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Where's Mike? Section 20: More of the Alps
Click here to see Section 19: Rich Visits the Alps
Click here to see Where's Mike 2005 with more on the Alps
Aix les Bains, France: Did an early morning drop off of Rich at the airport and then headed south toward Grenoble to visit Dominique.
My battery light has been coming on for the past three days and I have been leaking a bit of diesel from a cracked hose, so I stopped at a Fiat repair shop I saw along the way.
They looked over my rig and found a broken Soufflet (gasket attaching the drive line to the right front wheel) as well, and can repair it on Thursday along with the leaky diesel and battery light situation.
I had no choice but to grab a campground so got one with a lot of shade and near the lake. Temp 40+ with high humidity.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: Rich got it. Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 40e Supplies: 0 Misc: 3e laundry Odometer: 110780
Tuesday July 18th
Aix les Bains, France: It is still way hot...almost too hot to walk across the road and jump in the lake. Definitely too hot coming back. It sucks to have to deal with vehicle repairs...when Rich was here, all we did was fly.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 3e laundry Odometer: 110780
Wednesday July 19th
Aix les Bains, France: Talked to the mechanics to confirm my 08:00 appointment and they told me they probably should be replacing the transmission for 986e when they do the soufflé. I don't think so.
Again, HOT! Still air, muggy, and difficult to even sleep. Worked up a thorough sweat just walking the 12 clicks to the Fiat shop, into town, and back to camp.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 8 Supplies: 9 Misc: 4e internet Odometer: 110780
Thursday July 20th
St Hilaire, France: The heat wave continues, and so does the piling of the bills. I dropped the rig shortly after 08:00 and picked it up at 17:00 after paying 550e, which is 150e more than they said it would be. Their reasoning is that they had to replace my alternator (for 225e, parts only!) instead of repairing it. The last time I needed an alternator it cost me 50 bucks and a couple hours of my time.
My friend Bruno is out of town, so I headed off to St Hilaire with the intention of flying solo on Friday, flying tandem with Dominique on Saturday, and meeting Bruno Sunday or Monday for an exploration of a new site.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 41e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 13 Supplies: 0 Misc: 2e Inet, 548e MoHo Odometer: 110853
Friday July 21st
St Hilaire, France: Up on the terrace, former home of Dominique, and current home to St Hilaire, it finally cooled down enough for me to get a few good hours of sleep early this morning. By 08:00 though, it was baking again, and the forecast is calling for this heat wave to continue today with very light wind and minimal thermal lifting under this high pressure and thick layer of hot air.
It may cool slightly on Saturday/Sunday and we may even get an afternoon thunder shower.
I launched as soon as I saw the first pilot catch a bump. A turn to the right got me into some nice lift and I managed 700+ over launch before anyone else came out to play. The lift was ok, but not enough to blow my hair back. This heat continues to put a damper on the good flying or significant altitude gain.
I could have either stayed up, or top landed by my
camp, but I wanted to check the LZ for the tandem on Sat since I had not
done so since '94 when flying with my friend Jeff, I left the half dozen
pilots still above
It's not easy gauging the incline of the funicular from the pics, but suffice it to say, it is STEEP! It is also very nice to have the bottom station across the road from the LZ, and the top station a stones throw from launch.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 12 e for two night inclusive of power!!!! Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 22e Supplies: 0 Misc: 7e funicular ride Odometer: 110853
Saturday July 22nd
St Hilaire, France:
I dug out all my tandem gear and then hiked over to launch and hung out for a couple hours
checking conditions and waiting for Dominique. We had planned on meeting
between 11:00 and 13:00 and this gave me a good chance to prep all of my
When he showed up, his leg was in a brace, from a
recent
Funny how I seem to see him in France more than back in Seattle when we lived a mile from each other for the past six years. Our next visit will be in October...?
Camp Fee for tonight: 6e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 7e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 110853
St Hilaire, France: The St Hilaire Municipal Campground is perfectly located for flying. It is about a ten minute walk to launch and the funicular, and is adjacent to the top landing area for both hang gliders and paragliders. It is also between the edge of the terrace, where you can watch people flying and watch their progress, and the back cliff range we try to bench up to.
