Apocalyptic Dream

Was just recounting this dream I had last night about an apocalypse. Myself and friends were at my parents house with a huge storm brewing outside. Inside was calm except for all of us. The storm was very dramatic. The wind was stirring up dirt, trees and anything else it could. It was so strong it was moving stacked firewood into new stack patterns much like the patterns wind creates on sand. Neighbors lost and confused pets starting showing up and we would let them in the house. One pet was referred to as a skunk but looked more like an oversized badger. Maybe this came from watching Princess Bride in the park last night - remember the ROUS's (Rodents of unusual size)? Finally the storm calms down and we go outside to inspect the damage. Shortly after an earthquake begins. The ground cracks open and earth rises and lowers around us in great slices of rock and dirt. The house seems to be the only solid ground but some of us, including me are forced to scramble up and down rock faces to get back. The earthquake ends and we are all standing there wondering what to do next. We set out to try and find others who have survived the storm and earthquake. After a short while we come across a village. This is a very strange place. Statues and art very like what the Mayans and Incas may have created are displayed everywhere. For a few moments, no one appears to be around but, we soon realize we are being surrounded. Very tribal looking people who appear to be in a trace and trying to throw some sort of dust on us which causes a reaction to become zombie like and they are then able place a black cocoon like net over their victims. At this point it was no longer a group effort to survive. I manage to push my way through and escape only to enter another village with more comatose like people, this time dressed western style. As I was trying to break through this group I woke up.

What does it mean? Probably that I feel like my parents house is a safe place but, not a place to rely on forever. Also might be feeling a bit trapped. Anyway... just wanted to get it down before I totally forget it.

I love espresso!

I think the pics speak for themselves. It was soooo nice to have great espresso in France and Suisse. Why can't this exist here, without requiring Starbucks all the time!? FYI - Express means fast, Espresso is coffee!

Heading to the airport... back to USA

Letting you all know I am heading back today. I'll complete the travel log when I get back to VT.
Thanks you all for helping to make this awesome journey!

Ahh, my first Espresso en Paris!

Here is my first morning and first espresso en Paris. This awesome corner restaurant is on a great people watching street. TONS of pedestrians with an expected high ratio of tourists.

Here is my special cup of Joe!

Half star accommodation, by Citroen.

Before we started this trip we thought we could save some cash by sleeping in the rental car whenever we could. Well, that ended up being a little too often. The space available for two grown men is limited. Lucky, or unlucky, the space was just about exactly 5'10" long. Among other issues, heat. We were in the middle of a heat wave so, by 8AM it would get a bit too hot. We tried to keep the bugs to a minimum at night by only cracking the windows, MISTAKE! In hindsight, a tent would have been a good idea and every other night in a hotel. Shower-in-a-can only works for a day or two. At one point we had to restock our underwear supply at the local Carrefore supermarche. Th Citroen Picasso was a cool car. Our only had 5000 kilometers. Some neat features apart from the GPS: auto headlights, wipers and AC; the headlights turned to face into corners; the front window extended above our heads with shades for a bright day; widow shades for all the back windows; seating for 7. If they were available here I would buy one.

Making our way back to Paris - Dijon

Well, this posting took a while, eh! Let's see what I can remember...

We left Annecy planning to stop in Dijon. When we left the weather was great, sunny and clear. As we got nearer to Dijon the weather began to turn for the worse. Heavy rain had begun to fall and dark clouds. Too boot we were still in Bastille Day... nothing open. While navigating through part of the city we drive by an impressive cathedral and I jump out for some quick photos but, difficult to get a good shot with all the rain. The obvious choice for us is to start making our way back towards Paris. Too bad because it's pretty obvious that Dijon is full of amazing architecture! Here is the one cathedral we saw, d'Eglise Notre-Dame de Dijon. The remainder of our sight seeing here is through blurry windows. Sadly not much else to report from Dijon, not even a chance to taste some real Grey Poupon.

