Where Is Laturo Italy? I found it with some help and its Fascinating......

Saturday I found myself tagging along with a fun group of people who apparently had a goal of restoring a small abandoned village in the Mountains of Italy Near San Benedetto. The Place was called Laturo and the apparent leader of this group was called Federico, I like to call him Francisco to the annoyance a close friend. 

 First we woke up early again and drove about 90 kilometers up the coast then inland up up up some steep and winding roads. we went from sea level on the Adriatic coast to about 2500 ft in altitude in a very short time. The views were very cool but what strikes you of the view is the pockets and clusters of hilltop villages. 

 I found out that we would hike in about 4k to Laturo then clear trail around the Ghost Village. You can see from the photos the hike in and the state of the abandoned town. Federico and company have restored one small building , and have done an excellent job. I am jonesing to help out and learn some of this stone work. 

 The next big project for preserving and reviving this lost gem in the mountains of Italy was to restore the small one room church. Historically these churches served as an anchor to the villages, towns and cities in Italy. So bringing back the church is key to the soul of the project. We cleared trail with machetes and chainsaws, the work was not difficult and was beautiful and peaceful. we worked our was to "Tony's" place about 5 k away. 

 Tony raises bees and harvest other kind of sustainable and wild fruits, mushrooms and foodstuffs. I like meeting Tony not only because he opened up his mountain work station to us and gave us beer but he was very funny. I am not sure how funny Tony was but every one laughed, even me. We had a great little feast, salamis, breads, fresh raw Fave beans, home made beer and wine....and a lot of talking in Italian which meant a lot of hand waving and increased amplitude of conversation!! very fun to watch!! 

 It poured rain very hard on the way back, everyone got soaked, but it was warm rain....actually felt great! I got ahead of the group thinking of taking picture and lost in the visual orgasm taking place. I took a wrong turn and ended up in the brush cresting the wrong ridge. Sooo, back down I went and up the next ridge back to Laturo where non crisis was averted when some of the party though I may be in danger. there was a lack of understanding of my experience level in wilderness situations and the fact that the area around Laturo poses almost zero danger. Zero deadly snakes, no Grizzlies and low temps above 50, and we are golden!! 

 What a great day! I hope to go back and have the privilege of helping again. 

 enjoy the fotos!!