Ok--we're back from our trip to Italy, and we can hardly wait to hit the trails up in the SIerra. Summer is here, and the mountains are calling us.

But when we were in Florence, we couldn't help noticing this remarkable object invented in the 1600's there--backpackers will immediately recognize this as a spork, the essential dining implement of the backcountry.




Admittedly, this is a heavier version, made in silver. But there wasn't a lot of plastic around in the XVII century...

If you are interested, this is in the Bargello Museum in Florence. And no, it's not the most impressive thing in that museum, either.

If you'd like to see all of our photos of that trip, and there are over 500 of them, you can click here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/Balzac1991/ItalyCruise2014#
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Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963