David's Diary: Friday, August 17, 2001

France Miniature

It is a challenge to find things to do that keep Karalee and I interested while providing some excitement for the children. Today we decided to satisfy all of us by visiting France Miniature. This attraction provides an overview of the entire country of France using exact model replicas of famous monuments and sites throughout the country.

When we first entered, Kevin and Allen were drawn to the railway arch that supported real model trains. Many different trains ran throughout the site showing both passenger and freight lines. The site is accurately laid out to reflect the geography of France with Paris in the central Northern region, Brittany at the top, and the Mediterranean at the bottom.

St. Tropez and Corsica

We walked throughout the site getting a much better feel for the layout of France. Many of the models were spectacular and our guidebook explained that some churches and other monument models cost more a regular house to construct. At the southern end of the site we saw a model of St. Tropez on the Côte d'Azur with views of the island of Corsica. In just over a month we will be near the area as we launch Dragonsinger. Next spring we hope to visit Corsica and it was nice to be able to show the children some areas that they may see for real before too long.

The model of the Eiffel Tower provides an easy landmark at France Miniature and as Kevin and Allen were bored with the slow pace that Jocelyn, Karalee, and I were setting, we let them roam France Miniature together with the agreement that we would meet at the Eiffel Tower at 5:30. While it was nice for Karalee, Jocelyn, and I to be on our own I think it was even nicer for Kevin and Allen to have some personal freedom to go exploring on their own. We hope that will happen more once we are on the boat and within the confines of a marina or harbor where there will be some freedom for the children to explore on their own.