My Feet Were In France!

Our entire clan!

We will remember always.

It is hard to believe that it is mid September and I have not written a post about my fabulous trip to France.  It seemed as if the summer was really dragging as I waited our time of departure on August 30th.  There were actually 16 of us who initially knew each other who went on the Viking River Cruise from Paris to Normandy, with amazing stops along the way.  It was interesting how the Viking people got us to Paris with some of us flying through Chicago, some beginning in Atlanta, some going through Boston, etc.  The travel home got even more interesting!  One of us left Paris at dawn, flew to Germany, then Chicago and finally Dallas.  At least, I think that was her route.

However, as confusing as the coming and going might sound, the river cruise itself was beyond expectations for me.  The beauty and peace of cruising the Seine River is really hard to describe.  I was constantly wanting to pinch myself to make sure that I was not experiencing a wonderful dream.  So since words are hard to come by, I am going to share some of my pictures.  Those of you who follow me on Facebook will recognize some of them.  But, this blog is my way of keeping my memories together so I am going to post a lot of them here.

Our program director said something that will always stay with me.  She said, "Travel is the only thing you can spend money on and get richer."  This is so true.  This incredible trip to a beautiful part of Europe with dear friends, the joy of making new friends, and the opportunity to experience the beauty of God's grace is something this lady will treasure as long as I am able to remember.

France's version of the Lady welcoming us to Paris!

Monet Gardens

Monet Gardens

Rouen, France, one of my favorite excursion trips.

How would you like to go to church here every Sunday?

The French definitely believe in drinking their wine and we certainly supported them as often as was appropriate!

There are no words...

In this picture my feet were in Normandy.

This little guy was waiting on us when we got back to our room one afternoon.

It was such fun to cruise and chill out on our beds at the same time.

Buddies giving the Lake Vista Wave!  We were neighbors on the same street over 40 years ago.

Janie and Gary:  Love. Them.

Empty bottles after one of our fabulous 3 to 4 course meals.  They kept pouring and we couldn't be rude and refuse!

Montmartre....one of he reasons I returned to Paris.  I missed it the first trip but made up for it this time.

Not the best picture but I wanted you to see these cobblestone streets which were everywhere!  Murdered my feet for weeks!!

I was actually in the gardens near the Louvre when I took the picture of this famous ferris wheel.

This is my roomie for the week, Donna Williams.  I got to take care of her after a pick pocket decided he needed her IPhone and credit card more than she did!  I call him The Snake!!

I know I should know the name of this building.....

Just one example of flowers that were everywhere in France.  Temperatures were mostly in the 70s except for one or two warm days.

I got up early one morning, had a real French croissant and coffee, and went up on the deck as we cruised.  Priceless!

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The water was like glass.

I would love to own one of these.

Example of peace and tranquility.

Our Captain!

Special party night with smiles from everybody.

Marsel....we almost adopted him and brought him to the U.S.

I think Napoleon was buried here.  As you can tell, I was not focusing on the French history.

Oh, yeah.  This tower was not a disappointment anytime, day or night!  It just took your breath away.

One of my favorite pictures taken at Monet Gardens.

I took this picture for Salome.  This was inside a church in Rouen.

Just look at that!  Look at those clouds!

Pretending to be French!

Of course, we got us an ice cream macaroon!

Our wish was their command!  Spoiled us like crazy.

Four beauties at Omaha Beach.  

We gathered sand from Omaha Beach and put it in little bottles to take home.

Another one of my favorite pictures because of all the textures shown.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Our own veteran, John Bailey, was honored here at the cemetary.  We had tears.

Yep, there are my feet!

Our room was on the second level.

Notre Dame in Paris.  

My international office.

More beauty....

Just look at the reflection in the water!  I should be there!

I spent a lot of time here.

Where were my feet?  At the Louvre!

Such a touristy picture!

Creme Brule...every opportunity possible!

Adorable cruise director from Belgium.

Having fun with the captain and his assistant captain.

You knew I would find a piano!

Food was always available on this trip!

My girlie friends on the Hop On- Hop Off bus in Paris on our last full day.

The famous Moulin Rouge....no, I didn't get to go there.

Hello!!!

Couldn't ever get tired of looking at this masterpiece.

Do you know what monument this is?

We had fun but our waiter really wasn't happy with our English!

Gorgeous at night, especially when it twinkled on the hour.

I was standing below the tower.  We later traveled up to the second level.

Who says you can't get older and still be cute?

I absolutely love this picture I took with my Iphone!