Hello to one and all. Well, it’s mid-October and for the last seven years those who have followed this blog know that it is time for Lou to take a hike. (Some would say I should have taken a hike much sooner LOL). This year we will be returning to Italy (in case you haven’t figured it out by going to Italy three times in three years, I really like Italy). I say “we” because in a reprise of our trek through Calabria, my sons William and Stephen will be joining me again as well as my hiking buddies from years previous Mike and Melanie Salvino.
Our trek will be along the La via di Francesco or the Way of St. Francis. The picture above is a Statue of Saint Francis and the wolf of Gubbio. While we will be hiking from Assisi to Spoleto, along the Arno River Valley and not going through Gubbio (It is about 20 miles further north) the statue in my opinion is a nice image of how most of us remember St. Francis as the patron saint of animals. Saint Francis, along with Saint Catherine are the patron saints of Italy as well. Well enough for today’s catechism lesson.
As with years past there always seems to be a loss that reminds one to savor life while one has the ability to do so. A person who truly embodied this and who was my inspiration to take up hiking as a retirement hobby as well as a poker and golf buddy was my good friend Rich Wemstrom. I had the good fortune to hike with Rich in the north and south of England as well as along the Illinois and Michigan canal during the height of the covid crisis. Rich had perseverance to a level matched by few people I have known in my life. Despite many physical maladies which challenged his ability to maintain the incessant challenges of through hiking, he always had a positive thought or philosophical take on a situation that just seemed to place things in perspective. You will be missed old friend.
So, I will close for now, with a drive to Atlanta, a flight to Rome and a train to Florence all happening in the next 48 hours. Ciao!
Lou Hikes? 