This is our group getting on the metro in Paris with our bikes. We loaded them on the metro then toured around the city and palace of Versailles. This was the worst part of the day, but it was all uphill from here, literally.
Jessie and I know how to dress for a bike tour, right?
The line of our tour riding in the streets. Yes mom, I'm riding and taking pictures. I think in this shot we are leaving the city and entering the grounds.
This is the first part of our tour up the tree-lined path. And because everybody reading this loves me and expects it, i'll do some bragging and say that i was the first one (minus the guide) to the end of the path. Later i would also be the first one up the hill to the palace, by a wide margin. ( i can't take all the credit for my biking success, I owe some to Sam for forcing me to bike up hill) Oh and i totally beat that little boy too! Not many others did as he was surprisingly fast.
Jessie riding next to me.
A weird shot of me on a bike. I blame Jessie, the photographer, as we were stationary at the time.
The entrance into Marie Antoinette's Village. Apparently she wanted to reconnect with nature after the birth of one of her kids so she had this village built. It had a vineyard, farming fields and barns full of animals so she could have fresh eggs and milk.
One of her buildings that was by the moat that surrounded her area. She also built a theater in her compound.
A thatch roofed building bordering her village.
Another building. And in the foreground, right behind that little bike path was the moat and then trees that should have hid her walled village.
Another thatched roof place that might have been connected to her barn.
A look at the canals right behind the Palace. Boats were being rowed on the water in the distance. The canals were to help connect the Palace with Marie Antoinette's place and were incredible long.
The ridiculous amounts of people who are just chilling in front of the place. Some are picnicking or enjoying the escape from Paris.
A shot of the Palace from the back. I'm standing next to the canals and people kept walking right into my shot. Blame them not me.
The front view of the Palace. IT was the best I could get considering all the people around. I might have a better shot, but i'll have to try and find it later.
Two shots from the inside showing the backyard gardens.
A beautiful door that I thought would be a good starting point to show the wealth Versailles. It is gold decorated and surrounded by marble. The whole place has ridiculous amounts of rare and expensive resources.
A very detailed golden part of the ceiling. I don't know the exact term, but its the corner region of the room where the walls and ceiling collide. Every room had intricate gold carvings similar to this in all four corners.
Who doesn't need a great gold trimmed fireplace? And those logs are like my size!
These paintings are excellent because they show the whole landscape of Versailles. I tried to get a good picture of everything, but then decided these pictures might be the way to go.
The splendor of the Royals was all over. I can't find the picture of the Hall of Mirrors right now, but it is full of chandeliers like this every five steps or so and lined along one long mirrored room overlooking the gardens.
The Bike Tour was last Sunday. I'll hopefully be uploading my pictures of this weekend before next weekend. And leaving more commentary, because I had lots of thoughts before i started uploading pictures, but have now forgot them.
And for my thoughts about all you back in the states:
Jessi I hope your little mole and back are doing good. I thought only good thoughts for you.
Best wishes for Grace and her exciting news!
AND Congrats to Meli and Jose all the way up in Seattle on their engagement!!!
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