Melloblocco

I went with a group of friends from my rock gym to the International Boulder Meeting called Melloblocco, in Val di Masino, at very far North of Italy in the Alps. There was some rain but we made the best of the time we had, and either climbed or hiked when we could. It was paradise but I think this one belongs only to me (not Gimmy).

Hiking into the valley

Allison and Jacqui hiking into the valley from the town.




There was a river that ran threw the entire valley, it was so pretty, we took a lot of photos!


Jacqui, Allison, and Steve ( Steve is another American living in Bologna)


There is a trattoria ( resturant/bar) near the boulders and a campgound... how convenient.

The photographer, our friend Jacqui.

Photo by Jacqui, her camera is so good and she has a fantastic eye.

Me and Allison, photo by Jacqui
The girls, photo by Steven ( w/ Jacqui's camera)

Me! Patagonia pants, jacket, backpack. Katana climbing shoes. Photo by Jacqui

Photo by Jacqui

I did it. ( again, photo by Jacqui)

Photo by Jacqui

Photo by Jacqui

At the bar for aperativo.

in this photo left to right: Jacqui, Giovanni, Vivianna, Massimo, Simone, me, Steve, Allison.

Viviana and Massimo, the owners of the Stone Monkey rock gym in Florence.

All of our group ( minus Jacqui, the photographer) at dinner

In this photo: Steve, Elena, Francesco 1, Giovanni, Simone 1, me, Allison, Francesco 2, Viviana, Massimo, Simone 2.

Walking around the little town early in the morning, taking pictures of cute things such as this wood stack leaving the window stace open.

More photos of the river

It started to rain at about noon on Saturday, we found this huge rock/cave to shelter us and keep us dry while we ate lunch and made friends with other climbers.

The girls, Jacqui has the crash pad on her back!

Hiking and the sun is out.

Jacqui bouldering!

Our new friend Steven enjoying the sunshine

We met up with everyone later in the day to climb together.

Walking back into town

The town

The bell tower

The church

Our hotel, Albergo Genzianella. It was a great place, they had great food (food was included), clean rooms, nice people and only a one star hotel!

Driving out of the town we drive over a bridge where there is a really pretty waterfall.

Goodbye, Val di Masino, hope to see you again soon!

California Sailing

Gimmy went to California for work that was planned to be only one week, but then because of the volcanic ash cloud in Iceland his trip in California was extended another week. Sisi and I stayed in Florence :( but it was not bad since the weather turned to be nice and warm :)
It was a nice vaction of sailing, sushi and visiting with friends!

The Cheetah!
Gimmy driving Cheetah and holding the Mariner Mag.


Hi Dave!

Hi Alissa!

Alissa and Chris hangin out on some huge sails.

Hi Gimmy!

Morgan, Gimmy and Keith

Sailing!!!

Haha... Morgan!