Life Is Full of Sweet Spots

“The secret of life

is enjoying

the passage of time.”

— James Taylor

“Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility.” — Rosabeth Moss Kantor ~ Artist Elisa Tomkowiak divided the rainbow into color-focused floating spheres as part of the yearly “Annecy Paysages” open-air festival.

“The soul, light as a feather, fluid as water, innocent as a child, responds to every movement of grace like a floating balloon.” — Jean-Pierre de Caussade ~ Floating along with the balls and boats on Lac d’Annecy were the ever present great crested grebes. Excellent swimmers and divers,  the adults are unmistakable in the summer season with their head and neck decorations.

The Eurasian coot, with partial webbing on its long strong toes, is recognized by white frontal markings that give an appearance of baldness. Way back in 1430, John Lydgate wrote in his Chronicle of Troy, “And yet he was as balde as a coote,” an expression that still exists today.

“Being on a boat that’s moving through the water, it’s so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what’s important and what’s not.” — James Taylor ~ Joining the floating balls and diving birds, we boarded one of the popular tour boats for a cruise around the 24-mile perimeter of Lac d’Annecy.

The tiny artificial island with the romantic name of Île des Cynes (Island of Swans), sits just offshore in the waters of Lac d’Annecy, known as Europe’s cleanest lake.

Classical Louis XIII revival style lines give the Préfecture of Haute-Savoie the resemblance of a French chateau. Built in 1861-64, it was a new architectural style in Annecy, which joined France in 1860.

Opened in 1913 as the Imperial Palace, the stately building today houses a luxury hotel, convention center and casino.

Built over a 1,000 years ago, the Chateau de Duingt belonged to the Duyn family from Geneve. Though now closed to visitors, it remains as one of Lac d’Annecy’s most beautiful sights.

With the cruise and farewell dinner as a finale, we said “merci et adieux” before heading to the skies and a last view of the land we had explored and loved.

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Photo credits: Images 1-4, 6 by Jan Logozzo; 5, 7-9 by Mary O’Connor

See you next back in the States!