Hike to Lago di Tovel

On Thursday Christine worked from home, which gave me the opportunity to be away from home past 2:45 (which is when Cora is picked up from school). After a quick google search I decided to hike to a small alpine lake called Lago di Tovel (at about 3800 ft above sea level) located in an adjacent valley (Val di Non) and in a large nature preserve (Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta). The Val di Non is mostly known for the plentitude of apples grown here at high altitude. A related and (mildly) interesting fact: the area's "Golden Delicious"s were the first product in the fruit category to receive a DOP (protected designation of origin). You're welcome. Other names for the lake include: Lake of the Bears (there are some brown bears in the valley) and The Red Lake (until 1964 there were summer blooms of a particular phytoplankton that would turn large parts of the lake blood red). Spoiler alert: I saw neither bear nor red water (nor blood). I parked about 3.5 miles North of Lago di Tovel (at about 2600 ft above sea level) near a small restaurant (which, it turns out, was closed) and walked up a very well marked trail leading to (and past) the lake. The number of well marked (and well used) trails in this part of the world is pretty fantastic, if not somewhat daunting. The weather was perfect (55F and overcast), and it had snowed overnight on the peaks of the nearby Brenta Dolomites, so that was nice. I took some pictures as I walked. I saw only a few people (and one dog) during my afternoon out. The lake was full of crystal clear water and surrounded by conifers and mountains. I took some pictures. There were two restaurants situated on the shore of the lake (both, it turns out, were closed). I was thankful for the salumi and cheese I had brought. The lake is recognized as a wetland of international importance as per the Ramsar Convention of 1980, but you probably already knew that. There was no cell service at the lake (or anywhere near it) and I had intimated that I would be home by 6, so at 4:30 I decided it would be prudent to start the 3.5 miles back to the car so I could start the 45 minute drive home. I took some pictures as I hurried back to the car. Also Christine wasn't really listening when I told her where I was headed, so if I had seen a bear (or blood) I would have had to rely on my sparkling personality and stellar communication skills to survive. Luckily it didn't come to that. I made it home a little after 6:30. I know; pretty good.