Le Mont St. Michel: The Giant Hamster Wheel

I had been wondering, as I wandered through St Michel, how in the world they managed to get all that stone up the hill.

The answer was a giant hamster wheel.   The ropes in the photo were perhaps 2" in diameter.  And the wheel was 12-16' in diameter.

Here, slaves, prisoners or monks would walk to bring up supplies and building materials via the ropes.

And, I thought I had a bad job!!

Le Mont. St. Michel: A Corridor

It is difficult to fathom how many thousands of people have walked these halls over a thousand years.

Christmas Eve: 2018

My sincere hope is that all have had a wonderful 2018.   And that tonight, you can go to bed, rest, and be thankful for what you have.

Keep safe and warm.

And enjoy those around you.

Le Mont St. Michel: The Interior

Arched wooden ceilings!

I am amazed at how all the stone was moved to the top.

Le Mont St Michel: The Top

At the top.

I am uncertain when this was completed.   But, I know it was started in the 8th century as a monastery.  It was so well positioned from a military perspective, that even during the 100 years war, a small garrison held off a full attack by the British in 1433.  The tide would wash away and drown soldiers in the tidal flats.

Louis XI turned it into a prison.    I don't think anyone ever escaped.  Although, I wonder if the escape were timed to hit at low tide, a person should be able to make it!  Assuming, of course, they weren't caught in the mud!
 

Le Mont St Michel: A View from near the Top

One can see the tidal flats

Le Mont St Michel: Well, Hello There

I met this when rounding a corner on a circular stairway!

How in the heck could anyone move and fight in that!

Le Mont St. Michel: The Rooftop Perspective

There were a number of small circular stairways that left the small path.   Using them, one you get to the top a bit quicker.  But, it was a steep and very narrow climb walkway!

This wall was over 40' high.  It was mammoth!   Amazing!  I can't imagine the engineering efforts and manual labor it took, much less the years, to construct this!

Le Mont St Michel: Narrow Streets!

Three things to know about the streets on Mont St. Michel.

They are very narrow.  No cars are permitted.

There isn't a flat spot anywhere.   It is all uphill..or downhill.

And, it is crowded!~

The Cows of Le Mont St Michel

I wasn't really expecting to see these.   But, to be fair, they weren't exactly in (or on, as the case may be) Mont St. Michel.  They were in the small town where you had to park before you could take the bus to St. Michel.

This would have been something I would see in St. Paul.

But fun!

Le Mont St. Michel: My first view

It was a cloudy and drizzling day as we drove to Mont St. Michel.   I wasn't sure what to expect.

Then, in the distance, I saw it.

Returning from the American Cemetery in Omaha Beach

It is hard to be giggling and fun after seeing the American Cemetery.

The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach

It is a sacred place.  Quiet.

I didn't know what the monument was or the names on the wall.

They list the names of the missing.   They list the names of those who landed ashore, parachuted in, and were never found.

No words to say.   Just stand in silence and not forget them.

Touring the American Cemetary in Normandy

It was a honor to walk with this man for a while.

He had friends to visit.

Omaha Beach

I was very disappointed with seeing Omaha Beach.   Besides a small memorial, near an ice cream stand and a restaurant/bar, there was not much recall what went on here 74 years ago. 

I found this memorial moving.   But, believed this ground to be hallowed.   It deserves more than what is there.

Even the beach has been sanitized with a wall. 

Pointe du Hoc

This was another place I needed to see.  On this site, 225 US Army rangers climbed a 100 meter hill, in the face of rifle and machine gun fire as well as hand grenades being thrown down from the cliffs.

The objective was to capture huge artillery pieces the Germans had placed at the top of the cliff.   A lot of men died that day...and there were no guns.  The Germans had moved them back.

This was the first time I had walked into a German pillbox.  I can't image the bravery of the Rangers climbing that hill.

The grounds were covered with huge holes where the ships had shelled the Germans.  Now, they were filled in with weeds.  But, you could clearly see where the shells had landed.   I don't think I would have wanted to be sitting in a pillbox with those shells raining down on me!

Thanksgiving Day 2018

I am traveling and don't have much for a traditional Thanksgiving Day post.  But perhaps for some, a Canadian Goose may serve in lieu of a turkey.

There was a bald eagle watching 1,000's of geese come in and land just across the river.    I suspect he had a great Thanksgiving dinner.

Sainte-Mère-Église: John Steele

This was one of the spots I wanted to see.   As we walked back to the town, I caught a glimpse of the parachute hanging from the church.

I can't imagine what John Steele thought as he hung there watching the battle below.

John Steele survived the war and visited Sainte-Mère-Église a few times over his life.   Damn, I wish I could have met him.

Sainte-Mère-Église: Re-enactors: 2

In the town square, just across the street from the church where John Steele's parachute was caught on the church steeple during D-Day.

It was wonderful seeing so many uniforms.  People were paying their respects to the greatest generation that ever lived.

Paratroopers

It was amazing watching them jump.

When they landed, they just gathered up their gear and walked back.   I can't imagine what it must have been like jumping in the night with Germans shooting at you.

Sainte-Mère-Église: Re-enactors

A few more re-enactors watching the parachute drops.   I am not certain the glasses were original.  But, I liked the rest of the look!

And, I liked this guy's look quite a lot.  I could see some Army captain from Dallas or Wichita in his face.

Veterans Day; Richard Keith Sorenson and the Medal of Honor

I know I am a bit late with this post.  But, I had to wait for the dedication of the Veterans Park not far from where I live.

I did not realize that Anoka is home of a Medal of Honor recipient.

Richard Keith Sorenson threw himself on a hand-grenade and saved the lives of 5 other Marines during the battle for Namur Island, in the South Pacific, during WWII.

Every one graduating from Anoka High School should know his name and his story.

It was a cold day.   I was honored to be there.

All gave some.   Some gave all.