Autumn Evening in Limone sul Garda

On the way back from Umbria, we only had a far too short overnight stay in Limone sul Garda. We knew we wanted to come back again soon. At the end of October, the opportunity arose at short notice to extend the summer. To anticipate, I was not disappointed. I even managed to swim in the lake.

On the drive, we wanted to gain many new impressions at the same time. So we drove the scenically impressive route past Lake Molveno, the Brenta Massif and the Paganella plateau. With every kilometre south, it got warmer. The campsite was empty compared to high season, yet many participants of the LimoneXtreme SkyRace had arrived. This extreme sports event covers a 22 km route with over 2000 metres of altitude on roads and narrow mountain paths to the surrounding peaks – respect. I, on the other hand, took it less extremely and shouldered my photo backpack for an evening stroll into the old town. That’s my own sporting challenge, as it involves carrying several kilograms.

Along the lakeside promenade, busy preparations were still underway for the sports event the next day. The alleys around the old harbour, however, were very relaxed with few visitors. In the harbour basin, boats bobbed lazily. The mountain slopes of Monte Baldo above Malcesine glowed plastically and almost tangibly in the last deep rays of sun before sunset. You only experience the mountains here so clearly and in such detail in autumn and winter. In summer, there is usually humid air and haze over the lake.

A little further north of the old harbour, an inconspicuous staircase leads to the small terrace of San Rocco Church. There, a much-praised, truly dreamlike panoramic view opens up over the old town of Limone, Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains. The landscape glowed reddish in the twilight of dusk. The first stars twinkled in the sky, and the lanterns in the alleys. It became almost windless and the last ferry had departed, leaving the lake almost mirror-smooth.

Thoughts
sank
into the lake.

Calmly
grasp
the moment.

In the heart
cheerful
and pure.

I had already picked out my photo spot for the upcoming sunrise here, a little further up, on the Gardesana Occidentale state road. But now it was time to pack up. My wife and the dog were patiently waiting for me again, before the cosy and enjoyable part of the evening with a good wine was about to begin.