Adventures with Cindy

The Battles of Normandy

April 11, 2016ccouringtonLeave a comment

The Beaches of Normandy – Utah, Omaha, Gold, June and Sword Beaches

This is where the landings of the Allied Invasion of Normandy occurred. Code Name Operation Neptune or more commonly known as D-Day.

The rugged cliffs pictured here were where the US Army Rangers Assault Group’s ascended from the ocean onto the Pointe du Hoc.

The rugged terrain is where actual bombs and ammunition exploded leaving enormous holes still present today.

The Bunkers and Fortified Gun Mounts

The sharp memory of a war that forever lives on

Monuments so that the world will not forget

Sainte-Chapelle

April 6, 2016ccouringtonLeave a comment

Sainte-Chapelle – a gem of high gothic architecture in the centre of the Ile-de-la-Cite’

Built between 1242 and 1248 to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. The most famous of these relics was the Crown of Thorns, acquired in 1239 for a sum that greatly exceeded the cost of building the Chapel itself. The Holy Relics had belonged to the emperors of Constantinople since the 4th Century.

Sainte-Chapelle consist of two levels, the lower chapel and the upper chapel.

Visitors are greeted by a statue of the Virgin Mary, the sanctuary’s patron saint.

The low vault is held up by openwork struts linking the aisle column to the lateral walls. These walls are decorated with blind trefoil armatures and 12 medallions featuring the apostles. The vaults’ flour-de-lys on an azure background are also found on the columns, alternating the towers on a purple background which were the arms of Queen Blanche of Castile, Louis IX’s mother.

And then you found yourself in the far back corners of the sanctuary where spiral staircases led you to the upper chapel.

This is a truly monumental and sumptuously decorated reliquary. Sculpts and windows combine harmoniously to glorify the Passion of Christ and created a feeling of entry into the Heavenly Jerusalem.

The 1,113 scenes depicted in the 15 stained glass windows tell the story of mankind from Genesis through to Christ’s resurrection. Fourteen of the windows, depicting episodes from the bible, should be read from left to right, from the bottom upwards.

Many, if not all, of civilization could not read and the stories of the bible were taught by pictures. You could literally read the bible by looking at these beautiful stained glass windows.

The Western Rose (the round window) illustrates the prophetic Apocalypse of St. John, symbolically represented opposite the Passion of Christ in the choir’s central stained glass window. In the center of the rose, Christ returns in glory at the end of Time to judge the dead and the living.

Musee d’Orsay

April 5, 2016ccourington1 Comment

The center of the Museum which had five floors of beautiful art. The building was originally a railway station built for the World Fair of 1900 and housed a luxurious hotel and a grand reception room, but with the modernization of travel the station was gradually abandoned. In 1977 the French Government transformed it into the Musee d’Orsay

This is a huge clock work that had a glass front so that you could see through the clock onto the city of Paris.

One of my favorite finds in the very top floor of the musuem.

Paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photography, drawings….

So many pieces of art that I was so excited to see. No way could you see everything in one day. I took the map and literally ran from exhibit to exhibit trying to see all of my favorites. I think I failed! – no way to get them all.

Van Gogh – Monet – Degas – Gauguin – Signac – Cezanne -Renoir just to name a few!

The Musee d’Orsay presents art in all its diversity covering the evolution of the western world art from 1848-1914

A Parisienne Adventure

March 24, 2016April 5, 2016ccourington1 Comment

What a day what a day! At least we started with a good nights sleep, a great cup of French coffee and first time in Paris excitement. So much history to see. But the adventure was the subway! So many different lines and stops and keeping it all straight, thank goodness for Tom, our tour guide. He even planned for contingency. You literally had to run, jump, push, and pull to secure your place on each car. But who knew some took that so literal, we were boarding yet another car when a fight broke out, a real blood beating, fist punching, foot kicking fight. Of the 28 travelers in our group it was obvious that we couldn’t stay together at all times. Boarding the subway cars in such a hurry we had to divide and conquer to all get on in the split seconds that you have to board. I personally did not witness the chaos but fellow travelers related the incidenct to the rest of us. It seems a disagreement broke out between three gentlemen in the car as the door opened and our group was boarding, one gentleman (I use that loosely) pushed the other out of the car as the doors were closing. Thereby preventing a couple of our group from getting on board. One passenger, possibly one involved, pushed the emergency button stopping the train suddenly. Let me clarify, stopping the train very suddenly! Physics came into play as the train was traveling in one direction and then suddenly stops put the many bodies on that train continue to travel in the previous direction. One traveler from our group was holding the pole as we suddenly stopped and she decided to entertain everyone as she did a very artistic rendition of a pole dance all the way around the pole! As the cops escorted the fighters off we were once again on our way to see the sights of Paris.

