Patty already reported this, but I’ll add my two cents worth.

First, though, thanks to Patty for setting this up and posting text and photos on a regular basis. She’s better than I am at this, especially at grabbing those spontaneous family photos that I seem to overlook. I do have some — actually quite a few — but it will be a while before I post them here. (I have another trip in just a few days, this time my annual trip into the Sierra backcountry with a group of fellow photographers.)

We had a great trip, saw a lot of things, some familiar and many new, and would (and will!) do it again. And we still like the idea of traveling relatively light. (Other than the opera performances in Bayreuth*, we have no problem limiting ourselves to carry-on luggage for a trip of this length… and I think both of us have some ideas about how we could lighten out loads further in the future.)

*Greg and Jan deserve major thanks for, among many other things, carrying our dress clothes — more or less required for the Bayreuth Festival — to and around Europe, thus keeping our loads smaller than they would otherwise have been.

Our return trip made for a very long day. Late yesterday afternoon I went to the grocery store to pick up a few basics. As I shopped it occurred to me how wild and unbelievable it was that earlier that day I had been in Paris…

We’ll both write more and share additional photographs later on. Today we’re recovering from jet lag, catching up on various bits of business that we couldn’t deal with while traveling, and getting ourselves back into the swing of “regular life.”

What wonderful memories of the time we spent together. (Thanks for the image, Dan!)

I forgot to post when we arrived home, but here we are! Now back to work: I start opera rehearsals Tuesday night, and teaching Thursday.

Someone has to do it. I guess.

I will write a longer post with thoughts and, perhaps, a few photos when I find the time.

Today we had to say goodbye to the remaining people at “our” French house, aside from Carolyn, who flies home with us. Oh how I will miss everyone! This has been an amazing trip, and I really could have done an even longer one. But work calls … at least for some of us.

After our goodbyes Dan, Carolyn and I headed for the airport to return the car. We then took the train back to Paris, climbed the stairs to Sacre Coeur, and then walked to the Tuileries. I suspect the walk was too long, but I enjoyed it.

We are now back at the Holiday Inn Express. Tomorrow begins bright and early. We had hoped to move up to business class, but it is clear we aren’t going to get moved up this time. Ah well … it was worth a try!

Goodnight!

Today was a goodbye day: first to Hendrik and Anna and a short while later Dan an I drove Timothy and Margaret to the train station.

Before that, though, was breakfast, a ping pong competition, a bit of trampoline talent, and more.

Later in the day we took a walk … or perhaps we could even call it a hike? … in the Fontainebleau forest one last time. I will certainly miss this area, and I’m tremendously grateful to Greg for finding this fantastic house!

The walk was followed by pizza dinner, great wines, wonderful desserts, and, best of all, a lovely night with remaining family. I’m so sorry to see this trip come to an end.

Today we were rather slow to get moving: pancakes were enjoyed at about 11:30, with many thanks to Anna!

After that was done some of us walked to Barbizon, where we enjoyed the Millet museum, followed by a pizza lunch and the walk back to the house. It was an incredibly beautiful day!

Margaret took charge of dinner and it was great! (Note to self: lemon zest is super for pasta.) Fun conversation went past midnight. I will be so sad to see this trip end. Tomorrow Timothy, Margaret, Hendrik and Anna leave. The next day the remainder of us depart.

A forty day trip may sound long, but I’d be happy to go for an even longer period of time!

We had a slow morning, and finally headed out to check out an area in the Fontainebleau forest, right near Barbizon: bouldering is quite popular here, so we wanted to at least see one area.

What a wonderful place it was — so very lovely, and we all enjoyed our little trek, aside from Vanessa and Maya, since the stroller couldn’t do the entire, albeit small, climb.

When we returned to our cars we were in for a shock: Greg and Jan’s car window had been broken in to, and Timothy’s wallet stolen, along with a bag of Margaret’s. What a rotten thing to deal with after such a nice time. We waited and waited for the police, but they never did show up. Finally some of us went back home (I had a migraine) and after a LONG time the others managed to get a replacement car an returned. Hertz in France, at least in Fontainbleu, was not great in handling all of this.

The good things to keep in mind: no injuries, no passports lost, and no losses that broke hearts. Whew!

While waiting for those dealing with the car, and after my migraine nap, I enjoyed watching Maya and Carolyn. Normally Maya wants Jan if she chooses someone other than Mama, but now Carolyn was the chosen one.

Avni made a fantastic BBQ dinner, and we survived the stressful day. Family is more important than the stuff, after all!

Today, after a slow moving morning, we drove a Jameson and Meghan to the train station so they could move on to Paris. Then Dan, Carolyn and I went grocery shopping. It was our turn to make dinner. Mission accomplished.

Now I’m too full and very tired.

Having this blog has been fun, but I know without any photos it’s not fun for others. I’ll post some images from the past few days and today in full size because I’m too tired to optimize them. (I think next trip, should we have one, I’ll keep a personal journal instead of this, but we shall see. I’m just not sure this is interesting enough for others!)

2020 Update: more photos and smaller sizes so this now works!

If it’s Tuesday we must have visited the incredible cathedral Chartres. Photos will be posted when I have Wi-Fi.

Tomorrow we have to say goodbye to Jameson and Meghan: we drive them to the train station around noon. I’ll be sad to see them go, but I’m so very glad they were able to join us for a few days!

Another 2020 Update with photos from our day:

Today was spent at a palace. I’d post pictures but internet is still down and I don’t want to mess with my cellular connection for too long.

**2020 Update: NOW I can post photos! Here are some from our day:

Prior to the drive to the amazing palace Meghan, Carolyn, Jameson and I walked 1 1/3 miles to get things for breakfast.

Fontainebleau was rather amazing. I will post pictures when I’m able.

Greg made dinner, and it was wonderful. So was the conversation.

We still have no internet, so I will not be posting photos for now. (Well, this is not true any longer!) I’m not sure if anyone is all that interested in any case … I suspect this may be getting ho-hum at this point. I had thought Dan might join in and he’s a much better writer. Turns out he’s keeping his own travel diary.

For now goodnight. I’m beat!