Search Results

Planning a return to Malta, here during an expedition to some of its famous caves, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller rejoice on the resumption of European travel. TRAVEL IS FOREVER CHANGED  Cruisers will once again see the lights of Hong Kong'sbeautiful Kowloon Harbor, as the CDC adjusts its guidelines. BUT AT LAST, CRUISING AND FLYING ARE  AGAIN POSSIBLE STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers in Honolulu last week.  NCL's Pride is   returning its popular  Hawaii itinerary.    WE TOOK OUR FIRST flight, PC, "post Covid," our first PC boat trip and our first PC foray into a large city after crossing the Pacific to Hawaii two weeks ago. We're also cruising again, aboard a pair of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, as cruising makes a comeback. WE'RE DINING  in restaurants again, walking city streets, taking taxis, buses, sail boats and rental cars. We're shopping in stores and markets. All masked, distanced and glorious. It's as if we were tourists for the first time. The famous gondolas of Venice await pandemic-weary travelers, now that European travel bans are being lifted. WE'RE TRAVELING again. After months of deprivation we packed passports, vaccination cards, sprays, masks and Covid negative test results. WE'D LAST boarded a plane a remarkable 16 months ago, when we returned early from South America to nurse our ailing female Yorkie, Nora.  Her passing in January, 2020, after futile attempts to curb her kidney disease, seemed an omen for what was to come. It was, in many ways, one of the most troubling years of my life.  It was also a year of "inner exploration," of spending time with my favorite person, learning new ways to be happy. But enough already. So we took two weeks of aloha time. Cookie and Keller after months of travel deprivation are back flying and cruising. AS THE CRUISING INDUSTRY rebounds, there's more good news this week for international travelers. The European Union announced that it will accept those vaccinated with vaccines approved by EMA (the European Medicines Agency).  According to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, three vaccines have been approved for vaccinated travelers to Europe: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Anxious European leaders believe travel will resume by this summer. June 15 seems to be the goal, just a month away. The remarkable lion statues in Delos await as Greece is open again to tourism. A dozen marble statues salute the god Apollo. Already there are positive signs as people are vaccinated and travel regulations ease. These countries are now open to travelers outside their own country -- hooray: Cyprus, Ecuador, Estonia, Republic of Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Iceland, Israel, Mexico,  Montenegro, Nepal, Seychelles, Tahiti. Covid-negative tests are the rule for these countries, whose tourism-based economies have been nearly devastated by the pandemic. “We are working hard to propose a concrete solution, especially for U.S. citizens who are vaccinated,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a recent interview on CBS’s Face the Nation. Airlines are busy, increasing flights and offering bargains on use of frequent flier miles. Cruising is coming back, too. Cruise comeback   NORWEGIAN Cruise Line and others are seeking to clarify what comes next, after CDC's easing of masking and distancing requirements. It's still unclear how travelers will interact on ships with   American Cruise Lines is selling out attractive, safe "home based" voyages, here American Song cruises the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. vaccinated passengers and crew and those without. As cruise lines gear up to resume operations, most are insisting that passengers be fully vaccinated. Some will also insist on a negative Covid test as well. The CDC's Conditional Sailing Order, CSO, requires cruise lines to establish agreements at ports where they intend to operate, implement routine testing of crew. Plans are also being formulated by the various lines to require vaccination proof and testing of boarding passengers. U.S. BASED  American Cruise Lines, is selling out many of its summer and autumn cruises, with its "homegrown" advantage over lines that travel abroad. American's modern, small river and coastal boats are all U.S. built, registered and crewed, "and not subject to the issues other lines are," said Alexa Paolella, American's public Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy lunch al fresco in Portofino, as Italy's tourism opens up again. relations manager.  Another line, Viking River Cruises, will restart limited operations in June with three special sailings along the coast of England.  "We acknowledge that cruising will never be a zero-risk activity and that the goal of the CSO’s phased approach is to resume passenger operations in a way that mitigates the risk of COVID-19 transmission onboard cruise ships and across port communities," said Aimee Treffiletti, head of the Maritime Unit for CDC's Global Mitigation Task Force for COVID-19. "We are committed to the resumption of cruise operations in the United States, following the requirements Keller and Cookie above Cannes, France, "B.C.," Before Covid. Plans are to return.    of the CSO by summer, which aligns with the goals announced by many major cruise lines." IN A NUTSHELL : It is likely that ships resuming sailing will demand passengers provide proof of vaccination. Crews will be fully vaccinated. Most countries will ask for a vaccination card and may require a negative Covid test.  Each country is dealing differently with foreign travel. The United Kingdom has divided countries of the world into three categories - green, amber and red. Status depends on the number of Covid-19 cases per country and the success of their vaccine rollout. Green countries have the fewest rules. Beginning May 17, people in England and Scotland can take holidays abroad in "green" countries without having to quarantine when they return. Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced plans to restart foreign holidays. In the U.S., the CDC is expected to announce updated guidelines by this weekend.    Christene Meyers, Bruce Keller and Nick take to a rental boat  for a relaxing half-day journey in the Channel Islands.     UP NEXT:   As the world regroups, travel resumes, masking and distancing ease, and the pandemic seems to be taking a healthy turn toward control, we're pausing to reflect. We're taking this tranquil time to reflect, to smell the roses, enjoying the soothing balm of the Channel Islands waters. It's possible to rent a boat for a day or afternoon, to wander the inlets and canals of this undiscovered gem on the California coast.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us each week for a fresh take on travel, nature, family and the arts. Please share the link:     whereiscookie.com

The beautiful Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel offers splendid digs, immaculate hygiene standards, wonderful room service offerings, gorgeous views, proximity to attractions in America's finest city. FIND FUN NEAR YOUR OWN HOME, STAY SAFE, BUT FEEL AS IF YOU HAVE YOUR TRAVELING LIFE BACK The famous Hotel Del Coronado is a San Diego landmark, much loved by locals and tourists.  Staycation: (Also called a holistay.) A period in which an individual or family stays near home and participates in leisure activities and R&R within easy driving distance. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IF YOU'RE tired of being shut in and cut off, afraid to fly and yet eager for a change of environment, consider a "staycation."  No matter where you live in the world, there's likely an interesting hotel, B&B or some kind of unusual place to stay within a few minutes or an hour's drive from your home. Montana friends -- stir crazy from the winter's blasts -- took a drive south to a hot springs get-away in Wyoming recently, and returned refreshed. Friends in England took a trip across the border to Wales to a boutique inn, and found it was a sanity-saving sojourn. WE BOOKED three different hotels all within minutes of our home then treated ourselves to three long "staycation" weekends. Stately grounds and architecture of Mar Brisa Carlsbad Resort welcome strolling and biking. It felt as if we were doing a grand tour of Europe. Since we've logged almost an entire year without international travel, we were looking for places that would make us feel as if we were in another world -- places away from the bustle and worries of life with the constraints of COVID-19, and yet places that would make us feel safe, with masking, distancing and the important hygiene and safety protocol -- including "sealed rooms" -- all of which we believe to be life-saving. Splendid views await at Hilton's Bayfront as water life below unfolds and captivates. We also wanted places where we could safely order take-away food or room service, with the assurance that our meals were prepared with the highest possible cleanliness and caution. WE WANTED  to be surrounded by beauty and difference, with unique opportunities for photography. We wanted a connection to nature, interesting architecture and newness -- something with which we weren't previously familiar. And we wanted places where we could store and use our bicycles, keeping to our daily fitness regime. We also wanted proximity from home -- no more than 45 minutes from our door.  