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by maribeth
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I’m Thinking of You
A Good Sign: Heart-Shaped Tea Stain on My Kitty Dish
I’ve never been so consumed with thinking about people. I’m not dwelling or ruminating or obsessing about others. I’m visiting with folks. I’m spending time with my closest loved ones as much as I’m guarding the safety of those tight-knit families living in their one-room hovels in the slums of Islamabad. I’m hanging with my boyfriend who’s been working 12-hour days to keep the hotel he manages afloat and I’m rushing through the halls of a busy ICU with over-worked medical professionals. I’m sitting with the families that are grieving the loss of their loved ones while maintaining social distancing and I’m riding with that trucker who’s bravely making his way across the country to deliver goods without even being able to sit down at a truck stop to enjoy a good meal. I’m in the kitchen with that family that’s trying to figure out a new way of living, juggling working remotely with homeschooling and this new concentrated version of togetherness. I’m looking over the shoulder of that grocery store clerk who’s stocking shelves for a small wage so that we can continue to fill our refrigerators and pantries. I’m with that person fighting for his or her life on a respirator in the hospital. Indeed, it feels like I’m everywhere these days–at least in my thoughts.
My Partner Delivering the Goods Beneath the Cover of Darkness
Yet, I am all alone–at least from a physical standpoint. I was very sick for quite a while with presumably some kind of a Telluride crud that I picked up on the mountain while teaching skiing the first week of spring break. (I had a COVID-19 swab test, self isolated for over two weeks and then found out it was negative. It took ten days for the results to come back but even if I had found out that I was coronavirus free sooner, it was best not to be out spreading germs.) During this time, I saw a couple of friends who came by to drop off provisions for me, safely separated by the glass door of my foyer. My guy came by with care packages as well but as hard as it was, we maintained a good ten feet between us, knowing that had there been any less distance we would have been more tempted to fall into each other’s arms. And then once I received my test report, I was thrilled to carefully venture out to the store, the pharmacy and a couple of other necessary places on my list. (Thankfully liquor stores are considered essential businesses here in Colorado.)
Driving Up for My COVID-19 Test
Like many people throughout the rest of the world, I’ve been doing this for over a month. I’m not at all bored though. I have my reading and writing, cooking, cleaning and house projects, lots of radio programming (I don’t have a TV) and now that I’m better, I enjoy doing an occasional walk in the countryside surrounding my house. Plus, I have all of you. Really. I’ve never felt so connected to the rest of the world in all my life. All kinds of people, including old college friends, old boyfriends, my ex husband, friends in France, and so many more from the cast of characters that have played a role in the movie that is my life have filled my thoughts and dreams. Prince Charles even appeared in one of my nighttime productions last week! We were eating potato chips together sans gin and tonic unfortunately. I sleep as deeply as a Rocky Mountain bear during the month of January and wake up exhausted, perhaps because of all the visiting I do during the night. In pondering the symbolism behind these dreams, I’ve come to the conclusion that the night is just a continuation of how my brain has been functioning throughout my waking hours: thousands of loved ones and total strangers pop into my head over the course of the day and with each flash, I’m wondering consciously or unconsciously how they are doing. Best of all, I feel myself sending them strength and love.
Saying Hello to Cows on My Walk is Good Therapy
The expression “my thoughts and prayers are with you” has gotten a bad rap. Honestly. I believe in the power of thoughts and prayers more so than ever. And I feel like I’m working overtime these days to stay emotionally connected with everyone in this world, particularly those in need. We have all discovered the meaning of “we are one” throughout this worldwide pandemic. I feel for the people of Italy as their death toll reaches inconceivable numbers. I’m experiencing the horror and sadness that New Yorkers feel upon seeing the refrigerated trucks line up outside their hospitals for the storage of the dead. I’m fluffing up the pillow for that medic sleeping in his car. I’m feeling the excitement of that oh-so creative person that has turned her 3-D printer into a face mask-making machine.
Everyday I find myself having a good cry. I’m not at all depressed. I’m just full of empathy and compassion and although it can be tiresome, shedding tears is a wonderful release both physically, emotionally and mentally.
Discovery Map Mountain Living Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride Travel Fun Trip Planning: Discovery Map Guest DJ Day James Nieheus KOTO mapmaking ski maps Telluride Ski Resort Telluride Ski Resort history trail maps
by maribeth
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Ski Map Fun and Telluride Ski Legends on KOTO
James Nieheus in Front of His Painting of Alta
Map Painting
Even in today’s high-tech world, ski maps remain prized souvenirs from any ski vacation and many die-hard snowsports aficionados boast collections of them that they keep at home amid other treasured momentos. Whether drawn and painted by hand or computer generated, virtually all ski resorts also reproduce the paper maps digitally, making it possible to check out your favorite mountain or dream getaway with the click of a mouse. But have you ever thought about what goes into the map-making process? Some really cool information gathering and artistic interpretation, that’s what.
