Genyphyr and Robert's Home Renovation Project Page

August 2003

Check Chamonix Meteo site for updates to the local weather.
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Tourists have descended upon Chamonix in full force and the streets in town are crowded, even at 11pm. It's been a hot summer, with many days in the 90s (34-36C) - very unusual for Chamonix.
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Robert is working at home for the summer, doing tiling and re-doing the kitchen in our apartment. Click the link to track our progress. The kitchen is 90% completed!!
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End of July and early August have continued to be hot. Jack and his friend Nicole arrived for a 2 week visit from Taiwan. Then Robert and I are off to Tuscany for a week in mid-August. Gen's dad and step mom arrive at the end of August.
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We went on a nice hike up to the refuge at the bottom of Mt Buet with Jack and Nicole on the Saturday.
On Sunday August 3rd, we went to see the cow fighting in Vertosan, Italy. This was an amazing event. We drove and drove and drove up the hill trying to find Vertosan (it's not a town, but a valley). The road turned into a dirt road going straight uphill and we thought it was a hiking path. But, no, we were told by a local - we should drive up to get to the Bataille des Reines. OK - so up the dirt path we went. We drove and drove and drove. Finally we reached the amazing hidden valley of Vertosan. It is the place where the first recorded 'official' contest was held (more informal events took place in cow pastures long before). The crowd was 99% local Italians from the Aosta valley area, and there were a lot of cows, lots of wine and some silly and friendly locals that invited us to drink with them in the tent afterwards, where there was singing and lots of conversation going on.
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Robin and Alison are also scheduled to arrive in a few days. And will be sharing a visit with Jack and Nicole.
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We have been climbing at Servoz lately - where the cliff stays in the shade until about 2:30pm.
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Looks like we are going to move to another place before the end of the year - updated photos - click on the underlined link. The mortgage has been approved and we have started a search for renters and roommates. We hope to be signing by September 1st (French paperwork willing!). Looks like our old roommate from last winter is interested in returning, so we are off to a good start.

Picture Galleries:

Gstaad
4th of July weekend 2003

Cassis and the Calaques
Provence coast June 2003

The Verdon Gorge & Aiguines
Alpes de Haute Provence (France)
Mid-June 2003

Paris weekend
October 2002

Milano and Switzerland
September 2002

Hike to the Gelten Heutte
Near Lauenen Switzerland
July 2002

Kobi (our 3/4 Bernese Mountain Dog)
Photos of Kobi in action as he grows (and grows!) 2002 Summer/Fall

Kobi's Birthday Photos Here
His 1st Birthday was May 16 2003

Provence (Lourmarin) Visit Aug 2002
Visit with Robin and Alison & the boys

June 2002 Wedding Celebration in Las Vegas Nevada Photos
Our two year Anniversary was June 8th. We had dinner at the Hotel Eden in Les Praz de Chamonix with our friends Gaetan, Letitia, Simon and Amy

Skiing Photos from the Winter 2001/2
photos by Nate Fisher & Kate Steptoe

Attempt on Mont Blanc du Tacul :
Chamonix
October 14 2001

Hike on Mer de Glace:
Chamonix
October 16/17 2001

Alps Cow Fights
Servoz France
October 7 2001

Trip to Bourgogne Wine Region:
Gevrey-Chambertain, Fixin, Nuits St. George, Couchey
September 29/30 October 1 2001

Argentiere Town:
Summer 2001

Visit from Alison and Robin:
Argentiere
Summer 2001

Skaha Bluffs Climbing
June 2001

Going Away Loft and Gen Party:
Chicago
April 30 2001
Pound of Flesh and Lite FM played.
Photos by Mitch Cerrone - thank you Mitch.

Gen's Last Midwest Climbing Trip:
Devil's Lake Wisconsin
May 2001

Words & Lists:
Our Love/Not Love Relationship with the Haute Savoie / France