Napoleon Builds an Arc in Paris, France

4 February 20253 May 2025

We walked around the circle at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, surrounded by the chaos of traffic and the sound of automobile horns. There were inscriptions in the ground underneath the vault of the arch marking the location of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Paying our respects, we happened upon the evening ceremony of the lighting of the torch. This observance of one soldier, buried here in 1921, represented the many soldiers who fought for France during the First World War.

The magnificent Arc de Triomphe is a little piece of Rome that resides in the stylish city of Paris. Napoleon Bonaparte, influenced by the triumphal arches of the Roman Empire, commissioned the monument to signify his victorious battle of Austerlitz in 1805. Friezes of soldiers are ornately sculpted into the stonework while a list of Napoleonic victories and names of 558 French generals are memorialized on the inside and top of the arch. Four two-dimensional reliefs were elaborately carved into the arch, the most famous is Francois Rude’s “La Marseillaise”, which is also the title of Frances national anthem. Standing 162 feet tall, 150 feet wide at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, the massive size can only be experienced in person.

We were prepared to visit the museum and climb the 284 steps to the top of the arch for magnificent views of Paris. Purchasing our tickets in advance, we finished our exploration of the arch’s exterior and slipped into the museum to learn more about the history of the arch and mused over the enclosed miniature model. The nearby shop offers a number of great mementos.

We continued our climb up the stairs to the viewing platform on top of the arch and were caught off guard by the breathtaking views. Looking down from the top, we could see the maze of avenues extending out from the arch which resembled a web of concrete and steel. Mesmerized by the lights along the Champs-Elysees we slowly walked the perimeter of the top where we located the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Sacre Coeur.

Although construction on the arch began in 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte would never have the opportunity to enjoy his trophy which took thirty years to complete. While his funeral was conducted at the base of the arch in 1921, Napoleon’s triumphal project was finally completed in 1936.

What to See and What to Do:

Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles de Gaulle
75008, Paris, France
Telephone: +33 155 377 377

Admission Fee: Free, but there is an additional cost to visit the rooftop observation deck for 9,50 Euros for adults and free for visitors 18 years and under. From October to March, the first Sunday of each month is free.
Hours: Open daily from 10AM to 11:30PM October to March and open daily from 10AM to 11PM April to September. The last entry is scheduled 45 minutes prior to the museum’s closing.
Amenities: Museum, gift shop, self guided tour brochure available in 8 languages and 90-minute tour lectures provided in French, English and Spanish
Scenic View: Gorgeous views from the rooftop
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: The museum and observation deck is included in the Paris Pass. Do not cross the traffic to reach the Arc de Triomphe! Attempting to cross the roundabout is potentially dangerous. From the northern side of the Champs-Elysees are stairs that lead to pedestrian tunnels bringing you beneath the arch. You should be moderately fit to be able to take the stairs to the top and wear appropriate shoes. The best time to visit the rooftop is during sunset.

Where to Stay:

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
31 Avenue George V
75008, Paris, France
Telephone: +33 49 52 70 00

Where to Eat:

Le Cinq
Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
31 Avenue George V
75008, Paris, France
Telephone: +33 49 52 71 54

Wow! I experienced two amazing dinners over the last couple of days and Le Cinq will forever be considered one of my top three restaurants! I ordered the Sea Bass with cavier and ribot milk that was so creamy and prepared with perfection! David ordered the Australian Black Market Beef draped with truffled mozzarella and the meat was so tender and I wished we could have ordered another side of truffled mozzarella. Ingenious!

What to Eat:

Beef Borgonion is France’s equivalent to a beef stew but better!
Fresh Bread from the Boulangerie
Cheese
Chocolate Croissants
Coq au Vin is an extraordinary French chicken stew
Creme Brulee is an egg custard that has been torched on the top to create a crisp layer
Crepes are an egg based wrap filled sweet or savory fillings
Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame are croissants filled with sweet or savory fillings such as cheese or ham.
Duck which is listed as canard on the French menu
Escargot
French Onion Soup
Frites are France’s fancy French fries
Frog Legs
Frois Gras is a duck pate
Macarons are deliciously light airy pastries made from sugar and almond flour
Meringues
Profiteroles are cream puffs

