my trip through the French Mountains (Haute Alpes)
The Kick
Jeeper
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- Almere-Haven, The Netherlands
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- 1982 CJ-7 and 1992 Cherokee
Back home from the Haute Alpes in France.
Some pictures on my website www.thekick.nl (Pictures Jeep Events / 2010 September ….. Haute Alpes)
Not a heavy trip, but very nice to ride …
Below a little report of my trip.
Sunday, September 19
We (Olaf and Hans) started the trip from the campsite of Menno in Petten, at 10:30.
By highway, with a stopover in Breda, to Arlon (Belgium) and then only over the local roads.
First night we make camp in Grűfflingen.
A very luxury camping (even music in the loo).
Monday, September 20
Today a nice trip through the Belgian and France Ardennes.
Near Vars (France), we make camp on a large and empty camping.
Just two tents … ours.
Tuesday, September 21
By lunch/picnic, Olaf decided to go back home (personal matters at home).
Decent frustrating, for him and for me, we had our suggested otherwise.
I was looking forward to this trip, so I decided to make the rest of the trip on my own.
Today driving to beyond Grenoble and found a campsite in Monestier de Clermont.
Again not many visitors here, just a caravan and a tent … well summer season is over.
Wednesday, September 22
Because I was already quite advanced, I have changed the route for a nice and longer ride through the French mountains.
From little village to little village and small roads.
But, in La Cluse I had some problems.
It was not possible to drive through this little village.
The road was narrower than my Jeep !!!
With great difficulty I can come back out … so great fun.
At 16:00 I arrived at the base camp "Les Gravières" in Neffes, west of Gap.
Acquainted with the owner Regis and make camp.
Carl was not there yet, he was still at work and will come on Thursday.
Thursday, September 23
Today I'm going into the mountains south-east of Gap.
Lots and beautiful winding-roads driving.
I can not bear to think to drive all the hairpin bends without power steering.
Again nice views from the top of the mountains.
Friday, September 24
This morning I met Carl and Marguerite.
Later on I do some shopping in Gap with Marguerite.
Lunch consisted of delicious spaghetti, that French people eat a warm meal at midday.
At afternoon we went to the garage of Jean-Marc, a friend of Carl.
Jean-Marc is true a Jeep freak ... has a few stand:
CJ7 (prepared for heavy off-road rides and races with it)
SJ Grand Wagoneer (lot of work to do, get this thing on the road)
XJ Cherokee (home-made pick-up and for sale)
M38A1 (Swiss version, recent acquisition, stood still on the trailer without engine)
CJ2a ( restoration project, is hidden under a pile of dirt)
On the way back we go through the forest behind the campsite, a nice bit of off-road driving.
At evening we enjoyed a fine wine and sausage with a few residents of the camp, sitting by the horses behind the camp.
Saturday, September 25
This morning, nothing done ... holiday feelings.
At afternoon, I make with Carl an off-road tour in the mountains.
Let's try how far to ride the trails are.
Well, you come across one end of these paths.
But, keep the hunters who wandering here as your friend, because it is hunting season.
For the evening, Marguerite has made delicious fried rice.
Sunday, September 26
Today we make an off-road-trip in the mountains with the local 4x4 club.
These 4x4 friends draw twice a month into the mountains.
They had agreed at 9:00 on a terrace in Gap ... discover ... coffee ... nice.
Carl drove his XJ, and an YJ and TJ was also one of the party.
Further still Nissan, Land Rover, Suzuki, Toyota ... it was a colorful group.
This club rides trails ranging from mild to extreme.
For today they had a not too difficult route on the program.
It was a long trip to one of the peaks of the Haute Alpes, east of Gap.
The 4-wheel drive was sometimes needed to ride some of the trails.
Yes !!! That's why we were here.
At an altitude of over 2000 meters, we had a nice picnic … baguette, cheese, sausage, wine, delicious cake, etc etc.
Then on the other side of the mountain back down.
It was a fantastic ride.
Around 19.00 back at the campsite and delicious pizza with Marguerite and Carl.
Monday, September 27 slept
Sleeping out, some shopping, cleaned the Jeep and makes the plan for my trip tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 28
Started with coffee at the bungalow of Marguerite and Carl and said goodbye.
Around 11:00 I started for the trip way back home.
It is in this period quite cold at night, and tonight it has frozen ... brrr.
I had made plans today for a tour in the Haute-Alpes.
Over the top of the Alpe d 'Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Col de Galibier and Col de la Madeleine.
But it was cold, below in the village a 5 degrees and very dark clouds on the peaks of the mountains.
Since last night frost, I wanted a little bit sun and feel it to warm up.
So I choose a more direct route to drive home.
Not by highway of course, still over the small roads through the mountains, but not so high.
After a nice ride, round 19.00 I make camp at Port-Lesly.
Wednesday, September 29
Depart camp at 9:00 and drove through the Luxembourg Ardennes.
Late afternoon, I met again through the same campsite as the first day of the trip.
So to stop here, and for the last time this trip I sleep in my tent.
Thursday, September 30
It was raining all night and this morning it was still not dry, so I had to pack everything soaking wet.
The rest of the day almost rain with low temperature, unfortunately no weather to sit on a terrace.
Around 15.00 I arrived back home … bit wet, but satisfied.
Jeep unloaded and parked in the garage.
Now, first I need a nice hot bath …
So Finally
A beautiful 3000 kilometers driven with my Jeep “The Kick”.
A trip that I will definitely make again next year, when summer is there.
