Carcassonne and Dordogne

After driving up from Spain, we spent the night in Carcassonne. We arrived at around 9 PM, then headed into the castle walls for dinner. We had some yummy cassoulet, and Orion fell asleep in his car seat, which we had thought to bring with us. Gabe and I traded off watching Orion until 1 AM, exploring the medieval town's outdoor restaurants, ice cream vendors, cobblestone streets, and fairy-tale atmosphere.

The next morning we hopped in the car and explored the French countryside, filled with fields of sunflowers. Here we stopped to take some pictures.

Soon we arrived in Dordogne, where we had rented a house east of Bergerac, and met up with Orion's Grandma Karen, Grandpa Joe, Aunt Mary, and Uncle Rich. The quaint and very pleasant rental house dated from the 17th century, and slept us all very comfortably. The French countryside surrounded us, though there was a bakery 1 km away. The house also had a fabulous pool. The inside of the roof, however, was a popular nightlife spot for a number of least weasels (belettes) who sometimes made a ruckus while we were trying to sleep.

Above is a castle that Orion, Joe, and Dan explored one day, zipping off in Joe's new red sports car.

The outdoor dining table at the Dordogne house, where we passed many a pleasant evening. At night the stars were tremendously bright, and we could see the Milky Way.

Orion still in his pajamas, playing with his bus from Barcelona.

Orion, looking smashing in Grandpa Joe's cap.

One day we explored a garden and neighboring chateau, and finished with ice cream.


We also explored the very impressive castle of Castelnau, complete with a collection of trebuchets.

A visit to Dordogne is not complete without seeing the Paleolithic cave paintings. We couldn't take pictures inside, but here is a shot of the entrance to the Font de Gaume cave, which is filled inside with 15,000-year-old bison paintings. Seeing these was a unique and powerful experience.

One day Orion, Gabe, and Dan spent the day in the tremendously pleasant town of Sarlat, full of cafes and shopping. Orion liked climbing on the sculptures of geese.

Gabe making friends with a local canine.

On our drive back to southern France, Orion, Gabe, and Dan visited Rocamadour, a visually impressive medieval town clinging to the side of a cliff.

Driving North Through the Pyrenees

After a few days in Barcelona, Gabe, Orion, and Dan drove north, through the Pyrenees, into southern France. Here is a photo of Montserrat, the "serrated mountain" outside Barcelona, which is also the site of a Benedictine abbey.

We drove to La Seu D'Urgell, a beautiful town in the isolated Segre valley of the Catalan Pyrenees. Here are photos of the 13th century cloisters, next to the 12th century cathedral of Santa Maria d'Urgell, one of the oldest in Catalonia.

A closeup of the fancifully carved Romanesque pillars of the cloisters.

Driving over a mountain on the border of Andorra and France, we came across a herd of wild horses. It was quite a sight to see them emerge from on one side of the road, then to disappear into the fog on the other side.

A baby horse and his pregnant mama, who is watching us with suspicion.

Dan and O go to Barcelona; Eva goes to the hospital

On the day we were all planning to fly to Europe, Eva was sent to the hospital for monitoring. It was a total surprise; luckily she was not in pain, and the baby was totally fine the whole time. Many friends came to visit, bringing novels, movies, magazines, lunch and treats, and even her lute (It was possible to play until they switched the IV to the other arm. The violin, not to mention the harp, would have been nigh impossible to play there.) France will have to wait another year. 2012, anyone? Mark it on your calendars.


Dan and Orion continued on the planned trip to Catalonia and southern France, and met up with Orion's Uncle Gabe (Dan's brother). Here we are in Barcelona, on the Ramblas. Orion is giving a tip to a "human statue" performer.

Here Orion is playing in a fountain at the end of the Ramblas.


We didn't bring many toys for Orion, so Dan let Orion pick one out from a Barcelona toy store. Here the shopkeeper patiently watches as Orion tries out all the toys. The winner: a yellow and white toy city bus.


Barcelona has a terrific beach, easily accessible by the subway. One evening we visited there with Adam, Maggie, and Silas. Orion delighted in carrying sand from the beach with a small shovel, and throwing it into the water, over and over and over. He also liked to run down the beach, dodging sunbathers and towels, yelling "I don't know this place!"

Zoos: perfect for a 2 year-old

Here are some pictures from the Bronx zoo. Here is a "geen shake" according to Orion. As I write this, Orion comments "Owion see a geen shake at dat zoo!"

Rich, Orion, and I had a lot of fun at the Bronx zoo. Orion mostly got around by traveling on our shoulders. Here is Orion steering his Uncle Rich, a la Ratatouille.

Here we are being regarded out by a rather bored gorilla.


Good thing there is a wire fence between us and this Siberian tiger!


A picture from the Detroit zoo, a rhinoceros seen during our visit to Grandpa Mike and Grandma Pammy.


Grandma Pammy gave Orion an ice cream cone. Happy boy!


And here are Grandma Pammy and Orion, picking raspberries in the backyard of the house where I grew up.


And here we are at a Detroit Tigers baseball game, with Orion checking out the field for the first time. Orion got to ride on a carousel full of tigers, too.