Mom and Dad Visit Part 2: France

We took my parents to France for a few days while they were here. We essentially repeated the trip to Normandy we took ourselves three years ago. I knew on that trip that I had to bring my parents back, and I was so glad we had the opportunity to make that happen. We all piled into our seven-seater car, drove down to Portsmouth, hopped on a ferry, and three hours later drove off into France. As long as you remember to drive on the opposite side of the road, it's really a pretty easy trip from here.

We spent the majority of our time revisiting the invasion sights of the Normandy D-Day beaches. We also spent one day visiting Le Mont St. Michel, a place I last went 15 years ago with my study abroad program. The WWII invasion sights were no less moving the second time around. Although having read all the plaques and scoured the museums on our first trip, I did very little of that this time. But feeling this place was the same as before. It is sacred, hallowed ground, and an unmistakable atmosphere of both gratitude and awe prevails. So I won't write much here about all that I have learned and felt visiting this place, that hasn't changed so much since what I reported from our first trip, and you can read it all there.

Arromanches






























My patisserie radar is very good, I remembered precisely where this place was.








This poppy field reminded me so much of Monet's painting entitled "Poppies" that hangs in the Musee d'Orsay



At the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach . . .














































Our one and only personal connection to the American Cemetery is an interesting one. Scott's grandmother's first husband who died in action lies here. She later married Scott's grandfather, so it's odd to think that he would not be here had it not been for this man's death.



Pointe Du Hoc . . .





















The German Cemetery . . .













Sainte-Marie-du-Mont . . .














Interesting fact we learned about this area





Utah Beach . . .













Le Mont St. Michel . . .
















Dad made it to the very top of the island mount!






When the tide is in this is covered in water turning Mont St. Michel into an island.
















I loved this field we came across on our way to our car from Mont St. Michel















Around beautiful Bayeux where we stayed . . .












A real life transformer!










Two delicious meals were had here. Oh, France, you kill me with your food!