Trains and Silver Mines 9-25-16

She looks in the mirror and "poof" she is in the body of her own grandmother.  

I have become an avid listener to audiobooks, but getting them through the library is much less harmful to my retirement fund so.  As can be the case, none of the books I wanted to read were available so i started searching for sloppy seconds and ended up with "the Mirror" by Marlys Millhiser.  Serendipitously it is about a woman from Boulder Colorado who travels back in time due to a mirror ( Maybe it is really about the mirror?).  Regardless it is about mining, Colorado and time travel.  Serendipity in the form of Colorado and mining.  I find my creator so generous as I was not really engaged about going to Colorado, ( its not Paris you know) , but because of this book i really enjoyed today ( yesterday) in a way I might have not.

I woke to the luscious scent of freshly baked croissants.  

Who can stay in bed with that wafting trough the room?  So  coffee with the fun Krups type coffee maker,  croissants, juice and fruit.  The croissants got my thumbs up rating!  Which means pretty stinkin good for an American Croissant!

Next on the agenda was a gander at the scenery and indeed we are  up in the mountains in a valley, gorge, gulch, or fissure ( had to throw that in for my SANE buddies). It is a lovely setting.  

A shower in the amazing walk in shower with the L'Occatine products made the lack of a bath much less painful. I can't get over what a find the Hotel Chamonix is!

Next to our Hotel is a "Health Center", regardless of your beliefs about medicinal Marajuana, it is funny to be next to that. Beyond that is a liquor store which was open on Sunday so we bought a bottle of wine and Kaluah so at least Jodi could have some Kaluah and cream! Then we found a SMALL town grocery store and bought some water, jam for my morning croissant, chips and cheese and crackers. 

We drove into town and looked around some, there is a Museum to the Hotel de Paris here!  

Yippee, hopefully tomorrow we can go there, but today we were doing some reconnaissance  and looking for food to take with us on a train trip as we drove up and checked out the Georgetown Loop  Railroad  (http://www.georgetownlooprr.com)     and bought tickets.  

There are several interesting dining establishments, several of which are breakfast, and lunchy places, just like I would own if I were to ever have done that.   We ended up in the Dusty Rose Tearoom (https://dustyrosetearoom.com) Jodi and I both had the potato soup and She had a cucumber sandwich and I had a meat pie.  The plan was to take them on the train.  We got to the Loop early and Jodi looked at me and said "are you hungry, I could eat now."  So we did and boy was I glad,  Soup on that train, even sandwiches, would not have gone well.  That said the food was excellent! My meat pie even segued well into the mining tour as many miners were Cornish and Welsh.  Not exactly a pasty but tasty and nice dovetailing into the experience.  

Engine #9 pulls about 8 cars 2 or so Parlor cars and then some closed and open cars.  We intentionally stood in line for almost 30 minutes so Jodi could have a prime photography spot.  When we finally got on the train, she was very intentional about our seats and we sat ourselves down, ready to see beautiful scenery and have an adventure!  As people were piling on this women, you know the type, pushy, thoughtless and entitled, demanded that we move to make room for her party of 7. 

 We said we had sat there so we could take good pics and she blew us some rash of merde that she came this time every year, and her family needed to sit together.  Once she realized she had irritated us she started with "she could move her nephews and blah, blah, blah".   Sorry salope, way too much, too late!  THEN she started touching Jodi on the arm offering still to change places, this earned her a hemorrhoid hex. 

The scenery was/is beautiful, lots of green in the mountains from the pines with scattering of  (silver?) birches.   Those birches leave swathes of gold among the green.  

The sound of water dancing over the rocks and the rustle of leaves is ubiquitous and a pleasant addition to the scenery.

The Lebanon mine was very interesting We got to see photos of the miners, hear stories about them and the mine.  The average lifespan for a miner was 35-45 and not necessarily due to injury, the rock they were mining is full of silica and they ended up with silicosis ( http://www.humanresourcesmba.net/10-deadliest-occupational-diseases-in-history/), which had the dubious distinction of being on the top 10 deadliest occupational disease list even today. 

