September 8, 2011

    Sheila and I were ready to set out early for our trip to Annecy France in the French Alps. We were anticipating a four to five hour drive north of the area of the Luberon. The car was packed and we took off north to our destination. So far the roads and motorways have not been a serious problerm. The mountains do have some serious switchbacks but that is not much different then many places in California. The longest stretch was getting to Grenoble and Gap. Fortunately this part was on the motorway. It was impressive when we got to the gap in the mountains as we were surrounded by magnirficent peaks in every direction.
   (This is Sheila, Skip needs a break.) We drove on to Annecy through green mountains and huge granite ones. We had put the address of the hotel in our Garim Gussie and she took us right to it, the Hotel de Alps, a most original name. No parking out front so everything had to be pulled from the car and then up a flight of stairs to the reception area to get our room. It was cozy and adequate for sleep and a decent shower. 
    Old Town Anncey is located right on Lac d'Annecy where the River Thiou either drains into or out of the Lake. There are also canals that flow through the City so there is alot of water. We walked in Old Town where lots of people were sitting in the outdoor tables at quite a few restaurants. We went to a place recommended by Rick Steve's which is called Le Cochon a l'Orelle ("The Pig's Ear"). On the appitizers menu was one listed as "sausage basket" - well, this box contained 5 huge sausages! We did our best, but we barely made a dent in the amount! Skip ordered pork tenderloin and I had beef. The food was very good, not great. The decor was very interesting and crazy with pigs!  
   We walked by the canals and shops following dinner with the lights it made a very beautiful setting.  
   That night we made the mistake of keeping the window open for some fresh air. In the wee hours of the morning we heard motorcycles roaring past and the dumping of a ton of glass in the recycle storage along the side of the hotel. We did find the sound of bells somewhat distracting but found out later that this was the local bus coming to the stop outside our window.

September 9, 2011
   We went out after breakfast, which was served in our hotel, to find the TI. We were lucky that we arrived at the place at 8:55 because it opened at 9:00. I wanted to drive home through the Mont Blanc tunnel, into Italy and I wasn't sure which way we would want to go once there because we only have maps or France and Spain. Fortunately, the man in the TI refered us to a Tabac next door that sells maps and we bought one for France that also included that part of Italy in the Alps. We then walked to Lac d'Anncey and found a large park Champ de Mars.
 
    The park was obviously a focal point of the community and tourists. It was expansive and we found the French Conseil General at the edge of the park.
   
   We walked along the dock and I asked Sheila if she wanted to go out on the Lac. She agreed and we talked to one of the vendors and we were placed in a small power boat and when the young man had finished with the instructions Sheila asked me if I was driving the boat and I said yes.
 
   We were able to see others towns/villages along the lake going south, including an incredible large building which we were unable to confrm whether it was a hotel of chateau.

   We traveled toward the south shore and got some more glorious pictures. The Lac was crystal clear, concerned to be the clearest lake in all of Europe

   Checking the time, we had a half an hour of boat time we turned back north and got some pictures of eastern shore hotel and the harbor in Anncey.

   Back on shore we walked toward old town but not before we took a picture of the Information Center and a canal which had some marvelous long wood boats that reminded me of the old Adirondack craft.

   We were able to get some pictures of the canals by day. Different in affect, but just as thriving as in the night.


   That evening we went to another restaurant recommended by Rick Steve "Le Freti" to have some fondue "with a lighthearted waitstaff". I had scouted it out on our walk the night before so it was easy to find. We arrived early, prior to opening time at 7 pm and had some drinks at a place next door which is also mentioned by Rick Steve the Cafe l'Estaminet", which he contends that they have great pub grub. We went upstairs to the restaurant and got a table overlooking the walk path called Rue Ste Claire. We order our fondue with Gruyere Cheese and a side salad and some Jambon. We did not know what raclette was until we noticed other tables had a stand which was connected to electric and had a arch structure with a pad opposite. When a couple was served they put almost a full half round of cheese, moved the pad forward and the cheese began to melt onto a plate below. They took the melted cheese and put in on potatoes which was their choice of a complement. Our pot of fondue was quite enough for us, and we could not imagine eating that much cheese in the raclette. A couple behind us had both, fondue and raclette and I could not stop imagining that my arteries would surrive. Simply said, incredible.
     We did see three churches in old town St. Mauise, Notre Dame and the Cathedral St. Pierre. They were stone structure that appeared quite old, and Notre Dame was impressive inside, with the glow of candles in a dark domed chancel with a cruifix.
    When we got back to our hotel we packed for the trip back to La Bastide des Jordans. Our plan was to drive to Chamonix and the Mont Blanc tunnel.

September 10, 2011
    Breakfast was a simple one at the hotel. Then I went to get the car out of the underground parking lot. My first truly frustrating experience with my lack of French. I put in my parking ticket and the coupon from the hotel which meant that I had to pay 16,40 Euros. So I got out my credit card which was rejected. I tried another to no avail. Then the screen started flashing, so I pressed the call button and asked if the person spoke English, which was answered no. I explained in English what had taken place and the only thing I could make out was come to the exit booth. Getting edgy and frustrated with no ticket in hand I drove to the booth, I asked for assistance and he asked me in French with large hand motions to back up and insert my card. I attempted to convey to him that the machine had kept my card. Another car was trying to exit and he had me back up into a small area off the path of the toll gate. He through his hands because I finally said that I did not understand and went into his booth after a while he came out and handed me a ticket to get out. I was willing to pay the money but he waved me through in disgust. Just what I needed before the long trek home. When I got to the hotel, Sheila could tell that I was really stressed and we loaded the car and found a way out of town which put us on the motorway for Chamonix. As we climbed higher the terrain was beautiful in the valleys and we spotted some balloonist near some of the peaks. Finally one was decending and we got a picture.    During our drive we were struck by the peaks of the Alps all around us.

We finally saw the tip of Mont Blanc which was glaring with the snow cover. Additionally we spotted Montenvers which includes a glacier.
 







  


  








   We finally climbed to the entry point of the Mont Blanc tunnel. It was a small delay and then we drove for 7.5 miles until we came to the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
  

   We continued down through the Italian side of the alps and probably went through at least seven to ten more tunnels. I think that have not found a mountain worth tunneling through, which helps keep the roads straighter.



 


After a long day of driving we finally got back to Gap and the A 51 and finally back to La Bastide in about seven hours of driving.