Chamonix, Part 2

Not really sure what else I had say about Chamonix. I did have more photos I wanted to share of the mountains and the town later on that evening. It would have been great to have a better view but, I had to settle with 'in town' vistas. Off to Annesy tonight to find a parking space to sleep in.

Chamonix, France - Part 1

This place is breath taking! The drive in on this winding narrow road passes increasingly larger mountains the further we drive. This is the first time I have actually seen glaciers! Not in pictures but, actually seen! After the all-powerful GPS sends us into tailspins because it doesn't actually know where the center of town is, we use Travis's own internal GPS as he has been here before. The town is busting with activity. There is a rock climbing competition going on in the center of town, a concert stage being set up a few blocks from there and plenty of others leaving or returning from some extreme outdoor activity. Travis points out the gondola to the top of a nearby peak. We have to go! We find the station, a very new building looking all modern and simple. I guess it use to be a small funky building that was now having trouble accommodating all the would-be mountaineers like us. $35 or so later and we are being lifted to the mid station. The terrain rapidly loses vegetation and becomes a rocky landscape with the spaces in between filled in with grass. Onto the second gondola and the grass dissapears leaving solid rock. The other gondola zips past us going down. I don't know which one is traveling faster but, it's the only real sense of how fast these move along. The landscape is so huge our large gondola feels tiny.At the top I quickly realize I am not ready to move at my normal pace at this altitude. Walking slowly and not looking down at the same time are very important. The exterior stairs are all grated with a view down of several hundred feet along sheer rock faces. Holy shit! This is high! It all feel strange to be here. On the mountain side we can watch mountaineers heading off single file along the ridge. I suddenly feel like I shouldn't be here. This isn't really 12000 feet high. I'm at Disney World watching some virtual reality film like IMax or similar and it's so well done I feel actual vertigo and seriously thin air. The only thing to distract me is... espresso!

Birthday Dinner in St. Gallen, Suisse

I already wrote about my birthday dinner in Suisse but, I thought I had lost the photos. Found them! Had to show them because I had such a great time with Marlen's parents. A table full of salami, cheese, wine and Swiss Army knives. Note to self - never challenge a local with his own national product, you'll always lose! Hint - a cork screw trumps all.

St. Gallen, Suisse

The drive to St. Gellen was pretty easy thanks to the great all powerful GPS! The mountains were awesome! The effort to get a road up, through and over these mountains was no minor endeavor. At one point the cliff literally hangs over the road, another point a cork screw tunnel. I am watching 200 ft waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and glowing green lakes.Seeing Tao and the fam is great fun. We stroll around town, have schnitzel and checkout shops. Marlen takes us to a great swim spot (Tao is still getting to know the place too). The twon use to be known for its cloth and at one time constructed and series of ponds for washing. Now they are swimming ponds. It feels so good to get in the water and cool off. Later we head to Marlen's parents place for a few local beers. Mind you the size on one beer bottle is about a pint and a half. I was a little happy to say the least. FYI - today is my 40th birthday so, I'm in the mood to be social. I finally get to drink this bottle of Makers Mark I've been dragging around - thanks Katina!A great evening with plenty on salami, cheese and bread. All a mix of some French samplings I brought from Morzine and some local fair. Needless to say, the Makers Mark was finished all too quickly but, plenty of wine and beer. After comparing Swiss Army knives with Marlen's father I had to forfeit even though I have more tools I was lacking the ever essential cork screw. Wins hands down every time!

Interlaken, Suisse

I was hardly here. One of those in-and-out stops. We arrived in the dark of night, ate and slept. Then in morning I awoke before Travis and slipped out the door and into the car to hit the road for St. Gallen. Had to take a few shots of the Funny Farm hostel and the surrounding mountains. Just a reminder that this grand hotel which houses the current hostel was once the most prized accommodation in Interlaken. family owned for some time it became overwhelmed by the larger pop-up hotels such as the Hilton. Too bad because this place has some real vintage style and charm. It's very apparent that this place was a very classy joint!

