The clouds thinned a bit during breakfast with mountain peaks revealed on spots of sun, but clouds moved back by the time we left. They didn't look as threatening of rain at least. We finished breakfast before our friends came down, but lingered over coffee for a bit.
As we walked today, the views were interesting because of the way the clouds alternately obscured and revealed different panoramas. We decided to wuss out and take the Telecabine lift, cutting out shot 1 1/4 hours of straight climbing. The weather was sufficiently iffy that we thought a shorter day might be better. There was still plenty of steep climb left when we disembarked from the lift. After cresting the first peak, there was a very brief descent, then a sharp, steep peak. That was a hairy climb with sharp drops off either side. It was necessary to use hands to grab onto rocks or trees at times. A little vertigo at times, too.
We found a funky little country place for lunch after trekking through trails filled with cow poop. We were able to get light lunches of vegetable soup with cheese and raw ham or salad Savoyarde.
Toward the end of the day, we missed a turn. I thought we caught up at the next section, but it was not the same one described in the notes. By the time we were sure we were off track, we had to backtrack a long way. We tried a couple of other incorrect alternatives and ended up getting in about two hours later than I had expected. So much for a short day. Good thing we took the lift!
Food:
8:00 am. Small croissant, small pastry, jam, blackberry yogurt, chocolate muesli with milk, 6 ounces orange juice, coffee, small banana
1:30 pm. Bowl vegetable soup, 2-3 oz abondance cheese, 2 oz raw ham, 33 cl peach iced tea
7:30 pm. 6 oz sparkling rose, tabouleh salad, shot glass pureed melon soup with mint, veal osso bucco, 1/2 cup tagliatelle pasta, green beans, apple tart
2:00 pm. 1 cup vegetable soup, 2-3 oz cheese, 2 oz raw ham, 33 cl peach iced tea
7:30 pm. 6 oz sparkling rose, small piece crusty bread, tabouleh, melon soup in shot glass, osso bucco, tagliatelle, small zucchini half with cheese
28 June 2009
Dimanche 28 Juin
A lovely sunny morning. Awkward start to the day when Bob broke some crockery cereal bowls; a bowl stuck to the one he picked up then detached and fell on the stack below. I fear we haven't made a very good impression at this hotel. Dad accidentally forgot to turn back the key from the last hotel so we had to ask the hotelier here to help return it; she was appalled that we had taken it. They also knew we had gotten lost en route due to the hour of our arrival.
Well, we had good intentions. The hotelier told us last night that church would be at 9:30 am today. We left in plenty of time to walk there but there was no one there. A woman was cutting fragrant flowers from a tree nearby. She told us the Mass here was yesterday evening. There would be Mass in an hour in Abondance, the town we walk to tomorrow. She even offered us a ride as she was going there anyway, but we would have to walk back. Dad was wearing dress shoes that have no support and neither of us had used sunscreen. We had to settle for visiting the church, saying a few quiet prayers, and lighting another candle for Grandma.
We came back to change into more comfortable city walking clothes and to slather ok the sunscreen. We walked back through the town, taking photos. I bought a small brioche roll to munch while walking. There were several restaurants open, bit we have been eating so much that a big lunch didn't even sound good. We finally returned to a small bakery/mini- market and bought apricots, pastries, and peach iced tea to eat at the little table outside. It was the perfect lunch.
We are back at the hotel for a short rest before a short afternoon hike.
Food:
8:00 am. Med/large croissant, jam, large slice cheese, thin slice sausage, 1/2 cup plain yogurt with jam, Bosc pear, 6 oz orange juice, coffee
10:00 am. Brioche roll
1:00 pm almond croissant, large apricot, 50 cl peach iced tea
2:30 pm. 12 oz beer
6:15 pm. 6 oz sparkling cider
7:30 pm. 6 oz sparkling rose, 1/4 small cantaloue sliced thinly, slice raw ham, small slice crusty bread, medium duck leg/thigh, 1/2 cup white beans, 1/4 cup cooked celery, creme of garlic sauce, creme caramel
8:00 am. Med/large croissant, jam, 1/2 cup fresh yogurt with jam, large slice cheese, thin slice sausage, 6 ounces orange juice, coffee
10:00 am. Brioche roll
1:00 pm. Almond croissant, large apricot, 50 cl peach iced tea
Well, we had good intentions. The hotelier told us last night that church would be at 9:30 am today. We left in plenty of time to walk there but there was no one there. A woman was cutting fragrant flowers from a tree nearby. She told us the Mass here was yesterday evening. There would be Mass in an hour in Abondance, the town we walk to tomorrow. She even offered us a ride as she was going there anyway, but we would have to walk back. Dad was wearing dress shoes that have no support and neither of us had used sunscreen. We had to settle for visiting the church, saying a few quiet prayers, and lighting another candle for Grandma.
