Finally

It has been far too long since my last blog!  We returned home from Paris on Tuesday the 8th.  Life got busy so I put off any writing.  Now, here I am.  Back to writing and finally back to running!  I paid for my running hiatus.  The cold weather and lack of hard workouts have cost me some fitness.  It is going to take some time to get back at it.  Yet it feels so good to want to run again!

Paris was amazing!  I love history and old buildings.  I certainly got both!  We spent 2 days in the Loire valley visiting chateaus.  One day, we traveled to Normandy and visited Point du Hoc, Omaha beach and the American cemetary.  That was an incredibly moving time.  The other days, Jeff & I walked miles around Paris.  We visited popular sites and happened on little out of the way places.  We ate crepes from stree vendors and climbed millions of steps.  We went to bed late and got up early.

It wasn't until Sunday morning that I finally got out for a run.  The Seine was just through a park from our apartment.  I headed out before anyone else was awake.  I had to watch my step as the path was cobblestones.  It was wonderful to run with views of Notre Dame and the Louvre.  I saw a few other runners and fishermen.  I heard the word "touristique" a couple of times.  I didn't care.  I was a tourist.  It didn't matter as I was reveling in the pure enjoyment of history and running.  Two of my favorite things!

Just a few photos of our trip to share!

 Morning run along the Seine with Notre Dame in the background

 Chateau de Chambord

Waiting in line to go up the Eiffel Tower 

Presenting Notre Dame 

The bell tower of Notre Dame 

Royal Fortress in Chinon