We made it home safely last night around 10:30pm.  I must say that if you need to drive 12 hours, Barcelona to Paris is the drive you want to take.  Honestly, it was one of the prettiest drives I have taken.  I felt for the kids, but they are champs and did amazing. 

The first three hours out of Spain and into France reminded me so much of California.  It was so nice to see mountains again.  Houses were perched on the side of hills with stucco exterior and I could swear that I was looking at homes in the Hollywood Hills.  A little further and the topography reminded me of Santa Barbara with it's rolling hills, cypress trees and vegetation.  We drove along the coastline in the south of France and the white caps and ocean reminded me of the Pacific ocean. 

Driving further into France brought patchwork quilts of crops and vineyards just beginning to see there first green sprouts of grape leaves.  The beauty of France is almost hard to "take in" all at once.  It truly is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen and it made our drive that much easier.   

Max was thrilled to cross over Frances longest and tallest bridges.  We recently watched a special on National Geographic on it's design and construction.