Spaggia La Calendre and Goodbye Ks!

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Carlynne and Dan’s last full day was hot so we opted for a nearby beach in Ventimiglia. Parking was crazy and the walk down was reminiscent of Wreck Beach at UBC, leading to a similarly isolated strip of sand that really showed off Italian beach culture.

Lots of umbrellas and football. No frisbees.

Our friends Aaron and Su arrived from France and met us here, securing some shade.

Water was perfect. Lots of kids to play with.

Last day with Fin and Jasper!

A local beach shop sold spritz. Also very Italian.

Great spot! We stayed all day.

That night we had a piazza party as a send off for the Ks.

Cheese and bread and salami and olives made a nice meal.

We even had some musical entertainment thanks Finola and Dan the music stand.

Wonderful evening and last day with Carlynne and Dan and Fin and Jasper. And a good welcome to Aaron and Su! On to the next stage of Dolceacqua!

Refugio Valasco

​it turns out Refugios are much easier to figure out on the ground. After failing the high option our bed and breakfast host told us about Refugio Valasco. I looked it up and found out it used to be the hunting lodge for king Eduardo II of Savoy. A dream castle in an alpine meadow. And importantly only a 2 hr hike from in.

The destination! But let’s back up a step.

This hike was much more reasonable. Following a gorgeous stream up a mountain valley and then into a wide valley. Val Valasco is gorgeous.

We tried to convince Dan and Carlynne and the kids to come out but they were exhausted after their big adventure so we were on our own.

After dropping our packs in our room we went for a picnic in the meadow.

Did some exploring and rock climbing.

And nature photography.

Our room was amazing, opening into the inner courtyard of the old hunting lodge.

And surprise surprise, just as the kids were wishing their cousins were here, their cousins arrived!

After a relaxing morning they had the energy to come join us after all. Mikaya and Finola enjoyed a lovely craft time in the courtyard.

And the boys went exploring.

We found a waterfall and the kids had fun constructing dams and then smashing them with rocks.

Jacket twins.

Dinner time. Food was amazing and very hearty. 

Levi and Jasper found their happy place in the fountain. They had to jump the fence but nobody seemed to care. Italians are pretty relaxed.

Check out the huge slab of polenta!!

After dinner walk.

One of the Refugio employees had done a semester abroad. In Coaldale AB! Crazy.

After a good sleep we had breakfast (featuring a giant Nutella pump) and set out to explore the upper valley.

Beautiful creeks.

Boulder fields

Snow fields! (See the snowball??)

The trail to the upper alpine is an old military road. It seemed a bit excessive for a hiking trail. Apparently it was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s to transport artillery to the alpine lakes and the border with France.

Back to the valley and more picnicing. The Refugio sold sandwiches, croissants and traditional herbal liquor. (On tap)

Zeke spotting game.

Amazing spot for lunch.

Finally after a full day of exploring and relaxing we hiked back out and thankfully (bc it was a weekend) could take the shortcut route through a crazy tunnel to France and then back to Dolceacqua!

First official Refugio trip thanks team Valasco and King Eduardo II