Wednesday, October 27, 2021

27 October 2021 Driving back to Paris to fly out

 


We drove more backroads today on our way to Paris.  There was fog in patches and we found a field of sunflowers still in bloom.  Lots of cows, sheep, goats, horses and a few donkeys peppered the fields as we passed.  Despite all the signs we did not see any deer in any of the next 4.3 km sections of the drive.  Once we did get on the highway, it was smooth sailing.  Not much traffic and few trucks for most of the trip.  On our gas up pit stop there were 1000 cranes flying over us.  The sound was really cook with multiple honking calls coming from all directions as the long line passed over us.  We checked into our Marriott airport hotel and offloaded the luggage.  The car return still needed to be done but we asked Devon, the concierge, for advice as to how to get to the drop off spot.  He looked at out print out and then called the office directly.  Apparently he found an error in the directions we were given and he wanted to double check everything.  The conversation took a while and I was getting more worried about finding the place.  To our amazement and pleasure he told us that he will drive over there and we should follow him.  He drove the hotel van right to the car drop off and we followed right behind.  Then he drove us back to the hotel!  That is great service, thanks Devon!  He also told us that we could take a short walk to a small village with a park and some restaurants.  We walked over there and stretched out our legs and stomachs with a walk and a great late lunch / early dinner.  When I got back to the hotel I converted the 5900 km to miles and found out that we had driven 3700 miles.  That is the same distance as driving from Portland Maine to Seattle and then down to the California border.  What is a great vacation road trip!


Out of the fog we see a field of sunflowers


Still in bloom 


Brightening up the morning


Look close and you can see the V's of the cranes


Lots of them


Caught them with the 40x zoom!


Above and beyond service, thanks Devon!


Pub lunch


Old time decoration



Belgium makes great beer!


Snails snails snails!



Our lunch spot



We walked through the park and read lots of interesting posters about life in France in the past


Of course flowers everywhere


Happiness personified!