On the last day of our Austria/Italian trip we wanted to see more of the Dolomites (but without getting drenched and pushing our bikes/trailer/kids the entire way). So we loaded up in the van and started driving up. Above is a view from Sella Pass, elevation 7400 feet.
More views of some impressive Dolomite peaks at Sella Pass.
We stopped some hikers and had them take some pictures of the family. We had taken some beautiful pictures the last few days, but I think these two pictures are my favorites.
I took some pictures of Emily before we loaded up in the van. I love how she is doing her hair these days. The kids thought that Emily's hair was pretty funny looking. The wind was blowing really hard.
We were eager to get home. So we typed our home address into our Navigon and were on our way. We were a little suprised at the route it told us to go, but we followed the directions.
The view was incredible. We would start at a pass at about 7300 feet, do about 50 switchbacks down (no exaggeration) and then we would be on our way up another pass. We did this little routine for 4 passes.
We enjoyed the views, but we were anxious to get home. Ayla was taking her nap and we had a limited amount of gas. We wanted to get to Germany before gasing up again (which costs us about 1/2 as much), but the switchbacks and elevation changes were not helping our gas mileage.
At about this point we realized that our navigation system had instructed us through a 1 1/2 hour detour which had brought us back to the starting point. Although we took a nice little loop around these gorgeous mountains, I had watched our fuel gage drop and was convinced our brakes were shot. Emily was convinced that our Navigon was playing with us. Keanna was convinced that we were lost. Ayla had waken up from her nap and was convinced she was absolutely starving. Yet we had made NO PROGRESS.
We love our Navigon, and we can't imagine doing Europe without it. But this time it put us on a wild goose chase (a very scenic one). Perhaps next time we won't blindly trust our Navigon. Despite how Emily and I felt about the detour, we made it to Germany for fuel, the kids survived, our van still has functioning brakes, and we had a wonderul trip.
We love our Navigon, and we can't imagine doing Europe without it. But this time it put us on a wild goose chase (a very scenic one). Perhaps next time we won't blindly trust our Navigon. Despite how Emily and I felt about the detour, we made it to Germany for fuel, the kids survived, our van still has functioning brakes, and we had a wonderul trip.
7 comments:
Oh my goodness, you guys have an amazing life! Wow! I guess if you have to have your Navigon take you on a wild goose chase, at least it was through such a beautiful place. My dad has a GPS system, and don't tell him I said this (because he'd think it was blasphemous), but it always takes us the longer way than if we were just driving ourselves...too funny.
I hope that you are doing well an enjoying Europe!
Ardis
It was meant to be that you took that route! Wow! Amazing mountains! I wish they had some of those over here so we could see them! Awesome!
What awsome pictures Emily. I love the music. It makes you feel like you are right there. My dad had a yodeling record growing up. It really brought back some memories. Hope all is well.
Stacy
Those pics are amazing! It stinks that you guys are so far away, but if you have to be far away, I guess you picked a pretty good place! Hope the dentistry and bargain shopping are going well! Your girls are cuties!
Seriously? Can it get any more beautiful?
Marge was here today. She said to tell you hi. She's planning to retire next april.
how beautiful! I just can't believe how dramatic the mountains are. I guess that's why they're famous.
Rebecca really enoyed the picture of Keanna and Emily when they BOTH had bangs in their face. Funny.
Sounds like a great trip.
P.S., the yodeling music wasn't our favorite of the two.
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