never noticed, seen or a part that all of a sudden looks completely different with the changing season: a new trail, different flower, a changing route of a stream, a dried up stream... you name it.
I've definitely had some adventures that is for sure. Some of the most memorable being Punta Valleta (my first via ferrata and over 10,000 ft. summit accompanied by Maya and Elly), Punta Pouset (solo journey, perfect day), Punta Rossa (conquered with Neighbor D equipped with an unforgettable view and memories), Punta Garin (no trail, climbed by few, accompanied by Attilio, summit completely worth the harry bits), and of course Mont Emelius via la via ferrata (definitely the scariest, yet most exhilarating...Dave and Maya, don't think I could have done it without you!).
Here are a few pictures of our adventures (Punta Rossa and Mont Emelius to be included later). Also, it should be noted that Kira, my lovely and best canine friend, was a major part of most treks that didn't include scaling mountains. She joined the crew at two months old just before departing for Arpisson!
Ah, I love this place. I can't believe an entire summer has just about passed and that I've been fortunate to have spent it here in this beautiful place doing work I've grown to love. The mountains here never disappoint and I never grow tired of looking at them. Here are a few shots I've snapped over the months, all within the Arpisson valley (my lovely backyard), minus the second photo which was taken on the other side of Conge in Gran Paradiso National Park.
At last, the move to Arpisson after a month of building anticipation!
I have to say it was well worth the wait and truly a beautiful experience I will never forget. We started preparing the night before packing up food, bedding, cheese materials and equipment, personal belongings and animals to be taken up by the helicopter the next morning. The cows and goats were to be taken up by foot via the trail, leaving eight chickens and six chicks, one cat and her four kittens, ten geese and eight calves (two of the biggest were to go up with the cows) to be taken up by helicopter as well.
The big day began as usual, first milking the goats and then cows. After the cows had been milked six of us led them up to the beginning of the trail, from there I was the lucky one chosen to scramble back and forth and yell like a crazy women in order to keep the cows on the path heading in the correct direction. I have to admit I was a bit terrified at first to be left alone and held responsible for the transportation of 34 cows and two calves, a handful of which are the most stubborn creatures alive, but in the end I was really happy to have gotten to experience this.
By the time we (the cows and I) reached the last hill to Arpisson the cows were practically running, knowing exactly where they were and completely content to be at their summer home. And amazingly, minus the few stubborn cows and calves (some of which I literally pushed up the trail), the rest went directly to Arpisson completely on their own.
I was at Arpisson no longer than an hour before I heard the distant sound of the helicopter arriving with the first load of food and equipment and Atillio with three WWOOFers (Maya, Elli and Donato). About six trips were made by the helicopter from the lower farm to Arpisson, taking an average of four to five minutes one way. My favorite was the load of eight calves flying through the air with legs dangling in all directions with a box of ten geese strapped to the top. Needless to say, they were all happy to be on solid ground again. What a site to be seen!
About an hour after the final load had been dropped off the first goat was seen crossing over the finally hill in sight of Arpisson along with the rest of the WWOOF gang and Gabriela. At last we had made it to our new home!
Our daily regime resumed pretty much as normal with a few tweaks. After milking in the morning, a handful of us go down to the lower farm to harvest hay and return in the evening for milking and dinner. Those that remain at Arpisson make cheese, clean the dairy and the stall, prepare for the next milking, wash and salt cheese, bring in the cows and goats at night and other misc jobs. Remaining at Arpisson definitely makes for a more relaxing day, but harvesting hay is very satisfying.
Days that we remain at Arpisson we try to take advantage of and go for short hikes after lunch as well as when we have days off! More to come on my explorations of the Arpisson valley, as well as Gran Patadiso!!
As for the future, as of now and my plans are to continue to stay here at Arpisson. Of course I'll keep you all updated on any moves or of plans (as much as possible!) I'm missing you all very much and think of you daily. I hope everyone is in good health and spirits! Live to you all from Arpisson,
Car
Bucket list: Dolomites. Check!
Wow, this place is amazing! My four day vaca away from the farm was well spent in the Brenta region of the Dolomites. I was met by my friend Jason (from Portland), who was coming from Istanbul and heading to Germany looking for a little outdoor adventure. We spent three days enjoying some of the most spectacular views and landscapes, staying in mountain huts called refugios, which were equipped with luxuries like cold beer and hot food. There's nothing better than a tall one after a long day of hiking!
We definitely took advantage of our time covering lots of ground, tracing through lots of snow at times, hopping across giant fields of boulders (some the size of houses!), zig-zaging up forested switch backs and river beds, and hugging the side of cliffs. Ah, paradise! In Italy they say there are two kinds of people: people of the sea and people of the mountains. I think I can definitely confirm that I am the latter of the two. As much as I love the sea, I always feel completely at home in the mountains!
After day four Jason and I parted ways, he to Germany, and I back to Cogne with the farm, mountains and most excitingly the move to the Alpine farm, Arpisson, awaiting me!