The  guide said if they had just listened to their wives and used wet bandanas over their faces it would have helped a lot, but as men often do, they did not listen to their wives. He also said that as they were mining, platinum was plentiful but they did not recognize it as such and that there are streets and walkways filled with rock containing platinum today .  

We went down in the mine and even got to see "Double Jack" drilling like they did back then, just like mentioned in "The Mirror"; the miners would even have competitions on their time off to prove who was best.  

The trip ended with going over the BIG TALL bridge, and the vista was beautiful. 

Time to consider dinner and so we came back to the room, and sat out on the patio with a glass of wine, contemplating the  mountains and menus available in the room.

 We settled on Euro Grill, and I am thinking we should have had one more glass of wine!  IT was an experience.   Jodi was interested in the cabbage on the menu, but she was not allowed to have a side of that, even though listed as a side.

 So the waiter told her she could have peans with garlic and bacon.  She asked for peas without either, just plain and I had Hungarian Goulash, which included dumplings.

 She got green beans, and my dumplings looked like slices of unbaked but risen bread. Certainly NOT a do over.  

There is a 2 person hot tub  here and the hotel supplies robes and towels, we decided skinny dipping would be easiest so we grabbed robes and mine would not close,  tee hee hee;  so out we went and jumped in.   The stars were draped in the heavens, and it was a perfect way to end the day. 

Frontier Airlines: We will get you there quicker than a Calistoga wagon 9-24-16

How does one describe this flight experience,  I was struggling with this concept, only to hear a fellow passenger describe it as the Hotel California.  That and a snore woke me laughing from a dead sleep!

I really didn't mean to, want to, choose Frontier Airlines. They don't have a good reputation for timeliness and they DO have a very good reputation for nickeling and dimeing a person to pieces.  I really goofed up when I assumed, that if Southwest Airlines flew to Denver they would have their flights on Orbitz.  So because of the timetable, I choose Frontier, knowing that we'd be squeezed to death. 

Mother sent us off with a container of love in the form of Chocolate chip cookies.  We were sure grateful as they made up a snack while we waited and waited and waited. 

Even knowing about their lousy abilities at timeliness, I was not worried that we would be finding our hotel in the dark.  Well at least not until after an  hour, almost two hour, delay in take off the pilot indicated that we be getting to Denver about 6PM!  Now, I am beginning to worry.

Oh well, we have been pinched every way you can imagine cheap crappy  (merdique) seats, nothing to drink without paying (and I mean nothing, not even a glass of water) and only half, well really about 1/4 of a tray table.  It's really  comical, well, sort of.  When I was young flying was an experience, we got dressed up to fly, you were treated kindly and you even often were fed!

After landing though, that has been another story.  In preparation for this trip, I looked and looked for a car rental. Wow, they are more expensive here in the States than in Europe!  So I looked at what discounts I might have lurking around the periphery of my life, like organizations, work, etc. We didn't have much of a discount at work, but we got this opportunity for Emerald Isle at National Auto Rental.  Let me tell you THAT was an experience!  We were dropped off, bumbling around like a couple of the 3 Stooges and directed to just (I Had to clarify a couple of times because it seemed like it was too good to be true!) pick out any car on the "Isle" We picked out the car WE wanted, put our luggage in, and drove off to a booth where the attendant looked at my license & a card hanging  on the mirror, and we were off.  I  felt like SOMEBODY special!

I found a cute little Fiat SUV, Jodi suggested a Jeep, but it was a BIG Jeep, and we went with the Fiat.  So on the way out of the lot she started kidding me about how cute I could have been wearing my cowboy boots, yes I had to figure out a way to bring them, standing by one of the cute little trucks, rather than by the Fiat.  She has a very valid point, but I really did not want to drive a truck!  The smaller the better for me.