At Hilton San Diego Bayfront,  enjoy a bike ride along the  scenic Embarcadero. WITH A LITTLE homework, we found three unique properties, all within an easy drive. Put your own spin on the concept, and check out nearby get-away hotels, spas, thermal baths, hot springs, cozy inns or B&Bs. You'll be surprised what you might find with a simple Google request: vacation spots near me. Here's what we discovered: A delightful 15-minute ferry ride awaits nearby to take you to or from Coronado Ferry Building from Broadway Pier or the Convention Center. * Hilton San Diego Bayfront : Sleek, contemporary property with bird's eye views of San Diego Bay and the city's artful skyline.   Walking distance to Petco Park, Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter. A beautiful new shell at South Embarcadero Park awaits concerts  postponed because of the pandemic. We plan to return and make a weekend of it once San Diego Symphony announces its schedule for the virus-derailed outdoor concert season. Room service Bayfront brunch includes this tasty avocado  garnish on whole grain bread. Mar Brisa in Carlsbad, Calif., offers beautiful landscaping and "family friendly" options, including biking and water slides. THE HOTEL boasts comfy quiet corners to relax, especially around the heated saltwater bayside pool. Our suite had a telescope for watching the gorgeous water  life -- pleasure crafts, fishing boats,  cargo ships and soon -- the return of cruise ships to the city's state of the art terminal. Excellent room service dining is offered. We enjoyed several beautifully plated meals, including tasty brunch specials.    hiltonbayfront.wi-q.com The Hotel Del Coronado offers pampering, fine dining, history, splendid ocean views and gorgeous sunsets.   * MarBrisa Carlsbad Resort: Beautifully designed on 43 acres, the property boasts three swimming pools, hot tubs galore, a relaxing spa, and proximity to San Diego's splendid outdoor offerings. The San Diego Zoo's famed Safari Park is just minutes away and for golfers, a championship golf course is adjacent. The architecture is classic Spanish Mediterranean-style and the villas offer kitchens, spacious balconies and pretty views.  If you've a sportsman in your midst, the golfing is internationally regarded and a beautiful green awaits -- whether you've brought your clubs or are simply admiring. Once Legoland reopens, Mar Brisa guests enjoy a private entrance. And you can drink the water because Carlsbad's alkaline water, discovered in 1882, ranks among the country's finest.   marbrisacarlsbad.com   An elegant suite offers ocean views at Hotel  Del Coronado, built in 1888 near San Diego . *Hotel del Coronado:   Since 1888, this distinguished Victorian era property has been a favorite of locals and west-coast tourists.  It is also beloved by an international clientele and by my partner, who remembers visiting for elaborate afternoon teas with his grandmother. Royalty, presidents, jet setters, movie stars and famous directors have sipped, supped, slept and lounged at "The Del," as it is affectionately called. Marilyn Monroe stayed here during the filming of "Some Like It Hot," and the property has a proud heritage as an architectural masterpiece and historic register gem.  "Hotel Del" offers a charming seaside boardwalk.  Its builders, Babcock and Story, are immortalized in plaques and hotel literature, and in a wonderful bar bearing their name.  We strolled the lovely boardwalk to try tasty small bite specials and watch skilled bartenders make specialty cocktails. Golf, yoga and the ferry to the "mainland" are all at your disposal with a variety of superior class rooms including beach cabanas. hoteldel.com       The Palms at Indian Head takes its name from the various types of stately palm trees surrounding the property, and the silhouette of a sleeping Indian behind, left. UP NEXT : It's "bloom time" in the desert and Borrego Springs beckons, with an opportunity to base yourself at a charming small inn with history, character, beauty and a Hollywood connection. Consider an outing to view the spring flowers while headquartered at the Palms at Indian Head, a historic boutique inn with a long link to Hollywood and legendary show biz folks. Expect gourmet dining, gorgeous weather, rabbits out the window, terrific sunsets, all in a nature lover's paradise. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more: whereisscookie.com

Veteran actors Jeff Kober, left, and Wally Kurth, have both been in the profession for decades. They have more in common than that, though. Both are native Montanans and now share billing on one of the daytime TV's most enduring and popular dramas,"General Hospital."    "GENERAL HOSPITAL" IS BACK TO FILMING AFTER COVID QUARANTINE BUT IT'S MASKING ON THE SET BETWEEN SHOOTS   In 1994, actors Wally Kurth and Rena Sofer were married in real life. Sofer played the lively character of Lois, from Bensonhurst. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER & Courtesy ABC   FANS OF daytime soaps have long known that Billings, Montana, native Wally Kurth plays a compelling character named Ned Ashton  Quartermaine on the enduring daytime TV drama, "General Hospital." The long-running show has remained hugely popular, since its 1963 debut, thanks to fine writing, trending storylines and sound acting.  With dozens of interweaving stories, plot twists and complex characters, it spins together melodramatic tales, radiating from the hospital into the characters' homes and private lives. RECENTLY , a second native Montanan signed on to the engaging soap. Enter Billings born Jeff Kober as villain Cyrus Renault. His character -- like Kurth's -- intrigued fans so his role was quickly expanded. Masking between takes, actors Jeff Kober and Wally Kurth. Generations of devoted GH followers have watched avidly as characters marry, divorce, conduct affairs. They've seen them through accidents, illness, missteps, addiction and triumphs. The early stories were set mainly on the seventh floor of General Hospital, in an unnamed midsized Eastern city (the town was called Port Charles in the late 1970s).  "The concept was of a big wagon wheel – the spokes as the characters and the hub as the hospital," says Kurth, 62, who -- except for a few years' hiatus -- has been with the show for decades as the head of a complicated, well known family. Both actors are praised for their authenticity before the camera. Kober, 67, as the nefarious Renault,  Wally Kurth is in the unique position of appearing in two daytime soaps -- "that's just fine with me," he says, but it's a lot of work and many lines. found his antagonistic role expanded both because of his talent and fan interest. Soap production is an evolving proposition, demanding many pages of memorization from the actors, backed by timely, quick and creative writing. INITIALLY, THE TWO Montanans played their parts in separate scenes, and GH veteran Kurth "knew" his fellow actor only through his home TV screen, and his body of work. "He is a fine, solid actor," Kurth says, noting Kober's impressive resume. Besides logging a string of memorable movie roles, Kober, who also lived in Park City, won acclaim for his TV roles.  Fans remember his Dodger in "China Beach," Jacob Hale Jr. in "Sons of Anarchy," and Joe in "The Walking Dead." Jeff Kober joined the soap with an impressive dossier of movies and TV shows and guest spots.   Both actors have been praised for their genuine quality, critical in making a show work. Says Kurth, "At first, I didn't realize Jeff was a fellow Montanan. Because of the Covid shutdown, it took a while for us to meet." After the quarantine, months went by before the show resumed shooting. Ironically, Kurth's first scene back was with Kober. "We were both wearing masks -- so it  was a little odd. It's nice when the masks come off." LIKE MOST talented people, each man has other interests. Kurth is a talented musician who does benefits for special causes. Kober, who played trumpet in high school band, teaches meditation and yogic philosophy, signing his emails with a friendly "peace."  While Kober was establishing a successful film career in the 1980s, Kurth was becoming a soap star, a distinction he's held since 1987, as the only actor featured simultaneously in two soaps. He plays Justin Kiriakas on "Days of Our Lives" as well as "General  Hospital's" Quartermaine.  Kurth holds dear a real-life hospital, internationally known Shriner's Children's Hospital, a favorite charity. Kober's character has startling connections to the town, here  with Donnell Turner, who plays detective Curtis Ashford.  