August 29, 2024
The day began with a bus ride from Geneva across the French border through the glacier-fed Arve Valley. The greeen mountain peaks along with the sheer granite cliffs made for a incredible journey then the snowy peaks of Mont Blanc appeared and I was awestruck!!
Soon we arrived in Chamonix home to the first Winter Olympics, where we set off to experience the majestic scenery of Mont Blanc from the 12,605-foot viewing platform on Europe’s highest mountain. The Aiguille du Midi, Which is the world’s highest cable car ride took us to the platform. From the platform there was breathtaking panoramic views of France, Switzerland and Italy. The pictures do not come close to showing the magic of this special place. It was spiritual even with the chaos of all the tourist.
The town of Chamonix is a typical ski village with the addition of handgliders that fill the sky over the peaks. Chamonix is where handgliding was created.
Next we got the chance to ride the astonishing Montenvers rack railway to the Mer de Glace glacier. The journey on this electric train covers 3 miles of beautiful mountainous scenery before arriving at the longest glacier in France. Once we got to the summit we took a cable car to the second summit where we hiked down 168 steps to the ice cave that is inside the glacier. No words can express how special it was to walk inside a glacier. By the time we walked the cave and then hiked back up the 168 steps. The ache in my legs was cancelled out by the joy in my heart as I was so overwhelmed by the beauty I experienced. I fricken walked inside a glacier!!!!
The ride back to Geneva was filled with thoughts of how blessed I am to have such incredible adventures.
Yes, this was absolutely “The best day ever….so far”
Tomorrow we are heading out on a cruise on Lake Geneva!!
Ice caves and glacier pictures looked so breathtaking, and a little scary!
Aazing scenery! I love the cave pics. Who knew there were caves inside a galcier??!?!?!?!?!?