Lou Ann's EuroBlog

"French people spend a lifetime leisurely combing their country, documenting yesterdays, carving out a private world where warmth and comfort are integrated in their own way. Without fail, a passion for France and a love of family and one another guide them."
- Betty Lou Phillips, French by Design

First of all, before I start on anything else ... I am fine and will continue to be fine. Thank you for the e-mails, though ... I will NEVER complain about getting e-mail, especially when they're coming from people who are reminding me that they're praying for me. We heard about the attacks in London this morning, and as I type this, I am going back and forth between blogger and cnn.com. My intention is to keep my travel plans the same, even though they include a week in London. I'll let you know as soon as I can if I change my mind. If you don't hear from me, check the comments here ... like before, if I can't find an internet place and want to get you some information, I'll have my mother leave a comment.

Now ... on to more travel-blogging...

Day Six (7/1/05) - Orange to Agen
Since Orange is a relatively more manageable city than Strasbourg or Colmar, I searched out an internet cafe the evening before, found the place and got the hours of operation, and decided to be there when they opened at 8:30 in the morning.

In my internet place searchings, I decided that Orange would be a good place to take some photos ... and that is best done in early morning light ... and I am at best an early morning person. SOOOoo ... I got up about 6:00 (which is technically late for me, even on vacation) and made a point to be up and about and walking the city center in time for the breakfast hour. I enjoyed walking the town with my camera and taking shots of architecture and "French" things. I am developing an appreciation for pictures of European doors and windows, etc. I am adding to my stash daily! :-)

After having a pastry and a cappachino at a couple of sidewalk places, I was at the internet place (a copy/FAX shop) when they opened, and made my first check of e-mail and update of the EuroBlog since leaving the States. I spent about two hours there before deciding that I needed to hit the road again.

Of course, it didn't take me long to get lost ... again. (Imagine a sigh of frustration here!) I was looking for another of the Frommers Guide's drives ... through the Rhone River Valley along a gorge similar to Skyline Drive or Letchworth State Park (for those of you from upstate New York). I couldn't find the sign for the road at the town at the South end of the drive, and ended up in the town at the North end of the drive. BUT ... in the process, I ended up driving a bunch of mountain roads (I love that) and spent a lot of time being the only car around for miles and miles. I got some gorgeous views of scenery and enjoyed some traffic-free driving time. The roads in that part reminded me a little of driving in Nevada near my uncle's house in Carson City ... high and somewhat arid (but not quite so arid as NV).

I finally got myself on the right road for the gorges tour. I found a little roadside stand for lunch and had tandoori chicken kabobs (and, of course, some ice cream). The gorges were beautiful ... but not too different than Letchworth or Skyline ... worth the time spent driving the road, but when it was over, it was time to be over.

I got back on the toll roads ... again annoyed at the expense ... and spent the rest of the day driving and paying tolls. I had originally wanted to stay in Toulouse that evening ... but decided that Agen was (1) a smaller town, thus easier to navigate, and (2) closer to my goal for the next day, even if only by an hour. The "easier to navigate" part totally won out over the extra hour driving part, as I felt more than awake enough to drive the extra time.

I'm not sure when my next post will be ... who knows, it may very well be tomorrow. But, more than likely it will be a few days and will be after I've arrived in London. Like I said ... if you aren't sure what's going on with me and aren't seeing new posts, check the comments and I'll have my mother leave you information there. (Thanks, Mom!)

Regardless, the next post will be the first about our week in the gite in the countryside of Southwest France. If you're bored, look up places like Rocamadour and Monflanquin and so on. It's been a blast!! And, I promise, I will eventually catch up with myself.

Au revoir! Bonne journée!