OCCASIONALLY, LIFE IMITATES art -- in Hollywood and at "General Hospital." Kurth and GH actor Rena Sofer were love interests on and off the set in 1994. Their brief marriage produced a much loved daughter, Rosabel, who is pursuing her MFA in Fine Art at Carnegie Mellon. Says Kurth, "She is an amazing artist. I'm so proud of her." "General Hospital" is filmed in Prospect Studios . What accounts for the show's enduring appeal? A devotee from Menifee, California, GH aficionado Melody Cogsdill, follows the show's intersecting storylines and credits its popularity with sound acting, compelling storylines and inventive writing. "I think they have the best writers and actors in the business," she reflects. Kober's character Renault "was introduced as an unredeemable villain," says Cogsdill. "He is a wonderful actor, so I couldn't stand his character! Now I am fascinated by Renault -- and Kober's acting skills." Giving viewers a glimpse into Renault's past, she adds, "lets us see how his upbringing affected his moral compass. I look forward to more scenes with him." About Kurth's character, the longtime fan says, "He’s adorable. I really miss him when he isn’t on the show. I can never tell if he is underhanded and charming, or just plain charming. He is perfect as the head of the Quartermaine clan."     Jeff Kober with Linda Hunt in an NCIS: Los Angeles episode . FINE WRITERS, Kurth says, continue the intention of GH creators Frank and Doris Hursley, offering a captivating series of vignettes reflecting the panoply of life and the human condition: loyalty and devotion, adultery, drug and alcohol addiction, betrayal, car wrecks, theft, death, marital affairs, con artists, manipulators, idealists. There's plenty of tragedy and surprise, but also celebration -- with memorable characters, continually evolving. The story of one famous pair, Luke and Laura, broke viewing records in 1981 when 30 million Americans tuned in for their wedding. The  episode featured famed actor Elizabeth Taylor,  a GH fan,  cast in a cameo at the wedding as the widow of Mikkos Cassadine. She bestowed a curse on Luke and Laura, believing they'd killed her husband. Elizabeth Taylor made a cameoappearance at Luke and Laura's wedding, watched by 30 million .   COGSDILL BELIEVES  both Kurth's suave Quartermaine and Kober's villainous Renault are intriguing to viewers.  She hopes they both endure. Kurth speculates that Kober's character will stick around, noting that his colleague's 40 years in the business include memorable guest spots with acclaimed actors such as Linda Hunt, on "NCIS: Los Angeles." Actors Anthony Geary and Genie Francis had a torrid love affair as Luke and Laura on "General Hospital."   Jeff Kober 's Cyrus Renault spars in a scene with Alexis Davis, played by Nancy Lee Grahn .  ( Check your TV guide and ABC for airing times. We recommend this tour, too, once the Covid restrictions ease :  lainsidertours.com/los-feliz/ps:/ / )    On set, masking and safety protocols make the work even more challenging, the men agree. Says Kurth, "We are required to wear our masks as soon as we leave our cars in the parking lot. The only time we take them off is for make up and while the cameras are rolling. It’s a little daunting running our lines at rehearsal with a mask." It's a nice surprise, the men say, to see actual faces for the first time when the cameras roll! Perhaps, says Kurth, "It adds to our “fresh” performances!"    LEARNING  huge numbers of pages in a day could tax lesser actors, but the two Montanans and the seasoned cast keep up with the pace which, says Kober, "can get crazy." He adds, "I’ve been incredibly fortunate. It’s a gift to be employed in this business at any time, but particularly in the middle of the pandemic. I couldn’t be happier." Says Kurth, "It's challenging, going back and forth between the two shows. But I wouldn't have it any other way."   Keller and Cookie set off on Flagship's comfy Marietta, to be rewarded with the sighting of five grey whales on one of their best whale watching  watching adventures (they'velogged more than 50 whale watching trips worldwide.)     UP NEXT:  Perfect weather, a beautiful ship and gifted narration by an experienced guide result in perfect whale watching this time of year in San Diego. Come with us aboard Flagship's Marietta, to explore the migratory patterns of the graceful grey whale. You'll learn about the life of this remarkable animal, nearly driven to extinction. We were pleased with the distancing, masking, safety aboard with one-quarter capacity and a helpful, informed crew. Flagship offers quality time and prime, leisurely viewing of the greys. Meanwhile,  remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more. Please tell your friends and share the link: whereiscookie.com

This tiny hummingbird weighs less than a penny. We found him wounded on our patio and helped him fly again this week. He's returned to his box to visit a couple times. Happy news!  This hummingbird is probably a broad-tailed variety; Keller caught him in flight near one of our Montana feeders .   .     BIRD RESCUE PROMPTS RESEARCH OF THIS TWO MILLION-YEAR OLD SURVIVOR'S HISTORY Editor's Note:  Our rescue this week of an injured hummingbird found on our patio prompted several hundred replies to our Facebook post and a request for more on the hummingbird. Here's to this beautiful bird! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER   This hummingbird in flight was outside our San Diego townhouse in the courtyard garden. I'VE LONG loved the hummingbird, that tiny, delicate, but tenacious creature.  When I was a child, my grandmother let me help her boil sugar water then fill the feeders. (Four parts water to one part sugar, a pinch more sugar; boil gently for three minutes and change the water every few days.) I've rescued hummingbirds from cats' paws and   Yorkies' jaws. I gently directed one from the rear of the garage when he flew in then couldn't find his way out. (I used a large red silk scarf to guide him.) This week, we helped a hummer recover from a fall on our patio. We fixed his dislocated wing, fed him, nursed him until he could fly. He's been back twice that we know of. I'VE WATCHED  with fascination as hummingbirds compete for the feeder.  I've been dive-bombed by hummers while gardening with a red or pink scarf on my red hair. "Why do they like red?" I asked my grandmother.  She explained that the bird's sense of color has to do with its dense concentration of cones in its retina.  This hummingbird was enjoying geraniums at the Montana place, in early July. Amazing to me is the fact that the cones contain pigments and oil droplets in shades of yellow to red. Scientists say those drops act like filters, serving to heighten color sensitivity in red, yellow and orange, while muting colors such as blue, brown and green.   Our hummingbird rescue I TIP MY hat to hummers; they are small but mighty. They've also been around millions of years. The first hummingbirds developed 22 million years ago, arriving in South America from Asia.  They spread through that continent, then migrated to  Central America, the Caribbean and eventually North America. We've admired them on several continents, always marveling at their endurance and beautiful colors. We've logged five varieties in California, four in Montana.  This little guy was at rest at an Idaho rest stop. To make a day's rounds of 25 miles, the hummer must beat its wings two million times. They must carry enough "fuel" to make a 24-hour flight and can travel as much as 645 miles in a single haul. (That's about twice our car trip driving limit of 325 miles a day.) They've been known to migrate several thousand miles with only a few stops. Our little friend has been back twice to the box in which he recovered from his accident earlier this week.  HUMMERS HAVE predators, particularly free-roaming domestic cats. Their other enemies are windows, buildings, stationary objects. Sometimes, they're hit by cars, and they can encounter problems during migration and lousy weather. Like all of us, they also succumb to disease.  Hummingbirds do return to a favorite feeder year after year, and can live three to five seasons. A few live long enough to die of old age.   I WAS DISHEARTENED to discover that the male has little to do with the female or the young, once he mates. But no species is perfect. Keller defends the male hummer's actions, saying, "He's doing a lot.  He's carrying on the species." We hope our little visitor lives long and prospers, and that he continues to visit us again and again. He worked his way into our hearts in these few days, and we treasure the gift of his magical presence. Many hotels in southern California are empty this week. UP NEXT: With the first COVID vaccines being tested, and COVID deaths rising at an alarming rate, California is once again in lockdown. We look at the effect the pandemic is having on the travel and hotel industry.  A photographic foray through southern California this week documents the sad fact that many of our hotels are closing, with staff put on furlough, and beautiful rooms, pools, conference halls and restaurants empty. We explore these challenging times with a nod to science and the good that may come of it. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays at: whereiscookie.com . Please share the link with like minded people.