I was watching all morning, and only saw a few pilots getting over launch. By mid afternoon, a few others got up, and one even tried to bench up/back, but lost it. Then the OD started. Massive, dark, and heavy clouds, initially with the threat of rain, and then with the fury.
A beautiful day, despite the lack of flying.
Camp Fee for tonight: 6e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 110853
Leysin, Switzerland: Talked to Bruno this morning and confirmed that he is working in Bulle this week so I headed north to Chambery to meet Barbara (his wife) and pick up his flying gear which, he spaced out on, as he rushed out the door for work. I then stocked up on some good French wine, and other food-stuffs, and headed around Lake Geneve to Leysin for the night.
I was thoroughly embarrassed when an old piece-of-crap car passed me on an outside switchback...but in my defense, I was in first gear up this VERY steep road leading to the shelf Leysin sits on. It even had an ugly paint job, but surely the owner views it as a classic.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 59e for 54l Tolls: 28e for CH Vignette Food/Drink: 177.5e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111137
Tuesday July 25th
Leysin, Switzerland: I was hoping for another great flight...similar to the one Rich and I had during his visit. The Leysin Free Bus left camp around 10:30 and dropped me right at the gondola. I was on top by 11:00 and waited for conditions to turn on.
Two guys launched and, as one headed out for some acro, the other struggled for 45 minutes to get up in weak lift. He finally made it back up to launch, and then on to cloudbase. No other pilots to be seen.
One tandem pilot showed up and gave me a bit more of the lowdown. It seems this site works well in the morning and in the afternoon, but from about 12:00 to 14:00, as the sun changes from one face to the other, it can be difficult to get up. Hmmm. Makes sense, so two it is.
I launched into rough air and headed to the right/north past the top restaurant and new deck where the tandem pilot was enjoying his lunch before flying. The air was surprisingly ratty, and it was quite difficult to core a thermal. It worked best to figure-8 between two squishing themselves up against the ridge. Finally I got a couple hundred feet over and found a boomer I could core. At about 7500 feet I started to dig out my camera as I climbed toward cloudbase and drifted NE. Unfortunately I went over the falls about then, and it was a fairly steady loss of altitude from then on.
I struggled in the canyon east of the gondola, where that first pilot got up, but found nothing but sink. I headed around to front of the gondola and found more sink, in addition to a strong quartering tailwind OTB from the NW, and even more turbulent conditions. Enough! I headed out over Leysin and landed at the ice rink, next to camp, for about 45 minutes of rough and tumble conditions, 1900+ over launch, and almost 7500 asl.
Ok, not the best flight in the world, but better than working.
This evening Lizzie, a local English instructor at the Japanese school, wandered into camp for dinner, and a small taste of vino, but her feigned shyness kept me from digging out my new camera for even ONE photo. She was kind enough to get me this one, the following morning...she's more attractive in person.
Camp Fee from prior night/s:-- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 19e Supplies: 0 Misc: 7e gondola Odometer: 111137
Wednesday July 26th
Epagny/Gruyere, Switzerland: A frontal system is finally moving through, making things much cooler, but also creating strong thunderstorms. They are all around Leysin, and Villenuve, where I stopped to check in with Chantal for the Red Bull Acro dates. If near, I will check them out.
Once in Bulle the weather was dry, but still strong, so, instead of our planned flying, Bruno gave me a quick tour of the town and then took me out for a spectacular French dinning experience...pâté in a puff pastry with a slice of baby corn to start, freshly caught grilled trout from Lac de la Gruyere, baked, and served with roasted root vegetables and a red-wine reduction sauce for the main, and crème Brule to finish it off. We also had a really nice Viognier. It was quite nice with a fruity melon and apricot on the nose and close to zero percent residual sugar, but I was surprised that Bruno, who favors whites, had never heard of this, his own countries, grape.
Staying at Camping Les Sapins, which is an OK place, but irritating that showers cost extra and there is no hot water for dishes. One has to wonder why? Just charge an extra franc and assume everyone will be taking a shower.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 35e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 8e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111217
Thursday July 27th
Epagny/Gruyere, Switzerland: The forecast for the day is PERFECT, so Bruno and I planned on flying in the late afternoon, which left me with almost a full day of exploring the region.