Marguerite and Carl have already agreed that I will be there again ...
Because It was FANTASTIC !!!
Some pictures on my website www.thekick.nl (Pictures Jeep Events / 2010 September ….. Haute Alpes)
Not a heavy trip, but very nice to ride …
Below a little report of my trip.
Sunday, September 19
We (Olaf and Hans) started the trip from the campsite of Menno in Petten, at 10:30.
By highway, with a stopover in Breda, to Arlon (Belgium) and then only over the local roads.
First night we make camp in Grűfflingen.
A very luxury camping (even music in the loo).
Monday, September 20
Today a nice trip through the Belgian and France Ardennes.
Near Vars (France), we make camp on a large and empty camping.
Just two tents … ours.
Tuesday, September 21
By lunch/picnic, Olaf decided to go back home (personal matters at home).
Decent frustrating, for him and for me, we had our suggested otherwise.
I was looking forward to this trip, so I decided to make the rest of the trip on my own.
Today driving to beyond Grenoble and found a campsite in Monestier de Clermont.
Again not many visitors here, just a caravan and a tent … well summer season is over.
Wednesday, September 22
Because I was already quite advanced, I have changed the route for a nice and longer ride through the French mountains.
From little village to little village and small roads.
But, in La Cluse I had some problems.
It was not possible to drive through this little village.
The road was narrower than my Jeep !!!
With great difficulty I can come back out … so great fun.
At 16:00 I arrived at the base camp "Les Gravières" in Neffes, west of Gap.
Acquainted with the owner Regis and make camp.
Carl was not there yet, he was still at work and will come on Thursday.
Thursday, September 23
Today I'm going into the mountains south-east of Gap.
Lots and beautiful winding-roads driving.
I can not bear to think to drive all the hairpin bends without power steering.
Again nice views from the top of the mountains.
Friday, September 24
This morning I met Carl and Marguerite.
Later on I do some shopping in Gap with Marguerite.
Lunch consisted of delicious spaghetti, that French people eat a warm meal at midday.
At afternoon we went to the garage of Jean-Marc, a friend of Carl.
Jean-Marc is true a Jeep freak ... has a few stand:
CJ7 (prepared for heavy off-road rides and races with it)
SJ Grand Wagoneer (lot of work to do, get this thing on the road)
XJ Cherokee (home-made pick-up and for sale)
M38A1 (Swiss version, recent acquisition, stood still on the trailer without engine)
CJ2a ( restoration project, is hidden under a pile of dirt)
On the way back we go through the forest behind the campsite, a nice bit of off-road driving.
At evening we enjoyed a fine wine and sausage with a few residents of the camp, sitting by the horses behind the camp.
Saturday, September 25
This morning, nothing done ... holiday feelings.
At afternoon, I make with Carl an off-road tour in the mountains.
Let's try how far to ride the trails are.
Well, you come across one end of these paths.
But, keep the hunters who wandering here as your friend, because it is hunting season.
For the evening, Marguerite has made delicious fried rice.
Sunday, September 26
Today we make an off-road-trip in the mountains with the local 4x4 club.
These 4x4 friends draw twice a month into the mountains.
They had agreed at 9:00 on a terrace in Gap ... discover ... coffee ... nice.
Carl drove his XJ, and an YJ and TJ was also one of the party.
Further still Nissan, Land Rover, Suzuki, Toyota ... it was a colorful group.
This club rides trails ranging from mild to extreme.
For today they had a not too difficult route on the program.
It was a long trip to one of the peaks of the Haute Alpes, east of Gap.
The 4-wheel drive was sometimes needed to ride some of the trails.
Yes !!! That's why we were here.
At an altitude of over 2000 meters, we had a nice picnic … baguette, cheese, sausage, wine, delicious cake, etc etc.
Then on the other side of the mountain back down.
It was a fantastic ride.
Around 19.00 back at the campsite and delicious pizza with Marguerite and Carl.
Monday, September 27 slept
Sleeping out, some shopping, cleaned the Jeep and makes the plan for my trip tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 28
Started with coffee at the bungalow of Marguerite and Carl and said goodbye.
Around 11:00 I started for the trip way back home.
It is in this period quite cold at night, and tonight it has frozen ... brrr.
I had made plans today for a tour in the Haute-Alpes.
Over the top of the Alpe d 'Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Col de Galibier and Col de la Madeleine.
But it was cold, below in the village a 5 degrees and very dark clouds on the peaks of the mountains.
Since last night frost, I wanted a little bit sun and feel it to warm up.
So I choose a more direct route to drive home.
Not by highway of course, still over the small roads through the mountains, but not so high.
After a nice ride, round 19.00 I make camp at Port-Lesly.
Wednesday, September 29
Depart camp at 9:00 and drove through the Luxembourg Ardennes.
Late afternoon, I met again through the same campsite as the first day of the trip.
So to stop here, and for the last time this trip I sleep in my tent.
Thursday, September 30
It was raining all night and this morning it was still not dry, so I had to pack everything soaking wet.
The rest of the day almost rain with low temperature, unfortunately no weather to sit on a terrace.
Around 15.00 I arrived back home … bit wet, but satisfied.
Jeep unloaded and parked in the garage.
Now, first I need a nice hot bath …
So Finally
A beautiful 3000 kilometers driven with my Jeep “The Kick”.
A trip that I will definitely make again next year, when summer is there.
Marguerite and Carl have already agreed that I will be there again ...
Because It was FANTASTIC !!!
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