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park can be worked into a driving trip east or west. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The Wapiti Valley on the approach to Yellowstone National Park's east entrance, outside of Cody, Wyo., offers strange and beautiful rock formations. CHIEF AMONG the pleasures of road tripping are the surprises. On this Thanksgiving week in America, we appreciate our country's roadside attractions. We relish stopping to admire the landscape, perhaps exploring a bluff or bridge we haven't noticed before. We smell the roses, as Keller says, "as we stroll through the garden of life." Often we pull over to give ourselves and the dog a break. This leads to taking a few photos, studying a roadside plaque or grabbing a milkshake at a newly discovered diner.  An international array of visitors stopped the day we did at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery on the central California coast. OUR RECENT driving trip included a side trip through Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a stop at Evel Knievel's Snake River jump site in Twin Falls, Idaho and a two-day layover to savor an ocean view and photograph the elephant seal Piedras  Blancas rookery on the central California coast. We treasure that "unplugged" feeling a road trip offers. For us, the trip is the journey and the destinations are part of the trip, enhanced by the experience of being together, visiting, listening to books on tape and studying the region with tour books and our Triple A literature. THIS LATEST driving trip also included an overnight in Cody, Wyo., for a mock gunfight outside the historic Irma Hotel and an hour-long tour on Cody's entertaining trolley.  We advise mapping your driving trip around interesting towns or stops where you'll have something to do -- whether it be a few hours in a Buffalo Bill Center of the West has several world class museums and is a great reason to overnight in Cody, Wyo. museum, such as Cody's fabulous Buffalo Bill Center of the West, or an hour in a small historic museum such as the ones in Nevada towns. With a bit of homework, you'll have an entertaining diversion or two during your nights on the road. WHEN WE hit the road, we have hotels booked for each night, and we follow a strict rule that we go no further than 300 miles a day. Three or four hours driving time is our max, building in an hour or two for stops -- gas, meals, dog walk, miscellaneous discoveries. We find that after a few hours of driving, our attention spans diminish. Overnight breaks help keep us fresh and interested on our way! Daredevil Evel Knievel's abortive attempt to jump the Snake River is incorporated into a fine Twin Falls, Idaho, museum, well worth a stop on a road trip.  UP NEXT: While we're roadtripping, we're making a couple of stops for more in-depth stories. Evel Knievel is famous for his daring motorcycle escapades, including one that didn't quite work, over the Snake River, at left. We'll explore the legendary daredevil's jumps, including one that failed. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more: whereiscookie.com -- and share the links, please.

The set of "Jeopardy" is familiar to fans of the acclaimed daytime TV show.  Host Alex Trebek worked up until days  before his death earlier this week. His final episode will air Christmas day. WILL LEVAR BURTON TAKE OVER WHEN 'JEOPARDY'  NEW SEASON BEGINS? WHEN WILL NEW AIRINGS BEGIN? Alex Trebek, right, will be remembered for his grace, perfectionism and kindness, staffers say. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Trebek, Burton photos courtesy studios Speculation is that 96-year old announcer Johnny Gilbert will not return.  THE NEWS of Alex Trebek's passing this week hit millions of us faithful viewers hard. He's been part of the family since the 1980s when he took over the job as the show's second host. Although Trebek wasn't known for hyperbole or displays of emotion, he was visibly touched by a several contestants' comments in the past few weeks. One wrote for his final "Jeopardy" answer: "What is 'We love you, Alex'?" Another said he learned English while watching "Jeopardy" on his grandfather's knee. I MET Trebek a couple times --  at a TV sweeps week and again at a fundraiser, both in Los Angeles. Then there we were -- front and center -- hearing Johnny Gilbert's familiar "This  IS  Jeopardy." Speculation is that the show's 96-year old announcer will retire now that Alex is gone. For his replacement, actor, children's TV host LeVar Burton seems to be leading the pack.  He'd be a winning replacement, with his pleasing voice, genuine nature and stellar reputation in the business. LeVar Burton is our pick for next "Jeopardy Host." He is known for "Star Trek," an imaginative children's show and his debut "Roots" performance.   MY "JEOPARDY" days began when the show debuted in 1964.  I was a high school freshman, and I watched with my grandmother Olive. She loved language, game shows, and critiqued the contestants. She thought actor Art Fleming handsome.  Indeed. The first "Jeopardy" host stayed with the show until its 1975 hiatus. It was briefly revived, then shelved in 1978. LONG TIME HOST  Trebek, was a reporter in his native Canada in 1984 -- covering everything from horse races to politics -- when creator Merv Griffin asked him to come on board. That was 20 years after Gran and I first blurted out answers and played that catchy theme on the piano.  WE'LL MISS  Trebek but are thankful to have spent several days at Sony Pictures Studios on the "Jeopardy" set, witnessing behind-the-scenes action of the hit game show. Trebek's grace, sincerity and kindness were what kept the show's ratings high and his reputation as a "nice guy" solid. Fun travel tips, cruising, hotels, nature pieces, at whereiscookie Photo right: Ken Jennings with Alex Trebek. Jennings earned over a million dollars on the popular show.   "Jeopardy" provided a departure from traditional quiz shows by asking contestants to give answers in the form of a question. Cookie waited patiently with other fans for a guide to take viewers to the studio. Bottom right, she takes a spin on the set.    Johnny Gilbert works the house during several breaks in "Jeopardy" filming. JOHNNY GILBERT is a story in himself, a legendary game show host with more than 65 years in show biz. It was fun watching him work the house, joking with the audience during breaks for advertising. We watched make-up artists touch up the contestants and Alex joked with the audience, too, and a couple times crossed the stage to help contestants who were having trouble with the signaling device. Since several shows are taped during a day, we observed costume changes -- on both Alex and winners who advanced to more games. We also enjoyed watching a panel of judges and consultants checking answers. Twice during our visits, Alex adjusted a contestant's score.    MY GRAM WOULD  be thrilled to know that with over  6,000 episodes aired, "Jeopardy" has won a record 31 daytime Emmy awards and is the only daytime game show to be honored with the prestigious Peabody Award. In 2013, the program was ranked No. 45 on TV Guide's list of the 60 greatest shows in American television history. "Jeopardy" has also gained a worldwide following and has been the subject of hilarious sketches on "Saturday Night Live." Because the show is taped weeks in advance, viewers will continue to see Trebek, until his last episode airs Christmas Day. A touching eulogy was delivered Monday, before the show began, by its executive producer, Mike Richards: "Today we honor Alex Trebek. For over three decades he brought integrity, humor and intelligence to his duties as host of "Jeopardy!" He will be in our hearts forever."  Amen, and RIP, dear Alex.      UP NEXT : While we're in a California frame of mind, we're stopping by the central California coast's elephant whale rookery near San Simeon. Thousands of these playful, enormous creatures return to the protected environment of the rookery each year.  We caught them recently on our way down the coast from San Francisco to San Diego.  Join us and remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at nature, travel, family and the arts. Please share the links you enjoy at:   whereiscookie.com

