| Tolfa retreats in the distance, as we head back down the mountain. |
| A pair of Carmelite dogs...one was shy, and one wasn't. Can you guess who was who? |
| Etruscan necropoli, part of the large San Giuliano Necopolis complex. Originally tombs, the Romand and medieval Italians used them as storage, as stables, and as houses. |
Day 4 - Tolfa to Blera
 | |  |
We woke up to a beautiful morning, with the yesterday's rain blown away. After a
ridiculously good pastry and a cappuccino we had an enjoyable descent down the
other side of the mountain. We passed castles and natural mineral water springs,
ate at a sulphur bath resort. After lunch we paused at the Hermitage of Monte
Virginio, a Carmelite monastery where silence is the rule. Here we met the first two
of many dogs who would befriend us. We also had our first flat tire here...a silent
thanks to Adam and Lisa at Hill Country Bicycle Works for showing us how to deal
with such setbacks.
We biked through the incredible medieval town of Barbarano Romano, and stopped
outside of town at the Etruscan Necropoli of San Giuliano. Then, with the setting
sun on our faces we rode into Blera, where they still build caves like the Eturscans.
Now they use them for garages. A diner and a quick wash of our clothes, and then it
was off to bed. Tomorrow Tuscania beckons!
ridiculously good pastry and a cappuccino we had an enjoyable descent down the
other side of the mountain. We passed castles and natural mineral water springs,
ate at a sulphur bath resort. After lunch we paused at the Hermitage of Monte
Virginio, a Carmelite monastery where silence is the rule. Here we met the first two
of many dogs who would befriend us. We also had our first flat tire here...a silent
thanks to Adam and Lisa at Hill Country Bicycle Works for showing us how to deal
with such setbacks.
We biked through the incredible medieval town of Barbarano Romano, and stopped
outside of town at the Etruscan Necropoli of San Giuliano. Then, with the setting
sun on our faces we rode into Blera, where they still build caves like the Eturscans.
Now they use them for garages. A diner and a quick wash of our clothes, and then it
was off to bed. Tomorrow Tuscania beckons!
| The morning mist below Tolfa |
