The Ofen Pass with its fantastic landscape is behind us. As is our well-deserved day off in Münstair, where it was not by chance that my parents spent a few days of vacation. In order to be able to make good use of the day off for a proper wash and to charge all of our electronic devices, we spent two nights at the campsite. The many people, campers and infrastructure are a bit overwhelming compared to our last, wild home on the pass.
A day off like this goes by in no time, with drying out your equipment, a walk, a refreshing swim in a mountain stream and “internet surfing”. For dinner we throw ourselves into our best clothes and let my parents treat us to a wonderful dinner at the Hotel Casa Chalavaina. The aged operator is an original, the cuisine is fresh, regional and delicious and we enjoy these beautiful evenings to the fullest.
The next day I finally have to say goodbye to my parents. I find it very difficult to leave the two of them. At the same time, I’m really looking forward to everything that is still to come.
Finally we roll off and soon we are exiting Switzerland. At the border there is a happy nod from the boarder control – there is no trace of corona restrictions – suddenly we are hurtling through endless apple orchards along the Adige for an incredible 80 kilometers at 30 km / h. Lush green surrounds us and the pace, the landscape and the perfect bike path makes our hearts beat faster.
We leave Merano and Bozen behind us sometime towards evening and start looking for a suitable place to stay. Not at all easy between railroad tracks, the raging Eisack, houses and the motorway. Following our gut feeling, we are quickly on the other side of the river amoungst grapevines, which provide us with protection from the houses of Kardaun. At least I am immediately very enthusiastic about this place, especially when, after a short exploration, we discover a small, natural washing place at the base of a rock wall at the boarder of the vineyard. After 110 kilometers at 35 ° C, being able to wash is an essential criteria.
The only drop of sadness: The vines have been clearly sprayed and so we strive meticulously not to put any of our many objects directly on the ground. Equipment item # 1: a hard wearing plastic ground cover!