the Alsace Village

Well today is our last day of liesure at the chateau.  Tomorrow we head toward Charles DeGaulle and on Sunday I head back to Tennessee.  We spent our last day of relaxation reading and vegging at the indoor pool and hot tub.  However, we also spent the morning at an open-air museum detailing the historical development of the typical Alsatian village.  It was very interesting!  All the little buildings with the different colors of paints and shutters - very attractive. 

We had an interesting lunch.  Being so close to Germany, the menu had a German flare.  I ordered something with spatzel, expecting schnitzel.  Instead I got what I think was a knuckle.  Well, live and learn.

France or Germany?

Alsace is an interesting area.  It is the eastern most province in France.  If you remember your history, the French and Germans have been arguing over this land for some time.  The area has been part of each country at one time or another over that last several hundred years.  It seems to be very "German" culturally and architecturally.  The town of Colmar certainly has a German flare to it.  However, there are still many distinctly "French" things also.  It is interesting the see the differences in the culture in each part of the country, much like we see in the United States.

The Chateau

We arrived in Roufrach France yesterday.  We are staying at the Chateau Issenberg.  Consdering that we are more Hampton Inn kind of people, this is a bit out of our league.  I don't have pictures of the Chateau, since I've been too busy at the pool and hot tub  and sipping wine to pose Gnome.  Also,there is a classic car group here (all Germans) and I don't want to get too close to the vehicles, which undoubtedly cost more than my house!  Anyway, I will take pics tomorrow.  We had a fabulous meal here at the chateau last night.  It was a bit (using that term very loosely) out of our price range, but so worth the 2nd mortgage!  Here is a picture of Gnome on the terrace before dinner.

Hospital in Beaune

The Hotel du Beaune was a hospital that operated in downtown Beaune for hundreds of years.  In fact the hospital opened in the 14th century and closed in 1973.  The local nuns cared for sick, whether wealthy or indigent, and gave hospice care to the dying.  They were really ahead of their time.  The facility is very well preserved with the "Dijon" roof.

Burgundy!

I am a little behind but I just been having so much fun!  We spent 2 days in Burgundy.  It is beautiful.  We stayed in this little hotel in Beaune.  The proprietors were a sweet little French couple.  We spent a day on the wine trail to Dijon.  The roads were very narrow but the wine was very good (here is a pic of Gnome in the wine cellar).  We didn't hit anything!  Dijon is a nice city but the major museum was closed!  We saw a few nice churches though.  We had dinner at the French version on Applebees.  It was Tre Excellent!

Grenoble to Cluny

Yesterday we travelled from Provence to Burgundy via Grenoble. Grenoble is a city in the French Alps.  You can take "bubbles" (cable cars) to the top of the mountain.  We had a wonderful lunch overlooking the Alps.  After lunch we headed north to Cluny - the site of a medieval monastery.  I studied Cluny in architectural history, so it was a very interesting visit.  They have done a very good job with the site - but, again, the signage was lacking and we wondered around in search of the entrance.

Birthday on the mountain

Well, what a fine way to spend a birthday - good food, good wine, good company in an incredible setting.  Beaux de Provence is a beautiful medieval town on the top of a mountain.  It is very quaint - definitely what comes to mind of when you think of Provence.  It was a long walk up, but the view was breathtaking!

Palace De Popes

I am a little behind - but yesterday (after Pont du Gard) we went to Avignon to see the Palace of Popes.  Apparently, Avignon was the seat of the papacy for some years around about 1100 or so.  It is a stunning place, again, built on rock, now in the middle of a bustling city.  Parking was a bear and finding the place was very difficult.  We thought we would just "follow the signs" but - well...  we found it.   Which is more than I can say for the Roman ampitheatre in Arles.  This is one of the best preserved ampitheatre in existence and not ONE sign!!  I would like to say that I have a picture to share of that but... it was late, we were frustrated and I figured I've been to Rome, so oh well!

Pont du Gard

We have had a great day! We started out at Pont du Gard - a Roman auqueduct and road bridge – still in phenomenal shape considering it is 2000 years old!!  They have done a nice job with the visitors center.  Also, they have several nice trails around the bridge.  However, as seems to be the French custom, the signage is poor.  We were looking for the scenic overlook and were halfway to Switzerland before turning around!

Hippo Restaurant Grill

Last night we ate at the Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill. It is kind of like the French Version of TGI Fridays.  When we got there, it was about a 15 minute wait for a table.  They were SO apologetic about it.  I guess the French don't wait for tables.  But for Americans, a 15 minute wait on a Saturday night is nothing!

