Epinal and Colmar

Exciting ride to Epinal through the Alps, up and down through many switchbacks.  I took us about 2 hours in all, scenery exciting with many villages and lakes.  The cemetery was beautiful, rhododenrons in bloom.  I expected to be told where to go to see Rob's name on the wall, but never to be greeted the way we were.  Once they know you are next of kin, they actually take you to the spot, the man in charge, Andy, sort of a curator I guess (and a veteran) took an American flag and French flag and marked the part of the wall.  The girl working there took a photo and then printed out a remembrance card with that photo.  They gave me the flags and also a packet of other information.
Andy said that since Rob was in the 3rd Infantry division that he had seen a lot of fighting and had 4 D-days: North Africa, Sicily, Anzio and the south of France.  He also said he had 2 Purple Hearts and had been wounded in battle.  Most of this I did not know.  He was the younger of 3 boys from my father's previous marriage.  My brother Frank is still going strong in his 80's.

Two more hours of driving up and down the Alps, through tight, twisty turns took us to Colmar.  This hotel as did our last, has a cark park in the back.  We walked the town, getting lost a couple of times - it twists and turns and goes around in circles - no walking around the block or taking short cuts!  The hotel is called Hotel les Tetes, in an historic building built in 1609.  It previously was built by a famous merchant and winemaker.  It is now a hotel and restaurant and is so popular that when we arrived in the afternoon it was too late for reservation for dinner!  We made reservation for Saturday night instead.

Lunch was tarte flambe - with crust so thin it was like crisp, thin tissue paper!  Very light, very tasty!  Check out photos!

The owner of the hotel, Mme. Rohfritsch recommended 2 restaurants to us, and after walking around we decided on Chez Hansi, a traditional Alsation place.  When our hotel called for reservations, they too were already full!  We were disappointed when we were called to tell of this sad situation but took a walk looking for another place to eat.  Just so happened we walked by and asked at Chez Hansi and they had a table!   There was a steady stream of folks coming to the door seconds after we arrived and they were all turned away!!  Our waitress told us that folks previously at our table had to leave early for the woman to attend some acitivity - so good for us!!   Dinner was magnificent and I had the sauerkraut and fish meal that Josef, the chef at our favorite restaurant at home had recommended.  Well, the sauerkraut is the French version of it and truly a meal not to be missed!!