The drive was relatively easy.  I had forgotten the slow Semi Trucks in the mountains, and then not have ever really driven in the mountains, the velocity one can assume going down The Mountain!  Even getting to the Hotel, the (http://hotelchateauchamonix.com/html/index.html) Chateau Chamonix was easy to find with the help of Siri and it is amazing.  Even better than I had hoped! 

The room has a little 2 person hot tub looking out at the mountains, a big king size bed, coffee maker, fridge, and it is lovely!  I was thrilled as I did a lot or research and then Jodi agreed to this one without any lobbying on my behalf.

After all the delays and driving we were tired and hungry so we went to a little place up the street called Coopers and ordered wine for me and a white russian for Jodi.  My wine was amazing, a red blend with a delightful nose, and a silky mouth, & it was not a dry wine, so I am sure it must be a big seller for them.  I am a nose girl, so it had me really at the first sniff!  Jodi on the other hand was not so lucky, she made a face at her first taste. The thing looked like it seriously lacked Kahula.  So I tasted it and said "darn it tastes like they made it with really good gin (like eating a juniper berry)  and cream.  She didn't want to case a ruckus, but really?  So when we asked about it,the server said it was a Chai White Russian, and  made only with Vodka and chai spice & cream.  So they made her a new one and it was a bit better, till a bit stingy with the Kahula.

 She was happy as she got a vege plate & was allowed to sort of pick what she wanted, I was happy with a Burrata, roasted corn, and tomatoe appetizer which came with toast.  It was delish, though I had to laugh at myself because the cheese was cold and not what I expected.  So after the rocky start to get here, this jaunt seems to be off to a good start but then most adventures with Jodi are good ones!

Pouting

Things went so awry on our last trip to France that I was not emotionally able to blog about it. Maybe now I can.  But I am not interested in the past today, other than how it shapes my present.  This week because of the financial disaster that was last September, I am staying home for vacation.  But I miss her, I miss her like a addict misses her next fix.  I think about her, dream about her, read about her and think about her some more.  I won’t get to see her for at least another year, If I am VERY good. 

So considering that Paris is not in my immediate future, the question is how can I console myself?

It is possible that  I can have a French vacation here in good old mid-America?  What can I do to shape my days so that there is a little hint of something French?

Day 1:  A trip to Brown County, Indiana.  We got up had a leisurely morning and them monied to Nashville IN to the Hob Nob Corner Restaurant   because Jodi mentioned a Pot Roast Sandwich and she rarely mentions anything so when she does I figure she is hankering.  We shared and it was delicious, They accidentally brought fried, we had ordered veggies.  They left the fries and I nibbled on them.  Then I went to one of my favorite shops, Mulberry cottage, to rummage through the lace and frills, Jodi hung out on the bench conveniently placed outside.  I managed to find a small way to get into trouble and on we went.  This is a small town and very walkable.  Next we walked to my favorite shop and it is closed.  Boo Hoo Hoo.  Then still itching for trouble we went to the Papertrix, where I managed to get into some good old fashined trouble!  Happy with my purchases we headed to the Park where we have a season pass, to  while away some time before our dinner reservations in good old Shelbyville,Indiana at 18 on the Square.  We shared Fried Green Tomatoes with pimento cheese and a chili sauce.  Separate, my FGT are better, but all three items in one mouthful were very nice.  I then had a Filet in a mushroom sauce aside smashed garlic potatoes and I subbed green beans.  Accompanied with a Zin it was very good and definitely aa do over!  

Apology and French Food

So it is April and life has gone on,  sometimes one can not muster enough energy to create a socially acceptable verison of events to post and for me, this is my truth regarding this last trip to France.  Some day I will be able to write an entire comedy routine around it, but is still too fresh and too fustrating for some to go there at this time. Maybe I'll work on that soon but in the mean time marching on..........

Every Once in a while a girl just has to get away and indlge in some French Food!

