ART

 As we walked the city art was abound.










Everyone was looking for this guy.

 We came across four guys working on a music  video along the seine.

 Near the Eiffel tower was this sculpture which depicted an American bison.

 My favorite sculpture by far was the Hunter and the bear.

 This piece shows the Hunter with the dead cub tied to his waist, being attacked by the mother bear as he stabs her in the neck.
















Sete was anything but Dead.

 At the cemetery diablo watches the living as the pass by to pay their respects.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN PARIS.

 In Paris it appears that smaller is better. 

 Most of these rides would struggle on the back roads of Jackson County.

 Scooters rule and this one was deluxe and ready for anything that mother nature could throw at it.

 When we ventured out of the city to the Flea market we were thankful to find this vender.

 He had a great set up and Susie and I were able to get our fix of white coffee/ cafe con leachea.

 These guys were set up for the night.  We walked by later in the evening and you could see a faint glow of light inside.

 Both Paris and Barcelona were set up well with a city bike program.

Sharp looking old school big wheel bike.  No chain but still some interesting gearing.  It's no bike-o-matic though.

 Susie loved this little flower truck.  It reminded us of a smaller version of the Flower factory wagon in Madison.

 Bike cop at the Eiffel Tower.  She was cute, smiled and appeared to be enjoying her job.

 EV rental for those who don't like to peddle.

 This guy had the best ride in the city.

He was a true engineer.



  I gladly dropped the guy a few euros to help him on his way.












 Great candle illuminated head lights.

PARIS

 It seemed appropriate  that we were came to Paris in the rain.  Thankfully it didn't last long.  After we cleaned up from our flight across the pond Susie and I hit the streets of Paris running. 














Our first stop was a street side cafe with outdoor seating and heater.



A few glasses of wine, a salad for Susie and and avocado with crayfish dish for me, just kinda set the tone for our two week 25th anniversary vacation.  Relax, explore and be happy with the one you love.










We stayed at the  Seventh Art Hotel is a charming parisian hotel between the Place des Vosges and Place de la Bastille.

Located in the Marias district in the 3rd arrondissement, it was centrally located  between Place des Vosges and Place de la Bastille. The Ile Saint Louis served as a major map landmark for me.

 Along with Notre-Dame on the Ile de la Cité, along the Seine.







So, here's a couple of shots from our balcony window both up and down the street.


Susie got to know several of the shop owners in the area and we found many great places to eat and enjoy here in the Marias area.










 We stayed close to the hotel that first day and explored the two islands located in the Seine.






Public spaces filled with flowers and benches to sit often drew us in.

 Notre Dame - Ile de la Cité is as stunning as the light that filters through its famed cathedral’s stained glass windows.







An island in the center of the Seine, Notre Dame - Ile de la Cité's stone bridges and turrets compose its enchanting topography.







The neighborhood leaves no room for understatement—pristine gardens and watchful gargoyles reinforce its transcendentally romantic atmosphere.









We didn't realize just how lucky we were that first evening as we strolled right into the cathedral aw struck by its grandeur beauty and  age.






Until we walked by the next day with our gelato and saw the square at the entry packed with people as the waiting line to enter snaking back with over an hour wait.

 The bridge that crosses the Seine into the 5th arrondissement  is covered with thousands of colorful locks and ribbons.












Couples write their names on the locks to declare their eternal love for one another and then throw their key into the river.


For more about our travels you can check out Susie's blog site for her take on things.

beckervue.com/

http://beckervue.com/

The Pont De L’Archevêché crosses the Seine behind Notre Dame, on Ile De la Cité, to the 5th Arrondissement in Paris. The bridge is covered with colourful ribbons and, close up, you can see there are thousands of locks. - See more at: http://opencityprojects.com/blog/aesthetics/lovers-lock-up-in-paris/#sthash.cO95Zuq5.dpuf

The Pont De L’Archevêché crosses the Seine behind Notre Dame, on Ile De la Cité, to the 5th Arrondissement in Paris. The bridge is covered with colourful ribbons and, close up, you can see there are thousands of locks. - See more at: http://opencityprojects.com/blog/aesthetics/lovers-lock-up-in-paris/#sthash.cO95Zuq5.dpuf

The Pont De L’Archevêché crosses the Seine behind Notre Dame, on Ile De la Cité, to the 5th Arrondissement in Paris. The bridge is covered with colourful ribbons and, close up, you can see there are thousands of locks. - See more at: http://opencityprojects.com/blog/aesthetics/lovers-lock-up-in-paris/#sthash.cO95Zuq5.dpuf

The Pont De L’Archevêché crosses the Seine behind Notre Dame, on Ile De la Cité, to the 5th Arrondissement in Paris. The bridge is covered with colourful ribbons and, close up, you can see there are thousands of locks. - See more at: http://opencityprojects.com/blog/aesthetics/lovers-lock-up-in-paris/#sthash.cO95Zuq5.dpuf

THE ROAD....TO RECOVERY AND SO MUCH MORE.

Two weeks ago while up in Milwaukee WI.  I was up on a ladder working on my father-inlaws gutter and I took an unexpected dive from about ten feet up landing on my left side.














I'm happy to say I survived the fall with no broken bones and after the doc looked at several X-rays only a slight possibility of a fracture.   Lucky for me "Bumbles Bounce".

European Vacation part one... Susie and I have been on the road for about one week now.








   I'll give more detailed info in future posts.









After having the first day of our 25 wedding anniversary trip to Europe bumped because of a three day worker strike at Charles De Gaul airport,  we finally caught a flight to Paris by way of Frankfort Germany.  One extra stop an about six extra hours.















Four nights in Paris,  Three in Autignac in the South of France and now we are here in Barcelona Spain at a hostel just before the feast of St Joan.

GARDEN TOUR

 The resent rains have provided the extra boost that the plants have been waiting for.

 Clematis

nine bark.

 Prairie Smoke

 Yellow Rose

 Some great looking white flower.

 Oriental Poppy 

 Iris

 Queen of the Prairie and Gas Plant.













 



Peonies

 

 Daisies