summer days

We're doing our very best to enjoy as many days at the beach as we can before August ends. Autumn is pushing its way in on us already. This morning, the boys had a hard run up to Crozet, and I made my first run up to Tiocan, over to Crozet and then hiked the remainder. The run up to Tiocan is a long, steady incline, that I never assumed I would have interest in running, but it really wasn't bad. As for autumn, I could see my breath while running up  the wooded trails. Then, another sunny afternoon at the beach for a reward. 

Today, we joined just a handful of sunbathers ot the beach in Nyon. The water was too cold for me this time since we've had cool overnight temps. The sun was warm though, and again, a good day to nap in the grass. 

Some nats hovering above...the their tiny wings glistened in the sun.

Time to head home for dinner. Here's hoping this wasn't our last day at the beach...but if so, it's been a good one.

moo-ving along

I caught a ride home with Derek this evening, after a day of plastering and a long run on the mountain trails. As we were driving through Feniers, we slowed for a loose herd of cows in the road.

Moo.

Just making their evening commute across main street, from one pasture to another.

still beachy

After long runs this morning, we decided to enjoy a sleepy afternoon on the beach at Pagnins. Napping in the grass and floating in the lake  to pass a summery Sunday afternoon.

Some ice cream for Derek...yum.

Hope you enjoyed the sunshine, too.

just beachy

After a morning hike for me and a run up Crozet for Derek, we joined some friends for a big picnic and day at the beach in Ouchy.

I love beach days.

vegan banana bread

Yum, a summer, or anytime favorite.

Ingredients

- 1/2 cup brown sugar

- 1/2 cups white sugar

- 1/2 cup margarine, at room temp

- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed well

- 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk, mixed with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla 

- 2 cups flour

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

- 1/4 teaspoon allspice

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- handful walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F (for my oven 180 C). Lightly coat with margarine 8x4 bread pan .

2. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and spices.

3. Cream together the margarine and sugars. Add bananas, soy milk and vanilla.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Toss in walnuts. Mix well.

5. Pour batter into pan. Bake for an hour to an hour 10 minutes.

3 franc in my pocket

This afternoon, I left the house with camera, granola bar, and 3 franc in my pocket- just enough to catch the train home or a tram far enough to get a ride back home, and set off for Geneva. I didn't have to carry water, even on a hot day like today, stopping by the fountain in each small Swiss village as I passed through. No specific route- just head east and a little south toward the Saleve by walking trails and country roads, and I know I'll end up in Geneva eventually.

Challex getting smaller in the distance.

A few berries were a nice treat.

The pears looked good too.

Jura behind me and a long flat stretch.

Closer now to the Saleve.

Passing through Bernex.

Finishing the long day's trek on a busy , but direct road after a long time wandering. Geneva city limits...only a bit further to the center.

Jumping off the bridge into the river seems like a great idea. There were crowds of kids jumping and hanging from under the bridges. It looked like fun.

After 15 meandering miles, I arrived in the city center, but without the hoopla of the Jet d'Eau. For some reason the fountain had been turned off this afternoon. I could see it from as far as my house and several points along the walk, and was hoping it would mark my finish in the city. Oh well, time to catch a ride home, my feet are tired.

morning mountain run

It's an early Sunday morning, getting up and out before it gets too hot. I've made myself water-boy for this morning's uphill run to Crozet, dropping a bottle in the woods at the boy's 8 mile mark and starting out on my own hike and run. Lovely morning light across the mountains and Lac Leman.

It's a long climb up, but we get to take the telecabin back down.

Simulating race-day conditions: cows on the trail.

There they go, 13 of 15 miles down, starting the final climb. Allez allez!

hiking: la praz de chamonix

It's a beautiful summer weekend for a hiking adventure. We decided to head toward Mt. Blanc for an afternoon on the trails.

First, some pizza with a view- energy for the hike ahead.

Here we go.

Really nice trails. 

Up near the Mare de Glace before circling back down toward Chaminox, a short stop in the busy town center,  and along a river trail back to our starting point.

7 years

Kicking off our anniversary in style- cereal in bed. We had our fancy dinner yesterday, and now back to how we normally like to do things, simple. Ok, so we were still in a 700 year old castle...

We spent a little time walking around and decided it was just warm enough to go for a swim and lounge by the pool. Despite the dark clouds, we had a little patch of sun, and determination to enjoy the pool.

When it got just too cold to swim, we decided to start to make our way home, stopping wherever looked interesting along the way. We didn't go far before we reached Lac de Bourget. It was cold and gray, so we grabbed sweaters and a cafe before walking along the shore.

Brrrr.

We spent a few hours on the long pedestrian trail along the lake. What a great idea- a nice wide road on the lake for only bikes and pedestrians.

Late in the afternoon, the sun came out and it got hot. Time for swim suits and a jump in the lake! What a change. The water was so clean and inviting.

Sunshine on the shore.

We caught the last rays of sun reaching over the mountains and started for home...but not without topping off the trip with a strangely-branded pizza made in a van (some how this is our new travel tradition).