Thursday, September 17, 2009

Thursday Theme=Over the Hill

Sacre Coeur in Paris, France

This week's theme is over the hill, now what does that mean. According to the definitions found through Google it has many meanings. It can be anyone over the age of 40 or someone who is beyond their prime to play a certain sport or someone who has lived the best part of their lives. Well I can say after the age of 40 I graduated from college with a degree in chemistry and had twenty-five years of a successful career with publications in the field of science. I can also say being over the hill I am still doing a lot of traveling in the world seeing all the places I have read about as an avid reader. As some of you know a trip to Egypt is just two months away. And China is in the next two years. So much for over the hill, it is what one chooses to make of it, I chose to make the most.

Here are some pictures of hills taken last year as well as this year. The Sacre Coeur, pictured above, sits on a hill in Paris. One way to reach the Basilica is to walk up, up and up 234 steps. All I can say is you had better be in good shape to get there. Along the way you see many former smokers taking a much needed rest. Last year was my second time to make the walk and it is well worth it. For those who can't make the walk there is a Funicular. Another treat once you get up there is the famous artist plaza (Place du Tertre).

St. Guilhem Le Desert was a nice stop on a rainy day on our way from Barcelona, Spain to Arles, France where we started a week cruise up the Rhone River.

Ruins in the hill at St. Guilhem Le Desert


St. Guilhem Le Desert

These pictures of hills in New Mexico were taken on a tour to Taos while I was spending a long weekend at a book retreat in Santa Fe.
New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico

12 comments:

California Girl said...

Hi Dakota: It's inspiring to read about someone who keeps going and has many lives, so to speak. I had an idea for a book years ago called "Late Bloomers" but someone beat me to it. I think it's been long enough that I could once again pick up that thread.

Brian Miller said...

ah, hills i hope to one day travel over...one day i hope to travel in such a way. keep going...that way i can live vicariously until then.

Ed & Jeanne said...

Hey...those are hills I have been over! But there are always more hills...

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

The photos were wonderful...but one of the meanings...anyone over the age of forty? NO WAY!!! FORTY!???

Wings1295 said...

Lovely - thanks for sharing!

Tom said...

Lucky you! Nice pics, happy Thursday.

Baino said...

Hmmm I think I might be taking the lift! Beautiful hills and dales there Dakota.Yeh, I'm rejecting the over 40 thing too!

Liza B. Gonzalez said...

Those are some beautiful hills to have climbed. Lucky you!

C.M. Jackson said...

beautiful shots--new mexico holds a special place in my heart--what book retreat did you go on there? {erfect place to lose oneself in reading and writing-best c

Debo Hobo said...

I love the mountains. What happened the the pictures of the Connecticut mountains?

Feisty Crone said...

You are an inspiration!

Ruth said...

It's strange, I opened your page and saw the Sacré Cœur and I was disoriented, maybe because I just got up, and I thought I was in Istanbul. This part of Paris is so great for looking down over the city. That's one very good thing about being on a hill at least.

Yes, you are living the dream of most of us now, living life well and having good health and means to travel. I am so happy for you.

I'm impressed with your chemistry degree!