After our sunny fun lunch we headed out of the castle ruins.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, Two roads diverged down limestone rocks 

And sorry I could not travel both. And not wanting to retrace my path

And be one traveler, long I stood And be one traveler, out of eight pairs of socks

And looked down one as far as I could I asked advice from strangers with locks

To where it bent in the undergrowth; If the passage would cause us some wrath;

Then took the other, as just as fair, Then took this new one, just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim, Without yielding to my husband’s claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Because I wanted new sights and no care;

Though as for that the passing there Headstrong to see new land and share

Had worn them really about the same, We ventured straight down w/caution all the same,

And both that morning equally lay And at first we navigated well

In leaves no step had trodden black. On mini boulders not in tack.

Oh, I kept the first for another day! POP!, went my left ankle and down I fell!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, Yet knowing this was bad I did yell,

I doubted if I should ever come back. They doubted, not me, I could make it back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence: Somehow five firefighters came

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— Rescued, carried, delivered oh my-

(to the hospital)

I took the one less traveled by, I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.   And that has made all the difference.

During my four and a half hours in the ER I watched a lot of interesting things happen. Although I did not understand the French being spoken, yelled, cried, or repeated over and over I could read expressions and people’s eyes despite the masks. My texting of these scenarios to a few close friends brought a new live comedy show to our phone screens. It also kept me occupied. Finally around 11pm I came out on French style crutches to meet Randy. X-rays were negative for a break. The sprain requires an air-cast for 3 weeks, medicine for pain and PT. Stick to the facts is all I can say.

Facts going through my head are… I thought it was only a sprain 8 hours ago, I am thankful for the diligence of our French friends who knew what to do for us Americans, thankful for strong firefighters, the medical staff who tried their best English with me, for Google Translate, and for Randy who met me when he was allowed and took me home.

I am not worried and am resting. By the way, I was telling Marie, my friend, about this poem on our hike before the fall.

https://www.grandpicsaintloup-tourisme.fr/en/the-castle-of-montferrand

Saturday morning was full of movement. A trip to the boulangerie provided baguettes for 8 of us hiking to the Castle of Montferrand.  We invited our family friends to join us on this adventure. Randy made all 8 sandwiches and the rest of us prepped other food, water and backpacks. A short drive and we were in a rocky parking lot used for hikes to both the castle and to the top of Pic Saint- Loup.

I have always enjoyed maps and this one did not disappoint. The symbols of red and white flags would announce directions and safety along the path. The youngest of us, Hannah, kept an eye out for the blazes during the hike and led us in the correct directions. The hiking path, like most we have found in Southern France, was lined with rocks, roughly the size of apples and grapefruits.  

Occasionally we could raise our heads from constantly watching every step and see the surrounding vegetation or views.

Several from our group saw men carrying a dead boar down from the top. It is still hunting season here. I was not privy to this or I would have snapped a photo. However we started noticing blood spots on our path, we concluded they were from the boar. These findings allowed the teens to be more engaged in the hike and the search for blood.

Once at the castle we read more signs and entered the ruins.

After a little exploring we settled down in a small grove with shade, sun, views, conversations and lunch.

The view of Pic Saint-Loup was clear today. 

Toxic Processionary Caterpillars aka Chenilles Processionnaires Du Pin

Randy and the kids headed out on a long exploratory bike ride. Cody and I stayed home. Their sightings included the normal horses, creeks, occasionally an aqueduct, and M’s field of green with the golden sun highlighting it.

This time however there was a guy flying his drone through the Aqueduct. I heard it was pretty fascinating to watch and listen to. The same day I received a picture from Jill with Fred flying his drone over the house which was covered with a dusting of powdered snow. We all enjoyed looking at our house and being reminded of home.

The bike adventure continued and they came upon what appeared to be a snake on the road. They decided to circle back and take a picture of it. We have not seen very many snakes here in France at all.

A closer look detected caterpillars walking in a line. These caterpillars are called processionary caterpillars as described by their form of movement and found in the southern half of France.

