Summertime in Colorado

We had a picnic lunch at Brainard Lake following a doctor's appointment in Boulder. 

I feel fine!

Flagstaff mountain

Today we took advantage of the beautiful summer weather to visit Flagstaff mountain near Boulder.

I'll have surgery early tomorrow morning. But I'm not worried.

Mount Evans

Today we decided to take a drive to the summit of Mount Evans west of Denver. The temperature in the city was 86 degrees F (30C) and when we reached the summit at 14,130ft (4,307m), the temperature was only 48 degrees F (9C). Brrr!

We took our car, but some intrepid travelers ride bicycles all the way to the top!

Near the summit you can see mountain goats and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Yearling bighorn sheep practicing head-butting

It's a haven for photographers. This gentleman was using a vintage Hasselblad to capture photos of the bristlecone pines.

Arrival in Denver

Our arrival in Denver was marred (marqué) by late flights, missed connections, and lost luggage. However, baggage has been found and we are settling in to a lovely home that is five times larger than our studio in Paris.

Blue skies, hot temperatures, and breakfast on the terrace this morning. Ahhh. Wonderful!

Travel to the U.S.

We're leaving on Tuesday, June 18th, for a trip to the U.S. We'll be exchanging homes with friends who live in Denver. They will be visiting Paris using our studio as home base.

The visit to Colorado isn't just a vacation; I'll be returning for some more minor surgery subsequent to my breast cancer surgery several months ago. As a result, blog posts may be few and far between in the next several weeks.

Medical questions aside, it will be nice to see my family and friends in Colorado.
Please check back for updates.
A bientôt!

Art exhibit

I'm pleased to report that a photograph of mine (above) is being featured in a WICE members' art gallery here in Paris. WICE is an anglophone organization which offers cultural and educational programs to members of the international and expat community in Paris. Tonight is the vernissage.

This is actually my second art exhibit (she says modestly ;-) You can read about the first one here.

Bourgueil

My son Philippe is in France for a few weeks and I was lucky enough to spend last weekend with him. We met in Tours where Philippe had spent a year as an exchange professor.

We then traveled to Bourgueil, a wine region in the Loire Valley. Philippe is on a research mission studying "natural" and biodynamic wine making practices. His research includes visits to vineyards, interviews with wine makers, and wine tasting fairs. On Saturday afternoon we visited The Domaine de la Chevalerie - a family owned vineyard for the last 400 years.

Wine is stored in a former stone quarry

The list of wines we tasted. Nineteen of them!

The wine tasting room

Wine tasting in France - a family affair