Recently I traveled to Paris and the heart of Normandy with my family. This was my first time to France, my life’s dream destination. I studied French in high school (Reader, this was in the 1900’s) and loved it so much I took an extra year. Oui, j’ai etudie en plus! Anyway, Dad had been asking us to go with him and Mom and I’ve learned in the last three years to not put things off. You may not get another chance. So. My sister and I joined our parents for an amazing Viking River Cruise. Our greeter at the airport gaped when he saw us. “Oh! You are very young!” We laughed. Viking is awesome and I cannot recommend them enough, but only if you want to be treated like royalty. It will absolutely ruin you for normal life back home.
We flew into Paris and took a river cruise up the Seine through northern France, stopping at La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny (Monet’s home where he painted the famous Water Lilies), Rouen, Omaha Beach at Normandy and the American Cemetery, Les Andelys (home of Richard the Lion Heart), Le Pecq and back to Paris. The highlight of the trip was standing on the top of the hill at King Richard’s castle in Les Andelys with my dad (also named Richard). Also standing and gazing at the absolute glory of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. The French know how to do it!!
It was definitely the trip of a lifetime, made all the more special because I was sharing it with my family. Now that I’m back home, preparing for the next exciting thing, I’m so thankful I have these beautiful photos to remind me of this moment in time. I am so blessed, and so very thankful. A bientot!
