Author: cometsgirl

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.

Up early this morning to begin the day at Dotties’ Coffee Lounge. We don’t have to be anywhere today so it’s lolling time at Dollie’s.

We left awhile ago, but deemed it too chilly at 49° to take a walk.

A brief drive through a cemetery – accidentally – we found some fall color.

In this place of rest and Fall color, we decided to return to Dottie’s for warm drinks and conversation.

Now 55° it’s time to hit the walking paths and trails.

Walking mercies.

We began the day at Dollie’s Coffee Lounge, a local favorite in Pittsfield, MA.

It was a beautiful drive to Vermont. Cloudy with almost still waters.

Both my soul and my friend’s too, were disquieted, just as the waters above. It turned out that all the effort to prepare for the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival precluded a sit and pet visit with Jeremiah and the other sheep. It was a huge disappointment.

We did, however, get to pet and have a chat with Jeremiah. And others.

Quieting moments with the sheep. Touch, feel, gaze.

After our visit we enjoyed putting around in the small villages nearby.

Lunch in a favorite diner…

Shopping outlets…

Wonderful independent bookstores…

Coffee breaks…

Beautiful vistas…

And local pizza to end the day.

Oh wait, ending the day watching the Las Vegas ACES win the WNBA’s Championship!

Amen. Amen.

Back on the road, well, actually back in another chair-in-the-sky. Laundry done, packed up, and in-flight to New England.

We land in Connecticut, our hotel is in Massachusetts, Wing and a Prayer sheep farm is in Vermont where Jeremiah lives. My son who is a pilot with Southwest, calls these “toy states“, meaning they are small enough to hop around.

My friend and I each adopted Jeremiah for a year. So we’ve come so spend time with him and the rest of the flock.

The farm is such a place of piece. I’ve wanted to return since we last visited.

The owner of the farm and the shepherdess of the flock will be super busy. This weekend is the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. 30,000 visitors are expected. There will be more than 300 vendors. Perhaps we can help her with preparations.

Traveling mercies.

My six chairs in the sky travel concluded a couple of days ago, when I boarded the aircraft and flew to Atlanta.

For the trek home, we departed early Wednesday morning, bound for Vagar once again. Flight departure was at 8am, dictating an early morning drive in the dark and in the rain. It was tough.

Morning Dawn for take-off.

Next stop, Copenhagen.

With an eight-hour layover, we accepted an invitation for coffee from the young woman who had been our barista the past two trips to the Faroe Islands. She now lives in Copenhagen and is studying to become a doctor.

What fun to hail a taxi and be transported along the streets of Copenhagen…

…to meet Zoe for delicious coffee and delightful conversation.

We returned to the airport for a long trek to the gate and the flight to Frankfurt.

After spending the night in Frankfurt, we boarded Lufthansa flight 440 for the 10 1/2 hour flight to Houston. The take-off was complete with the familiar 747 shimmy.

An overnight at my friend’s home, then my flight home.

One thing I’ll never forget is how I paid for absolutely everything using Apple Pay on my iPhone. Not once did I take out a coin or a bill from my wallet. Merchants and customer alike loved this easy way to pay!!

Plans for this travel made long ago, allowed anticipation to grow and grow. A lovely way for my friend to move into retirement and then experience lift-off literally.

More sky chairs to come.

Traveling mercies.

I’m not quite half-way on my ten and one-half hour flight from Frankfurt to Houston.

At 34,000’ over Greenland, there’s a lot of traffic as aircraft fly from and to their destinations. It’s the coolest thing to look at my flying app to see what’s beneath me. Or around me.

There are stunning views of Greenland below.

Ah, the gift of flight!

Lufthansa still flies 747s and this may be the last time I fly one. Still, I’m seated in one now. Be careful what you wish for.

You may get it – and find yourself in that chair in the sky for a long, long time.

Traveling mercies.

Yesterday – Wednesday, we began the trek home.

The first of four legs home for me was Vagar, Faroe Islands to Copenhagen. Early departure from the hotel, with a long drive in the rain, to Vagar. Boarding at dawn.

Soon after take-off, “Morning has broken like the first morning…”

A couple of hours later, Copenhagen welcome.

A long walk through the airport, then a long wait for our bags. Three of the four made it. My duffle was missing. AirTag to the rescue!

There it is! My phone located it, and when I showed the above image to the woman at the nearby lost baggage kiosk, she made two quick phone calls. Minutes later she announced the bag was on the conveyer belt and so it was!!

Lost baggage miracles do happen.

Yesterday – Tuesday – had the kind of weather I had feared when we decided to come to the Faroe Islands in October.

It was wonderful to have glorious sunshine, cool temps, and calm days for the previous days. Not this day.

Tuesday was wind, rain and wind gusts! I came close to being blown over a couple of times. Especially while we were trying to pump gas. I literally was blown into my friend, shouting the whole time. Shouting when startled or falling has become a trademark of my response to “suddden” in my life.

Of course we began our day at our coffee cafe. We lolled long enough to make plans – yes, in spite of the threat of nasty weather; and to write postcards.

Then it was off to the police department where one pays parking fines. The parking near our coffee place is good for 30 minutes, so there is a lot of running out to move the car a space or two, and reset the clock which is found in a corner of the windshield. I miss-set it.

Then we drove to the island of Vagar, where the airport is located. I needed to take proof of having paid the fine so the rental car agency would not pay it again. We were to leave too early the next morning to take care of this before the flight. Anyway, the day was lovely, if brisk.

As we drove to Vagar, the winds picked up some waterfalls were falling up.

Still, it was such a gorgeous drive.

One drives to Vagur via an undersea tunnel. One with an art installation!

Vagar was windy!!

I took photos from the car, with the windows down. Wind gusts made it unsafe for either of us to move about.

One minute I had this view…

The next moment this.

The rainbow was a nice touch.

It was a super windy drive back to Streymoy. I clinched the steering wheel all the way.

Later, we dined out. We took a taxi.

We dined at Toscano’s. A couple we met at the Joel Coel exhibit recommended it. It was delicious! A real treat on the last night of our stay.

Blustery, yes. But gifts of rainbows in the midst.