My favorite place to do that, even thorugh we have a French restaruant in Indy, is in Cincinnatti.  There is a quiet little place called Le Petite France.  ****http://www.lapetitefrance.biz*****

Last night we had reservations for their monthly wine tasting meal.  Normally a steal at $65.00, last night was delish, though a bit disappointing here and there.  I have eaten at this restaurant since the mid nineties when I started coming with a friend.  So I know thier menu well and know what they capable of!

Firstly we were late, very late, which they handled with grace, typically French!  This menu was called Bring on the Bordeaux and it started with an aperitif of Pay La Tour, Rose.  It was a bit vinegary on the tongue for me, though Jodi liked it fine.  Next was a cream of Asparagus soup which was delicious accompanied with a Sauvignon Blank from Dourthe.  Also a  bit TOO crisp (aka vinegary)  for my taste.   The  second corse was a leek and camembert tart with Frisée accompanied by a Beausejour Fronsac with a lovely nose!   It did not slide down quite as nicely as promised but we bought a couple of bottles!  This course was a delight.  I am not usually a fan of camembert, give me a brie any day but the leeks played nicely with the cheese and Fronsac and after a harried week, and white knuckled drive I was happy and relaxed at last!  The wine for the next course a Espirit de Pavie Bourdoux ******http://www.vignoblesperse.com/en/esprit-de-pavie/home*******  which was served with a balsamic glazed duck with pear hash.  The wine had both nice nose and palate as well as a interesting story.  So two more riders on the way home!  The course itself was not the best that this establishment can do.  The glaze saved it,  I had maybe eight small bites of duck after I wrestled off the fat. The pear hash was sort of a dump of cooked pears and potatoes. It was accompanied with haricort and a few carrots.  The meal was rescued though, by the last course and it was not the wine that saved it.  the wine was a Lions de Suduiraut Sauternes.  I swear the nose on that thing was seriously of saurkraut.  It was a very sweet wine and not terrible for that sort, not ( the bottle did look VERY cute!) one i wanted to bring home.  But the strawberry cake with peach mousse that accompanied the wine was perfect.  The cake was coarse, not our normal sticky sweet sort of cake, which allowed it to let the strawberries and mousse shine.  

So will I go back?  Certainly, you don't discount an old friend  because of one small slight.  One does not eat at any establishment year after year, and as often as one can, without a few mishaps.  I'll go back for their wine tastings and for regular menu meals as well.  If you are in north Cincinnati give this restaurant a try.  It still ranks as my favorite place to eat (Other than my Momma's) in the US. 

Driizzle - Fizzle 8-27-15

I awoke to a fine drizzle, it is 0700 and everyone is still asleep.  So I have this lovely place to myself.  I could stay here a while I think.  

It is now 12:20 and I am fed up with waiting, as usual I hear the sweet sound of France calling while the others in my life SLEEP.  It is a good day for sleeping but I was AWAKE.  So now I am going to lunch a bit on some yogurt, cheese, meat and a baguette we bought yesterday and go forth into the world, alone I guess.

Well this was a fine day, not.  We finally got moving and decided to go to Blois, it was a good option in the rain.  I thought I knew right where it was, but surprise, it was not there, so finding it was a challenge.  We found a parking place right off the bat, but could not figure out how to pay,  the local shop keepers were not helpful, at all.  So we moved the car because I did not feel the urge to be towed.  So we parked in a parking garage which personifies the concept of sardines!  Austin spied a place where I could back up the ramp and then pull in easier than trying to slide a whale in a horse trailer.  Which is usually what I feel that I am trying to do.  

