Someone recently used a phrase from a Sinatra tune, “Regrets, I’ve had a few.” Barbara Brady Brown is glad she kept a record. That statement triggered a feeling I’ve been dealing with in the aftermath of my husband’s death.
None of my family or friends would mistake me as a well-organized person. Lately I found, scattered about, a number of journals I had written while vacationing with my adventurous spouse on overseas bicycling adventures. The first trip included three other couples traveling with our bikes to France in 1988.
A rented van from the airport allowed transport of all eight passengers and bikes to our first destination at Salon de Provence. The routes and accommodations were determined as we traveled reasonable distances through the beautiful countryside searching maps for the safest scenic routes. Riding throughout Provence we encountered a park commemorating Victory in Europe Day on May 8, 1945.
Another entry reminded me of arriving at our accommodations, La Hacienda, where, to our surprise, sunbathing by the pool was “au natural!” We Americanos with our more restrictive upbringings, observed but didn’t participate. Many entries referred to delicious French meals, including wines from the region, and always dessert. The success of that original trip inspired a plan in 1990 with the same three couples to explore the Burgundy area of France.
On this trip we would use our own bike packs, known as panniers, to carry our essentials as we traveled. Th.
