Back in Paris

We've arrived back in Paris and are fighting jet lag. We are also sorting through hundreds of photos to select the stories and images that most capture our wonderful trip in the American West. Thank you for your patience!

On the road again

After a short stay in Denver, Patrice and I are on the road again. This time, our itinerary includes Cody, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, Seattle and Portland.

I'll be posting along the way if and when I find a reliable internet connection.

Thanks for following!

Angel's Landing

We are in Zion National Park in southern Utah. It's hot! Almost 100 degrees F, (37C), and we are taking some incredible hikes.

Today, we took the famous hike to Angel's Landing - so named because "only an angel could land on it." The route gains 1,500 feet of elevation in 2.5 miles and is characterized by steep drop offs - here is a poster warning of the danger. Six people have died here!


The view from below


It requires great physical stamina and is not recommended for those who have a fear of heights. In fact, neither Nathalie nor I made it all the way to the top - we stopped before the end of the trail when it gets very narrow and steep. The path is less than 1 meter wide in places.



There is a chain to hold on to, but it's still pretty scary --


especially since the path includes sheer cliffs on both sides. Here's what it looks like if you look down. See the small shuttle buses in the upper right corner of the picture?


I was very proud of Patrice who made it all the way to the top - shortly after his 67th birthday. "It's amazing what falling in love with a Colorado girl will do - I'd follow her anywhere." he said.

And here is a picture of a very happy Patrice with his souvenir pin that says: "I climbed Angel's Landing"

The West

We're enjoying the wide open spaces of Colorado and Arizona. Here are a few photos from the last few days . . .

The Great Sand Dunes in southern Colorado


With some impressive deer


Mesa Verde cliff dwellings in SW Colorado


Monument Valley - just like in the western movies



Sharing the narrow Kaibab trail with mules in the Grand Canyon


We're not in Paris anymore!

Traveling in the USA

Dear friends,
I am currently traveling in the USA. I've been enjoying the role of tour guide while I show my French friends Philippe and Nathalie and, of course, Patrice, the southwest US. We have spent several days in Colorado before leaving for the Grand Canyon. I've been taking lots of photos, but haven't stopped anywhere long enough to process and post. I've also been challenged with extremely slow or nonexistent internet access. In fact, we are in such remote areas, that I don't even have cell phone coverage!

I hope to post some good pictures before the trip is over. Thanks for checking in.

Moving day (part 2)

The last step in the move was to pack my drum.


It now hangs in a place of honor in our apartment.


p.s. After two sunny days, the rain and cool temperatures have again taken over in Paris. We're looking forward to sunny skies in Colorado this weekend.

Moving day

Yay! The sun came out and the weather was beautiful today.

However, we didn't really get to enjoy the outdoors because we had a busy day with my final move from the 15th arrondissement to the 12th arrondissement.

The move came about fairly suddenly when I received a call from the owners of my apartment, René and Sophie. They have found a new tenant who wants to move into the apartment on the first of September. My lease originally extended to the first of October - but as both René and Sophie and Patrice and I are leaving town this week - I needed to vacate the apartment sooner than anticipated - but I saved a month's rent by doing so.


So that does it. I no longer have an apartment in the 15th, and I am officially living with Patrice in the 12th. And we're very happy.