We had a really nice day today. We started with a great breakfast at our B&B,
Then we drove up the valley east of where we are staying almost to the Swiss border in the high alps. It was a wonderful drive narrow, lots of switch backs, one lane roads and stunning scenery.
We wanted to hike to Lago delle Streghe. We hiked almost a mile up the trail but there was too much snow and we decided to turn around.
It was cold, windy and sunny. It was so much fun. On the way back we stopped to enjoy the views and have a coffee.
Back in Varzo we went to the opening of the town festival. Each neighborhood has different colors. All the houses are decorated. First there was a procession to the church to ask the the priest to join the parade, and then to the town hall to invite the mayor to join.
After the procession through town there was a race around a short course through town. Each neighborhood has two men carry a sled with a cut-out of a donkey on it. One team carried the donkey and then the next and so on until all 10 neighborhoods had run. We don’t know who won. But it was a lot of fun to watch. Finally there was dinner and a concert in a big tent. We didn’t stay for that.
Then we went back to Il Negozio where we ate last night and had a wonderful meal.
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