Cycling tangent

The drive from Paris to Munster is a 6 hour jaunt, which just so happens to skirt through a portion of Belgium.  And you know what Belgium means to the Gades.... frites and bikes.  We got lucky and needed to stop for lunch in an area close to the finish of the semi classic Fleche Wallone.  So we got of the beaten track and went on an adventure to find it.


After a truly gut bomb lunch we found a funky bike store which provided us with some rudimentary directions.  We worked our way towards some hills which looked promising.  There were heaps of cyclists everywhere.  Some, as Bob pointed out, with some pretty sweet wheels.  Clearly we were getting close.


We eventually found our way to destination - the Muur du Huy.  Caldel Evans won here this year.  It is a pretty gnarly climb and a heck of a way to finish a race with over a 100 miles in your legs at professional race pace.


We parked the car and walked the last portion.  


Here's Bob at about 750 m to go.... the stations of the cross along the way make it seem extra grueling.

The finish line, with a nod to Andy Schleck.

And as a follow up to a question posted earlier in the comments section by Mer... when we watch races in person we try to find a spot in either a decisive spot on the course, or on a climb where they working hard, and by extension, going relatively slow... which is usually still pretty darn fast.  So the actual viewing is over pretty quick.  Picking your spot, waiting for the riders, and sometimes getting some schwag from the promotional cars that front the riders is a good part of the fun.  


Sometimes we have gone to a race start or finish where you can see the riders warming up, and maybe even chat them up a bit.  We're going to a Tour de France finish in Reims.  I anticipate it being a pretty big scene, but since it's my first time visiting 'the show' I can't really saw what it will be like.  I'm very sad to hear by favorite rider Tom Boonen has pulled out.  I was hoping to see him win there.  

Oh Paris, how can I stay mad at you?

I'll be honest.  Paris has been making us work for it.  The weather has been pretty crappy, and too many years of battling crowds on BART and strategizing to obtain (and maintain) good sightlines and dancing space at concerts has me pretty burnt out on crowds.  


I would take this all in stride if I was eating amazing food.  But truth be told, a lot of the food we have eaten has been... meh.  Working against me is the fact that I am an ignorant tourist stuck with the guide books that every other Joe Schmoe buys.  


This is compounded by the fact that I have my young ones with me who need to have something that they will be willing to eat.  In spite of early gourmet promise they are in a decidedly conservative eating pattern right now.  Poorly timed, kiddos.


The final kicker is since I came here ten years ago I have thrown myself into cooking and studying the art of creating delicious food.  I live around some of the most amazing food in the world.  Admittedly, I've got some high standards.  So when Bob orders ouef mayonaise and this supposedly simple, classic preparation comes with an egg that not only looks like it came from Safeway, but it also has been boiled with so little care that it has a *gasp* grey ring around the yoke, I get a little bummed.  Up until today, we've had three good meals, and a few okay meals, and one or two regretable ones.  Which is not to say we aren't enjoying ourselves, because even the okay ones have had some highlights.


Enter Florimond.  Close to Les Invalides, known for their own terrines, and set up in a sweet little room.  We had lunch there today, and we have a winner.  Check out one of the highlights. 

Food, great.  Ambience, great.  Service, amazing.  You know you are off to a good start when the maitre'd is wearing a sharp Looney Tunes tie.  Laurent was very sweet to us...  They prepared a special plate for the kids (killer roast chicken and potatoe puree, with sauce on the side), which he then proceeded to cut up for them when he saw them struggling.

We had a lovely time.  The chef came out afterwards to shake hands, and we insisted on pictures, which turned into a bit of a spontaneous love fest.

After kisses goodbye, we worked our way over to the Champs and enjoyed a truly gorgeous day in Paris.  

We were back on top, and just in time.  The next day, we're on to our next adventures in Germany.


 

I see dead people

The Louvre.... Another tourist hot spot.  Another day with the hoi polloi.  Our plan was a lot like a James Brown lyric:  hit it and quit.  We planned to start early, see the points of family interest, which were the Egyptian section and the Italian section, and then get the heck out of there.  


Things started out promising enough... the 'secret' side entrance got us in pretty quickly and the Egyptian section was down right pleasant.  I was digging the way they build the history of the building into the exhibits.  The French are also very clever in their signage and crowd flow... we've noticed this in the Metro, in Les Invalides, and the Louvre.  


The Italian wing was quite another experience.  Shoulder to shoulder with all walks of travelers.  Armies of tour groups, hordes of kids in matching red caps (definitely creepy), tour guides holding up strange stuffed flowers to stand out in the crowd, followed by masses of adults all raising their hands for a count-off without a hint of irony.


Reading Rick Steve's guide got us ready and kept us in good humor, but good god was it crowded.


I mean really, is this any way to enjoy art?  See that teeny square in the middle?  That's the Mona Lisa.  Those of you reading this post are about as close to it as I was.  

But it is a conundrum... great art, in an incredible space (every once in a while you walk into a room where you are reminded quite clearly that this was once an amazing, over the top, castle).  Of course there are going to be crowds.  What's better, crowds or lines?  Because you're going to have one or the other.


