10-7 Chamonix, France

10/7 Chamonix, France
Well, my final day in France and I was really excited to head to Chamonix! I wanted to be able to see the mountains and compare them to my magnificent Rockies that I have grown to enjoy so much. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate today, but it was awesome to walk around town and be in the mountain town atmosphere. Although it's expensive, I found a cheap place to stay and are fairly cheaply because I'm picky and just went to the store. Also, it didn't get over 50 degrees or so while there. The tram to go up the mountain I decided to save until next time because it was cloudy and $57 just to go up and look around and head back down. It was great to breathe that mountain air again!

10-6 Lyon, France

10/6 Lyon, France
Not a huge day today. Drove back from Gorge du Verdon area and driving out in the morning at about 9am        was nice with less cloud cover. It soon began raining though and the day dragged on. When I arrived in Lyon, I got my schedule firmed up and ready to embark on the next two stops! Pretty easy day!

10-5 Gorge du Verdon

10/5

Gorge du Verdon

France has been confusing weather wise. It will be nice around 10 AM with blue skies and then grey and then will brighten again later in the day. Quit playing games with me and make up your mind!

I decided to rent a kayak and head down to the Gorge du Verdon. Rentals were only for an hour and it went by pretty quick. Since it was overcast, the water didn't seem very tempting to jump in especially with the Forbidden to Get Out of Boats sign and all. The Gorge was very beautiful and I can't wait to go to the Grand Canyon to make the comparisons, but here was the Grand Canyon of France. It was pretty sweet. 

Next, I headed up to the top and looked around to try to see some good views which didn't disappoint. Pretty steep drops and very high jagged cliffs made it worthwhile.

How did that church get up there?

10-4 Le Colorado Provencal

10/4

Le Colorado Provençal

Went south today to see what the French called the Colorado because of the red sandstone structures It reminded me of Badlands mixed with Garden of the Gods.... I had to have fun and run around the place even if some of it was roped off. It was very beautiful and there was even some sort of music video being shot there when we first arrived. I wonder what will ever come from that video. That and another night of camping wasn't too bad. 

Also, stopped on the way for a local candy called Nougat. It's pretty sweet and taffy like.

Had a crepe also called Mont Blanc... Ice cream, whipped cream, and a nut cream. It was pretty good!

Lavender fields!

10-3 Lyon, France

10/3 

Lyon 

When I got up, fairly late, about 9:30 I went to Les Halles. That's the indoor market. It was pretty fun, and definitely new for me. First, I tried a Foie Gras baguette. That had a jam on it that masked the flavor pretty well. So, I got a Foie Gras plate and sat and ate that. That was definitely unique. It was creamy and buttery but pretty powerful tasting. Just the sight of it is a little overwhelming. After that, I went for a run through town and it started raining so I didn't take many pictures, but they were setting up for the Run Lyon marathon the next day. The town seemed to be pretty active too for how large it was. That was good to see. Finally did some more laundry too. That was nice. Pretty low key day.

10-2 Avignon to Lyon

10/2

Avignon to Lyon

The entire day was rainy today, and the bus schedule did not jive with my time for heading to Lyon. Instead, it turned out to be a nice day. When I sat down for a coffee, which I don't ever need, I met a Michigan native named Allen. He was 70, but wanted to do some exploring so I decided I'd keep him company since he was rolling solo now. We hit the tourism office and figured why not hit the bridge and Palace of the Popes since it was raining so badly... Turns out since I was with him I got the seniors discount! That makes life more affordable! The Palace of the Popes was cool, but it looked like throughout the years, it had been stripped of all details. Still, it was a pretty massive structure and was cool to think of the types of ceremonies and quantities being served in the giant mess halls. After, Allen decided he was hungry so I said I'd take a break with him, and he said he would buy me lunch. A nice gesture, and a nice lunch of steak and fries. Then we went to the bridge and that was pretty cool. I still haven't figured out why it was only 3/4 of the way across the river, but I can research that. Then, I said goodbye and hit the train for Lyon! 

Upon arrival in Lyon, it was pure chaos at the train station! It was a giant bustling city and everyone was aggressive and bumping you as they walked by, I was a laid back mountain kid out of water! After gathering my broken spirit from people rushing around and lost, I got it together and made it to the accommodations. First, I hit Fourviere at night to take in the city. It was cool to see the entire city all lit up. It's a pretty big place!

10-1 Arles, France

10/1 Arles
Today, I was woken up by 4 women that felt it was necessary that all 8 people wake up at 6:30 because they were up. Lights on, talking loudly, and having no self awareness at how loud they were being in general. Terribly inconsiderate, but oh well. That just meant I was putting on my grumpy pants and starting the day. Those quickly changed to my energetic happy pants in a hurry, when I decided to take a day trip to Arles just south of Avignon, and known for its Roman ruins. I'm not a big history buff, but I do like to stand in the presence of ancient ruins and let my imagination wander to what it was like when the structures were in their peak usage with many Romans in togas going nuts in an Ampitheatre or circus. A boy can dream right? So, I ran around town and got a pass to see a bunch of ruins and a museum. I couldn't get away from the Camino though! It also starts in Alyscamps. I will never outrun the Camino! Made, it back to town and didn't do much that night. Just laid low.