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.