Of Dams and Seas

Today we went to visit the ruins of the Malpassat Dam.  The dam burst in 1959, at only 5 years old..  It is the worst civil disaster in modern French history.  It is facinating to disaster buffs (my sis) and engineers (moi).  A small trail takes you to the site of the dam.  Pieces of the dam are evident along the river bed.  The power of water is amazing!!  We found it w/o too much trouble and we were not the only ones there.  Even more amazing!!

After the dam, we had a wonderful lunch in the port town of Frejuis.  Even though it was raining it was still lunch on the French Riviera.  After lunch we headed toward St. Trop to see how the other half of the other half holidays, but had to head over the mountain instead to escape Harley Davidson Eurofest.  Way too many motorcycles for small, crowded, hilly roads!!  After a while we decided that the Riviera basically looks like California... only more crowded and no Starbucks!!

Over Millau

Yesterday we had a lovely (but long) trip through central France on our way to Provence.  We crossed the Millau Viaduct, the highest automobile bridge in the world.  It is an incredible sight.  I am not sure the picture does it justice.  Stephanie had to syke herself up for the drive, but did just fine.  But I think bungy-jumping off of it was out of the question. 

In Southern France

We made it to Nimes.  We had a long day of travel ut made a very interesting detour to Orgien-sur-Glane.  I'll write more on that in the next post, because the computer needs to charge.  We also went of over the Millau Viaduct - an incredible cable stay bridge.  Southern France is very different - very busy!  Tomorrow we are going to see ruins, my favorite!  More then.

I could live here!

On the way back from Bourges we stopped by the town of Valencay.  There is an incredible chateau there.  This chateah was not built by the nobles but just by some rich guy!  The chateau was actually privately owned by a familt until 1979, so it seems a bit more modernized.  It is quite a place!  Just beautiful – lush gardens and an absolutely incredible view of the countryside.  I wouldn’t mind retiring here!

le Mont St. Michel

Today we went to le Mont St Michel. It is an abbey/church/town  built on a rock. It was an island, but now permanent silt connects it to the mainland. The land around it is flat, flat, flat - so it is really prominent on the landscape. As an engineer, I would love to analyze how the structural loads are carried - do you think anyone would finance that? I would be willing to relocate for the cause. The French love dogs, so Herbie would be a hit!

All the king's horses and all the king's men...

Yesterday evening I was trying to pose "Gnome" on our beautiful balcony at the Hotel Mercure, Omaha Beach...well I've lost my gnome priveleges. I promised to glue him back together. Although, I am afraid that his toes were "casualties of battle." In my defense, I was very tired and I thought Gnome was plastic!

Omaha Beach

Visiting the beaches of Normandy is an incredible experience. Every American (and Brit) should come here. The beach is down a sharp incline where the Allies were "sitting ducks" for the Germans-such bravery! The cemetery is beautiful. The words on entrance to the "silence and respect" - perfect.

Finally Arrived

We arrived in France yesterday morning - very early. We were about 23 hours late, thanks to Delta. However, Delta did change my return flight w/o cost, so we will have one more day in France. I'll be a tired at work on Monday, but oh well. We arrived in Port-on-Bessin at about noon and went to visit the beaches. More on that in the next post. Post-on-Bessin is a cute fishing village not touristy at all. Here is "gnome" in the village.

In Minneapolis - ready to go

Well we made it to Minneapolis.  We had "dinner" at Chilis - trying to prepare for the time change.  We brought along a travel buddy - Here he is is, hangoing out in the Sky Club!

Does it look like I'm packed??  I guess whatever gets into the suitcase by Saturday morning goes...I love the anticipation of a trip, but I hate packing.  I always take too much, but never can bring myself to take less.  Although, I believe the adage "less is more" I also hear the voice that says, "what if I need that!"  In the end, it won't matter what I pack or don't pack, I know we will have a great time.  I only wish the "packing fairy" would visit between now and tomorrow night!

The fun begins...

I decided that I would start a blog about my trip to France with Stephanie.  If you know both of us, you will probably agree that CBS is really missing out on a great new reality show!  Follow us on our 2-week trip to France will make for great entertainment!  For instance, Stephanie is a bit higher-maintenance when it comes to flying.  Not that I am all that easy - but compared to Stephanie, I am the easiest passenger around.  Steph called me at 12:30 last night at tell me that she had completely changed our outbound flight (we leave on Saturday!) so that we could get an upgradeable fare.  I woke up this morning and thought I had dreamed it - but no... we have 4 more days...maybe we should go to Greece instead...