Fascinating to us Americans, toxic to all, including dogs! M enjoyed doing a photoshoot with these little critters. Upon further research the caterpillar hairs can cause reactions in humans and dogs. These reactions can be in the form of blisters, conjunctivitis and/or asthma attacks. These little things can damage trees by stripping the entire bark as well.

Known predators to processionary caterpillars are a few birds including the great tit, coal tit, great spotted cuckoo, and hoopoes, shown below from wikipedia images. Bring on the European birds!!!

The combination of screech, metal against metal, followed by the sound of wind is actually a combination of sounds we look forward to daily. M was the first to make us aware of this pattern and timing. The mail is delivered by bike throughout the village.

The brakes screech at every stop. The mailboxes are metal and encased in the perimeter wall surrounding each house. The box contains two locked doors. The external side allows the mail person to use a key to put larger packages inside or uses the slot provided to deliver envelopes. The internal side is located inside the property and also contains a door with a key for the owner to retrieve their mail. After the letters or packages are delivered the mail deliverer pedals off, causing a wind sound, to the next box. Some boxes are even decorated. Mail will only be delivered if the name is listed on the box. In order to mail a letter it has to be sent from the post office in the village center.

You cannot mail a letter using your at home mailbox.

Le Viaduc de Millau   aka Millau Viaduct in English

We traveled across the Millau Viaduct.

Why is this so amazing? It spans 2,460 meters, resting on 7 piers; the world record for pier height has been achieved with Pier 2, at 245 m. Oh and so much more!

To find out all the specifics check out this link https://www.leviaducdemillau.com/fr there is a tab on the right where it will translate to English.

We were glad we stopped at the visitor’s center on the other side. The center had a mini dog agility park, and playground with a in ground trampoline,

Amazing views,

An interactive museum with a gift shop,

An outdoor area for warmer days,

and a trail to hike to the observation deck.

We took a different route home allowing us to see the viaduct differently. This little town has a nice river walk as well. We also came across a huge pencil and an alpaca or a llama. I couldn’t see the fur close enough to tell, nor their head. Although if I had to guess I would say a llama based on long ears, long face and a straight back….so animal safari.com notes.

The semester is over and the new classes have begun for the kids. Randy and I are amazed at how well they finished the semester, all A’s and B’s! They have learned a great deal about life, cross cultural living, computer technology, online schooling, how to make friends, how to maintain friendships, how to be each other’s best buddy and more in the past 6 months. We are thankful and grateful for them and their determination to succeed despite living and experiencing a foreign land at their young age. Just a reminder it has not been an easy road. We have had blood (bike wrecks, hitting heads on windows), sweat (ultimate games, hiking, biking) and tears (why are we here, missing friends, school work) along the way.  As the Indigo Girls wrote back in 1994, “Although we get to have some answers when we reach the other side, the prize is always worth the rocky ride”- The Wood Song. Below are images of the evidence of blood, sweat and tears (although not shown, just know they existed.)

We needed a change in routine so we decided to pack lunches before church, and head out on a day trip once church let out. Within 30 minutes we were engulfed in new landscapes, dirt colorations and architecture.

During the ride we continued to try to name places that reminded us of the surrounding landscape. Colorado, Montana, Texas, the midwest, Greece, and even the road to Orrison’s Cabin off I-81, past Harrisonburg were all on the list. I was struck by the beautiful artistic road signs designating the areas we were approaching.

Surprise snow sightings and icicles along the sides were announced by the backseat gallery. Wind turbines outlined some of the mountain ridges. Tunnels put smiles on faces.

We stopped at a travel center with food, gas, toilets, and a gift shop. Randy filled the car while the kids and I headed to the patches of snow for a little snowball action. Below are also pictures of snow play at our final destination, which will be revealed in the next post.

