10 February 2017. Having frequently mumbled to myself “Someone should write a book,” I actually became the “someone.”
Ric and I have hiked in the Dolomites around Ortisei for the past five summers. The genesis for the book was this hike advertised as “easy” in local information but I was certain we were going to die at least twice during the trek. As we recovered from the experience I said those famous words about writing a book, and the trip turned into a research venture. Ric and I carefully traipsed the trails and documented a couple of dozen walks during our 4-week stay in Ortisei last July. Then, in the midst of the craziness of the past few months — moving to Oregon from Italy, buying a house, relocating to the Oregon coast — we’ve managed to publish a book. Walking in Italy’s Val Gardena: 20 Easier Walks in the Dolomites near Ortisei, Selva, and Santa Cristina is now available from Amazon worldwide. Simply search for it (typing “Hiking Val Gardena” in the search box on any Amazon site will bring it right up), or in the U.S. click here.
I also have a new blog, ProjectEasyHiker, and will be shifting my focus to writing about our exploration of the Oregon Coast or anywhere else we may travel. Good Day Rome will be maintained as an archive and as inspiration strikes I may blog here as well. If you would like to continue our relationship, please head on over to PEH and follow. Project Easy Hiker is also on Facebook.
Tags: Amazon, book, Walking in Italy's Val Gardena
Girovaga 
Hi Laurel!
I tried to download the kindle book but it didn’t work. Maybe it’s my device but I thought I’d better let you know just in case.
Thanks!
Lori
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Hi Lori. I am sorry you had a problem. I suggest you report it to Amazon support. I have had a problem on occasion and they can help or give you a refund. Let me know, OK? Thanks!
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Woo hoo! Congratulations on the labor of love, and the insights you offer will be valuable to fellow hikers in the Val Gardena. I know you were a fabulous guide with our little family a couple of years ago. : )!
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Thanks, Susan! I hope you did a “Look Inside” at Amazon. You’ll recognize some people….
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I’ve loved following your Italian and European blogging adventures. Have you any plans to write a book on Rome or any of the other places that you both got to know well?
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Hi Marilyn and thank you for your kind words. The book we just published, “Walkling in Italy’s Val Gardena,” will be it for awhile. I am toying around with a similar book for an area of Switzerland that we love, it for now, just blogging. I hope you will follow us at http://www.ProjectEasyHiker.com. I am sure we’ll update Good Day Rome when we travel in Europe, too!
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Fabulous – and you beat your deadline! Happy moving!
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Thank you Nige! Feeling pretty good about getting it done in time for 2017 travel planning!
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Complimenti. Siete bravissimi. Delle amiche mi hanno chiesto i consigli per hiking nella zona dei Dolomiti. Il vostro libro viene molto utile. Grazie e divertitevi in Oregon.
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Sono contenta che il libro sia utile per vostri amici. Grazie per il consiglio ed i buoni saluti!
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How in the world do you manage to fit in everything that you do! You both amaze me.
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It was rather like having a job at some points! We took a lot of notes and did a lot of drafting of the hikes while there last summer. Then I picked away at expanding the info and formatting. I actually left Rome with all the hikes formatted and most of the material written in October. Then with holidays, house hunting, etc., continued to refine. After Christmas I had to format it for publishing and that was the REAL work. Took many drafts! I am very happy to have it done. Now to promote it!
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You are SO RIGHT about the current books available for hiking the Val Gardena. I would have bought your book in a heartbeat when planning our trip last summer. Your blogs about hiking were the most useful to us. Congratulations! There is a real need for this book.
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Thank you Kathleen! That is a lovely endorsement!
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Congratulations and buona fortuna!
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Grazie infinite!
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So exciting to hear about your book! I think Catherine and Gilles will be interested to hear about it. They are both avid hikers and are heading back to,Italy in April while we housesit for them in France!
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How wonderful! I hope you will tell them they can buy my book in Europe. Unfortunately only in English!
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I love the idea of a book on easy hikes Laurel. I can’t wait to read what you wrote about the hikes in Ortesei. I will follow you on your new site. Happy trails to you!!!
Lori
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Thanks Lori! I hope you will follow along and I’ll try not to disappoint!
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Congratulations! The book sounds wonderful and I am not even a hiker! I look forward to your new blog. Hope I figure out how to get myself signed up for it.
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Thanks Carolyn! I hope Ric and I can get out soon and take some Oregon Coast hikes!
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Congratulations on the book. We loved Ortesie and Val de Gardena as you were the ones that pointed us to the wonderful place. Looking forward to hearing about the Oregon coast. Ciao, Bill (and Melissa)
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Now you have to go back and test my book!
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Thank you Chloe! We are lucky: no snow for a couple weeks now. We are in Lincoln City getting moved in. Hope to sleep there Monday night if everything is delivered and the bed assembled! Then we need to get back to hiking!
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I’m not a hiker but will let my friends who are know about your book.
I finished (I hope) my cancer treatment yesterday and leave for my month in Venice on February 28. I can finally concentrate on that. I’ll still be walking with a cane but it’s better than not being in Venice.
All the best to you.
Michelle
PS I’ll probably do a blog post on the last few weeks over the weekend.
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Congrats on finishing your treatment! What a treat it will be to be in Venice for an entire month! I hope you have an incredible time and look forward to following along. We are already talking about missing Venice not to mention other favorite spots in Italia.
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i do hope that you keep on blogging. Certainly, the best blog out of Italy stopped once you moved. i will send this on to a friend who is taking a group from France to the Dolomites this summer, as i am sure that it will be valuable to her. I will probably get one also, just because i love that area of Italy. Are you in your new home yet and are you adjusting to all of the snow?
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