Author: cometsgirl

When we arrived a couple of days ago, we decided to set aside today (Thursday) for a road trip.

A good fire is key for trip planning.

So is coffee.

We decided to drive a couple of hours west to the Tierra Amarillo area. There is a shop we’ve loved for decades located nearby, but have not visited for close to ten years. It’s a bit dicey to drive that direction because of winter storms. Despite a winter storm warning today, we headed west.

It was an incredibly beautiful drive. I soon realized I should be the passenger, not the driver. So a quick switch and I was set.

We made it to Tierra Wools and had a fine time looking and admiring the rugs woven by local women. They raise the sheep, die the wool, then spin it, eventually weaving the rugs.

I admired but made no purchase. I own around eight rugs, and they are more than enough.

We continued on to Chama, which was pretty closed down for the winter. We found JV’s Place open for another 45 minutes. So glad we stopped in. We enjoyed it all.

Other diners reminded me of cast members in Breaking Bad. What do you think?

We drove on, headed north, to…

Yep, I came home for a brief but beautiful visit.

What a great day! Exhilarating, but always good to be back home.

Look what was delivered early today. I’m set!!

Tonight, grilled-cheese sandwiches in front of the ebbing fire. Bedtime soon.

I woke up this morning and thought, “I’m on Taos time”. Glancing out the window from bed, I saw the day’s beginning.

Snow-capped adobe wall with sunrise to come.

A sense of quiet.

And no haste.

I made a fire and settled into welcoming this new day in Taos – where the high desert meets the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. And time slows down.

Then a short drive down the road to our favorite coffee place, The Taos Apothecary.

The owners, along with their 2-year old son, sat with us for catch up conversation. Their time was a gift. We’ve known them for years, from when they first opened the shop in 2014.

Now sauntering on to wander a bit in town…

Today I am flying to Albuquerque, destination Taos.

Chauffeured to the airport (a three-hour slog), I was transfixed by the clouds. They were twirling!

I’ve decided to twirl as well. As I soar across the country this morning, I’m going to view it as twirling. It’s a fun way to think about travel.

This will be my 12th flight this year and as I packed and made plans to travel, I found myself weary.

Then the clouds invited me to twirl.

“Maybe life is all about twirling under one of those midnight skies, cutting a swathe through the breeze and gently closing your eyes.” Sanober Khan

Traveling mercies.

Well, that was fun.

I Ubered to Rice University to gather up my granddaughter for our spa day adventure.

The driver didn’t speak English so I could not communicate that we would be picking someone up and then continuing on. Oh boy.

Sure enough when he pulled up to her college (dorm), and I didn’t get out, he turned and spoke to me. I responded. Each speaking our own language was quite the challenge for understanding. Uber then texted me, since there had been no finality to the ride, asking me if I was okay. Safe, I figured, but not quite ok.

My granddaughter showed up and told me I needed to have set a stop up when I booked. Clearly I’m new at 2-stop Ubering.

She hopped in and we tried to explain the plan. He would speak into his phone and a reply was spoken and written on the screen. He’d show us the reply and we’d shake our heads.

We tried to get out, thinking we would just call another Uber. “No, no”, he pleaded. Eventually we were on our way. I’ve no clue how it all got figured out, but off we went.

Our destination was MKT, a former industrial campus repurposed as a creative retail, dining and office destination in the Houston Heights. It would offer all I envisioned we’d do in one space.

A juice bar to begin our day;

a nail salon for manicures and pedicures;

lunch;

and ice cream!

Too soon it was time for the Uber return tip. My granddaughter took over, showing me how to set up a 2-step ride.

The ride to Rice went was way too short, given all the conversation we were having. We had such a lovely time together. She’s a very special young woman.

And just like that, she hugged me, hopped out and waved with a big smile.

“Uber” and I drove off.

I am seated in my chair in the sky, headed to Houston to visit my granddaughter. She’s now kk a sophomore at Rice University.

We’ve planned a half-day “spa” of our own making, on Saturday. For now I can say it involves toes and ice cream. And more.

Stay tuned.

Traveling mercies.

I returned home a week ago from the trip to the toy states, and New York. It began just four days after travel to the Faroe Islands had ended. A quick turn-around and I was boarding a plane for another travel adventure. Whew!

Travel whenever has become the travel protocol now that my best friend has retired.

The four states visited really put on a Fall show.

Though our visit with the sheep was short, it was quieting to be near, to touch, and to be still beside the sheep. Their home is beautiful and their shepherdess makes sure the flock is well-cared for.

A few times I found it difficult to navigate safely down or up stairs, or alongside a stream, but then a stranger offered an arm or a hand with a smile. It was gracious and I accepted with gratitude.

Driving back roads gave us time to stop and see. Or stop and walk. Or wander. It may have taken longer to get places, but we saw so much more.

One road held a surprise. Tanglewood. Located in Berkshire Hills, I’ve watched concerts from this place for many years thanks to PBS. Suddenly I was walking on hallowed ground.

