Mountain Climbing in your late 50's Ain't What it Used to Be 9-27-16

We were told that we wold have to et up really early to accomplish what I wanted to today, but darn it we are on vacation. So we did the same as before, I got up, wrote this blog, and enjoyed my breakfast wile Jodi snoozed and then we moseyed around getting ready when she got up.  We were both, and sort of, still are, John Denver fans in the day and I thought she had to see Rocky Mountain National Park.  So we did.  Well, I offered options but this park is what we ended up choosing.  We took our snacks, some opened cheddar chips, a new bag of sun chips and our water.  Neither of us wanted a repeat of the hangries of yesterday.  The road towards it was pretty close off of 70 to Georgetown.  I really like this little town and this hotel, we agree that we would come back here again.  

So off we go, driving, ears popping and enjoying the scenery.  Driving, Driving and a all of a sudden a loud pop.  We look at each other,  the car is riving o.k., no chaos outside of the car that we can see and then I remember the extreme puffiness of the bag of Sun Chips when I threw them in the bag that morning.  Soon I could smell the aroma of garden salsa sun chips as I drove.  We stopped for gas and  

Jodi suggested a brunch and just there was a cute little place called Rise and Shine Cafe.  

I had an  excellent Eggs Bene Sandwich and Jodi had a Bacon and Egg Sandwich. 

 The car just gave out at Lake Granby, just kidding, Jodi wanted to stop and take a few pics and it was a good stop!  

And then onward we went.  

We stopped at the Alpine Visitors Center to have a look and there were steps to the top.  

So we agreed that is would be worth the climb.  

I was not really thinking when we jumped out of the car and forgot to take some water, not the brightest move on this old girls part as the walkway does not look all that far, but it was a good hike.  Fortunately Jodi is not adverse to "Photo Ops" and I made it up alive.  Though, halfway up is a board that talks about Altitude Sickness. I am not sure if it was helpful or a hinderance!  Indianapolis is listed as 715' above sea level, Georgetown as 8,000' and the top of the Alpine Visitors Center as 12,000', It felt like we were at the top of the world.  

I also gained a true appreciation of the lunacy of those who mountain climb!   It is not only risking your life because of the climb, but the darned altitude sickness too.  

The vistas of the mountains were amazing, and a full 360 view!  People watching was also amazing.  We messed around up there for a while, and people came and went.  One  guy was by himself and i took a pic of him up on the rocks looking out and then shared it with him, I think his name was Douglass, he taught me how to AirDrop.  Watch out world!  Then there was this sweet young couple  from Connecticut who got engaged at the top of this mountain, most of the women up there at the time were nearly in tears.  

How thoughtful this young man was propose in such a lovely place.  I pray that their love has many mountain top experiences and endures the valleys that are sure to come as well.  There was al ( I was not thinking this relationship was going to well)  aa lovely gray headed woman about my age siting on a rock looking totally bored while her husband ignored her and took photos of the scenery.  I thought what a pity to not incorporate her beauty with the Surrounding beauty.

 Oh well.

 On the way down a Indian woman informed me that my Eddie Bauer Dress and April Cornell pantaloons are really Indian garb, well sort of I guess.  I just wanted warm legs!  

Back down, which was different but nearly as hard as going up, I powered my nose and we were off around the adjoining mountain.  All of a sudden  in spite of signs to stay on the road, and only stop at "pull offs", there were about a dozen cars pulled off and then ((Thank you Daddy for all the exhortations to look for Antelope)  I saw a herd of Elk, just sitting there while all the humans stopped traffic to have a look and take photos.  That was cool.  

Then around another bend a ways on traffic stopped.  I  saw people turn around, and be disgusted, and I thought to myself that this could either be very bad, or very fun.  Patience really does pay off ( and what were we going to do? take another road?  I am still wondering what those people who turned around did) and there was Male Elk on the opposite side of the road munching on something and on the other side a female dining as well.  

