The last few days we have put on a few miles (or 'kilometers' as they call 'em over here). After the beaches of Normandy we headed slightly south to the Valley of the Loire. It is a beautiful area known for its wines (as most of France is) and for its chateau. While we just couldn't find time to do too much of the wine, we were able to visit three of the most magnificent 'homes' I have ever seen. Our home base, where we stayed one very comfortable night, was in Chinon, the more quaint and quiet sister to more well-known Amboise. We stopped by another cute cafe, this time enjoying crepes and fluffy omelettes (a speciality in the Loire) and slept well. Our B&B was known for its array of jams, giving us a rainbow of choices that following morning. After sampling a dozen or so and begging to purchase a few jars (to no avail) we began on the scenic Route du Vignobles, a scenic road, lined with vineyards, connecting the famous chateau of the region.
Our first stop gave us a little lesson in French culture: don't mess with lunch. We arrived at 12:30 only to find that the next hour and a half was to be set aside for the ticket takers to have a leisurely meal. Dejected, we strolled back to the car and plugged the location of the next nearest monster home into the GPS. Not fifteen minutes later we had arrived at what we were told was the queen of Loire Valley chateaux gardens. Behind the home rested a maze of flowers, plants, vines and shrubbery. Each bush and tree trimmed to perfection, the birds-eye view from the second and third floor made the grounds look like a meticulous blueprint. The colors were vibrant, even the cabbages had a particular place in the scene. We made one last stop at the well-known Château de Chenonceau (seen in the picture), and toured its grounds and interior. This mansion was the first of its kind to be built purely for status, solely for inducing a 'wow' from the 'who's who' of society. It accomplished its goal. Over one half of the structure is stretched over the Cher river and the rest sitting on its bed, naturally surrounded, this home came complete with its natural moat.
After another night in the Loire, in Amboise, we set out for the east, to Colmar in the Alsace region. Another area known for great wine, we again took the 'wine road' and this time took the time to stop and sip a few regional specialties. The Cremant d'Alsace is a champagne-like bubbly that we very much enjoyed. One of the family-owned wineries that we stopped in, was in its 14th generation of production! Apples were also in harvest and we stopped in to quench our thirst with some of the incredibly fresh 'jus de pommes.'
Although we very much enjoyed the driving and wines of the Alsatian region, the rain and near freezing temperatures had dampened our spirits a bit. Our original plans to visit Chamonix and Mont Blanc near Switzerland became a little more than we could handle. We put a call in to our landlady in St. Remy-de-Provence and asked if an earlier arrival would be okay.
Needless to say, she obliged and I now write this blog from outside our new 'home.' The grounds and house are incredible, a full video tour will come shortly to give you a glimpse into our Provencal paradise.
Now begins the true adventure for us. The first 60 days have been a whirlwind of sites, tastes, smells, people, places and memories. We will be processing and recalling and reminiscing for the next several months, I'm sure. However, in one specific aspect the first 60 days were also not all I hoped they'd be. This trip is to process our thoughts, talk about our dreams and pray for our future. After 60 days and 31 different beds I am realizing the necessity of routine. In St. Remy, we will finally have what we have wished for. The peace of this place is real, its distance from the outside world comforting. While I know accomplishing the things we desire will, in the end, only come with discipline, I feel that this place lends a helping hand. We can finally stop checking the train schedules, calling the next B&B and checking the GPS for our next 'can't-miss' site. We are finally 'home' and our true adventure, the one that helps us face life, is just beginning.
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