On the memory lane

My next stop was in Las Vegas, N.M., reminiscing the times when we lived there, climbing Hermit's Peak on our horses. Strolling in the park by the gazebo my mind went to the time where Irene danced Mexican Hat Dance during the Fiesta. Then I stopped in the Mexican restaurant for a hot burrito and a big glass of cherry drink.

Swollen river

It was a little scary to drive over flooded road.

On the way to Abiquiu, N.M.

As planned I went by Amtrak to Austin. Unfortunately, Irene could not join me to go to New Mexico.
Therefore, I rented the car and proceeded on my journey.
My first stop was in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX.

Planning the next trips

So far the year 2007 has been busy. Travel to Spain has been exciting. I loved the country with it's beautiful panoramas, the architecture depicting it's history, delicious food and wine and the magnitude of sunshine. The strolls along the Mediterranean was sublime.
Now I am planning next trip in the Fall. In August I'll go by train to Austin. Then from there I join my dear daughter Irene to drive to Santa Fe and Abiqueue, where we are taking the Elderhostel's workshop in photography.
The summer has been busy. I spent some time at the family farm, where we trying to raise the garden the organic way.
The llama compost has been beneficial producing beautiful and bountiful crop of onions, beets, potatoes , beans and corn.

April 15

It was Stosh's Birthday. What a better day to celebrate than to go to the woods!
We were not disappointed. Triliums and wild geraniums were blooming in the woods.
And we were rewarded by finding those elusive mushrooms.

Visit to Austin

I did hop on the Amtrak and after a lengthy ride arrived in Austin. It was so comforting to see Michael and Irene waiting for me at the platform. It was a perfect time leaving a still wintry weather in Madison and arrive in the perfect springtime in Texas. We took a full advantage of it by taking a drive to the Hill Country. We snapped multitude of pictures of bluebonnets, indian paint brush and white poppies.

The visit to my old friends John and Rosie , reminiscing about my previous visits, completed that wonderful trip.

Winter returns

I had a beautiful time while visiting my daughter in Austin. Basking in the sun, driving to the Hill Country and admiring the profusion of Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brush.
And here again, arriving in Madison to the snow and cold...

Crocus

After all that snow melted, the crocuses did pop out

Long winter

Our Wisconsin's winter reluctantly is going away. Not fast enough for me. So I am going to hop on the Amtrak, and go to Austin, to " wear the shorts and listen to the chirping birds" as Irene was tantalizing me in her e-mail from her new home there. She says the redbuds are blooming, and she even saw bluebonnets yesterday. Of course, it would be great to embrace her and Michael, when they will come to pick me up.

Welcome

Returning home to snow and cold, but finding the "Welcome Home" from my dear son, Stosh,and his wife, Jane, with the bouquet of fresh flowers and refrig with the necessary food supply!

Strolling along the Mediterranean

Enjoying the leisurely walk along the sea, watching the birds, collecting the seashells and trying to avoid the splashing waves.

The last days

In the last day or two, some of us still have to go to the flea markets or the endless shops in Terremolinos to purchase additional bags or suitcases to bring home the gifts or the mementos.

Europa

The statue of Europa and Zeus is quite impressive.

Alfarnate

As the tour was coming to the end, we were guests of the local hosts in the village of Alfarnate, who welcomed us to their cozy homes and served their home cooked four course dinner, with wine, of course.

Castellar

In Castellar we visited medieval castle, high on the top of the mountain.

Nerha

After lunch, we drove to Nerha, where we visited enormous caves with stalactites and stalagmites.

Frigiliana

Today we were driven to Frigiliana, walked on narrow, uphill streets, with immaculate white walls of the houses, decorated with flower pots, with bountiful plants and flowers.
( Thanks, Dave, for lending me your arm to hang to! )

Ronda

On the way to Ronda, we went over Sierra de la Nueve. Someone spotted a wild mountain goat on the cliffs. Ronda is a beautiful Andalusian city dating back to ancient times, of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Moors. The streets are narrow, lined with orange trees. We visited an oldest and largest bull ring, and the museum with collection of clothing, saddles, bits, etc., of the famous matadors, then an old baroque chuch.

