Through the gorges - From Gap to Arles

The view of the mountains from by our hotel. The air was cool and crisp and the mountains were like a painting. How can people live here and not be overwhelmed by the grandeur.
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LEAVING GAP What a day we packed all the suitcases in the car( believe it those who doubt my packing abilities - scoff and ye shall be smitten) , said our goodbyes to our lovely host, Sophie at Le Molin des Gironde and went off.  Sophie backed a lovely brioche which we had for breakfast with our usual toast and jam, as well as giving us plenty to snack on on the road.  We left to take the bakcroad through the mountains to Le Beaux, San Remy, Les Beaux and Arles.   THE TRIP THROUGH THE GORGES The trip was expectged to take a couple of hours.  We took the road through the gorge on the Meoge and the trip around Mt Ventoux.  Both were relatively free of car traffic, but full of bicycles.  The roads were windy with magnicifcnet views of the Meoge, and the absolutely fantastic geological structures.  This seems to be a bikers paradise.  The bicycles outnumbered cars by at least 2 to 1.  However the road was windy and steep, and we were continually amazed by the stmaina of the riders.  We were tired just driving. However we did get through to Carpentras.  We only gassed up and found a cafe on a swaure just off the main highway.  It was a pleasure just to sit, relax, and watch the people move by.  there was an interesting roman ruin nearby, which had been incorporated into one of the town hall buildings.  As we got back into the car, we encountered a few light showers from the afternoon thunderstorms, but it was light, and we managed to drive in another direction.

The car fully packed. Believe it or not, there was some reoom for our belongings.
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We went to St. Remy where Alexandra had remembered a wonderful meal.  Unfortunately that restaurant had just shuttered up from lunch, so we found a wonderful artisan cheese store where we got a fine cheese - Brebis-, some local jambon cru, and some crackers.  We drove out of town and had lunch at one of many little pullouts from the main road to Arles.  The cheese was truly out of this world.

Through the Meoge gorge to Arles

The view out the car window into the gorge. The river was rushing beside us, but I guess not with the intensity normally associated with this time of year.
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Soon we arrived at Les Beaux, which has a great ruined castle currently being restored.  we didn't have time for the castle, but did go through the shopping area surrounding the castle.  It was interesting that the shopkeeper noted business was a bit slow, attributing that to the election.  People, in his interpretaion were a bit nervous about spending money, and that was affecting his sales, the restaurant business, and hotel occupancy. ARLES We arrived in Arles, with computer map in hand, and the map both on the computer and the PDA.  Fortunately there were signs pointing out the hotel, so we found it, no help to the map and the paucity of street signs.  Our final mile was through the old town with its narrow streets and sharp corners. The hotel was great.  The reception desk clerk was extremely solicitous, making sure that we knew all about the hotel, the parking and sights and restaurants in the area.  Especially after this experience, we will follo Rick Steves' recommendations without fail.  The room was large and airy, suitable for four, so just perfect for us three.  We went off to dinnet at La Paillotte Grill, a restaurant just a little off the forum, recommended by the desk clerk, Gunther.  The restaurant was excellent with a nice local wine list, and some truly outstanding dinners.  We went off quite impressed with the quality of the foor, and the talent of the cooks.   Our dinner consisted of an appetizer (Cheese en croute basically), veal fricassee and duck breast for Antonette and again cheese  for dessert.  This will be a difficult dinner to exceed.