There are lots of things to do in the area, and one could spend several days, if not weeks, before seeing the majority of it. There are several walks and hikes, rafting, canoeing, canyoning, paragliding, hang gliding, fromagerie tours, sailing, a luge run, a tree-top adventure park, climbing, via ferrata routes, and the list goes on.
I chose to hike the Cheese Dairy Path and knock off a couple of the most popular fromagerie tours at either end, prior to meeting Bruno for some paragliding.
You can start the hike in either Moleson Village or in Pringy/Gruyere, which both have demonstrations of cheese making techniques. Old and new. I took the 6 F'ing franc bus to Moleson to start at the the Mountain Cheese Factory of Moleson, housed in a beat up old 17th century chalet, where they still use, as a tourist attraction, the age-old method of making cheese over an open fire in a large copper kettle.
The larger, more modern factory in Pringy still has it's touristy aspects, but it is also a working fromagerie. For the 5 francs you get a headset tour of a small display and viewing room. The scent display was pretty cool...you could open little atomizers and smell various grasses, herbs, and flowers which the cows eat to produce the milk, butter, and cheese. The best part of the Pringy fromagerie were the three samples, and, for Expensiveland, this is a deal in itself!
About an hour after getting back to camp, a huge thunder cell started dumping rain and hail. So much for flying today. Bruno came by later than planned on account of rain, and we did up a BBQ in, drier conditions.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 4e Supplies: 0 Misc: 3.5e laundry, 1.5e shower, 6f bus trip, 5f Cheesy tour Odometer: 111217
Friday July 28th
Freiburg, Germany: Low clouds, wind, and the occasional rain shower, encouraged me to head for Germany. The only reason I am leaving the Alps is to get propane. I have German Bottles and they can ONLY be exchanged in Germany. Simply refilling them appears to go against the laws of physics in every European country except Portugal and Greece, and even there it's not like a trip to 7-11. When I bought the MoHo from Dürrwang-Morlein they told me it is easy to find propane all over Europe...and they were 100% correct. What they failed to tell me is that getting it into my bottles will be a constant struggle.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 29e and 6.5 for tonight Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 47e Supplies: 0 Misc: 20e for Gaz Tank exchange Odometer: 111482
Not-So-Free-Burg, Germany: Went to yet another MoHo repair shop and they were a huge help. After Jurgen of Meilenstein MoHo Repair gave me a thorough, and logical, explanation of what needed to be done to fix my refrigerator fan, along with a 120 euro estimate and an appointment for Monday, he directed me to a Gas supply store where some guy spent 45 minutes searching for a solution to filling my German tanks outside of Germany. I was petrified when he presented the bill, but it was less than 15 bucks!
At this point in my day, I was REALLY liking Germany, and was feeling great about my decision to make this quick visit.
I then took the ten minute wander into town, checked in with the happenings at the TI, caught a bit of free WiFi, and enjoyed shopping the town square (mini) market.
Freiburg really seemed to be a friendly, fun, and attractive city...one I wouldn't mind spending a few days in...and I will be doing so until my MoHo Repairs are completed.
With my newly purchased items, I strolled south into the University district where the bar/lounge scene is supposed to be happening tonight. The main thing that caught my eye, however, were all those police I saw on my walk in and paid no heed. They were now much more visible in their sweaty riot gear, both on the streets and lurking in alleyways, so I decided to ask one what going on.
Just here for my protection...whew! Glad to hear it!
As I continued my walk home, I heard some chanting coming down the street behind me and then saw a very small group of demonstrators with twice the number of police in tow. I then noticed 10-20 more police preparing in every alleyway and on every street corner. As the fifty, or so, demonstrators walked down the street, 50, then 100, and then 200 police cut off any retreat. Looking down the block, I could see dozens more police, accompanied by vans, paddy-wagons, and ambulances.
As the demonstrators walked, their numbers increased
to one or two hundred people. We were all now in a small park and I was
enjoying (sort of) their performances of juggling, music, and an
assorted array of talent...and certain lack thereof. What was more
interesting for me, however, was the large number of police, for what
appeared to be a fairly benign, and lame-ass, group of hippie wanna-be's.
