Bali

Still can't get my camera to communicate with my iPad and the internet has been vary iffy.  I promise to post pictures when we get back home. Two days ago we were on the Komodo Island and got to view the Komodo dragon in its natural habitat. Today we are in Bali.  It is very beautiful but also very crowded. We visited a batik factory, a wood carving factory and a temple.  Tomorrow we leave and head to Singapore.

I'm on another big trip but sorry no pictures this time. I can't seem to get the camera to communicate with our iPad. Maybe on the ship I can get things to work. We are in Sydney, Australia getting ready to board a cruise ship to sail up the east coast and along the north coast of Australia and then over to Singapore. Two days ago with a friend we climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The tour takes you all the way to the top of the arch. Just a little bit scary.  We went at twilight and at the top of the arch we watched the sun set   What a wonderful view of Sydney!

Being Thankful!

So this is how I spent the day after Thanksgiving- on the beach at Fort Meyers at a sand castle competition.  But I was really really thankful to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Nancy and her husband and her daughter Sandy and her family.  I played volleyball with the kids overlooking the river.  I am thankful for my faith in God, my family, my husband and living in this great country.

Telluride Film Festival

Steve and I have been coming to Telluride during Labor Day since we purchased our condominium.  Every year we would laugh at the people standing in line to see the movies during the Telluride Film Festival.  I will laugh no more.  Steve's nephew and his wife wanted to visit us in Telluride and enjoy the movies.  So we decided we better get passes too.  In five days I saw ten movies which were mostly fabulous (only one dud amongst them)!  With a little more effort and less company I probably could have seen three or four a day.  Top of my list is the picture of the poster to the left.  The movie is called "Nebraska" and stars Bruce Dern.  He was actually in the theater during the film. The movie was about an old man who thought he won one million dollars because he received a sweepstakes letter in the mail.  He then tries to walk from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska because he can no longer drive.  I thought it would be sad but it was a wonderful feel good film that makes you laugh the whole time.  Other recommendations I saw would include:  "Labor Day" with Kate Winslett; "Gravity" with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney; and "Prisoners" with Hugh Jackman.  Hopefully these all get theatrical release because they have big name stars and were great films.   Other more "arty" films I saw which were also great include:  "The Lunchbox" (an Indian film with subtitles); "Tracks" about a girl who travels 1700 miles across the Australian desert with 4 camels and a dog and the "Invisible Woman" about the mistress of Charles Dickens starring Ray Fennes.  The one not to see is "Under the Skin" which is a weird alien movie filmed in Scotland which starred a nude Scarlett Johannson.

Bear Creek Falls

Trying to help all my Las Vegas friends think cool thoughts with the 100+ degree days they have been having.  Yes, that is a little snow still left on the rocks.

Telluride Street Party

Talk about a block party!  Saturday night; after having watched the balloons launching in the morning; we got to see them set up on Colorado Street in Telluride.  They closed the main street through town and had eight of the balloons set up along the street.  It seemed like the whole town came out to watch. What a sight to see them light up at night when they turned the heaters on.

 This morning Steve and I woke up at 6:15 am and braved the almost freezing temperatures (just a small exaggeration) to watch the launch of 15 hot air balloons from the town park in Telluride, CO.  Yes, I am wearing a winter coat, gloves and a hat!  This was absolutely fascinating to watch.  First the balloonist set up their baskets and make sure the fire ignition is working.  Then the baskets are tipped over and the balloon is attached.  They use hugh industrial type fans to fill the balloons with air.  After the balloon is filled the heater is ignited and the air is heated which causes the balloon to right itself.  At this point the balloonist gets in the basket and about a half dozen volunteers hold the basket to the ground and angle the basket and balloon to the launch site.  Not sure I want to ride in one but it was sure fun to watch the launch.