The welcome into the village of Trient.
The trail started reasonable enough - for an instant.
Once I crossed this bridge, the trail immediately became very steep. Pretty soon, I wasn't sweatin' with the oldies; I was the sweatin' oldie. Whew, I was soaking wet - hair and all. It was in the low forties, and I could see my breath, but the level of exertion kept me way too warm.
This would have been a magnificent view except for being in the clouds. Even so, it still had its own level of beauty.
Not only was it steep up, but there was tricky footwork.
I am always so excited to see a gite or hut. Hello - Coke Zero!
I immediately had to get my sticks out. I had successfully crossed several streams, but this one got me. My foot slipped off a slick rock, and I soaked both feet above my socks. It was icy, but somehow, it felt pretty good.
Another tricky crossing.
The views were magnificent once I hiked low enough to be under the clouds.
I had to hike up this stream.
This rock made me laugh. It looked like a giant mushroom and was about 10 feet tall. It's amazing what you find funny when you spend days hiking by yourself.
A group of Japanese. They even have stools to sit on. There are a lot of Japanese hiking in large groups of about 25 or more. What a vast difference in culture. I am not talking about Japanese Americans, some of the friendliest hikers on the trail. The Japanese from Japan are very intense when they hike. They don't smile, they don't speak, and they don't look like they are having a good time. And if you speak, they look straight ahead, almost marching up the trails. Interesting!
I turned this into a seventeen-mile day. Following some trail markers, I took a wrong turn here and went severely downhill. After about a half hour to forty-five minutes, I decided this trail couldn't be correct. Unfortunately, it took me almost an hour to climb back up.
FINALLY, Champex du Lac.
Well, tonight's hotel sure makes up for last night. It is pretty posh, with all manner of spa options. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to try them. I could really use a massage, but they are so expensive here. I am pooped, and my legs are worn out due to the severe up and severe down. Two-thirds of the day is spent going up, and then the rest of the day is spent down. There are no rolling hills. You just don't get a break.
The lake behind the hotel.
Look at the view outside on the balcony of my gorgeous room. I even have a remote control that opens the sliding glass door.
I just had the meal of a lifetime. The restaurant has a Michelin-star, and I can see why. This was the best meal I have ever had, and I cannot imagine ever finding anywhere to compete. For those who know me, I am a true foodie, and this blew me away.
This photo and the next one were just the beginning. Each of those bowls/plates had one bite on top, and I was instructed to eat them in order. I dislike caviar, but one of the dishes had caviar on top. The caviar was so delicious because of the ingredients it was paired with.
Garlic Ice Cream with some shaved beats and a little flower on top that was fabulous.
Just to rave a little more, the bread was homemade and warm. The little red flower was tomato-based, and there was crunchy fried bread that was just a bite of paradise.
This was tortolini. Look at those stripes on the pasta, with vegetables interspersed between each one. There was a different caviar in the center. I liked it, too—not at all fishy. It is all in the pairing.
This was a trout mousse with green beans and a luscious sauce in between.
White meat chicken with greens and the most delectable gravy. Totally special and noteworthy.
A predessert? I have yet to be served a dessert before a dessert. It was a blueberry sorbet with wild blueberries and some other incredible ingredients.
And the last course was another sorbet that was just as good as the first one, with strawberries and that beautiful design.
The big surprise was that I skipped two courses - the other chicken course and the cheese course. If I had eaten those I would have exploded.
And just to make sure that I didn't go to bed hungry when I left, I was given these two French macaroons.
I literally waddled back to my room -stuffed to the gills and a happy camper. I would make the trip here just for the food.
You will not hear from me for a couple of days because I have two hut nights high in the Alps - no internet - so do not worry. I will catch up on the blog when I return.
Good night, and God bless.
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