The immense natural beauty of Valposchiavo overwhelms the senses.  The heights, the glaciers, the eagles, the night sky,  the cold water cascading down the mountains brings me immediately to Psalm 8…”When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place;  What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him?”. Coming from Massachusetts, New Englanders have a similar reflection overlooking the breath of the Atlantic  Ocean.  As noteworthy as the mountains of New Hampshire are in the Northeast,  they must yield to the sheer height of the Alps.

Today, Dom Davide, Pastor of San Bernardo Parish in Prada, three seminarians from an Argentinian based religious community and I hiked around the “White Lake” at the Bernina Pass, one of the highest mountains in southeastern Switzerland.  As soon as I learn how to add photos to this blog, you’ll see what I mean.  The number of mountain cyclists is amazing.  To watch them barreling down a very rocky and narrow trail makes you realize these are very serious enthusiasts.  You hear German, Italian, English, Polish, French as they thank you for moving and sharing the path with them….and then, THEY ARE GONE!

After three hours on the trail, it was time for a local pasta and beer…well earned on the pentultimate day before my 70th birthday.  Time for a brief rest before the 30 minute walk to San Bernardo for the 6:30 pm Mass.  I promise, pictures are coming!