Normandy - July 10, 2008

We had never made the trip to Normandy so we decided this year we were going to do what it took to spend a day touring around the beaches of Normandy... We set out early in the morning and took the train into Caen. From there I had arranged to rent a car through Hertz and it was right across from the train station. You can't miss it. We rented a Peugot or similar and got "similar". All day we referred to the car as our "similar".

Our first stop was coffee at Utah Beach. It was incredibly gorgeous outside. The little cafe at the beach was done all in WWII memorabilia and it was very interesting inside. I wanted these mugs that had Utah Beach on them, but for 20 euros each I decided I didn't need them that bad.

During our day in Normandy we toured the American Cemetery. Unreal place. You just must go. I can't put into words what it's like. All you can hope for at the end of the day is maybe the view helps all that is buried here. From the American Cemetery, we took the coast road and visited Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, and Juno Beach. All of them very interesting and what a beautiful drive. We did very well navigating our way through unfamiliar land. We still have no idea how we found the car rental place again. But we did.

July 9, 2008 - Paris

We wanted to do something we haven't done before, so we sat out to take the canal boat on the Canal St. Martin. This goes from the Bastille to the Bassin de La Villette. It was a great new thing to do, but after doing this for 2 hours! we decided once was enough.

(self portraits, by the way)

We had to go through 9 different locks to get from one end of town to the other. The first part of the ride was 2 miles underground and that was incredibly cool.

One of the 9 different locks.

Arrival in Paris! July 8th, 2008

Today we started off for Paris! We decided to use some skymiles and upgrade to first class, and this is always a great decision! There is nothing like flying first class into Paris.

We decided against a reserved car and just grabbed a cab after we landed. With just two people, this is what I would suggest. It is easy and you don't have to worry about being late. If you are unlike me, and travel with little luggage, I would take the train into the city center. But that never seems to be the case with us. We always seem to be going on a cruise after a land trip, so we have much luggage. Always.

We always stay in the Latin Quarter. I just love it here. This is the view out of our 4th floor room at the Hotel St. Severin. We had 4 days in Paris before our best cruising buddies showed up from Kansas. Debbie and Rich have never been to Paris so I was so excited to show them around.

But first... our first night consisted of our favorite place for dinner. Relais L'Entrecote. It is JUST steak and fries. There is no menu. You sit... they come over and ask how you want you steak and that is it.

June 8, 2007 - Fat Tire Bike Tour & Versailles

Fat Tire Bike Tour Versailles

http://fattirebiketours.com/paris

I had reserved this day long in advance. I was so glad it was a great weather day. We met at the Fat Tire Bike office and our group got bikes and rode to the train station. It was a little hectic getting all the bikes on the train, but once we were all on off we went. It was a short 20 minute ride to Versailles. Once we were off the train we biked to a local market. We were given an hour to buy supplies for a picnic on the ground in Versailles. This was a LOT of fun. There were cheese shops and wine shops... bakeries and meat shops... lots of locals selling produce. It was going to be a great day! I highly recommend this tour company. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Paris. The kids loved it!

Here are the boys getting ready to set out on our tour. It's hard to explain, but as we rode along the dirt road behind the area of Versailles, the entire area was shrouded in mist. There were sheep... and the mist was just at ground level. It was the most spectacular experience.

Here's Richard ready for our bike tour.

This is the back end of Maria Antoinette's Hamlet.

The Grand Trianon at Versailles

The boys at the Grand Trianon

The Fat Tire Bikes

The Fat Tire Bikes

Looking up toward the Chateau

Looking out on the gardens from the Hall of Mirrors

The famous Hall of Mirrors

The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David

This is my favorite painting of all time... this canvas is MASSIVE! and not only did he paint it once! He painted it twice... a better one hangs in the Louvre. You have to see it to believe it. I love this painting! You feel like you should be able to reach out and feel the fur of her cape.

Outside the Chateau

Chateau de Versailles

Looking out to the grand canal

The chapel inside Versailles

June 5, 2007 - Rodin, Invalids & La Tour Eiffel

The Rodin Museum

This is one of my favorite museums in Paris. It is mostly outdoors, it is just a gorgeous space.

Rodin's Thinker through the trees

Rodin's Thinker

The roof of Les Invalides through the trees

Inside Les Invalides is Napoleon's Tomb. This is an incredible building

(little tomb)

Napoleon's Tomb

Alex standing under the Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel

(she's a beauty!)

June 4, 2007 - Bonjour Paris! Graduation Trip!

Well... being the nice parents that we are, we decided to take the kids on a graduation trip. One week in Paris and then one week in London. After our week in Paris, we were meeting up with our foreign exchange student, Mathilde, and her twin sister Justine, and were taking them to London with us. The entire family will meet us in Paris at the end of the week and spend a day with us before leaving us with their girls.

One of the 1st stops is always the Louvre. I love the Louvre. I could spend a portion of every day here. BUT... we only made the kids go for a few hours. Of course Alex could have spent all week there.

May 5, 2007 - Cinco de Mayo in Key West!

Dan and I were off to Key West!

Friends we had met on our 2004 cruise had been inviting us to join them in their condo in Key West for several years. We finally decided that it would be a good time to take them up on the invite. Dan and I flew out to Fort Lauderdale a few days before we were to meet up with our friends. We picked them up at the airport and headed down the keys. What a gorgeous drive.

We stopped about 1/2 way to Key West at Islamorada. It was hidden in the bushes along the road and had THEE best blackend mahi mahi sandwiches that I have ever eaten!

Kathy and I saw this sign driving down the Keys... we hit the breaks and backed up to get a photo.

Dan and I decided to rent scooters one day. I had never done this before so was a bit nervous. It was the funnest thing! We tootled all over Key West. It was a fantastic day.

The marker marking the Southernmost point.

Dan has been wanting to practice his seaplane skills for awhile and he finally had the chance to do it. He saw a sign advertising seaplane rides and decided if he could pay the guy to let him practice his take offs and landings... I was just the action photographer. Dan wants one of these planes at his lake house some day... me, not so much :O)

Kathy and Jim... our very gracious hosts. It was incredibly nice of them to have us here with them for a week. The condo complex is terrific. It is right on the ocean with a pool and bar.

Sunset off the condo balcony... Awww Key West... a fabulous place to visit!