View from my room

I have to have surgery tomorrow on my right ankle. We appreciate your prayers!

Not so good

Well.... Bucket list item checked off! We got to visit 2 real castles. But!!! I didn't see a step and sprained my ankle badly... Fortunately not broken, but will have to use a walker to get around for a few days.

We are in Trier, Germany!

Well... We have had a great day! Germany has a very different flavor than Paris. Trier was established in 17 BC by Julius Caesar. I am sending you a photo of the Porto Negro .. The "Black Gate". The entrance to the Roman Empire. Food is very different from Paris... Meat and potatoes style of cuisine. I had potato pancakes, lox, and kraut. It was good. We like our little car... And the gps is heaven sent! Jim's asleep, so I'll sign off! Love to all!

Ready to roll

Love this iPad! One comment on yesterday's photo of a bridge covered with locks... That's lovers bridge... Locals write names on lock with their lover. Then they throw key into river to seal their love.. Only (said our guide) ... Doesn't work ... He'd tried it! We are waiting for our taxi... And the bakery hasn't opened yet!!!

Packing up... Off tomorrow for Germany.

We wish we could stay a bit longer... We still have lots we had hoped to see and do! We have had a marvelous time and we now know why the French are so thin. We have walked lots of miles every day and climbed tons of stairs. Today was a national holiday in honor of Mary's Assumption. We saw thousands of people marching and reciting mass and singing in large processions. We visited Versailles and watched the dancing fountains keep time with classical music. We visited Saint Chapelle... Which was Louis xiv. personal cathedral. Beautiful stained glass. We are getting laundry done in preparation for our next part of our trip! Thanks for emails and comments. It's really fun to keep in touch with everyone.

Lots and lots

We have seen so much beauty that it is impossible to encapsulate it in a few words. The French people are really full of life. Last night we cruised the Seine at sunset. Along the river there were groups of people dancing their hearts out! For the most part they are congenial to us Americans of which there are many... We saw the Eiffel tower at sunset, walked the champs élysées and visited the orsay museum and petite palace. Oh my gosh! Jim took lots of photos in the Orsay before we knew it was against the rules! Apparently they will confiscate your camera if they catch you!!! Tonight supper was a bottle of French champagne and some nuts! Pure delight!

Our apartment was built in 1642

It has really been restored beautifully ... And has many electronic advances I've never seen before.