At one point I made a rough count of the police encircling the park, and
estimated 250
Speaking with a few people, I ascertained the group was part of the DIY/Do It Yourself annual convention of street performers and those leading alternative lives of homelessness by choice. Apparently a couple of policemen were injured in a scuffle yesterday, so the permit to assemble was rescinded and they were all told to leave the city. They didn't all heed that advice/warning, so today the cops were in over-kill mode.
I was also warned by one demonstrator that I should not be taking photos, as someone doing so yesterday had both his camera and face smashed by police. I kept snapping, but was discrete, in addition to swapping out memory chips periodically so as not to loose it all if caught.
After a bit, I figured it was time for me to take my
leave before some idiot made a wrong move and heated things up, but,
unfortunately, I was told by no less than five policemen, each time I
tried to "break out" that no one could leave. The biggest, strongest,
and scariest one even gave me a growling command to step back, but I
think she may have just been flirting. All the others, were polite,
enough, but would just not let me leave, tell me why I was being held
About the time I tried to make my escape, the police started the squeeze. What had started as a spacious park, with everyone enjoying 2-3 meters of personal space, began turning into to a cramped, hot, sardine can. This is when it actually became a bit nerve-racking for me. I mean, hey, everything is very mellow, and then the ring of police begins to tighten while allowing no one to leave. This brought the situation to a whole new level, in my opinion.
Hungry, thirsty, hot, newly cramped, demonstrators now actually had a reason to be pissed off. Those of us who were not even a part of it, even more so. Luckily the local Red Cross brought in a bunch of water for us all, in addition to taking time to explain the situation...in multiple languages. After two hours of being restrained, we would be able to leave once our passport information has been entered into the local criminal database. It took three police per person to accomplish this...One to question us, and two to guard us. Still no information, or explanation, from the police was forthcoming...other than telling me if I decide to "demonstrate" again, I would be banned from the city. Gotta love those Germans! :-)
Camp Fee for tonight and Sunday: 11.5e Fuel: 75e for 66l at 111494/594 km Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 17e Supplies: 14.5e for jerry-rigged universal propane coupling Misc: 0 Odometer: 111514
Sunday July 30th
Freiburg, Germany: Town was decidedly quieter today, the "park of horrors" was empty, I never saw one policeman, and only a handful of lost, and searching, demonstrators.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111514
Monday July 31st
Olten, Switzerland: It was a very long day at Meilenstein. Jurgen, who also happens to be a paragliding pilot, ran into a few problems and wound up having to tear out my sink and stove to effectively get to the fridge. The difficult working angles also were the cause of two broken fans...adding a bunch more time to the process. After several hours, I was really concerned about the cost, and assumed they would be charging me up the yin-yang, as has been my experience with mechanics throughout Europe. When he finally finished installing, not one, but two, new fans, he surprised the heck out of me by sticking to his 120e estimate!!! Exactly what he should have done. I was so happy, I had him add an extra power point off the leisure battery and then bought a few spare parts.
Very good service at a very fair price, and I cannot recommend Meilenstein, and their mechanic, Jurgen, highly enough! Well worth a trip out of your way if you need some work done on a camper-van.
I then headed out for Olten to meet up with Andi, Maggie, and Aki for dinner.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 30e MoHo stuff Misc: 140e new fridge fans and new power point installed. Odometer: 111645
Tuesday August 1st
Olten, Switzerland: On Swiss Independence Day it is traditional for friends/family to get together for a large brunch of breads, meats, cheeses, fruits, and rosti (hash browned potatoes with a sunny-side-up egg on top). Sometimes this gathering is at one's home, but often the event is moved to various feeding
troughs' scattered around each village...sort of like the beer-battered flapjack feeds sponsored by our volunteer fire departments around the USA on the Fourth Of July.
The food in both countries has been stellar, but since I missed the Swiss event last year, it demanded seconds this time around.
After breakfast we all talked ourselves into a rainy hike up to a ridge top restaurant and weekend music festival before yet another great dinner ala Maggie and then a terrific fireworks display over the Aare river.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 0 Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 10e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111645
Wednesday August 2nd
Bern, Switzerland: Maggie made a traditional Swiss breakfast of bread and chesses, a killer Spanish honey, organic apricot jam, and yogurt-granola with black and blueberries before we headed off to the outdoor sport outlet mall.
