Trail riding

Outer Banks

The family spent a week in Corolla, North Carolina relaxing at the beach.  We stayed in a great home called Mermaid Retreat in Buck Island.  Noah purchased a new skim board and spent four days perfecting his ride.  Chloe loved going out at low tide to build dams to capture as much water as she could.  Caleb kept busy boogie boarding and diving into waves.  What a great vacation.

Easter Sunday

European Trip - Day 7 - Monoco

This morning we start the day with a beautiful drive along the coast, after a quick photo stop, we arrive in Monaco, we have an appointment to visit the exotic gardens located on the escarpment. So many kinds of plants, cactus and flowers and such great views… we then went to the Prince’s palace just in time for the changing of the guards… time for lunch and few souvenirs. After we went to see Monte Carlo, an amazing display of luxurious cars was there…time to dream a little! Mid Afternoon, we drove back to Nice for our city walk and some free time for last minute souvenirs… tomorrow we are back … get ready!

European Trip - Day 6 - Nice

This morning we start our day with a stop by the most impressive roman aqueduct, from the first century… quite few graffiti on the stones… we walked across and went down by the river, we also saw an olive tree planted in 908 ad… we felt so young! Then onto Cassis, the wind is too strong so we cannot do the short cruise along the coast…not safe enough, however we went to Cassis and had a great time by the harbor, the beach, first contact with the Mediterranean sea. Some of us had sea urchins for lunch; other went for a French haircut! Mingling with the locals. As we drove to Nice, we took a coastal road, between St Raphael and Cannes, how amazing, just natural features, the coastal inlets, the porphyry rock with its reddish shade… we also saw some very extravagant properties along the sea, too many numbers on the price tag …lol we arrived late in Nice, we had just time to walk to the restaurant and relaxed… after dinner evening treat, we had an ice cream, we could choose from over 100 flavors. Some of us had cactus or lavender flavor, thyme, rosemary there is so much available. But we were ready for a good night. Tomorrow, we are going to Monaco.

European Trip - Day 5 - Nimes

Off we go this morning; we are on the highway passing by the wine growing areas along the Rhône valley, Condrieu, Cote Rotie, Hermitage and parallel 45 before we arrived by Chateauneuf du Pape. The scenery was very beautiful, vineyards, fruit groves, lavender fields… then we arrived in Avignon. The city where the Pope lived, in the 14th century. We had a real nice time for lunch and did a little tour. We then drove through the countryside to reach the Alpilles, a limestone formation south of Avignon, these rocks have been quarried out since roman days and have served for the construction of the amphitheaters in the area, in Arles and Nîmes. We stopped in Les Baux de Provence, a perched village, so picturesque, a great opportunity for picture taking and enjoying the view around this site. We also had time for few souvenirs…before heading to Nîmes for our overnight. After dinner we walked to the amphitheater and the market square where the symbols of the city are, the palm tree and the crocodile!!! Tomorrow we are going to the coast and the French Riviera.

European Trip - Day 4 - Lyon

On the way to Burgundy! After a beautiful drive through the mountains this morning we join up with the highway to reach the Bresse area, where they breed free range chickens in France the only one to have an AOC… we then reached the Saone valley and the town of St Albain where we visit the chateau… what a wonderful experience and a warm welcome… the chateau is quite amazing, we climbed the tower to reach the roof, and what a view from there… we had a great meal before heading to Lyon. We arrived bear the Fourvière basilica to meet Mark who took us around the city. Lyon is a great city, center of the silk industry; we went through the traboules… and had dinner in town in a local bistrot or “bouchon” as they say here!! Tomorrow we are going into Provence to Avignon, a lot more to discover!