What to Read:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo
The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway
Les Miserable, by Victor Hugo
The Life Before Us, by Romain Gary
All the Light we cannot see, by Anthony Doerr
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Photo Guide for Paris:

Avenue des Champs Elysses for street scenes and upscale restaurants and hotels
Eiffel Tower for fabulous views of the city
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann for gorgeous architecture
Jardin du Luxembourg for nature
The Louvre for art and architecture
Montemartre for the art scene and architecture
Notre Dame Cathedral for amazing views
Paris Bird and Flower Market for interesting people watching
Paris Metro for street scenes
Sacre Coeur for sunsets and panoramic views
Saint Michel and the Latin Quarter for street scenes

The Canyons at Park City, Utah

29 January 202020 September 2024

It has been close to fifteen years since the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. I remembered watching the events and seeing the majestic mountains in the background as talented competitors vied for gold medals. When my best friend Melissa called to invite me for a weekend ski vacation to Park City, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

Melissa met me at the airport late at night and we made the drive to a friend’s house in Heber City. It was my first visit to the area so I was looking forward to morning to check out my surroundings. We drove back to the house and enjoyed dinner before sitting around the fire to catch up with dear friends and introduce ourselves to new ones.

Waking early the next morning, I headed upstairs towards the living area and porch where we spent the evening. The back of the house was nothing but windows and the gorgeous landscape was untouched from last night’s snowfall. When the sun shone, the snow on the trees sparkled like a glittering wonderland.

Plows had cleared the additional snow fall and all of us were super excited to hit the slopes. After breakfast, we dressed up in our ski gear and headed into the four-wheel drive to head down the mountain. Making our descent, I could not believe the sprawling views of the blue mountains and intermittent glimpses of town.

On our first day in Park City, we skied Canyons Resort. This ski resort originally opened in 1968 under the name Park City West and was one of three alpine resorts located in Park City. During our visit, Canyons was considered the largest ski and snowboarding center in the state of Utah.

We had over 4,000 acres available to us for skiing and just under 20 chairlifts for reaching the trails. With close to 200 ski runs, there were plenty of novice trails that I could enjoy while meeting up with my friends later at the bottom for some hot chocolate or a couple of drinks.

I started out skiing the Meadows and the Upper Mainline until I felt comfortable graduating to the green runs. It was so much fun watching some of the children taking lessons and I have to admit I heard a couple of tips or two! I spent most of my time on the Dreamcatcher lift while my friends went off to try more challenging trails.

What a great day to be skiing with friends!

I was finally feeling comfortable enough to hit some of the easier blue runs, so I headed over to Copper Head, White Pine, Pinecone, Panorama and Backstreet. By the end of the day, I was pretty exhausted, but it was a great feeling!

I later learned from my friends, that the slopes at Canyons were a bit icy, so everyone felt the runs were somewhat challenging. I have never skied out west and was told that the snow conditions were usually more powder than ice. I was just happy to be there!

The Canyons are now Canyons Village at Park City located at 4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, Utah 84098. Check out their website for up-to-date lift and trail conditions as well as lift tickets, ski and snowboarding lessons and vacation deals at http://www.parkcitymountain.com/.

Are you an avid skier or a novice? Have you skied the Canyons in Park City? I would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below! Happy Travels!

More Beautiful Ski Photos!

On the Ski Lift

A More Difficult Slope

Skiers on the Ski Lift

A First Impression of Yellowstone National Park

8 September 201816 September 2024

The sky was a bountiful blue and the air smelled fresh and pure. The drive from Cody to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park took only about an hour, but there were a couple of stops in between. The sun was just rising as I passed through tunnels, taking in the hills, trees and streams of the countryside. It was a perfect day to explore Yellowstone and I was thrilled beyond measure for the adventure ahead.

As the entrance sign came into view, I couldn’t believe I had finally arrived. I was excited to take my place in line with fellow travelers for my first photograph of America’s First National Park, Yellowstone. Forging on, I was prepared for my first stop at the Fishing Bridge, when I noticed the beauty of Sylvan Lake as I pulled over to the side of the road to map out my day. Yellowstone Lake was not far in the distance and soon I would be exploring one of the most amazing national parks in the United States. With its vast geological features and abundant animal sightings, this trip was sure to provide endless memories in the making.

