Each of us contributed to the pictures of flowers over the last 11 months. So many memories in Europe.
Red, Orange, and Yellow
Green, Blue, and Violet
Pink, Gold, Green and a Mix
White and mixed
European Flowers
Author: Michelle Lee
French Horses
Daily on walks, bike rides, car rides, and train rides we would see horses.
Southern France is known for white horses. Randy enjoyed stopping and saying hi to them as he rode through the countryside. Below are pictures of his horse and donkey faces he collected throughout the year.
Last full day in France… but not the last post
July 12
Today is the last full day in France, for anyone in our family, in this incredible 11 month journey.
The guys packed up, returned the rental car, and headed to Paris via the train. We have enjoyed riding European trains, except the one in April from Paris to Lourdes….who remembers reading about us sitting in the luggage rack for 3 hours? This trip Cody decided he wanted to learn to read. Luckily Zach was a patient teacher.
Back in the states, Mazie met up with her neighborhood friends for lunch as we drove to camp.
The guys grabbed dinner and settled in for the night in Paris. The next day they were on a plane homeward bound.
Randy may not have been thinking of this song by Simon and Garfunkel as he left France, but it came to mind as I typed about the day.
Homeward bound
I wish I was
Homeward bound
Home where my thought’s escapin’, Home where my music’s playin’, Home where my love lies waitin’ Silently for me
Rest day and Stage 10
July 10
Today was an official Tour de France rest day. The guys found a disc golf course and played until their hearts were content. Disc golf and beautiful scenery was a double win for them. After18 holes they drove the next day’s bike tour stage route backwards, looking for a place to campout and see the race with Cody.
The next morning, July 11, was Stage 10 of Le Tour de France. Randy, Zach and Cody packed lunches and headed out to watch the tour. They had scouted a place where the riders would be coming through a forest area, which would provide spectators with plenty of shade.
As they waited for the riders, team sponsors came in advance throwing free merchandise, shirts, and hats for spectators. SCORE and SUPER FUN!
Here come the riders!!!
Just after the riders rode by, Randy, Zach, and Cody hopped in the car and drove to another spot to see the riders approach the finish line. Two sightings in one day! The boys were thrilled with their viewing spots.
Police, Fox, and Boars, oh no
July 9
Along with hiking Puy de Dôme, the guys saw trains clearly decorated for the bike tour.
The food looked amazing at Le Bistrot des Combes in Mazaye, France. Creme Brulee became the dessert of choice for Randy.
The next morning began a hike that would have the guys feeling as if they were part of the novel Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, as well as the Von Trapp family hiding from the Nazi Regime. The guys had scouted out a trail that would allow them to hike a few hours to reach an area where cars were not permitted during the tour. Here they thought they would be able to have a private viewing location of the Tour de France. Leaving Cody at home, Randy and Zach enjoyed their hike through a variety of landscapes. The hike seemed beautiful through the pictures I saw from afar.
The adventure twisted and turned as they approached the viewing area. It seemed the French police were positioned along the roadside every 50 feet. Apparently spectators were not allowed anywhere near the route to the top of the finish line. The guys kept trying to find a covered place to hide and watch but no luck.
As they were quietly searching through the woods they spotted a fox. A few minutes later several huge wild boars showed their snouts. Both Randy and Zach knew the danger they could have been in from both the police and boars. They concluded it was time to leave. The adrenaline rush made the hike back down seem like a sprint. Good food and Cody awaited their return. Despite not seeing any of the bike race today the guys had an amazing day.
Back in France
July 6-8
Meanwhile back in France Randy, Zach, and Cody were living their last week on planes, trains, and automobiles following the Tour de France near Clermont-Ferrand. The first day was maneuvering luggage, catching trains, acquiring a rental car and finding the airbnb.
The second day included planning routes and hiking around the volcano, Puy de Dôme.
