Getting High in the Alps

Riding up the Col de Vars, Alps.

Larry and I have a debate going over which mountains are the best; the Pyrenees or the Alps.  While both are spectacular, I am an Alps gal.  The sheer massiveness of the Alps are both intimidating and invigorating.  The long climbs, most over 20k, and all over 1000m give you lots of time to think, swear at your legs and the jokers who give the average and "greatest" percentage gradients in the info packets at the Office de Tourisme, and to take in the beauty that surrounds you.

We were in a great apartment last week in Barcelonette; right in the center of town.  It is just the perfect sized town for tourists; about 3 blocks square, with most of the streets pedestrian only.  A short walk to the grocery store, a lively market every Wednesday and Saturday and a river running through the valley at the edge of town.  It is beautiful.

This area is another hotspot for cyclists, and every Friday they close the road up the Col d'Allos; without a doubt one of the scariest roads ever.  This narrow road goes up to some ski lifts, and I cannot imagine any sane person with a modicum of survival instinct driving here in the winter.  The road drops off in several places, with only a 3-5 foot shoulder between you and the 2000-3000 sheer drop down into the valley.  Well, correction, sometimes there is a piece of caution tape or a single strand of wire to slow your fall.  In the rare instance of a barrier, it is only about 1' high and made of small pieces of lumber.

As we were driving to our next destination in the Alps, near the famous Alp d'Huez, we were accidental tourists at the Tour de France.  We intersected a road they were traveling on, and NOBODY goes anywhere when the tour is going to cross your path.  We were advised it would be 2 hours, and it was at least that.  You should have seen some of the reactions from people upon hearing that news.

I have so many more pictures to upload, but our internet connection is so

Making the best of an unexpected situation

slow I can't do it.  If at our next place we have a good connection, look out, cause it will be a visual assault!