Known as the “largest high-altitude lake in North America”, Yellowstone Lake measures 136 square miles. Because the southern road of the park was closed for the season, I had to drive north towards Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. Just inside LaHardy, I saw my first large bull elk wandering through the brush on the side of the road.

The pungent scent of rotting eggs, caused by the sulper springs, filled the air, far in advance of my approach to Mud Volcano. The bubbling mud pots, considered one of the most unstable properties within the park, was proof of the park’s volcanic power. With names such as Dragon’s Mouth Spring or Sulphur Cauldron, the 2.3 mile boardwalk winds through several active thermal features. It was a reminder that I was standing on a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

Looking forward to reaching the park’s most impressive waterfall, I passed through Hayden Valley. I stopped at several lookouts for wildlife as well as random falls throughout the park when I had finally reached the Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was a breathtaking scene as the cascade, with its 308 foot precipice, could be heard long before reaching the overlook.

I arrived at a split in the road, with one leading to the North Rim and the other to the South. I had decided to hike Uncle Tom’s Trail for a closer look at the Upper Falls as well as Crystal Falls, plummeting 129 feet. Since the late 1800s, visitors to Yellowstone have made this trek with help from Tom Richardson, independent tour guide. As a part of his full day excursion, the rim of the falls included a “trail of wooden ladders and handrails to the mist of Lower Falls”. Today a metal staircase with 329 steps has replaced the ladders that once led to the lookout.

I stood at the overlook for several minutes admiring the mesmerizing beauty of the cascades. The water violently flowed beneath into the canyon. While this was the first excursion I had taken within the park, I realized I had not even begun to explore Yellowstone. This amazing national park offers so many opportunities to see nature in its own habitat, from geysers, waterfalls, wildlife and wonder.

Have you had the opportunity to travel to Yellowstone National Park? What were some of your favorite sites that you explored? I would love to hear from you if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my post about Yellowstone and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

What to Eat:

Bison Burgers
Buffalo Steak
Chicken Fried Steak
Chuck Wagon-Style Dinners which usually include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked beans and corn bread
Cowboy Cookies: cookies made with brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, chocolate and nuts
Elk Steak
Fry Bread is similar to puff pastry and is the base for taco salads.
Jerky
Morels
Old Fashioned Soda
Pig Candy: Applewood smoked bacon covered in brown sugar and spices
Prime Rib
Rocky Mountain Oysters: deep-fried calf testicles
Soda Bread: Discovered by American Indians, this bread is made from a mixture of flour and soda (naturally found in wood ashes) creating a quick-rising bread
Trout
Wyomatoes are a type of tomato found in Wyoming. Known for their sweet taste, they are unlike any other varietal
Wyoming Whiskey

What to Read:

The Stories of Yellowstone, by Mark M. Miller
Mountain Spirit, by Lawrence L. Loendorf
Decade of the Wolf, by Douglas Smith
Bring Jade Home, by Michelle Caffrey
Letters from Yellowstone, by Diane Smith
Yellowstone Has Teeth, by Marjane Ambler
Dangerous Beauty: Encounters with Grizzlies and Bison in Yellowstone, by Carolyn Jourdan
Death in Yellowstone by Lee H. Whittlesey
Empire of Shadows, by George Black

Photo Guide for Yellowstone:

Artist Point
Artists Paintpots
Black Pool
Brink of the Lower Falls
Dunanda Falls
Dunraven Pass
Excelsior Geyser Crater
Fairy Falls
Firehole Falls
Firehole Lake
Fountain Paint Pots Trail
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
Great Fountain Geyser
Hayden Valley
Inspiration Point
Lamar Valley
Lewis Falls
Lookout Point
Lower Lookout Point
Madison River
Mammoth Hot Springs
Minerva Terrace
Morning Glory Pool
Norris Geyser Basin
Old Faithful
Point Sublime
Roaring Mountain
Roosevelt Arch
Snake River Overlook
Tower Falls
Trout Lake
Upper Falls View
West Thumb Basin
Yelloowstone Entrance Sign
Yellowstone Lake

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

A Bull Elk Near Hardy Falls

Dragon’s Mouth Spring

Bison in the Distance at Yellowstone National Park

The Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Crystal Falls at Yellowstone

Maine’s Acadia, Watching Whales and Exploring Doubling Point Lighthouse

2 February 201531 August 2024

As a family, we booked an RV vacation which took us along the east coast of the United States. Each of my siblings and I were given the task of coming up with an itinerary for an assigned stop on our RV adventure. We visited northern Ohio, Niagara Falls, Maine, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia.

