Tour de France

OMG!  Quelle spectacle!!  Today was Tour Day.  The famous bike race passed only a couple of towns over from here.  The Smiths are visiting for the very purpose of getting to see this famous race.  So we did it, we saw the stage where they went up the Grand Columbier, along with thousands and thousands of other fans.  I won't go into the details of the race itself; you can easily find out all about that on your own. 
We, however, got up at 6, left the house at 7, and were turned away from our proposed way route up the hill to a watching point by gendarmes blocking the roads.  So what to do? Walk!  4 miles uphill (literally, like my driveway straight up).  But... it was worth it! And I  have to say, 6 months ago, before my hip replacement, I would not have been able to do it.  I'll need to tell my physical therapist.
I have never seen anything like it.  As the day wore on, more and more people arrived.  Many cyclists were riding the route for fun (?), and they were from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes.  Our lonely outpost quickly became crowded.  We ended up near some other Americans, and had a great time talking and swapping stories.  Then the parade of publicity vans came by.  These are sponsors of the race.  About an hour before the actual riders, these giant vans come up the hill and throw samples of their products to the crowds lining the route.  Music blaring, people yelling, fun, fun, fun!
Right after these float-like vehicles go by, helicopters start converging overhead.  This is the signal that the riders are on their way.  We are an arm's distance from them.  I, of  course, don't know who any of them are, but I can cheer like the best of them. 
We had a great, albeit exhausting, day.  I learned a little bit about bike racing, and saw a real spectacle!
Still, no photos on this computer.
More to come.