Leaving Portiranges was not a hardship. We had enough of the condo life and were ready to get back on the road heading north.
So bring out the long underware and here we go. The flat marshy coast gave way to rolling hills covered in vineyards. This time of year it seems most of the wine tasting (called degustation??!!) rooms seem to be closed. That is a shame because we really would like to try the local wines rather than do a pot luck at the local grocery store. Anyway... it was not to be so we just continued to the town of Gatuzieres (near Meyrueis). We drove past miles of scrubby forest land mixed with well used rocky fields and even a ski hill. This was actually all in Parc National Des Cevennes.   There were hundreds of broken trees (some leaning on or hanging over the phone wires). We thought the terrible wind we had experienced was responsible but apparently it is still left over from December snow storms. Even Telus repairs lines faster! One thing that absolutely blew me away were thousands of wild daffodils amongst the scrubby alpine trees. Mixed in with the odd patch of snow I took way too many pictures.
The gite we chose was in a small village right on the edge of the park.    The owner's English was good which gave me an opportunity to ask lots of questions. She is married to a park range and has a great love of the area including the flora and fawna. I asked why there were people living in the park and if they were allowed to keep livestock. Apparently they are encouraged to continue living the lifestyle they have for centuries. Having livestock grazing keeps the trees from reinhabiting the land. Aparently that is a good thing. If trees come back than the animal species that have established themselves over time will become extinct. That seemed odd to me but in a country that has such history I suppose you have to decide what era you want to preserve.
There is even a problem now with wolves coming in to the park from Italy. They just can't keep intruders out of here!
We spent two days exploring the Gorges of Tarn and the highlands. What an amazing area again very different from what we had seen.
Windy narrow roads with steep drop offs and no guard rails... and those are the highways!! Wouldn't want to be one of those ashen faced motorhome drivers or the poor guy in the tour bus.
In the Gorge the road is also pretty narrow with many tunnels and rock cuts. Took many pictures of this wild rugged area. Not only were there beautiful rock formations but the hill towns (built right in to the rock) were very unique. Right out of a story book. Roman Arch bridges and cascading waterfalls. Beautiful!
I hope the pictures tell a story better than I can. For our friends who love nature I would encourage you to put this area on your list for the next trip.
Today we left the area and are in Arles. Back out of the long underware and in our short sleeve shirts. We will spend a few days in the south ending up in Vence (near Nice) to visit with friends we met in South America.