Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Alphabet Soup
Well, it's "D" week -- where shall we be off to -- Dallas? There are only so many pictures of steak I can show. Denver? Much better places to talk about the Rocky Mountains. The Dalles? Much better places to talk about the Columbia River. Besides we've been in the US since we started this thing. No, I think it's time to venture overseas. How about -- DOVER! Yes, Dover of the white cliffs and the English Channel. Dover of Dunkirk
Speaking of Dunkirk this is the "castle" that rests atop the famous white cliffs. Not medieval by any stretch, this castle marks the entrance to a military installation that is the caves and tunnels throughout the chalk formations that are the cliffs.It was from this military installation that Winston Churhill himseolf oversaw the evacuation of the Europen Continent by allied forces that we remember under the name "Dunkirk." The greatest mobilization of civilian forces in military history, Dunkirk, while a retreat, was a remarkable military accomplishment. The first of many that marked Churchill's stewardship of the United KIngdonm during WWII.
These are the famous white cliffs themselves as viewed from the channel. They are quite remarkable in how stark they appear.This is, of course, is the first sight that greeted many a returning citizen for centuries. What a spectacular way to know that you have arrived home!
And this is just the coolest way to cross the channel, "Chunnel" notwithstanding. Dover to Calais. James Bond did it, which makes it definitionally cool.
