To begin this section I would like to offer one of the more popular recipes for Key Lime Pie. This well-known pie is a specialty dessert of the Florida Keys. This particular recipe was taken from Key Kookin by the late great Glad Whitley. Ingredients: 4 eggs (separated) 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon gelatin (in 1/2 cup ice water) 1 half cup Key lime juice 1 half teaspoon salt Beat egg yolks until thick, add 1/2 cup … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France
Chamonix sits almost in the shadow of western Europe's tallest mountain, Mount Blanc at 15,780 feet in the far southeastern part of France. The town is nestled in the middle of a narrow valley surrounded on both sides by the towering peaks of the Alps. Chamonix is located at about only 3400 feet but it has the feel of being much higher because of the large mountains, glaciers, and snow fields that surround it. The Chamonix Valley stretches … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – History
During the Paleozoic Era another mountain range stood above what is now the current Mount Blanc. Over the years it eroded and eventually filled in with several seas. Marine sediments have been uncovered by present day geologists at high elevations. Then 40 million years ago a new mountain range formed due to a folding in the earth's crust in this part of the country. Mount Blanc took its present general shape about 15 million years ago as this … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Calling
SIM Cards Prior to sim cards, phone cards were what locals and travelers purchased to make phone calls both in and outside of the country. These days sim cards can be purchased at any "tabacs" store, or most supermarches (super markets). The "tabac" is a store that sells a variety of things such as newspapers, cigarettes, books, gum, and phone cards. They are a very common store in towns. Old French phone cards are now collectibles. Many … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Aiguille du Midi
Aiguille du Midi, the world's longest and highest tramway, is well worth the price of admission. The views from the top of the Chamonix Valley, and of Mt. Blanc and the nearby mountains are spectacular. This natural rock spire is pictured in numerous places in Chamonix. Tourist shops sell paintings of it, postcards, and photographs. It is situated at about 12,600 feet in the shadow of Mount Blanc which rises another 3000 feet or so higher. If … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Mer de Glace
Mer de Glace is well worth a visit for visitors of all ages. It is the second largest glacier in the Alps - approximately 9 miles long, almost a mile wide, and about 1200 feet in its deepest places. It moves more than 100 feet every year and is currently retreating. There are several ways to reach the glacier; for those who enjoy hiking, we highly recommend walking from the middle stop on the Aiguille du Midi. This hike works for those who … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Equipment Rental
Several companies and stores in Chamonix rent ice climbing, glacier climbing, mountain climbing and paragliding equipment. Most of the mountaineering stores in Chamonix are open in the morning till about noon and then close until mid/late afternoon and then open untill about 7 or 8pm. There are many stores in Chamonix that rent ski equipment. Expect to pay about 80-100 euro a day for ski rental equipment including the boots. Several sport … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Mont Blanc Tunnel
This very long tunnel was once one of the longest in the world; it is 7 miles long and is an engineering marvel. The boring began in 1958 on the Italian side of the Alps. Six months later work was started on the French side. The tunnel is located about only several miles south of Chamonix and is easily reached by highway. Six years went by before both countries met in the middle of the Alps, far underground. The machine that bore the tunnel is … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Hiking
There are many excellent hiking trails in the Chamonix region ranging in difficulty from very easy to somewhat strenuous. Summer is an ideal time for viewing wildflowers with numerous varieties throughout the summer, depending on elevation. A few of the trails that I hiked or were recommended to me are listed below: Glacier de Bossons is well worth the trip from Chamonix for those in reasonable shape. The entire round trip hike takes about … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Other Attractions
The town of Chamonix offers plenty of shopping, relaxing or people watching. Chamonix reminds me of Whistler, British Columbia. It has the feel of being a high mountain village when in actuality it sits only approximately 3400 feet above sea level. Many local tourist shops sell stunning photographs of the surrounding mountains. These photographs are often only a few euros and are good presents for friends and family. However purchasing frames … [Read more...]