On the road to Interlaken, Suisse

The day in Morzine was great but, time to head to Interlaken, Switzerland. Travis has a date with adrenaline and I have one with Edward, Marlen and Samuel in St. Gallen. On the way there we drive through some amazing scenery and towns. The lakes here glow green, almost like some toxic waste dump. I'm not sure what makes then green but, I did find out they were excavated by the glaciers in the last ice age about a brazillion years ago. Port Valais was the most impressive. A very glamourous looking place with an amazing lake side hotel, a casino and tons of restaurants. I'm guessing it is a popular vacation spot. Aside fromthe town the drive over is generally scenic. Did I mention the tunnels? There are tons of tunnels here.

We arrive in Interlaken at around 9PM and lucky for me the hostel lets me pay a nominal fee to sleep on the floor in Travis's room. The place is booked out solid! The Funny Farm is the name of the hostel localted inside what use to be one of Interlaken's most prestigious hotels. Once all the big chains came to town it was reduced to a hostel, not a cheap one though. Travis's room was $90 a night for a single room. Hardly what I'd call typical budget hostel travel rates. We found a local pizza joint, headed back to the hostel and watched the last 40 minutes of the World Cup final, Viva España! Great finish to watch.
Sleep time. Tomorrow is an early start to drive solo to St. Gallen.

Wine, Wine, Wine!!!

On the road anywhere in France and in some places in Suisse grapes grow en mass only feeding our thirst for more wine. It seems as if only sloping land works for grapes. Everything that is flat is left for wheat, sunflowers and anything else.

Morzine

After waking up and moving the car into a better locations for a quicker departure we head into the main village for some sight seeing. Morzine is a very picturesque mountain town. Nestled in a small saddle before the climb to Avoriaz, itself visible from the town is perched on the edge of a cliff. Chalets galore here. Travis is soaking up the timber frame work documenting all he can. This is kind of like Stowe, Vermont x10. Everything is built to impress and it does. The scene here is a buzz. There is a sprint point in town before the final climb so there is a lot of activity here. Right now we are hanging for some coffee.
Juiced up and ready to go we check out the shops and more architecture. The riders are not expected until 4:30PM so we have a good part of the day to relax. Come three o'clock and time to head for the climb for some tight corner action.

On the road to Morzine

Leaving Lamoura behind we get our first taste of tour traffic. Only one way off the mountain and thousands wanting to get to the next stage. We are sitting still for about half an hour before the traffic starts to move. Luckily, once it's moving it is steady. So far the days have been blistering hot but, today we get our fist rain and boy does it come down. Not just a little storm but lightning too. We are one small part of a large snake of cars, campers, cyclists, motorbikes, and tour buses weaving our way down this very narrow twisty road to the valley below. At one point a dozen or so tour vehicles are escorted by moto-police down the other side of the road. Now we have two full lanes of traffic heading down this road. Then mayhem as a camper is coming up. Oops, everybody squeezes just a little bit closer for a moment. Whew. We make it off the mountain, through Geneva and back into France. I forget where we have dinner but, it's somewhere in Switzerland before going through Geneva, if I remember later I'll add it in.
Morzine is a bigger stage in terms of the size of the mountains so we need to get there ASAP. More people will be gathering on the climb. This finish is a HC climb, highest classification. The actual finish is at Avoriaz but, we are not interested in being trapped on the mountain all day, tomorrow night we are due in Interlaken, Switzerland.
We drive around Morzine for a while trying to find a spot to camp. Tonight we have to settle for a slope amongst a crowd of others doing the same.