While browsing inside the travel center I found a new fleece lined pull-over perfect for our upcoming trip in February!! Randy claimed that this was Momma’s best day ever, a road trip and a new article of clothing at a gas station!! It did make me one happy traveler for sure! (My sweater shown below was purchased in a grocery store for 7 Euros!!!) We are all thankful for Randy’s enjoyment of driving which allows the rest of us to take in the scenery, cue music on Spotify, and talk about things we see yet he might miss because of his road diligence.

So I have had a Rich Mullins song, The Color Green, in my head the past few weeks. The chorus seems to resonate with the land Mazie rides daily with Cody and Zach. Mazie sent me her photos from her ride one day and BOOM the song was depicted without her even knowing the words.  (Even the winter wheat, which is my favorite thing to show Randy in the winter in VA.)

“Be praised for all your tenderness by theses works of Your hands

Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land

Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made

Blue for the sky and the color green that fills these fields with praise.”

The kids are teetering between semester classes. Some first semester classes are finished and second semester classes have started. Other classes are finishing this week. One perk of online schooling for the kids is each class can be adjusted to their pace and comfortability within the class. Finishing up the semester Z had to prepare a French dish. He chose Raclette, mainly a Swiss dish, however France is also home to cheese and has acquired this dish as well.

Mz finished up science with a lab on evolution vs creation. She had to use different forms of bird beaks to pick up different forms of food. Quite interesting how she had to use scissors, tweezers, a clothespin, and a spoon to pick up tacks, dry macaroni, toothpicks, and rubber bands. Each combination was given a 20 second timer.

The final experiment was not related to school. Will the kids fit in ski clothing we have borrowed and purchased while here AND will they stay warm? They will be heading off to YoungLife International France Ski/Snow camp in the French Alps soon.

If you were to follow me around a grocery store you would notice that I talk ALOT to myself OUTLOUD. Maybe this is a form of processing what is all around me. Maybe I am taking Gandalf’s words to heart,

“…I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to…”  

Sometimes I think the reason grocery shopping takes me so long is because I still do not know what items are found in which stores. I often come across different items and snap their photos. Photos of mainly interesting looking food or food I do not think I would ever buy, eat or know how to prepare.

Occasionally it is a picture of how things are stacked that causes me to notice. For example how one store stacks their eggs. Luckily my kids are not wandering toddlers or this could be very tempting to knock over. (I hear the USA is over $7 for a dozen eggs!!!!!)

Have you ever wanted to drive a chariot? I never thought much about actually standing in one being lead by a horse around a ring, but it did happen. Well at Ikea you can return your chariot right here!!! AWESOME!

I am amazed at the details and patterns in this food. While I am not a Wikipedia fan this is the only information I could quickly find on this veggie, Romanesco broccoli is an edible flower bud of the species Brassica Oleracea. It is chartreuse in color, and has a form naturally approximating a fractal. When compared to a traditional cauliflower, it has a firmer texture and delicate, nutty flavor. Wikipedia

Lastly Legos and Playmobil toys are huge here and a tad cheaper most of the time than back home.

One day last week I took a different way home and lo and behold right there in front of me was an aqueduct that I had to drive through in my car. I was so surprised and excited I quickly snapped a few pictures.

Monday night we went bowling with friends. Upon arrival we noticed the parking lot was guarded by a very long arm gate. This seemed a little over the top, but no one asked my opinion. Inside we found a dispenser for Pringles, which also seemed a little over the top and VERY expensive, and still my opinion was not asked, nor did my kids ask to get any. Yes, they do have 2 Euro coins in Europe.

Once inside we felt like we were in America. The cashier spoke English. The lane beside us spoke English. The shoes fastened with velcro. 6 Euros a person = shoes + 1 game.  The bowling balls were Brunswick brand, labeled with the same numbering system and size as the USA. Gutter guards were not present, however we did use the kid dinosaur ramp a few times for fun.

The score keeper computer system reminded us of home. I noticed the bowling etiquette of waiting your turn from adjoining lanes to throw your own ball down the lane was not followed. (One child mentioned maybe it was a rule from the 80’s….teenagers!) We had a great time and enjoyed hanging out with friends and Alli on her 25th birthday.