On the way to Texas!

Spring finally arrived and the daffodils are smiling. Tomorrow I'll hop on the Amtrak to meet my daughter in Austin. Following day we will drive toward Big Bend National Park stopping to photograph interesting places like Seminole Canyon State Park and Judge Bean historic place, as the time will allow. Then Big Bend - with all its beauty and majesty.

Back in Madison

My dear travel companions, now that I am back in Madison and getting ready to go to Big Bend N.P. with my dear daughter, Irene, I will close this travelog to pack and get ready for my next photo adventure.

I will complete and edit my Costa Rica photos when I come back. Meanwhile you can click on the link: "My Trip to Costa Rica"on the right side of this page. Julia

Iguana, frogs

Resplendent Quetzal

Joan was quick to spot this magnificent Resplendent Quetzal

Tropical birds

Arenal volcano

Joan got up at 4 AM and got this photo with the volcano spitting the fiery lava

Arenal National Park

After the drive through beautiful countryside we arrived at Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal National Park.

Hotel Bogenvilla

Next day we were introduced to our Elderhostel's photo instructor and mentor, Monica, Jehudy, the guide and Jose-the driver.
we were in good hands!

Costa Rica

I arrived in San Jose's elegant hotel Bogenvilla greeted by my dear friend Danielle and presenting me with a fragnant magnolia blossom from the extensive and beautiful gardens.

Costa Rica

Daniele , my dear friend from Canada, has already arrived in Costa Rica and called me from the hotel. How exciting!
I am leaving tomorrow at 7 AM, going by bus from Madison to Chicago O'Hare, then fly American Airlines with the stop in Miami. Will arrive in San Jose, C.R @ 8.45 PM. See you soon, Daniele! Julia

Merciless winter

We beat the record! So far we had 86" of snow and the winter is not over yet. Shoveling the snow is a daily routine and the piles are getting hard to reach. Still three weeks till I'll leave for Costa Rica!

Winter's's grip

The Winter doesn't want to loose her grip. So far we had 52 inches of snow, and more is coming on Friday.

Winter in Wisconsin

Now that the Wisconsin winter showed herself much earlier and with the full force of record snow and cold, I clicked on the computer trying to find the programs on Elderhostel that will take me to the warmer climate, at least for a week or two.
Luck was on my side. I found the only one at this time of the winter, and it is in Costa Rica and it is photography! I'll be leaving on March 11 and returning March 21.

The Fall

The Fall could not be more spectacular than in the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I took the opportunity to take a photo workshop in Arrowmont School of Arts in Gatlinburg, TN which is the gateway to the Park.
Taking my own car proved to be more comfortable and convenient.

Bandelier N.P..White Sands, Guadalupe N.P

On the way back to Austin, I stopped in Albuquerque, visiting my old friends, then on my "Memory Lane" I stopped in Bandelier N.P., White Sands, and Elephant Butte. Continuing my drive I stopped just to take some photos in the Guadalupe N.P. with it's majestic El Capitan.

Taos, Abiquiu and Santa Fe

My destination for the first leg of this trip was Abiquiu and Santa Fe, where I attended a photo program sponsored by Elderhostel to study Georgia O'Keefe's and other artists' and sculptresses' works. It was awesome and be inspired by the majesty of the red mountains, especially the reflection of Padernales, which O'Keefe called "her mountain".
On the way I stopped in Taos, N.M. at the historic La Hacienda de los Martinez enjoying in the yearly fiesta with a lot of arts and crafts of that region, Mexican music and food.

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.