Lamoura

Waking up in Lamoura wasn't so bad. The trucks stopped going by at about 1AM but, the cows seemed to eat all night long. FYI - all the livestock here wear bells and not just some little ding ding thing but, these honking huge things. More like dong dong. I have to admit that when they are a few hundred meters (When in Rome...) they sound quite nice. Wondering wind chimes. We wander into town, only about half a kilometer away. Coffee, croissants, and some fixings for lunch and we are back to the car. The crowd grows steadily. Crews are fixing banners and barriers through town. Marketing people are handing our flags and hats. We grab a few to help shade the car, can't let our Beaune wine get ruined before it makes it back to Vermont.
At the car, there are already people camped on either side of our very small patch and the riders don't come through for another 5 hours. These are dedicated fans! A little lunch of baggettes, a selection of local cold cuts (cured meat and salami) with wine, what more do you need! This is the only day I get a nap in, could have used one everyday!

Here come the riders! Even better viewing today! They are climbing so they come by slower. Better opportunities for photos too. Of course my card reaches full capacity right when Lance rides by!! I did get to see him.

On the Road to Lamoura

It was hard to leave Beaune but, we did come here for Le Tour so we must go. Next stage is a mountain finish at Station des Rousses. The road starts to change here from rolling farms to narrow mountains. There are an increasing number of sheer cliffs providing a dramatic change of landscape. Rather than follow the route the riders will head we put our trust in the GPS to get us there faster. Part way up the twisty road we realize we are in need of gas. One of the biggest hastles we have encountered on this trip is our credit cards. Every country I have been in on this trip, England, France and Switzerland, are using credit cards with computer chips in them. Gas stations here are greatly unmanned and will only accept cards with chips. We arrive at Champagnole, a good size town in the mountains. I think we hit every gas station in town until we find one with an attendant. Very very lucky considering it's about 8PM. By the way, the daylight lasts till nearly 10PM every day and we eat at about this time most days. Getting to bed before midnight doesn't occur once the entire trip.
After finding fuel and filling up we find a nice little restaurant and sit down to eat. A very nice meal with wine a espresso of course. Maybe that's part of the reason we go to sleep so late, espresso at 10PM. We finish and hit the road finally finding a small pullover about the size of our car on the climb out of Lamoura. Not much curb so less spectators.

Beaune (pronounced "bone")

For any wine lovers this is an amazing place. Under much of the old part of town is a maze of tunnels/caves for storing wine. We entered for a tour through Patriarch. 10 Euro and down these non descriptive spiral staircase into the caves below. We wandered through about a 100 meters of cave with more than a dozen off shoots and large side rooms all stacked with thousands of bottles of wine all labeled with lot numbers on sheets of slate hanging off each one. Some just a lot # while others had an open date. One such open date was near 2060. After the maze we ended in a series of tasting rooms. Before we entered we were given these specially shaped tasting cups. I have no idea what the off indentations were meant to do but, I will tell you the wine was amazing. The traditional tasting method involves smelling, sipping, swishing and spitting. I can tell you I was not about to do any spitting at all and none did I do. The really good ones had to be tasted at least twice to make sure they were truly as good as we thought.

Outside the caves, which we only left because it was closing time, is a town filled with amazing architecture surrounding narrow streets filled with shops.

More from Beaune...

I've been picking through Travis's pics and finding some worth posting to help add to the story. Here is lunch in Beaune, check out the salad and this is a hors d'oeuvre - I'm in heaven! Wine with lunch of course then more espresso. We're in France, don't be stupid!

More of the wine caves too. The tasting rooms were very cool, literally. Check out the price on the wine! Image is small so click on it to see it bigger.

On the road to Beaune

On the road to Beaune. We finally figured out how to enter destinations into the GPS... only three days of getting lost. This will be especially helpful in the mountains and for our side trip to Switzerland.

Driving through the countryside here it's hard to not stop constantly to take pictures. I have to come to the realization that I'll just end up with too many photos of churches and farm houses. Every once in a while a Ferrari or Porsche zips by.

Other noteworthy sightings... many large wind turbines, grapes, white cows, round hay bails(yeah! They have 'em too!), grapes, BMW M6(unavailable in the US), vineyards, castles and grapes. Yes, there are a lot of vineyards!

I'm being told I'll love Beaune. I guess there is a lot of history here and yep, wine! I'm bound to have some stories from here.