Blois is as lovely as touted.  There is a throne one can sit on and I finally felt almost as at home as when I am in Paris!  Princess Caroline at last!  The way in which folks lived over the centuries is amazing, moving from castle to castle.  Giving it away, taking it back.  Old Catherine de MIdici spent time here too, the different take on her here, versus my memories of Chenonceau, is very interesting. The Blois version is less  venomous, I think.   It is hard to remember due to events that would happen latter.  We left the castle and tried looking for an umbrella, sweatshirts and food, but the best we could find was a bar where we had a glass of local wine and extra crackers for the boys.  Leaving Blois we tried to find a place to eat as I was the only person who had had breakfast so everyone was stinking hungry, but we ran into the same parking problem.  Joe was hankering for Tartare de Boeuf so we decided to just go back to Ambois where we jumped out of the car in the rain, I vividly remember locking the car, because I felt impatient in the rain, but thought "this has to be done regardless." I remember having already placed the key on the hook in my car and locking  it. 

Four soggy creatures had dinner at a place I had indulged good steak tartare the year before.  Our food was good, but not good enough  make up for what was to come.  Jodi and I fast walked back to the car, I unlocked the car as we approached and went back to pic up the boys.  We had left them under an awning to stay dry.  It was a circuitous route, but we got back to them and back we went to Croix en Tourraine where we are staying.  We arrived back at the apartment in high spirits and everyone but me went to the back of the car and Jodi said "where is my stuff?", we searched the car high and low to no avail.  Finally it sunk in that somehow we had been robbed.  Jodi and i went back to the gendarmerie to be heartlessly told to return in the AM by 1000 to file a report.  He was incredulous that the car did not have any damage and I felt vindicated at the Pink  Panther movies, I wanted to ask him if "e would like to bbuuuy a amberger",  We came home pretty disheartened. 

Arriving 8-26-15

Everything took a LONG time.  Customs was not its customary self at Charles De Gauls and it took forever, My suitcase wheel is cockeyed and it is more like dragging it rather than pulling.  I could just cry, I had found a perfectly cute little floral tapestry piece, bought it, and then took it back because it felt frivolous!  God is ALWAY talking to us if we just listen! Getting the car was fortuitous (we are driving a automatic, diesel with navigation!), but still took a long time.  Then, the drive after not sleeping well on the plane, made the 3 hour drive feel like it, too, took forever.  We drove via Amboise, I knew it was an easy first castle for Austin to see.  And then because the cottage would not be available until 3-4 PM, we stopped at the LeClerc to buy provisions.  There was a convenient bank machine, bathrooms and a French version of Meijer's.  I hesitate to say Walmart because no one wore their pajamas, nor was there any fighting in the aisles.  I thought I knew RIGHT were we were going, I had studied and studied, and when we pulled my heart sank.  This was not the place in the photos, and no one appeared to be close.  So I called and fortunately we were not in the right place.  So we drove  bit more and found it.  It is absolutely lovely, photos never do justice to a place and this little house is not exception.  Gabriella was kind and welcoming.  There is everything we could need and more available to us.    We had a quick "parlay" and decided to go to Amboise for dinner.  We found an easy Italian place right on the main drag and all had pizza and a small bottle of wine.  I ma not wanting to create drunks out of the kids and the waitress was very serious that there would only be  three glasses of wine in the Demi I ordered.  So serious, that she only bought three glasses for us to pour.  I had told her about my fathers refrain of " I am not trying to fatten you up, just keep you alive,"  when she argued with me about having enough, but her sense of humor was lacking, it was lost in translation, or as ever soulful Jodi suggested, maybe she has a problem with anorexia and I was offensive, so she was not amused.  My pizza was good and all of the margarita pizza (cheese)  vanished, along with the wine. After a stroll around, a quick trip back and a hot soak in the baignoire (bathtub) it was bed time!

Leaving 8-25-15

What is it about leaving home that makes it all seem more?

The sky is more blue,

The city more pristine (from a distance),

Dear faces more beautiful?

And yet all day I have looked and looked and found a bluer sky, the skyline of Indianapolis more lovely and my mother even more beautiful as she smilingly bid us farewell.   

I am so grateful to have this time off,  off of work, off of my regular life and off of my regular country.