Finding Geppetto

The wall on the edge of Calcata

More from Italy.  The day we took the cooking class our chef took us to a town just 4km away from the class.  A town called Calcata that was built in the 11th century.  Artisans of all types live there.  Even a knife maker.  We stopped in a literal hole in the wall for shots of coffee (cappuccino).  The narrow cobblestone streets, wooden shutters and doorways looked like a scene from Pinnochio.  I joked with Bob that I expected Geppetto to pop up at any moment.  And she did !

Foot traffic only

House #14

I knew Pinnochio was here somewhere. At the cafe, it turns out.

Some of the many cats in Calcata

Calcata style door

A Dutch puppet maker  Marijcke van der Maden  was sitting in her shop.  Wood burned in her stove for heat.  The walls were carved into stone.  Everywhere I looked there were marionette parts, tiny clothes, and puppets hanging  from the ceiling.  In the back nook I found over a hundred puppets posed that I was told were part of her Nativity Scene she makes every year. She said she adds a new town member every year.  She doesn't say who it is, and surprises them.  Her shop was magical.  I would have spent more time there, if we weren't scheduled for our class.

Marijcke was carving heads

Part of the town Nativity scene.

Marijcke and her marionettes

A fave of mine.

The door handle to her shop.  I collect hands...so of course I swooned.

Thanks for reading.  Jet Lag has brought you this blog today...as I can't sleep past 5am :-) Below is a link from the NYTimes about Calcata.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo, Suz

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/living/articles/living-in-the-italian-hill-town-calcata.shtml

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/travel/28dayout.html

Day 4 of The "Rock Tour"

We had breakfast in the El Tovar.  One last meal, in one of the greatest lodges ever built.  There was a "paint off" contest on the rim that morning.  Artists had 2 hours to paint their view of the canyon. Which must be difficult because the light changes dramatically in short periods of time. The artists were hiking along the rim like pack mules with their easels, paint, and grear scouting their spot.  Many had set up their easels and brushes.  I wished we weren't leaving.  I so wanted to see what they rendered.

I looked through the same scope when I was 8.

We all loaded onto the bus for a short trip to a look out tower that was designed by a woman architect: Mary Coulter  who was in love with Native building styles from local materials.  Our view was good. I hobbled around...but skipped the stairs to the top. The helicopter ride the day before gave me a view I will never forget.  It was hard to top that.

A tree posing to frame the moon.

Desert View Watchtower

Off to Lake Powell past the Glen Canyon Dam.  Bob walked the bridge, and I stayed in the bus.  We were scheduled for a boat ride at 5pm on Lake Powell.  This leg of our tour was not my favorite.  Growing up on Lake Michigan has spoiled man made lakes for me.  We have them in New Mexico.  They are just holes with water in them.  We'd seen so many amazing things.  We began to call our trip "the rock tour" as we saw lots of rock formations.   I was having a great time, and needed a day to rest my still broken foot.  In the morning we would go to Monument Valley.  I felt like it was Christmas Eve, and tossed and turned all night. 

The Rock Tour Continues

The highlight of the boat tour was this boy and his dog!

Thelma and Louise: I'm coming!  A lifetime of imagining would become reality tomorrow.  :-)

Good Bye Lake Powell

Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now.

xo,

Suz

A Bird's Flight: Day 3

We woke up to a cloudy gray day.  Our plans of a helicopter ride were iffy.  We drove the concierge at the El Tovar crazy with checking to see if we could fly.  The weather map said clearing by 2pm.  This bird was ready.  Howard, Virginia Lee, and Bob were all as excited as I was.  We took the only taxi available to the airport/heliport.  The sun was peeking through the clouds.  The front desk said it was a go.  We weighed in...yes, one has to weigh in.

The rim

A rainbow going into the Canyon

Clouds ahead.

The duskiness gave the landscape a new look.

In minutes we were being loaded into the French Ecostar that seats 7, including the pilot.  Headphones on, harness seat belts fastened, lift off.  We flew over the manicured pines to the rim.  Our pilot announced he was going to head a different direction to avoid a large ominous cloud.   My camera work was limited, as I was in the middle back seat.  But my eyes widened when we came over the edge of the canyon.  I could see forever !!!  I could also see lots of dark clouds.  The view changed by the second, depending on the light.  The red rocks and green pines could change to blues and purples when a cloud moved over them.  Our flight was cut short and we had to return to the ground.  I savored every second in the air.  The company refunded ALL of our money to our surprise.

Howard and I wait for the sunset. He took as many photos as I did of the raven!

Next, the Sunset Tour at the Bright Angel Lodge.  On to another bus and a short ride to a point that was known for it's sunsets.  To my delight there was a raven walking on the edge who had spotted a hiker's apple core.  He calmly walked over and picked it up.  Took it to a great viewpoint, ate, and posed in the setting sun as I and many others took his picture.  Then he flew into a pine tree: cooed and fluffed up his feathers.  As the sun set he moved back to the edge. As the ball of light slipped behind the horizon...he took flight over the canyon.  At that moment, as many times before I felt jealous of the ability to soar.  He was my highlight that day.

In all his glory.  (copyright 2011)

Feather ruffling, and cooing at me...such a show off.

This will be for sale in my Etsy shop. (copyright 2011)

More about him next time.

Sunset Grand Canyon National Park

Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

We're Off!

Bob and I are off for our long awaited trip to the National Parks around the Grand Canyon.  I have left my Etsy shops open with a notice at the top.  Most of the garden is harvested.  The lump of a cat is no longer with us. I have a new camera lens that I really am not proficient with yet.   I have a wheelchair in tow.  When I get back, it will probably be surgery time.  Here we go!

I'll be blogging about our trip. 
Thanks for reading.
xo,
Suz