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.
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.
217’If you squint, you can see the people way down
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.
150’
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.
The Cheeseboard for me
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.
Gee’s Bend QuiltAlexander Calder
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 have a winner!
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.
Grilled Cheese of course. Purity Ice Cream for dinner
In for the night.
Canopy Hotel in Ithaca
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.
Awesome Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
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!
Farmstead Creamery
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.
We began the day at Dollie’s Coffee Lounge, a local favorite in Pittsfield, MA.
Good to the last foam cappuccino.
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…
Northshire Bookstore
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!
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.
A young Jeremiah
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.
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.
Boheme Cafe, Copenhagen
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.
Weird & wild cloud on descent to Houston
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.
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.
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!!
Cometsgirl 