We just returned from a hiking trip in Glacier National Park. Here is Melissa showcasing St. Mary Lake and the surrounding peaks.
Monthly Half Marathon Trail Run #75
This is my 75th consecutive monthly half marathon trail run, this time at Staunton State Park. That’s more than six years of never missing a month! It all depends on weather conditions and not getting sick.
The Plexiglass Box
Here we are in a plexiglass box that sticks out the side of the Aiguille du Midi tram station. The fall is a couple of thousand feet down, so it can be quite concerning to stand in the box. That’s Mont Blanc in the background.
View of Mont Blanc
Here is a fine view of Mont Blanc, highest point in western Europe, from the Aiguille du Midi. The clouds moved in again a few minutes later.
Paragliders Everywhere
…and I mean everywhere. At one point, I counted 18 paragliders in the air over Chamonix. I took the photo from one of the bench trails running along the Chamonix valley.
Even the Marmots Ski in Chamonix
Great tire cover! Never actually seen a marmot doing this, but then I lead a sheltered existence. Perhaps in Vail or Aspen?
A Shoe Exchange? Perhaps a Drying Opportunity?
We spotted this shoe lineup in a trailhead parking lot outside Chamonix. Your guess is as good as mine.
Modern Condos in Zermatt
These historical structures are sprinkled all over the Zermatt area. I like the flower box.
The Swiss Car Train
One of the ways to access Zermatt is to drive your car onto a train, which goes through a mountain for about 15 minutes. Then you offload on the other side and proceed on your way. A picture of the train is noted below.
Cheese on the Trail!
Yes, that’s right. You can buy cheese while hiking in Switzerland. This refrigerator was located alongside a hiking trail. Who knew?
Just Had to Get This One Out of the Way
Yep, that’s the Matterhorn. And that’s about as close as we got. The mountain is closed to climbers due to dangerous conditions.
No Weiner Dogs?
Apparently, all other types of dogs were allowed in this Swiss mountaintop restaurant.
The World's Longest Bench
No - seriously, this is the world’s longest bench. Who knew? Who cares? Anyways, it’s in Geneva.
The Geneva Water Jet
This massive 400’ water jet on the Geneva waterfront is the most distinctive feature of the city. Of course, the Saudis decided to build an even bigger one adjacent to their seaside city of Jeddah, shooting salt water 1,000’ in the air.
The Monte Rosa Massif
The following panoramic shot is of the Monte Rosa massif, taken from the Zermatt side. You can either take the train up to the top for this photo (quite easy), hike it all the way from Zermatt (blech), or do a combination (our option, stopping at a lower train station and hiking the rest of the way). Quite civilized.
A Hot Day at Kandersteg
This panoramic shot comes from an overlook at Kandersteg, Switzerland on a very hot day. Gorgeous view.
Dreaming of Grindelwald
This panoramic shot was taken from a hillside in Grindelwald, Switzerland, near sunset. That is the Wetterhorn on the left, extending to the north face of the Eiger on the right.
Cannabis dumping ground
Canada allows cannabis, but you cannot take it over the border into the US. So, they have provided these convenient dumping stations. I wonder who gets to empty it…
Time in the Shop
Like all sports cars, Formula One cars spend most of their time in the shop. No exception here, as the Aston Martin car is being watched over by a mechanic.
Red Bull Makes Too Much Money
If you’ve ever watched a Formula 1 race, this is where team principal Christian Horner sits. Notice the imprinted Red Bull logo. They have so much money, they don’t even need to spend it on their cars.
