Certainly one of the highlights of the trip was our visit to Mont St. Michel. An abbey built on a Island beginning in the 11th century it is quite a mix of medieval architecture. It is also quite a climb to get up to the abbey. Like all unique historic places it is also overrun with tourists, though I have to say they do a pretty good job of managing the flow of visitors.
The ornately carved cloister, below, was especially spectacular. I just wish I had an opportunity to photograph it without all the people milling around.
I was especially taken with this column decorated with a fleur de lis. I almost walked by the small statue of a knight in a niche on the way down the mountain but then I saw the swagger caught by the sculptor and had to take his picture.
modernization of the city in the late 1800s. Some buildings are more ornate than others and some have the flatiron style of angled intersections. But for the most part they have a similar look. It must have been an interesting time of building and redevelopment. It was explained to us that before elevators the choices apartments were on the ground and 1st floors. Widows lived on the 3rd and 4th floors and the cheap seats were near the top of the stairs. After elevators came along the higher floors became the realm of the rich.
Besides the Eiffel Tower we buzzed by the Louve, the Arc de Triumph, the Place de la Concorde, Notre Dame, the Musee Orsy and a few other landmark buildings and institutions located along the banks of the Seine.
as a light meal but it seemed like a full dinner to me. We had the most delicious fish I have ever eaten, spinach and a lovely sauce, no doubt loaded with butter. For dessert they brought out cream puffs loaded with ice cream and swimming in chocolate sauce. I don’t know how I am going to be able to start turning these deserts away.
Bottom line, I saw enough of Paris to be intrigued and want to come back. Someone suggested visiting in the winter to find the museums less overcrowded. Might have to give that a try.
I set out today up the Little River to Cades Cove. This is an area of scenic vistas and well preserved historic buildings. Churches, cabins, a mill, barns were all in the mix. Unfortunately, it is one of the most popular areas in the Park and even on a Friday morning in
May it was well attended. I refrained from killing one German tourist in particular and still managed to get some good images. I hate to think what it must be like in summer.
e literally everywhere. This blue one stopped to pose for me, not the best background but they don’t often stop so I couldn’t be choosy. I may be able to pretty it up with a new background when I have a little more time for processing. There were a lot of yellow ones as well.
ated to Gatlinburg for a rest in my room and lunch at Bubba Gumps before a late afternoon foray to Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail. More cabins and some nice stream and waterfall access. I was afraid to go on a hike as they keep forecasting rain though it has not yet materialized. Tomorrow is up to 80% chances but that’s down from the 90% they were forecasting as if yesterday so we’ll see. It does make it hard to plan but I may try for another shot at Cad
es Cove later in the day after the masses have gone to dinner tomorrow if it is not raining.
s which were the only thing available at the hotel.
ast 50 miles of the Parkway. Even before reaching the Parkway the scenery became amazing and I encountered my first waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest. Looking Glass Falls can be accessed from a stairway by the side of the road. I made the mistake of not taking my super wide-angle lens down to the base of the falls. So, while I got the shot, I would have liked a little more of the surrounding rocks and forests. I would have gone back but there were a LOT of stairs and my heart was already thanking me for the workout.
The views along the Parkway were nothing short of breathtaking. Even on a cloudy day. Some azaleas and rhododendrons were in bloom along with numerous other wild flowers. Toward the higher elevations I encountered some fog which was enchanting until it turned to pea soup. But it didn’t last too long. There were plenty of long vistas to be had.
I had been worried that the 120 or so mile drive would get me into Gatlinburg before I could check in to my condo for the next three nights but there was nothing to worry about as there were plenty of things to stop and photograph and I didn’t even make it to my planned lunch stop before my stomach insisted on a detour. I found a little place called Country Vittles in Maggie Valley. A real family run business, Grandma showed me to my table, Mom brought out my food and took my money and granddaughter Pearl was the waitress and bus girl. The daily special was Chicken and dumplings and the vegetable of the day was pickled beets. To which I added fried okra for my second side, a delicacy I have not tasted since my last visit to North Carolina. Of course, a biscuit and cornbread were served with the meal though I had to shy away from a commodity labeled “whipped spread” which purported to be 48% vegetable oil but was vague on the other 52%.
Arriving at the Park after another half hour’s drive I stopped off at the Oconaluftee Visitor center and toured the life-sized farm museum on the grounds. I especially liked the Irises planted next to the log cabin. By this time, I was beginning to zone out and even had to take a short nap in a roadside pull off. Then I proceeded to Gatlinburg (can you say tourist trap extraordinaire?). The condo took some finding and the time share people had to give me a sales pitch before letting me go to my room. Next time Holiday Inn Express, I think.
my digs (no more driving today, yay). I should have known when I walked in and saw no other diners that it was not going to go well. I almost walked out when the guy handed me a styrofoam cup for my iced tea (No, Jeanne, we are not in Oregon anymore). But I was tired and hungry so I went ahead with the most mediocre BBQ I’ve ever eaten (How do you ruin barbeque?). Oh, well, I still have that coupon for Bubba Gump Shrimp that the time share sales lady gave me for tomorrow night. I still haven’t figured out where it is though I should have walked right by it on the way to Bones BBQ. My recollection of my one and only previous Bubba Gump Shrimp experience was underwhelmed and overpriced. But hey, I’m here for the scenery.