i had been looking at my pictures on the flight back home when i fell asleep. the flight attendant grabbed my digital camera and snapped this shot of me exhausted on the way home. the trip was great, but 6 weeks is a long time to be away from home. i missed everyone and was really excited to see them. but i can't help wondering, where to next?

i hit cassis on my last day. i swam in the mediterranean and went on a boat ride and looked at three different "calanques" which are sheltered inlets. people actually rock climb the cliffs there. i had a delicious lunch and a nice relaxing day on the beach. what a great way to end my trip.

this is in the lavender fields just outside the abbaye de senanque. it smelled wonderful and there were even butterflies fluttering about. i wasn't able to go inside the monestary but it was nice to be able to enjoy the grounds. and finally some free parking!

after avignon i headed to aix-en-provence but stopped here in gordes first. this is another town built in the side of a mountain. from this angle you can really see what i mean.

here i am "sur le pont d'avignon" just like the famous song says. you can see the palace of the popes in the background. it was really cool to be on this bridge and dance like in the song. it was also cool to see just how fast the river is running. what a great place to play "pooh sticks."

finally i made it to avignon and took a tour of the palace of the popes. this picture is outside the palace in front of one of the many large doors. i spent over 2 hours inside looking at stuff. this place is huge. and you don't even get to see it all. i can't imagine if i were to take a tour of the whole thing. phew.

here's one from even a little higher up on the trail. now you can see even more of this magnificent aqueduct that went for miles and miles.