Weekend Getaway to Ludington, Michigan

Sometimes, I get itchy feet and need to GO somewhere. Just hit the road and go someplace new. I settled on Ludington for its proximity to sand dunes and Lake Michigan, and for this really cute B&B, Ludington House (pictures later). My parents are up here, too, but camping a few miles away. We met up for dinner at Jamesport Brewing Company then drove into the state park. We walked around and up and over the dunes to reach the lake. It may not be an ocean, but it's the closest thing to one we have near Indiana! I love hearing the waves crash and watching the seagulls. There's just something magical about the water, right? 

Yes, this picture is off-kilter. You're not drunk.

Heading back out to see the sunset! 

A Breath of Paris Preserves the Soul

On our last day in Paris, I ventured out on my own and spent most of the day blissfully wandering around my favorite city. I had a few objectives: find the cool Arts & Metiers metro station (fail); find the rooftop 360 degree view on top of Printemps (success!); cross off the last of my souvenir gifts list (done!); and meet Eric at the Louvre at 4PM (check!). The day started with beautiful blue skies but gradually became overcast before the rain set in. 

But first, one more brunch at Cafe Hugo.

Rooftop view of Paris from the terrace at the top of the Printemps Home store. Gorgeous even on an overcast day.

All the department stores have amazing Christmas displays. The was Prada's at Printemps.

I walked from Place de la Concorde through the Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre.

Oh, hey there. 

Our last dinner in Paris was at a fabulous Provençal restaurant just down the block from our apartment. Wonderful atmosphere, delicious food, and delightful company. I highly recommend a meal at Chez Janou!

Day Trip to Brugges

Because I'd been to Paris a couple of times before and because Eric likes crossing off countries visited as much as I do, we decided to take another day trip out of Paris. This time, to Bruges, Belgium.  We caught an early morning train to Brussels, then transferred to a local train to Bruges. We spent the entire day there, and our chant for the day was "Beer beer chocolates chocolates beer beer chocolates chocolates - WAFFLES!" (jazz hands). 

We started the day with a breakfast of champions, which we ate on the train.

Bruges is The Venice of the North, you know. We had relatively mild weather, considering it was early January. I personally had been hoping for snow at some point during our trip. Unfortunately, my wish was granted in the form of a blizzard in the Midwest on the day we flew back to the States. Anyhoo, Bruges was nice but a bit too touristy for me.

The menues were solely for the beer! 

We chose to split a flight. Tasty!

Belgian Waffle! Soooooooo gooooood.

We had a long layover in Brussels on the return trip, which gave us time to see a bit of the Grand Place, still all decorated for Christmas.  Also to go to the Hard Rock Cafe for me to add to my pilsner collection. 

Day Trip to Champagne

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." - Mark Twain 

January 2nd saw us braving the Parisian streets in a rental car and heading into Champagne. We had two appointments to keep, the first at the venerable G.H. Mumm. It's a large and well-organized machine, with an informative tour culminating in a tasting. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep the glasses. 

Mumm's global popularity means a lot of people want to visit, so the experience isn't very personal. The wine is lovely, to be sure, and the operation is impressive, but I recommend spending time at the smaller houses. 

One such is Champagne Gaston Chiquet, in Dizy. It's family-run and if you're lucky, one of the brothers will be available to show you around. We had the most incredible experience with Antoine, who walked us through every step in the process. Our enthusiasm for drinking Champagne was equal to his passion for making Champagne, so we spent a wonderful three hours with him. It was here that I fell in love with rose Champagne. So delicate and delicious! 

By the end, Antoine declared Eric and me his new ambassadors in America and he sent us off with a wave and a Bonne Annee.  Truly - a wonderful experience.  

Paris - New Year's Day fun

After an understandably late start New Year's Day, we had brunch at Cafe Hugo on the Place des Vosges, then just wandered in the general direction of the Seine. 

(I always feel like - somebody's watching me.)

In Place de la Bastille, we discovered a carnival, complete with bumper cars! 

After that, a visit to my favorite, the Musee d'Orsay, then hot spiced wine and a ride on the ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde. 

(She was laughing with us at our attempts to speak French.)

We capped off the day with a truly hilarious and 100% fun rickshaw ride up the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. 

Paris - Day Two

Our first full day in Paris was 31 December. I started the day with an early morning walk down Blvd St. Michel to the river and Notre Dame. It felt like the city was all mine, there were so few people out and about. 

Itty bitty cafe and a croissant for breakfast. 

Our adventure for the day was to see Versailles. Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea. We stood in line for a couple of hours in the courtyard just waiting to enter the palace, and then joined the sea of humanity inside. It was not pleasant.

A blessed pocket of solitude...

... before rejoining the herd.

After escaping back to Paris, we relaxed before heading out for our NYE dinner. We had a great meal with lots of Champagne, topped off with sparklers (indoors!) at midnight. We strolled toward Notre Dame and shouted "Bonne Annee!" to everyone we met. 

Bonjour, 2014!