Urban Hiking

Today I have absolutely no money in pocket, or in my bank accounts. So, qu'est ce qu'on peut faire sans un sous? I'll tell you what we can do, go "Urban Hiking." My friends thought that I was crazy the first time I mentioned it, but they came around. It is a simple idea really, I wanted to see some more of my host city Lyon and it doesn't take any money. I also wanted to get some exercise outside of the gym. So I gave the idea a name, plugged my back-pack with some clothes to give it some weight and away we went. Today I met up with Jo, Anna, her cousin from Switzerland, and a french student Claire. We met at the Hotel de Ville near Maddy's place. From there we trekked over to the Saone to find our little island.
The name of the Island is Barbe, L'Isle de Barbe for the French. It was annexed into the city of Lyon as part of the 9th district. It is a small island on the Soane. Not even close to the proportions of the presq'ile in Paris. The French probably thought this group of people were crazy with our packs walking along the river but we didn't mind. After about an hour long "hike" to the island we took a look around. The island contains an Abbey that is no longer functioning but was very powerful and secluded in the 16th and 17th centuries. There is a fine dining restaurant that has a degustation menu running either 85 Euro, or 110. You can walk across the island in about 5 minutes and cars are not allowed beyond the park unless you are a resident. Which also means that you are not worried about leaving the house much in you're car because you are bloody rich!!! The homes and structures are magnificent and show that they have seen a few years pass. It was a really nice place to have a small breakfest and take a rest before continuing.
Next we decided to find a nature preserve at the northern edge of Lyon, just past the Parc de la Tete D'Or. Where I usually go to roller blade with Jo. We traversed a large hill because it is on the opposite side. Continuing along the Rhone river on a foot and bike path before crossing over. At this point we all decided that we would come back another day because after 2 hours walking, me with my big pack, we decided to walk back through the park and head our seperate ways. I think that we walked about 2.5 hours through the outskirts of the northern edge of Lyon and after exiting the park I grabbed the metro homeward bound.
The pictures turned out awesome as you can tell. Some of the others were a little hazy from the morning air and my camera's poor tendency take lower light photos poorly. Now I am off to the gym to get a workout in, perhaps a little cardio as well. If I feel like it, I think that I have done well enough without for the day. Tonight I am going to a gospel concert because the girls said he usually sings Jazz and has an amazing voice. I am not crazy for the religous undertones but I will give the music a try and see. He is singing African-American gospel music from the States and that is usually pretty awesome no matter the reason. Let you know how it turns out.