Notes from the French Alps (Days 9-12)

Day 9: Took my longest walk today. I left at 8 am and walked about four hours up to the Lacs Jovets (Altitude: 2,174 m. or 7,132 feet). Beautiful lake at the top. It was another 2 and half hours to return. (6 photos)

Day 10: Another day of rest. I went to see my grandmother again and then drove to find the Church of St Nicholas in Ugine. (1 photos)

Day 11: Drove down to Annecy for the Day. Walked around the old city and ate lunch there in a terrace restaurant. (2 photos)

Day 12: Took another long walk up to the Col de Tricot (Pass of Tricot) (alt 2120 m. 6955 feet). It was a nice walk, taking me about three hours to get to the pass (where a herd of sheep was grazing) and then another hour to ascend Mont Vorassay (2287 m 7,503 feet). I didn’t quite make it to the top but close enough… (6 photos)

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Notes from the French Alps (Days 1-4)

July 8: Flew to Geneva and rented a car, crossing border into France to stay two weeks at the family home.

July 9: Jet lag recovery day!

July 10: Visited my Grandmother who will turn 103 in December of this year. We stood on the balcony and chatted for almost 2 hours; she is doing very well, thanks be to God;Thunderstorms in the afternoon have cooled down the hot weather here (has been in the 90s)

July 11: In the afternoon, helped my Aunt and Cousin cut hay with a scythe; have to earn my keep.

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Notes from the French Alps (Days 5-8)

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Day 5: Took a six hour hike up the trail right behind my grandmother’s house, which is located in an area called La Chapelle (“The Chapel”) and the altitude at that point is about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). The trail leads to a beautiful area with a view of the Dome de Miage which is in the Mont Blanc chain. Today’s walk brought up to 1750 meters (5,740 feet) [3 photos]

Day 6: Second visit to my grandmother. Gave her a copy of our diocesan magazine, Alive in Christ and chatted for a couple of hours. Later, I walked through the town in which her nursing home is located, Megeve. Megeve is a very traditional town which has been developed as very much a tourist attraction. There are quite a few foreigners that make their summer home there, including quite a few Russians. I found an icon of St John the Baptist in the main Church in Megeve (dedicated to the Forerunner) as well as a large icon in the old chapel next to it. [5 photos]

Day 7 Took a ride on the Mont Blanc Tramway which offers a spectacular view as one travels the steep incline up to Le Nid D’Aigle (“The Eagle’s Nest”). As the name implies, it is a very high area (2372 m. – 7,780 ft). Although I did not see any eagles, I did see quite a few mountain goats. They appeared to be quite used to the humans hiking in their home. [9 photos]

Day 8 A day of rest.

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