Over the Alps

We said goodbye to our least favorite hotel in Torino, and headed out of town back to France and the Alps. We took the scenic route, wanting to get look at the River Po, and some of the parks along the river. It got less scenic as we wound through neighborhoods trying to get out of town. Finally we made it to the autostrada, and picked speed to leave the city behind us. We really don't do big cities well.

The autostrada did us well until we ran into the thickest fog imaginable, right before the toll booth. The phantom tollbooth finally appeared. We had been warned of it's approach for two kilometers, and with ten meters left the lights finally appeared. We were so close before seeing it I had to make a u-turn to get in an open lane!



Luckily, the fog was with us for only a little more. As we climbed out of the valley we broke through to bright sunshine and majesty of the Alps as we had not seen. Lunch was in the town of Claviere, still in Italy, buy just. It is a small ski town high in the mountains that has escaped the rampant development of most other mountain towns. We had a delightful lunch bordering the ski area and golf course. We were amused when some fellow diners finished up, got their clubs out of their car and headed off. Our restaurant was tucked behind the swimming pool, tennis courts, and next to the soccer court. How we found it is one of those serendipitous events.





Up and over the Col de Montgenevre we went to Briancon. Briancon is one of the highest towns in Europe. It has four valleys leading up to it, and was a major route from Rome to Vienne and Lyon. It played a significant part in defending the passes for centuries. Now it is a scenic mountain resort, the traffic having been diverted to the tunnel we came through the other day.

We toured the cite Vauban, the old part of Briancon that was restored in the 17th century. Vauban was the military architect in charge of the restoration. Several forts were also built around the surrounding valleys to protect the city. Briancon is up for a UNESCO World Heritage designation.




At our hotel we encountered a most unusual gentleman. I watched him register in his biking clothes, thinking not much of it, and then we met him at dinner. An Englishman of about 60 +, white hair, and of a fair proportion. He was meeting his wife in Sicily the end of October. She would fly, he was riding his bike! A new hero. He rode about 60 to 70 kilometers per day, about 5 or six hours worth. He left England 10 days ago and was at the peak, literally, of his trip. One more climb and it was all downhill. The climb he had that day was a stage on the Tour de France.

The next morning we meandered down the winding roads to Grenoble and back to civilization as we know it. The scenery was unbelievable, and we thought we might never make it for the picture stops en route. Enjoy the views!