Getting High

Conquering mountains on foot, getting a bird's eye view, painting the apex, getting air while jumping, teens having a beer with us in a plaza, riding a Ferris wheel to look out over the port in Marseille, being at the  top at the Chapel de Notre Dame...all the ways we're "getting high" this month....

Mt. St. Victoire Above Mas. original oil painting by Frank Bruckmann©

Frank spent a few days working on this vista, and all Aix-en-Provence residents see Mt. St. Victoire from varying directions, after all, it is the iconic view of this town and region. But to tie up your laces, pack a lunch and GO is an entirely different level of knowing a place. We spent a sunny gorgeous day plodding up up up last week and I was elated to reach the tippity top where the cross of Provence statue overlooks the surrounding farms, vineyards, villages, cities and the Mediterranean Sea. 

through Cezanne's pines, looking UP at Mt. St. Victoire

Delighted to find a monk's priory and chapel up on the top of  the mountain, recently restored, several volunteers buzzing around who make their 2 hour+ commute on foot.

Visiting Bonnieux with gusto!

Atop Bonnieux, a lovely park and a church overlook this valley.
Sleepy, quaint, gorgeous village sitting up high in the Luberon.

Along the old port in Marseille with Grandma. 

Kids took in the view from the Ferris wheel.

  

Teens in the plaza...Quinn from Monhegan Island
and Arlo are soon off to explore the EU this semester. 

Up high at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Marseille

Unbelievably gorgeous interior

January color....grass still green, some varieties of grapes have leaves still clinging onto the vines. so many curves. love it.

Frank and Hazel scout painting locations for the Workshop in May!
Who wants to come paint with Frank from May 17-25?

Lourmarin at dusk; as we left the cafe it was filling up
with locals watching football.