Each of us was given a location to research and select the activities for the day. My sister, Shelly mapped out our itinerary for our visit to Maine and I was so excited she included Acadia National Park. Sprawling nearly 50,000 acres on the east coast, this mesmerizing, scenic park is full of stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife. I was hoping to see moose at Acadia, and viewing the majestic whales on our cruise of the harbor was such an awesome experience as well.

We started our day by stopping by Hulls Cove Visitor Center to pick up a map and additional information about the park. We were curious to find if there were any educational sessions or ranger talks scheduled. From here, we picked up Acadia’s 27-mile scenic Park Loop Road, eventually reaching the top of Cadillac Mountain. From 1500 feet, we caught an amazing panoramic view of the Atlantic, the park and its nearby islands.

By the late 1800’s, this land became the playground for the rich and famous to include the Carnegies, Vanderbilts, Astors, Fords and the Rockefellers. It was John D. Rockefeller who gifted the park its 45 miles of carriage roads used for automobiles, bikes, horses and carriages. In addition to its carriage roads, the park offers over 150 miles of hiking trails and is one of the most-visited parks in the United States.

Another feature of the park that we thoroughly enjoyed was walking across the Bar Island Land Bridge. At low tide, we could walk across for spectacular views of Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island. We were warned in advance that we would have about an hour and a half to cross and return before the tide would rise.

The views of Bar Harbor were breathtaking from this charming coastal town. Boats anchored in the cove while others were prepared to transport passengers on a number of whale watching excursions. We enjoyed an afternoon of shopping and made lunch reservations at a nearby restaurant with a seaside overlook.

Shortly after lunch, we boarded a small boat for our own whale watching tour. The weather was perfect for our brief sea escape with the opportunity to see humpbacks breaching out of the water. While mid-April is the best time to see these gentle giants, we could not have been happier spotting a couple of whales during our three-hour tour with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company.

After we returned from our trip, we boarded our RV and decided to check out the most visited lighthouse in Maine, the Doubling Point Lighthouse. Located along the Kennebec River, it was not an easy route to reach the light, but we loved the beautiful scenery and remote location. We spent about a half an hour here before piling back into the motor coach for our next stop on our itinerary, Boston.

Have you toured around the state of Maine? What were your favorite places to visit? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my lovely visit to Maine and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Acadia National Park
PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 3338

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $30; Motorcycle: $25 and Hiker/Biker: $15 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Acadia National Park is $55 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase.
Hours: The park is open seasonally and hours vary, so check the National Park Website for the most up-to-date information.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, swimming, biking, bird watching, climbing, fishing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view from Cadillac Mountain and along the various trails throughout the park.
Length of Visit: Three days is the minimal recommended time to see all of the attractions at Acadia.
Tips for Your Visit: If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company
1 West Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 2386

Rates: Rates range from $32 to $63 for adults on a variety of trips; $20 to $33 for children ages 6 – 14 and $14 for children ages five and under.
Hours: The activities take place from May to October. Visit the website for each activities and the departure times for these events.
Amenities: Ferry services
Length of Tour: Varies by tour, refer to the website
Tips for Your Visit: Take medication for seasickness should you think the seas may affect you.

Doubling Point Lighthouse
Doubling Point Road
Arrowsic, ME 04530
Email: mspencer@student.uchc.edu,jaehs@aol.com

Admission Fee: No Admission Fee
Hours: 8AM to 6PM daily
Scenic View: The lighthouse and surrounding area
Length of Visit: No more than one hour
Tips for Your Visit: Wear bug spray during the summer months. Refer to the website for detailed directions to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is not accessible, but you can look inside only.

Where to Stay:

Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday
136 County Road
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 3520

Where to Eat:

Fish House Grill
1 West Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 3070

We shared the New England Clam Bake and I also ordered the bacon wrapped scallops served with a maple and brown sugar glaze.

What to Eat: