Abiquiu, Sept. 10/2009

I woke up @ 5.00 AM, to anxious to sleep. Another trip, another adventures. Jean will pick me up to take me to Van Galder bus, which in turn will take me to the Amtrak station in Chicago.
"Southwest Chief" will take me to Santa Fe and from there I'll go to Abiquiu, NM to immerse myself in the photography workshop given by Elderhostel.

Going to the Sun road

On Tuesday we headed to Many Glacier Lodge, built in 1914 by Pacific Railways.On the way we stopped to photograph Jackson Glacier, which, as we were told wilt be gone in the next 23 years.
On Wednesday we had to get up at 4 AM to drive to the mountains, then walk up to the top to catch the sunrise over the mountain top. It was spectacular!

Glacier National Park

Now that the gardens are established with planted potatoes, onions, tomatoes and more veggies planted by Jane in the lower garden I could take off on some exciting trips.
This time I chose to go to Glacier National Park.
I boarded Amtrak in Columbus, WI and arrived in Whitefish, MT. the following day late evening.
Next day I've met the other Elderhostelers in the Hybernation House to attend our photography program:"Tripods at Timberline"
Steve, our Instructor, introduced us to "Principles of photography, stressing the "Art of seeing".

SPRING ON RHF

AFTER SOME DELAYS AND UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER SPRING FINALLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF GIVING US PLENTY OF WORK.
THIS YEAR STAS' PLANNED HIS UPPER GARDEN BY DESIGNING WIDE ROWS TO SEED WITH CLOVER, THUS ENRICHING THE SOIL AND TAKING CONTROL OF THE WEEDS.
THE IDEA WORKED WELL. WE PLANTED 2 1/2 ROWS OF POTATOES (WITH OUR OWN SEED POTATOES FROM PREVIOUS YEAR) AND ONE LONG ROW OF ONIONS.
AFTER MOWING STAS' TILLED CLOSE TO THE PLANTS AND JULIA RAKED AND HILLED THE PLANTS WITH THAT FRIABLE SOIL. SOOKIE WANTED TO BE IN THE ACT, BUT HAD TO BE DIVERTED TO HER OWN ANTICS.

Cajun Country - Lafayette, LA

It was truly a fun week. I learned Cajun dancing, delighted in Cajun cuisine, (was introduced to boudin sausage), and beautiful and mysterious bayous, with its flora and fauna. Being in a company of fellow Elderhostelers and especially my daughter Irene was additional plus of this great adventure.

The Spring has arrived!

The birds are here! It must be the Spring! But this year I am going South to take Ederhostel's workshop" Wildlife and culture of Louisiana's Cajun Country" in Lafayette LA. My daughter, Irene, will join me there to take the second week of" Digital Photography & Unique Beauty of Louisiana". Alligators will greet us there in the Atchafalaya Basin swamp, as well as egrets and other southern birds.
It should be exciting!

Spring around the corner?

The bitter and cold winter is hopefully loosening its grip. Some people experienced the hardships, but some found joy of winter sports like working kites on Lake Monona. Children didn't seem to mind the cold weather sledding on the hill in our neighborhood.
I am finally ready to go South. I've registered for the Elderhostel's programs in Lafayette, LA.
I'll hope I'll get a "good shot" at the alligators and the birds in the swamps of Atchafalaya Basin.

Back to my old blog

I have not written for the longest time. The time slips so quickly, even faster, as you get older,or rather, as the time goes by, you get slower.
I just read my daughter's in law, Jane's her new blog: www.redhorsefarm.com, where she mentions about my blogs, which are:juliasjournal2007.blogspot.com and where I've written about my travels and our family cook book: under "www.potocki.blogspot.com".
I've just reviewed the recipes and comments, of my dear friends from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida as well as members of my own family.
There are some changes in our lives: my dear daughter Irene, who was so instrumental in initialing these blogs, have moved to Austin, Texas.
Her husband, Michael, put his roots there pretty soon, by being the finalist in "Hatch chile pepper" recipe book.
Jean, became a wonderful mother of the two sweetest boys, thus making me a Greatgrandmother.
My dear daughter in law, Jane,has her blog: www.redhorsefarm.com
introducing her new venture into Salish looms and her Llamas, whose fibers she uses for spinning and weaving on those looms.
Now,that Christmas is approaching, I have to go to our family's cook book: potocki.blogspot.com to review my own recipes,which I need in preparation for our special day called "Wigilja". I will provide that special red beet soup, called "barszcz" and have all members of our expanding family to lend the hand in making those "pierogi" . We have to make several stuffings, since some members of our family are vegeterians.
The beets were grown with tender, loving care by Jane in her garden at Red Horse Farm . Of course, the garden was also tended by Jane's other half, that is Stosh, who was tilling, disking and raking with the help of his tractor and applying the rich llama's manure, to have organically grown produce.
I will return to my "travels" blogging, but meanwhile you can view my photos in Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/12181644@N00/sets. Julia

Pecos River

On the way to famous Judge Bean Park we stopped by the tallest highway bridge over the Pecos River. There was no one to take our memento photos, so we set our cameras on the time setting, having fun to snap it in time.

Big Bend N.P.

I have visited Big Bend N.P. before, but this time it was especially meaningful to me, since my dear daughter Irene shared my enthusiasm and joy.
The lengthy train ride, arriving in Austin in the middle of the night did not dampen our spirits. We took off following day toward Del Rio,TX.
Our first visit was historic Seminole Canyon S.P.

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.