Travel while staying home

See the world while staying home

8 books to sustain the travel bug

By Victor Block H op aboard the fabled Orient

Express train. Pedal the route of the famous Tour de France Monisha Rajesh bicycle race. Explore the colorful canals and history-rich streets of Venice.

So what if you can’t make these inviting journeys right now? You can still take virtual trips that immerse you in the sights, sounds and other appeals of those and other places, and experiences, by reading about them.

The books described below—some new, some old—are rated among the most outstanding travel writing in recent years. Let your eyes do the walking and your imagination can lead you to places you may have visited, and others you’d like to when things return to normal.

The deserts of Dubai as mentioned in "The Falcon Thief."

1) “Around the World in 80 Trains” by Monisha Rajesh describes a globe-straddling rail journey through North America, Europe and Asia. It includes a high-altitude ride in Tibet, trans-Canadian journey, and the luxurious Venice Simplon Orient-Express. In addition to descriptions of train trips and destinations, the author brings to life fascinating people she encounters along the way.

2) “French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France" by Tim Moore. Pedal power is the mode of transportation that moves author Tim Moore as he attempts to cover the entire course of the legendary French bike race. Moore is one of the select writers of comic travelBritish airline that operated from 1924 to 1939— with equally intriguing stories by fictionalized narrators.

4) “The World of Venice” by Jan Morris. When it comes to books about destinations seldom, if ever, has the essence of a city been better described than in this. award-winning tome. It's not a guide or history book, but rather one that absorbs the reader into the character and life of that magnificent city. Venice comes alive almost as if the reader were there enjoying its architecture, canals, curiosities and, above all, its people.

5) “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz covers the world in scope. The latest

The luxurious Venice Simplon Orient Express is one of the globe-straddling rail journeys described in Monisha Rajesh's "Around the World in 80 Trains."

ogues, and his words make enjoyable reading for everyone from serious bikers to those who have never set foot on a pedal.

3) “The Journey Matters: Twentieth-Century Travel in the True Style” by Jonathan Glancey. Excursions rather than destinations are the focus of this book. The author brings to life the Golden Age of Travel, when getting to a destination was as important and enjoyable as being there. He augments accounts of journeys he took—like crossing the Atlantic on the SS Normandie and flying from England to Singapore with England’s Imperial Airways, a edition takes almost 500 pages illustrated by some 1,100 photographs to highlight what the author considers to be the Earth’s “must-see” attractions. They cover the gamut from the Cappadocia region of Turkey—a geologically moonscaped area of rock towers—to cheetahs hunting for prey in Kenya to China's rugged Huangshan Mountains.

This book is available now as an eBook through OverDrive for Mesa County Libraries and Montrose Regional Library card holders.

China's Huangshan Mountains are among the spots mentioned in Patricia Schultz's "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."

are highlighted, they live up to the book’s name in terms of both obscurity and appeal. Included are little-known citadels that are reachable only on foot, jungle-blanketed remains of the great Mayan civilization, and underwater ruins buried deep in the Pacific Ocean.

7) “Lonely Planet's Best Travel Destinations.” More accessible sites are previewed in the 2020 edition of this annual collation of hot spots, which ranks the Top 10 countries (number one is Bhutan), cities (Salzburg, Austria) and best value destinations (Indonesia). Other “Best” ratings include new places to stay and new food experiences.

8) “The Falcon Thief” by Joshua Hammer. Those who prefer to combine a bit of intrigue with their travel reading are likely to find this book to be a page-turner. The story is a fact-based crime adventure about a wildlife detective seeking to apprehend a globe-trotting smuggler who spent two decades capturing rare birds and their eggs. The story whisks readers from the Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe and the deserts of Dubai to the volcanoes of Patagonia and frigid tundra near the Arctic Circle.

This book is available as an eBook through OverDrive for Mesa County Libraries and Montrose Regional Library card holders. ■

By Vic Stinemetze I n 1941, while America was deeply involved in World War II, 52 young men from Seadrift, a small town in Texas, went off to war.

“All the people in the city was praying for everybody,” said one survivor.

Another said, “If somebody wouldn’t have been praying for us, I don’t think a lot of us would make it back.”

