More Destruction By Mother Nature - This Time Not Climate Change - San Severino Marche to Serravalle de Chienti

​We left San Severino and it was a cool morning.  Around 49 when we left.  So we were layered up with hats and gloves.  However as usual climbing started pretty quick and layers off!   The weather was wonderful.  I love the nip in the air and the light is starting to have that look of fall.  

We head into the surrounding hills towards Serrapetrona .  The scenery is lovely. 




As we approach Serapetrona we start we to see the vineyards that produce the Vernaccia wine I spoke of yesterday. 


As we roll into the town an old woman steps out to greet us and chat.  She was so happy we were visiting her little town and we got a lot of benvenutis  She was very sweet.  



Then past Serrapetrona into a long climb which topped out above tree level with views in every direction.  There was a observatory on mountaintop nearby. 


Then downward to Camerino which is a university town and we knew that it suffered severe damage in the 2016 earthquake.  So we didn’t know what to expect.  The descent was gorgeous.  



We enter the town and immediately are in a neighborhood that looks pretty intact.  We stop to take a peek in the magnificent church right as we enter town. I am surprised it is open and not in some kind of ruined state.  So we think, oh it isn’t so bad.  


It is a breathtaking church inside and out.  Then as we continue on and upwards into the city we start to see the devastation.  Chains on doors showing condemned homes.  Almost every structure braced with wood and steel.  It goes on and on.  And so much reconstruction going on of the major historic buildings. 




I just can’t imagine there is enough money in the world to restore what has been lost. It was a very disheartening to see but I guess Italy has had its share of destruction and renewal over the ages and they have always survived.  

We actually had a lot of trouble trying to exit the city.  We would head down a road and hit a red zone in which the street was blocked to not allow entry. After a few reroutes we finally are out to do the final 15 or so k to our night’s lodging in Serravalle di Chienti.   Beautiful scenery and we arrive at our lodging a bit early so we take a seat at the bar. The local entertainment is in full force. There are guys drinking at the bar and eating at the restaurant in the next room. The conversations are loud, often the speakers try to include us but we have no idea what anyone is saying or what is going on.  So we do our normal idiotic smiling and nodding and all is good.  We think we are in for a good night as we plan to eat at the restaurant.  I saw the lunch food and it looks amazing and I have a feeling we will meet some of the locals!  





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