We started out in Reims France where in our jet lagged state walked around the famous cathedral where many French kings were coronated and wandered through the pedestrian streets.
Sophie in front of Reims Cathedral
Inside the cathedral, the stain glass was so pretty.
July 4th was spent near Verdun in the surrounding battlefields of WWI. I always enjoyed history and particularly studying WWI and WWII along with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Coming to these places makes history come alive, makes it more real, makes it more humbling. As we've traveled to the D-day beaches, concentration camps, Brandenburg gate and now Verdun, we always come away with an appreciation for where we live and the freedoms we enjoy. I missed not being home, running the freedom race as I've done every year for the past 18 years, watching the parade and fireworks at the stadium of fire. But what a fitting place to be on the 4th of July.
The trenches were everywhere, stretching for miles around and the craters made the landscape look lunar. It's now been almost 100 years since WWI and the trees and grass have grown over the once desolate landscape. We toured the memorials to those lost, (one memorial called the trench of bayonets, where an entire company was buried alive in their trench with their bayonets sticking out of the dirt for decades), the cemetery and mass graves makes it all a very humbling place to visit.
Dad and Sophie at some of the trenches
A Radio command fort
Memorial building, museum and cemetary
From Verdun we drove a few hours to Strasbourg. We arrived in the early evening and headed out to explore the old town and find dinner. They happened to have a Festival of countries going on, there were different food and demonstration booths from various European countries. It was fun to see.
The Italians demonstrating flag throwing, they also had drummers keeping them on beat.
Sophie had fun watching the flag throwers
Strasbourg at night, time to get this girl to bed.
The next day was spent exploring more of Strasbourg.
The Merchants House
The Cathedral
Sophie being silly in the Cathedral
More Strasbourg
Afternoon nap
More Festival activities, this time the Italians were demonstrating Archery, the guy hit the target every time.
Playtime in the Park, we tried to find a park or grassy area everyday so Sophie could play and stretch her legs.
The canals in Strasbourg
The next day was spent in Colmar a nearby city with lots of colorful buildings and more canals.
Picnic lunch of bread, cheese and fruit in the park
Afternoon nap
The tour de France was coming to Colmar about a week after we were there
Evening in Colmar
That was it for France, next we drove on to Germany. I'll post more later.
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