With rain still in the foreseeable future, I then headed off to the Swiss capital of Bern in order to work on getting an entry visa for Russia. Staying at Camping TCS where I met up with John and Allison, a couple of Brits, to answer some questions about their upcoming year-long camping trip.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 0 Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 11e Supplies: 0 Misc: 4e internet, 115 clothes/shoes Odometer: 111719
Thursday August 3rd
Bern, Switzerland: RAIN! Incredible rain that soaked through my rain coat in a matter of a few blocks.
Good public transport here in Bern, as in all of Switzerland, but very expensive. It did take to within a few blocks of the Russian embassy where I found out I needed to go to the Russian consulate to get a visa application. Since this is as close as I have ever come to Russia, except for the, oddly numerous, Russian friends I've had back in Seattle, I snapped one photo before I was told they were not allowed. Not exactly sure what the Russian government could do to me while I am standing on a public street in Switzerland, especially considering they are filming me, but I do want that Visa, so obliged.
The consulate is three blocks back, in front of the bus stop I just came from, and only open from 09:00 till 12:00 on Mon/Wed/Fri so it looks like I show up again in the morning.
The other thing I wanted to do while in town was to swing by the Physics Park to check out the Einstein exhibit. Before I went in, I enjoyed a walk around the grounds looking at all of the interactive displays on optics, gravity, steam engines, arch construction, flour grinding and bread making, force, and more, where kids were allowed to perform practical experiments which, mostly, related to everyday life. I must admit, I had as much fun as the kids.
The Einstein Exhibit at the Bern Historical Museum & Physics Park encompasses many aspects of his childhood through personal and professional life. Of course there is enough physics to make your head hurt, along with interesting displays, like the one giving the chance to virtually view speeds approaching that of light. Well worth a visit.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 20e Supplies: 0 Misc: 2e internet, 11e on bus pass/trips, 18e museum Odometer: 111719
Friday August 4th
Bern, Switzerland: There was a line on the sidewalk outside the Russian consulate when I arrived. It was interesting to me to realize that this is where you have to cue (verses a plush, temperature controlled waiting room, with vodka shots being served) for any business. I saw the same thing outside the German embassy yesterday. The drizzle was light, so I didn't mind the hour long wait, and spent my time fantasizing about the Russians either abducting me, or simply denying me entry, since I am an American.
Once admitted, I was told I needed an official invitation from a travel agency in order to visit Russia! Luckily, there was a guy sitting around on his hands who works for Open Up, an agency, apparently, helping the Russian government run this particular scam.
I was given a scrap of paper with an address, told to go there on Monday with my passport, a couple of photos, my MoHo documents, and a pile of cash (240 francs for the visa and 80francs for their invitation service). I began wondering if the reward was worth the hoops...
Feeling homesick, and since it was just a couple stops away on my bus downtown, I got off at the US Embassy and took a gander. One of my other day dreams, while waiting at the Russian Consulate, was that the CIA would arrest me since I was at the Russian embassy on Wed, and their Consulate today. No such adventure. I did note, however, that the US Embassy is the only one with Swiss police controlling access a block away. Car searches seemed standard, but they let me walk in (just in the street, not in the
embassy) without searching/questioning me. I decided against a photo inside the fenced area, but snuck one from outside before running away.
The Kunstmuseum is Bern's Modern Art Museum and houses the best Swiss collection. Interesting enough for an hour wander.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 25e Supplies: 4e charcoal Misc: 1e internet Odometer: 111719
Saturday August 5th
Bern, Switzerland: Even though summer is a the slow party time, you can certainly find a place in Bern to have bit of fun. Wine bars, jazz bars, and incredibly cozy lounges, can be found throughout downtown.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 75e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111719
Sunday August 6th
Bern, Switzerland: Veg day.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111719
Monday August 7th
Epagny/Gruyere, Switzerland: Over the weekend I decided to continue my quest for a Russian Visa, regardless of the insane hoops and financial outlay, so, was at Open Up early. Anastassia took all my paperwork and told me to come back between 14:00 and 16:00 and I would have a visa. On my return, Anastassia was not there, but another guy tried to increase the cost by 50% (both from what I was told on Friday by the guy in the Consulate and by Anastassia this morning) before she came back and we went back to the original figure.
I have a Visa!
