Last time we went on a  stop-any-ol-place-you-like drive through the Italian Alps. (Click here to see photos)

Today we’re heading up, up, up into the mountains to a stunning lookout atop a waterfall.

The drive alone is absolutely gorgeous, the road narrowing as it winds through pristine alpine villages and emerald green meadows.

Italian Alps meadow

 

The higher we get the rockier the terrain as the treeline thins and craggy cliffs emerge from behind fluffy white clouds.

The windows are wide open letting in warm, late afternoon sunshine and cool mountain breezes.

It feels exquisitely wonderful to be alive.

 

Italian Alps mountains

 

My stomach lurches only a little bit as my friend Margo expertly guides the car up the edge of the mountain. I try not to think about the sheer drop to our left and keep my gaze fixed on the soaring peaks aglow in sunshine. Knowing I’m only a little ways away from Switzerland makes me happy and distracts me from unpleasant fears of plummeting to my death.

 

Italian Alps in summer

At last we emerge on the mountain top, and any anxieties are quickly forgotten in the stunning vistas that await us.

mountain lookout

We are speechless.

Without any explanation needed, we spend the next while alone with our thoughts, gazing across the mountains, down the plummeting stream, letting the winds cool our faces as we try to take it all in.

With hardly another soul around, it was the perfect place to be quiet, to rest, to be still. A wonderful spot to let all the stresses and anxieties of life melt away.

Alpine waterfall

Next time I’ll show you more of this mountain top reverie.

Where is your favorite waterfall?