Mont Blanc

Now with a new found confidence in European touring, I left Coby to do this thing (which is work) for me to see Mont Blanc. No one seemed to want to join me, so I went by myself.

I was headed in the right direction and easily crossed over into France on only my second attempt. I was headed for a town called "Chamonix" where you can take a tram up almost to the top of Mont Blanc. Unfortunately, this was a toll road and the European Union had decided on the "Euro" as a currency over what I had in my wallet -- the Swiss Franc and almighty American dollar. Let's just say this...

Toll to Chamonix -- 4.70 Euros
Cost of Deoderant to cover stress sweat smell -- 2.50
Being able to use your Visa instead of offering the car behind you 50 Francs for 5 Euros -- Priceless.
Life and French Toll Booths take Visa.

I got there and took the train to the left side of the mountain. Thought "eh", had a little lunch (a Croque Monsieur which is like a grilled ham sandwhich with Mornay sauce in it and cheese melted on top). The carved ice display was closed so there wasn't a whole lot here. There was a small museum of mountain animals were the Elk had a very odd smile on his face that was a little freaky.

So I left and drove to the place where the tram takes you up to the top. I "meant" to do that first -- but my French lessons didn't include "tram", "High Altitude" or a la Star Wars -- "This isn't the tram you are looking for..."

It was, in a word, brilliant. My pictures just cannot take in the enormity of the mountain. (Posted on my facebook page). Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

My next goal is to sneak away from Coby and take a mountaineering class. My plan is to make something crash badly next Thursday. I will let you know how I do.

Now I am back to work and eating a delivery pizza. Note: They do not cut their pizza's here even for delivery. Second note: I don't fly with a knife.