Autumn colors make a beautiful photo: chokecherries, wild rose, ornamental willow, aspen. POETS PAY HOMAGE TO COLORFUL FALL IN FULL GLORY NOW IN MONTANA "Life starts all over again,  Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers on a walk near their Stillwater home. when it gets crisp in the fall..." --F. Scott Fitzgerald STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER NOWHERE  in all my global jaunts have I seen autumns as lovely as Montana's. Sure, the Swiss Alps beg "stay a while" with their dramatic dips. Norway's birch and pine forests charm with their contrasting canvas of yellow, orange and deep green.  The first scarlets and golds of autumn blanket the forests of Montana. But Montana's fall takes a towering top place in my seasonal book. Right now, we're relishing the change in the air, warm days followed by cool evenings, swaying aspen, pirouetting leaves and the distinctive, autumnal feeling that winter is knocking on the door.   CRITTERS are on the prowl, making nests, stockpiling food, planning for their long winter as we take down screens and replace them with storm windows. Seasonal birds are gone. The rare migrating grosbeak visits the feeder as the faithful chickadee remains. I hope to fulfill F. Scott Fitzgerald's encouragement, that "life starts all over again....in the fall." Boy, howdy, could we use a new beginning to this lousy year with the virus, political unrest, riots, looting and loss of theater, travel, dining out. Oh, sure, we're still upright, "on the right side of the dirt," as my grandfather Gus said. But won't we all welcome New Year's Eve, as we flip the calendar from 2020 to a new year of promise, 2021? MEANWHILE , we'll share a few more favorite autumn quotes. William Cullen Bryant called autumn "the year's last loveliest smile." Emily Bronte waxed poetic with "Every leaf sings bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." Poets wax about autumn's splendors, here in the golden valley of the Stillwater River, near Nye, Montana. My favorite autumn quote is from Emily Dickinson, who observed that autumn was "A little this side of the snow, and that side of the haze."  THAT MYSTICA L poet, Albert Camus, called autumn "a second spring, when every leaf is a flower." Shira Tamir, who writes about nature and the human condition, said “Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” Philosopher, poet Rainer Maria Rilke said of autumn, "At no other time does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth; in a smell that is in no way inferior to the smell of the sea, bitter where it borders on taste, and more honeysweet where you feel it touching the first sounds. Containing depth within itself, darkness, something of the grave almost.”   Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie"  Meyers enjoy an autumn walk this week. We have not experienced a Montana autumn for more than a decade. We're enjoying the colors, warmth and transformation of nature as it unveils.   It won't last long, so take it in before it vanishes. HERE IN  Montana, the trees will soon be bare and our driveway will accumulate several feet of serious snow. The good news about winter's much needed moisture is it diminishes fire hazard for next summer and makes the spring grasses all the greener, the first blooms of columbine, wild geranium and lupine all the lovelier.    Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” --Poet Stanley Horowitz A father masks himself, and helps his son and daughter at a grocery and bathroom stop on the road. UP NEXT: Road trip time. As many of us continue to avoid air travel, we offer updated tips on traveling by auto in these Covid times.  Make certain everyone in the car is equipped with tissue, individual hand sanitizer and a mask for rest stops. The parks are uncrowded, gas is reasonable and it's a good time to appreciate the changing colors.  More tips await next week. Meanwhile  remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more: whereiscookie.com

Whether you're headed east of west, it's freeing to be off and driving. Some safety pointers below. JUMP IN THE CAR, HEAD FOR A MUSEUM OR NATIONAL PARK, BUT PLAY IT SAFE While our American goldfinches have fled Montana, we found this one in a rest stop farther south in Nevada. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WITH   THE THREAT  of Covid keeping us away from air travel, many of us are braving the highways this autumn and winter.  Road trips are on the agenda for hundreds, including the two of us humans and our 15-year old Yorkshire terrier and faithful companion, Nick. Like many readers and fellow travelers, we're avoiding air travel. We find road trips to be a safer way to deal with the hazards of the virus. Museums and parks are not crowded, many restaurants offer delivery to the hotels, temperatures are chilly, but the air is fresh.   Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers  hit the road for R&R, scenery and a few laughs. Off-season travel offers uncrowded parks and a chance to enjoy wonderful museums without rubbing elbows, here at a virtually deserted Museum of the Rockies. A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Travel Association found that 68 percent of travelers feel safest when traveling by personal vehicle and when visiting outdoor destinations such as parks and the beach.  Nearly half -- 45 percent -- of the respondents said they are likely to travel more by car.  Road trips are on the agenda for many vacationers this as 2020 winds to a close. Those of us who usually hop on a plane to faraway destinations are staying closer to home, driving so we can enjoy "outdoor" stops.  THE DECISION  to travel with family and friends limits contact with others, and those travel companions are likely to be the same people you’ve quarantined with over the past few months. Keep your eyes open for entertainment. It's there! We started a collection of amusing billboard and poster shots. If any of your passengers have had outside contact, it is a good idea to wear masks inside the vehicle. Experts caution against wearing a mask when driving alone because of a potential reduction in oxygen and possible lightheadedness. In the era of coronavirus, avoiding public transportation, crowded waiting areas, and strangers is considered a safer way to go. For overnight stops, we plan ahead, so we can choose a property by price as well as by published cleanliness standards. Humor is always present -- just have a look around on the road. We're big fans of the Hilton brand when it comes to cleanliness and comfort. Hotels listed on AAA's guide offer clean, comfortable stays at our favorite Hiltons, and others.  We recently enjoyed a pleasant kitchen suite at Winnemucca's Best Western Plus. Sparkling clean room, friendly check-in, top hygiene and a tasty "grab and go" breakfast. The kitchen in the suite allowed us to prepare a simple tasty safe meal without venturing out. Ask about a suite upgrade. For a few dollars more, you can book a small kitchen or add a microwave and frig. We noticed, too, another option: at our hotel in Tahoe both the pizza parlor and Chinese restaurant near the hotel both delivered. Nicky, our 15-year old Yorkshire terrier, at a rest stop in Idaho on our current road trip.  Low gas prices are another benefit of road trips, with per gallon averages just under $2, the lowest it’s been in five years.  We use the Gas Buddy app and a AAA Triptik to help with fuel prices, routes, and planning. Overall travel costs can be managed more easily on a driving trip, too. We stock the cooler and grocery bag with water, sodas, snacks: cheese, fruit, chips, crackers, protein bars, nuts. NOT ONLY  do we avoid extra stops, but we have healthy food we fixed. Nicky the terrier and our great-niece Penelope take a break from masking on a walk. (Her mask is handy, on her neck, though.) When it’s time for to stop for a meal, we look for a pleasant park or roadside complex where we can walk Nicky and stretch our legs. Cracker Barrel, Subway and pilot Flying J all have high safety and hygiene practices. We keep masks in the glove compartment, in Keller's backpack, my purse and in our carry-on, so we have them always at the ready. Even when we walk, we keep our masks handy. Our family in the Bay Area always masks, even on a stroll to the post box on the corner. California's central valley produces nearly half of the country's fresh produce. Thousands of workers labor here. UP NEXT:  Come with us to California's rich farmland as we explore the farm to table phenomenon. We're in the beautiful and fertile central California "salad bowl" and we offer some of our favorite farmer's market shots, taken on this latest trip. Come enjoy the history of California's amazing and prolific central valley, which produces half of the nation's produce.  As we avoid the virus through healthy, cautious living, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a fresh look at travel, the arts, nature, family and more:  whereiscookie.com