We came back to change into more comfortable city walking clothes and to slather ok the sunscreen. We walked back through the town, taking photos. I bought a small brioche roll to munch while walking. There were several restaurants open, bit we have been eating so much that a big lunch didn't even sound good. We finally returned to a small bakery/mini- market and bought apricots, pastries, and peach iced tea to eat at the little table outside. It was the perfect lunch.
We are back at the hotel for a short rest before a short afternoon hike.
Food:
8:00 am. Med/large croissant, jam, large slice cheese, thin slice sausage, 1/2 cup plain yogurt with jam, Bosc pear, 6 oz orange juice, coffee
10:00 am. Brioche roll
1:00 pm almond croissant, large apricot, 50 cl peach iced tea
2:30 pm. 12 oz beer
6:15 pm. 6 oz sparkling cider
7:30 pm. 6 oz sparkling rose, 1/4 small cantaloue sliced thinly, slice raw ham, small slice crusty bread, medium duck leg/thigh, 1/2 cup white beans, 1/4 cup cooked celery, creme of garlic sauce, creme caramel
8:00 am. Med/large croissant, jam, 1/2 cup fresh yogurt with jam, large slice cheese, thin slice sausage, 6 ounces orange juice, coffee
10:00 am. Brioche roll
1:00 pm. Almond croissant, large apricot, 50 cl peach iced tea
26 June 2009
Mercredi 24 Juin
Our "stay-put" day at Lac de Montriond. After breakfast, we walked to Morzine for the market. The first part of our walk retraced the end of the previous day back to the village of
Montriond. From there, we found the way across to Morzine, a total of about 5 km. The weather was beautiful and warm. The market was wonderful, a combination of vendors of cheese, meats, vegetables and fruits, clothing, and other assorted merchandise. We bought some things for ourselves, some gifts, and some bread and cheese for picnic the next day. Then we found our way to the main part of town. I had to check out the supermarket, then we found a little cafe where we had crepes with emmental and local jam which they referred to as raw. It was delicious! The walk back was very enjoyable in the warm sun. When we reached Montriond village, we decided to stop at the bar for a small beer. We drank it on the sunny terrace which we had to ourselves. They had nifty plastic chairs with backs that leaned in a semi-reclining position, so I stretched out in the sun and woke up about 45 minutes later!
When we returned, there was time for a sunny strolll around the lake. We stopped on the terrace of the hotel at the far end for an iced tea. After dinner, we strolled around the lake in the opposite direction. There were more slugs out in the evening,
Food:
8:30 am. Small sweet bread, small chunk crusty bread, strawberry jam, 6 ounces orange juice, large cup hot chocolate, small bowl cornflakes, milk, coffee
1:00 pm. Crepe, 3-4 small slices emmental cheese, 3-4 pieces raw ham, 12 ounces mango iced tea
7:30 pm. White wine, crayfish on bed of spinach cooked in butter, trout cooked in butter, 2 small turned potatoes, peas in stock, raspberry tart
5:00 pm. 12 ounces mango iced tea
7:30 pm. Large portion crayfish on a bed of spinach cooked in butter, trout cooked in butter, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, 3 pieces local cheeses, creme brûlée, white wine, espresso, small square dark chocolate
Montriond. From there, we found the way across to Morzine, a total of about 5 km. The weather was beautiful and warm. The market was wonderful, a combination of vendors of cheese, meats, vegetables and fruits, clothing, and other assorted merchandise. We bought some things for ourselves, some gifts, and some bread and cheese for picnic the next day. Then we found our way to the main part of town. I had to check out the supermarket, then we found a little cafe where we had crepes with emmental and local jam which they referred to as raw. It was delicious! The walk back was very enjoyable in the warm sun. When we reached Montriond village, we decided to stop at the bar for a small beer. We drank it on the sunny terrace which we had to ourselves. They had nifty plastic chairs with backs that leaned in a semi-reclining position, so I stretched out in the sun and woke up about 45 minutes later!
