The title is a quote from Asa who thinks Haute-Savoie is just like Florida (he sites lizards, heat, swimming pools, and people named Patrick and William).

Today we left Grenoble for the Haute-Savoie department. First we drove to visit Patrick, an old friend of mine from high school. He and his family welcomed us with burgers and fries and a swimming pool.

Nova putting her sad face on for missing Dad.

Patrick and Elisabeth have 3 kids, two near Cal’s age and a little boy Nova’s age. I had fun with the little one who wanted to show me his room and even sung “Happy Birthday” in English to me (shh, don’t tell him it’s not my birthday!).
We went to Yvoire where we visited with Patrick’s parents who I had met almost 20 years ago. They have a menagerie of animals that the kids got to see including cats, a dog, a African Grey parrot, turtles, koi, and tortoises.

We walked to the old fortified part of the city for ice cream and crêpes.

And then refilled our water bottles in this fountain.

Photo credit: Patrick

There is a port that boats visit from all over Lac Léman and that bring tourists (some boats bring 800 tourists each!).

Photo credit: Patrick

Photo credit: Patrick

We left Yvoire for a gîte (bed and breakfast) in Anthy-sur-Léman. Our host is super nice and has made us feel very welcome. She has some baby chicks. Cal says the chicken feed smells like home.

Now Asa and I are watching Outbreak since he’s really interested in Ebola and other deadly viruses right now.