Eh? Surfing Lake Superior?

This day the rain stopped for a few minutes, long enough to take pictures of the local surfers. Parked cars with surfboards are a clear indication that someone is out there, scan the water!

The wind blows with gusto, the waves spray far beyond the edge of the water and it rains and rains, yeah exactly the weather to enjoy a sport. Surfing is more of a lifestyle, not for fair-weather folk. It requires being close to water and braving the obstacles within and without.

These boots were made for walking in the rain

The visit to Duluth turned into a chain of rainy days, but the best rainy days I can recall! Whenever a little bit of sun shined it was time to get out and about. My brown boots have been the star of many a post, but today Tess's green boots take the lead.

I've been photographing plants across Europe that are new to me and now

here is a little bunch of buds in Minnesota completely new to me.

About to take a close-up of these tiny yellow flowers...

Road Trip to Duluth

Late on June 9th, I landed back in the states via Chicago, and took a bus two hours North to visit my parents in Janesville. The next day I unwrapped the much anticipated package from Threadless, a company started in Chicago, to try on the tee that will forever remind me of Berlin.

I carried one gift for my mom from the gift shop of the Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. For nearly three weeks I took great care of this delicate ceramic box. I broke my rule of only buying unbreakable things. Until this point post cards were the best choice, as there was absolutely no extra room in my backpack until I let go of a few things. Keeping coins from Poland for my niece to play with was my one single plan.

So, here we were with dad at the wheel driving us six hours North to see my brother and his family in Duluth. A pit stop on the way for pie at the Norske Nook.

Notre Dame Love Locks

The locals are never lonely in Paris, that is what I was thinking as I took this picture of Notre Dame. Since arriving in Paris many offers of love came along. At first it made me giggle, but then it made me walk faster and linger less in public. 

Another day, from another side, I returned to Notre Dame discovering another bridge with love locks. At the time I was touring with a couchsurfer and so I asked him if he ever put a lock on a bridge....no. In fact, I've never met anyone that put a lock on a bridge, but I'd like to very much.

Shakespeare and company

Shakespeare and company was shown to me by an American woman living in Paris that contacted me through couchsurfing. She just began volunteering there and was happy to share this gem. So often while traveling, I wished for such a place. Here it was, with no days left to enjoy. Still, I am happy to know it exists. If I ever find myself in Paris again, I will head straightaway to these doors.

Paris Restaurants Recommended

Not far from the Saint Michel fountain two lovely restaurants offer delicious vegetarian options and meat dishes too. Chez Julien Lou Pescadou is the first worth mention.

 My taste buds woke up to this Cucumber salad with fresh goat cheese. Here is a dish I could eat daily!

 This pasta dish was a special, I will let the picture speak for itself.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

In the mood to find some green I stepped off the metro at Concorde to enter the Jardin des Tuileries near the Louvre. A bike tour was on way and I could hear from a distance that the tour guide was American. Hearing his voice gave me a sense of comfort. This is not always the case, now only days before returning to the U.S. it made me feel halfway home.

This arch reminded me of the arch in London I photographed last year with a cheap cell phone camera... So, now I decided to look it up and learn about it. The Wellington Arch, why had I not heard of this? It was in Barcelona that I first started concerning myself with arches...the Arc de Triomf. It also reminded me of the chariot in Berlin from earlier this year.

Space Invaders Paris

Since I visited Paris three months ago I have been searching doorways and street signs through all my travels in Europe. In most cities I had to be told where they exist...like in Barcelona and Berlin. In Paris, the space invaders can be found plenty and with ease on accident.

Paris Paste Ups

The images were located low on the wall and low on a door
almost out of sight in Montmartre.

Sacré-Coeur Basilica

On the day I visited Sacré-Coeur there was a long line for the funicular. I passed it on the side using the stairs. Any day I have my health and the time, the stairs are the obvious choice. How else would I get this fun futuristic picture! :) 

Before I see the structure I hear the sounds of crowds and performers.

AZERTY

Three months ago I was in Paris for five days, so I thought little would surprise me on this seven day visit. That is when I learned about the AZERTY keyboard. In fact, there are MANY different kinds of keyboards. QWERTY is what I was raised on, but this new-to-me layout was manageable by day three. I was staying with a couchsurfer that learned how to use it, so I was determined to do the same. 106 stairs wind around. Aren't they beautiful?  

Close by is a Carrefour market where good tasting CHEAP food can be found. This is how I afford Paris...Couchsurfing and Carrefour.

Last days in Lisbon

 These colorful paintings are located near the Equity Point Lisboa Hostel.

I like this small one the best. The texture gives me ideas for fabric patterns. There is art that makes me go "WOW" and more subtle art that makes me visit my own drawing board to expand on the experience.