Each Fall, as part of orientation at TASIS, the school would get on buses and head to Valle Verzasca for a picnic and swimming in the chill, clear waters under the Roman Bridge. The Reunion took us back for more of the same – June 13, 2014
WE’RE ALL BOZOS ON THIS BUS!
Our gang of about 65 attendees got on two buses hired for the trip. Our bus driver had a bit more hair than the rest of us these days.
SONOGNO – POSTCARD PERFECT
The village of Sonogno (pop. 97) is the end of the road in the Verzasca Valley. Historically, the high alpine pastures surrounding the village have been used for summer grazing of livestock.
VILLAGE CHURCH
Sonogno’s church, St. Maria Loreto, first documented in 1519 was rebuilt in 1854. The houses in the valley are made of stone, including their roofs.
COUPLES STROLLING WEATHER
The weather that day was spectacular! After getting off the bus and collecting a picninc lunch, most of us hiked up the paved trail to the nearby waterfall. On the left, Bob & Camille get their photo snapped with the Alps in the background. On the right, Chris & Cindy enjoying the day.
NOW & THEN – BUILT TO LAST
Stone is a fabulous building material. Strong, enduring, low-maintenance and beautiful. On the left, Camille and Denise are headed toward the waterfall. On the right, a photo of one of Sonogno’s stone barns taken on the school trip in September 1975. Note the TASIS blue VW minibus!
We were taken by this shed built onto a massive boulder.
NOW & THEN
Camille & Jen on the walk to the falls. Lunch for the trip was provided by Angelo, his famous ham and cheese sandwiches, paprika chips, and a drink. On the right, the falls as seen in September 1975.
NOW & THEN
Camille admires the stream below the waterfall where we stopped to eat our lunch. On the right, Charles, Dave, and Tod in the same area in 1975.
PONTE DEI SALTI (AKA OLD ROMAN BRIDGE)
Not roman but fairly old, the bridge at Lavertezzo was built in the 17th century. The name, Ponte dei Salti translates as “jump bridge”, and for good reason.
THERE SHE GOES!
The rocks beside the river make a natural viewing area to watch the few brave souls daring enough to brave the plunge into icy cold water. There is a sign at the top warning of the danger of cardiac arrest due to the thermal shock. On the right, Bridget (the 18 year old daughter of a reunion attendee) makes the leap of faith.
AND THERE GOES BOB
Determining that discretion is the better part of valor, Bob chose to jump off a rock into the river rather than off the top of the bridge. Ruining a 16-day trip to Europe seemed to be not quite worth the risk.
AND HERE”S THE VIDEO
Thanks to Patti, Bob’s jump was immortalized in slow motion.
NOW & THEN – ROCKING OUT
Most visitors to the bridge are content with sitting on the rock next to the river. Notice that there is no one hanging out in the water. About eight of our group took the plunge that day, although only two went off the bridge itself. On the right, the same rock, with some of the same people (undoubtedly) in September 1975.
The granite, with its quartz intrusions, is gorgeous.
BACK TO LUGANO
After a great day trip, we got back on the bus, while our driver enjoyed a bit of tobacco for the dizzying drive back down the canyon.