Juniperadventures

 We left in the afternoon as it is a short trip to Baume les Dames.  All good on a sunny day.  The capitainierre has a nice restaurant steps from the boat.  Enjoyable outside patio as well. We are away from the town so it is quiet, and the Super U store just a walk away.  On Sunday there was a big garage sale in the parking lot of the store.  We found all sorts of good things to supplement the clothes that we didn't have!  Good fun too.  We bicycled to a lock up the ways and helped a new boating friend, Jean Pierre, with a large lock. Explored the area.  Another day we hiked up to the Croix de Chatard, high up on the cliff overlooking the town. Great views up there of all of the area. Made it a loop trip and the second half was a worse trail and steep!  Glad we had hiking poles and that we made it down.  Turned out that we ended up at the place we had biked to! Next time we go back down the other way. Had dinner at the Capitainierre and enjoyed a lovely French meal.  Dinners out ar

On the river Doubs Church tower unique to this region. Beautiful sunset for the 4th fireworks!

 Leaving Besancon you must go through a hand operated lock.  One of the people at the Capitainierre came to help us go through which was great.  You close the doors, then open the gates to let the water take Juniper up.  Then you close the gates, and open the doors to go out.  Takes some muscle power, but is easier if you leave the gates just slightly open. Heading out to Deluz we had great weather, and then there was a rain storm!  The pattern this summer has been nice weather a bit warmer, then thunderstorms and lots of rain, and cooler weather, then warmer, etc.  We have seen more lightening and heard more thunder in these weeks than in years in Seattle. Stopped for the double lock as someone was in it, and then sunshine.  The moorage is nice and they had a great shower. Wandered around Deluz and ended up at a small cafe for a beer.  We decided to have dinner and we ordered a burger.  Burgers and beer for the 4th of July!!  

Coming into Besancon on the Doubs. Juniper's moorage. Quiet place in the city. Beers in September 8th Square. Atop The Citadel View of Besancon from The Citadel Amazing timepiece at the Time Museum.  The astronomical clock at the Cathedral An ancient Roman Gate to the city. Opening the old lock manually. Raincoats on.  

This was a great trip into the big city.  We departed mid morning and were in Besancon by 3pm.  We had already scoped out where we would be mooring Juniper on our one day trip into Besancon.  When you enter, you navigate all around the city.  It is an island in the ring of river which is interesting to see the city from the water.  There are two tour boats that take the tourists around.  The first you notice on coming in is The Citadel.  It is high on a hill and was built by the famous fortification builder, Vauban.  There are also several towers next to the water that you pass by, as well as an art exhibition about the Olympics.   We really liked the port and the capitainierre office here.  They were able to help us with our insurance policy papers, and they take in laundry!  Wash, dry and fold it for you. What a treat. We loved Besancon, got a tourist pass for the bus/tram, museums, Citadel and had a great time spending six days. We particularly enjoyed the Time Museum, the Beaux Art

The Dole Cat   Ranchot Bill's next desired vehicle, great for camping! View of a weir where the water flows over on the river Doubs. We go through a lock instead!!

We left Dole early and headed to Ranchot.  Nice tied to the Peniche bollards as the dock was full.  Shady which was good in the hot afternoon.  Went to an art exhibit that was in the old Church.  Really interesting a fun touch.  The artist was there and was engaging.  Then, we found the pizza place.  Wonderful staff and fun atmosphere.  Hadn't had french pizza yet, but it was an Italian place!  Good food and fun.  Stayed two nights.  Departed Ranchot to Thoraise, where there is a solid wall to tie up next to that overlooks a large weir.  A weir is a place where the water drops down a level of up to six feet.  There is always a lock by a weir as that is how we get up to the next level. Two other boats from Ranchot joined us there.  Pleasant breeze and a nice wild feeling. Stayed there one night and headed to Besancon.