Versailles

6:15 seems awfully early when on vacation, but up we got so that we could be to Versailles when the gates opened. 

Here's Louis XIV, who turned what was originally a hunting lodge into the opulent palace of Versailles. 

Turns out the lines are still quite long even when you get there early. And the French don't really have a handle on how to keep queues organized, but after an hour or so, we made it in. 

We started in the main palace state rooms. 

This is the hall of mirrors, where the treaty of Versailles was signed to end WWI. 

I believe this is the Queen's room. It was a bit of a sea of humanity that pushed us through the rooms. I lost Maija and Todd at one point, but thanks to technology, we were able to reconvene. 

Then we made it outside. 

Then we rented a cart because the grounds are massive. We were only supposed to have 4 people in the cart, but we managed to be sneaky and hop in and out as needed. Kai was a bit concerned about this, we tend to be rule followers. It was a bit humorous to see his concern. 

There were really long walks between gardens, fountains and palaces. 

We ventured over to Marie Antoinette's hamlet. This was absolutely the kids' favorite. 

Our kids would like to live on a farm. In fact Anni asked if perhaps it could be our next house, because she is convinced we will never live in Portland again and that we will just be on vacation forever. 

This is within what we've dubbed the umbrella tree. 

Goofballs waiting for Todd and Maija to return the cart. 

We were all a bit tired out by the end of it, but what a fun day.