Incredible Italy: Dolomites 2

Another wonderful day in this gorgeous paradise. We had a slower day yesterday and today, exploring closer to where we are staying. We had a slow morning and didn't leave the house until afternoon. We decided to explore the estate of an aristocratic family from the 13th century, the Conti Welspurg. As we pulled into the parking lot across the river from the estate, we discovered a striking beach and swim area which the children begged to visit. The cold glacial water was a luminescent turquoise from the calcium carbonate eroded from the peaks of the Dolomites. D and G had their swim trunks and braved the cold water, earning the respect of the local Italians.

 

On our drive to our little place, an adorable little cabin with the Dolomites looming behind.

The river we found to swim in, glacial run-off.

After drying off, we headed across the street to the Villa Welsburg and enjoyed a short visit to their gorgeous visitor's center and grounds which were focused on biodiversity and environment. I wish we had more time to explore as there are loads of hiking trails there. 

They placed these tablets with quotes from various authors around the grounds.

Continually awed by the landscape.

Found an adorable little friend...I always feel I more comfortable in a place when I find these little ones.

Looking through the glass of the chapel toward the Welspurg house.

We headed into our nearest town, Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, to explore and to, of course, find some gelato. The town was adorable.

500 year old church was smaller than we expected inside, but it also probably served a very small parish. Interestingly, the clothing of the people at the time of building depicted on the front of the church have clothing that matches that of the Galicians in the 1800s.

All the fountains have potable water for drinking.

Sibling love...a few minutes later L was fighting with him.

Closer to where we are staying, after a mountain thunderstorm, we took a walk up our road and it was breathtaking. The meadows, the "singing forest" of the Italian Spruce which they use for making violins, wildflowers, insects buzzing, cute homes, and changing clouds.

Our little home for the past few days.

Orchids!

Lillies!

The soil is very fine, powdery, sticky silt.

Witches' butter?

I just can't get enough of the view?

And in between all of this, there was much spending time with friends and catching up and gymnastics for the young girls.  Wrapping up our final day, and we definitely feel like we could spend much more time here exploring. This is an absolutely beautiful place, definitely a gem in the world. And so interesting that it is a national park, but so highly managed, with people living in it, harvesting of trees and growing premium hay.  It feels more accessible than some of the national parks in the US, but with less of the crowds aggregated into small areas. People and tourists are spread out here, so there is less impact in single areas. Different models of park management with different results.