While I was hoping to do another 2-3 weekends in VivaLaVida before storing her for the winter, a family celebration and an episode of gastroenteritis for Emile only let us make one last bivouac of the year on the last November weekend.
 
We went discovering two natural arches located in the Doubs department, south of Montbelliard in France.
 
 
1. Here we are not far from the first arch.
 

 
 
2. After a short climb, we walk along the cliff towards the arch…
 

 
 
3. … which soon appears through the fog.
 

 
 
4. Called Cave of Bisontin, the arch was created by the collapse probably several thousand years ago of the roof of a large cave created by infiltrations in the limestone rock.
 

 
 
5. The arch is quite impressive with a span of about hundred feet. It is the largest I have seen in Europe so far.
 

 
 
6. Emile gives the scale as the fog creates a particular atmosphere.
 

 
 
7. To reach the second arch, the path is steep as it follows a limestone ridge with cliffs on both sides. While the fog makes everything very slippery, I give up going there with Emile as a slip would certainly lead to a serious accident.
 
We go boondocking on a viewpoint above Maîche where we cook a good sauerkraut on our last campfire of 2022! It is also an opportunity to break a “Marmite de l’Escalade” (chocolate pot) a few days in advance, a Geneva tradition which commemorates the attempted invasion of 1602 by the Savoyards.
 

 
 
8. Chilly wake up…
 

 
 
9. … above the mist…
 

 
 
10. … with beautiful colors.
 

 
 
11. On the return trip, VivaLaVida crosses the symbolic bar of 300,000 km (186,000 miles). It’s not huge for a vehicle that drives in America – those with between 300 and 500,000 miles are quite common – but given the miles driven on trails – probably approx. 35,000 since I converted VLV to 4×4 – and the twisty roads of Europe, that’s already a respectable mileage. 🙂
 

 
 
After this outing, VivaLaVida went back to its winter shelter. I am already looking forward to the next adventures she has in store for us!
 
Thank you again to all of you who follow our modest peregrination on board. I already wish you Happy Christmas time. 😉