Annecy - SHOPPING!! Finally

Annecy – Sunday, July 19, 2009

I get to write about Annecy, because most of the Annecy stage was spent doing what I love best – SHOPPING! We awoke Sunday morning to clear skies – finally. We stayed overnight in Bourges Saint-Maurice after a wonderful dinner of cheese fondue (Gerry and me) – a specialty of the Alps, and grilled beef with zucchini and pommes de terre (potatoes) for Dave. We thought we were headed to a campground but wound up in yet another parking lot, which was nicely isolated and quiet (by a cemetery once again!), so we stayed. Gerry awoke in the morning and found the requisite Patisserie for bread and pastries and, while we ate breakfast, the local gendermarie (police) arrived to tell us we could not stay. Whoops. Oh well, at least we weren’t still sleeping like the folks on the other side of the street! We finished up, did the dishes and closed up shop, headed for Annecy.

We had been told lots about Annecy. The route surrounds a large lake and Dave’s friend from the states, Phil Van Valkenburg, had told him that we needed to spend extra time there if we could because it was an outstandingly beautiful city and area. Phil, you were absolutely correct! We found a parking spot early (thankfully – they were absolutely non-existent by the time we came back to eat a bit of lunch around noon!) and set out. The streets are small and narrow, cobblestone-lined with old fronts and lined with restaurants and shops. On Sunday, they’re lined with markets full of fresh vegetables, fruit, cheese, sausage along with all other wares to buy (clothing, shoes, etc., etc.). Heaven to me after so many days in the mo-ho!! I spent a few Euros on gifts and fresh fruit (going to be difficult to go back to Wonder Bread and HyVee!), ogling the oldness of the city along the way.

Dave stayed with us for a little while, but we decided at 11:30 that he should set off on the stage so we could be done in time to watch the Tour today. They are riding the Pontalier to Verbier stage as I write this, which was such an exciting stage for Dave to ride that we didn’t want to miss it. Gerry and I scoped out a bar in the middle of the restaurant district, had a coffee (milkshake for me) and primed our spot. Gerry and I kept shopping (OK, I dragged Gerry – he was reluctant!) and got back to the mo-ho around 1. Dave got there shortly thereafter. Funny little tidbit … we were told by a German man in a motor home who had initially parked next to us that we needed to move because we all were parked in a bus parking spot and the police were very vigilant and would ticket us. So we did. When Gerry and I returned, the are around both of out motor home had several police, so we just kind of mosied around until they left only to find out that they ticketed the German man for not being in the white lines. We were fine. Whoops!! We eeked out a win on that!

Anyway, Dave returned shortly thereafter, having had a great ride today. He said the route was absolutely gorgeous and there was one little kicker one the route – a Cat 3 climb – the Col du Bluffy - that would be interesting for the racers. We headed back to town and have been able to sit and enjoy 120 km of the Tour. It’s been interesting to only catch bits and pieces of the tour here, even though we’re riding/racing the entire route. It’s also been difficult to place ourselves when we DO see the Tour – where are they racing? When did we see that? How steep/narrow/difficult/easy was that?

I spoke to my friend, Bonnie Ford, yesterday. She’s a reporter for ESPN.com for the Tour and was in Besascon waiting for the racers to come in. It was so good to hear a friendly voice. We are going to try to see her at the Mont Ventoux stage on the 25th. She assured me that even the press corps on the tour are having issues with directions and navigation. I’m sure that happens every year because it’s always different, but it makes me feel not quite so stupid!

2 more stages … can’t believe this trip is nearly to its successful end. So proud!
We miss everyone and are looking forward to hot showers, dishwashers, tall ceilings and more room than the mo-ho provides!! Soon!

-Julie