Thanks for posting the Googlearth.

Wow. I wondered.

Our countries look like cousins...

I am only 2 points latitude farther north than you {47N vs your 45N} and elevation here runs 2000 to 5000+ feet in the area {2700 here at the house}, hovering right around the similar 2000 as the Googlearth you posted. Looks like you go down from 2000 {?} where we go up, and that might help explain the 8 inches of snow outside my window here right now.

We get about 82cm precipitation per year here, most falling as fall and spring rains and winter snow. Very dry summers. What is yours?

No cell phones and only dialup internet here also {takes six or seven tries just to get this post to download!

}. Walking out my front door you can go 150 miles and not find a house, paved road or building.

Having packed elk and bear out of those holes, when I say again congratulations, I mean it. Congratulations!