Happy Birthday America

July 4 Verbier-Chamonix
Happy Birthday America! We’re sorry we missed it, but we spent the day waving a different kind of red white and blue-the French flag. Of course we started the day in Switzerland at Verbier. The day started so muggy that we had to wait two hours for our tent to dry. When we decided that it was as dry as it would get, we decided to pack up. There were quite the characters enjoying the spectacle as we packed all of our things into our trailer and panniers. There was a French-speaking man who kept coming to chat with us, there were four downhillers from the UK and Australia that we chatted with, and there were numerous other campers as well. Once we set off, we had about 25 kilometers to ride downhill into Martigny. There, we immediately started going uphill over a pass called the Col de la Forclaz. This took us up many switchbacks filled with vineyards. We had to stop many times today for lunch and water filter breaks and such. Plus, it was so hot today that we welcomed any shady spot. We were feeling much better after lunch and made it the rest of the way up the pass. There were many other cyclists headed up as well. After we chatted with some of them, ate some Toblerone chocolate, and drank a Gatorade, we were ready to hit the second pass of the day. This pass was lower and we were able to keep most of our elevation gain. It did, however, start to rain as we descended the first pass. The cool and wet weather was very welcome (especially since we ended up having to recycle clothes today since the laundry machines were broken). Our gift from France today-rain. It didn’t really stop raining for the rest of the day. At the top of the second pass, there was a nature reserve that we ducked into. It was a nice respite from the rain, plus we were able to see some stuffed wildlife and mountain images. This place also held our first squatty potty of the journey!! After the bathroom break and deciding that the rain was not going to stop, we geared up for the wet descent into Chamonix. When we came into town I was absolutely awestruck! It is so gorgeous here. Besides having some of the most rugged and craggy peaks I have ever seen, it is home to the tallest mountain in Western Europe-Mt. Blanc. The mountain is called this because it is always covered in snow and the glacier surrounding it helps pristine feel. We found a campsite and quickly changed out of our sopping clothes. The next order of business was to go into town and find a French map and some Euros (since we’ve been on the Swiss franc). The town is absolutely adorable and we think we might stay here another day.
I’ll give you a run-down on Switzerland since we have now left the country for good. Switzerland is home to wonderful things such as bread, cheese, chocolate, and cows. Everything looks and smells so fresh here. From the fresh cut grass to the freshly splayed cow pies. And the swiss people know how to get things done. It seems like there is no hill they're scared of traversing to cut grass. There is no cattle drive too harrowing that they won’t attempt. But ask any of them yourself, and they will say that it is expensive here. Even the locals claim Switzerland to be the most expensive country in Europe. We have enjoyed our time in Switzerland and have really been able to see most of the country. I mean, in two days of riding we were able to basically travel to the middle of the country from the border. The breathtaking alpine beauty found in Switzerland is unlike any other. The people are friendly and the rich foods that we Americans love are homegrown here. If you ever have a chance to come to Switzerland, you should.
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Mo