Visiting the Citadelle at Besançon

After leaving the Chateau de Joux, we traveled on to Besançon to visit the Citadelle. It is a huge fortress built by Vauban, who was a military engineering genius. The Citadelle now has three museums, a zoo, an aquarium and many more attractions. Frank is standing by the large well that supplied water to the fortress. When we walked up the ramp to enter, we looked down in the dry moat and saw baboons and gazelles. We especially enjoyed the museum dedicated to the French resistance during World War II.

Walking along the ramparts between the fortress towers

We walked along the top of the fortress wall and checked out each of the towers. That is my face peeking out of the hole. The views from each vantage point were spectacular. The river flows all around the citadel.

On the way home from Besançon

On the way home from Besançon, we stopped to take a rest just outside of La Cluse where we could see two fortresses on either side of the pass through the mountains. We also passed the sign that indicated that at that point the waters ran either north to the North Sea or south to the Mediterranean Sea. The last picture is of the freeway coming back to Geneva. If you look closely under the signs, you can see the snow covered alps in the background.

July 8 and 9 -Scenes around Ferney and Prevessin

On the evening of July 8th, we walked our route around Ferney. We were surprised to see that the field we had watched grow since April had been harvested. It was a beautiful sight.
We got up early Thursday morning, the 9th, and walked up to Voltaire's chateau. It was lovely in the morning light. Then we kept on walking toward Prevessin, the next town over.

The Swiss Geneva Mission Home and Office

The picture on top is of the mission home and the one below is of the mssion office. The white car in the bottom picture is a Dacia. Four of the six senior couples drive Dacias.

Family Home Evening on July 6, 2009

On July 6th, at Family Home Evening in Lyon, we celebrated the 4th of July a few days late. In the top picture, we are singing the Star Spangled Banner. Everyone joined in whether they were from the United States, France, New Caledonia, etc. Jean Louis taught the lesson from Preach My Gospel. We had 15 young adults in attendance. For dessert, we had a U.S. flag cake.

Fourth of July Barbecue at the mission home

On the evening of July 4th, the senior couples had a barbecue at the mission home to welcome President and Sister Murdock to Geneva. It was a beautiful summer evening. The last picture is of the mission home with all of its geraniums.