Reflections from the Epic & 80 Road Trip with Patricia Sands
For the past five weeks, I’ve been largely absent from The Barefoot Blogger. The reason is simple. I was on the road.
Not just “on the road,” but on a five-week journey across parts of France, with my friend, author Patricia Sands. Together, we traveled more than 5,000 kilometers from Paris to Normandy and Brittany, down the Atlantic coast, and then to the Mediterranean.
Along the way, we visited places I had never seen, places I had written about, and places I thought I understood until I experienced them for myself.
Why Now?
Part of the answer is simple. Curiosity.
When I moved to France, I imagined I would eventually see much of the country. Yet thirteen years later, many of the places I most wanted to visit were still waiting. Rouen.Honfleur. The D-Day Beaches. Saint-Malo. Mont-Saint-Michel.
Some were destinations I had researched and written about years ago. Others were places whose names had become familiar through history books, documentaries, and conversations with friends. Yet I had never stood there myself. That fact had begun to bother me. I wanted to stop relying on what I had read and finally see these places with my own eyes.
There was another reason.
The past few years have included a number of health challenges. There were times when travel seemed less important than simply getting through the next day. Times when I wondered how much traveling remained in my future. Being healthy enough to spend five weeks on the road felt like an opportunity that shouldn’t be postponed.
The Question of Age
At 80, it’s easy to begin narrowing your world. A long drive suddenly seems unnecessary. A steep climb becomes optional. That trip can always wait until next year. But at some point, next year becomes a less reliable plan.
One of the reasons I took this trip was to prove something to myself. Could I still do it? Could I handle weeks on the road, unfamiliar hotels, long walks, and changing plans? Could I still climb to the top of Mont-Saint-Michel?
The answer, thankfully, was yes.
I also wanted to leave my grandchildren with an example. Someday, when I’m no longer here, I hope they remember that their grandmother was still curious. Still exploring. Still willing to drive across France to see what was around the next corner.
Traveling with Patricia Sands
This journey would have been very different without Patricia. We’ve traveled together for nearly ten years, but spending five weeks together is different from sharing a week on a tour or a short visit in Uzés or Canada. You learn how another person experiences the world.
Patricia brings remarkable energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of France to every destination. She absorbs places differently than I do. We notice different things. We ask different questions. We come away with different impressions.
That made every stop more interesting.
I also had the opportunity to meet many of the women writers Patricia has befriended through the years. Everywhere we went, we were welcomed by friends who generously shared their favorite places, local knowledge, and stories.
Most importantly, we encouraged each other.
There were days when one of us was tired. Days when another hill seemed too steep or another story seemed too difficult to write. The other person would simply say, “Keep going.” Usually, that was enough.
Patricia certainly helped me find the energy to walk distances that would have seemed unimaginable a few years ago. And together, we reminded each other why we continue writing when age and circumstance sometimes suggest it might be easier to stop.
Choosing Slow Travel
One of the best decisions we made was not trying to see everything. Instead of racing from attraction to attraction, we allowed ourselves time. Time to sit in cafés. Time to wander. Time to watch daily French life unfold. Time to return to places that interested us.
Many of my favorite memories came from moments that never appear in guidebooks. Paris without an agenda was one of them. Normandy’s deep connection to the sea surprised me, Brittany felt distinctly different from the rest of France, and returning to the Mediterranean reminded me how dramatically one region of France can differ from another. After thirteen years here, that may have been the biggest surprise of all: I thought I knew France, but I still had much more to discover.
I thought I knew France. What I discovered is that I had only begun to understand it.
What’s Ahead
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing stories from the road, including visits to Rouen, where Joan of Arc met her fate, and Monet found inspiration; Honfleur, whose harbor attracted generations of artists; the D-Day beaches; Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel; and, farther south, Sanary-sur-Mer, Antibes, and Nice. Together, they revealed a France that is more diverse, more complicated, and more fascinating than I ever realized.
I thought I was getting to know France fairly well. What this journey reminded me is that there is always so. much more to discover, particularly when you slow down, leave room for surprises, and take the time to look beyond the places you already know and love.
Stay tuned …
37 Responses
Loved your story well done ladies.
We had so much fun. It’s going to be almost as much fun writing about it. Thanks for following and commenting, Margaret.
I can’t wait to see what comes next! None of this would have happened without your superior driving skills no matter what the challenge. Onward, ma belle amie! On y va!
I am so impressed you did this DRIVING!!I live in NC and I use Nice a base for a 3month stay every fall because it has great local transportation and nearby train and international airport for all my travel forays. You go girls!
Hi Susan. I’m not sure if you know this, but I grew up in Charlotte .. UNC-CH, etc. It was just a dream all those years ago that I would live and travel in France. I’m sure you enjoy your time here, too. Let me know if you’re traveling this way. I’d love to meet… or perhaps, in Nice. Let’s stay in touch. Thank you for reaching out…
Wonderful and inspirational. Keep rolling
I can’t wait either – you girls are fabulous ! And I love love love that gorgeous, blustery photo ! 🥰🥰
You are such an inspiration to us all, Petra. I’m anxious to hear more about your exciting life. Thanks for helping to make Uzès so much fun. Let’s play soon!
