Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Fall Colors in Northern Poland

We spent a lovely October weekend exploring more of Poland.  It was the perfect time of year to take in the "golden autumn" as its known in Poland.  The colors  in the trees were amazing and it was great to get out of the city for a couple of short days!
We stopped by the town of Gietrzwald on our trip.  This city is famous because their were sightings of the Virgin Mary here in 1877.  It was a beautiful shrine and very peaceful even though there were lots of other tourists and religious pilgrims around.
It was a great weekend and lots of fun exploring more of Poland!
A bit more about Gietrzwald:
In the year 1877, according to the Catholics, Virgin Mary revealed to two little girls, Barbara Samulowska and Justyne Szafryńska. Virgin Mary appeared for several times, spoke Polish (this fact is important, as during that time Poland was under the German occupation), and explained how important it is to pray and say the rosary. Since then, pilgrims from Poland and foreign countries, have been coming to Gietrzwałd to see the picture of Virgin Mary and a miracle spring. The Catholic Church has acknowledged in 1977 the Vision of the Mother of Christ as real. The town is now an official pilgrim area.


Charlie had so much fun playing and running around!

The old castle where we stayed

Gorgeous fall colors


A morning stroll around the lake





So much natural beauty



A morning stroll around the lake







Taking in the holy water in Gietrzwald

More holy water...

Charlie loves holy water too!

Family photo from a great weekend!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Lately in Warsaw...

Tom has been busy visiting his customers.  Oftentimes, he gets to tour their factories and manufacturing facilities.  And, he has to dress the part for safety!


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Fall in Southern France

In late September we spent a gorgeous fall weekend going wine tasting in Southern, France.  The trip was extra fun since our good friends, Kevin and Stephanie, joined us!  We spent our first night in a charming little French village, Annecy.  From there we were off to Provence to indulge in some wine!  The wineries we visited were absolutely gorgeous and the beverages were great too.  We stayed at a charming little Chateau which rounded out our French experience.  Another great trip......of which we are so grateful!

Our first stop in picturesque, Annecy, France




Such an adorable town

At night too!

We happened to be there on market day




Made it to Provence region!  Starting our wine tasting adventure...

Life is good...

Local bread and cheese for lunch

The second chateau we visited for wine tasting.  The vineyard owners still live there.

Getting yummy




Post wine tasting we lounged at our Chateau!


Love traveling with the Powers!

A final stop in Avignon


Home to the papacy for twenty years when the Catholic church split