Etretat is now off the bucket list

We traveled to France way back in May for a big event for Erick's Army unit. While we were there, my husband found a way to fulfill one of my bucket-list items. He took me to Etretat.

Sidenote (which is pertinent any time we have travelled to France): I can't express how fun it is for me to bring my family into an environment and a culture that I love and show them around. In a way, I feel like I'm introducing my kids to a piece of me that they haven't had a chance to know.

Etretat was within my mission boundaries when I served here, but I never lived in the region. I believe my first glimpse of the white cliffs was in a photo of my darling trainer Soeur Butterfield. Ever since I saw the picture, I have wanted to visit this cute town and see the beautiful scenery. Here are a few photos from when we first arrived:

We hiked down about a million steps (that may be a bit of an exaggeration) from the top of the cliffs down to the rocky beach. See the church at the top? That's where we started:

We found some fun caves that get covered up at high tide. We checked and double-checked the tide schedule before exploring the area:

It started to rain, so we decided to head into the cute little town and find a bite to eat. On the way we saw some fun distractions:

TJ was pretty excited to see this old US military vehicle in the parking lot:

This building is currently full of cute shops. We went inside to get out of the rain. Once inside, we bought an umbrella, some locally-made caramel (so yummy!), and a charm for my charm bracelet.

When we came back outside, we noticed the French and American flags, which piqued our interest. Upon closer observation, we realized that this building had been a military hospital during World War I. We were here over Memorial Day weekend, which somehow made me feel more deeply the meaning of this monument:

Right next to the old military-hospital-turned-mini-mall we found a Creperie. I can't think of anything better for lunch. Can you?

We each got something that sounded good. Lemon with sugar and nutella with banana are some family favorites. But this place had a local specialty with locally-made salted caramel. Let me tell you, it was the best darn crepe I have ever had. In fact, my mouth is watering for it as I type:

We sat in the town square, in the rain, to eat:

Soon the rain stopped, and we decided it was time to start heading back toward our car.

Back to the steps...

By the time we reached the top, the sun was out, and the entire place had changed. I was blown away by the color of the yellow rapeseed and the green water. With the blue skies and green grass, I felt like I had been transported from France to some tropical island paradise. I made Erick wait for me a moment while I photographed everything that I had already photographed in the morning, plus a few extras.

He is such a patient man...

Somme cemetery

I knew there was an American cemetery in Normandy, France to remember WWII. I did not know that there are 11 more American cemeteries throughout France. Isn't that a shame? I should know that...

On Sunday afternoon (this is still our Memorial Day weekend trip), we attended a service at Somme American Cemetery in Picardie. This cemetery was built to remember the American soldiers that were killed in WWI:

We were invited to sit in the VIP reserved seating:

All around the cemetery there were men and women dressed in historical US military uniforms:

A parade of soldiers and VIP's walked down toward the stand as part of the ceremony. Soldiers from our unit led the parade. It was such a special event:

The French band:

Several VIP's laid wreaths to remember groups who fought and sacrificed themselves for the freedom of others. LTC Lindsay and Monsieur Castier laid a wreath to remember the Black Lions of Cantigny:

This entire weekend was so special. I'm grateful that my husband was able to be a part of the legacy of the Black Lions. I feel so honored to have been able to learn about it and share it with him. I don't ever want to forget the memories I have made and the emotions that I have felt. I certainly won't forget the sacrifices of these brave men and women.

Remembering WWI

While we were traveling around the Picardie countryside, we stopped at many WWI monuments and cemeteries. There was at least one in every town large or small. It was a humbling experience for me and a great learning experience for our kids:

This one was my favorite. It was in memory of the mothers who lost their sons:

We saw several cemeteries that contained the burial plots of soldiers from many different countries, Germany, Australia, Great Britain, and Canada:

This monument was sad and interesting. It was part of WWII instead WWI like the rest in this area. Inside these caves were found the bodies of 27 French patriots who were savagely beaten and killed. The plaque calls them martyrs and says they were killed by Germans. War is terrible.