Being so near to the historical sites of World War II drove Martha and I to catch a train to the ancient city of Chartres and rent a car to visit the Beaches of Normandy.
Sometimes we say at the hospital, "you can't make this stuff up!" The same things happen when you travel.
Our train got into Chartres at 1130 yet the Hertz rental shop closes for 2 hours at noon. Luckily, a kindly gentleman found a map of Hertz's location on his smartphone, and sent me on my way at a fast clip zigzagging through streets like the one above. Merci beaucoup, monsieur! (Hey Mary K., Bro. Filliatraut's first year French is paying off.)
After collecting directions from others, I ran the last few blocks to the shop only to see people scurrying out of Hertz. I asked one lad on his bike to help get the car and he only pedaled harder. My last chance was just inside, but he would hear nothing of my plea and locked the door, jumped into his running car and sped away, also. I guess Martha and I will get to discover the essence of Chartres and its dominating cathedral after all.
Eventually, we figured out the road signs, endless roundabouts, disappearing directions and the language to safely make it to Bayeux for the night. We finished off a lovely dinner with calvados and cafe au lait.
We had beautiful weather to view the historic sites on the beaches of Normandy. Much better than June 6, 1944 when the British, American and Canadian troops stormed ashore in rain; just days before a devastating 3-day storm washed over the forces. This beach at Arromanches was where the British established the world's first pre-fab harbor.
You can still see some of the caissons and sunken ships used as breakwaters and parts of the temporary harbor. Because of the successful establishment and support of this one harbor, it is believed this turned the European front in favor of the Allied forces.
Next we made it through some narrow village roads to find Omaha Beach, one of the two American landing sites, and one of the deadliest efforts in the war. The American Cemetery is built just above Omaha Beach and is such a powerful tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
As we walked among the headstones we thought of how our fathers, Piatt Hart Bliss and Thomas Albert Kerns (both now deceased), served during the war; we thought of the sacrifices they, their friends and all the young families made during this time. We each left wishing we could have told our father about our trip here and all the incredible sights we are seeing.
After such a moving morning, we sought a change of scenery and arrived at Mont St. Michel, a place that has intrigued me since I first read about it in National Geographic as a boy!
And it's just as mystical and mysterious as I recalled!
They tried to keep Martha out, but we convinced the monks she would behave herself, this time!
The Chapel of Michael the Archangel, who inspired the building of this abbey in 709 AD.
The challenge of building this village and abbey on such a remote rock didn't escape us. Especially when the inhabitants have to live with amazingly fast moving tides. Just notice the water lines in the parking lot.
Despite repeated overhead warnings, three cars had to drive through the bumper-deep rushing tides to safety.
These parking lots went from dry to submerged in less than 20 minutes! And it didn't stop there. Within an hour the visitor entrance ramp was completely covered and the tide was washing about 10 feet into the entrance door!
After that excitement of watching the car escape, we had dinner on the rock. Neither the waiter nor I could translate to each other what was included in the traditional Normandy stew. He was saying "ribs" and I confirmed ribs by pantomiming his words. He nodded happily and Martha ordered it.
As the dish was served, it landed in my setting by mistake and never moved. The smelly dish turned out to be intestines with all the fat left on. I let Martha have my pork and learned that if I gagged and snapped my head back, I could eat most of the intestines! I guess I took one for the team on this one. (Note from Martha: "Boy, did he! I practically gagged just smelling and looking at it. Thirty years of marriage and he's still my Prince Charming!)
The 1 and 1/2 mile walk back to town in the dark was a refreshing end to a jam-packed emotional day!
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