I won’t ever stop singing along with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin. Imagine seeing them in concert from the 2nd row. I don’t have to because I did just that.

You might remember a comment I made in a previous blog about the conversation my friend and I had with several Cornell students, as we enjoyed ice cream at the Cornell Dairy Bar. They talked about their idea to add crickets to ice cream as crickets are a good source of protein and are very plentiful.

We returned to the Dairy Bar the next morning for ice cream for breakfast. I know. I know. But you can do many things while on vacation.

Leaving the dairy bar, we walked outside. As we began to walk down the steps, one of the students from the day before came running after us. He and the others had noticed us as we left. We imagined their reaction: “There they are! Go get them!” We followed him back up the stairs and into the building. They had made cricket ice cream the night before and asked us to taste it. Two spoons appeared and without hesitation we dug in. Not bad. A bit crunchy. It tasted like butterscotch.

We pronounced it very good, and then had a delightful visit with them. They are all seniors with unique paths they plan to take when they graduate. Very special young people.

The pièce de résistance of our last night’s stay was the hotel. Attached to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, rooms overlook the airport. Gates and runways can be seen just outside the room windows. The floors – 5, 6, 7 – are the best. I love the action! I’ve got an app that tells me whose arriving, whose departing. Fun!

When we were ready to depart the next morning, it was a short walk from the hotel lobby to luggage checking, security and on to our departure gates. Really swift.

With the intent to embrace travel whenever, the gates of travel are wide open!

Traveling mercies!

Last night we had one of the best musical treats ever!

Ithaca State Theater. Second row seats. The invitation was to join Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin in their lining room for song and conversation.

Can you see the glee?

The theater was just two blocks away from the hotel, so we sauntered down the way.

The concert was songs and stories. There were wonderful harmonies, stories that were poignant and humorous, and delightful banter between old friends.

I felt bathed in notes of time by two of my favorite singer songwriters.

After the 2-hour, no intermission concert, we walked home to the hotel, chatting about the artists, the music, the audience, the venue.

I would have hummed, but carrying a tune is no longer my forte.

🎶 🎶 and smiles

Upon awakening this morning in Ithaca, NY, the first event was ordering a cappuccino. Well, a short drive, and then ordering a cappuccino to begin the day in this town.

Having researched coffee in Ithaca yesterday, we knew right where to go. Gimme!

It was just the place to get the day started.

We were ready for adventures. First stop…

While my friend painted,

I wandered about.

The next stop was Taughannok State Park to see the glory of the Taughannok Falls.

It was tricky for me to manage the steps to the viewing arch, but the kindness of strangers who offered their hand going down and climbing back up, made it possible.

Our next stop was Ithica Falls.

A number of people were fishing – for Atlantic Salmon and Brown fish.

Then it was time for lunch. All this activity!

We chose to dine at Moosewood, a three-time James Beard Award winner.

It was a delicious and delightful experience.

After our meal we drove to the Cornell University campus. I was interested in the Art Museum, designed by I. M. Pei.

The exhibits were engaging. A number of old friends on exhibit.

This is an extraordinary space for art, inside and out.

Up next – ICE CREAM!

Located inside the Stocking Hall for Food Science is the Cornell Dairy Bar. Oh my!

We had a fun conversation with three students who wondered how we would feel about making ice cream using crickets, as they are high in protein and abundant. We were “supportive”.

We had such a grand day!

But wait, there’s more. It deserves a post of its own. Coming tomorrow.

This day we journeyed to another state. New York. NY does not count as a toy state, obviously.

We started off at Dottie’s for to-go food and drink, saying goodbye and telling them how enjoyable it was to begin each day at Dottie’s.

The Hotel on North was exceptional. Driving past the hotel, we left town.

Our intention was to avoid toll roads, so the 4-hour drive turned into an 8-hour drive on two-lane roads. We stopped and started all day. Photo-ops, short walks, painting, lunch and breaks.

I’ll let the images speak for the day.

In for the night.

Tomorrow waterfalls, art museum. And the concert with Mary Chapin Carpenter.

On the drive to return to our hotel late this afternoon, we realized that while we had been out and about much of the day, we were never further away from the hotel than eleven miles.

Dottie’s for coffee. Twice.

Then we enjoyed a day outside.

We began by driving across Onata Lake. Fall colors doubled.

We then meandered around,

until we found ourselves at Balance Rock.

It was a beautiful spot.

Next we found a twisty road to meander along,

until my friend found a perfect spot to paint.

I wandered around gathering beautiful leaves to bring home.

The next road we chose took us “up high” where views were as far as you could see.

We then dropped down to Berry Pond.

Eventually to Flo’s for lunch.

Back on the road to

where we walked around the grounds, talking about the greats and imagining the experience.

Then on to Jordan Marsh. Marshes are so silent and still.

After all this activity, it was time for fabulous Ice Cream!

As we traveled to Hotel North at the end of the day, we realized we were never further away from the hotel than eleven miles.

Sometimes a few miles is all that is needed to travel far enough.