July 19-20... A weekend trip to Chamonix, France and Mont Blanc

After a long and frustrating week, we decided to escape to France where we can at least understand the language, unlike the Swiss German. We chose the Chamonix valley. It has the privilege of the location of the first Winter Olympics. There are no words to describe this valley. On one side is the Mont Blanc mastif, with its towering peaks, Mont Blanc being the highest in all of the Alps, and the curving glaciers winding down the mountainsides between the peaks. On the other side of the valley is another set of towering mountains and cliffs, with ski resorts and great hiking trails.

The first day, we explored the mountains opposite the mastif in order to see the great view of Mont Blanc. Although Rani is 23 weeks pregnant she really wanted to get out and do some hiking. So, we took a cable car halfway up the mountain and hiked to a touristy spot, Lac Blanc. This is a crystal clear lake fed by melting snow from the peaks around us. This spot and really the whole hike had just incredible views across the valley to Mont Blanc. We decided to not take the cable car down and armed with some corny map we hiked back to our hotel. Four hours later and myself limping the last couple km's from a twisted knee, we made it back!!!

The next day we wanted to see the glaciers up close. We took a mountain train, kinda like going up the first hill of a Cedar Point roller coaster, up to the glacier, La Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice). After another short hike, we reached a spot on the glacier where workers had dug crazy tunnels into the glacier for tourists to walk through. It was truly crazy. The Glacier was at least 50 to 100 feet thick at this point. We hustled through the tunnel, as I ensured Rani that it was not going to collapse on us.

Another really cool spot and only 3 hours away from home!! It was like driving to Annapolis from New Hope, which we used to do every weekend....

Rani and I on our way to Lac Blanc. Notice the glacier across the valley over my left shoulder. That is La Mer de Glace that we went to on Sunday

Another picture with La Mer de Glace in the background

Rani standing on a some snow!! It was in the mid 60's that day up on the mountain, so great for hiking.

Le Lac Blanc

The pregnant Lady showing off her little bump

This was the greatest part! Rani was in front of me when she noticed the mama ibex and her baby coming my way. I knelt down and when they came over the ridge I took the picture. As soon as the mama saw me, they took off. We are planning the baby's room to have pictures of baby animals and their mothers and fathers that we have taken from all of the places we have been like S. Africa, the islands and the Chesapeake bay.Here is a picture of a papa ibex with another baby. When we came across this guy, he was itching his rear end with his horn!!! Impressive!

Yes, this is certainly not recommended in all the baby books we read!!! That's what Rani gets for letting me hold the map!! After the picture, I quickly ran under to catch her if she fell

A close up of La Mer De Glace. Although it may seem like the only Ice is the white part in the picture, its not. Everything you see between the mountains is the glacier. Almost 100 ft thick in some places. It is so huge, there was probably 100 or so climber down on the visible ice, practicing, although you cant even see them in the picture

Rani in the glacier cave