9th Day in Europe- Toullese

Today the guys left at 6:00 am and Rebecca and I decided to stay here and catch up on our blogs, load our pictures, and do some souvenir shopping in Toulouse.  We never made it to the City of Toulouse, but I enjoyed finally resting with my book, my computer and some movies.  Erik and Daniel had a great day on the Col du Tourmalet.  Their 21 km ride was the backside of the mountain from where the tour was riding.  Their ascend was 4,950 feet of climbing.  They met in the middle and watched the tour ride by.  Of course they had no camera to document any of their adventures, but they thoroughly enjoyed it.  They met a nice Australian couple who took their picture and we are waiting to get it on email. 


Tomorrow we leave for Paris. 

8th Day in Europe- France

Today was full of excitement for us. We woke up and got on the road to chase the Tour de France. We drove about 120 km to Fransac, where we would watch the tour go by. Rebecca and I dropped Erik and Daniel off to ride part of the stage the Tour de France was riding today. We stayed back to watch the tour come by and then got in our car and raced to the finish line in Luchon to watch the riders come in. It was invigorating to watch the whole thing. Helicopters are flying over head, people are cheering and the competitors are all revved up. I loved it!! Rebecca and I (who we refer to as wheel support for "team- Danerik") are loving it. I don't think we would want to be anywhere else. We are going through some of the most beautiful country sites ever created. We got some great photos today and some great prizes as well.

"Team Danerik"

They have a parade of sponsors come through for the hour before the tour rides through. they throw candy, hats,jerseys, and all sorts of things. Rebecca and I would grab for things but they always threw it to the kid next to us. We did get a lot just not as much as the kid. Here were some of their cars.

I ended up taking over 400 pictures today, just of the racers. Erik needs to help me go through and label each of them. I do know these guys because these were really the only ones I cared about. They practically touched shoulders with me.!

Yes, there are all sorts out there!!!

A stroll through the city with dinner as well.

We are still struggling to communicate with the french. It is actually very humorous to us, but we know when we walk away they are saying "Stupid American people." I've thought about sharing some of our stories on the blog but I think it might only be funny to us and you would walk away thinking "Stupid American People" as well. Sometime remind Rebecca and I about Rueben (our smooth talking French man) The French translations we have learned to ward off smooth talking French men, our language barrier with universal hand signals and so much more. I think trying to communicate with foreigners always sets ONE up for a Good TIME. Our theme for the trip. "WE WILL NEVER SEE THESE PEOPLE AGAIN"

7th Day- France

Today the guys rode up the Alpe d' Huez, which is pretty intense. Rebecca and I drove up the mountain stopping to wait for the guys and then taking pictures along the way. It was absolutely gorgeous country. The view from the top is breath-taking.

Daniel and Erik at the bottom of the mountain. Erik was able to get a new wheel so he could ride.

We stopped at a bike shop to get a new wheel for Erik and right across the street was this lovely canal.

Erik taking a small break during the ride. He would not be happy if he knew this was in here. I liked it though. Erik pushing through.

Daniel just about to finishErik at the top

When we got to the top we ate, and that is always fun trying to communicate my allergy needs with people in small villages. Needless to say, I got chicken and fries and was completely satisfied.

7th Day-Carcassonne

After Alpe d Huez- we ate, and raced down the mountain to our hotel to check out. We then were on the road for Toulouse. On our way we stopped at Carcassonne. A midevil city that occupies a castle which dates back to BC. Through the years it has taken different transformations. Today it has a town center that fills up the middle of it. It is just massive, and I can't walk through there without wondering what life was like, a thousand years ago, within those walls.

(I pulled this picture from the web)

It is impossible to take a picture of the entire thing unless you have a wide angle lens.

A view of the city from the walls of the castle.

The years of history within those walls.
The city center within the castle.
The gargoyles again on a church within the castle.
Erik and I.

The castle at night. I really tried to take a picture of how beautiful it looked. Rebecca got some great ones with the moon in the background.

Our First Day in Europe- Chester England

We are exhausted, missing a whole nights sleep has left us feeling bushed. We arrived in Manchester and waited 2 hours to go through customs. CJ my youngest brother picked us up and we made our way to Chester. Chester is the quaint city that they live in, filled with tons of Roman empire history. I'm not going to spend to much time explaining the history on my trip, or I will miss out on more touring!! (I will come back and edit someday soon. I just want to get pictures up of our trip so the kids and family can see.)

Chester Cathedral!

The Cathedral was built in 1092- you can tell how old it was by the gargoyles. They were a thing of the time. CJ says they were to warn off the bad spirits. In churches built after the 13th century, they would use angels instead of the gargoyles.

I also have read somewhere they were to represent the spirits that were lost between Heaven and hell.

This is the City Centre in Chester where all the shopping is done. We spent a little time there. Lots of shops.
Erik and I posing in the Roman Gardens
More of the Roman Gardens
Whats left of the Roman Gardens
The back of CJ's work. Spital Vault.
A man and his house traveling the canal.
The steeple of a church. Very beautiful
Erik and I in front of Carly and Cj's house.

Cancun

Erik and I were fortunate enough to escape to Cancun in January. We had a great time fleeing our lives for a week, while Janet, Erik's mother came and stayed with the kids. She is an angel sent straight from heaven. We went with our favorite vacationing friends Daniel and Rebecca. We were busy everyday and here are some of the highlights.
This was actually a picture of our last day. No one around to take our picture!


Xel- Ha (Shell Ha). Isn't it gorgeous? The snorkeling was great!

Snake Lady. Erik wouldn't come near the snake. Ironic enough, this was at an alligator farm


Erik in front of our hotel beach side.

The Beach

Erik and Daniel can find bikes anywhere.

This is at X- Caret. Here, we floated through the Cenotes (sacred Caverns)

Random Pelican

The Beautiful Beach


Chichen Itza


Erik at the Alligator farm

Here we are at dinner and for dessert they bring every table a large cone of cotton candy.