We had a whole day to kill waiting for our night flight out of Malpenza so Peter, David and I headed north to Lake Maggiore and a little town called Stressa. We renamed it “No-Stressa”
As we took the Exit off A22 we found ourselves winding down steep switchbacks with 180 degree curves barely wide enough for one car. Down below we caught a glimpse of the royal blue lake through the morning mist. It’s impossible to describe the play of light on the northern lakes of Italy. The colors seem altered like an old classic movie.
The harbor is full of 1950s style mahogany boats and the smell of their diesels mixes with the fresh lake air. The water is crystal clear, and the boat wakes lap against the stone promenade.
After breakfast we hiked up mount Matalone. The glacier of Monta Rosa could see to the north, and as we climbed in elevation we could see lakes Como and Garda to the east. We took and alpine coaster ride and sat at the mountain top bar enjoying a cold German beer.
On our way down we passed a long line of bikers peddling up the mountain. Mostly older men, very thin and fit and wearing tight cycle suits full of Italian advertisements.
In the afternoon we swam in the cool blue waters and laid out on the stone wall. Then we took a stroll into town and sat for a Caprese salad and Bolognese pasta. The carefree timelessness our our day together,and the magical beauty of this place will linger on inside us.
June 25, 2017