14, July

     July 14th is the national holiday of France, known as Bastille Day in English speaking countries.  They don't call it Bastille Day in France, which explains the blank looks Ed received upon wishing various people "Happy Day of Bastille" throughout the day.  Here, they simply call it the "National Holiday."

     Anyway, on this year's National Holiday, one leg of the Tour de France was passing through an area about an hour from Vaison.  Having missed "Le Tour" in previous years, we decided to make a plan to go see it!  By "Google-Earthing" the known route, we strategically chose an ascending portion of the road located near the tiny town of St. Marcel de Careiret (we can't pronounce it either).  We had to figure out how to get there since roads were closed in the area on account of the tour.  We made it, and set up "camp" about an hour before the racers were due to pass:

     After a while, there was a buzz in the air.  The riders were approaching!

     Afterwards, we drove a short distance to some waterfalls that Le General had seen on the map.  It turned out to be lots of fun!  Here are some pictures of the Cascades du Sautadet:

Downstream from the falls there was a great place for swimming . . . and jumping into the water.  Witness Ford:

Le General thought that looked pretty fun!  She climbed up there to check it out for herself:

Asha took some plunges from the opposite bank:

     When we finally got home, our uphill neighbor, Dominique, called down to invite us for dinner and to watch the Vaison fireworks from his yard.  We said "Yes."

Dominique to Averil's Left

When it got dark, it was time for fireworks!

By the time we got home, it was the 15th of July.