Touring continues
Our friends, Dan, Christy, Clarie, Elena, and Kaitlyn VIllhauer met us at the bus station. Dan collected all the luggage and returned to their home away from home house swap north of BCLA. Christy and I took the girls on a BCLA walking tour for a few hours before heading to their home.
We saw a newly discovered Roman cemetery buried about 10 feet under a BCLA neighborhood. We found Mazie’s favorite ice cream store in BCLA, Amarino’s! Barcelona was HOT and HUMID, something we have not encountered for 10 months.
The next day we headed to find and explore Parc Güell.
We finished our day eating a delicious dinner of famous paellas and rice dishes served at the L’Arrosseria Xàtiva restaurant. Mazie and I had never experienced this style of food. Surprisingly we enjoyed it very much.
Mazie enjoyed being with her friends for a few days. They played games, explored the nearby park, stayed up late, and laughed a ton. Our last night with friends I held an impromptu tram photoshoot with them. Christy and I enjoyed watching the girls and the mysterious man behind them (AKA Dan).
The next day was long. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to go through all the checkpoints, clear customs by a very nice lady, and have amazing seats on the plane. We made it to DC and were greeted by my sister, nephew and red white and blue flowers!! Everything is in English!!!
A few hours later we met up with Fred, Ben, Alex, Kayleigh, and Garfield the orange cat, who were flying from DC to Paris in a few hours. After dropping them back off at the airport I took the Tahoe keys and made it back to my sister’s. The next few days we rested, adjusted to Eastern Standard Time Zone, hit Goodwill, ate CFA, visited friends in the DC area, and packed up for our next adventure at YoungLives Camp for teen moms and babies at Rockbridge camp, near Lexington, VA. While all this was happening to us girls, the boys, including Cody were busy cleaning, packing, and exploring more of France for their last week.
The last week in Saint Drézéry
First week of July 2023
Just when we thought our last bucket list items had been checked off did we realize life still had to continue. School work was completed except math for both kids. Bella and Cody were getting their last affections from us amidst packing, cleaning, prepping for our USA return and just living.
Mazie wanted to take Cody to the beach one more time. We attempted but the morning slipped away from us. We headed to a lake nearby, which upon arrival seemed crowded and now has an entrance fee due to the summer season. We finally agreed on heading back to the area we named Degobah, from Star Wars where Yoda trains Luke. We were the only ones exploring the semi dried up pools. It was perfect for the three of us. Everytime we ventured here over the year the landscape was different due to the amount of rain that had fallen in the area. Today the water trickled down its paths. The pools were shallow, cold, and clear but not turquoise. Cody still bounced in and out of the pools loving his best life. When we left we drove past a sunflower field. The Pic Saint Loup completed the background of the picture.
Zach wanted to try a new skate/bike/scooter park that had recently opened. Randy was prepping the house, closing accounts, researching his upcoming last week in France with Cody and Zach. I was heavily into prepping for YoungLives Camp week at Rockbridge YoungLife camp. Mazie and I were leaving a week earlier than we had planned due to camp. The boys were staying and finishing up France by going to see the Tour de France in person.
Mazie, little Julia, and I met up with new friends who were new to Montpellier. Meggan, Nate, Ana and Aiva (plus a dog named Cody, too) were thinking about moving to France back in July 2022. Meggan and I found each other on a FB group about Montpellier. Our long distance friendship grew over the year. It was a blessing to actually meet in person. Meggan and I knew we understood each other without having to verbalize it. Our time together in France was extremely short, however we managed to go to church together, explore the thrift store, purchase a dog toy at the pet store, and see a few sites together.
Rachel, Flavy and I went out for dinner in the La Grande Motte. We had such a beautiful evening.
Saturday Marie, Naomi, and I went for our last adventure to Sommiéres. Jill had mentioned it was one of her favorite places to go for a Saturday Market. Wow, it was really beautiful. there were hundreds of vendors in 3 or 4 rows outside under the canopy of sycamore French trees. The market continued inside the medieval part of town with food, clothing, and more. I enjoyed capturing the picture of Marie with Naomi looking through records.
