Memorial Post At The Beach At Normandy

Memorial Day embraces all of those lost to battle for America's freedom.

This photo is of the point that was central to D-Day.

The holiday began as Decoration Day and the tending of the graves of those who died during the Civil War. As a child we were still calling it Decoration Day and most cemeteries were not perpetual care. Our family would pack up gardening tools and some plants and drive to Mount Pleasant Iowa to tend the graves of my grandparents. I did not know them as they had all died before I was born. Having said that, they were still part of my history that needed tending. 

For us it was not only the war dead, but those who went before us.

 

Memorial Day Weekend

Normandy France is a beautiful place with the ocean and small forests around.

Something else should strike you.

If you watch "Saving Private Ryan" or "The Longest Day"

you will remember the terrible sounds of bombs and rifle fire,

What will strike you in Normandy is the quiet.

As you walk though the headstones of various faiths there is silence.

Out of respect or emotion, there are no words.

 

Tell me what it is like at the top

In Canada it was Marble Canyon. It Scotland it was a memorial high atop a hill. In Vienna it was a tour of the palace. They were all met with my saying, "Tell me what it is like at the top". I don't walk well and never did. Seems like a lot of cool things mean we have to climb. I don't climb. The Eiffel Tower has a lift and early entry for folks with disabilities. I take the lift. Travelling means choosing what you wish to do with the limits you have. Fortunately the folks I travel with don't feel guilt leaving me at the bottom looking up. You see a lot from the ground.

 

Pulpit in cathedral: Gablergasse, Austria

You have been warned before that I like taking photos of pulpits.

In Protestant churches they are center of attention during reading and sermons.

I have some favorite ones. They are, as we say,

all ten feet above contradiction.

 

Walking along the Seine in Paris

(Couple of relative looking at the river.)

        In a number of visits to Paris, I have always enjoyed watching the river and even boating on it. However, I would never swim in it. That was until the Olympics were held, once again, in Paris. There was a big effort to clean it up and make it even nicer. I watched on TV while people went swimming and others gathered for events.

 

Inside the Castle: Prague CZ

The castle, really a collection of building, in Prague commands a high hill overlooking the city and the Charles Bridge. There are many rooms and things to see. We had lunch viewing the city and then attended a string concert. A great way to spend an afternoon.

 

Why do you travel?

Barcelona, Park Guell

        Some  people travel so that they can say that they where there. Others travel to learn about other places. Some people travel because they are bored. Others travel to check something off their bucket list.

        Why do we travel? As we grow older it is more and more difficult, but there are still things to learn and citizens from other places to meet. Number one reason we travel like we do is that we did not go to Zambia to see more tourists from the U.S. with their cell phone out so they can have a quick photo of a place that they don't remember the name of. We try to stay awhile.