Today, 3/8, we visited Plaza Blanca (Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting site called her ‘white place’); the views and unique rock formations were particularly stunning. We then headed back to Ghost Ranch for additional time to create artwork and/or to enjoy some free time. The day concluded with dinner and a campfire (blog post by A. Zimmer).
Thursday, March 8th, we went to Plaza Blanca, one of Georgia O'Keeffe's favorite places around Abiquiu. The white cliffs were surreal and awe inspiring. It was like no environment I had ever seen before. After lunch I was able to finally finish a watercolor painting I have been working on over the trip. It was great to finally finish my own personal artistic project (blog post by Henry L.). Today, 3/8, we went to Plaza Blanca which had great views and was such a beautiful walk. It was great seeing the places O’Keeffe painted. After our hike we went to a great small lunch place at a nearby restaurant. We then enjoyed a campfire with s’mores and a closing ceremony with a unique talking stick. Overall this trip was very special and fun to have been apart of (blog post by Sophia L.). Before leaving Santa Fe today, 3/7, we visited the folk art museum. We then traveled to the town of Abiquiu in order to visit one of Georgia O’Keeffe’s homes. Thankfully, we were able tour the home inside and out. We returned to Ghost Ranch at around dinner time and enjoyed a relaxed evening (blog post by A. Zimmer).
Student blog posts coming soon. Please keep in mind that internet and cell service is extremely limited at Ghost Ranch. Today, 3/6, we traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital city, and quickly found our way to the Georgia O’Keeffe museum. After lunch we explored the many shops and galleries surrounding the central Plaza (blog post by A. Zimmer).
FYI — We are particularly thankful for the warm sun and cool nights that have graced our entire trip. Student posts to follow. Today, Monday 3/5, we were up early for our trip to Taos, New Mexico. We toured the Taos Pueblo, which is the oldest inhabited structure in North America. We then had time to explore the downtown area, complete with unique works of art and a wide variety of galleries. We ended the day with a sunset visit to an enormous gorge, located near Taos. Back at the hotel we all enjoyed a soak in the hottub before heading off to bed (blog post by A. Zimmer). Today, 3/5, we went to Taos, which was a 1 1/2 hour drive, but we got to see many amazing views. Once we got to Taos we first got settled in at our hotel. We then went to a Pueblo, the oldest Pueblo in Taos is over 1000 years old. We heard many interesting facts, the one that stood out to me is that there are different colors in the church in every season. I got to see how they lived and I also got to experience the food and the culture. Another fact that stood out is that they were one of the first tribes to get their land back from America. They had lots of land taken away from them and they went through many struggles just to keep the culture alive. It was amazing how they kept everything alive for so long. At the end of the day we got to go to a place like a mini Grand Canyon, it offered amazing views, but it was also very scary looking down! Overall, it was a amazing day (Evan L.). Monday, March 5th, Today we headed North to the spunky ski town of Taos. There were almost more art galleries than people, which was a sight to behold. It was incredible to see such a high concentration of diverse artwork and artistic styles. I saw one woman painting in her studio with a dog running around inside. In the afternoon we went to the Taos Pueblo, which we learned was the oldest continually inhabited building in North America and that the Taos people had been living there for two thousand years. It was awesome to get to visit a UNESCO world heritage site. In the evening we went to the Taos gorge at sunset to see the views which was a great conclusion to a great day (blog post by Henry L.). Today, Sunday 3/4, we went for a long hike up to Chimney Rock. Once we reached the top the view was simply magnificent. Once back at Ghost Ranch we prepared for a visit to a local hot spring. Everyone enjoyed a nice long soak in pipping hot water. We ended the day with another delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Tomorrow we head to Taos in order to visit an ancient Pueblo and tour the city (blog post by A. Zimmer).
Today, Sunday 3/4, we hiked up the mesa to Chimney Rock, which overlooks all of Ghost Ranch. On the hike I got a close look at lots of the plants that I have been learning about. Afterwards we went to the Ojo Caliente natural hot spring. As someone who has never been to a spa before it was a surreal experience. It really helped me slow down and reflect on what we've done so far on the trip (blog post by Henry L.) Today, March 3rd, we had a pottery workshop where we collected clay from a local deposit and processed it to make it useable using paper pulp. We then used the clay to make some small pots. Afterwards I was able to continue working on some sketches and paintings. We then went out to dinner at a local restaurant and enjoyed some excellent local cuisine (blog entry by Henry L.).
Please keep in mind that WiFi and cell service at Ghost Ranch is very limited, we will do our best to keep our blog up and running. Additional pictures will be presented during parents weekend in April (A. Zimmer). We spent the day exploring the area around Ghost Ranch, with the help of a talented and informative tour guide. Our guide, Karen, provided the group with unique access to the grounds surrounding Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and directed us to many locations of O’Keeffe’s actual paintings. The group looks forward to a hands-on pottery workshop tomorrow, which will involve digging clay and making pots (blog post by A. Zimmer).
Today, Friday, March 2nd, we went on a hike and saw many of the sites that Georgia O'Keeffe painted at. After lunch I took some time to myself to paint and work with water colors. It was very relaxing to paint by myself. Ghost ranch is incredibly beautiful and I discover new wonders here every day (blog entry by Henry L.). Today we woke up and went for a morning hike. We visited some of Georgia O’Keeffe's sites where she produced some of her paintings. We learned that while everyone else was looking at the huge mountains, she was looking at the small hills. Then, after lunch, we had some free time to do more hiking and even had time to visit with the horses at Ghost Ranch (blog entry by Max B.). We arrived safely in New Mexico today (Thursday, 3/1) and we quickly set out to explore our new surroundings at Ghost Ranch. The landscape is magnificent and appears to go on forever (A. Zimmer).
Blog post for: March 1st. Yesterday we left Connecticut and headed off for the southwest. After two tiring flights we were finally greeted by a warm welcome in Albuquerque by Mr. Walker's family. After enjoying some traditional southwestern cuisine at Frontier resturant, we set off across the desert northwards towards Ghost Ranch. When we arrived we were stunned by the gorgeous idyllic mountains that surround the ranch (blog post by Henry L.). Please keep in mind that WiFi and cell service at Ghost Ranch is very spotty, we will do our best to keep our blog up and running. Today we visited the home (Olana) of Frederic Church. Church was was an American landscape painter born in Hartford, Connecticut. He was a central figure in the Hudson River School of American landscape painters, perhaps best known for painting. The group enjoyed a tour of the home and surrounding grounds. We also participated in a hands-on art activity, inspired by the art and architecture we experienced.
The group is particularly excited about traveling to New Mexico tomorrow (3/1). We land in Albuquerque around noon and will quickly make our way to Ghost Ranch, located in Abiquiu NM (A.Zimmer). Blog post for: Tuesday 2/28. Today we went to the Olana property in New York. We learned about the residences builder, American landscapist Frederic Church. The house elegantly combined a plethora of middle-eastern architectural styles that Church was inspired by in his travels around Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. We learned a lot about the artist’s personal, and professional life, as well as about his many inspirations. It was interesting for me to learn about his similarities and relationship with Olmsted and the public parks movement, which I have studied (blog post by Henry L.). Today we went to the Museum of American Art in New Britain and saw a wide variety of art from American history. The work included realistic landscapes of the Hudson River valley to more contemporary works of artists like Jackson Pollock. There was also a special exhibit there on Shaker woodworking (blog submission by: Henry L.)
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