When we returned, there was time for a sunny strolll around the lake. We stopped on the terrace of the hotel at the far end for an iced tea. After dinner, we strolled around the lake in the opposite direction. There were more slugs out in the evening,
Food:
8:30 am. Small sweet bread, small chunk crusty bread, strawberry jam, 6 ounces orange juice, large cup hot chocolate, small bowl cornflakes, milk, coffee
1:00 pm. Crepe, 3-4 small slices emmental cheese, 3-4 pieces raw ham, 12 ounces mango iced tea
7:30 pm. White wine, crayfish on bed of spinach cooked in butter, trout cooked in butter, 2 small turned potatoes, peas in stock, raspberry tart
5:00 pm. 12 ounces mango iced tea
7:30 pm. Large portion crayfish on a bed of spinach cooked in butter, trout cooked in butter, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, 3 pieces local cheeses, creme brûlée, white wine, espresso, small square dark chocolate
Vendredi 26 Juin
I guess nice weather couldn't be expected to last forever. We had a heavy rain last night that stopped by breakfast time. We decided to do the half-day walk into Switzerland with Sue and David. A ways out of town, on a steep climb, the heavy rains returned. We got to test the efficacy of our waterproofs. By the time we neared the Swiss town of Morgins, it finally let up. We found a nice restaurant in town and tried cheese fondue and rosti. It was a bit pricey but delicious. On the walk back, we had some lighter rain on and off. Our "half day" took from about 10 am tim 6 pm.
Food:
8:30 am. Small croissant, orange marmalade, small pastry, nutella, 6 ounces orange juice, coffee, 6 ounces peach yogurt, soft-boiled egg, small banana
1:15 pm. Small square rosti, cheese fondue with bread cubes, 12 ounces beer
3:00 pm. 4 squares Swiss milk chocolate
7:30 pm. Kir royals cocktail, red wine, wild mushroom spinach tart, duck leg, green beans, small baked potato, small sundae with sliced bananas, caramel sauce, espresso, small square dark chocolate
Food:
8:30 am. Small croissant, orange marmalade, small pastry, nutella, 6 ounces orange juice, coffee, 6 ounces peach yogurt, soft-boiled egg, small banana
1:15 pm. Small square rosti, cheese fondue with bread cubes, 12 ounces beer
3:00 pm. 4 squares Swiss milk chocolate
7:30 pm. Kir royals cocktail, red wine, wild mushroom spinach tart, duck leg, green beans, small baked potato, small sundae with sliced bananas, caramel sauce, espresso, small square dark chocolate
Jeudi 25 Juin
Great hiking day. More beautiful warm weather. We met up with the other Headwaters couple, David and Sue from England, about halfway through the day and walked together to the end. I think it was less tiring to share conversation with new folks. We hiked to the smaller benchmark on the biggest mountain. To go all the way up would have taken another couple of hours and brought us in to our destination quite late.
Food:
8:00 am. Small croissant, 4" pc crusty bread, blueberry jam, 1 tbl butter, 6 ounces plain yogurt, 6 ounces orange juice, of cup hot chocolate, very small bowl corn flakes, milk
2:00 pm. 2 chunks brioche with dried fruit, 4-5 thin slices venison sausage with hazelnuts, 2 ounces goat cheese, chocolate pudding cup
6:00 pm. Pint beer
7:30 pm. Glass red wine, large salad with bacon and emmental cheese shreds, tomato wedges, slice crusty bread, 5 oz steak, 4-5 large homemade fries, green beans, lemon sorbet with vodka
Food:
8:00 am. Small croissant, 4" pc crusty bread, blueberry jam, 1 tbl butter, 6 ounces plain yogurt, 6 ounces orange juice, of cup hot chocolate, very small bowl corn flakes, milk
2:00 pm. 2 chunks brioche with dried fruit, 4-5 thin slices venison sausage with hazelnuts, 2 ounces goat cheese, chocolate pudding cup
6:00 pm. Pint beer
7:30 pm. Glass red wine, large salad with bacon and emmental cheese shreds, tomato wedges, slice crusty bread, 5 oz steak, 4-5 large homemade fries, green beans, lemon sorbet with vodka
20 June 2009
Sat 20 Jun
Can't believe we're finally going to leave home later today to go to France. One thing about planning and anticipating a trip for so far in advance is that it takes on a sort of unreality. You live the trip so virtually, it seems inconceivable that it will ever be real. I think I'm excited.
