Sandhill Crane Fesitval

I had always wanted to go down to Monte Vista, CO for the Sandhill Crane festival. Cranes are particularly special to me (along with most birds) thanks to my parent’s interest when I was younger. They took me to the International Crane Foundation when I was in middle school and I tried to imitate the call of the cranes. Apparently I got it on the first try, as a Siberian Crane did a mating dance for me.
Now, every time I go home to Middleton I walk through the Conservancy near my folks house with my dad to see the Sandhills. My dad swears there is a soprano “Katie Crane” that imitates my call.

Now that my sister and I both have homes in Colorado, I thought this was the time to go. My friend Kathy and her boyfriend Shawn came along, as well.
We decided to go the weekend after the official Crane Festival to miss the crowds.

We got up before sunrise and drove down to the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge. It was a gorgeous morning.

The cranes were starting to awaken and chatter but really started vocalizing with the sunrise!


It was really something! I’m going back again next year! The only thing that would have made the weekend more special is if our dad had been with us. Maybe someday.
First Mate Kate

Mom’s 80th

I surprised my mom and flew home to Madison, WI for her 80th. I went for a jog in the conservancy every day. I just love it!

I decided to throw her a little party with our immediate family members at her favorite restaurant Captain Bill’s but she just thought the three of us were going. When she got there, the rest of the family was there!

Mom and Dad

My cousin Eric,  Aunt Lynne and Uncle John (my mom’s brother) drove down from Minneapolis.

Mom blowing out her candles.
Many thanks to my brother John and his wife Karen and my sister Ellie and her husband Alec for keeping the secret and getting everyone there on time, including Mike!
First Mate Kate

Mexico Fun!

We got home from Austria and needed to thaw a bit. What better place to do that than our home away from home...La Paz/La Ventana Mexico! So we rented an Airbnb in La Paz for a few nights and spent some time with our friends Stacy and Bob from Denver and our sailing friends Lola & Manny and Sylvia and Tom! Then we rented a house with our friends Joe and Vicki in La Ventana. So. Much. Fun!





Our friends Rob and Nancy were down in La Ventana with their friend Ralph and our friend Paul flew down on his own.
Then, our friend Lisa who we met in La Paz on her way to cross the South Pacific just before we did, joined us for a night and grabbed coffee with us, Nancy and Rob. Awesome!

Gracias Amigos!
First Mate Kate

Women’s March, Denver, CO

We flew home from Austria just in time for the Women’s March in Denver. I am proud to have marched with one of my besties, Kathy. We both felt the universal energy around us. It was very powerful.

The Women’s March was largely about women uniting for empowerment, support and love of our country. There was also a lot of concern about Trump. However, the energy I felt was positive and supportive and hopeful.
We will persist!

First Mate Kate

Austria

Innsbruck is simply stunning.  This was our view from our backyard

The trees were perfectly flocked with snow

Especially on the way to Axamer Ski Resort

We had a freshies day and a bluebird day

Look at the Alps!  Gorgeous

We loved the nearby Christmas Markets

Research

We conducted a study with singers looking at the breathing apparatus via dynamic MRI imaging

Christian, Helena and Marcus looking at the MRI data

Analyzing the MRI data

Trip to Vienna

A view from the train near Salzburg 

The Manner cookies have a store in the train station in Vienna.

We had a very sweet Suite in Vienna just blocks from The Opera House! 

We hit some of the classic spots for some great gnash.

A trip to the Wiener Staatsoper was a must!  We saw I Puritani by Bellini, an opera I had not seen. It was wonderful!

We visited the Schönbrunn Palace on a very rainy day so no photos of the outside or inside (prohibited), but we did manage to learn how to make strudel!

Belvedere Castle

Klimt “The Kiss”-pretty amazing to see this in person (along with many other originals). Here are a few of my other favorite ladies:

Outside of Belvedere Castle

Back in Innsbruck 

Christian and Helena took Mike and I to an old ski resort near the Italian border very popular with Austrians. We skinned up the mountain and got to ski down. A great workout!

Swarovski World has a lot more to it than crystals. The art work, gardens and multi media presentations were really interesting. The grounds were gorgeous and the restaurant was yummy!

Grassmayr, the oldest bell manufacturer in the world. Located right in the heart of Innsbruck. Beautiful to see and hear.

Ausgezeichnet!

First Mate Kate