Back on the subway we headed back to the hotel, backtracking our previous routes with two stops on the green line and then five stops on the yellow line. Like I said earlier it was a good thing our guide went everywhere with us. As we stepped off the train to change lines again the strangest looks are received as the doors shut and three fellow travelers are still on the car. At least they were together and we had previously said if this should ever happen to go to the next stop. That was fine except we weren’t going to the next stop we were changing lines! Tom, our fearless guide, made sure the remaining group was secure and told us to stay put. He then got on the next train and caught up with our runaways. They had to catch another train running in the opposite direction to make their way back to us.

Finally we made it to the Louve to only wait in more..long…lines. 28 of us mixed and mingled as we made our way to the ticket counter. While in line we were witness to a shoplifter. The little guy brazenly picked up perfume from La’Occidental and put it in his back pack, another woman brought him yet another stolen package and he hid it in the pack. We stood there and watched in amazement at the bold brazen acts that were being carried out in front of us. After the shock wore off the law enforcement backgrounds of some of our group kicked in and two of the guys in the group apprehended and held the culprit until security could step in. When the heroes returned to the line we broke out in applause. Even waiting in lines are an adventure for our group.

Paris, France

March 24, 2016April 5, 2016ccouringtonLeave a comment

France was amazing!

Notre Dame

The streets of Paris

Paris in three days…is virtually impossible. We started from the Little Rock airport at 10AM and arrived in Paris at 9AM the following morning. Time changes and turbulent flights led to NO sleep. Once in Paris we hit the streets running. Notre Dame and the Museam de’Orsay were stops along the way. Seeing works of arts by Monet, Rembrandt, Toulouse-Lattrece and many more was a bucket list checker for sure. 30 plus hours and more than 6 miles logged in steps we were quickly draining any energy that the excitement might have produced. I believe that we could have been given a cardboard box to sleep in and would have slept just as well.

Rejuvenated and refreshed we met for a European breakfast of espresso and croissants. Boarded the bus and began a city tour of Paris. So much history and interesting stories to be seen and heard. After many years of traveling I can finally say that I have seen the Eiffel Tower, and will go up in it later. Morning bus tour along the Seine and of Ile de la Cite’, where we saw the Notre Dame Catherdal and passed the Arc de Triomphe, We traveled down the Champs-Elysses to the Place de la Concorde, dedicated to King Louis XV. We visited the site where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed during the French Revelotion.

The Eiffel Tower – Check off the bucket list

Image March 24, 2016April 3, 2016ccouringtonLeave a comment

I’ve seen hundreds of photos of the Eiffel Tower, in fact it is such an iconic symbol of Paris, that it is recognised world wide. But seeing it in person is awe inspiring. The shear massiveness of it is overwhelming. With the recent terrorist attacks the lights of the tower were representative of the Belgium flag. Security was heightened and the general atmosphere was security minded.

There are three levels of the tower. Ground, second and summit. Going up was pretty easy and fast. Once at the top the wind was powerful and pretty cold but there were so many people up there that movement was limited and slow. Step by step we made our way around the top seeing Paris in all directions and snapping photos along the way. Little did we know that the line to descend the tower was wrapped around the top three times and wound zigzagging forever. It took approximately 5-10 minutes to make it to the top but it took 45 minutes to get back down. Strange facts about the tower is that it was built in 1886 as a temporary structure for the World’s Fair. There is an apartment on the top floor. And several kings and queens from around the world were among the first visitors.

If ever in Paris you must visit the Eiffel Tower and if possible do it twice, once in the day and once at night.

Beginning the Journey

March 19, 2016ccouringtonLeave a comment

Waiting in Atlanta to board our International Flight to Amsterdam and then on to Paris🇫🇷

In all my travels I have never visited Paris and am so excited to explore this city.

We have a full agenda and will be visiting many places.

Stay tuned and I will attempt to publish as often as I can along the way.

Addictions

November 4, 2015ccouringtonLeave a comment

My name is Cindy and I am addicted to photography. When I got home and started downloading my photos I was shocked at how many photos I had on my computer. Are you ready for this….37,980 photos….that is ridiculous. I am now looking for software or applications that can help me manage this…..addiction.

But besides that, we have unpacked, laundry done, and photos downloaded. I’m ready to go again. I hope to get more photos on the blog soon. Soon as I can figure out how to manage them.

Leaving Vegas

October 31, 2015ccourington1 Comment

Vegas was a blast, there was so much to do and see that we have already decided we have to go back.
We left out and headed north, through Utah. We made stops along the way but we were accompanied by rain the whole way. Zion National Park was out first stop.

