The past ten days' reflections: Life on the Rhône.
     The Abells have just returned from a 7-day cruise on France's Rhône river, south from Lyon to Avignon. We flew into Paris' Charles DeGaulle airport for the short flight to Lyon. France is roughly 80% the size of Texas, the 3rd largest European nation behind Russia [west of the Urals] and Ukraine.) Lyon is about halfway across and the flight from CDG to LYS reminded me of just how large -- and agricultural -- the country is. The farm fields, while not huge, are definitely larger than in most other western European countries. 
      Lyon is France's second (or third) largest city -- depending on whether you are considering just the city or the entire metropolitan area. (Metropolitan Marseilles is larger.) Either way, Lyon is a very livable city. Neighborhoods abound and public transportation is readily available: bus, trolley, and subway. As in most European cities, grocery shopping is largely a daily routine, though the populace does make use of their weekly farmers' markets for vegetables, always fresh and fairly priced.
     Once on the Rhône the sights are very much like those of other rivers in western Europe. I quickly noted, though, there were far fewer private houses actually along the river; houses tended to be in/very near the villages/small towns. When the valley narrowed, the vineyards dominated the view, some very steep on the hillsides. No river trip is complete without a visit to at least one vineyard to sample the local wines and cheeses. Cheese is a very important French product. No French meal is complete without several cheeses and their specific complimentary wine.
     In France, grape vines are not irrigated; rather, the watering is "left to God." Vine roots are "forced" down to find their own water, sometimes 30 to 40 feet, firmly anchoring the soil. Some French vines may be one hundred years old. If a vineyard is not too hilly, some French farmers choose to leave a bit of grass growing between their rows.
     Life in France outside Paris is much more "laid-back," more slowly paced, less bustled. A smile and "bonjour" was unfailingly returned, as was the case most everywhere I have traveled.
     Now back to live in southeast Denver. Au Revoir!