So we pressed on through the Grand Gallery, in all of it's contemplative serenity

and felt pretty clever for having our Rick Steve's along with us so we could point out interesting facts about the paintings to the kids.  There is some pretty stellar Renaissance art there.

Seeing as how we are not religious people, our kids are seeing some of these images and hearing some of the stories of not only the life of Jesus, but also the rise of Christianity, for the first time.  It has made for some interesting conversations.  One thing is for sure, kids love gore, so ours are pretty fascinated by all the saints and martyrs and cross action.


About 20 minutes into the Renaissance section Auggie turned to me and said, "Why did they draw so many dead people?"  Good question little man.  It does kind of bring you down after a while.


We took that as our cue.  On to a quick swing through the sculpture section, and then to the fresh air awaiting us on the other side of the exit.  


Louvre... 9:30 to 12:00.  Not a bad way to spend a few hours, but like the Eiffel tower I realize that trophy hunting my way through famous landmarks and rarities is not my favorite way to spend a vacation.

You want me to go where?

Paris, Day 3 update.  We were scheduled to visit the Eiffel Tower today.  I was feeling rather chuffed with myself for learning about the online reservation system for the elevator ride to the top.  We arrived in Paris with our appointment time already made, tickets in hand, ready to go.


I felt a little sheepish about such an obviously tourist activity, but one of the things I realize being here with kids is that you have to take things at face value and not try to be too hip.  The Eiffel tower is an big draw for any self respecting American kid, so off we went.


When we were here before we didn't bother.  Heck, this is Bob's fourth time to Paris and he's never been.  (We haven't been to the Louvre either, and we might have to address that this week as well).


As we started getting closer I started to realize exactly how big it is.  I also started to recall my very real fear of heights.  But in the spirit of 'can do' mommyhood, I swallowed my fear, kept a smile on my face, and queued up with the masses.  It should be noted that the reservation system is definitely the way to go, and a late morning appointment time is a good way to beat the crowds.  We only waited in line about 40 minutes before our ride started.  


The first ride up to the deck at the base was plenty high enough for me.  Not helping matters were the jokers in our second elevator ride who were making creepy comments trying to freak out their very nervous companion.  I noticed that the kids started to get pretty quiet as we climbed up, up, up.


The top is way the heck up there.  It has two levels, one which is indoors and relatively comfortable.  The upper deck has nice secure fencing all the way up, which kept me from going completely insane with fear.  There were a few floor plates that felt a little wobbly, which caused Auggie to comment that they made him feel freaked out.  This from the kid who's favorite pastime is jumping off of the tallest thing he can climb.


It was a hazy day, so the view wasn't stellar.  But one can imagine what it's like on a clear day.  I got within a few feet of the railing, and that was it.  We took some pictures, at which point the kids turned to me and said, 'can we go down now?'  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree I guess.... and I didn't even say a word about being scared.  I think it is just really tall and a little bit scary up there.  Even for a uber positive Gade kid.


It just goes to show that you can plan, and organize, but not really take a moment to think about whether you are going to actually like it.  Or at least, I can do that.  Clearly, planning is a good part of the fun for me.  


But all in all, a good experience.  I'm glad I sucked it up, and saw what it was like at the top.... so that I don't have to go back up there.  Ever.


Here is the face of abject fear.  Looks fun, no?

And yes it was cold, which only added to the experience.

Paris, Day 1

We made it to the apartment pretty smoothly, and we know by now to power through Day 1 to beat the jet lag.  So off we went to roam around and get familiar with the neighborhood.   The apartment is pretty sweet... enough space for everyone, some nice features, along with some oddities.... such as a bathroom door off of our room that is literally 4 feet tall.  If I was to miscalculate in the middle of the night and forget to duck, I would take the door jamb in the collarbones.   It's that short.


Our apartment is close to Les Halles and the Louvre, so we walked around both.  We checked out Le Dehillerin trying to find a decent mortar and pestle, as well as cannales molds.  We struck out, although the if I was willing to settle for silicon molds, they had them... but my understanding is that metal is the only way to go.  I found some individual ones latter in the day, but I am holding out.


The high point of the day was sailing boats at the Tuileries Garden, which I have wanted to do with my children when I saw it for the first time 10 years ago (while Logan and August were still a twinkle in my eye).  The garden and the ambience did not disappoint.  Good times.

I do love me some French civic gardens and the fact that people actually use them.  Granted, it was a Wednesday, when most kids are out of school (how cool is that?  school is out on Wednesday, leave it to the French to make hump day a holiday)... but there were tons of people at the park.  And not just tourons like us!  Check out these guys, and their closely contested game of Petanque.  

Bob is now on a mission to find this cool magnetic petanque-ball-picker-upper-doohickie.  So we now have two quests.... copper canneles molds and petanque thing-y.

