We have completed our second day here, the first day to actually get out on the trail and hike. We had a relatively easy day of 6 miles and not too bad of an elevation gain, 970′, which is a mild day. The views here are amazing! The mountains are everything you could think about the European Alps. They are rugged, snow or glacier covered and to believe that is possible at the end of summer is just amazing. The towns and villages are true to the style of alps design, quaint and cute. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of this trek. Ok, well maybe not tomorrow as that is one of the harder days, not bad mileage, but a severe elevation gain for a guy like me. Tomorrow will definitely be a test.
My trekking partners are a great bunch of people and this will make the journey fun. The guides are super nice and mix in well with us. We met a French couple out day hiking today, the man was 75 and the woman 72 and it was her birthday. They were doing a good 11 miles and loving every bit of it. The woman said the man had climbed Mt. Blanc twice in is life, the latest when he was fifty. She was quite proud of him. One of my hiking partners asked the woman what was the secret to their health, she immediately said, good food, plenty of exercise and then, while grinning at the man, “having fun in life”. Doesn’t sound like a bad recipe, although with that grin, I am not sure what fun meant. They were asked how long they had been married and she said “oh no, we are friends”. I think they were second partners in life after widowing. They were a precious couple.
We have been lucky to stay in hotels the first two nights. Tomorrow will change we will be in hostel type places for the next few nights, a more communal types living. The food has been pretty good, I am full, so it had to be good………
Sometimes I am so amazed that I end up in places .i,e this getting to have fun testing my body and seeing different parts of the world. That could not be done without a fantastic wife, supportive family and business partners. Thank you to each of you. My only wish is that you could see with your eyes what I see with mine.
Someone once said, happiness is only real if shared, I hope you see my happiness.
Proverbs 16:20
Sounds amazing!