The Word of the Day - Orchards - Scaling the Alps to the Italian Lakes - Tally Gals

September 5, 2023

The Word of the Day - Orchards

Apples, pears, and grapes

Today we headed out of Mals mostly down hill, through orchards, past castles, through a village that is completely contained within the medieval town walls, and through the region where they mine pure white marble prized around the world.

Starting out in Mals, school children walking in a group to the local church

The way into Glurns encased within its town wall. As we waited to go through the opening a very large bus pulled very carefully through the tunnel. There must have been only inches to spare.

The beginnings of the apple orchards. We rode through acres and acres of apple orchards.

Stopping for a moment to enjoy the scenery

We rode for miles, and miles, and miles, and miles through apple orchards today. With a pear orchard thrown in here and there just for good measure.

Some looked like Granny Smith, others looked like gala, and still others looked like red delicious.

We saw some hand picking going on and several crates filled with apples. But it seemed to be just the beginning of the harvest season.

Some scenes from the day along the trail.

We saw several castles today some in ruins and one not.

This castle complex was built around 1278 by Hugo von Montalbon. Since 1983 it has been owned by mountaineering legend Rheinhold Messner where he writes books and works on new ideas.

Laas marble is mined in South Tirol Italy, it’s known as the world’s purest marble.

Statue along the trail made from the local white marble

A rest stop along the trail, drinks, food, and a WC.

We followed this river for quite a ways today. A few of the rocks in the stream were pure white, wondering if they were the marble that’s locally mined.

We have seen grapes before but this was our first larger scale vineyard wrapped around the hillside

The Rad Bar - Food and drinks right on the trail, wonderful Apple strudel, ice cream and milkshakes.

Our bikes all put to bed in the garage in Merano. Resting up for more riding tomorrow.

Today's ride: 40 miles (64 km)
Total: 449 miles (723 km)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	5
Comment on this entry	Comment	0