France

Before Scotland, my friend Lila and I are staying in France for a couple weeks near Chamonix in the Alps. Chamonix is known for its skiing and having the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc (or "White Mountain" clearly the French didn't get very creative when naming their highest mountains) which Lila and I can see when we walk out our front door. There is snow on Mont Blanc and many of the higher mountains but its actually quite warm where we are in Les Houches, which is about 15 minutes from Chamonix. Here is the view from the front door:

It's alright. Obviously there is no skiing because there isn't snow but there is lots of hiking and climbing and super outdoorsy things. Think Colorado with classy French people who have more refined taste and aren't vegans (sorry Colorado). Two days ago we went on a two-ish hour hike to the top of the mountain that the chalet is on (so like up the hill (mountain?) behind the grassy field in the picture). We went to the part that would have been the summit had we been skiing and there was a cafe and such up there. My gluts still hurt but it was worth it. Pic:

It is basically the same view as before but higher up and on a prettier day. I don't seem to have a photo on my phone from the top because I'm not smart but I have some on my camera so stay tuned. Today we went on a hike through Les Gorges de Diosaz which is kind of like a park started by this guy, Diosaz, in 1865ish who really liked rocks and mountains (geology I suppose) and wanted everyone to enjoy it so he started a park. We went on a hike through "les gorges" which followed a stream with lots of waterfalls in the valley of two mountains. The water was glacial so we decided not to jump in even though it was oh-so-tempting. 

The waterfall looks small and I guess it kind of was but the rocks were huge. This was taken from a bridge with the waterfall pretty far under us so I don't know how to put it in scale but it was cool. 

We are in France for about another week and then we are trying to go to Amsterdam so hopefully that works out. Check my Instagram (@nancopeland. Father- instagram.com because I know you don't have one) for a more current feed and visual window (pun intended if you look at my last picture) into my travels/life.