wednesday july 25, 2007

What would a room be without a view (according to EM Forster) and this is the view from our room in Lacoste, across the valley to Bonnieux.

When we last posted we were in Aix and it was Bastille Day. That seems like so long ago. Since then we have been heading north, over a series of mountains and through valleys dotted with little old towns on top of hills within the valleys below. I know, this is a lot of geography for one sentence, but what is a bike trip if not geography? And mosquitoes. Lots of mosquitoes. But we are now protected by Creme Anti-Moustiques.

In Lacoste there was a sculpture exhibit on top outside the ruins of the castle built by the Marquis de Sade. This one has something to do with arms and how if you have really nice arms you don't need a head or legs or any of that other stuff.

Nighttime is always the best time when you're in a tiny Provence village. It's not as hot and the throngs of buses and the tourists they contain are long gone. Again, the view from Lacoste to Bonnieux.

Every old town, of course, has an old church and this is one in Gordes, which is one of the best and most visited towns atop a hill in the region.

In Gordes, as we were walking near this spot, we heard a woman remark: "This is what it must have been like for Jesus." Aside from the fact that she was more than a thousand years (Gordes is only about 400 or 500 years old) and a couple thousand miles off, yes, this is exactly what it was like for Jesus, who arrived here on a tourist bus and bought an Orangina at the cafe.

This is the view down from Gordes. It is so spectacular that Susan had to admit it was worth the climb from that street down below.

The view from Gordes at night.

Susan has become a bit obsessed with these old Citroen cars. This one is so old there are rumors Jesus may have driven it.

The granddady of the mountains around here, and the first real Alp, is Mont Ventoux. It is 1,909 meters high, which in feet is: REALLY HIGH. And today I climb it! And no, I'm not crazy, hundreds of people come from all over Europe and beyond every day to climb Mont Ventoux and most start in Bedoin, the town we are staying in. OK, maybe we all are crazy. This climb is in the Tour de Drugs, I mean France, from time to time and is considered one of the tour's toughest.
Susan? No, she will not be climbing Mont Ventoux. We did the math and the 21-mile uphill ride would take her 12 days, so she reluctantly decided against it. Instead she will wander around town looking for old cars and cats.

Comments

[angie]

hey, kids :-) good to see an update. i'm with susan on looking for cars and cats. we'll be at a cafe should you need us.

[The Finkles]

Finally an update....it's the highlight of our days! It keeps Bob going at work, knowing that someone out there has time to enjoy themselves...
Can't wait to hear how the climb up Mont Ventoux went, but we KNOW Susan had a bottle of champagne chillin' for your return!

[The Finkles]

Happy 44th day! We're SO jealous you get another 44 to enjoy...so enjoy some for us too!
Just spoke to Josh...he says Shalom!

[Arlene Wartenberg]

Steve, Dad said to tell you that he is doing heavy leg exercises in preparation for his bike trip through France. (And if you believe that, you ......
Know that you made it to the top and bottom of Mont Ventoux - and without the drugs all the other pros take.
Susan, you certainly are smart - I would join you, wandering around the village and enjoying the sights.
Hope the mosquitos are under control
Love you both,
Mom and Dad

[Lin]

So glad to hear from youse guys...Yes I agree with Sue...Did you Make it Steve? Silly question...
We got 41 pounds of Honey FYI
Great picures as usual. Love and Hugs

[susan]

let's see, which one is smarter than the other? or, maybe there is no comparison. have fun.

[wayne]

What was it like for Jesus?