Then all of a sudden another female comes up by the male and calmly saunters across the road to eat with her friend.  Not going to get more up close and personal without getting out and petting them.   We drove on to Estes Park which reminded me of Nashville in Brown County, and neither of felt a need to park and shop through the same cliche you find at any tourist trap.  We went back to Georgetown, through  Allenspark, Ward, Nederland (of the Mirror) and Central City.  I was rather dismayed and I had thought to fritter away 10 bucks or so at a casino.  BlackHawk and Central City  seem to be joined and BlackHawk looked like a Disney  for gamblers, right down to the  created rock behind the casinos. Not my cup of tea and I came home with my $10.00 in my pocket. We decided to head to Coopers again, we had wanted to  have a meal there before  we left.  I had thought to have a Filet and looking at the menu reminded me of the Duck Confit  Pot  Pie and the Filet fled my mind

Jodi seemed to be considering the Filet as well, but ended up getting a burger.

 I had another glass of that lovely wine, Oh Mambo red blend, and Jodi had a very improved White Russian.  We still had two complimentary glasses of a nice Chardonnay to drink at the hotel  (Jodi let me have it all and I made her a Kaluah and Cream) so we took it out behind the hotel and sat by the creek and listened to the lovely sound of the rushing water.

  At least until I got too cold. One last dip in the hot tub to try to sooth my sore body and off for pleasant dreams.

the Cowgirls slip in a bit of Paris

The Cowgirls slip in a littlle Paris 9-26-16

Another lazy but rather early start to the day, I am waking up late for home, but early for here!.  Funny, I had planned on some sleeping in!  Croissants (with apricot jam),  fruit, OJ and coffee again while I blog.  

We wandered into Georgetown to visit the Hotel Du Paris.  Opened by Louis Depuy, nee Adolph Francois Gerrard, a fellow who it seems made a couple of serious life snafus before he was 30 years of age.  He defied the Catholic church and plagiarized anothers writing.

 But he had a epiphany moment and decided he wanted to do something with his life, opening the hotel.   Needless to say it is much more complicated that the above, if you are interested you can go to the website (http://hoteldeparismuseum.org/louis.html) and explore a bit, though the tour was much more educational than the website!

 The guide was a wealth of knowledge and I thoroughly enjoyed him.

 So much  so that we had to dash to get to our appointed hour for  our trail ride.  We went on the suggestion of the hotel staff A&A Historical Trail Rides. (http://www.aastables.com), it was a bit of a challenge to find as I had to coach Siri some but finally I was able to find the road, and then we drove right by the stables.  There at last.  I was pretty worried about getting  my old derriere on my mount, but there were these lovely blue steps available so it was doable!

 In spite of all the funning from Jodi, I sure was glad I ported my reliable cowboy boots, they certainly know their way around horse droppings, stirrups and of course authentic fashion!  The scenery was amazing and I learned that the "silver birches" I thought I was seeing, are Aspens,  go figure, what was I thinking?  As we approached the corral I began to wonder if horseback riding is like riding a bike, or was I going to look like a City Slicker?

Our mounts were Jambo and Lucy, but my mount Jambo acted more like my Lulu The riding was different than what I had done 30 years earlier,  of course, we were in the mountains!  Jodi seemed to enjoy it, I have a photo of a rare HUGE grin on her face,

She did well, better than others I have ridden with. 

Dinner was not the steak I thought this cowgirl deserved.  The restaurant we dined at our first night was closed when we arrived so we drove downtown, but the dining opportunities were pretty nonexistent, other than the EuroGrill!  

So we ate at a little place called Mountainbuzz cafe and pizzeria.  We had the pizza and I gave it a 5.5 out of 10.   

Here we sit waiting on the Presidential Debate.

And here we sit after, actually we got in the hot tub again to ward off evil horseback riding spirits! I don't think anything can ward off evil presidential election nightmares!

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.