The Traveling Bornsteins

Ira and I split our time between enjoying the majesty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and exploring the rest of the world. Early on, we realized that travel is a hands-on, life-long, educational experience.

As empty nesters, we move at our own pace. Sometimes we’re eager to see as much as we can in an urban area, while other times we trek for miles on trails in a variety of ecosystems. Our outdoor adventures have been enhanced by participating in dude ranch activities, health/wellness resort classes, and cruise ship excursions. Occasionally, I reboot while indulging in a spa treatment while Ira is content to exercise inside a fitness facility. Along the way, we savor the regional, nutrient-dense cuisine and local culture while spending time in memorable inns, hotels, or posh resorts.

Our journeys take us across the globe to experience a multitude of different destinations. Unless we’re part of a prearranged tour, we remain flexible and let the day unfold. Our initial perceptions are oftentimes erased and replaced by new thoughts. Sometimes our travels are shared with our children and grandchildren. These multi-generational outings enable us to see the world through the eyes of our grandchildren.

When the pandemic limited travel opportunities, Sandy decided to research and write her second book, 100 Things to Do in Boulder Before You Die. Unforeseen COVID restrictions along with temporary and permanent closures of Boulder businesses made it difficult to accomplish the required hands-on research in a timely manner.

Ira’s glioblastoma (terminal brain cancer) diagnosis in July 2020 added another hurdle to overcome. While Ira recovered from his craniotomy and underwent standard of care treatments, Sandy’s attention was focused on Ira’s wellbeing. Countless hours were spent learning about how others beat the odds of terminal diseases. Every day time was set aside to plan, to experiment, and to cook plant-based homemade foods and to take strolls in the neighborhood or hike on local trails.

To encourage others to embrace life rather than cancer, Sandy launched a For Glio page on her other website—sandrabornstein.com.

While 100 Things to Do in Boulder Before You Die took longer than anticipated to complete, it was released in September 2022. Don’t forget to check out the 100 Things Boulder page to read stories about Boulder and to learn more about Sandy’s presentations, events, and book signings.

In 2010, Sandy had a unique expat teaching assignment in Bangalore, India. After returning to Colorado, Sandy shared how she coped with culture shock and the lessons that she learned in May This be the Best Year of Your Life. This book is an excellent resource for teachers who are considering teaching abroad, as well as for people who are willing to step outside their comfort zone.

For more than a decade, Sandy has been sharing her travel and lifestyle experiences. Her stories appear on a multitude of online and print media outlets. Since 2016, this site’s portfolio page has shared PDF versions of these published stories. Earlier stories are housed on Sandy’s other website.

Whether you’re a season traveler or someone admiring from the sidelines, we welcome you to follow The Traveling Bornsteins.