Todd and I thought we would check out some of the grounds while the kids tried their hands at the rowboats. It isn't as easy as it looks. 

After getting stuck and making circles in the dock area for about fifteen minutes, the kids got the hand of the double oars, with a little help from their friend.

Always ready to try anything head first and eyes closed, Tyler wasn't a natural, now that's a first. And of course, I can always count on the girls to pose for the instant glamour shot no matter what the situation is. Is that boat sinking?

Brittany tried too, might have been easier with Tanner sitting. Don't know since he doesn't weigh more than a wet cat. I think he has a tape worm because he eats us out of house and home and weighs nothing.

Tanner even ventured a try.

A view of Apollo's Basin from the base. That's Apollo coming out of the water with his signature four horses. Louis XIV called himself the Sun King after his favorite God Apollo, the Sun God, hence his great love of gold that sparkled like the sun too.

A closeup of the gardens that were everywhere.

Along with the beautiful flower gardens and just as impressive is Le Potager du Roi, the King's Vegetable Garden. 22 acres in all, the garden is still productive today. The garden is sunken below ground and surrounded by walls to keep a constant climate year round. Remember citrus was a luxury and Louis XIV had thousands of fruit trees containered in silver pots. When the weather was good, they would be rolled out among the grounds. When Louis XIV wanted asparagus in the winter, he was supplied with it along with many other exotic and regular vegetables grown in this garden.

It was really windy so they finally decided that the umbrella was better used as a sail instead of a parasol and started making headway on their venture down the Grand Canal. They made it to the end and back.