The day we’ve been anticipating for years finally arrived! This morning we woke up early, 6 AM. We got in a quick cafe at the hotel, checked our bags, and caught the 7:00 bus to Les Houches.
It wasn’t long, maybe 10 minutes until we made our first stop at a bakery for breakfast.
After breakfast we started for real. It was a long hard hike today. The GPS track I recorded said 11.6 miles with 3,000 vertical feet. Molly’s was even longer and higher. The hike was an interesting mix of roads, trails, and driveways. Through forests, towns, fields, and rivers. The TMB route clearly took shape around routes that existed before the tour did. It reminded me of the seamless transition between building, sidewalk, and road that we saw in Geneva. It was a very efficient use of space.
Unfortunately, we passed our first two options for food and beer, deeming to too early. We regretted that mistake because it turned out the third was only an hour short of our hotel. One of the great things about this hike is that there is water available frequently from quaint little taps (shout out to our bartender at the Rhumarie) in each little hamlet. We stopped at one to refill and have a large snack made of things we’d picked up at the grocery the day before. My main take away from the food experience today was that we need to enjoy it when it presents itself and not worry about the time.
Once we made it to our hotel we were delighted to discover that it had a pool. I didn’t realize how much of a luxury this would be. If we ever do this hike again I’m going to make sure that I book as many as possible. I felt the entire day wash away when I jumped in! I enjoyed my second beer of the day on the patio. It’s surprising how quickly they go down after a 12 mile hike!
We had a dinner of crepes and ice cream at a restaurant a 10 minute walk away. I feel like that extra mile should count in the total! Then Molly and I made our way to the Rhumarie I’d had my eye on for months. We both had a rum drink that was made of lime, tiny chips of ice, and a VERY heavy pour of rum. I actually don’t think Molly is aware yet that our cups are 80% rum since it’s going down so easily.
Physically, I’m feeling in good shape so fingers crossed that tomorrow goes just as well!