Cleaning off a good workspace on the counter was less difficult than I had anticipated. Dad said he'd work on the fridge today. I'll do my best to leave the house liveable for you - and I apologize for whatever doesn't get done.
I seem to be more than usually hungry today. Maybe because yesterday I was stressed and not too interested in food. I did, however, make sure I got food in me yesterday, so I wish my body wouldn't try to compensate so for hunger.
Another graduation party to attend, however briefly. Fun.
Food:
6:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c skim milk, 155 g strawberries, 1/3 glass cherry juice from concentrate
10:30 am Half McDs brownie melt
11:30 am Brat, bun, 1 tbl ketchup, 1 tbl pickle relish, diet Coke
1:45 pm Medium peach
3:45 pm Small slice homemade bread, small cereal marshmallow bar
6:45 pm Small Bangkok curry at Noodles w/shrimp
Cleaning off a good workspace on the counter was less difficult than I had anticipated. Dad said he'd work on the fridge today. I'll do my best to leave the house liveable for you - and I apologize for whatever doesn't get done.
I seem to be more than usually hungry today. Maybe because yesterday I was stressed and not too interested in food. I did, however, make sure I got food in me yesterday, so I wish my body wouldn't try to compensate so for hunger.
Another graduation party to attend, however briefly. Fun.
Food:
6:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c skim milk, 155 g strawberries, 1/3 glass cherry juice from concentrate
10:30 am Half McDs brownie melt
11:30 am Brat, bun, 1 tbl ketchup, 1 tbl pickle relish, diet Coke
1:45 pm Medium peach
3:45 pm Small slice homemade bread, small cereal marshmallow bar
6:45 pm Small Bangkok curry at Noodles w/shrimp
19 June 2009
Fri 19 Jun
Got an email back from United saying that Travelocity should change our reservations at no cost because they screwed up. I will call them today, but I'm not holding out much hope. There is an outside chance that they might move us to an earlier flight Sunday that would change our arrangements. I'll let you know as soon as I know anything. If they book us on a morning flight, we may ask about crashing at your place Saturday night and driving to Chicago together in the morning.
Working with a supervisor from Travelocity; waiting for a callback as he checks with the airlines. He believes we can check our bags through from Chicago and is checking to see why United would have informed me otherwise. If we don't have to collect our bags, transport them, and check them in again at Kennedy, I think the time window should be adequate. Hope he's right.
Confirmation email came through. The whole change thing has just wiped me out though. Running on fumes. Got first load of laundry in, rest ready to go. No longer have a full day left to prepare as I had planned. Hope my brain restarts soon so I don't forget anything important.
Food:
7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/4 medium cantaloupe, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, peach
3:30 pm Lightly salted rice cake
5:00 pm 2 wedges butterscotch brownie, 20g dark chocolate, rest of truffle
9:30 pm 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese, 1 tbl chives, 1 c pineapple chunks, 6 oz plain 0% Chobani yogurt, 1/2 c Quaker Oat Squares
Exercise:
5:15-6:05 am Pilates mat
Working with a supervisor from Travelocity; waiting for a callback as he checks with the airlines. He believes we can check our bags through from Chicago and is checking to see why United would have informed me otherwise. If we don't have to collect our bags, transport them, and check them in again at Kennedy, I think the time window should be adequate. Hope he's right.
Confirmation email came through. The whole change thing has just wiped me out though. Running on fumes. Got first load of laundry in, rest ready to go. No longer have a full day left to prepare as I had planned. Hope my brain restarts soon so I don't forget anything important.
Food:
7:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/4 medium cantaloupe, cherry juice from concentrate, coffee
11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, peach
3:30 pm Lightly salted rice cake
5:00 pm 2 wedges butterscotch brownie, 20g dark chocolate, rest of truffle
9:30 pm 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese, 1 tbl chives, 1 c pineapple chunks, 6 oz plain 0% Chobani yogurt, 1/2 c Quaker Oat Squares
Exercise:
5:15-6:05 am Pilates mat
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