Small Town France...

So like I said before, I wanted to see random small towns and just pull off the autobahns to do some "real" exploring. 
Here are a few more pics:


Mopeds, small cars, and bicycles are EXTREMELY common in Europe.

So are small shops with baked goods !

For the Tour De France peeps.. Des Jeux as most know, is a French Team.  What is Francis Des Jeux?  It is probably the same as a Circle K or comparable to.





That was one of the many but *cheap* hotels that we stayed at that did not have air conditioning.  Again, it was not that big of a deal since they were mostly located at high elevations... the temps dropped so low anyway that with the windows open it made for a great night and an even more beautiful morning to wake up to with a nice little hug from the sun.

As we walked around the small village, there was an art exihit going on inside what used to be a small chateaux.  In the they were playing a European game that I have only seen one other time in the backyard of NYC at Central Park.

The Ideal Palace

As this Palace was not on the Agenda, well nothing was really on our agenda, the agenda for me at least was to find and discover crazy and fun things that were not so touristy.  We stayed in small towns, hotels without air conditioning and sleeping on top of Mountains in the rental car.  For me this is all fun!
But while checking out of a town in France that I don't even remember the name, I see this small pamphlet with some really really REALLY crazy architecture on it.  So I suggested that we went.  So we did.
The story is basically a French Mail Man that tripped on a stone.  He was inspired by the stone ,and while on his daily mail route he would collect more stones and bring them to his house.  his art was considered to be very naive.  I can vouch for this and say yes!  In the end he created this huge magical castle that he created in his mind with small drawings that he would dream about.  You can actually go inside the castle, on top of the castle, and he has some small caves that are also accessible.  For me personally this was truly a magical and great find for my European trip!














It took him 33 years to finish his own personal masterpiece.  He died one year after completion...
 

Alpe D'Huez Pictures!

We arrived the day before,
the place was chaos, it was a HUGE ridiculous party on the mountain, below the mountain, in the side of the mountain, in the TUNNELS of the mountain!  These people don't even come for the cyclists I don't think!  I think they show up as an excuse to get drunk, sing, dance, and be merry for two to three days straight!  This is depending on when you got there, and of course when you decided to leave!
Most people brought tents and basically if there was an open spot, it was yours!  The tents were a free for all and small tent cities were erected from bottom to the top of the mountain.
I of course did not fly across the oceans with a tent in my luggage, so we opted to sleep in the car.  As this was the best option for us at the time.  We forgot to account for the fact that we were on top of ALPE D'HUEZ and the temperatures dropped Dramatically!  We had to turn the rental on and put on the heater with no other option.
Anyway, enough rambling... HERE are the pics for the Tour De France Stage 17 Alpe D'Huez!




aw yeah!







In the United States you are not suppose to spray paint the streets!  But if it's the Tour De France, the cops will help move traffic so that you can make the perfect flag for your country!













You have to go really really early to scope out an excellent viewing spot!












It is basically a HUGE festival and parade before the cyclists come flying up the Mountain!  They throw out free hats, jerseys, key chains, you know... ALL of the cool swag!
I probably will be flying home late tomorrow or the day after, I do not know for sure yet.  I hope that there is room on the plane for me in the first place or else I get to spend an extra day in Frankfurt, Germany.
Here a few Cycling Pics for you to enjoy!  Notice the BEAUTIFUL back drop!!!!






There are more pics on my other digital camera.  For SOME WEIRD reason, my camera died and had to switch out to the (backup) camera.  Which is EXACTLY the same as the one that I use!  ;)
MORE PICS to come soon!