Cometsgirl

The Faroe Islands consists of 17 islands. Sixteen can be accessed by plane (the international airport) or ferries or bridges or tunnels. The 17th requires a helicopter.

Everyone flies into Vagar International Airport on Vagar Island, and most travel to other islands from there. Vagar is a destination as well.

We are staying on Streymoy Island, in the town of Torshavn. This is our third trip to the Faroe Islands and we always stay at the Havgrim Hotel.

Yesterday our travels took us to Eysturoy Island, just a tunnel’s drive to the east. It’s a relatively new tunnel that costs a lot but saves over an hour travel time. It is under the Tangafjørðut sound. A fun feature is the art work at the round-about in the middle. We’ve been known to go around and around before exiting just to see the art.

Exiting the tunnel, we were greeted by rainbows.

We stopped at NAVIA, a specialty yarn shop. Also clothing, limited to sweaters, socks, jackets, and raincoats. I needed a new raincoat so… coat number 3. It’s a good thing I packed a lightweight duffle, just in case.

Then we were off on a scenic drive. As we drove higher and higher, we passed many sheep, too numerous to count, but always fun to see.

The drive led to an abundance of wind turbines. They are so graceful and captivating to watch. A special viewing seat just for me.

Of course I couldn’t resist a high-point-ish attempt.

Success!

The rest of the afternoon was wonder-filled scenic driving. Waterfalls. The sea. Beautiful structures.

Driving home to Torshavn we realized that if we hurried, we could drive up above the town to see the sights of wind turbines in the sunset. They are so awe-filled.

We wrapped up the day with fish ‘n chips takeout, enjoyed in our car.

A full day. Full tummies.

Yesterday – Friday – was the big day. The Joel Cole art exhibit opening.

But wait… there was a large day to be had first.

Of course, coffee to begin the day. We chose Paname Cafe. It was a delicious delight.

Then off to a slice of the West coast of the island Streymoy for stunning sights.

From this beauty place we traveled back to Torshavn for the exhibit opening. Held at the National Gallery of Faroese Art, it did not disappoint.

Joel Coel’s pieces were breathtaking.

The late-afternoon event began with a large gathering of friends and family. And us.

A singer/songwriter sang ahead of introductions. He was great.

Joel was introduced and spoke briefly, and then opened the exhibition for all to enjoy.

I had the opportunity to meet him and chat for a time. Our conversation ended with an invitation to visit his studio which happens to be on the grounds of the prison. That’s a whole other story for another time.

It was a wonderful encounter and a stunning exhibition. I’m so glad my travel and his exhibition coincided!

A bonus of the retirement celebration trip is that it coincides with an art exhibit that opens today.

Joel Cole, an artist whose medium is wood, will show his recent work. I’ve loved his work since my first trip to the Faroe Islands. I have several small pieces.

He was honored a year or so ago with Faroese stamps.

I’m really looking forward to the exhibition and to meeting Joel in person.

Yesterday morning we began the day with a return to our favorite coffee cafe, Brell.

We had a day of wandering around town, enjoying coffee and small meals. Just a pokey day.

Noodle soup for lunch, in the place we learned about 2 yrs ago when I had to get my head stitched up. The doctors raved about it and it was good for my healing.

A bit of drive around town time.

A late afternoon treat.

Oh, I shopped for a coat to keep me warm.

I bought a second coat too.

Last daylight image of the day. Surf will really be up in the morning.

Let’s see. Planes, train, automobiles, carts and one wild wheelchair ride. We arrived in the Faroe Islands last night. Highways, small roadways and tunnels to Torshavn and the Havgrim Hotel. Yay!

A last glance at Copenhagen-

to Vagar on descent.

Sunrise over Nolsoy Island.

First stop of the day. Brell cafe.

Today will be a pokey day. Surprisingly I’ve no jet lag. Still, after the long travel to get here, there’s little reason to do more than poke.

I may buy a new coat. It’s chilly-cold here.

Now seated on Lufthansa for the 9-hour ride to Frankfurt.

I’m flying in a 747! I was so sorry when 747’s were discontinued by most airlines. But tonight I’m on one – complete with a bed. Oh my.

I love the shimmy-shimmy the 747 does on takeoff. There was substantial shimmering today. Fierce bumps thrown in for good measure. I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m not so bothered by the bumping around as I used to be.

Take a look at the sight outside my window. God was painting with clouds today.

Later as we turned our chairs into sky-beds.

Thirty-eight years ago i began flying again. I had grounded myself because of fear. One day I chose to remove my fear and soon I was freed. My third flight was on a 747 to Zurich!

It’s dawn now and soon we will be in Frankfurt.

And I have my hot towel to great this new day.

Guten Morgen!

Awesome descent to Frankfurt airport. Such smooth turns in the 747.

Cool sights.

Quite a slog through the airport. Long-ish walks for me. A serpentine line through passport control. I did catch a ride on a airport passenger cart. But then my friend and I got separated. Suffice it to say, when you want to find your friend in a chaotic terminal, you can!

