Diana | The Rathe Family

Picos de Europa

October 7th, 2009

We drove to the nearby mountain range. Passed Covadonga, where the Christians successfully fought off the Moors in the 8th century.

The Asturian landscape and the Picos are gorgeous. The traditional farms have these plantation-like raised structures for drying crops (see the blue house picture, which sports the Asturian cross).

On the way back we happened upon a little 12th C. church, S. Juan de Amandi.

: Covadonga

: Asturian Farmhouse

: Farmhouse

: Hillside Outside Gijon

: Nearing Picos de Europa

: Happy Cow

: They Own the Road

: Mountain Goats

: More Happy Cows

: Picos Lake

: Looking for Blackberries

: Picos Mt. Road

: Sheep Dog

: S. Juan de Amandi

: View from Church

: View from Side

: Church Cemetary

Categories: Diana | Tags: travel | No Comments

While we were waiting to move into the apartment, we took a trip down to Madrid to pick up our new Peugeot. Saw the Prado (no pix allowed) and went to an old flamenco club. Saw lots of decaying sunflower fields on the way home.

: Our New Peugeot!

: Flamenco Club

: Outstanding Music & Dance

: Escher Stucco Work

: Stylish Overpass

: Reflection

: The Plain in Spain (no rain)

: S Sunset Sunflowers

: End of Season

Categories: Diana | Tags: travel | No Comments

SEGOVIA & MORE

September 27th, 2009

We stopped in Segovia on the way back from Madrid. Storybook kind of place. Alcazar is the castle some say was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle (but I think a lot of European castles claim that). The highlight in Segovia was the mortarless 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct, still in use with a pipe on top.

OTHER SPANISH DETAILS
The cuisine of Northern Spain is wonderful–apples, beans, lots of seafood, and, of course, ham! In EVERYthing! Our first night was spent on the Boulevard of Cider in Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias. The cider, which has very little apple flavor and very little alcohol content, must be poured from a distance to aerate it. Fabada (huge beans in stew with saffron, chorizo, and blood sausage) is a regional specialty–very yummy.

Tunnels are everywhere in Asturias, some 4 km long through mountains, and some just ‘cuz…

Art is everywhere, too. Even the graffiti is nice…

(Click on pix twice for largest size.)

: Street Below Cathedral

: Massive Cathedral

: S Cloister

: LA Girl Enters Church

: A Graphic Reminder

: Chant Book

: Alcazar

: Aquaduct

: Blvd. of Cider

: First Night

: Air Time

: Fabada

: Coke Bottles

: Metermen and Chevrolet

: Picasso

: Tunnel

: Spain!

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OUR FIRST WEEKS IN SPAIN

September 25th, 2009

GETTING SITUATED

Spent almost two weeks trying to find an apartment. More difficult than I thought, but when we found a place we all liked, it was fantastic. Couldn’t have done this from afar, and the kids got to be involved (in fact, Theron made all the appointments and did all the talking!).

The kids take a luxury bus to school every day–bus stop just down the beach. The school is 12 km away between Gijon and Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. T and S have adjusted very well and made friends.

(Click twice to see the photos large.)

: Small Hotel Rooms

: Hunting via Internet Cafes

: Small Town Walks

: Nearby Cabo Penas

: Dip in the Atlantic

: Gijon w/ Old Town in Background

: 12th Fl. View Out Window

: View Night

: At last....

: Ready for School

: Sign to School

: The School (their photo)

Categories: Diana, General | No Comments

PERU Part 1–Cusco and Machu Picchu

July 21st, 2009

Click on images twice to get the largest size.

: Arrival in Cusco After the Red-Eye

: Fortress Sacsayhuaman above Cusco

: Doug 'n' Jesus (white statue in bkgrnd)

: Above Cusco

: Sophia Took This One!

: Film Screening Cusco

: Doug with Stacey (AFI) and Ritchie (filmmaker)

Please disregard my name on the last few photos–from Doug’s camera.

Categories: Diana | Tags: Peru, travel | No Comments

California Trip

June 30th, 2009

Rose Garden Pergola

The Herb Garden

The Huntington Gardens

Stopping to Smell the Roses

Thistle and Bee

New Chinese Garden

Ellen with the Thistle

Bust

Ellen

WaterLily

The Getty Villa

Into the Abyss

Statue and Alabaster

Siren and Guard

Getty Garden

Acanthus, Whose Leaves Adorn Corinthian Columns

Ellen Among the Emperors

Mark and Simone

Kaitlin and Mark

Oranges and Poppies

Hearst Castle

Outdoor Pool

Indoor Pool with Gold Tiles

Castle Theater Light

Categories: Diana | Tags: Ellen, Fern, Gardens, John, Museums, travel | No Comments

Kaitlin’s Graduation

June 16th, 2009

There she is! (click to enlarge)

"Kaitlin Rathe..."

Receiving the Diploma

Greeting the Professors

Proud Papa

The Graduate!

Proud Grandparents

Karla, Chuck, and Group Assemble

Mark

Simone

Ellen

Austin, Mark, and Ellen

The Siblings

Categories: Diana | Tags: Graduation, Kaitlin | 3 Comments

Jr. Dinner Dance

April 5th, 2009

Categories: Diana | Tags: Dressed Up, School, T. | 1 Comment

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17th, 2009

Green Eggs, No Ham

Categories: Diana | Tags: holiday | No Comments

Highlights from Jan. and Feb.

February 23rd, 2009

Post-screening on stage (yes, that’s Bob).

Press Conf.

Sleeping Butterflies.

Monarchs migrate sometimes 2000+ miles and hit the west coast between Dec. and March. This is a small eucalyptus forest just north of Santa Barbara that is now protected. All those dark hanging clumps that look like leaves are bunches of butterflies. When the sun warms them, these clumps burst into orange confetti. Unfortunately, we came too early and saw only one burst to life. (Click to enlarge any of these photos, by the way.)