When I was but a wee lad (well, maybe not totally wee), one of my all time favorite books was J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  It was written so descriptively that I felt almost as if I were standing right next to Bilbo Baggins as he embarked on his adventure to confront the dragon Smaug.  I was reminded of that wonderful book  last month while exploring the beautiful gothic-styled Le Mont Saint-Michel, in the Normandy region of France.  I was like a kid in a sweet shop, devouring all the Gothic eye-candy I saw.  I could almost imagine what it must have been like for those who roamed the same great halls where I stood that day.  I could almost feel the heat of the flames burning in the many massive fire places I came across, and hear the crackle of the flames and smell the roasted meats cooking over those flames, oh so many long years ago.  I imagine such a place would have been a safe haven from the dark things outside… like dragons!  If you are ever in France, you simply must visit this amazing place.  Did I mention the roasted lamb is to die for?