Vesuvius

We drove this morning about 45 minutes from our AirBNB to hike up Vesuvius.  It was actually quite close, but a large part of the drive is winding back and forth up some crazy roads and thus slow.  

We were pumped to purchase our tickets to the volcano! 

We parked about 2-3km below the technical beginning of the walking trail and used the pedestrian lane of the road to reach the more touristy section.  

Wifey had imagined Vesuvius as a nature destination.  As it turned out, it was tourist filled!  We hiked among school groups who probably didn't even want to be there and older-folks groups who probably didn't have the physical fitness required for the climb.  

But we persevered.  Hubby was pretty patient when Wifey got tired walking, and encouraged her to keep going positively.  I mean, there was no doubt we were going to reach to top, it was just a question of how enjoyable that process might be at times. 

From the top, you can barely see the city below through the clouds. 

But what majestic clouds they were!  

Pictures do not do the view justice.  We took a few, but know that it can't capture the majesty of nature.    

Of course, along the way, we had some fun too!  

And watched the local wildlife.  

We noted this engineering .... no doubt in place to arrest the soil erosion.  Wifey's Dad - take note.  We thought you'd find it interesting.  

Across the bowl we spied this hiking group in an otherwise closed section of the Volcano.  We aren't sure what tour they were part of, but if we ever make it back to the area, will surely find out and try to sign up!