Now seated in the Lufthansa lounge, getting some “food” for the trek to the departure gate.

Two sky-chairs down. Two to go.

Traveling mercies.

I’ll soon take my chair in the sky once again. It feels like I just got out of a sky-chair. Nonetheless, I’ll soon be back in my chair once again.

I found this image just now. I’m not familiar with Mingus Dynasty, but I like the image.

I’ll spend a good bit of time in sky-chairs as I make my way to the Faroe Islands.

Today my route was Atlanta to Houston. Tomorrow Houston to Frankfurt. The day after is Frankfurt to the Faroe Islands via Copenhagen. I count four chairs. We’ll get there eventually.

This is my best friend’s retirement trip. Faroe Islands here we come!

“Good company on a journey makes the way seem shorter.” Izaak Walton

Traveling mercies.

Today I return home.

I feel so fortunate to have been asked to come walk alongside my son as he journeyed down a road of pain and regret.

It was time I’ll always carry under my heart.

My grandson was a big part of giving care while adding humor and his unique perspectives on life.

Now as I sit in my chair in the sky, I’m thinking about what I will miss.

My son and I will watch our sports teams play in different cities, different time zones.

My grandson will have to be a car mechanic without my oversight.

Macrina’s and Ken’s revenues will drop.

Puzzle time will move to virtual puzzling.

I’ll walk a different route, but I’ll walk because I found out I can walk well.

My son will continue to heal; in body, mind, and spirit. It won’t be overnight, but it will be.

He already stands tall with determination to stand even taller.

I’m grateful for time together no matter the circumstance. Oh, and I learned how to play poker – Texas hold’em!

Traveling mercies.

I’m headed to Seattle today. My original plan was to spend a week with my 17 year old grandson while his parents were in South Africa.

My son had a bad fall a few days ago and will have ankle surgery instead of travel. He was to sail to Granada on a newly-built catamaran. A long awaited and anticipated sabbatical.

Instead, life happened.

And it turned things upside down.

My daughter-in-law is going to Cape Town as planned. She’s taking provisions for the sail and will gather up additional food provisions during her week in Cape Town. She will then return home.

Twists and turns.

All this to say….Mom is on the way. Nana is on the way.

Loaded up with ….

Good for a smile. And perhaps a tiny bit of solace.

Loaded up with love and prayers.

Traveling mercies.

Today I celebrated my birthday in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I’m at 7,790’ here in Ouray’, surrounded on all sides by peaks ranging from Stony Mountain at 12,698’ Potosi Peak at 13,786’ and Mt. Emma at 13,581’,

My day began with confetti texts from some of my family. Then throughout the day wonderful texts and calls from more family and friends. Also from my doctor, dentist, eye clinic and physical therapist. The number of latter texts goes along with being 82.

My sister gifted me with a bag of delightful gifts, and then coffee.

Mojo’s for coffee. After I ordered a Flat White, I discovered that Sara, the barista, was sharing this birth day. That was fun. We enjoyed our bond of the day with good conversation.

After coffee my sister and I set off to walk a short distance to Box Canyon Falls. Altitude and old knees soon required a car ride to the visitors center. From there it was a reasonably short distance to the grated walkways that took us through the box canyon. It was awesome!

All that effort made us hungry. My birthday meal was burgers and fries at Maggie’s. Greasy and delicious.

Later in the day I enjoyed my “cake” – ice cream!

We ended the day with a drive up Camp Bird Road alongside the Umcompahgre River. This may have been the best part about celebrating a birthday in Ouray, Colorado.

It’s been a wonderful day. Filled with love, joy, awe, connection; laughter and wonder. And sustenance of food, sights, and sounds. Blessings beyond measure.

These are the opening words of the Judy Collins song, “When I was a Girl in Colorado”. I grew up in Colorado. Judy was just a year ahead of me in high school. I did not know her personally, but I remember when we had school assemblies, she often sang while the students gathered.

Now some sixty-four years later she released the album “Spellbound” which includes this song.

Listening to Judy sing this song, takes me back to when I was a girl in Colorado. I’ve not lived in Colorado for over fifty years, but I feel the place in my heart and soul. I love to say “I’m from Colorado”.

Today I begin a journey to Colorado.

My sister and I are meeting in Albuquerque, NM later today. From there we’ll drive to Santa Fe and spend the night.

The next morning we’ll begin our drive to Colorado. Along the way were stopping in Espanola, NM to enjoy breakfast with a friend of forty years. She ran La Posada de Chimayo, just down the road from Espanola. I, along with my family and friends, stayed with her over thirty years, until she decided she wanted what many of her guests had – retirement. I am so looking forward to seeing her.

After breakfast my sister and I will drive north to Colorado! I’ve never been in this area of the state – the Western Slope, as it’s known. I expect to have a lot of “wow” moments on the drive.

We’re staying a couple of nights in Ouray, journeying out and about to take in the mountains and rivers – mountains close and distant, rivers running past.

Traveling Mercies.