a Review from the Top: Christo and Jean-Claude's Floating Piers in the early morning

I set the alarm for 4:30 AM. The chime had worked its way into my dream, but I finally was able to realize that it was time to get up if we wanted to see the Floating Piers in relative peace.

So we dress, didn't even have a coffee, and walked down the mile and a half to the entry. Two nights previously we arrived at about 7:00 PM and met such a crush of humanity that I have never seen, waited in line for two hours from this point:

to beyond this pink building:

You can see the fabric on the street:

and all the barriers are serving no purpose.

We just walked onto the Floating Piers

At this point two nights ago folks were running to get away from the crowd. I have not yet decided if I will write about that part. I probably will. Discomfort makes better stories.

As we got on the Floating Pier, a woman next to us went up to one of the Stewards (who had the coolest t-shirts, which were not for sale) and asked for some of the fabric for a souvenir. So we did, too!

Here is Doreen, celebrating the fabric:

And look what she has in her hand:

The visceral impression that I get from the Floating Pier is "Holy Cow! That must have been a lot of work!". It seemed to go on forever. And in the daylight, you can see just how big it is. Doreen remarked that she thought about how the people on the island out there (Isla Iseo) could now, for the first time ever, walk to the mainland. Really an amazing thing.

Of course, this being Italy, you had some fantastic views. They used those little red runabouts to manage the crowds, and to make sure everything was calm. DO you think that the color of the runabouts was happenstance? I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. Look at how it plays off the various colors you get from the Piers. Fantastics.

On the main Pier, there are two doglegs. That gives you a nice view of the whole setting

and since it was early, you could ALMOST pretend you were alone.

The shore lido was wrapped, too. We put out shoes on for the shore part, though.

I like the interplay with the green as well.

Notice Doreen's toes.

We also learned on the trip that "lying down selfies" are a thing. So, not to be left behind, we did one, too.

One of the stewards was kind enough to take our photo. We look as if we are all alone out there.

That set of cabins, the lower one on shore, is where we are staying.

Here is the view from our place back out to the Floating Piers

As the sun came up over the hills, you started to see an interesting play between the shadows and the light.

Christo said he ordered 20% more fabric than needed so that he could create these ripples.

And the fabric also changed colors when it was wet. Much more orange.

The swans didn't seem to care.

That little island, San Paolo, is a private island owned by thee Beretta family. (The arms manufacturers) They have been a family owned business since 1526. They own (or owned) pretty much everything around Lake Iseo. I think they are the oldest family held company in the world.

These kids on this runabout looked like they were going to fall asleep.

We didn't care.

We lounged around and really took our time out there. This was a 15 day installation, and when it is gone, all that will remain are photographs and memories.