Adventures and Other Happenings

Pescocostanzo (pes-co-co-stanz-o) is a mountain town located in the Apennine Mountains of Abruzzo. The Apennines stretch the entire length of the Italian peninsula. Pescocostanzo is located at the southern tip of the central region, due east of Rome and due west of Casalbordino. When you travel by bus from Rome to Pescara or Vasto (west coast to east coast), you get a glimpse of the mountains and the little towns that dot them. Some are perched precariously on rocky cliffs and mountainsides, others are nestled comfortably in the lush valleys, where farmers raise their stock and seed. These are significant mountains, just under the highest altitude of the Rockies, just to give you context. Nicola and Maria DiRisio offered to take us on a drive into the hills one afternoon. As I understand it, he hikes these mountains frequently, solo and in company, and knows them well. I was so pleased when he offered to take us, because I had planned to drive my father there (somewhat aimlessly...