Le Randonneur: Molkenrain

1 July 2015: We began our third month on the GR5 today! We've certainly made progress in our physical conditioning since we were hiking along the dikes in Holland or through the farmlands of Flanders. But a long day of hiking, on trails that climb and descend, while the temperature just climbs and climbs – in short, a day like today – still finds us quite weary at the end of the trail. Upon arrival at our destination – today the auberge-refuge Molkenrain – we eagerly remove our boots. Mary then likes to lie on her back for awhile with her feet elevated (see photo), while I head directly for the shower (no photo available). By dinner time, we feel restored and can happily contemplate another day of hiking – after dinner and a good night's sleep!

A big heatwave (canicule) is settling over France. Temperatures in our area rose into the high 20s (while they were higher elsewhere), and in the coming days they will hit the high 30s. Fortunately, most (but not all!) of today's trail passed through forests, so we had some precious shade. But it was still quite warm under those trees!

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Leaving Markstein, we were intrigued to encounter a vending machine that sells sausage and cheese (reminding us of a bread vending machine that we saw in Flanders).

Looking back to Markstein (1200 m.):

This morning's trails:

This morning's destination, Le Grand Ballon (1424 m.), looms above us:

The hike up the slopes of Le Grand Ballon begins at the Col du Haag (1233 m.).

Views of the hike up the Grand Ballon:

This not the Grand Ballon; it is a radar installation on the summit of the Grand Ballon.

Looking down on the Col de Haag from the summit of the Grand Ballon:

We paused for a pleasant lunch (tartes flambées, salad and ice cream) at the Club Vosgien's hotel-restaurant near the summit of the Grand Ballon. We lingered for awhile there, enjoying the cool interior and using the free, unencrypted WiFi network.