Monday, June 22, 2009

France Trip, part 2

Yes, thank you Jared. That was a lovely post about your new truck. It is actually very exciting to have two cars again. I went to Target today just because I could and not because it's fun to schlep two squirmy babies around town by myself. Anyway, I decided to finish the post about our trip today if it killed me, so here it is.

After we left Normandy, Devaun, Jared, and I went to Mt. St. Michel. It is a medieval monastery and has enough stairs to get Friar Tuck in shape. I kept imagining all the very thin monks who must have lived there. I honestly still have remnants of a blister from that part of the trip. But look at this picture- it's worth all the trouble.
And here's the sheep that were crossing the road as we were trying to leave.
After we left Mt. St. Michel, we drove down to the Loire Valley, which has a lot of castles. Unfortunately, two of the three we went to were under construction. Here's a picture of Chenonceaux with the lovely scaffolding that has been painted to kind of resemble what the castle should look like. We saw these everywhere there was construction. I don't see the ugly construction anywhere. Do you? Ha!
This is a picture from farther away where you don't notice the construction as much.
This is a picture of the way up to the castle. It really was beautiful.
Next we went to Versailles to stay with my sister Darla, who lives there with her family. We didn't actually get a chance to see the palace at Versailles because of time. Instead, we met up with my other sister Chanda and all of us went to Monet's house at Giverny. Look at this picture people. It's pretty much straight out of a Monet painting.
All my sisters were there. And Jared of course. He had a harem that day. Look at the poppies- we're in another Monet painting.
My hair seems kind of poofy. Maybe I'm crazy. Anyway, we spent the last few days of the trip in Paris, where I was pretty much all pictured out. I can only take so many pictures before I am el finito. I did take this picture on the last day though. We went to Sacre Coeur, which I can honestly say was the pits. If you are planning a trip to Paris and think "Wow! Sacre Coeur sounds cool." Think again sweet cheeks. It is not worth it, and this is why.
Among other various violations of my personal space, I think I must have been sweat on by at least 20 other people on the way up to the basilica. It looks cool from a distance. Keep that distance between you and it and the hundreds of people who like to hang out on the steps.

All in all, though, it was a fantastic trip. We had a great time hanging out with my family and seeing the sites, but we were also happy to come home and see our silly babies.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, that sounds like an amazing trip - and how fun to be there with your sisters. I found your blog on Facebook - hope you don't mind my stalking. :-) Hope all is well in Georgia and tell Chanda I said Hi.

JROD said...

Love the pictures! Glad you took lots in Normandy (personally I think Paris is a bit grimey) It is now next on my list of places to drag the kids too. And thanks for explaining the context of the WWII sites. Makes it all the more enticing to visit.
Oh, and by the way, us Europeans prefer to use the term "Expert restoration of our precious historic architecture" rather than CONSTRUCTION!!!

Melody said...

Wow, awesome pictures! I love the Monet ones. I have to admit that I've never had a huge desire to go to France, but now I might change my mind! I also love the cute sisters pic.