Grenoble via Courchevel to Val d'Isere

Bonjour mes amis,
Yesterday in Grenoble, we got up and walked down to the TI and got information to drive the Tour de France route that goes from Grenoble to Courchevel. I think that happens next Tuesday 7/12. Courchevel is more or less on the way to Val d'Isere. This route will get us off the big highway and onto local roads. We were able to follow the town to town directions from Grenoble to Grignon pretty well. Lots of narrow roads through small towns in very deep valleys. We are now in the French Alps. We got near Albertville (Sunday) and nothing was really open so the only place we could find to eat was at Mc Donalds. It was pretty bad.

We tried to find the small town route from Grignon/Albertville to Moutier, but after going around several circles multiple times, we gave up and just got on the highway again and took it to Moutier. From there we found the road that goes up and up and up to Courchevel. It climbs for about 12 miles for at least 8% elevation, maybe even more. Steve said he thinks this is the route that Pete and John P are going to take when they are here in the fall, but I think not. It climbed to 1850 meters w/a pretty spectacular view of Mt Blanc.

We drove back down the mtn and got back on the highway and made it to Val d'Isere around 5 pm. The Prouves were not at the condo so we walked into town to find a phone to call them. The first phone didn't work that well so Shannon walked into town to find another one and ran into the Prouves at a bar in town visiting w/friends so it was a nice surprise.

We had a good dinner w/them of cheese (toasted) and various meats and fruits and bread. We are using a condo down the hall from them that belongs to their friends. Shannon and Anna are in bunk beds and Steve and I have a double bed w/a great view of the mountains.

Today, Monday Bernard Prouve drove us to the top of the ski area, and Shannon, Anna, Joelle, Steve and I walked down through various short bursts of rain. All the flowers and grasses are very very lush. We ended up doing a 5 mile hike and then ended up at this internet cafe that Shannon knew of.

We will try to call our old neighbor Thomas and his daughter Nadia tonight who live in Bern, and head to Bern, Switzerland tomorrow and then head to Nancy in time to catch the Tour on Thursday when it comes through there.

We're all healthy and taking lots of pictures. We discovered that one of our Motorola radios bit the dust also in the rain storm from the Chambord storm. So the mortality rate seems to be 1 partial camera and now 1 family radio. We had hoped to use it in Nancy at the tour, but we'll manage w/o it.

a bientot - ciao, till next time xxoo Cara