Antonio the guide

Guided by Antonio with his vast knowledge of the history of this land, we admired the beautiful landscapes, with the rocky mountains, the valleys with orange groves, blooming almond trees, endless rows of olive trees and cork oaks.

Olive Factory

Today we drove to Exargia region, a countryside with narrow winding roads through the fields of blooming almond trees and rows of olive trees. We stopped at Panderia ( the bakery) to buy hard crusted bread. Then we drove to the olive factory and tasted the extra virgin oil dipped in the bread. Antonio assured us, that it was the best extra virgin oil produced in Spain.

Flamenco!

Each evening there are different kinds of entertainment. I loved Flamenco dancers.

Rock

Our first excursion was to Gibraltar, where we visited St. Michaels cave, then outside we were entertained by the Rock's monkeys. Of course I had to take their portraits.

Beautiful Spain

Here I am in beautiful Spain. We are staying in Sol Timor hotel in Torremolinos, one of the many hotels along Mediterranean Sea. I have a private and quite comfortable room with private bathroom and the kitchenette with microwave, toaster, a range, refrig and the sink. Each room has the balcony facing the sea. What beautiful sunrises!

The meals at the hotel are plentiful with varied fish, which I love, also plenty of vegetables and fruits.
I loved to stroll on the Boulevard, the wide paved promenade along the sea. The sunsets are as exquisite with the beautiful skies and the waves licking the shore.

On the way

From O'Hare the Iberia airlines took us over the ocean to Madrid's beautiful, huge airport. Lots of walking to the next plane to Malaga.

Finally the Trip Begins

The final day arrived. Irenka took me to Dutch Mill Park and Ride, where the Badger Coach was already full with the people from the West Side. I was eager to meet my new traveler friends.

On the way to O'Hare I was saying "Good Bye" to the fields covered with snow. When I'll come back " the crocuses will be popping up from the ground!"

Off to Spain !

Good bye, my dear ones, I am ready for my big trip. Leaving Madison tomorrow in the midst of winter, with the snow on the ground and temperature below 20 degrees. Just checked temp, in Malaga 61 degrees, something to look forward! See you in three weeks, when the crocuses will be popping up!

just four days

It's just four days till I go to Spain. I've had a bad cold in the past week, unable to plan my last details. Stas came from Mineral Point, bringing me bags of food, and cough medicine, cough lozenges, vit C and D,big bag of oranges, orange juice, grapefruits and more.
I woke up at 10 AM! Feeling great! Now I will finalize my packing and all other details. I've decided not to take my little Apple laptop. Too much worries. If I'll be able to get to the computer at the hotel or Internet Caffe's , I'll continue my notes on the Blogger, then I'll attach the photos later. Conferred with Irenka and she concurred.

Winter arrived

Winter finally arrived in Wisconsin. Delight for the young, but not such a thrill for the old ones.


My steps were covered with beautiful, fluffy snow, which I had to shovel, so the postman would have easier to deliver my mail.

Michael and Irene thought that they escaped winter by running off to Texas, but look at that ice on their car! Whoa!

Happy Birthday!

What a happy birthday! Although Irene and Michael are in Texas so they could not visit me or bake me a cake, they were with me in spirit!

No Internet cafe?

Now it's even less then three weeks till I go to Spain. I've been considering whether to take my little Apple laptop, when I'll be continuing writing my notes and inserting some photos on the Blogger. But suppose I'll be not able to get into the Internet? In such case, the laptop will still be handy. I still will be able to transfer my photos directly from the camera to the laptop and write my notes in the Word. This morning Irenka guided me how to do it. We used "chat". What a marvelous way to communicate! Did not need to hold the receiver and hear her voice like she would be here beside me!