On the Road Again

On By JR

Well we’re on the road again. This time we’re traveling from the Chateau de Flottemanville near Cherbourg where we spent the last 2 nights to Villandry where we’re going to spend the next 2 nights and visit a couple more chateaux. Then we’ll turn in our rental car and take the train to Paris.

This road trip was very similar to the one we took from Amboise to Mont St. Michel, just in the opposite direction. Lots of gorgeous green meadows and trees, many happy cows, a rest stop every 10 to 15 miles on the freeway, down windy roads through the villages, and lots of those incredibly beautiful yellow fields. Never get tired of seeing those. Today’s trip was about 150 miles.

 

The trees are not all leafed out yet and they're beautiful silhouetted against the blue sky.
The trees are not all leafed out yet and they’re beautiful silhouetted against the blue sky.

 

More happy cows!
More happy cows!

 

This is a typical rest stop sign.. When the sign starts with "aire de" it means it a rest stop. Then the smaller signs below it tell which services are available. In this case it was a Shell gas station with food and coffee. Very similar to a lot of our freeway signs.
This is a typical rest stop sign.. When the sign starts with “aire de” it means it a rest stop. Then the smaller signs below it tell which services are available. In this case it was a Shell gas station with food and drinks. Very similar to a lot of our freeway signs.

 

The rest stop we stopped at didn't have a gas station. It just had the standard set of interesting bathrooms and then this cool bridge that went over the freeway and connected it with the rest stop on the other side. And then we saw this sign with the arrow saying view (on the top) and frites (on the bottom). We thought that was odd because the only frites we know of are French fries. But we wanted to see the view so we crossed the bridge.
The rest stop we stopped at didn’t have a gas station. It just had the standard small building with interesting bathrooms, lots of picnic tables and then this cool bridge that went over the freeway and connected it to the rest stop on the other side. And then we saw this old sign with the arrow designating view (on the top) and frites (on the bottom). We thought that was odd because the only frites we know of are French fries. But we wanted to see the view so we crossed the bridge.

 

Once we got across the bridge we discovered way back in the corner of the parking lots that the "frites" is actually a French fries truck. And they had sandwiches and sodas too.
Once we got across the bridge we discovered way back in the corner of the parking lots that the “frites” is actually a French fries truck. It was run by a couple and they had sandwiches and sodas too.

 

So we had French fries and cokes and they were the best fries we've had for a long time - very crispy and not at all greasy.
So we had French fries and cokes and they were the best fries we’ve had for a long time – very crispy and not at all greasy.

 

When we went back across the bridge we noticed that the owner of the truck has also put a temporary sign in the building with the bathrooms so more people would notice it.
When we went back across the bridge we noticed that the owner of the truck had also put a temporary sign in the building with the bathrooms so more people would notice it.

 

While we were at the rest stop looking out from the view point, I saw this little vine-covered building. I have no idea what he is. Anybody?
While we were at the rest stop looking out from the view point, I saw this little building way out in the middle of nowhere with a vine-covered chimney. I have no idea what it is. Anybody?

 

More of those beautiful silhouetted trees.
More of those beautiful silhouetted trees.

 

On smaller roads, especially through villages, this is a very effective way to slow down the traffic.
On smaller roads, especially through villages, this is a very effective way to slow down the traffic.

 

A line of trees down this country road was just stunning.
A line of trees down this country road was just stunning.

 

Have I mentioned how pretty these yellow fields are?
Have I mentioned how pretty these yellow fields are?

One thought on “On the Road Again”

  1. Denise

    I’m just amazed at the beautiful gardens and mazes. I realize they are tended by professionals, but they are just incredible. The fact that you have picked a seemingly perfect time to be there is great too. Everything is in bloom and the colors are spectacular.

    The architecture is great too. Loving the doors and archways and stained glass windows as well as the odd bits of furniture that I have no clue what they are…

    I was really struck by the grave markers at Normandy as I guess everyone is. It is a beautiful place to be buried, but at what cost.

    I loved the story the little innkeeper told about her dad. Not that he was shot, but that he was mistaken for a German. I can see how that might happen though. I’m glad she wasn’t bitter…lol

    This is one of my favorite blogs so far. (I think I say that each time don’t I?) lol

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