Sonya vs. the Volcano

A friend asked whether I was too busy working, too busy having fun, or too shell-shocked from the debate to post anything new on the blog ... all of the above.  There are only two weeks left in the semester, and summer semesters are very compressed (as several of you know from listening to my numerous complaints about teaching regular summer school).  Nevertheless, I am still able to get out and explore.  One recent adventure: climbing the Puy de Dome volcano.

The Puy de Dome is the highest volcano in the Chaine des Puys, a range of volcanoes in the Auvergne.  (Dormant, but not extinct.  There is still some magma in some of the volcanoes.)  You can see the Puy de Dome from Clermont-Ferrand - I've posted a picture in a previous post.  The weather antenna at the top gives it a Space Mountain vibe, which seems a bit out of place, but Blaise Pascal was conducting weather experiments from the top of Puy de Dome in the 17th century, so it's historically consistent.  I have no idea how Pascal reached the top without the relatively modern hiking trail, though.

A view from one of our early breaks on the way up

A paraglider coming toward us.  They take off from the top of Puy de Dome and land on a flat field that sometimes has sheep grazing in it.  (It makes for a soft landing, depending where the sheep are.) 

Another photo break - getting closer to the top!

Sonya and Jamie at the top

Sonya and Marie-Elisabeth at the top.  Marie-Elisabeth is a frequent hiker (she often takes her breakfast to the top of Puy de Dome!) and has been a wonderful guide and a kind host.

A view from the top

A sign from 1913, placed by Michelin with information about the ruins of the Roman Temple of Mercury at the top of the Puy de Dome.  (I can't imagine how the Romans got up there, either.)  This was the first Michelin road sign, part of their plan to promote road travel (which wears out tires and requires you to buy more!).  If only all advertising signs were this small and unobtrusive ...

The view of Clermont-Ferrand from the top of Puy de Dome. 

Ruins of the Temple of Mercury in the foreground

The total hike took about three hours.  We rewarded ourselves with lunch at the restaurant at the base of the volcano, which had amazing food - not what I expected in a nature park.  The next night, Marie-Elisabeth took us to another great restaurant.  I'll throw down the gauntlet: the Auvergne region (and Clermont-Ferrand specifically) has restaurants that are as good as - or better than - many places in Paris. 

Meanwhile, the weather has improved and I've been able to work in my "outdoor" office.  In addition to Jardin le Coq and Place de Jaude, we have spent some time in Place de la Victoire, another open square in Clermont-Ferrand surrounded by shops, cafes, and brasseries.  On our way to "Brasserie Derriere" (seriously - that's the name), I was run over by a skateboarder in the plaza.  I couldn't get too angry at him, though, especially since I was not hurt and he was blind.  Apparently he was skating too fast for his cane to detect that I was in front of him.  He'll probably try paragliding next.

À bientôt!