"On the highest peaks, one realizes that snow, sky, and gold hold the same value."
Boris Vian

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And here I am, a bit late today but still on top of things!

I was running late because I had a lot of things to take care of in the afternoon before leaving. I'm satisfied though, as I managed to get everything done!

With this post, I'm participating in the wonderful Outdoors and More contest. If I'm not mistaken, this should also be my debut in the community. I had previously written an article suitable for this group, but I mistakenly published it in the wrong place.

So, here I am for the first time!

The truly interesting topic gave me the opportunity to browse through my photos, and I found some beautiful landscapes in the province of Reggio Calabria.

I visited those places several years ago, and this is an opportunity to commit to returning soon because, as you can see, you can truly enjoy breathtaking views there.

But let's take it one step at a time. The one you see on the cover is the first part of the trail that leads to a very long and steep staircase, which takes you to a lookout perched on the mountain. If you have a fear of heights, it's not the best, but on clear days, I assure you that the breathtaking panorama makes it all worthwhile!

As you can see, the weather was really bad on the day we went on this hike. I must confess, though, that it's the kind of weather I love the most when I go on excursions. I adore rainy days and nights, even when I have to camp in a tent. I don't mind it at all, and perhaps after spending some time in front of a cozy campfire, it's even more enjoyable.

But let's get back to the topic. The most beautiful thing to see during this hike on Mount S. Elia is the "Three Crosses." You should know that this location belongs to the territory of the city of Palmi. These Three Crosses were erected here in memory of the "Mount Calvary," the place where Jesus was crucified.

This mountain is also associated with a legend that revolves around the saint after whom it is named. Let me tell you the story: "Elia, the Holy Poor Man, who came from Enna, arrived at the mountain to establish a monastery. He built a small cell among the rocks, where he took refuge to pray, content with his poverty and solitude. One day, a man arrived with a sack full of coins and approached Elia, expressing his intention to share his fortune with him. Elia, in response, started throwing the coins down the cliff. As they rolled down, they turned into black stones, which can still be seen near the coast. The man with the sack was none other than the Devil. Wings of a large black bat sprouted from his back, and he flew off, gliding over the sea and plunging into it. The waters started to bubble and boil, and suddenly, a black cloud rose from there. When it dissipated, an island shaped like a cone emerged on the horizon, with tongues of fire and smoke rising from its hollow summit. It was Stromboli, with the imprisoned demon blowing flames and thunder!"

It is said that Stromboli, the famous volcano, erupts with fire and lava whenever it is stirred by the infernal spirit trapped within.

Regarding this legend, there is also an impressive boulder that allegedly bears the Devil's claw marks before he took flight and submerged into the sea. This rock can be found as you descend towards the viewpoint. Unfortunately, I couldn't retrieve the photo, but I assure you it is truly striking, and it almost makes you believe that the marks on the rock are indeed the Devil's imprints.

I took many photos of this splendid day, but I can't seem to find the flash drive where I stored them. Fortunately, I had some of them saved on Google Drive, which I managed to retrieve. However, I hope to soon recover all the others so that I can write more wonderful posts, especially because that flash drive also contains pictures of other excursions to truly captivating places in Calabria.

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Well, now I bid you farewell. It's late, and I still need to have dinner. Moreover, I'd like to try packing my bags tonight so that I can be free from any worries tomorrow. It's Reny's birthday, and we should only focus on celebrating!

Hug You!

🔘 🔘 🔘

A brave heart and gentle tongue will take you far into the jungle...

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English is not my first language but I try, please forgive any errors.