As we were leaving for the summer trip Kathy was really sick - like stay-in-bed for four days sick, so she got off to a rough start. I don't think she was completely recovered till a week later.
On the way down to the south of France we stopped in Beaune for the night. The next day we stopped in Vienne for lunch and to check out the impressive remains of the Roman temple there.
Jack and Jesse at the temple in Vienne
That night we stayed in Avignon. It turned out that there was a large festival going on so we didn't have the chance to see much of the city due to the crowds and the limited parking. We did go check out a large Roman aqueduct nearby called Pont du Gard.
Taking a break from the heat with Pont du Gard in the background
After that we headed to Cannes to enjoy the beach for awhile. The weather was very hot and sunny, perfect for just hanging at the beach. The boys loved it. We also rented a small sail boat - the first day the renter said only 3 could go so I just took Jack, the next day a different place let us take all 4 so we all got to go together. It was a fun way to cruise up and down the coast and admire the clear blue water of the Med.
Kathy loved the local fashions--check out the chainmail!
Some great faces
On the way out of Cannes we tried to stop at the house of Renoir the painter. Unfortunately this site (like many places) closes for a couple hours in the middle of the day for lunch. We did get to rest a minute and enjoy the grounds before heading on to Genoa. The drive along the coast had some impressive views.
We went to Genoa to visit Gina, a family friend of Kathy's. Gina and her boyfriend treated us to drinks at a spectacular waterfront location with crashing waves and a great dinner at a small family restaurant high in the mountains above Genoa.
Kathy and Gina
We also stopped by Borlasca, the town where Kathy's grandmother's family was originally from.
Inscription on the church step showing the relatives from US that donated for the church
Our distant cousins Natalino and Luciana
Inside the church
After that we drove north towards the mountains...
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