We then headed toward Bryce Canyon not sure how far in we would be able to go. We made it to Red Canyon and decided due to the rain to not go any further in that direction since it was out of the way and get back on the planned route.

We drove all day. I did take a few pictures out the window as we went. The sun set around 6:30 and we were still a ways from Grand Junction, our planned destination. We pressed on but I gave Greg a hard time about all the pretty scenery and landscapes that I was sure was out there in the pitch dark. We stopped at a truck stop (see a pattern here? we know where the good food is) West Winds in Green River, Utah. Service was spot on, she almost sat down and talked to us while we ate. Not much business in Green River at 7:30 at night.

We crossed the Colorado state line at 8:30 and finally made it to Grand Junction and to the Grand Vista Inn at 9:30. I have tried to stay away from chain restaurants and hotels. I wanted to be able to experience down home America from the home town point of view. Grand Vista was a very good find. Clean, quiet and comfortable . My must haves in a hotel. Exhausted we crashed and crashed hard. But only for a short time, because Greg wanted to get on the road early to get to Colorado Springs with the intention of riding the Train to Pike’s Peak.

6 AM came early and it was still sprinkling. This could make for another Fun day.

We traveled up the road to Parachute, Colorado before we stopped for breakfast. Guess where? A truck stop! The resturant was Shommy’s not to be confused with Shoney’s. But it was a very good home made breakfast with wonderful coffee and a view too.

According to the waitress the first snow fall of the season occurred last night and was dusting the trees and covered the tops of the mountains. It was beautiful.

The further north we went the more covered everything was and the temp kept dropping. At one point in the mountains it was 28 degrees and snow was everywhere. I took as many pictures as I could without totally freezing us out because I had to roll down the window. The speed limit is 80 mph! I think this is too fast, especially on winding roads and rain. And when you are hanging out the window trying to take pictures , it’s kind of scarey. We did make a couple of stops along the way and I was really able to get some good pictures.

One of the problems with not making reservations and plans to far in advance is that you may not get to do what you want. We were disappointed that the train was sold out but it was raining so it may have been a blessing. Not to be detoured we still headed to Colorado Springs. Due to the snow, rain and heavy fog we didn’t get to do Pike’s Peak but we did go to the Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls. Both are not as well known as Pike’s Peak but equally worth the visit. The sun tried to peak out a couple of times while we were at the Garden, warming us up a bit as we walked through it. Jackets and hats were definitely needed.

We have relied heavily on the GPS and this time we put the destination of home in. So far we have traveled 2594 miles and we have a way to go to get home. After the all day trip until 9:30 last night we both promised each other to stop driving when it started getting dark.

Dusk found us in Limon, Colorado so that is where we stopped. I have used the app Hotels.com to find and book rooms as we go. This has proved to be very useful. I also had internet connected for one month in my jeep so I could use my laptop and ipad on the road. So I picked what was available and went with Limon Comfort Inn. Very pleased – quiet, clean, and very comfortable.

Checked in and hungry, we set out to find a good place to eat. Greg found a local dive that had rave reviews. Southside Food and Drink. We fell in love with this place, the people and atmosphere was great. It was packed, so oviously the locals love it too. The food and drinks were very good. The people that sat around us were friendly, with lively conversations. If you ever find yourself in Limon, Colorado go down Main Street and find Southside.

Hoover Dam

October 29, 2015ccouringtonLeave a comment

If you know me, you know how I’m NOT a morning person. The alarm sounded at 6 AM so we could see the Dam! Our tour with the Pink Jeep Tours began at 7:15. We traveled out to Hoover Dam

So much history to be learned here. The enginering feats accomplished is pretty amazing and to remember that this occurred 90 years ago.

Turbines

Lake Mead

Memorials and Monuments

Our tour guide explained that only 90 men are listed as officially killed on the job. Although he said hundreds died due to injuries and accidents on the job. If they were carried away in an ambulance or succumbed to their injuries later they were not listed as a death associated with the dam therefore not receiving any benefits from the companies. Because of this, many workers injured knew that if they left the site their family members would not receive any benefits or help from the company, leaving their coworkers to insure it was an official death.

The men that worked on the dam did so for two years straight with no days off. This was during the depression and so many were without jobs and no way to support their familes. Working on the dam, although dangerous and back breaking, paid double what most could find during this time. The men, away from the homes and loved ones adopted a puppy that came up to the work site. He became the Dam Mascot and was cared and loved by all the construction workers. When he was accidently killed they men made him a grave that same day.

Much sweet and tears were put into creating and building the dam. A dam to provide water and power to the West.