The advantage of being middle-aged is that you are more likely to risk stepping out of your comfort zone. That is what we did. We agreed to take a vacation with friends where our mode of transportation was a bicycle, a set of travel maps, and a hotel with good food at the end of the day.
I would hardly be described as a romantic but, I admit I had some pretty romantic notions of traveling through the Loire Valley of France on my bicycle. That was a good thing. If we had understood the reality completely, we would have said no. Instead, we said yes and we embarked on a travel journey that at least for me was life changing. My romantic notions were not fulfilled. I experienced something very different than I was expecting. My confidence, the capacity to endure, the determination to finish, the friendship that sustained us, made finishing this adventure possible.
Let me just say the food was fabulous, the people friendly, and the mishap of being pick-pocketed on a busy subway in Paris made for an amazing vacation.
I won’t bore you with all the details. I don’t like reading long blog posts and I suspect that you don’t either. Instead, I will bore you with photos. Indulge me.
Tomatoes on the Vine 
France is stunningly beautiful at that time of year…especially the cherry bonus ;)Big applause for challenging yourself that way. I've been wanting to do something similar in Switzerland…however, walking would be my choice.The food looks so appetizing…ahh France is special ;o)Thanks for sharing a mini version of your trip…I wouldn't of minded a few more details ;)Flavourful wishes,ClaudiaP.S. It was nice of you to have come for a visit…it gave me a chance to discover your blog again.
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HI Velva, thank you for a wonderfully eye opening post. My husband is going to take me to Paris for a special birthday in a few years and I'm a bit ambivalent about spending time in yet another city.(although everyone tells me how fabulous it is) Your cycling through the countryside has piqued my interest though and I might even suggest we do something like that to counter the city side of the trip! Merci!
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I am so impressed with you! What a vacation! What a (nonstop) workout. I don't think I'd have been up for the cycling bit but I bet there's no better way to see it. Go on with your bad self!!
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Thank you for letting me go to Paris with you. It was everything I dreamed…and yes, the food is what I dream about in Paris!!!!!
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