Superlative Quest – September 17, 2026 

  • Ortisei: Day – 3
  • Time: 7 hours 
  • Weather:  50-65° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

Don’t get caught in the superlative quest. My guide book ranked Rifugio Bolzano as high among the best placed huts in the Dolomites. Realizing I didn’t need the bragging rights I stopped 45 minutes shy of the Refugio and had a picnic with a stellar view. 

Clouds blinded the early morning views.
Through the stile and into the clouds.
High meadows.

Safari – September 16, 2026 

  • Ortisei: Day – 2
  • Time: 7 hours (distance is moot as rode gondola, funicular, & chair lift)
  • Weather:  60-85° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Safari Dolomites style. 

“Out to pasture” was never so good.
A well deserved rest for this steer who didn’t ride the gondola to the top .
This donkey kept nudging me until I was brave enough to pet him. I wonder if I could have convinced him to carry my backpack?
I’m alone when I hear thump, thump, THUMP. To my relief a dog appears on the path. He dropped his stick at my feet. With a nod from the owner, I tossed the stick and off he went. There are a good number of hikers with dogs on and off the leash. None of the dogs encroach people’s private space. None ever sniff or jump on me. Delightful.

Don’t Follow – September 16, 2026 

  • Ortisei: Day – 2
  • Time: 7 hours (Riding gondolas, funiculars, & chair lift distances become moot)
  • Weather:  60-85° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Before Harry left on his Camino I advised him, “Don’t assume the people in front of you are going where you need to go.”  Tuning out I followed people onto a gondola.  The official start was a funicular with options of finishing on a gondola. 🚠. I walked the route backwards with a steeper climb. 

Now I know what “n5” ment in the guide book. Way winding signs have distinctions and numbers.
No disappointment walking the route backwards.
Don’t forget to look downwards.

Robin Hood  – September 14, 2026 

  • Venice: Day 4
  • Weather:  65-80° / sunny & winds 5 mph

Venice returned from the Fourth Crusade with plunder from Istanbul.  To show Venice’s wealth much of the cathedral was covered with precious stones and marble from the Crusade.  The five domes are a blaze of golden stones.  The mosaic floor is made of intricate marble patterns. The Crusades were never about Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. 

Blaze of golden stones.
Five domes in total.
Precious Stones
Intrigued Marble Patterns