LazaX

Hiking to Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's Highest Peak

After several years, we went back to Stowe,VT for Labor Day weekend. This time we managed to avoid rain, and to get three days [day 1 | day 2 | day 3] of awsome hiking.

We listened to USAF Band of Liberty Concert at Trapp Family Lodge performing some classical, more Jazz, a couple of madleys with themes ranging from Star Trek to Pink Panther, and topped it all off with the National Anthem.

Mt.Mansfield peak (The Chin, elevation 4,393' (1340m)) had clouds blown on and off, opening some spectacular views for short moments. (Photographs cannot do justice to the actual view. Watch this movie to get some sense of the panorama).

On the road back, we stopped at our favorite Cold Hollow Cider Mill, then at Cabot Creamery. We tasted cheese, wine, and Champlain chocolates. One thing we noticed: there were a lot of fat people coming out of cars with NY licence plates. How come we have not seen them at the slopes?

Kudos go Sashka who drove 6.5 hours streight from NYC to Stowe, and a half of the way back, while the rest of us slept.

Italy, Summer 2004

I was on a business trip to Italy in August 2004. The trip was a blast, the weather was nice, and I even got to practice my Italian (I took a couple of lessons before leaving).
I should write more about my impressions, but for now only these pictures will have to do:
Click here for more photos


Bologna, Modena, Firenze, Pisa