Westward, ho!

By the time many of you read this, I’ll be in my van on the road to Wyoming.  So it’s the start of a three-week blogging break for me.  Our internet connection at 7,000′ is quite slow, which is fine, as I’ll be spending my time riding, reading, hiking, and relaxing.  My parents will also be visiting for about a week, although unfortunately, my husband can’t make it. But I imagine I’ll be popping in to Instagram from time to time.  In the meantime, have a wonderful time wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.  When I get back, I’ll have lots of information and photos for posts, although I haven’t finished with France yet.  Isn’t travel grand?  Blessings to all of you and I’ll be back soon.

Headed toward this view…

St. Michael Collegiate Church, Lautenbach, France

Just as Moses came down from the mountain, so did we (although not with any commandments), following a winding road that looked inviting.  As I previously mentioned, just as we were ready to turn around, we spotted a sign for “Lautenbach.”  As that’s the maiden name of my s-i-l (the one married to my brother, not the one I was visiting), I asked to stop so I could take a photo of the sign.  Then we spotted an attractive church steeple and another beautiful detour was begun.

Lautenbach is a very German name but this part of France, the Alsace, has been part of Germany more than once.  The town is beautiful and in the center is St. Michael Collegiate Church.  Although the church looks old, as tourisme-alsace.com says:

“The former collegiate church of Saint Michael-and-Gangolphe underwent many transformations over the centuries. The nave probably dates from the 11th century, the transept, the choir and the flat chevet from the 12th century. Its vaulted porch is one of the finest in the region. The building is, however, completely restored in 1859. Decorations and additions, such as the towers, implemented by the architect of the 19th century, are questionable although they do not alter the overall aesthetic. Guided tours for groups all year round on appointment at the Guebwiller Tourism Office.”

No matter when it was built or that is was restored, it’s beautiful and worth a visit.  The pipe organ has been classified as a historic monument.  Let me share a few photos and let you decide.

A honey of a view

Finally!  It’s lunch time.  We’ll eat at Chalet-hôtel du Grand Ballon, (you can view this in English by clicking the box on the upper right), but first we have to make a stop at the Famille Riche store, filled aromatically and beautifully with all things honey-related.  The family raises the bees, using the honey in a variety of products.  My s-i-l gifted me with a jar of honey, almonds in honey, and a beeswax Christmas candle.  I bought several trios of honey-based soaps as gifts. If you have a minute, take a look at their website.  You’ll find beautiful things.  The almonds in honey taste wonderful on chèvre or foie gras.  You can take my word on that!  🙂

Friday Flowers…climbing roses

2017 was a good year for roses. Climbing roses were everywhere, some climbing two stories.  They were gorgeous!  This spray was somewhat smaller, but it was beautiful and in a place where we could stop so I could get a photo.  🙂

Thursday Doors…arches in the Alsace

We wandered down from the mountains and just as we were ready to turn around, we came upon a sign the caught my attention because its name, Lautenbach, was the same as the maiden name of my s-i-l in Arizona.  After a stop to take a photo of the sign, we ventured into the town, which turned out to be a small jewel.  But this is Thursday Doors, so let’s take a look at a few doors I sighted while near the church (upcoming post).  Arches were in force here, just as they are in the Franche-Comté, and I know many of you love arches.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Satisfaction…road trip sunset

 

Happy Wednesday, the last Wednesday, if you can believe it, of July.  Where’s the summer gone?  But no matter how fast it goes by, each Wednesday brings a new Photo Challenge theme and today that’s “Satisfaction.” I guess that means we can get some satisfaction, right?  🙂

I love road trips, nature, and beauty, so a combination of all three gives me a great deal of satisfaction.  This South Dakota sunset was so beautiful that I pulled off the highway and took some photos, not content so simply see it in my rearview mirror!

11:35 am EST, Wednesday, July 26…Can anyone else see comments or pingbacks from the Photo Challenge?  I tried two browsers and I’m not seeing anyone’s entries, including my own.

 

The sky is grey and white and cloudy.

We’d dried off a bit, had our cafè to warm us, and were off exploring.  Flying under the radar clouds, we absorbed quite a lot of beauty before stopping for lunch.  As we drove, the clouds began to lift, allowing us better views of this stunning area covered with wildflowers.