Cruising up the Grijalva River through the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon

The Canyon de Sumidero is one of Chiapa's natural wonders in the countryside a few kilometers east of Tuxla Guitierrez with the Rio Grijalva (or the Rio Grande de Chiapas) flowing northward thorough it.  The Chicoasen Dam was completed in 1981 at the canyon's northern end creating a narrow, 35 kilometer-long reserve.  The canyon was tens, even hundreds of meters deep before the dam was built.
It was a beautiful morning when I boarded the launch down at the river in the small town of Chiapas de Corzo.

Heading up the river, we entered the canyon's mouth as we passed under Highway 190, one that I had driven on to reach Chiapas de Corzo. 

It was early spring and some of the trees were just starting to leaf out.  These particular walls had an interesting assortment of cacti growing out of the crevices.

Along the way you will see a variety of birds - Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Vultures and King Fishers and an occasional group of Spider Monkeys hanging out in the trees.

The canyon walls began to grow in height.  In some areas, they reach a height over one kilometer.

The rainy season had not started so the vegetation was not as green as it will be in the months to come.  There are many caves and interesting rock formations.  This lush triangle of moss and vegetation cascading down the side of the canyon's wall is known as the Arbol de Navidad (Christmas Tree).

The boat takes over an hour to reach the dam with stops on the way to check out the wildlife and other interesting sites.  

We stopped and waited as a boat approached, a mini-store on the water selling water, soft drinks, cut up jicama and other goodies to tempt the thirty tourist.  What a handsome young man helping his mother out that day.

Back in Chiapas de Corzo, I was impressed by the main square with elaborate brick, octagonal shaped foundation and fountain that was built in 1562.   With its Mudejar and Gothic features along with flying buttresses, it is said to resemble the Spanish crown.  Beautifully maintained, the red-orange brick displays an intricate design. 

It's a pretty little village and the place where I will be staying with my group our first night in Chiapas.  We arrive around 6:00pm into the Tuxtla Guitierrez airport and my driver will take us to our hotel just off the main square.  The next morning will be an exciting boat trip up the Rio Grijalva.  Then on to San Cristobal de Las Casas where we will have lunch and later tour of the town.

If interested in joining me, check out my post dated 5/4/2016 and send me an email with your name and mailing information to robindsg@aol.com.  Then I can mail you a detailed itinerary along with pricing.  I have only a few spots left.  It's an unique trip and nothing like my past adventures.

Sculptures at the Denver Botanic Gardens

It was a beautiful morning when my husband, Len and I went over to the Denver Botanic Gardens to see the the newest exhibition, Stories in Sculpture, a selection of sculptures from the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.

Walking Man by George Segal - 1988 - A thoughtful stance, with slightly hunched shoulders and hands in his pockets portrays a solitary figure, a sense of isolation.  Segal started out as a painter and then moved on the sculpting.  His figures lack color and detail, portraying almost a ghostly effect.

It was the perfect setting for Walking Man.

The flowers were spectacular, especially the poppies.

I love Debra Butterfield's horses.  The Denver Art Museum has several.  Last year there was a show dedicated to just Butterfield's horses at the gardens.  (See posts dated:  6/30/2105 and 7/1/2015).

Nike by Saul Baizerman - 1949-1952.  Nike in Greek mythology is the goddess of victory who often helped Zues with his fight against the Titans.  Often depicted without wings.  Baizerman from Russian with his academic training was influenced by mythological themes.

Standing Figure by English artist and sculptor, Henry Moore - 1961.  His works are usually abstractions of the human figure with void spaces which make the viewer fill in the blanks.  Standing Figure, an edition of six, reaches a height of 11'5" and weighs 1,200 pounds.

Ice Plant (Delosperma Ashtonii Blut) was almost fluorescent in this lighting.

One of my favorite sculptures was Dawn Tree - 1976 - by Louise Nevelson.  An American sculptor who immigrated from Russian in the early 20th century was best known for her monumental outdoor sculptures.

Young Woman by Georg Kolbe - 1926.  He was the leading German sculptor of his generation.

The Peonies were in their prime.

Horseman - 1949 - by Marino Marini.  An Italian sculptor who was particularly famous for his series of stylized equestrian statues.

Hare on Bell on Portland Stone Piers - 1983 - by Barry Flanagan, a Welsh sculptor known for his dramatic, monumental bronze hares that just leap to life.

Theater Set Element from Judith - 1950 - by American artist and landscape architect, Isamu Noguchi.  He was also famous for his set design.  But I know of him best for when there was a collaboration with Herman Miller and Noguchi, George Nelson, Paul Laszlo and Charles Eames to produce a collection of some of the most influential body of modern furniture ever produced.  Including the iconic Noguchi Table which is still in production today and one that I sold to one of my design clients a few years ago.
It is a wonderful sculpture exhibition.  Even though there are 13 pieces on display in the gardens, I chose to showcase the ones that I particularly liked.  The exhibition is here until October 2, 2016.

Denver Botanic Gardens
10th and York Street
Denver, Colorado
www.botanicgardens.org 

Game of Thrones - I was there!

Last September Len and I were in Spain and spent two nights in Girona.  Girona's historic center consists of a lot of narrow, stone-paved lanes, several with long series of steps. The first day we could not even get close to the Cathedral for they were shooting some scenes for season 6 of the HBO mini-series,  Game of Thrones. 

Last Sunday night's episode, Blood of My Blood, I spotted the main Cathedral in Girona set right in the middle of King's Landing.

Pretty wild, here stands the High Sparrow, played by Jonathan Pryce, next to Queen Marguery Tyrell, played by Natalie Dormer. 

And here is Len coming down from the Cathedral.

