Feeling like a D-Day expert

We left Bayeux for good on Thursday morning.  I was worried reading the directions because, even more so then yesterday, they were filled with information like:  "After the chateau, follow the road to the left" and "take the right fork at the cross..."  Very little mention of road names or numbers.  Did this mean the roads didn't have numbers?  It was also our longest day, planning on 68 km for the long route.

We pieced roads together stopping to check the map every three seconds.  We stopped by this group of cows, it was a smelly kind of day.

 We DID eventually find that chateau to turn by, but it was harrowing.  Finally we made our first stop of the day in Colleville sur Mer.  This is by Omaha beach and the home of the American Cemetery and memorial.  They had a nice museum (with a lot of security) and we got a great overview of the history leading up to Operation Overlord, D-Day itself, and the after math.  After the museum, we headed outside and enjoyed the spectacular setting.

We appreciated the vast number of grave markers.

 This was really impressive.   And, the grounds were immaculate.  Like any bike adventurer, we appreciated the nice bathrooms too.

 We stopped for lunch at a place much like a diner, with locals and everything.  A VERY typical fare for us, ham sandwich, croque (toasted ham and cheese), and fries.

 Next we rode down to Omaha beach itself.  This monument - wow!

 Riding to the next town we enjoyed this long flat stretch in the sun.

 The reason we took the "long route" was to visit Pointe du Hoc.  The Germans were stationed here because it overlooked Utah and Omaha beaches and was said to be unassailable from the sea.  The Allies needed to disable these guns so they could attack the other beaches.

These craters were made before the D-Day invasion.

 To the right, a perfect view of Utah beach and the temporary harbor.

 The rest of the point.

 There were many half-intact gun emplacements.  This one you could go inside.

 This guy was doing something requiring climbing up the cliff.  I wish I knew French!

So, this is where I admit to being a really bad blogger.  The day became pretty long with trying to navigate the route and we had seen the good places, so no more pictures.  We eventually found Carentan, and our hotel, with little fanfare.  The bed in the hotel is great, and the bathroom is so huge we could use it for a second bed room.  Maybe pictures tomorrow...