PICO TO GAETA

The castle at the top of Pico

Pico, a delightful village at the top of a mountain. A wander up to the old castle, then a spritz in the square, where we listened to a wondering musical group entertaining on Palm Sunday. Then our cooking class with Carlo and his Chef Simone. A soup made with garbonzo beans, fettuccine with shrimp and vegetables, saltimbocca, tiramisu and wine.  We'll be making some of this delicious food in the future. A wonderful feast at the end the night.

Devon in the small village of Pico

The Pasta Machine!

Cooking Class, Jimmy and Carlo

Leaving Pico

Then we were in a dilemma for our ride to Gaeta. Do we go east or west, up the mountain or around it, 36 miles with many smaller ups and downs but on a busy road or 25 miles with 1900ft of elevation gain on a quiet road with 11 miles up, up, up then the rest down,down, down all the way to sea level.  I, Devon, lost sleep for sure. We elect on the latter. So happy we did. Once to the top, incredible, then down to Gaeta with barely a pedal.

A look back at Pico as we leave on our hill climb.

Devon working her way up the 12 mile uphill climb. At one point she said to me "Oh no, a downhill". I said WOW you only like going uphill now? The answer was NO, she didn't want to have to sacrifice any uphill to a downhill. I am not sure how many other woman would put up with me.

At the summit, ready for the downhill.

 Starting our ride down, a need for a wind breaker.

On the way down from the top of the mountain to Gaeta.

Gaeta is a beautiful seaside city. Lots to explore in Gaeta and the top of Monte Orlando. So not only do we pedal these rediculous elevations we decide to walk and explore as well!  800ft elevation 5 miles. Yes we're a bit crazy! But I guess that's what keeps us young! 

Looking at the mountains we crossed coming from Pico, viewed from Monte Orlando.

On the way up to the top of Monte Orlando to the mosoleum on top.

A walk around Gaeta.

The ancient hand print of a nonbeleiver Tukish sailor at the gates of the gotta below.

Grotta del Turco, during the period of the duchy of Gaeta, it offered shelter to the Saracen Pirates. 300 steps up from here to the church above. The hand print in the rocks is believed to be from a Turkish non believer sailor.

The old part of Gaeta.

Devon on the Gaeta street below our apartment.

This is a mosoleum from 22BC of Lucio Monazio Planco on the top of Monte Orlando. Lucio was a close collaborator of Ceasar and Cissero. 

The huge stones joinery is perfectly tight.

 Absolutely perfectly tight. Not one ounce of mortar horizontally or vertically. The faces of the stones are curved to the cylindrical shape of the structure and with the moldings. How did they do it?

For the Sailors, this wooden yacht has the same lines as our sailboat Jade but much larger.

I think there maybe a mariner or two that will look this yacht up.

Oh and I, Devon, have an offer for any eligible woman that's interested.  There is an "eligible 72 yr old lech" who is looking for a widow,  US citizen, preferably between the ages of 30 and 35 who wants to marry him and have his children so he can invest 2 million dollars in Las Vegas.  Any takers let me know! He is offering us 30,000€  commission if we find someone.😜 The characters you meet in your travels! LOL. 

And for all you bike geeks, we'll show our bikes and how we've equiped them to help us get up and over those hills/mountains. Stay Tuned.