Visual Entertainment from Near and Far
June 8, 1973 San Rafael
Dear Mother
Another beautiful day here – blue sky, warm sun, blue Mediterranean. Everyone “beached” yesterday and all have a bit of sunburn but not too much. Everybody is okay and relaxed. K bought a new bikini yesterday. Wish you were here!
Love, Dede
August, 1999
We decided Metz would be a good place to view the total eclipse of the sun in 1999. We rented a car in Paris and drove to Metz stopping on our way to see the cathedral in Reims with its stained glass windows designed by Chagall. Once in Metz, we scoped out the area and early the next morning, we headed out with the telescope, video camera and other cameras. We set up our camp in the middle of the Esplanade, a nice park right by the river. The town had organized a big festival around the eclipse and there were parades, music, etc. going on all day long.
It was cloudy. I decided I should have an umbrella just in case, so I ran to a nearby department store and managed to fight my way through the crowd. I wasn’t the only one with the idea. During the first half of the eclipse we were able to see it off and on. But about 20 minutes before total eclipse it started to rain. We could tell when the total was, though, because it was completely dark. All the flowers closed up and all the lights came on and it was really night and everybody was quiet and it was kind of eerie. Then during the second half it cleared up a bit and we were able to see more. My son kept looking at the “moon” through his glasses. When we got back to Paris our friends who had gone 25 minutes north of Paris on the train said they had seen the whole thing perfectly.
From Metz we drove into Lorraine and the Vosges area. We stopped at the Haut Konningburg castle which is a huge restored castle with a moat and drawbridge and inner yard. It sits on top of a mountain in the middle of the forest. It would be very hard to penetrate. The path up to it was steep and muddy. I commented on how “mucky” it was and my son responded, “monkeys? Where are the Monkeys??” He would not let it go and kept asking for the rest of the day.
From there we wound our way around down to La Bresse in the heart of a big ski area amid mountains and forest. Really beautiful. Our hotel was very nice with a good restaurant. We drove throughout the area and went hiking around a glacial pool where my son spent the better part of an hour throwing rocks into it and hunting for dragonflies.
April 1985
Hi
This looks sort of like Bangkok, no? But it is a beautiful old building. We have had a lovely time with beautiful weather. We’ll be seeing you before you get this but it can be added to your collection of cards. We’re looking forward to seeing you.
Love and kisses, Va.
July 1992
Dear
A cloudy “threatening” day and the light is wonderful. We like better than sunshine. Maybe our best day yet but everything has been Great. We are in a story book village – our Apt built 16th century with modern plumbing. Girls are good travelers. Malia’s advance in French is visible! Both are so helpful to this ancient one.
Love, Katherine
Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre et la funiculaire I love this photo, one of my most favorite places in Paris.
June 1973
Dear Mom
Can’t remember when I last wrote!! We saw this last Monday and it was great. Tues. we went to Versailles – the garden there was beautiful!! Yesterday we saw Notre Dame and a lovely little church – Saint Chapelle. Also spent some time in the Louvre. Saw Venus de Milo & the Mona Lisa. It rained in the morning, but cleared up and is lovely today. We’ve been so lucky with the weather. Everyone is fine. We go to London tomorrow by rail and hovercraft across the Channel. The Gambles are flying to Madrid tomorrow and then to Portugal for a week. We’re having such a good time.
Love
(aside) On that trip we also went to the Rodin Museum which is housed in a lovely rococo mansion built in 1732. Rodin moved in in 1908 and it became a museum in 1919. It is surrounded by gardens and more sculpture.
Den Haag, January, 1983
Isn’t this a good photo? So much nice detail. Our guests left yesterday and we have been sleeping mostly since. I think they had a good time and got a bit “educated”. We hope you had a good trip to California and that you are back with a new lease on life. We missed you on our trip.
Love
(The roof was destroyed by fire in 2019. Restoration is due to begin soon.)
Here I am in front of Notre Dame in 1999.
La Bresse is in northeastern France and is known for its ski resorts and outdoor activities.
Below is a photo I took of the town when I was there in 1999.
June, 1973
You can imagine the beautiful view our room has. It is delightful weather – the Mediterranean is so blue today. Walked across the road and down to the beach this morning – we all got a little sunburned, I’m afraid. Have been resting and washing our clothes this afternoon. We looked through some of the shops and all had delicious pizza later.
Love
Here I am sun bathing in my new French bathing suit on the beach in Saint-Raphael.
February 1974
We made it to Chartres today and both liked it very much. We took the train out and spent about two hours wandering around the church and museum. Time has flown by. Weather has been mostly ok. Will write letter with details.
Love
Postcard Buzz 