Dordogne

Karen and Jerry Shiener made their second visit to our home in France.  Then we took off to drive to the Dordogne region of France, known for its prehistoric caves.  As usual, dining is a major activity.  Our first meal at Chateau de la Treyne.

We traveled on an underground river in the Goufre de Padirac.  This was a most spectacular sight.  The lighting throughout the huge subterranean attraction emphasized its unique qualities.

A bust of the explorer who found the grotto was displayed.  Imagine him exploring this long underground river in complete darkness.

Another repast.

Of course, the Dordogne is best known for its prehistoric cave drawings.  The age is determined only if the drawing is made with organic material.  If it was drawn with minerals, no age can be calculated.

The Lascaux caves are the most celebrated.

Karen peering out of her fairy tale castle room.

The group roaming about Sarlat.

An amazing meal was had on the esplanade at Dome above a picturesque valley with hot air balloons close enough to almost grab.

Our next adventure was to visit a truffle farm.  The proprietor gave us a lesson on growing, harvesting and negotiating their sale.

Truffles are a mushroom type vegetable that grow inside the roots of a certain tree.

These days, truffle dogs find them.  The dogs are preferred over pigs, as they locate the truffles but do not eat them.  This dog gave us a demonstration.

Finally, we sampled fresh truffles.  There are 3 seasons for growing, with the winter ones being the most precious.

Truffle product offerings.

Celebrating Karen's birthday was a special treat for us all.

One of the most intriguing spots was La Roque where humans have maintained a community for 55,000 years.  It is a fortress and little city carved out of a narrow niche in a cliff.

Pulley to bring up materials from the river below

Huge bellows

A prehistoric representation of women.

The boys were beginning to dress alike.

As we drove around, we discovered two different gardens where we spent afternoons.

At Rocamador, a town built down the side of a mountain, we saw Roland's infamous sword spiked into the wall above the church.  Roland was the nephew of Charlemagne and died protecting him.

A morning at a geese farm was fascinating.  They are raised for foie gras and are so heavy that they cannot fly away.

We finished up with a French bread making lesson and also made walnut cake to boot.

We felt we really covered the region thoroughly while dining grandly.