Riding a Jeep through Normandy

posted by Sharon Odegaard 25 Comments
Normandy Jeep tour

I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did,
I swear I lived . . . I swear I lived.

How can we focus on living every second? One way is to pay tribute to those whose lives were cut short, who didn’t live to grow older, who died young along with others in their band of brothers.

A highlight of my travels is a tour of the Normandy D-Day area in a 1942 Jeep.

On this pastoral land, battles were fought for bridges, roads, tiny towns. The quiet country lanes belie the chaos and violence that took place here.

We sped down dirt lanes and clipped along thick hedgerows, clinging to the same vehicle ridden by soldiers during the intense fighting.

Many of the wartime buildings stand, though decay has overtaken some of them.

The words of a poem by Laurence Binyon come to mind:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

At the tour’s end, I climbed out of the Jeep with a heart of gratitude to the brave young people who died here — those who would not grow old. What a poignant reminder to own every second this world gives.

 

Check out D-Day Battle Tours for more information about the tour. Here’s my husband Curt with our excellent guide Monica.

 

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25 Comments

elizabethfstewart at

Lovely, lovely, lovely!

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Earl at

All I can say is WOW!. I was in the area back in the mid-1950’s. There was a lot more damage then. Wonderful photos and comments.

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buckeroomama1 at

Thanks for taking us along to Normandy. Those photos with the motion blur really made me feel like I was along for the ride.

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kim at picking poppies at

Wow, and riding in a jeap from that era….great post!

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Tamar SB at

What an amazing place to get to visit! These pictures are stunning.

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Outside The Click at

Wow, what a trip. It must have been an amazing experience. Such a great tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

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Susan Penn at

This is lovely, I’ve never seen Normandy and enjoyed these pictures, which seem quiet and solemn, yet so verdant…life goes on and what a privilege to be here for it.

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kmcblackburn at

Oh my, what a ‘bucket list’ adventure this would be! The history just oozes while traversing this countryside. I particularly like the shot of the cows in the road, just a reminder of the idyllic setting such carnage took place upon at one time. Travel is truly life affirming for me. Thanks for joining in at Song-ography.

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Beyond the Dog Dish at

Beautiful scenery and thanks for taking me to Normandy!

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sarah at

Just the other day I watched a documentary about the fighting done in those places. It is strange and wonderful to see tourist photos of it now – to see the beautiful peace that prevails.

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Lisa @ SLP at

Ack, great capture of Normandy… a tour in a jeep, wish I would have thought of that while we were there. Normandy is in our top ten for favorite places visited.

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kim at

Amazing historical journey. I’m so thankful for these that lived on the edge that I might enjoy the freedoms I have today.

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Peter B at

A great post, and I love that Jeep!!!

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Amy at

awesome! an important part of our history!

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bettyl - NZ at

What a great way to commemorate the Day.

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Life Images by Jill at

Normandy is on our list if we ever get to go back to France. It is so much a part of our history. What a wonderful way to discover it in an old jeep. I am sure your heart was full by the end of this tour. Thank you for taking us along.

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Pieni Lintu at

Sounds fun!

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Carol B. at

Great pics, and sure does sound like fun.

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Thoughts from the Desktop at

Ok Sharon first of all your post is fantastic, secondly I have been looking for something for Mark and I to do together and I think I have found it….

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carolyn at

This is moving, a tribute to those who fought, and what a contrast to see the pastoral countryside where it all took place! Beautiful, inspiring, reflective piece! Thank you, Sharon! What an adventure!

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Kelleyn at

That is a cool tour! Would never have thought of seeing Normandy in that way! Will have to keep it on my to do list as Normandy is on my list of places to go!

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Anne@gritandgiggles at

This looks like a nice day out, something a little different and something where you learn new things. A beautiful looking area and hard to imagine it ripped apart by war.

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Monica Baan at

Thank you for sending me the link, the photo’s are beautiful.
I’m glad you had a day you will remember.

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prairiejill at

Beautiful images. I love the old buildings.

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jade at

Looks like a great trip through history!

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