Stage 3 Refuge Des Mottets to Courmayeur

We woke to a refuge shrouded in clouds. As we left the clouds started to dissipate. We climbed 2000 ft to the Col de a Seigne. As we went up in elevation the clouds came and went giving up close views of the mountain and glacier that had towered over the refuge last night. 

From there we dropped down past an old customs house turned museum. We checked out the displays outside and woke the caretaker (I think). The museum wasn't open yet so we counties down to Rufugio Elizabetta. This refuge is based at the bottoms of two magnificent glaciers. We hung out for an our or so drinking soda, viewing the glaciers and using the free wifi.  The refuge can be seen dwarfed by the glaciers in the following photo. 

We traveled down the valley past a lake and began climbing again. As we rose the views became ever better. 

We saw mountain after mountain with glaciers covering the mountainside. It was truly an incredible experience.   Above is a panoramic image taken at this time. 

From there we headed downward past a couple of refuges. We decided not to stay at them. However it was a long descent into Courmayeur. It was late and we couldn't find accommodation in the old part of town called Doloume. Finally one hotel called another and they told us they had a room. We made our way to the hotel. It was located in the middle of a bridge and had no obvious entrance. Eventually we found that we had to go back and down to enter the hotel. We got inside and the nice receptionist told us that no room was available after all. This was not welcome news but she was so sweet. She found us a better and cheaper room and gave use directions to the next hotel. We found our way and a room. 

We went out for pizza as we are in Italy. We ordered one pizza to share.  They were the size of a large US pizza. Our waiter was not happy apparently it is normal for each person to get a pizza that size. It was enough for us and we ordered dessert so we figured we weren't being cheap. 

Then we got the bill. I was charged 2.50 for regular water. We were each charged 1.50 for coperto. Apparently coperto is a charge for placemats and bread given to all customers even if you don't receive bread. We were also charged a supplemental variance. We are unsure of the purpose of this charge but we think it was a tourist charge. Then when we went to pay the guy asked us to give him a dollar to make it easier for him to make change. Then rolled his eyes when we asked for two fives instead of a ten. I guess they don't like Americans. I will post a copy of the bill below. We had one pizza, two desserts and a sparkling water   

That ends our day which was 19 miles of hiking including 4000ft of ascent and 6100 ft of descent.