In the distance, center stage, Cookie greets the morning sun, mowing the lawn at High Chaparral, flanked by the mountains. BACK AT BELOVED COUNTRY PLACE WITH ONE DOG, TWO SUITCASES, AND 250 MASKS Nick is an only child now, and much  cherished by Cookie since Nora's passing. Oh give me land, lots of land, and the starry skies above Don't fence me in Let me ride through the wide open country that I love Don't fence me in Let me be by myself in the evening breeze And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees Send me off forever but I ask you please Don't fence me in-- Cole Porter STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER MONTANA IS WRESTLING with the changes wrought by the COVID virus.  But it's still possible to ride through the wide open country that we love, listening to the murmur of the cottonwood trees. We were waiting for the state to mandate the wearing of masks, so when that finally happened a few weeks ago, we packed our bags and headed home. We set off from San Diego, leaving the Pacific behind, headed east to "the real west," our wonderful Montana, COVID-19 precautions,  hoping for considerate encounters enroute. Leaving the Pacific Ocean behind, we drove into eastern California, through verdant irrigated farmland, into the prairies and desert of Nevada, up into Utah's red rocks and craggy canyons, then through Wyoming with its familiar brush and sunburned hillsides of Lander and Riverton. Finally, we navigated the welcoming curves of the Beartooth Mountains, into Bear Creek, Red Lodge and home to the West Fork of the Stillwater River. Home. Young robins await the return of their mother, in a nest their parents built in our cabin's breezeway. FOR THE FIRST  time in 15 years, we made this annual pilgrimage with only one Yorkshire terrier, Nick.  His twin sister Nora's ashes rested in the back seat next to Nicky, in her little urn, along with her favorite fetch toy and her dog tags.  They will join other beloved four-footed family members in our "Pet Cemetery" when we find the right moment. A honey bee and pink hollyhock greet the road weary warriors. As we unpacked, checking on plants and trees to see how they survived winter, we admired the faithful hollyhocks whose colorful blooms greeted us.  We found apples on the trees and butterflies in the berm, baby robins in a nest by the door.  All good signs.  The chickadees and finches chirped impatiently, recognizing we were back and reminding us to fill the many feeders. Memorial connects home to family A drive through the countryside anchors us after four days on the road. Butterflies and moths in the flowers add color to our return.   FAMILY AND  friends had mowed the lawn a few times, weed-wacked and spruced up the place for our coming.  We paused by the memorial to family members who have passed, dusting off their bronze plaques and greeting their spirits.  We walked down to the west fork of the Stillwater River, whose main branch rises in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness south of us.  This gorgeous stretch of the Beartooth Mountains is only about 70 miles as the crow flies from  Yellowstone National Park. We hope to make a cautious annual drive through the park, and wonder how masking and distancing will happen there. RETURNING  to the mountains this year has special meaning for us with the constraints and concerns wrought by the virus. It's been a long time away from home for me, and for Keller, a long absence from the mountains he has grown to love. Tourists and natives alike love Montana's mountains. Writer John Steinbeck said they were the kind of mountains he'd make if mountains were ever put on his agenda. Apples on the tree -- only a few high ones.   The deer helped themselves, too. Four years ago, as we climbed the transplant list, we did not know if we would be back. Now, having celebrated the three-year post-transplant anniversary, the Beartooth view is a daily blessing. We don't take it lightly. But how things have changed in a year. Tippet Rise, our internationally known performing arts center, cancelled its season. We're disappointed because we were lucky enough to score tickets, so we donated the modest cost to the Food Bank, as the venue suggested. OUR ANNUAL  trek to the world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival is also cancelled. The entire season went up in smoke, so we'll miss our sacred pilgrimage to Ashland, with its award winning docket of plays in three beautiful theaters. For me, the first miss in 47 years  Keller and Cookie celebrate each day, even with COVID to contend with. NORMALLY, we would be entertaining guests at High Chaparral this time of year.  In past, we've welcomed visitors from all over the United States -- friends and relatives from the United Kingdom, the Middle East and several European countries.  A planned visit from friends in Australia was cancelled.  Critters, birds celebrate life    Birthday parties and barbecues gone.  But we can still hike and bike and drive those winding country roads, where we admire   .horses and cattle and deer grazing in the fields. We're not fenced in       UP NEXT: Yellowstone Park beckons our road warriors, who have witnessed the splendors of our nation's first park for many years. Find out what's new in the park, and enjoy a quick but satisfying trip through this natural wonder with tips for enjoying this splendid gift to the people. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at nature, the arts, travel, family and more at whereiscookie.com

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers wear their masks for their daily bike rides, here on to a masked gathering with proper social distancing at a friend who lives in the neighborhood.  Small masked gatherings help ease the isolation. Bruce Keller's post-transplant blood work is necessary, and the blood draws are conducted by masked technicians. HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS BY DOING YOUR PART: WEAR A MASK BOTH TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WE BELIEVE  in science and the power of great medical minds to find a vaccine to combat COVID-19.  The two of us lined up as grade school children for our polio shots in the 1950s, and both knew friends afflicted with the disease. Today's virulent virus is our polio. Masks are essential at airports, here LAX, where extreme caution is taken by some, both workers and passengers. It distresses us that some question the need to wear a mask. It's a matter of life and death, especially for people like us who are considered "high risk."  That's because in May of 2017, Bruce Keller underwent successful liver transplantation. This column's talented photographer is recovering nicely, but because of the necessary anti-rejection drugs, his immune system is compromised. A masked Bruce Keller picks out produce at a San Diego market. Most businesses monitor entrances to enforce masking. That makes him vulnerable, along with millions of others who have underlying health conditions. This includes our niece, who has Type I diabetes, a neighbor who is in cancer treatment, elderly friends in nursing facilities, a brother with COPD, and many more. THERE IS PLENTY  of data out there to convince us all to "mask up."  