Day tripping in a rental car on Sicily – June 22, 2014
We felt the need to get up closer to Mt. Etna, the largest active volcano in Italy. Etna is constantly erupting and in fact had lit up the sky during a hail storm just a few days before we arrived on the train.
BIKE RACE
Before we left our B&B, we heard the sound of sirens and walked out onto the balcony to watch thousands of bikes flow down the street. It was hours before we saw signs of the end of the race as in this photo showing transport of bikes atop a car.
ROAD BLOCK
Little did we know that the road to Mt. Etna would also be closed for the race. So we ended up sitting at a road block for a couple of hours, watching the cop smoke cigarettes, gazing at the mountain from afar and killing time wandering the rural roads.
RUSTICA
We learned that Sicily was once the bread basket of Italy and we could see why. The countryside is dotted with vineyards, citrus orchards, olive groves and small farms, all due to the high potassium content and porous nature of the lava based soil.
LAVA LODE
When we were free to go we edged up closer to the mountain and found the place where Davide recommended, a pull over where we could wander and and explore the lava.
VALERIAN
Valerian abounded – a beautiful flower with powerful properties commonly used as a sleep aid.
TWO VIEWS
From up at the Lava Lode and further on back down the hill.