Rennes, France

I recently returned from a conference in St. Malo, France. I made a couple of side trips along the way. These are a few pics from Rennes, which was my first and last destination..

La Vilaine River...

I was looking for a park and came across this house. Like a lot of cities, Rennes is pretty densely packed so this seemed like an oasis of space...

I did find a wonderful park, Thabor, that really helped me get over my jet lag. I was amazed by the intertwining of the branches of this tree...

Connected to the park is a Notre Dame cathedral...

There was a big map of the park outside of the cathedral that helped me to find the formal gardens...

There was a guitar player near the lower entrance of the park. He wasn't half bad...

On my way back to the hotel, I discovered an art deco swimming pool. I understood just enough French to know that a few natives thought it odd that I was taking pictures of a public pool building...

This is a small park area not far from the river...

Strolling around another part of the city, I came across Place de la Republique. A couple of moments after taking this picture, I saw a man relieving himself on those plants...

A bit to the north, Place de la Maine...

The city has a few wood framed houses. This one was in pretty good shape...

The Mordelaises Ports, built in 1440, served as the principal entries to the town during the Middle Ages...

These wood framed houses were in really good shape...

And across the street a large square where open air markets are often held...

Long street or trick of the camera? 

It was actually pretty easy to walk around the city. Nothing was very far. Something seems a little off with these wood framed houses...

This is the Parliament of Brittany...

Uh oh, someone lost a shoe...

Amazing how many stones there are everywhere...

I had a bit of time in Rennes at the end of my trip too and the sun made an appearance...

After a crazy tourist filled visit to Mont Saint Michel and before I needed to pack to return home, I spent some time reading under this tree...

Images from St. Malo and Mont Saint Michel to follow.

Old Writings

I found these among some old papers. I think they are from the sixth grade...

Get Lost (a true story)
My dad, my brothers, and I were walking in a corn field. I was ahead of everyone and I didn't hear them when they turned. I went straight. When I turned around they were gone. I could barely see over the corn.  All I could see was the road and more corn. I knew I shouldn't go to the road. I was lost. I heard the truck start. I thought I was left alone. Then my brother found me. I was relieved.

The Frozen Flame
When I went campin', it got real cold so I built a fire. After a time it got very cold and I couldn't feel the fire's heat so I kept gettin' closer. I still couldn't feel the heat, so I reached out and touched it. Here it was frozen. That's how cold it was.

The Balloon
I was a young, adventurous girl. I loved balloons. I was about to walk in my back door when I saw a huge, rainbow colored hot air balloon. I turned and followed it to an old field. I talked to the man, but he wouldn't let me fly in it.
The next day I went to the field. The balloon was still there. I walked up to it. I really wanted to fly, so I crawled in. I didn't know what a lot of things were. I saw a switch. I didn't know what it was for, but I pulled it. The stove started. Fire arose.
Soon I was up. I could see everything. My house was right down on the corner. I yelled to my father who was on the porch. He didn't hear me. I wanted to see him. That's when I remember that I can't fly. I got really scared. I remembered a person in the movies that flew a balloon. He dropped some bags and moved the strings. I moved the strings and went in the wrong direction. I was headed for a mountain. I was sure to crash. Then I remembered when the guy dropped the bags, he rose. I dropped the bags. I was safe for now.
Soon I was hungry and thirsty and still scared. An hour went by. Another hour went by. It soon would be dark. I could float away; never to be found.
Now it was dark and I was floating. A town went by. Another town past. I was really scared then I realized they would know I was gone and come looking for me. I felt better. Then it started to rain. I felt worse than ever. Then I realized I would drink the rain. I got a big drink.
I was getting tired, so I laid down. I must have slept a long time because when I woke up, I was in my bed with my mom and dad looking over me. I had been rescued.

The Cave
Once there were two ladies who went to an enchanted island. They had many adventures, and one is The Cave.
When they first got there, they met some monkeys. The monkeys entertained them. They swung from the trees and jumped around scratching their heads and sides.
It seemed that Sally and Pam, the ladies, were walking for ever. Finally they reached the other side of the island and found wonderful blue water. They decided to go swimming. Sally went diving down really far and didn't come up. Pam went diving down and found an underground cave. In it she found Sally.
It was a beautiful, crystal cave. It sparkled like a diamond. Its ceiling was made of smooth, clear crystal. You could see the fish and water above.
They found a farm in a far corner of the cave. There were cows and vegetables, so they stayed.

Spring Time at Home

I took a quick trip home last weekend and loved spending some time outside...

Grant likes to do spot check's of uncle Ed's work...

Home in spring...

Yes, I'm about to get wet...

I was told that these are toad tadpoles...

Back at the house, Grant and his dad were playing tag in the back orchard...