We hit the Legendary Climbs (or they hit us!)

Here's most of our little group posing atop the Passo Erbe before the descent to Antermoia and our charming hotel. This day always gets remembered as the "best climb and scenery you never heard of" as we start the tour just outside of Ortisei. Edith, brother Enzo and Mamma spoiled us with wonderful rooms and a special Ladina cena, including an antipasti of speck and local salumi, TWO first plates (gotta replace those carbs) of barley soup flavored with speck along with tutres, which are sort of a fried ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese, followed by spinach gnocchi with fresh local mushrooms. Our second plate was baked lamb and dessert was a "black bread ice cream" which tastes much better than it sounds, especially topped with sauce made from the local berries. Edith suggested a Lagrein blend for a perfect wine to go with dinner and as usual, she was spot-on. This dinner, combined with the sumptuous breakfast buffet this morning will fuel us today over the Passo Furcia, San Angelo and Tre Croci climbs on our way to the heart of the Dolomites, CORTINA.