Off on another adventure

Last Saturday Bob and I decided we would go to a little place up north-----a factory just outside of Patti (accent on last syllable) called Caleco that makes tableware with distinctive designs. Plates, bowls, saucers, etc. Very nice. The outlet sells the not-perfect ones at a lesser price as outlets do, but then, they also give a 25% discount to people from Sigonella. We had been there once before a bought a few serving bowls and now wanted to add to the pattern. And we did.

Going up was nice but it was the autostrada--pretty much like an interstate. We wanted a bit of a different view so decided to come home a different route. Easy----just pick up 116 to Randazzo then through Linguaglossa, Piedemonte then hop on the autostrada for the ten more miles home. No problem......???

Never trust the GPS over the road signs in Sicily. If...you can find any road signs.

We started out at Patti and went to Tindari to pick up the SS116, a nice road that encircles Mount Etna. Found a quaint little shop that sold their own cheeses, breads and wines along with fresh meats, sausages and other locally produced goods. We bought a few things and went on to find the road to Randazzo. Here is a picture of the little shop. Maybe I should have taken the photo before we got in the car.

We must have missed a turn or turned when we weren't supposed to and the GPS took us, as only a GPS can, on a road that, on the map, was only a tiny white line twisting and turning throughout the many foothills and valleys. We passed cows grazing at the side of the road, farmers looking up from their work to see who the idiots were who had gotten lost because, obviously, the only ones who drove that road either were neighbors or lost tourists following their GPS. Other than thinking the road was going to end soon and we'd be forced to back up several miles before being able to turn around, we enjoyed being out int he countryside on that glorious autumn day.

Up and over and back and forth we drove and drove (twisty, turny, narrow, dirt-washed roads) for about two hours before finally arriving at Randazzo (which meant we still weren't home) to find a sign pointing to the SS116 and telling us we were about fifteen miles from Patti.

Autumn in Sicily is cooler weather and the second growing season for fruits and vegetables. Similar to Missouri without the winter to follow. And...Sicily has two distinct climates. The mountain where we were has the kind of weather that is conducive to growing the same kinds of things we see in Missouri, apples, peaches, pumpkins, and daffodils (my favorite). The lowlands of Sicily are more like the mideast, olive trees, cactus and desert in the summer months. Rain in the fall and winter with a little cooler temperatures for growing artichokes, zucchini, tomatoes, etc. Those things that produce quickly.

As we came closer to Randazzo we found a farmer selling apples and peaches by the side of the road. We picked up two large bags of each to make all sorts of autumn goodies.

After Randazzo and Linguaglossa we came to Piedemonte. We had tried to go through this town last year when we were on our way to Basico and was detoured due to the annual grape festival. This year we made it for the yearly detour but instead of bypassing, decided to stop awhile and join the festivities. And....I finally found those traditional little carts I've been looking for since we got here. What a great surprise.

They were lined up all along the main street. Some very old, some more recently made but all were intricate and beautiful. The pictures carved or painted on the wood typically depicts a scene from a historical battle or a familiar Sicilian love tale, or the story of the making of wine from grapes. Other shapes are cherubs, doves and other such icons of hope for a good harvest. And all parts of the wagon are decorated, even the underneath and inside the wheels and the axle.

We stayed for the parade and saw a clown band, the town band and flag throwers (typically found in Sicilian festival parades) But the most interesting to me was the large group of townspeople dressed in costumes depicting the early days of grape harvesting with the farmers and women who stomped the grapes. By the way, small farmers who make their own wine still stomp the grapes even today.

The day had been long and we were close to the autostrada so after an hour or so we slipped out and went the few miles home to relive the memories of a wonderful adventure in Sicily----once again.