I am a jet setter. I joke with my friends and tell them: ‘if you ever see me sad, just put me on a plane!’.
I have traveled since I was 12. I owe this to my mother who was brave (and visionary enough) to send me alone, on a night train, from Bucharest (Romania) to Bratislava (Slovakia) to visit her good friends. It is true that I had them wait for me at the other end, but still…I was on my own for the very first time in my life.
I recall the joy and exhilaration I experienced the moment the train started to move…a new sense of adventure took over.
To this day, the feeling has remained intact and I cherish every opportunity I am offered to make new discoveries around the world.

The wondrous experiences I have lived through for 3 recent weeks, while in the US, happily fall into this category. As I mentioned in my previous blog (and first chapter of this story), my love for horses opened a magical doorway into the American West and I visited a few wonderful ranches, the most recent being the truly spectacular Lazy L&B in Dubois, Wyoming (their story deserves a separate chapter, which will come up soon). The ranch was recently the setting for a beautiful wedding I was chosen to photograph (see blog here). Not only that, but 2 weeks later I traveled from Dubois, Wyoming to Spooner, Wisconsin to capture a second set of wedding photographs for the same incredible couple, now turned friends. What great times, fabulous people and rich memories, I feel blessed!

The newlyweds, Michele and Jason, are the owners of a magical place: the Pine Brook Farm in Spooner, Wisconsin.  It is difficult to describe it in a few words, so I will use the images below instead, hoping to do justice to this place, for the world to enjoy and be inspired to visit. Michele and Jason have graciously created a countryside oasis where people can come together, eat delicious food, socialize in the iconic ‘Wood Tick Lounge’ and relax while watching the sun set behind the historic barn.

Last but not least, I am thankful for the way our shared love of the horses made it all happen. Beautiful as ever, Michele chose to ride her horse Dalliance, a lovely off-the-race-track thoroughbred gelding, and be led by her beau Jason to their wedding ceremony location. Which, of course, meant more horsey time for me!

Dear Michele and Jason, thank you for opening your beautiful world to me and for making me feel at home among your loved ones. May your new life as a married couple be abundant and joyous. I hope to remain a part of it for many years to come and can’t wait to see you again!
Fondly yours, Manuela.