Austrian Ski Weekend

It was four years ago, when our year in Italy was just a vague concept, that we had dinner with Dave Kaufman and Keena Butcher.  They were preparing to move to Aviano in northeastern Italy for Keena's work, and we agreed then that when we moved to Italy, we would get together and go skiing.  We finally made good on our vow on the last weekend in March.  On Friday we took the train to a town near them and spent the night at their lovely apartment, immediately making friends with their cat Daisy.  Since the calendar had moved into spring, Dave suggested that we forego some of the local mountains and make the two-hour trek to Nassfeld, just over the border in Austria.

Phone cameras are great when you don't want to lug the big camera around, but it is hard to get the subject lighting right when the background is dazzling white.

Gary, Carmen, Dave:  Action Ski Club, Divisione Italia

Lunch slopeside

On Sunday we made a point to take a long run down into the valley at Hermagor to Jokl's Hutte, which has a decor that is unique:

On the way back on Sunday afternoon, we stopped by Lake Barcis, a popular resort area known for the unique green color of the water.  Located in a valley carved out by a glacier, the color is due to the special glacial sediment.

Time flies when you are having fun.  We must be having fun, because it seems impossible that it was four years ago that we first talked with Dave and Keena about doing this.  We cannot thank them enough for hosting us in their home, driving us to and from Nassfeld, and guiding us on the slopes.  Mille grazie, Dave and Keena!