Paris - A very long day

Thursday, June 5 was a very long day with lots to do for the Sandage's. It started with Bob and I going for a run in the morning before the boys woke up. We ran along the Seine and past the Eiffel Tower, about 6 1/2 miles in all. Pretty good for being on vacation if you ask me!

Then all of us set off for the Louvre. Inside the courtyard of the Louvre, Colin and Nathan found a big fountain that was spraying water on the sidewalk. They thought it was very exciting to get wet by the water coming from the fountain.


Through another set of arcs in the courtyard and we could see the pyramid of the main entrance of the Louvre. I personally thought it looked really cool, the contrast of the modern glass pyramid and the old building surrounding the pyramid. Really an amazing site.


Navigating the Louvre itself was quite an ordeal with two umbrella strollers. There were stairs everywhere. A single level was not quite level and had numerous places where you had to climb 4-10 stairs here and there. Once again we picked a travel destination that was not stroller friendly (refer to Spring Break trip to San Fran).


After seeing the Mona Lisa and looking for the bathroom (I think there is only 4 bathrooms in that huge place!), we decided it was time to go get some lunch.

We ended up at the Great Canadian Pub, what a great name, but not so good on the pocket book. Your basic bar food at really outrageous prices.

After lunch, Bob and I tried to nap with the kids in the hotel rooms while Danni had some time to go back to the Louvre and take it in without the distractions of carrying two umbrella strollers up and down all the steps. While Danni was still out, Bob and I took the kids to the Luxembourg Gardens, a really pretty place with lots of statues, trees and flowers. Nathan took a nap in the stroller while Colin looked at the flowers.


For dinner we decided to go to someplace where the kids would eat for sure, La McDonalds! It was a treat for them and a break from the peanut butter granola bars. Then we took another boat ride to Eiffel Tower to see it at night all lit up.


At first just the big flood lights came on, then at 10pm (a late night for the kids!), the tower started flashing and it just sparkled. It was truly amazing!