Day 1 - Orisson, 4.5 miles

My fellow Hags with Bags all made it in safely last night. We had dinner, connected in person and went to bed early. 

Waking to the most beautiful day we could have hoped for, sunny, clear blue skies, temperature in the 50’s. We began our walk with all our layers expecting it to be chilly. By the time we got to the sign announcing the beginning of our journey, we all stripped down to our t shirts. The beginning of our walk on a road leading up into the mountain was a fairly gentle climb through gorgeous French countryside. The first couple of miles, fueled by joy and enthusiasm at finally beginning, was so much easier than I had imagined.  

As we climbed higher, the views had an other worldly quality, the Pyrenees mountain range for as far as the eye could see in every direction, blooming green with the advent of spring.
About two miles before we reached our destination, the ascent began in earnest. The views begged picture taking affording us many breaks. This part was steep as promised, my legs burned. We rounded a corner, and like a mirage, there stood our ski lodge like destination.

It was still early, before 12. We checked in and spent the rest of the sublime afternoon lounging on a deck overlooking a picture book setting, hearing faint cowbells in the distance, enjoying wine and congratulating ourselves on our successful first day.