We’re not in New Jersey anymore! In case you couldn’t tell from the photo, it’s back to Lyon we go (at least blog-wise if not in reality).  Our goal on this day was to visit the Basilique Notre-Dame on top of Fourvière hill (above). There is a funicular that runs to the top but we decided to walk instead, taking two connecting montées. I addressed montées lightly in a previous post, but to refresh:

Montées, or rises, consist of winding flights of steps or steeply sloping streets that climb the Fourvière hill, providing superb views down over the old town. Each of them has their own particular charm.

Montèe des Carmes-Déchaussés has 238 steps.

Montèe Nicholas-de-Lange has 560 steps, making a grand total of 798 steps. That’s a lot of steps!

Looking back down over the city.

Along the way I noticed that once in a while there were paintings done on rocks that were imbedded in the wall of the stairs. Tiny, miniature paintings.

Our view once we arrived at the top. The sky may look threatening, but it never did rain on us, just a little drizzle.

I tried to stitch together a panoramic view.

The Basilique from the front.

And inside.

A beautiful mosaic in the crypt.

A gorgeous tree on our way down a different montée. I think maybe it’s a chestnut??

And finally, we make our way down the Montée des Chazeaux.

And on to lunch at a typical Lyonnaise bouchon !

I hope you enjoyed your little tour of the Fourvière Hill and the Basilique!

dad… i know you’re still in China tonight and all and you’ll be home tomorrow night this time, but I just wanted to let you know what’s going on at home ...

Notations from mom: outside temp today: 82 F; pool temp upon opening 59 F

Ain’t it amazing? Who would think that Rick could call me on his cell phone from the top of the Great Wall of China? He did. Huffing and puffing as he made the climb. I stand in awe of technology. Hopefully pics to follow once he gets home. And I am SO ready for that!
Note pics just added that were sent from his phone!

While Rick was in Tiananmen Square in Beijing watching a somewhat “friendly” protest, I was in my backyard viewing the first firefly sighting of the season. Just a few faint ones, but still, there they were. The frogs were also busy singing tonight around dusk. The low pitched altos and the baby sopranos gave a lovely concert. I have never lived anywhere else that I can have both fireflies and frog song. I can’t begin to tell you how happy they both make me. Plus, there was also a bat swooping around eating insects. Granted, there was only one where we used to have at least six or seven, but due to some kind of mold (which I can’t remember what it was exactly) our bat population has died off over the past several years. I hope they are making a comeback.

Speaking of coming back, I will be glad when my husband is home once again!

Mt. Fuji through the haze as seen by Rick two days ago. Photo by Rick.

I am sure you are scratching your heads about my title. Right now Rick is in Japan. His night is my day and vice versa. When he calls me upon rising on his morning, my night is just beginning.  A bit strange. Right now he is already starting my tomorrow. He is eating sashimi and I am eating leftovers.

I should know by now that buying frozen food I am not going to like it. Yet again, while in Trader Joe’s yesterday I bought a frozen chile relleno thinking it sounded good. For 45 minutes my would-be dinner cooked in the oven. Cutting into the chewy, too-old poblano chile, I knew before it reached my mouth that I was not going to like it. Ugh. In the trash it went. I ended up warming up pasta and homemade sauce that I made last night. I hate eating on my own! Maybe it has to do with being super picky about what I eat. But I refuse to eat things that don’t taste good. It’s just not worth it!

The dogs and I went for a walk after dinner tonight. Today was quite warm here, around 80F and sunny. The past few days have been rainy and the dogs have not been able to even get out and do their normal thing. Yesterday while it was raining heavily Bella went to the door and woofed. I opened the door, she peered out and sniffed, then turned to look at me like WTF? Sorry, kiddo. I can’t change the weather. Here are Alex and Hailey chilling out from their walk. I love Alex’s “frog-dog” position.

Anyway, sitting out on the deck while the dogs cooled down from their walk was very pleasant. The cool but humid air and the peepers singing their froggy song from the woods washed over me like a calming balm. So soothing. Puffy clouds scudded by in the sky vying for space with the moon that looks like a pie sliced in half.

My eyes scanned the yard for fireflies, but as yet, none in sight. Since everything else this year is two weeks ahead of schedule I was hoping that they would show up early. Too soon, I guess.

All too soon it was dark and time to come in. Here is the moon just before I came in.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine my husband nearly half a world away in the daylight.

P.S. More to come on our trip but I am thinking everyone is getting bored by now of more photos ...