The Invasion Of Normandy.....

An early wake up call, set bags outside our doors, and we were off on day two of our journey.

This was a much more secular part of our voyage and I believe the part the drew most of the men to sign up for the trip.

Today the band of 43 pilgrims invaded Normandy.

We again drove by bus through beautiful French countryside, passing fields of "Norman" cows grazing and men harvesting field corn and sugar beets.

We arrived at the Caen Museum, the most complete Museum depicting the Invasion of the Norman beaches by the Americans in June, 1944.

The tour was amazing in the reality that was within the corridors gave you a real sense of how difficult it was for the soldiers during this battle.

We were off next to the actual beaches of the invasion from Omaha to Utah.

The small town was very serene and there seemed to be a sense of awe and respect as everyone walked through the streets.

It is hard to believe that so much beauty was restored after so much 

destruction 60 years ago.

Th wall at the entrance of the American Cemetery and Memorial depicts the paths of arrival and movement on the many beaches of Normandy. Considering the large amounts of equipment and mass number of troops that took part in the first battle in 1944, the logistics of planning this was immense.

Looking out over the 1987 markers at the cemetery was indescribable.  

The silence was defining as we all try to absorb the enormity of death during this battle.

Jimmy was moved in a way that I have never seen.

Being a military family and knowing how many lives were lost crossing the very sand he was standing on was surreal to him.

It was worth every mile we traveled to see him so absorbed in the reality of this costly invasion.

The enormity of the craters ....so very many and so close together were signs of the reality of how intense the bombing of the area was.

We climbed into anti aircraft and ammunition bunkers where walls were two meters of solid concrete to protect the Germans attacking as the Americans landed and came up the hills.

Powerful barely describes the feelings we had.

Our "surprise" on the way to our next stop was a detour to visit the Biscuiterie

where we were all introduced to the locals favorite cookies and what would become our constant friend on the remainder of the journey:

Mont-St-Michel's Calvados!

This very strong apple brandy would later be renamed 

"Saint Calvados"

and was the drink of choice each evening as we relaxed and reminisced over the days events!

Tomorrow takes us up to the majestic Mont-St-Michel.
The view from our hotel at night is amazing.  
Anticipation is making it hard to go to sleep!!

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3