I’m looking forward to hearing the travel stories from this dynamic duo! ❤️❤️
Oh my, Vivian. You can imagine there are many stories untold! We’re waiting for you to join us somewhere along the way. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement.
Bravo !
Thank you, Keith. Hopefully we’ll cross paths on one of these journeys! Best regards to you both.
Bravo Deborah & Patricia! You are both wonderful role models for us all.
Thank you so much, Val. I hope that we can all meet sometime along our travels. You’re a pretty amazing duo, too! Happy travels!
You two women continue to inspire me. That journey at any age would be exhausting, but the treasures uncovered and memories formed priceless. 💖
Carolyne, you don’t know how many times we credit you with our introduction. You were right. We do have fun. Maybe someday you’ll join us? Until then, let’s keep meeting when we can. And keep on traveling …. and writing about it! Bises
Having been to the places you mention over the course of multiple extended trips to France, I really look forward to reading your pieces. And at age 73, and with a husband who’s 76, I find your thoughts about travel as we age most pertinent.
Gotta keep moving and traveling until we simply can’t manage!
Elizabeth, I agree with you totally about travel after 70’s. It seems like a stopping point for a lot of people, but it’s so important that we keep challenging ourselves — no matter the age. I’d love to hear about your travels. Please stay in touch!
Thank you for doing what you do and blogging about it. I will be 82 this summer and moving permanently to France. I wish I had a road trip companion already in hand but I am arriving solo. You have to start somewhere!
Wendy, you’re getting ready to prove that it’s never too late to live a dream. I’m so happy for you! Please let me know if I can help you along the way. I’d love to hear your story … stay in touch!
You two are amazing and I adore the friendship and encouragement you give to one another. Thank you for taking the rest of us along on your journey!
We do have fun! I’m so happy that you are along with us on our journeys … at least in spirit. Hope you’ll meet us along the way sometime! Thank you so much for your encouragement and friendship all these years, Rosemary.
What a wonderful trip and accomplishment at any age! IYou two are an inspiration. So glad we were able to meet at last Deborah. I look forward to your upcoming posts. Carpe Diem.
I am so happy that I finally was able to put a real face with your name, Sandy. Meeting you in person was a very special part of the journey for me. Thank you for showing me Sanary. I shall return! Bises.
Inspirational! I always said the clock is ticking and you if you’re lucky only have till 80 …. Most people don’t travel after 80 -too much walking climbing carrying…. You proved it’s still possible ! Also travel is better with a good friend- well !
You said it so well. This was a test for me… and thanks to Patricia’s example and encouragement, I did it. Now I’m truly fearless! Thanks for your note, John. I always appreciate hearing from you.
I was a chef at Les Recollets Monastery in Le Blanc, 15 yrs ago. for 4 months. Traveled the world but I left left my heart there. Made me wish I was also an archeologist.
What wonderful memories you must have, Marianne. Hopefully you will return to Le Blanc someday. Never say “never.” Thanks so much for your note of encouragement.
You two are a hoot, and an inspiration, full of encouragement for the older traveler that there’s still life in the ol’ girls yet, and you don’t have to be young to enjoy exploring. Thank you.
We do have fun together, Lin. This trip was an endurance test, but well worth the planning and weeks on the road. Stay tuned for next year. And keep on traveling!
Deborah, Just fabulous!!!! I am beyond delighted to read what you and Patricia did. It is a testament to friendship, fortitude and curiosity. Not only an legacy for your grandchildren, but an inspiration to all women. I find that travel allows me find my best self. I too love France and have seen most of it now, but a road trip with a close friend sounds amazing!! Bisous, Phyllis from California
This was, indeed, a trip of a lifetime. Hoping that we can search out a new route next year. Thank you so much for your kind words, Phyllis, and for following along!
There’s only one life ladies if your wise you never stop living it 🥂
I’m so glad you had this opportunity! Sister, Kathy and I did this last fall. 15 states, 5000 miles, in 24 days… all on the back roadroads (no highways for us.) We had all these podcasts and audio books ligned up, but never even turned the radio on. There was so much to see and absorb outside our window. We never lacked for converstion. We learned so much about each other, ourselves,and our contry. We grappled with technology, changes to plans, and our different travel styles(sound familiar?) All at 80 and 77. I agree that we can’t let age of infirmaty, stop us from being curious and exploring our world. Our journeys might become less extensive, but there is always something new to see, something new to experience, some little thing that brings joy. This is the legacy I want to leave for the grand kids. One is never too old! Love you and your zest for life!
You BOTH amaze me with your Energy, love of France, love of Travel and the friendship that you have shared!!!
Thanks so much for putting us in your pocket, along the way, for this huge ADVENTURE!!!
YOU STILL GOT THIS, GALS!!!
#goals
So impressive and inspiring!
It was quite an adventure. Stay tuned for more stories on our stops. Thank you for following!