We left Europe on October 14, flew home, took care of stuff, and headed to Mexico. We entered Mexico on October 31 and arrived at our favorite beach in Baja, Playa de Santispac, near Mulege, on November 2.
We were lucky enough to get a giant palapa on the beach next to one with our good friends, Don & Rosie. Our motorhome is the first one on the left, with our palapa to the left of it.
It is a great place to get out of the wind and sun.
We have all our toys organized, sheltered from the sun, and easily accessible.
There is a pretty sunrise every morning, but the second morning was the best.
One morning, while looking at the sunrise, we saw that the daylight was lighting a rainbow behind us.
Our days are slipping by with kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, biking, swimming, floating when it is too hot, and a lot of eating and drinking.
After almost three weeks of this hell, I am ready to revisit some of the places we enjoyed in Europe, but I was too busy or lazy to post about it.
Today we will visit the Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley, France. To get to the Chateau from the parking lot, you must walk down the lane once used by carriages.
The Chateau is built over the River Cher.
It is France's second most visited Chateau, surpassed only by Versailles. Construction of the Chateau was begun in 1514 after the demolition of the former Chateau built in the 1430s. It is known as the Women's Chateau because three women were responsible for its construction. The original structure was overseen by Katherine Briconnet, the wife of Thomas Bohier, the owner. Katherine loved hosting parties of the French nobility, including the king.
In 1535, the Chateau was seized from Bohier's son by King Francis I of France for unpaid taxes to the crown. After King Francis died in 1547, King Henry II gave the Chateau as a gift to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who became highly attached to the Chateau. She finally obtained title to the Chateau in 1555, expanded the Chateau with a bridge across the river, and added extensive gardens.
The vast gardens were created by building walled squares along the river and filling them with dirt.
After King Henry II died in 1559, his willed solid widow, Catherine de Medici, forced the mistress Diane to exchange the Chateau for another. Queen Catherine made Chateau de Chenonceau her favorite residence, adding more gardens. As Regent of France, Catherine spent a fortune on the Chateau and spectacular nighttime parties. In 1560, the first ever fireworks display seen in France took place there. In 1577, the grand gallery was built over the bridge across the river.
The flowers were spectacular.
Even the ducks were decked out.
This maze is a bit short for Helyn.
The inside of the Chateau is typical over-the-top elaborate.
This fireplace is a work of art all by itself.
This long hall is on the lower floor of the part of the Chateau, spanning the river.
They did not skimp on the chapel.
Every house should have a picture of King Louis XIV. Not all places could fit this picture frame.
This is a painting of the Three Graces. Interestingly, the faces of the graces are the faces of three of Bohier's mistresses.
Different Times. Do not try that at home.
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