Telluride Map Painting
Learn all about it on my next Travel Fun, my half hour radio show on travel at KOTO, Telluride, Colorado’s beloved community radio station. Tune in locally or at KOTO.org at 6:30pm MST on Thursday, February 20, to listen to my interview with mapmaker, James Niehues. Referred to as the “Rembrandt of the Ski Trails,” by the New York Times, Jim has created ski maps for some 350 renowned ski resorts around the world, including Telluride. (If you look closely at T-ride’s trail map, you can locate his signature.) Jim will be talking about how he does it from start to finish, a story that’s sure to give you new appreciation for ski maps in general. He’ll put a little more visual into the interview by sharing about his recently published book, The Man Behind the Maps: Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues, a must-have coffee table book that features two hundred of his hand-painted ski resort trail maps.
James with His New Book
I actually posted a story on Jim last year at Discovery Map International’s Map Geek blog. Entitled James Niehues: Ski Map Maker Extraordinaire, you can check it out right now.
In December, also for Discovery Map, I wrote Ski Maps Bonanza, a story that highlights two very interesting websites where you can check out trail maps from resorts located all over the world. It’s a great resource for planning future ski trips or just cruising around the world virtually in quest of some of the coolest places to do turns.
A couple of years ago Discovery Map published Old School Cool: Ski Maps, another great piece for winter sports enthusiasts of all ability levels.
Oh Yeah!
And the fun does not stop there, speaking of Old School, you can hear all kinds of stories about the rich history of Telluride Ski Resort and skiing in general on KOTO’s Guest DJ Day that’s taking place Friday, February 21, from 9am to 5pm. It’s always a super fun day to kick off the radio station’s fundraising and this year promises to be extra sweet, since the theme is Telluride Ski Legends. You’ll be hearing from many of T-ride’s most illustrious snowsports enthusiasts, past and present, including Johnnie Stevens and Annie Vareille-Savath. Annie, for example, started working as a ski instructor at Telluride when the resort opened in 1972. She later was the ski school director in 1978 through 2001 and served as the longest running Telluride Ski School director ever. She’s still teaching skiing and serves as an excellent role model to us all! Bill Jensen, a recent inductee into the Ski Hall of Fame, and Partner and CEO of Telluride Ski and Golf will also be a guest. (Bill incidentally wrote praise and an industry perspective on James Niehues in the front part book.) There should be some great programming all day long with lots of schwag, including a special giveaway of Jim’s book. (If you donate $250. or more to KOTO you will be put in a drawing to receive this beautiful book, valued at $90.)
Annie Ripping It Up on Bushwacker Back in the 70s
Hope you’ll be able to tune in to my interview with Jim on Thursday, February 20 at 6:30pm MST and KOTO’s Guest DJ Day all day on Friday, February 21! You can easily listen in at KOTO.org.
Anyone that donates a minimum of $40. to KOTO on behalf of Travel Fun will be put into a drawing to win a two-night stay in a one-bedroom condo at beautiful Mountain Lodge Telluride. Valued at approximately $1,600., know that some blackout dates apply. It’s a heck of a value and the chances of winning are big because I rarely have more than 10-15 donors. You can call into the station to 970-728-4334 anytime (office) or on Friday from 9am to 5pm to 970-728-4333 (on air). Or, you may contact me directly. Know that pledges must be paid before being eligible to be entered into the drawing, which will close out by Thursday, March 5. Be sure to mention Travel Fun!
Thank you for supporting community radio! Have fun on the snow!
Mountain Lodge Telluride
Health & Fitness Mountain Living Telluride: cancer car breakdowns computer problems health hip replacements luck Mountain Living talismans Telluride the glass is half full
by maribeth
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Lucky 2020
Lucky Chairlift 100 Stopped on the Tower
I’ve been wanting to wish you happy new year for quite some time. If I had followed French rules, I could have done so up through the end of January and still would not have sounded odd, at least in France. So Bonne Année and Happy New Year!
It’s been a long time since I posted a story here. I could say that I’ve been dealing with a whole pile of unfortunate happenings. And I could also say, God, am I happy to be alive and to have lived so many joyful moments these past months. As much as possible, I’m trying to go with the latter. It takes a lot of reprogramming, even for an optimist like myself.
The year 2020 feels abundant with good luck; it just depends on how you look at it. First of all, 2 is my lucky number. I was born on the 22nd of August and anything with a “2” in it practically makes me feel giddy. Have you enjoyed writing, typing and saying 2020 so far? Don’t you feel that those round numbers are ripe with good fortune?