We ended our first day in Paris with dinner at a classic bistro, L'escargot.  Because what other way to celebrate an arrival in France than eating snails?  We even got Auggie to eat one.  They came with an assortment of sauces, classic burgundian, foie, and roquefort.  It was a good experience, with all the requisite highlights... career waiter, champagne, old school decor.  We hit all the classics.  Bob ate frog legs (which I declined to sample), Anna had a bistro salad, and I ordered some crazy tenderloin that turned out to be a pile of potato roti, a slice of tenderloin, topped with a slice of foie...there might have been a puddle of bernaise on the bottom, but I opted for some denial about the caloric intake I scarfed down with out a second thought.  Foie twice in one meal... I must be in France.  The kids ordered their own meals in French... as we hoped our waiter was quite charmed.

It was a good start.  The following night was slightly less groovy.  Stay tuned for the next update, which will chronicle the highs and lows of Day 2, aka 'Hitting the Wall'

The maiden voyage

I give Air France a B- for our experience flying to SFO to CDG.  Props for their timeliness and pretty blankets and pillows... and the food could have been worse.  Thumbs down for advertising personal entertainment in each seat, only to be stuck with earphones and a teeny screen up in the aisle.   That was pretty disappointing, especially after we hyped it to the kids.  Sorry, no personal video games... but instead you can watch a news program!  Isn't that exciting.  At least they played Alice in Wonderland for their first feature.

The kids did great.  We were in the center of the plane, which made me realize how little you can see.  Trying to sleep was kind of hilarious.  I came to about 3 hours into my snooze to see Auggie splayed out across a few seats (his sister's and his papa's included).  Logan struggled a little but eventually got some sleep.

All in all, an good first air travel experience for the little Gades.

End of an era

My little man graduated from kindergarten yesterday.  No real fanfare, although he should probably get a certificate at some point to recognize his successful completion of the Maternelle at Ecole Bilingue.  


His sister finished third grade, and is now on the backside of elementary school. 


I am not one to cry on the first day of school.  But the last day of school kills me.  I feel the passing of time most strongly on the last day of school.  Another school year... check.


Something about having a kid in kindergarten made me feel like I still had little kids.  Now I have two big kids.... who still can't tie their own shoes.  

Richmond!

This is a shout out to Bob for surviving his first year at Richmond High.  He not only made the jump to high school... he also added teaching Government/Econ responsibilities to his usual US History gig, as well as assuming responsibility for the very cool Urban Agriculture after school program.   

It was a wild year, what with the start the school got off to as a result of the homecoming dance gang rape incident.  (And is it just me, or is the fact that this has it's own Wikipedia page now proof positive that there is now a Wikipedia page for everything in the world?)

He was one stressed out dude when he started, but he hit his stride.  Oh wait, and did I forget to mention that all the Richmond teachers got their health benefits slashed, and lost some of their prep days too?  That was sweet.  There was that part too.... thanks UTR for the stellar advocacy!  You suck.

Here are a few photos of the most recent harvest from the garden.  These photos show members of the club putting together their CSA boxes.

Have a good summer Oilers.  Stay out of trouble and stay safe this summer.  It's a jungle out there.

The Gulf

I spent the better part of an hour trying to install a gallons of oil spilled counter on my blog, to no avail.  I might need to hit up one of my techies to make it happen.

In the meantime I'm passing along the URL for the gadet.  It's pretty sweet. 

http://www.wkrg.com/gulf_oil_spill/iframe_ticker/wkrg

This data needs to be in our faces all the time.  I'd like to see the gushing oil on a constant feed on television.  Can you imagine how furious people would be if 'oil cam' pre-empted American Idol?  Imagine the outrage. 

Instead of the gadget install, I'm going to treat you to a few photos I obtained from a family friend.  Consider this win-win.  I get to practice uploading pictures, and you get to see some photos that probably aren't widely available in the public domain.

These photos call from a a friend I'll call Skeeter, an engineer in the oil industry.  He's based out of Texas.  He did 4 tours on Deep Water Horizon.  He considered it a top of the line rig. 

Gnarly.  The 60 Minutes episode which focused on the experience of one of the last guys to make it out is pretty gripping.  I recommend it.

And to put it in perspective, in the 10 minutes it took me to create this post, 6500 gallons of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico.

More than white pants and gin & tonics

Did you know Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day?  As in, a day to go decorate the graves of the fallen.  I imagine there was a time where the cemeteries actually had a pretty good turn out of families on hand to pay their respects and see that the graves were kept clean.  Especially since during the Civil War - the war for which Decoration Day was dedicated - between 10-30% of the male population was killed, depending on which side you were on.  But luckily for our generation it's pretty unusual to actually know someone killed in combat.  So the day has morphed into a freebie... more notable for the dusting off of white pants than for the dusting off of tombstones.

In all fairness, I did bust out some white pants this weekend.  But I dedicated some of my usual reverie to the fallen.  The closest I am ever going to get to the hell of war will be through gritty depictions in books and movies.  Lately these depictions are becoming more and more horrific in their detail (and their effects).  I watch some of these and wonder how did anyone actually survive?  And if you did, how did you manage to function at all once it was over?

We hung a flag at our house yesterday. You don't see too many stars and stripes in Berkeley (we give ours a local flavor by hanging it on a homemade flagpole made out of a bamboo pole cut from our backyard).  

It's the least we can do for those who gave everything.