Le Mont Saint Michel

We decided to take the 3 hour drive over much debate to the famous Le Mont Saint Michel. It is located about 1 km off the northwestern coast of Normandy. Being that it is part of UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites we just couldn't pass up the opportunity. According to legend, the Archangel Michael (pictured below) appeared in 708 to St. Aubert, the bishop of Avranches (a nearby village), and instructed him to build a church on a rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. So then gave the start of the construction on this rocky tidal island.

Here is the view from the road that leads to it.

Archangel Michael

 As you enter the monastery their is a drawbridge to walk across. I just love the thought of those who have walked across this. 

 The tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres (46 ft) between high and low water marks. Popularly nicknamed "St. Michael in peril of the sea" by medieval pilgrims making their way across the flats, the mount can still pose dangers for visitors who avoid the causeway and attempt the hazardous walk across the sands from the neighboring coast. Its average rate of progress is about 200 feet per minute. 

The Abbey Church was built between 1023 and 1085. It was used for a church to some 50 monks as well as many pilgrims to came to worship the archangel Michael. 

The Cloister

This place is a place of prayer and meditation where a monk walk or sits by himself to read the bible and pray.

The Monks' Refectory

Ossuary

This is the monks' former graveyard. The big wheel was installed around 1820 to bring up food for the prisoners (they converted the abbey into a prison in 1793) who were detained in the penitentiary. It is a replica of the kind of device used in medieval times to bring up building materials for the construction of the Mont Saint Michel.

We were so happy with the decision to make the drive. It was amazingly beautiful in so many ways!

Claude Monet's Gardens, Giverny

On Tuesday we took a drive to Giverny to Claude Monet's house and gardens. This is where he painted many of his artwork and where the famous "Water Lilies" painting was his inspiration.

Sorry for all the pictures...it was just beautiful there!

I started a travel journal for the kids on our European travels. Each day we travel and do something they are to draw a picture about their favorite part and write a sentence to go with the picture. Jackson does really good writing his sentences, but Grace just tells me what to write. It will be fun when she starts to write them her self soon. They are little artists!

It will be fun for them (and us) to look at in the years to come. 

D-Day Sights

Since we were staying in the Normandy area, seeing the sights of D-Day were a must for us. Jason has always been interested in the battles of Normandy and has read a few books so he was so excited to see the places for himself. We decided to take a half day tour of 5 sights that were a major part of the battle.

The countries that were involved:

At Point du Hoc:

 These craters were the bombs hit just littered the area. Sad to think of all the lives lost within these craters.

 Pointe du Hoc stands between Utah and Omaha Beach.

 Where they would book on the look out and shoot those coming up the mountain.

 Inside the bunkers.

 If these bullet holes could talk.

 Our tour guide took us to a place where the tour buses aren't allowed to go to get a great view of Omaha Beach.

 There is an entrance into the bunker behind the tree that went to the hole here. This area is the first place the Americans broke through.

 The American National Cemetery 

France: Enjoying our Relaxing Days at the Resort

With Pat and Carol here for a number of weeks we planned a week long trip to the Normandy area of France. We were able to use part of my parents time share and got a great 2 bedroom/full kitchen apartment in a quiet and beautiful part of that area. It took about 8 hours to get there from our house (only because of a wonderful 2 hours stau we were stuck in on the way). 

We spent a few relaxing days at the resort and enjoyed them to the fullest. 

The first day we were there we went to an outdoor market in Pont-de-l'Arche. This village might be one of the best little villages we have been to in Europe. It was small and quaint...something you might see in a movie. 

On our last full day in France (after our crazy Paris adventure-you will read that in the posts to come) we were ready for a day by the pool and bike rides around the area.

Our "home" for a week

Bike ride around the village.

 We hiked up to the top of a mountain and were able to see the Seine River from the top.

 Loved soaking up the sun rays and taking a nap by the pool.

Sweet Grace laying on the sun beds. 

 Papa had fun jumping in the pool with the kids.

 These next photos were in Pont-de-l'Arch. 

 Stopping and the first of many bakeries for bread and pastries.

 Papa and Yaya loving being with the kiddos.

 AJ eating some of the best ribs we have had!

 The cathedral was breathtaking...as usual.

 More posts to come of our other adventures in France. I am going to get photo happy in the posts to come. I took over 400 pictures of some amazing places we visited. So get ready!

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Daddy Don!

Happy Birthday, Dad/Daddy Don!

We hope you have a special day today. 

Sending lots of love and hugs from Germany!

Liege/Tongeren, Belgium

We took a road trip to Liege, Belgium and hung out in the city for the day. It was an interesting city to say the least! I don't think I have seem more of an eclectic group of people anywhere we have traveled in Europe. It was fun to walk around and see the city sights. Jason got some yummy Belgian beer and we had a few of typical treats that Belgium is famous for.  

Grace taking it all in at the cathedral. 

 Belgium waffles!

Frites! The best fries anywhere in the world.

 In the middle of the city was a music festival. It was fun to sit there for a while and listen to the music playing.

 We enjoyed a free cup of Nespresso for a quick pick me up.

 The next morning we woke up early and headed to the Tongeren flea market about 30 minutes away.

We got some great treasures. The piece on the right is an old form to make concrete bricks out of. The picture doesn't do it justice. It is really unique looking!

For the past 4 days our friend Jeremy stayed with us while he was in between TDY's. It was fun to hang out again. Not sure when we will see him again so we had fun while he was here. Who knows...maybe we will make a trip to Albuquerque next summer.