After our alps hike we spent a couple of days in a little French resort town called, Chamonix. We fell in love with this place and spent an extra night here. Le Hotel Chamonix is a quintessential little french hotel with the cast iron railed balcony and geranium pots... but we were WAY UP in the attic on the 5th floor. No provincial balcony but a stunning view. Adding to the quaintness and the irony of being on the 5th floor, there was NO elevator. We had just finished 2 back-to-back days of hiking and were, admittedly, sore. I'm sure they always knew when we were coming or going during the day by our murmuring ascents and descents!
The gondola across the glaciers goes all the way to the Italian side of the Alps. One section is 3km of unsupported cable!
Chamonix, France
Silly Swiss Alps Video Clips
I am not kidding, when I opened the car door at the trailhead in Col de Forclaz, my first steps in the alps, this is what I heard...
Tour du Mont Blanc hike
We didn't have time for the classic 10 day Tour du Mont Blanc so we hiked a 21 mile loop at the very top of the route.
Monday we hiked 11 miles over the pass of the Fenetre d'Arpette and stayed the night at Champex Lac.
Tuesday we hiked 10 miles back around to Col de Forclaz on the Bovine trail.
The wildflowers were everything I had hoped for and more.
The glacier was mesmerizing. We even saw a huge section crash off the bottom.
France and Switzerland: the beginning and end
Aaron and I got away for an anniversary (8yrs) adventure in the French and Swiss Alps this month. We started in the costal resort town of Nice, drove through Italy to Switzerland, came back down to the French Alps, then spent the last few days above Interlaken, Switzerland. We drove through Bern and went to the temple on our way to Geneve to fly home. An absolutely fantastic 10 days. Thanks to all the family, especially Mom & Camille, for keeping our kids alive and happy while we were away.
June Chronicles
Youth Conference Aaron and I took the youth in our ward Canyoneering and drew life parallels to our theme "Find Your Way"
Anniversary 8 years!
Utah to drop the kids off
France for a little adventure!