I started this post last week, when we were still in January. Then I thought I should wait until 02/02/20 to post it–how cool was that date? Especially exciting for someone that considers 2 to be their lucky number. Then I woke up last Sunday on 02/02/20 and felt off. I just didn’t feel very perky. As I write this, it’s 02/04/20, which is also pretty cool for me. I consider 4 to be my lucky number as well because 2 + 2 = 4. This story may or may not post on that date but I’m writing most of it on 02/04/20 and trying to conjure up the most amount of good juju that the universe will provide. So this propitious date counts for me.
I’ve been doing a lot of looking for signs and such lately, tapping into good vibes wherever I can find them. I’ve been hanging on to lots of shiny lucky pennies, counting to 7 (another lucky number for me) on some of my exercise repetitions, and on the mountain I’ve been making laser-sharp wishes every time the chairlift passes the jewelry tree. The brass ring of all good luck opportunities occurs when your chair stops on the tower, an event that might only happen once a season. I took the above picture at Christmastime when I was riding up with two sweet little girls that I had in private lessons for a week. We squealed with glee when we landed at this magical spot (of course I had clued them in on it). Best of all, the chair was stopped there for a good five minutes and it was chair #100, to boot! So I had plenty of time to run through a whole litany of wishes in my head. (Who said you can only have one wish?)
My biggest wish of all was that my brother, David, would be happy and well and win the cancer battle he has been fighting the past two years. My recent Caring Bridge posts, entitled All I Want for Christmas and Would You Rather, recount the latest chapters of that journey. In any event, it’s always a lucky day when you’re skiing or riding in Telluride, Colorado.
Discovery Map Travel: Baltimore blue crab Discovery Map fun travel destination historic Fell's Point Maryland
by maribeth
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Top Reasons to Go to Baltimore, Maryland
A Crab Feast in Baltimore
I can’t believe I haven’t posted a blog in two months! That might be the longest I have gone without putting up a story at Bonjour Colorado. I wish I could say that I have been on hiatus, cruising the Greek Isles. But no, I have been on a very different type of journey.
I had a hip replacement in early July. The surgery went well but the recovery was a bigger deal than I anticipated. Plus, I wasn’t very productive leading up to it because the pain level had hit quite the crescendo. I will be writing about this experience very soon. And you can bet I will give the story my best travel writer/ski instructor spin.
Baltimore’s Renowned Row Houses
It hasn’t been easy getting back into the writing mode but fortunately I broke the ice a couple of week’s ago with some of my Discovery Map entries. The nasty remarks I heard about Baltimore from Donald Trump a while back, catapulted me into writing up that destination. I love Baltimore and have visited there a few times. It’s a wonderful city! I have a real sweet spot for historic Fell’s Point in particular.
Next time I go, I want to explore the Inner Harbor more and top off the visit with a terrific crab meal at one of that area’s renowned seafood restaurants. Know that blue crab season is going off right now (through fall), so let that be one of your top reasons to plan a trip there within the upcoming weeks.
Mural Commemorating Baltimore’s Own Billie Holiday
For more highlights of this vibrant city and why it’s a terrific destination, read Eating and Drinking Your Way Through Baltimore and Historic Baltimore.
Go ahead, and show them some love.
Baltimore: A Monumental City of Monuments
Discovery Map Travel: Canada Discovery Map iconic sites Niagara Falls summer travel top reasons to go USA
by maribeth
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Top Reasons to Go to Niagara Falls U.S.A. and Canada
Niagara Falls
School is almost out and that means VACATION for many families. Why not go to an iconic North American site such as Niagara Falls? And when you go, be sure to hit both sides because as you’ll see in my Discovery Map Niagara Falls write ups, there are great reasons to visit Niagara Falls U.S.A. and Niagara Falls Canada. Do click through to check them out; read Niagara Falls Facts, The Almost Complete Guide to Niagara Falls USA and The Almost Complete Guide to Niagara Falls Canada.
Have fun!
The Great Niagara River and Falls
France French Life Paris Tours: Clay Jenkinson France Palais Royal Paris radio interview The Jefferson Hour Thomas Jefferson tours to France Travel Fun
by maribeth
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The Thomas Jefferson Hour in Paris
The Palais Royal Gardens
Palais Royal
Clay Jenkinson as Thomas Jefferson
Mon dieu! My heart is still singing from a whirlwind trip I took to France this past week. I enjoyed six joyous days in Paris and two in the country, in Normandy and Versailles. My spirit remains light with all the love, culture and beauty I soaked up during my stay. I traveled with a dear friend for the marriage of my goddaughter and we had a marvelous time. I will be writing more about impressions, tips and recommendations from that trip within the upcoming month. I’m also posting beaucoup de fabulous photos on social media, so go ahead and follow me on Facebook (and also FB for A Tour of the Heart), Instagram and Twitter for images of an insider’s experience in France. (Remember that I lived in Paris eleven years, so this trip was largely about connecting with old friends.) La bonne cuisine française, wine, French savoir faire and the amelioration of Franco-American relations (translation: lots of talking in French, English and Franglais) dominated the program. C’était merveilleux!
