More cow bell!

As of last entry Crystal's blog contribution is to choose the title for the blog.  This one is particularly fabulous and will be difficult to follow up, we'll see what she gives me tomorrow. 

We woke up this morning and had a small French breakfast (very small - coffee, juice, croissant and baguette).  We left the pension and strolled down to the town center to look around this lovely village. It looks a little like the touristy US ski villages but this place is the real thing. The buildings are old and covered in gingerbread with roofs that look designed to shed snow. In fact it looks more like my image of Switzerland than France. 

After our stroll through town we drove to Chamonix and took in the views of Mont Blanc.  Chamonix is a much more touristy town and was packed with people that were clearly on vacation (or holiday as they say here). We ate lunch on the sidewalk out of our grocery bags in the car. P.J! would be proud. 

We then drove to Le Tour where we planned a hike up the mountain. The woman in Chamonix had said it was, "a nice gentle slope".  Well, not so much on the gentle slope but the hike was marvelous. We were following a ski lift up the hill (which for 27 Euros we could ride to the top - but what fun is that?) to Switzerland. Seriously - we hiked to Switzerland today.

Along the way we saw cows resting in the shade by a river that had the most ENORMOUS bells on that I have ever seen in my life. They were almost as large as the cow's heads and we couldn't help but hum "Fear the reaper" as we walked away.  Further down the trail we encountered a herdsman and his goats and sheep - also with bells on - guarded by big dogs. When we entered the trail a sign warned that the dogs were protecting the sheep from predators and might approach us but not to worry - they would "identify" us and move on. I think something was lost in translation but the dogs only barked at us a bit which was nothing to compare to the sounds from the sheep and goats!

On up the trail we stopped at the first gondola hut and had a Mont Blanc beer and ice cream while sitting in La Fuma lounge chairs. I don't remember who but someone at Philmont used to carry one around and I was delighted to see them.  We lounged, enjoyed the view and a marvelous local beer. 

Up the trail we hit the France - Switzerland border and had incredible views into both countries and perhaps a bit of Italy as well. What a marvelous hike and a glorious day.  We strolled down the hill to Le Tour and drove back to the pension.

For dinner tonight we had fondue! In France! It was delicious, hot and a great meal after such a long day out in the sun.  Tonight we have set up in town to write you all from the local late night cafe where we are all enjoying another Mont Blanc watching the sunset on the town square. 

Tomorrow we are leaving for Avignon and the Pont du Gard. I hope to write to you all soon. Loving the comments! Glad Etta is being her wonderful self and that you are all reading and enjoying our trip.  The trophy is in the boot... no cereal consumed from it by trophy husband yet.