That Famous Tower

Earl and I have visited Paris before and we have gone up the Eiffel Tower. The most recent time, Earl and Spencer went to the 2nd floor because the top floor was closed. When the kids were little, Tucker and I went all the way to the top while Grace, Spencer and Earl went to the second floor and then back down. Tucker claims now that he is afraid of heights, but I set him up on a wall and took a picture of him on the top of the Eiffel Tower, so I know he isn't really afraid. When kids have fears, like Grace's fear of elevators, they show even when they're little, like 9 months old.
So one of the things on Earl's list during our visit in Paris was to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It opened at 9:30 and we were pretty much walking underneath the tower as the gates opened and people began to move. We dodged young African men selling Paris scarves and Eiffel Tower key chains. Here's the view on the ride up the elevator.
Things worked out perfectly and in no time at all, we were on the troisieme etage staring down at all of Paris.
The day is perfect, a little hazy for taking pictures, but no complaints.


I tried two artsy pictures. Do you like either of them? The one with Earl's reflection is taken at the top of the tower. At various places around the summit, it lists different cities and the distance away. The photo on the left was taken from the second etage with Earl leaning over a rail and the rest of the Eiffel Tower behind him.
Since Earl claims that he doesn't mind heights but just doesn't like elevators, he decided we should walk down from the second floor, which shouldn't be that far. But here's a picture from the first floor, so you can tell the second floor is even farther up.
We went looking for a market, but I was sketchy on the location, so we ended up having lunch in a cute little street. Although it was nearly 12:30, no one was sitting down for lunch. When the waiter convinced us to try his restaurant, he thanked us by giving us a kir aperitif. Kir is champagne and cassis. Lovely way to start lunch.
We started with salads, goat cheese for Earl and avocado for me. Then Earl had beef bourguignon and I had lamb chops, both accompanied by carrot and green beans cooked in garlic and butter. We were swooning with joy. Another pichet of red wine helped round out the meal.
I guess you could say we're enjoying ourselves.
A Japanese girl took a picture of both of us. She didn't get the entire Eiffel Tower, but you can't have everything.