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planet earth

Utah – Life Elevated

By ramona | October 1, 2010

The Utah tourism board couldn’t have chosen a more brilliant campaign line. Just spent a vacation in the high desert visiting national parks and wilderness areas. This is a leave of absence I’d be content to do all over again, and again.

Navajo nation scenic byway - Route 98

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Posted in planet earth, reflections, SMALL WORLD. 3 Comments

leitmotifmusic

music teacher, jazz pianist, graphic designer, occasionally the well-tempered cook, Boston, MA.
The welcome of the Iron Lady to Paris :-) #eiffe The welcome of the Iron Lady to Paris :-) #eiffeltower #paris #tourist
Lovely Toulouse with its traditional terracotta br Lovely Toulouse with its traditional terracotta brick buildings - biked through the narrow streets, but it was hairy negotiating pedestrians, 2 and 4 wheelers and fat pigeons loath to move from their spots on terra firma. #toulouse #occitanie #travel #france🇫🇷 #travelingram
12th-century Romanesque frescoes in this unique an 12th-century Romanesque frescoes in this unique ancient church partly built in a rock... The staircase aligns with the rocks natural fissure. #ariege #church #occitanie #travelling
It's Monday and there's a #farmersmarket in #Mirep It's Monday and there's a #farmersmarket in #Mirepoix (yeah, the same place where the sauce originated - you know the one with onions, celery and carrots). #travelgram #food #cheese
Exposed oak beams and covered walkways in the love Exposed oak beams and covered walkways in the lovely town of Mirepoix from the Middle Ages. #mirepoix #occitanie #travelgram #architecturephotography
Short but invigorating trek to Roquefixade Castle Short but invigorating trek to Roquefixade Castle beginning at the car park close to the village square by the same name. This area is famous for its cheese made from sheep milk. Also part of the Chemin des Bonshommes or Path of the Good Men (now the long distance hiking trail GR107) #chateauderoquefixade #occitanie #hiking #outdoors #ariege
This might very well be the highlight of our trip This might very well be the highlight of our trip to France - a subterranean hike of 2.5 kms to see the Niaux cave paintings (bison, horses, ibex) roughly 15,000 old! Or as I learned - done during the Magdalenian period when the glaciers retreated. I first saw a couple of the paintings in a music encyclopedia decades ago and felt honored to be viewing them in person now! Entry is restricted to a handful of groups of 25 people per day. Every painting was preceded by a few moments of deep darkness and heightened anticipation after which our guide dramatically spotlit a painting, which was of course met with gasps of awe by one and all! And no, we couldn't take pictures as this cave art has a modem copyright that is owned by the regional Park authorities. #prehistoric #cave #paleolithic #arthistory #niaux
In the Ariège plains at the foothills of the Pyren In the Ariège plains at the foothills of the Pyrenees - today was an overcast day with big soft clouds settling into the valleys. # tarascon #ariège #occitanie
Foix - the little town, castle and the 11th centur Foix - the little town, castle and the 11th century abbey St. Volusien #foix #occitane
Just watching my step.... Manhole cover in #Albi. Just watching my step.... Manhole cover in #Albi. #iron #streetart #walking
Walk by the Tarn River in beautiful Albi #unescow Walk by the Tarn River in beautiful Albi #unescoworldheritage #albi #france🇫🇷 #travel
Gobsmacked by the sheer volume of artistry in this Gobsmacked by the sheer volume of artistry in this 13th century cathedral - it's the largest brick cathedral in the world and one is hardly prepared for what's inside after the relatively austere exterior. Pictures just don't do it justice. Frescoes, geometric patterns and trompe-l'œil effects by Renaissance painters cover the cathedral interior. How generous on the part of the town of Albi to share this treasure with the general public (admission was open to the public). #albi #cathedral #gothic #france #travelgram
Peaceful idyllic moments with the Aubrac residents Peaceful idyllic moments with the Aubrac residents...
Loved the vast pastures with gentle hills and ston Loved the vast pastures with gentle hills and stone-walled meadows of the Aubrac plateau... Reminded me of the American South West. Also crossed trails that intersected with the pilgrim route GR 65 Santiago de Compostela #aubrac #travelling #travelgram #france #landscape
Couldn't miss sampling 'aligot' - the traditional Couldn't miss sampling 'aligot' - the traditional specialty of the Aubrac region - mashed potato, creme fraiche, Tome cheese, butter dished out with flair at the table. Traditionally served with sausage, thankfully they had a vegetarian version for me :-) The local Aubrac beer paired well. And the view was superb! #aubrac #aligot #potato #foodporn #foodtravel
Driving through the Aubrac plateau - big sky and v Driving through the Aubrac plateau - big sky and vast lands in the southern part of the Massif Central in France #aubrac #occitane #france #travelling #travel
The high mountains eventually dissipate into the C The high mountains eventually dissipate into the Causse Mejean, a limestone plateau in the Cevennes. Couldn't have asked for better weather today! #cevennes #causseméjean #plateau #travel
Brief stopover in Saint-Chély-du-Tarn - the villag Brief stopover in Saint-Chély-du-Tarn - the village sandwiched between two gushing streams that feed the Tarn below. #saintchelydutarn #tarn #cevennes #travelgram
What I'll remember Florac for most is the sound of What I'll remember Florac for most is the sound of running fresh spring water - Derived from the Latin Flor acquae ("flower of the waters"), this little village is built around multiple streams and rivers. It's also the headquarters of the impressive Cevennes National Park and sits right on the Stevenson Trail. #florac #cevennes #gorgesdutarn #travelgram
A breathtaking view of Castelbuoc by the Tarn Rive A breathtaking view of Castelbuoc by the Tarn River - an ancient village, semi-troglodytic, with houses carved into rock and cliff faces. #gorgesdutarn #castelbouc #travel #cevennes #france
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