You can transport yourself there in this evening’s Travel Fun, my talk show on travel at 6:30pm MST. I taped an interview with Clay Jenkinson, scholar, writer, historical interpreter and creator of The Thomas Jefferson Hour, a podcast and award-winning NPR program, that features the third president of the United States just before I left Telluride. Mr. Jenkinson portrays Jefferson, a man of the Enlightenment, and answers questions about current affairs with all the intelligence and elegance of this renowned statesman.
Monsieur Jefferson embraced France with great passion and verve, which is why I found it appropriate that I have a conversation with both Clay Jenkinson and Thomas Jefferson about this great man’s time in France.
Tune into KOTO.org at 6:30pm MST tonight to hear the interview I conducted just before I headed to Paris.
Clay Jenkinson
Best of all: You can actually travel to France this fall with Monsieur Jefferson AKA Clay Jenkinson on a trip that takes you to Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne, Provence and Burgundy, un voyage that highlights many of Jefferson’s favorite sites, including vineyards that please American wine aficionados more so than ever centuries later. (Jefferson was surely one of the first big importers of French wine in America.)
There’s also a Canal du Midi add on to this trip, which is currently sold out yet I feel that Clay will be offering it again. Be sure to peruse the program of other trips that Thomas Jefferson, or rather Clay Jenkinson, will be leading this year, too. If they are anything like Jefferson, expect lots of excellent food, drink, conversation, history and culture in incredibly scenic places.
I hope you like my selection of Paris photos that accompany this post. I took them at the Palais Royal gardens. Even though these buildings and gardens date back to the seventeenth century, I imagined Thomas Jefferson strolling here during his time in the French capital toward the latter part of the 1700s. Don’t you?
Les Jardins du Palais Royal
Note that I will try to post this interview here soon as a podcast.
Europe France French Life: France grief loss love Notre Dame Paris resilience
by maribeth
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On Notre Dame, Loss and Love
Notre Dame de Paris
Up Close
Closer
So much has been said, written and felt about the devastating fire that ripped through Notre de Dame de Paris three weeks ago that I’m not sure there’s room to add more. Yet like the loss of a loved one, it is healing to process the pain throughout the weeks, months and years beyond the initial shock. As with death, this tragic event will always leave a hole in our hearts, since many of us did suffer a huge sense of loss, particularly on the emotional front.
For me, it brought up so much on so many levels. Le choque, or the shock, of this magnificent Gothic cathedral catching on fire was what first hit me. Utter disbelief that quickly gave way to a flood of tears. The unthinkable had happened. I remembered staring at her magnificent flying buttresses at length on a homework assignment for my Architecture de Paris course when I did my junior year abroad in Paris. Those old stones had already lived well for centuries; there was no reason to think that they would not endure centuries more. And then when I settled into living in Paris for another ten years, Notre Dame was a constant–as much as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, the rabbit warren streets of the Latin Quarter, the cafés of the Left Bank and so many other parts of the French capital that are quintessentially Parisian.
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by maribeth
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Top Reasons to Go to the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, Arizona
The Mighty Grand Canyon
Happy 100th birthday to you, Grand Canyon! February 26, 2019 marked the 100-year anniversary of when the Grand Canyon was designated a national park, however, events to commemorate this great milestone are taking place all year long. Find out more at the Grand Canyon National Park Centennial page of the National Park Service.
I’ve been twice and was awestruck each time. My most memorable visit was with my parents in 2010. It was always my father’s dream to see the Grand Canyon before he passed and he sure wasn’t disappointed. You can read about that trip and also our travels to Monument Valley at Touring the Southwest with My Parents.
Dad Flanked by Mom and Me at the Grand Canyon
I revisited this magnificent site (in my mind this time) when I wrote it up recently for Discovery Map. Check out Historic Highlights of the Grand Canyon and Historic Highlights of Williams to find out why you should plan a good amount of time for traveling in this part of the Southwest.
Only about eighty miles from the Grand Canyon, people often combine a trip to Flagstaff with one to the Grand Canyon. It’s a must for lovers of the outdoors! Read Flagstaff Outdoors and Flagstaff History to learn about some of the highlights that I think are noteworthy.