Note: Marlise Beyeler, the co-owner of Camping TCS is not a very accommodating person, nor are they running a very honest business. This morning I asked for a late checkout, so I could pick up my visa, and was told I could stay until 17:00, but, when I tried to check out at around 16:30, Marlise said I had to pay for an extra day for power and the space (let me off on the person charge) regardless of what her employee told me this morning. This little snafu cost me 25 francs (~17e) for 4.5 hours, but I don't remember getting any discount for arriving after 8pm. While staying in Bern, I would encourage everyone to NOT visit Camping TCS.
I headed back to the Gruyere area with the thin hopes of flying if this rain ever breaks.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 115e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 9e bus pass, 225e Russian Visa Odometer: 111782
Tuesday August 8th
Leysin, Switzerland: Spent the morning on the web (free at this campground!) searching for Russian campgrounds to go along with my Russian visa. No luck yet, so headed south past Villineuve and the very windy Lac Geneva and then up to Leysin on the off-chance it would be flyable tomorrow. It is windy, with the occasional spit of rain, but I hope for something on Wed, else I will head off for Chamonix for the weekend before turning east to Russia. Still want to go there before their long, cold, dark, winter sets in.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 13e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111859
Wednesday Aug 9th
Leysin, Switzerland: The WX was actually flyable today, but certainly not great. Very little rain, and a lot of gusty wind. I saw a total of two tandem pilots making their living, but never felt the urge to jump on the gondola.
Lizzie dropped me an invitation for dinner with her and a couple other locals, Jo and Al, as well. Everyone seems to know everyone in this small alpine town! Jo is dual Swiss-Brit and Al is a math teacher from the east coast who used to teach at the American School. Nice folks...and I now have a better photo of Lizzie.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: -- Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 30e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 111859
Thursday August 10th
Annecy, France: The forecast hints that it may be flyable over the weekend in Annecy/Chambery so I headed out (rather late!) and wound up in Annecy. Still pouring down, but we shall see.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 28e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 11e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 112015
Friday August 11th
I took a few hours to walk a big chunk of the shore before cleaning up for a night on the town.
Had some fun with a insane taxi driver who took me, and some woman, on a wild ass ride. Camp Fee from prior night/s: 0 Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 71e Supplies: 0 Misc: 3e internet, 2e bus Odometer: 112015
Saturday August 12th
Chamonix, France: Damn rain is still dumping so I made the short drive to Chamonix. Still in range of meeting up with Bruno if things improve on Sunday, but am starting to hedge my bets toward northern Germany and Russia.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 0 Fuel: 75e at 112062/568km Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 55e Supplies: 0 Misc: 0 Odometer: 112126
Sunday August 13th
Near Winterthur, Switzerland: I have no illusions of actually getting out of the rain, but, since it continues to dump, I am going to at least drive in it. Heading north and away from the Alps.
Camp Fee from prior night/s: 9e Fuel: 0 Tolls: 0 Food/Drink: 0 Supplies: 0 Misc: 18e car-train Odometer: 112436
Click here to see Section 21: Germany
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Monday July 17th
The
new soufflé does look good, was most certainly needed, and worth its
price, however.
launch,
and went to land for 30 minutes of time.
gear.
soccer
experience, and his feet were in Tevas. No flying for him today, so he
and Ruth took Nico, Zac, and I out for lunch instead.
Sunday July 23rd
Monday July 24th
Still
feeling like waiting for stronger stuff, I went to snag a photo of the
new deck...the one the chopper was hauling all the supplies for the last
time I was here...at the restaurant. Looking pretty nice now that it's
complete. Then, after satisfying my sudden, and puzzling, urge for an
ice cream bar, it was back to launch.
After
checking out the Moleson fromagerie I wandered a couple hours along the
poorly marked, but constantly beautiful, route to Pringy
Saturday
July 29th
surrounding about 150 people, of which I was now one. Outside the ring,
groups of 10-20 police in various locations brought their numbers to at
LEAST 400 strong.
against
my will, nor tell me if this type of restraint is legally allowed in the
new and improved European Union. It was almost as if Dubba had been
elected Mayor of Freiburg, and no one told me about it.
Annecy, France:
Have a great (free) camping spot next to the lake, complete with a view
of both main launch sites. No one flying in the morning but there were
a few pilots in the early afternoon before the rain started.