The crew were just folding up all the scaffolds and film equipment.   We were told some of the crew were staying at our hotel which was pretty hush, hush.  We never saw anyone for they kept different hours than we did.  But there was always a crowd of people outside trying to catch a chance of seeing one of the cast members.

This was my Christmas card photo last night.  What a great experience. 

My Mom's 90th Birthday Weekend

This weekend, the 29th, my Mom, Lorraine turned 90. I made an invitation with the cover having the above photo of her as little girl on it.  She looked great then and looks great now!  Every Friday afternoon a bunch of special ladies that live in the same apartment building that my parents live in meet in the party room.  Someone is always bring something to eat.

A few weeks ago I hung the invitation in a decorated envelope on all the ladies front door.  The invitation said to save the date and that I was going to host this last Friday's ladies 
get-together and requested they show up a little early so we could all surprise Lorraine! (Of course I had to make an envelope for Lorraine so she could see what I had done.)

I arrived early so I could decorate the table, get the Cava open and the hors d'oeuvres ready.  My good friend Suzy heard what I was up to earlier in the week and said, "I want to crash Lorraine's party!"  Of course I said "YES", but she had to bring an hors d'oeuvre. 

I served Shrimp Cakes with a Mayo Sriracha Sauce and Suzy made her yummy Mushroom Croustades.  By the way, I am back to working on my appetizer cookbook and this Shrimp Cake recipe will be in the book. 

When my mom entered the party room and saw all of us sitting around the decorated table, she said she almost fainted from surprise.

Katie and Bianca and

Betty and Maddie.  Just some of the ladies in the group.
The celebration continued on Sunday, her actual birthday, where we went to Suzy's backyard barbecue at noon.  It was a beautiful day and Suzy and Fred put out a fabulous spread.

 

On to Capital Grill in downtown Denver on Larimer Square that evening for dinner.  
She looks magnificent at 90! 

Capital Grill is one of my favorite places to dine.  The table was decorated little mylar balloons and along with a birthday card for Lorraine.  The service was outstanding (thank you Sarah) and we received a few special perks.  Complimentary champagne and a little amuse bouche to start with and then at the end of our meal, this delicious dessert plate with the decedent flourless chocolate cake on the left and a scrumptious creamy cheesecake on the right.

It was a gorgeous evening and a beautiful ending to the birthday weekend.  Lorraine received numerous phone calls, birthday wishes on my Facebook page, cards, flowers and some great gifts.  Thank you everyone for making my Mom's 90th birthday a special one! 

The Magic of the Maya World - An opportunity to visit a forgotten corner of the world few people will ever see!

Early this past spring I explored and researched a glorious green pocket of old, old Mexico in the southern state of Chiapas.  I experienced its ancient monuments and temples, visited with its warm and friendly people and saw firsthand the incredible work these artisans create.  And I decided I must share this travel opportunity with a small, select group of friends.  
The Magic of the Maya World journey is set for February 24 - March 3, 2017.   You'll be gone 8 days which includes travel.  Below are just some of the highlights of our trip!

We'll spend two nights in San Cristobal de Las Casa which was founded in 1528 and is full of historic churches and museums.  There is a large artisan market by the Santo Domingo church

Chiapas is known for its textiles; huipiles, rebozas, blankets, purses, table runners...  You will find the creative pottery from Amantenangl del Valle.  The area is renown for its amber.

Calle de Guadalupe in the historic center of San Cristobal de Las Casas is a pedestrian street lined with quaint restaurants, galleries and shops.

While in San Cristobal de Las Casas, we will be staying at the Hotel Diego de Marariegos, just one block from Calle de Guadalupe.

 

The first morning we will visit one of Chiapa's most impressive natural wonders when we  take a boat trip up the Grijalva River where it winds through the Canon de Sumidero whose limestone walls reach a kilometer high in some places.  A haven for all kinds of birds and Spider monkeys.

A side trip from San Cristobal de Las Casas will take us to the colorful Sunday market in the Highland's village of Zinacantan.

Each Chiapas highland village has their own unique attire, either woven or embroidered.  The embroidered shawls worn by the women of Zinacantan were just exquisite.  (See my post dated February 26, 2016 for more photos and information about Zinacantan).

On the way to Palenque, we will make a stop in Tonina, an impressive hillside Maya ruin, the beautiful 30-meter Misol-Ha waterfall and the picturesque Agua Azul that was described by a  Chiapan poet, Elva Macias, as "a peacock dragging its watery tail."

The Palenque ruins are the crown jewel of the archaeological sites not only in Chiapas but in the entire Maya empire.   

There is a sense of sophistication about Palenque.  The site also boasts a fabulous musuem.

Two nights will be spent at the Chan-Kah Resort.  Set in a manicured jungle setting, you will have your own casita while enjoying the huge main pool and the open-air restaurant with a wonderful view.

Part of the fun getting to the ruins of Yaxchilan is the smooth, the 45-minute boat ride down the Usumacinta River which divides Mexico and Guatemala.  The scenery is magnificent and you may spot a Howler monkey up in a riverside tree.

Yaxchilan, an ancient city overlooking the Osumacinta River, has a magical feel to it.  The setting was just enchanting, as were the ruins.

Bonampak is a modest archeological sight in comparison to the others, but it has some of the best Maya murals ever discovered.   The brightly colored frescoes are amazing.  One shows a fierce jungle battle scene where another shows the crowning of a boy king.

I could go on and on about the wonderful adventures in this unique part of Mexico.  Soon I will have a detailed itinerary along with pricing.  Please let me know if I may add your name to our small group for this unique adventure.

Saludos,

Robin

robindsg@aol.com