Mont Blanc (Part III)

Once I made it to Geneva airport it was off to downtown Geneva.  One of the biggest issues I have with public transportation of buses, trains and such is actually getting out of the terminal!  I think this is due to the fact that this gal who has lived almost all of her life away from large urban areas doesn't have the acquired city skills.  Now stick me in the mountains I am all set to go!  I made it through customs and got my luggage which was a miracle considering I was on different flights and missed a flight and well . . . a miracle would be the right word.

Before I exited the luggage area one could grab a free ticket which I thought was just for buses but it was for a free train ride to the heart of Geneva.  Of course, I had to find the train and figure this all out after traveling forever and in French!  This is where living overseas for 12 years was really handy.  I am not afraid to talk to anyone!  have a fairly decent sense of who to talk to and not to talk to plus good common sense.  I see these two gals in their 20s and ask if they speak English well of course they do!  They were so nice and helpful!  They told me, "Your ticket is for a free train ride as well and to take the train you will be in Geneva in minutes!"  They asked where I was going and got on their phones look it up. I took a photo of their phone map.  The gals got me on the train as they were riding it as well and off I went.  I was there in minutes and then off the train . . . once again I had to figure out to get out of the station and out the right door! 

Flying into Geneva.

Technology to the rescue!  A big thank you to the two gals who were nice enough to help me out!

We woke up to a sunny puffy cloudy morning in Geneva!  A breakfast of wonderful chocolate croissants, and good coffee, followed by a walk around the downtown area.  Lots of people buzzing off to work on bikes and e-bikes.

In the early afternoon, we were on the bus heading to France and Les Houches.  leaving behind the city to more hills, wider empty spaces, and into the clouds.

Glaciers spilling down mountainsides.

Then quaint Les Houches!

Smaller hamlets, more agricultural land and steep mountains.  This photo was taken from the deck of our hotel.  Right before I found my camera a shepherd was bring in his sheep or goats below on a road.  It was hard to see the animals due to the dense forset but you could hear their smaller bells.

A wonderful salad!  One thing the impressed me about food the whole trip was the care and pride in presentation of any food that was being served, and the quality of the food!  I would say it was all about slowing down, enjoying the food, and relaxing! 

A pizza shop and let me say all things were cute, tidy, organized!

The start of our trip Part IV!

Mont Blanc (Part II)

The I am spoiled rotten part of the trip was flying First Class most of my way to Geneva!  What a treat this was and yummy too!

Top of the photo is Iceland Air lunch!  Chocolates were on the flight from Munich to Geneva!

Real coffee cup with wonderful rich coffee!

Organic snacks!

I always get a kick out of funny signs . . . like would you be sucked out down into the abyss of crap here if you were to be sitting on the Loo!

In Edmonton airport where I spent a long-long-long time as the plane had a mechanical, then I missed my connection in Reykjavik.  Iceland Air sent me to Munich which is a HUGE airport, then I flew back to Geneva.  I felt like I was on Missin Impossible as I had all these endless challenges to complete to get to the hotel in geneva. 

Iceland which looks a lot like my home on the tundra!

Iceland

Iceland

Mont Blanc Trek, Traveling, & Home (Part I)

(I will be writing/posting in PARTS to make this easier for me and my readers.)

Where does one begin when you head off on a trip and return home  . . . thinking did all of this really happen  . . . well yes it did!  What a grand adventure!

Late August I flew out of the village and into Anchorage (ANC).  I left a day early so not to be caught/stuck in UNK (village) due to weather.  This gave me a day in the city as I waited for my flight out just after midnight.  I had a great lunch at a new-ish place that has opened on Spennard called "The Writers Block".  I can highly recommend their lunches and a look around the shop.

I love the outside look of the building as it nicely ties in with books on a shelf.

Cute, clean, with nice spaces for eating, sipping your favorite drink, and visiting.

A great tomato basil soup---dang tasty!

Mr. Moose in ANC airport as I head south to Seattle.

