The Tour de France is spending the night in our town. The destination point for today was the place du chateau, Compeigne. That would be a few short blocks from our house.

What I learned today was that if you don't make an effort to open the front door and walk the few blocks to the spectacle, you are very likely to miss the whole thing.

I don't have any real interest in the sport of bicycling, but I still intended to attend the events today. After all, the Tour de France doesn't come through town every day. Plus, my son shares a name with a Tour de France hero. But then 5:30 rolled around and I was tired and in pain and I decided it would be better to sit at the table and console myself with croissants. It's nothing but a bunch of bicycles, anyway! At 6:30, Louison and I were going out for our usual trip to the nearby park, and I opened the door to low flying helicopters. That's when the fever hit, and I needed to see the Tour de France at all costs. Helicopters get involved, and a bunch of bicycles suddenly becomes a once in a lifetime opportunity! But no, Cedric assured me it had passed, they would never be mistaken on the arrival time, I missed it, my life was over, etc. So we played at the park, and the helicopters circled over, and I lamented missed opportunities and simultaneously imagined myself in a scene from "1984."

Then, masses of people in yellow t-shirts walked by carrying sports paraphernalia, and the helicopters flew away. And you know what? The Tour de France arrived in town one hour late, a few minutes walk from where I was, and I missed the whole thing! Well, that's life for you. Seize the day, my friends. Make an effort to see the action.

If I can, I'm going to go watch them depart for tomorrow's leg. It may involve getting up early, but sometimes you have to go out and meet life halfway.

Ah ha, The Tour de France would be a once in a life time sighting. I hope you got out today and saw the world's most famous bicycle race. Sounds like you, Cedric and Lou are really enjoying your new surroundings. All is well on the Western front. We went to Terre Haute and had lunch with the Myers family as it was Aunt Orpha's Birthday. She always ask if we have heard from you. I know tomorrow (7/12) is Cedric's big day and we hope he does whatever he wishes to make the most of it.
Well, we'll see if you get the Tour de France fever and become a renown bicyclist with the baby carrier on the back. You know the added weight is good practice for those up hill legs of the race.
Hugs and Kisses to all. Happy Birthday Cedric. Love Ya,
Grandma and Grandpa

The blog is wonderful...and from time to time it is okay to miss the race, life itself is always a race. Happy Birthday (late) Cedric. It looks as though your all having a marvelous time.