Sunny with a Chance of SNOW!

Etroubles to Aosta today, a total distance of 18 km. I now have a whole new understanding/perception…of the word STEEP!!

6:30 am rolled around and we knew it was time to get up for a 7:30 breakfast. But….cuddled up nice and warm in bed, seeing the flakes of snow hitting our window, we wondered…do we have to get up? Do we have to walk today? The weather forecast stated snow all morning, rain all afternoon!

One thing at a time. Breakfast first. After breakfast, we saw some sun and some blue sky. Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all. Got packed up and ready to go, checked out, put on our warmest clothes and exited the hotel to this view…

We came from there, where all that snow is. We had the best walk ever! For close to 8 km we walked along a ru (ancient pathway along irrigation canals. Mostly level with beautiful views. We had sun all day but also strong, cold winds. Much of the time though, we were sheltered by the surrounding forest. Brilliant sun with occasional snowflakes.

Our route today.
Notice, all along the path, trees marked with the ubiquitous red and white of the Via Francigena.

We came across a beautiful grotto….

After the 8 km on the ru, the next 8km were steep, steep, steep down to the Aosta Valley.

The Aosta Valley
Aosta, the farthest city.
Trying to show the steepness was difficult.
Looking back up from where we came. Mike figures no less than a 10% grade.

A few last pics of what the walkways were like.

And that was day 2!

2 thoughts

  1. Hi, what great photos. The fountain is also very cool. Glad you didn’t have to walk in the snow! FYI, I will having surgery Tuesday afternoon, as I severed the nerve. The whole left side of my 1st finger on the left is numb…crapity crap crap!! I was trying to be safe with the X-acto knife. I can function pretty well at work and home as long as my pointer is pointed and the proximal to the stitches has a bumper pad. Mik will be with me for the day and night. Praise God my Lord that it wasn’t my right hand! The first photo shows skin glue over the stitches, for protection. Best thing is…I havnt hand any pain. Love ya sissy and crazy husband! Frangipani

  2. It sounds like an amazing hiking day! You had it all…gentle and flat to steep, steep, steep. We are sure you’ll rest tonight! And what a beautiful grotto! You two must be on sensory overload!

    Hugs, C Y C

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