Grandma K is from the village of Zawoja. Zawoja is in a valley at the base of one of Poland's highest mountains, Babia Gora (translated Old Wives' Mountain). Babia Gora, at just over 5,600 feet above sea level, is actually part of the Beskidy Mountains of the Outer Western Carpathians. It also happens to be right on the border with Slovakia, since the border follows the divide.
At the time Gram was in Poland, it wasn't really Poland at all, but Galicia. At that time, Poland had been divided among Germany, Russia, and Austria. Galicia, like Czechoslavakia, hungary, and a number of other places, was officially a part of the Austrian Empire. Due to its unfortunate location, much of Poland has been passed back and forth among eastern European powers for ages. 
As you can see, this part of Poland is surprisingly reminiscent of the 'Daks (although probably more like the White Mountains of NH) where she eventually made her American home. She'd have probably felt more at home there than, say, Illinois.
