We fortunately had a very smooth flight back home. We are glad to be back at our house, but are feeling a bit subdued, as we miss our Backroads guides and the other families with whom we grew very close while biking in France. But, that is the price of friendship, I told my children. It
Category: Family life
I Will Be Back
Insanely stylish clothes and a dizzying array of cafés in Paris. Three-course meals for dinner, even casual ones. Locals drinking wine during lunch. An incredible array of cheese, wine, warm hearts and smiles. Then, a cycling trip. Verdant pastures, rolling hills, countless vineyards, infinite cycling trails. Biking 275 kilometers in three days. A memorable dinner
Cycling in the Loire Valley
I am writing this because I feel incredibly grateful. We started our cycling trip in the Loire Valley. The weather has been a bit cool with occasional bursts of sun. We are meandering through episodic small villages and then move to stretches of golden wheat fields, patches of brilliant yellow sunflowers and lush vineyards (see
Mass at Notre Dame
We headed over to the Notre Dame basilica this evening for Mass. It was hot and humid, and some of us were flagging in our heat-retaining Sunday clothes. Upon arrival, however, we were greeted with the beautiful sounds of church bells and a rapt crowd enjoying the music. From everywhere, and all around us, we
Thoughts on Imperfection (and, Paris)
A gentle rain is falling on Paris. The residents seem a bit subdued after last night’s loss to Germany in the World Cup. The gray pallor of the sky matches the mood in the area. This is our last full day in Paris. One child is exploring the city solo and the others with my
Improv Cooking in Paris
I am getting a crash course in food shopping in French (see results up top). I don’t speak any French and have been making do with a few phrases while we are here in Paris for our vacation. After a long and hot sightseeing excursion this morning, one of our children this afternoon isn’t feeling