So after resting a day a decision needed to be made for me by me. Do we scale Monte Acido (Sour Mountain). This entailed an elevation gain of 2,200 feet (677m) over 4.5 miles (7.5 k). This was not a hard decision. Maria Theresa had a car and was willing to drive us to a picnic area on the other side of the mountain near the peak.
I now understand why the Italians are so capable in winter skiing events. The mountain roads in Calabria have a striking resemblance to Olympic slalom or downhill courses.
Now for those who do not know, for thirty years I have driven mountain roads in KY, VA, TN and WV so I have no issue with driving mountain roads and dodging coal trucks. It’s second nature. But subtract the coal trucks, reduce the road width of the narrowest, domestic, roads 30%, and add the fact that centerlines, stop signs and yield signs are more suggestions than commands in Italy and one will have the beginning of an impression of what riding on highways in southern Italy is like.
Now though it sounds like I’m complaining it’s quite the contrary as everyone seems to know the pecking order on the road. It is truly a ballet of organized chaos that one must experience to truly appreciate. Thus, I appreciated, and reluctantly accepted, the fact that if I were behind the wheel I would not know what the hell I was doing.
Anyway we got to the picnic area and took some pictures of Marie Theresa with the crew.
The drive took almost an hour during which we discussed pizza (Neapolitan is the best, an opinion I am warming up to) no one in the car except me liked mushrooms Alfredo sauce is an American invention (I can neither confirm or deny this statement) and that she commented that she was driving slowly to avoid making us car sick. (Not really a problem for us, but, I was glad she wasn’t taking the corners any faster as she was already half way over the center line in the blind curves. Lol
So we took our lunches packed by Maria Theresa, and set off for the peak of the path on Monte Acido and the birch forest. Which was beautiful.
Having walked about a mile and a half to the peak with about +200 elevation gain, we walked back to the picnic area.
As we left the area we met a group of grade school students with their parents/teachers. In that group was Rosy, the indispensable resource of the Calabrian trek. Unfortunately, Rosy is apparently shy because I did not find out that we had met until we completed our trek in Soverato. Too bad as I wanted to really thank her for all of her help. If you want to hike the Calabrian Coast to Coast you really need to touch base with Rosy at theCalabrian trekking association. Rosy is worth her weight in gold. Thanks Rosy!!
We then started down the hill to San Vito Sullo Ionio. It was a lovely afternoon.
After settling in to the B&B we ended up at the La Calabrese pub where a young lady walked up and clearly said “What will you guys have”. Huh?! She was from Canada. She says it gets cold in the mountains. When a person from Canada says it gets cold I pay attention. She said that the difference between the coast and the mountains is amazing in the winter. I’ll take her word for it. In the meanwhile I am enjoyed a burger and beer just because sometimes all a body needs is a burger and a beer. Next post the final step….and step…..and step.
Lou Hikes? 