Mont Saint-Michel

We visited Mont Saint-Michel which is a castle/fortress/cathedral that was built in the English Channel. In modern days there has been a dyke built out to the island so that visitors can easily reach the castle.

This is one of our first views of the island as we were driving towards it.

St. Michel dates back to the year 708.

It was originally known as Mont Tombe, which literally meant "tomb on a hill".

Legend has it that one night during the year 708, Bishop Aubert was visited by Saint Michael in a dream and was ordered to make the Mont into a shrine to him. Aubert, thinking his imagination had got the better of him, did nothing. The archangle grew impatient with him and, when he appeard for the third time, poked a hole in the disbelieving bishop's skull.

Aubert fulfilled the archangel's wishes and sent messenger to Monte Gargano in Italy. They brought back some sacred relics, including a piece of the red cloak worn by Saint Michael during one of his apparitions and a frangment of the altar where he had placed his foot.

As time went by, the rock became known as Mont Saint-Michel and Aubert sent a handful of men to live there and pray to God and his archangel.

Over the years the existing buildings emerged and became part of Mont Saint-Michel.

Shall we say crowded?
Climbing the many, many stairs to the fortress

Looking out over the English Channel

Yep, we were there!

In the early 15th century the English decided to storm this stronghold (French) that had dared to stand up to them. Because the citadel, defended by its ramparts and protectged by the sea, was impregnable, they laid siege to it to starve it into surrender.
The siege began in 1424 but an expedition of Breton noblemen setting off from St. Malo managed to disperse the English ships. This naval victory meant that the Mont could agian receive provisions by sea. The siege had failed and the citadel had not fallen.

When we were there the tide was out. There were signs posted telling what time the tide was coming in and warning that the cars on the lower level of the parking lots had to be out of there before the tide came in or they would lose their cars. The tide in the bay where the rock stands is among the strongest in the world. The sea comes in over a dozen miles in the space of a few hours, as fast as a horse at full gallop. At times the sea travels under the sand, creating pockets of treacherous quicksand.

We had a great time visiting Mont Saint-Michel--our next stop is Belgium!

Beaches of Normandy

We visited the Beaches of Normandy. We learned a lot of history of World War II. It was a sobering day.

The Memorial for World War I and World War II

We arrived at the Memorial early so that we could avoid the crowds. When we got there groups of men and women were gathering in the plaza in front of the Memorial. They were all wearing yellow
biking uniforms with the words, "Ride for Recovery" on the back. They were all Americans and they were all veterans of either the Iraq or Afghanistan Wars and all had been injured in some way.
These men and women were gathering for a kickoff on a five day bicycle ride through France. They were the only group of riders that were going to be allowed to join the Tour de France for one day. Some of them didn't have any legs and were riding special bicycles that they used their arms to peddle them.

There were many French officials in attendance and they held a kickoff ceremony for the riders.

During the ceremony the American Flag, the French Flag and the British Flags were all raised and the National Anthem was played for each country. It was very touching to us to be standing there on French Soil and hear the National Anthem played and watch the veterans salute the flag.


Inside the memorial. This is a wedding dress made out of the parachute that was used during the invasion.

Bomber plane hanging in memorial

Don in front of World War II jeep

Memorial at Juno Beach

It is hard to imagine that somewhere so peaceful could be the scene of so much destruction.

Omaha Beach -- The Americans landed on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach

Memorial Statue on Omaha Beach

We were impressed that where there was a Jewish Soldier buried, they marked the spot with a Star of David instead of a cross.

There were many crosses for unknown soldiers

Of course, we didn't walk by all of the crosses, but this is the only one we saw that the soldier's home was in Utah. It is interesting that Karen used to work with a Jeff Carter who has a son by the name of William. We wonder if there is a connection.

In this cemetary which are all American soldiers, there are 9,387 headstones. All of these soldiers were killed during the invasion. Many of the killed were returned to the United States to be buried, but these are the ones that the families decided to leave them in France. Of the 9,387 headstones 149 have the Star of David on them. The cemetary covers 172.5 acres. There were also 1,557 Americans recorded as missing in action. There are 41 sets of brothers buried here in this cemetary.

This is the way that soldier marked the spot of a fallen soldier during the invasion so that they could go back and retrieve the body.

This is a statue of Peace that is on the road between Omaha Beach and Utah Beach

Utah Beach

We enjoyed our visit to the Beaches of Normandy. It was a sobering day, but learning more of the history was exciting.

We hope that you enjoyed the pictures

Next stop: St. Michaels (a castle in the English Channel)

France

The best part of being on a temple mission here in Germany is meeting and learning to love the many people that come to the temple. People come from many different countries and it is a challenge to be able to communicate with them. But love speaks loudly and we feel much love and joy as we serve.

As the temple was closed for cleaning from June 28th through July 12th we were again able to travel through some parts of Europe with Ron and Carol Frost.

We went to Paris, France and the following are just a few of the many pictures that we took and we would like to share them with you.

Our Hotel Room had a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower. We were a bit disappointed when we got there because there was scaffolding in front of our window. But we were still able to view Paris and the Eiffel Tower.




This is called The Sacre-Coeur, Montmartre and is located in the part of the city that we stayed in. It is a magnificant builting inside and out.

Hey, check out the shades! Overlooking Paris from the Cathedral grounds.

Eiffel Tower (through the scaffolding) just as it was starting to get dark and the lights had been turned on.

Inside the grounds of the Louve--you enter the Louve through the Pyrmide.

We took an "On, Off Bus" tour around the city. Many of the pictures were taken while we were on the bus.

This is the Seine River.

The Moulin Rouge--it was just through the block from our Hotel

Of course, we stayed outside, but everyone has to have a picture of this place.

Our hotel was in a great neighborhood--the neighborhood of the Moulin Rouge wasn't so great!

Yeah! The scaffolding was removed--we had a great view of the city and the tower.

Notre Dame--it was beautiful inside--unfortunately we couldn't take pictures, but we enjoyed our visit.

This is the Louve on the day we visited it. The lines were very long, but it was worth the wait.

Okay, this looks kind of like a parking lot--but it isn't. howAll of those vehicles are trying to move. Here in Germany we call it Stau--or Traffic Jam. It was amazing to us how everyone eventually got through without even a scratch on their vehicles.

More Stau

The Arc de Triomphe

It was amazing. And there was more traffic around it in the round-about that
goes around it than we have ever seen. Amazing!

Yep! We were there! It looks like the road under the tower, but it actually goes around it.

Did you ever wonder how people moved big furniture into apartments in high rises, when there are narrow halls. Well, we found out. However, we didn't get to stay and see how they turned this item around to get it through the window.

More of Paris

On the bus--enjoying the trip!

One of the really nice things about our trip, is that everwhere we went we met people that we already knew through the temple. This is Carma and Jean Claude Volnet, who live in Paris and they invited us to dine with them. It was a fantastic meal and a wonderful evening. What Great People!

Clowning around at the Wax Museum

Hey, George!

Who is she?

He's smiling at me--he likes me!

Dance with me?

Don finally gets to meet Obama!

Never thought I would get the chance to steal the ball!

Whoa, he is tall! Who is he?

Laurel and Hardy--who is their new sidekick?

Don't know who this is, but this picture is for Cynthia!

Enjoying a concert!

Royalty--giving a High Five!

My Mime

Church across the street from our Hotel.

We left Paris and Thursday. We had a great time in Paris. Fantastic City.

New stop: Beaches of Normandy!

Hope you enjoyed
a little bit of Paris