Greetings Blog, Do you remember me? I started you long ago and have neglect you this summer!

Excuses for neglecting my blog are many but mostly . . . I was getting hits from a rather ugly source full of porn and gross crap to be honest which just pisses me off to no end!  I am not sure what the rest of you do when this happens but really those sites need to go away and the exploitation of women NEEDS TO END!

I will admit to falling for Instagram!  I enjoy that venue of social media an awful lot---it is rather addicting just the way social media wants you to be addicted. . . on the good side is it isn't full of politics or at least the people I follow aren't about politics.  I find the people I follow motivating, creative, interesting, and just fun!  

The blog . . . I always debate about moving it to WordPress.  The reason being is for better control, and Blogger doesn't really seem to be all that supportive at times or current.  Then Blogger is free and I know the format so I just stay.  Enough on this topic as I either need to say goodbye to the blog or just accept it as is . . .

Summer was fun, warm, not hot as the last few years, a real normal old fashion Montana summer.  Cold to cool mornings, warming up the to high 70s and low 80s, some rain to keep everything green!  It was delightful! I did a good amount of hiking once I got my boot figured out.

Boots took a bit of time but luckily I bought my 2nd pair at REI and although they didn't work out I could return them.  My 3rd pair of boots have been awesome for my feet!  This whole boot thing is important as I am leaving to go to Mont Blanc and to trek around this huge European mountain in a few weeks!  UGH!  I am a bit worried over my knees and all the verticle DOWN one has to do on this trip.  In Montana, it wasn't an issue getting out and hiking both up and down.  Here back on the tundra there just isn't the vertical to use for training.  We do have hills but to get in the vertical I need would be hiking up and down all day long! Then it has been typical August here rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, and more rain!  Belly aching I know but it is a muddy world!

Photos are in no order at all . . .

Oh, just fun crisp ginger snaps and a great cup of constant comment tea!

One of our tree/shrubs in our yard.  I love the leaves, the various green in the leaves and the bright red berries!

Miss Sadie in the yard and she loves!  Oh, on green grass and not rocks and a bit of grass like up north.

Summer trail flowers---always a treat!

One of the many hikes to help get ready for TMB!

You just have to love all the small gems of Montana!

Train dog and my buddy cooling off in a creek!

Treat did you say treat and a swim!

Paddling at home such a wonderful treat!  I didn't do nearly enough of this due to my May rib injury.

Sadie swims as I paddle but she does get rides on the kayak too.

My 140 Hurrican which I love!  A great boat and totally functional, comfortable, and easy to handle.

On the road north which has to be a bit of a stressful drive for the dogs.  They do get swimming breaks and dog walks but it is a lot of car time.  I do think it is better than being in a hold on a plane from MT to AK.

Back on the trail taking a snooze during one of our breaks. Sadie is carrying her water and dog snacks.

Trailside selfie!

Looking north into Canada.

Two key ingredients for a successful trek around Mont Blanc for me---poles and boots that are comfortable!

A 1950s book on Mont Blanc region.  A friend lent this to me but I was in a great used book shop in Pullman, WA and was able to purchase one that is almost brand new!

Summertime porch life---I love eating outside as much as possible always a treat to sit outside and enjoy a slow relaxing lunch.

Beargrass and then the photo dropped into a watercolor App.

The berries arrived!

While in Pullman and I wanted to check out the library and low and behold they had a knitting group meeting up.  I was invited right in and had a blast.  I had my knitting with me, they even had a name tag I could borrow and tea!  Gosh, what a blast!

My dearest friend!  It is always such a treat to have some time with Lynnatrix!

BLISS!

Never ever enough berries!

Our little dream boat Miss Tally!

My favorite berries!

Huckleberries arrived!

Back home on the tundra my northern latitude home!

PS This blog will be going away at some point . . . for now this is my last post.  If you are interested in following me please look me up on IG.  My account is private but you can request to follow.  knit ski nancy all together.