Day 17 - Serres to Vaison-la Romaine

Sunday, September 20

Serres to Vaison la Romaine (81 km)

Today was a lark. We woke to cloudy skies and wet streets. It was raining when I got up at 0430 for the old man’s break. But, the sky in the west looked better at 0720. So, off we went. After a brief fifteen kilomter, gentle, climb, the ride was slowly 1-2 % downhill most of the way to Nyons.

Provencal Mas (farm house)

As we rode along toward Mont Ventoux we noted the change in the architecture.

St. Georges Gorge

For about forty kilometers we passed through the St. Georges gorge along the ? river (I never can seem to get the name of the rivers). It was beautiful and fortunately almost all down hill. After that, we expected to have to climb up over a ridge, but instead, we rode along the ridge to Vaison la Romaine.

Looming on our left was the GIANT, Mont Vantoux. It really is massive, mainly because it is out here by itself. There is nothing else there to compare it with. We are really excited to climb it on Monday. Down its southeast side is Luberon, where we have ridden before, and where our friends have a house.

How villagers got their water in the "Olden Days."

Vaison la Romaine was the medieval city where we stopped for the day. There, we saw another of the many constantly running springs (I guess you would call them that). In most towns they are in a small plazza. I guess that's how villagers got their water in the "olden" days.

We arrived in Vaison la Romaine to find an ant pile tourist town. It took a while, but we finally found our hotel up by the Castile, built in the 1300’s. It was a nightmare for Sandy with the car. She finally had to have the hotel owner drive the car up there. The parking for eight cars really has enough room for 3 ox carts, but they pack them in. It really is unreal. But the room was great, the food wonderful, and view gorgeous. All in all, a fun and easy day.

Tomorrow will be the test.