Sail away with Capt. Travel: Around the U.S. Oct. THE SOUTH OF FRANCE - As we crested a hill overlooking the valley near Sault, I first laid eyes on what drew us to the Luberon. A patchwork quilt of farms in various shades of purple stretched for miles below the blue mountain slopes - too far away for us to smell the fragrant blooms, but close enough to confirm this was the Provence we had imagined. What can you say to describe the feeling when more than a dozen lavender fields fill your view? Words aren't enough. All the senses take turns searing this scene into your mind. Etched in mine: neighboring lavender farms separated by French country homes and wheat-colored fields dotted with round hay bales across a lush valley. The surprise of suddenly seeing the vast expanse of violet that makes up the heart of the lavender-growing region is similar to the sensation you get in the Texas Hill Country in wildflower season when you spot your first big wave of blue, orange and yellow on t...
Originally from: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/texas/features/6038059.html