Postcard: Saint-Malo, 1997

This storm-tossed view of Saint-Malo is a postcard I sent home to my college roommates in 1997. Situated in Brittany, France - along the coastline known as the Cote d'Emeraude or "emerald" coast - Saint-Malo is a lovely little walled city that's been around since the Norman Conquests. It guards the mouth of the Rance River and has always been an important port along the English Channel. At low tides the beaches around Saint-Malo stretch very far out, allowing you to walk to the tiny islands that lie just a few hundred feet offshore. Unlike it's Normandy neighbor Mont Saint-Michel, these beaches are entirely free of quicksand which is always nice to hear.

But, at this time of year, there's very little protecting Saint-Malo from ripping northern winds that sweep down direct from the Arctic Circle. Although the Bretons bravely face winter head-on each year (armed with well-fortified Calvados brandy no doubt), I think I'd rather brave the California version!