A quick trip to the Loire Valley

This week we had the pleasure of visiting our favorite fellow ex-pats, zee Grandparents! They treated us to a nice trip to the Chateaux de Chambord in one of the loveliest areas of the Loire Valley. Thx guys! We love ya!

My fave feature was the double helix staircase - you can be ascending on one side, while someone else is descending on the other, and you will never cross each other. Maybe one side was used for the Queen and the other for the King's "favorites"? Hmmmm...

Francois the I's symbol is a fire blowing salamander and there are hand carved lil' buggers all over the door ways, the ceiling, ect... pretty kewl.