January 8, 2007
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Driving Across France
Renting a car in France:
-A car is the only way you can get to a ski resort and taxi service is spotty outside cities (the French have great trains but no buses, and the closest train stop would’ve presented a nightmare getting around)
-Hertz was the last car rental place with cars available Christmas Day
-Hertz is expensive in the States and reeeaally expensive abroad
-To the tune of $450 for a two day rental (underage driver, minimum insurance, etc…)Driving in France:
-I thought Chicago was a little pricey for tolls
-France thinks Chicago is too soft – price of tolls over two days? $100! Largest single toll payout: €37.50 -Jackpot!
-’Slower traffic keep right’ is the law and is PRACTICED – the beauty of this cannot be fully appreciated until you’re driving I-5 in Oregon
-Our car had a 1.2 liter engine
-Cruise control was operated by putting your foot to the floor and keeping it there
-The speed limit was usually 130 km/h but at 160km/h (99mph – under 100, mom!), I was only passed twice the whole trip and had no problems passing cops on the motorway
-Gas is twice as expensive
GPS in France:
-Is critical. Save yourself the gas, the headaches, and the hours wasted on French back roads.
-Not that you won’t wind up on French back roads, but at least you’ll have a pretty picture on the screen of the back road you’re on.
-It may underestimate how long it will take to get to a castle ‘just off the highway’
There wasn’t a bench! I wanted to call home for Christmas, but none of the calling cards worked until we got back to Paris.The scenery was truly inspiring. It was overcast all day and ridiculously foggy at higher altitudes, but the trees were just surreal with the frost covering every branch. Here it finally looked like winter while in London there were still annuals and perennials flowering.
On the way, I suggested that we find an interesting stop along the way. Esther found a castle in the Lonely Planet guide which seemed to be reasonably close. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, it was pitch black, and you couldn’t even imagine where the castle would’ve been.
On the way, I took some cool pictures just after sunset. The last in that series was from atop the little GM Kalos we were driving, and you can see the roof reflecting the scenery.
Comments (11)
Dissing Oregon drivers? The nerve of him. Several times I begged him to slow down before a) I had a heart attack b) we fell off the mountain never to be seen from again. He would slow down only when I was just minutes away from bursting into tears from fear. My heart races just thinking about it all again. Okay about the castle, he’s right I did pick it out but it showed it was just off the motorway. *sigh* … France looks like lots of places in the US; actually I’ve decided most places in the world look like the US. Few terrains stand out as dramatic or unique.
To be clear, the car never once slipped or wiggled on the road or snow or anything. I’m a good driver. =) Well, the pictures made the trip to the castle more than worthwhile, plus I liked shooting through those little side streets even if it did give your heart a workout.
Beautiful!
My favorite is the phone booth pic.
Wish I was there to point and laugh at you.
Come to think of it, wouldn’t the phone be just the right height for a certain young lady we both know? *points upward toward the first comment*
Ok, ok.. you are a good driver I’ll give you that… but it’s what might pop out or suddenly be on the road that scares me the most.. or ice, what if we hit ice? ahhh *runs away screaming*
It’s the European way! And Asian way! And African way! And South American way! And in my own personal experience, the New Zealand way! You gun it and go, and stay clear of the road! It’s what happens when you make it difficult for lawsuits. =)
you’re not earning enough props on this entry. when did the 10 props rule go into effect? did i know about this? did i FORGET about it!?!? that’s not possible.
you ARE a good driver, i’ve never worried about that. but weren’t you driving a TP Cruiser here? wait, that was in kansas. or missouri. when are you going to blog about the gas-pump experience, or is that secret?
i like the frames on these pictures, btw. there, that’s my obligatory post-related comment.
have i told you lately that you’re a good friend? i owe you…i dunno, a book or a trip to flagstaff or something.
ryc ~ it was just easier and MUCH less sappy to say “nick saga” than “it’s been one year, 10 months, and 3 days since nick crawford first walked into my life…”
what can i say, it was important! :-p
i’m rolling my eyes over here.
ok, i lied. it didn’t matter at all. who are you again?
ahh, the joys of european driving. certainly does help with U.S. gas price perspective though. And appreciation for well-planned and well-marked road systems. Sounds though like you weren’t enjoying the best thing europe has to offer (in my opinion) - excellent cell phone coverage.
the picture of the fence demonstrates that a great photo is really about the creative perspective that a photographer sees the world through. Second comment: Esther, I’m with you on speed increasing the risk of injury or death on the roads!!