It was a strange summer, Ashton home and Cedar not yet gone, each of us waiting for the next phase of life to start. Then they left, and our new adventures are well underway: the kids are college-ing, I am learning how to be alone and what I want and who I am, and Matt and I are exploring the world of empty-nesting. We have been out several weekends doing food, festivals, and camper.  We went out in the camper on two different weekends (one in Abruzzo and one in Avellino) with Rosa and Paolo, exploring cute towns, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and festivals- one unexpected in the small village of Villalago and another an international music fest (Lo Spiritu del Pianeta) in Montevergine. Matt and I enjoyed the porcini fest in Cusano Mutri and camped at the top of the mountains, a day at the Roccamonfina chestnut festival, and lunch and a walk through the city of Benevento. I spent time with Kara at Forre di Lavello and Path of the Gods. A 4-day weekend in Calabria offered us the kindness and hospitality of Calabrians, fixed menus at two different agriturismos, and camping at an agricamper outside Trebisacce, on the beach in Sibari, and at a lake in Pollino outside the very cute town of Mormanno. We also had the opportunity to meet Matt’s college friend Beth in downtown Naples, and it was amazing to experience how many Italians LOVE our dogs……. because there is now a puppy taking over our lives……