Ucia de Fanes below Piza di Lima

Traditionally, people in this area of the Dolomites spoke Ladin, one of the Rhaeto-Romance languages.  Ucia de Fanes means the Hut or Hostel of the Fanes Valley and it is situated at 2,000  meters, below the Limestone Peak (Piza di Lima, seen below)

Hiking buddies met along the trail, from Czech Republic below.
Alan with Arto  from Finland.
The group in the third shot before leaving the Ucia.

Down the Fanes Valley

The Fanes Valley is an impressive hike east out of the mountains, ending a few kilometers north of Cortina.  It descends almost 1,000 meters over 8 kilometers through a narrow valley along streams and rivers.

The start of the trail above.  Below, a beautiful arrangement of different conifers on a rock.

Grasses in a flood plain with boulders from the cliffs.  Mugho Pine in the background.

Below, young spruce and fir trees.

At the end of our hike, we ran into our old new friend Michael, who had saved us on the trail.

Pordenone: 4 Verticals

Pordenone is in Friuli Venezia-Giulia region of Italy, northeast of Venice.
This was the 35 year of the festival of silent movies, Le Giornate del Cinema Muto.
Great event for old movies and live musical accompaniment.
Pordenone is a good place to visit.

The main piazza of Pordenone above.

David Robinson and Jay Weissberg, directors of the festival below.

Transformation

Friends gathering transformed the empty carport above to the festive gathering below.

And, the reception area shown above came alive with wonderful gathering below.

60th Birthday

The highlight of the party was a cake from Night Kitchen that replicated the house.
Actually, the highlight of the party was having so many wonderful people appreciate the cake and the house!  

It is almost magical how gathering can help ease transitions, ratify milestones and also add energy to go forward in the next phase of life, whatever that may bring.  Thank you!

Outside Views Around House; August 2016

American Lotus blooming with fish begging for food.

 V Tree Arbor crew from Awbury Arboretum Landscapes - great job.

Carport, above, original color.

To right, floor painted with Aquapoxy Polyamine Epoxy two part coating.

State of the House; August 2016

 Living Room, above, to right and below right
Fireplace has gas burning insert.

Dining Room above and kitchen below, now with built in wooden counter extension.

Nursery Visit

Herbie and Shirley

Herb and Shirley were married over 70 years.

Herb is 99.

Shirley died three weeks after the photo was taken.  Rest in Peace.

Milan July 2016

Milan seems to have something of a building boom, especially around Porta Garibaldi.
New combines with art nouveau combines with old.