Two compelling case reports suggest that masks can prevent transmission even in high-risk scenarios. In one case, a man flew from China to Toronto and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.  He had a dry cough and wore a mask on the flight. All 25 people closest to him on the plane tested negative for the virus. In another case, two hair stylists in Missouri had close contact with 140 clients before they knew they had COVID-19. Everyone wore a mask, though, and not a single client tested positive. WE USUALLY  avoid politics in this column, but we are sad to see the mask issue being made political when it is simply a matter of science, health and common decency. Home Depot purchases take a bit longer with distancing. But both customers and staff are respectfully masking. Research and scientific facts show that the virus spreads through the respiratory system.  Sneezing, coughing, even talking and singing can spread it.  Our chances of being exposed -- or exposing -- are greatly multiplied if we don't wear masks or encounter unmasked people. So we mask up whenever we go out -- to stores, to the doctor, on errands of all kinds. Asians have been wearing masks for decades, to protect themselves and others. Since it is possible for a person to spread the COVID-19 virus without actually having symptoms, the mask becomes key in preventing an affected person from endangering an innocent person with whom he makes contact. CASES ARE  spiking, in both states we call home.  In California, the beaches and restaurants opened a few weeks ago then many closed again, when during Memorial Day and Fourth of July, people abused the distancing protocol and new cases were documented at an alarming rate. In my native Montana, where many don't mask, numbers have risen exponentially. Finally, just this week on July 15, Gov. Bullock mandated that masks be worn. Good news for us, as we plan a trip back.  Researchers predict that if 80 per cent of us were to wear masks, we could A man doing his banking must wait for the security guard to authorize his entrance so that social distancing is enforced. Small offices and cafes monitor the numbers. greatly  reduce COVID-19 spread.  It would be more effective in accomplishing this than a strict lockdown.  Aside from following state and medical edicts, shouldn't a mask be worn as a matter of respect, of being a good citizen?  In many states, including here in California, wearing a mask in public means adhering to the law. Lenin Gutierrez made news when he declined to serve an unmasked Starbucks patron in San Diego. Her indignant FaceBook post backfired. A conscientious father helps his children get into their masks before a shopping expedition in San Diego where it's a requirement to wear masks. One recent news piece hit home.  Just two blocks away from us, a Starbucks barista, Lenin Gutierrez made international news a couple weeks ago when he stood his ground with a female customer who defied the mask edict and entered the coffee shop without wearing a mask. When the clerk  offered her a mask, she declined and became verbally abusive.  So he refused to serve her -- she stormed out, cursing at him, causing a scene, then returning to take his photo, threaten him and continue the verbal abuse.  A reader of her subsequent FaceBook post was unsympathetic to her. He started a GoFundMe "tip jar" for  Gutierrez, an aspiring dancer.  Quickly, it raised over $20,000  for the young man who was simply following company policy when he challenged the woman. IF WE AL L wear masks, we could kick the virus numbers way down.    The latest forecast from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation suggests that 33,000 deaths could be avoided by Oct. 1, if  95 per cent of us wore masks in public. I DON'T ENJOY wearing my mask. Shoppers in San Diego wear masks. A security guard keeps an eye on the crowd flow in this San Diego store, and also prevents hoarding. I wear glasses and the masks make seeing and breathing difficult.  But I do it -- for many reasons including health, courtesy, and concern. Most of us have never had to wear a mask -- certainly not when shopping or running through the park.  I'm a fourth generation Montanan, and independence and even rebellion are an accepted -- sometimes admired -- way of life. But folks, this is not about your "rights."  It's about health. And you don't have the "right" to potentially infect me. So let's think of masks not as forced conformity, but as an important and necessary act of solidarity. Wearing a mask might stop one unknowing person from infecting another innocent person.  That person could be me, a loved one -- or you!  And if you want to make a surgical mask even safer: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/face-mask-fit-trips Hotels are opening to new, strictly monitored hygiene protocol. Here Hilton Palm Springs awaits travelers, with new healthy procedures. UP NEXT:  What are hotels doing, now that cruise lines are opening up, and people are beginning to drive and take road trips again? We're following the hospitality industry's new guidelines and find that Hilton brand properties lead the parade when it comes to new high standards. From check-in without front desk contact, to a seal on the door to insure a spotless room for each guest, there are strict hygiene guidelines to make a road trip or pre-cruise stay safe. We'll give you the latest. Remember to explore, learn and live, and see how it goes next Friday, at whereiscookie.com

In Denmark the Maypole tradition is all but extinct.  Originally, a real tree was used as dancers greeted the spring.  Happily, we found a Maypole where the tradition is still observed, last spring south of Funen in Denmark. May Day is celebrated in this popular London pub, by bringing baskets outsideand arranging more flowers inside. The baskets will remain through summer. HAPPY MAY ! ENJOY SPRING FLOWERS, SMELL THE ROSES,STOP THE COVID BLUES COLD WITH A NOD TO THE SEASON STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SO MUCH  has changed since last May Day.  We celebrated the holiday in Denmark, then toured the Baltic and other countries of Northern Europe.  We looked forward to treasured time in Montana with family and friends, and back in southern California, went about our busy routine of plays, concerts, This May Day basket carries spring flowers, and is left on the door of a friend, a custom dating back centuries. Bruce Keller photographed this bottle brush bloom today in La Jolla, Calif. Have a happy blooming May Day!  fund raisers, dinners out. We didn't realize how critical to our sanity  were those pleasures --the treasured holidays, and the  discipline of working on our shared and separate projects. Hawaii's Botanical Garden IN THE  last spring of her life, my mother and I remembered the May Day baskets she supervised when we were kids. Under her artistic tuteledge, we cut colored construction paper into four sides and stapled the pieces together, then made handles of strings of doubled ribbon. We put stickers on the baskets, filled them with candy and flowers, placed them on our neighbors' doorsteps or hung from the door knob, rang the bell -- then ran. Such innocent, sweet fun.   Thousands demonstrated in Istanbul's Taksim Square. THROUGH THE years, various events and situations gave May Day new meaning. Besides a time to welcome the change of season (spring in the Northern Hemisphere, autumn in the Southern), the day became associated with workers and labor. Butchart Gardens for May Day In the 19th century, particularly in western countries, the day came to represent labor movements for workers rights.  In the U.S., May Day demonstrations resulted in the eight-hour work day. We've photographed May Day demonstrations in Cairo, Istanbul and Athens, and because Keller and I have such happy memories Our garden boasts an array of blooms this spring. These are "basket bound" for an elderly pal. of making May Day baskets as kids, we are making one this year, both to remind of our childhood days and take our minds off Covid. Although it's too early for hollyhocks in Montana, there are jonquils and tiny blossoms on the hillsides, and this photo from last summer to remind of our home.   