Romano's Favorite Hiking Haunts No. 6

Italy's Apennines

It saddens me to hear this morning of the news of a 6.3 earthquake rattling central Italy. The epicenter is L'Aquila (the eagle) situated right dab in the middle of the Apennines. The capital city of the Abruzzo Region, many my fellow paesani here in America have family from this gorgeous mountainous region of Italy. Several years back I took the train from Rome to L'Aquila and caught a bus to Pescasseroli in the Abruzzo National Park. I spent one week here hiking in one of the most beautiful places in all of Europe. Old-growth beech forests, wolves, bears, eagles, and excellent food and vino afterwards. Hardly any Americans venture to this part of Italy. They need to now to help rebuild L'Aquila's crumbled buildings and the region's shattered villages. Nature is a powerful force and in the Abruzzo region she has once again shown man that it is she who is in charge. A prayer to Sant'Emidio couldn't hurt right now-nor can your support.

(foto- Vado a piedi en il Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo)