Une sortie avec nos copains de l'ecole

Field Trip!!

Yep, we had a school-wide field trip this week...even the kids were given excuses to get out of their schools so they could go, too!

Gracie excitedly waiting to board "le bus"

The school administration coordinated our travel and selected our destinations.  They chartered 2 buses to transport all of us to a couple interesting sites nearby.

First Stop:  Jardins Secrets

What started out as one family's private home and garden in the country has turned into a beautifully landscaped work of art!

Main courtyard

Note building/display in upper left
close-up to follow...

After a brief guided tour (in French) -- basically an introduction to the garden -- we were free to meander and explore the garden's "secrets."

One of the many fountains

Beautiful flowers

Impressive wood-work and interesting collectibles

G did a great job holding our hand...
there were NO flowers for the picking!

La piscine
a beautiful indoor pool surrounded by
Indian inspired decor

One of Dianna's favorites...
the detailed wood-working combined with colorful
canned fruits and veggies
(close-up from earlier picture)

Next Stop:  Annecy, the "Venice of the Alps"

Lake Annecy

We actually passed through Annecy on our very first day in France since Annecy is situated between Geneva and Albertville.  At first sight we knew this was a place we would like to explore -- who could resist the stunning beauty of the lake (above) or...

the picturesque rivers running through the heart of the city or... 

the footbridges or...

the PLAYGROUNDS!!

After "no touch" at the gardens, we were definitely in need of some free-play-run-around time.  This is actually the first public swing set we have seen...G and her buddy "T" (that's Z's little brother...you may recall Z joining us to the sheep festival a couple weeks back) went straight for them!

Fun day with friends (the B family)

Our time in Annecy was limited, just enough to whet our appetite.  So, we will be returning...

All in all a great day!!  And it was followed by Wednesday (which is our day "off") and another adventure, so stay tuned for that post...

à bien-tôt,

DDG & K5