ALittleGetAway

Stayed at a very nice hotel at the airport last night and are enjoying a simple breakfast - purchased at a well stocked grocery store in the airport - as we wait for our flight home. Gee noted this morning that we have traveled through 4 countries on buses and trains, through cities, towns, villages and countrysides and haven't seen any liter or homeless encampments. Pretty sure we could not do this anywhere in the U.S.! Wonder why?... read more

Got the "money shots" today with pictures. Will let the pictures do most if the talking. We did: - Train ride to Montenvers and Mer de Glace (which at one time was the largest glacier in Europe) - Telepherique ride to du Plan de l'Aiguille - that is only mid-point to what should have been our final destination but 60 mph winds would not all us to go to the top - maybe tomorrow. ... read more

Blog took a day off yesterday and so did we. Decided to just rest a bit - and just enjoy the views. The blogs will also be shorter as the internet speed reminds one of a dial-up modem. The pictures will need to be worth "1000" words. Today' hike was upstream along the Arve river that flow down this valley. Once you leave Chamonix you pass through a couple of small towns but most of the time you're in the forest, listening to the river, with beautiful views on both sides. It reminds one of Yosemite - but the mountains are much closer and bigger! OK at this point it took 30 min to upload one photo at low resolution. May try again later if not we'll share Chamomix pics when we get home next week☹️ ... read more

Another traveling day - and finally we are in the French Alps. Comfortable, quiet bus trip took about 1 1/2 hrs with great views the entire way. Only one stop in a small town. Lush green countryside - very neat and clean with very modern roadways and a number of tolls. The mountains began to surround us as we left Annecy and continued to grow on each side of the valley. Shortly before we reached Chamonix we passed the entrance to the Mont Blanc tunnel (it is about 7 miles long) that takes you under the mountain into Italy! If we continue up the valley passed Chamonix we'd be in Switzerland! We're on the very edge of France. Chamonix looks like it will be a very nice place to spend the week. On first glance you ... read more

Started the day at the street market in the old town. It began right outside our door. The first trip to the market was very early, just as people were setting up (took some pictures). The second trip involved some serious shopping for our hike picnic (sausage, croissants and cherries - we already had the cheese) and for dinner ( roti chicken, veggies and a torte chocolate) - but no photos! The bus was running today so we headed down the east side of the lake to Echarvines and hiked to the Roc de Chere for our picnic overlooking the lake. Running out of superlatives, so we'll let the pictures tell the story. Coffee overlooking a golf course!! and the as we waited for the return bus we watched an amazing hang glider show. Will try ... read more