So I haven’t had time to post pictures/stories from our trip, yet….. but, I have to tell you about one part of our journey.
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We spent a day in Messina, Sicily - the island off the west coast of Italy. Famous for Lemoncello, Cannolis and the Godfather. Well, it’s also famous for Mt. Etna, which is a massive and active volcano in the heart of the island. The day we were in Sicily, we decided we had had enough history and churches and took a break to do something a bit more adventurous. We climbed Mt. Etna. We went over 10,000 feet up. First we drove, then rode a Cable Car, then drove further in an offroad vehicle and finally climbed the rest of the way. While we were making this hike, the volcano exploded. (Not erupted - as in lava, rather exploded - as in black smoke, rocks and ashes) The guides were somewhat concerned that this meant an eruption was imminent. We were undeterred and continued our hike to the top of a peak. Here are some pictures from our climb.
Old Lava Flow
Lava Rocks and Ash - the grounds looked like the moon surface
Cable Cars
Climbing the peak
The road we drove while “offroading”
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Today it was reported that Mt. Etna has erupted - as in lava spewing. Luckily we weren’t there for it! haha.
From this picture you can tell that the same “black explosion” we witnessed is where the volcano erupted it’s lava…. pretty cool that we were there for the day the explosion broke through, preparing the hole that the lava is now streaming through.
Great pictures. I bet it was amazing there. That is crazy that you leave and it errupts. Thank god it didn’t happen while you were there though.
Comment by Marie — September 7, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Cool. Glad your back safely. Sounds like you had a blast. Your pics bring back memories, my husband and I took a med cruise last Oct. And we saw Mt. Etna Explode too!
Comment by brandie — September 8, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Well, that’s pretty darn cool! Love the pics you took! Looks like you have a great variety to start scrapping!!! hehehe
Comment by JennStar — September 11, 2007 @ 7:25 pm