I identified myself as a Steemit reporter and was given access to a prohibited area!   

 I had heard rumours of an old Grotto up in the mountains of Ticino that had an ancient Olive tree dating back to the time of Christ! I had to investigate for myself and Steemit paved the way!    

@lellabird60 is dwarfed by this giant! (all photos by @kus-knee "The Old Dog")

  What is a Grotto?  

  The word grotto usually refers to a naturally or artificially occurring cave. However in Ticino, the southern canton of Switzerland, it refers to something else.    

  The Grottos of Ticino  

  In Ticino the word grotto refers to rustic establishments, which are usually located in remote and shaded areas. They have wide-open spaces for eating outside on tables and benches under the trees. Usually, locally produced and home-made products and dishes are served such as:  cold cuts, vegetable soup, busecca, risotto, polenta with braised meat, rabbit, cazzöla, mushrooms and a selection of local cheeses.   

 Favorite beverages at grottos include wine with sliced peaches in a cup and a selection of locally produced Merlot.

 Il Grotto Alpe Di Brusino (Old Tavern on The Meadow of Brusino)   

  The grotto can be reached after about a 20 minute walk into the woods from Serpiano, a favourite look-out point which can be accesssed by cable car, on foot or by undertaking a rather treacherous drive. This grotto lies at a height of 674 meters above sea level and makes for a very pleasant excursion.    

After a 20 minute hike we reached the rustic Grotto and we weren't disappointed! Simple but spectacular!

A view from the grotto's meadow! Well worth the hike!

@lellabird60 enjoys a brew before gaining access to the ancient tree!

The Tree Was Protected With a Fence And a Sign

  The rumour was not completely true as the tree was not a 2,000 year old Olive Tree but a 700-800 year old Chestnut tree! Was I disappointed? No! This tree was spectacular all the same. The problem is that it was fenced off for protection and it had a sign that prohibited anyone from going near it.  

   

So close and yet so far! A sign prohibited access to the tree but Steemit would soon change that!

As a Steemit Reporter I Was Allowed Access to The Tree!  

  When I see a big tree my desire is always to have a person right beside it in order to give the photograph scale. What did I do? I went and spoke with the manager of the grotto and explained that I was a blog author for a site called Steemit and I showed her some of my posts. When I told her that I wanted to do an article on their grotto and that I needed close access to the tree she was pleased to grant it to me! Thanks Steemit!    

An awe inspiring beauty! Without Steemit this tree would not have received a hug! 

I hope that you enjoyed this trip to Il Grotto Alpe Di Brusino.

Until next time,

@kus-knee (The Old Dog)