Beaucoup Bonnes Journees! Many Good Days!

Finally some words and photos of our road trips. Four or five days a week, we go on excursions. These journeys have ranged from as short as 10 kilometers to as far as an hour and a half away. Closer to Le Thou, we've explored a bird refuge, relaxed beside a lake at a community park, picnicked at the beach, and strolled the centers of our neighboring towns. Our longer drives have taken us to noted destinations such as Cognac and hidden gems like the canals of the Marais Poitevin.

A few days ago, I asked Mike about his favorite experiences. We both agreed that the museum we liked best was the Corderie Royale in Rochefort. Located in the former naval rope-making facility, it is devoted to helping visitors understand the important role rope plays on board ship. Their exhibits are very effective at explaining difficult concepts. In addition, a temporary exhibit utilizing the art and storylines of graphic novels did a great job engaging visitors to think about the challenges and lives of seafarers.

My favorite small town was the historic village of Brouage. With its original fortifications in tact, it is easy to see the advantages of its walled protection. The community was the home town of Samuel de Champlain and it celebrates its connections to the New World. Walking the citadel, taking in the landscape beyond, and imagining the place in its heyday were most satisfying for me.

Finally, we were totally fascinated by the city of Saintes. About an hour to our south, it has been an important urban center since Roman times. Architectural and archaeological evidence of its substantial history can be seen throughout the city. We especially enjoyed an informative tour of the Roman amphitheater and the crypt of Saint Eutrope below the church by the same name. Situated on the banks of the Charente River, the city makes good use of its water-front advantage with walking and bike paths, boat docks, parks and recreational activities. We stopped to hear an impromptu brass quartet as we wandered along the banks. Medieval alleyways and lanes dominate the city's center and offer a pedestrian "mall" lined with shops, dining, and services.

There were many other lovely day-trips including a boat ride to the small island of Ile d'Aix, an oasis with few cars easily explored by foot. Throughout the region, we toured Romanesque churches, visited the remains of century-old abbeys, strolled rural villages, and marveled at the unique features around us such as oyster and mussel cultivation, salt harvesting, and the seasonal transition of the sunflower fields from seas of gold to fields of withered stalks. We made several new friends and shared good times together.

It's a small world!

Last Sunday, we journeyed to the resort town of St. Jean de Mont which is about three hours north of La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast. We went there to rendez-vous with friends who traveled from Australia, Patricia and Christophe.

Forty years ago, Patricia and I met at Mills College. We were fast friends then and managed to stay connected over the decades as we both moved to other U.S. states and countries. We joked that this meeting marked our fourth continent together!

I like serendipity. I wrote to Patricia earlier in the summer to let her know I was visiting her place of birth. Her response was, "Ooh la la. We must meet." It turned out that she and her husband Christophe were planning to visit family in France later in the summer.

Our short time together was a blast and Christophe summed it up nicely. "Such a warm get together...bringing each other up to date on what has been happening in our respective lives during the past three years."

As we parted, we all agreed there was never enough time to share everything, but we will continue where we left off at our next rendez-vous...perhaps on yet another continent.

Thanks for the memories.

This week a small gesture reminded me that the rewards of the hospitality business come from personal encounters with guests. When we operated The Inn at Cooperstown, we felt that the world came to visit us. Our guests enriched our lives in countless ways.

A few days ago, as an English family prepared to depart after a four-day stay, their two daughters Abi (age 7) and Billie (age 5) created sweet hand-made notes with expressions of their gratitude.

This summer we have been graced with lovely guest interactions and we've meet wonderful people from all walks of life. To describe just a few...Agnes and her brother Daniel shared excursions with us, to Ile de Re, Talmont, Rochefort, and Chatelaillon-Plage. They joined other guests in helping to celebrate Mike's birthday with an unexpected cake and champagne toast. Another Daniel entertained us with songs representative of his passion for American jazz and early Rock music. Visitors from Alsace, Patrick and Marie-France and their charming children joined us for many dinners including a gourmet picnic on the beach followed by an amazing concert. Our very first house guests, Jacqueline and Alain, retirees from the south of France, enjoyed asking questions about the U.S. and our lives there.

Most travelers have a smattering of English or more. We attempt to use our French as much as possible. Hand signals, the help of a dictionery, and translation by our host make it possible to convey our thoughts.

As the summer draws towards a conclusion, I wish to thank Abi and Billie for all the sweetness they shared with us. And I want to acknowledge the other guests for their kindness and concern for us during this summer. When I recall this experience, I will remember the many special moments, smiles, laughter, and conversations we shared together. Merci!