“We knew God was going to take care of us,” another man said.

The pastor of a small church in Seadrift came up with this idea: Members of the church brought in photographs of their sons, which were framed and arranged in a collage that congregation and community members prayed over.

One intercessor wrote, “We all began to get a burden for those boys and so we began to meet and pray for their safety. We stood on Psalm 91. It seemed like we read that every time we would meet. We didn’t only pray at the church—we prayed at home also. It seemed like that burden just stayed with us.”

When the war was over, all 52 of those young men returned home safely.

Psalm 91 says this: Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you will not even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them; I will reward them with long life and give them my salvation.”

Today we face a different kind of war. Our enemy is silent and invisible. But just like Psalms says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my Name. When they call on me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble.” My wife and I made the choice years ago to come under his covering. It was the best decision we ever made.

Storms come and storms go. Scripture says, “In this world, you will have tribulation.” But if you make the Most High your shelter, his faithful promises will be your armor and protection. Call upon the name of the Lord, and you will be saved. ■

PRAYER FOR TODAY By Nona Kelley Carver

Dear Lord, please grant me Courage, And patience for Today. Some grace to meet The challenges That seem to come My way. I need some sense of Humor To lighten up a bit, And perhaps plain old Endurance When I’d really like to Quit! Please let me think Of others As I go along my Way, And spread a little Happiness To brighten up their Day. And thanks for always Listening To each and every Prayer, And sending down Your blessings, To let us know you Care. ©1997 Nona Kelley Carver

Psalms 5:3b: O Lord, in the morning, I will direct my prayer unto thee.

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Compassionate Friends in times of grief

By Diana Barnett L osing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. After Alice Monroe lost a teenage son in an automobile accident years ago, she became the lost one. Although she had support from friends and family, it was difficult for her to regain any level of normalcy.

Margaret and David Palo lost their son in 1978. Church friends and family were supportive but couldn’t relate to the tragic circumstances to offer the help the Palos needed. The couple had heard of an organization that supported grieving parents but no one seemed to know its name.

Two years later, the Palos saw an episode of the Phil Donahue Show featuring an interview with an Illinois chapter of Compassionate Friends. Margaret solicited help from friends and acquaintances who’d lost children and formed a chapter locally. The first meeting was held at her house in the fall of 1980.

“The group planned for our first meeting, and took information letters to doctors, ministers and morticians in our community to gather support,” said Margaret. “We were surprised at the turnout.”

It was the 200th chapter in the U.S. to be chartered and is currently in its 40th year of supporting families who have lost children. SILVER LININGS Sometimes positive things come from difficult circumstances. Margaret was able to use her “grief energy” to form the local chapter.

“Often, grieving parents may decide to return to college and pursue degrees in counseling to help others in a professional setting,” said Margaret.

After being introduced to Compassionate Friends, Monroe and her husband, Daryl, focused on providing a refuge for other grieving parents.

With help from many volunteers, the Monroes built the “Wing and a Prayer” chapel, located near their home in Glade Park. Members of Compassionate Friends convene there every August to honor their loved ones. Members also attend HopeWest’s annual Light Up a Life ceremony in December in both Grand Junction and Montrose.

Compassionate Friends supports all who’ve been affected by a child’s death (at any age and from any cause) through peer counseling, education and group meetings. This all-volunteer group exists to provide friendship, understanding and hope. Siblings and parents are usually the first line of grief, but grandparents also grieve and can be affected by their own children’s grief. FINDING SUPPORT The local chapter meets monthly from 7-8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. in Grand Junction. But, due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, meetings are temporarily canceled.

“Sometimes a physical connection means a lot, especially if it’s coming from someone you don’t know who understands the trauma you’re in,” said long-time friend Betty Hancock. “I’ve helped so many people over the years, it breaks my heart that I’m unable to be there in person to give them a hug and help them at this time.”

Even though meetings are on hold, you can still reach out for support. Call Alice at 241-6346 or Betty at 434-3822. To learn more, visit www.compassionatefriends.org. ■ “The friendship and understanding provided by those who have walked the same road is the best support one can find.” - Simon Stephens, Compassionate Friends founder

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