WHILE WE  are cutting and stapling, we're playing an audio tape about the history of the holiday, always celebrated on May 1. May Day goes back to Roman times as a festival of flowers.  Even then, people made small baskets filled with treats or flowers to give secretly to friends and neighbors, just as we did in the 1950s.   Beltane in Edinburgh means a large bonfire and offerings of food and drink to the fairies, all "good witches."  In Germanic countries, the Festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers is celebrated. Were it not for Covid, our English cousins would be celebrating May Day, too, crowning a May Queen and having a dance around the maypole, as our Scandinavian cousins would be doing. A windy sail last May Day off the coast of Funen. THE EARLIEST  May Day documentation I could find predates Christianity. In  Pagan cultures, the tradition of the Celtic celebration of Beltane is celebrated today, a holdover from Pagan times. Most pagan celebrations were either abandoned or evolved into Christian holidays during the conversion of Europe. For my cousins in Edinburgh and Dublin, Beltane remains a day of celebration. Some claim to be Wiccans and consider themselves "good witches. The fire they light today celebrates Beltane and honors fertility and abundance, of special significance to Wiccans. My friends take part in the same customs their ancestors did, making offerings to the fire of food and drink for the "aos si" -- elves or fairies. Pronounc it   "ees shee," or the older Celtic form  "ays sheeth-uh," the term for a supernatural race in both Irish and Scottish mythology. WHATEVER your pleasure or belief, enjoy the day. The ruins of Guatemala's proud Mayan culture await next week. UP NEXT:  Readers are wondering when they'll be back on the road with our columns and we're asking ourselves the same question: when will we be traveling again? We'll resume our regular travel columns next week, on May Day, with a visit to magnificent Mayan ruins in Guatemala, a trip we took just before Covid halted our travel -- and yours. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us  Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, food, the arts and more:  whereiscookie.com

This produce stand in Bangkok also offered beautiful flowers for our hotel room -- and fruit for a midnight snack.  This array of Dutch cheese tempted in an Amsterdam market. DON'T STOP TRAVELING IN YOUR HEAD --WHY NOT FIX A FEAST IN QUARANTINE TO RELIVE TRIP MEALS, FUN MEMORIES "....there's nothing to stop us from getting a thrill when we all close our eyes and imagine Food, glorious food! Hot sausage and mustard! While we're in the mood -- cold jelly and custard!   Peas pudding & saveloys; what next is the question?   Rich gentlemen have it, boys -- in-digestion!" --from "Food, Glorious Food," the musical "Oliver" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Here's a seafood feast, on a terrace in our Barcelona hotel.  To combat Covid angst, we're replicating it, including the roses. WITH OUR TRAVEL  completely stopped, and its future in limbo, it's time to draw from memory our favorite trips, sights and tastes. Some of our happiest, most memorable travel impressions have to do with food. Sharing a meal with old friends at a reunion in a foreign port. Enjoying a leisurely feast in a new venue with new friends. Striking out on our own, finding a splendid meal featuring local specialties in a neighborhood taverna, probably family owned. This little shop on the Gulf of Naples offers dried fruit, nuts, candies and several varieties of limoncello. These discoveries on the road leave lasting impressions. One can conjure up the very smells of that extraordinary puttanesca sauce or lamb fresh off the grill, dripping with olive oil pressed just up the street and garnished with a hint of lemon and mint leaves. So we call on those beloved memories now, as isolation makes us yearn for those easy-going, fun and food-filled trips of yore. Those days will come again. MEANWHILE,  remember how much fun it is to shop for a picnic, beverage or snack in a foreign market. How lovely to enjoy the displays, the fragrances -- perhaps lemons, clumps of oregano or thyme, a bouquet of roses -- and to watch the locals shopping -- gentle squeezing the avocados or tomatoes for the perfect one, tapping the melon, touching, eyeing, weighing the produce, picking out flowers to grace the dinner table,  asking advice on cheese, olives or wine. If you're lucky enough to be invited to dinner while in a foreign port, how exciting to help prepare a meal with friends, sharing a glass of wine or two and mutual love of travel and culinary adventure. Chopping, dicing, sauteing, searing, putting a lovely feast together on a pretty table. What could be more pleasurable? Bruce Keller takes a home delivery so we can make a Mediterranean crab feast. Fresh flowers included. Finally, sharing it, enjoying the presentation then the tastes, textures and compliments. While we can't sit down to a meal in a Paris bistro right now, picnic in a park above Barcelona or admire the bounty of a rijsttafel table in Amsterdam, we can recall some of our favorite meals on the road. Go ahead, try to replicate a favorite far-away meal at home. Delightful antidote to Covid anxiety. Friends Shula and Yosh Wickman enjoy an al fresco feast at a favorite Israeli fish restaurant. Dining with locals at   places they love is a time-honored traveler's treat. Our hosts toured us from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. ONE OF OUR  favorite meal memories is of an al fresco lunch with friends Yosh and Shula, during a day of touring their beautiful Israel. Today, our "food for thought" photos give a look at our feasting on the road.  Next week, we'll share tips for finding wonderful food and restaurants while traveling -- whenever you find your hungry self the new kid on the block in an unfamiliar venue.   Here's a feast we shared, created from memories of southern European tapas and small plate dining.  Wine,cheeses, berries, nuts, olives, pate,   anchovies on the side, salad and warm nut-grain wheat rolls. A simple flan with more berries made a beautiful, light dessert, all with white wine. And here are a few of our favorite "roadie" snacks, suitable for picnics, train or plane travel, or for quick hunger fixes on the road in a rental car. If you're on a tour bus, you may have to wait until you're at a viewing promontory or off the bus for a quick cuppa or potty break.  (Some tour companies don't allow food on the bus.) We bring those little bags of unpopped corn and heat them in hotel microwaves.  Also carry a stash of protein bars and a six-pack of string cheese, which can stay a couple days out of the frig. Grab a couple hard boiled eggs at the breakfast buffet for a quick energy hit on tour. (Make sure you peel them before you leave your hotel room, and consume within a couple hours.) Carrots, grapes, hummus, celery and the local olives anywhere in southern Europe are great picnic fare.  Pick up a bottle of wine, a chunk of cheese, a baguette and local chocolate or fudge, and you've got a poor man's feast. Whether you're looking for a good old hamburger after three weeks of rich French cooking, or a lively tapas bar in Barcelona, we have tips. UP NEXT:   Inquiring minds ask: how do we find consistently good restaurants on the road. Years and years of looking, asking the locals, taking notes, and eating! The best way to find a great restaurant is to ask someone who has lived there for awhile. We'll give some insights into finding the right place for you -- whether a kid-friendly family style eatery or a posh romantic bistro with live music. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh spin on nature, travel, the arts, being human and staying sane in Covid Times: www.whereiscookie.com