Church wrapped up for us. I was called up to talk at the end of the service by Chris, my little Julia’s grandfather, who was spurred on by Asha. For payback I had Asha translate my English to French. It was a fun laugh. After service we headed over to a baptism party in Sussargues…AKA Sussagrass to a few of us. This was a good way to celebrate Jake, Emmy, and Abi and to say our goodbyes to all in attendance. The youth group had just returned from a weekend away. While our kids did not attend it was still good to be reminded of faces of people who loved us.
The last night Lez, Marie, Naomi, and Hannah came over for dinner, drinks and dessert. They are amazing friends we acquired while in France. We look forward to see how God will continue this friendship miles apart from each other.
Randy and Zach put Mazie and I on a bus headed to Barcelona. Once in Barcelona, Mazie and I managed a “train system” for walking with 4 under the airplane suitcases, 2 backpacks, and 2 cabin suitcases. We were a sight to see but were prepared for an airport drop off in a few days.
Pic Saint Loup Hike
Randy’s last bucket list item before leaving Saint Drézéry was to hike Pic Saint Loup. This limestone mountain became a terrain lighthouse for us. Every trip we took we looked for the Pic to give us an estimate of time remaining until we reached home. Below are pictures containing the Pic throughout the year.
Our favorite castle ruins stood adjacent to the Pic. The wine we enjoyed was grown in the Pic Saint Loup region as well. Researching the Pic brought me to the history of its name. “Three vaillant knights, Guiral, Clair and Thieri Loup were in love with the beautiful Bertrade; the one that would marry her was to be designated as the bravest after the saint war. All three came back with high feats, but unfortunately the beautiful Bertrade had died meantime. Feeling hopeless, they all retired to a mountain. Guiral went to mont Saint-Guiral (near Aigoual), Clair to mont Saint-Clair (near Sète), and Loup to Pic Saint-Loup. Each year, on March 19th they lit a fire on top to celebrate her. Saint-Loup is the one of the three that lived the longest.”
Randy and Cody ventured off on their own one morning. The pictures he sent back had familiar vegetation and backdrops. The guys enjoyed their hike.
Génolhac, France
My last bucket list item for France came to me about 4 months ago as I was doing ancestry research on my Papa Dewey’s side of the family. The short version of history is that my great(x8) grandfather from the 1600’s lived and worked in Génolhac, France. I descend from his daughter.
photo of JPB
Génolhac is a very small village nestled in the Cevennes mountains of central eastern France, less than two hours from me. Jean Pierre Bondurant owned several inn’s for travelers. He and his family eventually fled France due to religious persecution. His family remained Christians, never converting to Catholicism, which was ordered by the King. His family made their way to Manakin, VA as French Huguenots.
Randy encouraged me to take a train to go see and experience the village. I caught the train early. The train schedule allowed me 4 hours to explore this village of 10 streets. When I arrived I was enthralled with the beauty of the hydrangea bushes lining the train station. I did not realize how hilly Génolhac was on a the map.
I found Jean Pierre’s house and apothecary, which still stands and is a home for a family, located at 42 Grand Rue, 30450 Génolhac, France
My plan for the next 3.5 hours came after visiting the village information center. I walked just about every street following historical signs in the village. I realized many of the signs described village history after the 1600’s, but it was something to do.
Eventually I made my way to a small grocery store and purchased a typical French picnic of baguette, meat, cheese and a red pepper. I was off to walk along the road that reminded me of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
The young guy at the information office sent me on a hike to a secluded water area. This was perfect. I enjoyed the hike and the cool water. The babbling creek and quietness of the forest, minus a few birds, did not disappoint.
This actually exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Expectations I didn’t even know I had. I soaked in the sun on a rock, enjoyed my lunch, and imagined life during the 1600’s the best I could.
On the way home I changed trains in Nimes. Right outside the beautiful train station is a Roman coliseum.
Lees in France 