Sunday Sep. 22 - A Hiking We Will Go

Started the day with a great breakfast at the B&B - coffee, juice, croissants, cereal, yogurt, eggs and fruit.  A great way to power up for the day.  After breakfast we headed into the village and off to the TI to get the latest info on hiking and which lifts are open.

 

 

 

Since today was the last day for the lift at Le Tour (Col de Balme) we jumped on the bus and headed east.  When we got close to the village there were a lot of cars but we had no idea what was going on - just figured it was a Sunday and lots of people out and about.

 

We started with a gondola ride and then transferred to a four chair ski lift to Les Autannes which is 2,195 meters (7,200 feet).  We then hiked up a little further where we crossed into Switzerland and were treated to some fantastic views.

 

 

And here is Charlotte with her left side in Switzerland and her right side in France.

 

 

When we got back to Le Tour (after an ice cream and a beer) Judy headed off to see what was going on.  The big thing was female cows competing head-to-head (literally) in a battle of wills.  Apparently this sport is very popular in the region based on the number of people who attended.  Judy bought a sheep bell (not a cow bell) and will use it as appropriate (it is quite loud).

 

We planned to catch the 3:40 bus but there was more than a bus load of people at the bus stop.  And based on the number of cars headed down the hill it looked like a log jam of cars.  After the bus was 15 minutes late we started walking hoping to find the bus and get on before the bus headed up the hill to Le Tours.  After a short time it was quite obvious that the bus was not going to make it through the traffic.  We found some local folks who suggested we try to catch the train in a village down the road.  So off we headed and after a mile we were able to catch the train in Argentiere.

 

We got back in time to have some wine, meet the new folks who arrived today at the B&B (a couple from Australia and a father and daughter from Liverpool) and had a great dinner prepared by the owner of the B&B.

 

Tomorrow we head out to the lift that leaves Chamonix to Aiguille du Midi.  Should be a very scenic trip and there will be some hiking involved.