Let’s try this agaim

 This site just popped up in my memories.  It was fun to read about the trip we took to Spain.  It has been an adventurous Spring for me.  I had 2 trips to Mexico and 1 to Milan, thanks to NMDP and friends’ of Noël and Jamie.  

I have slowed down quite a bit since the trip to Spain but I am determined to keep this engine running.  

Today will be a quiet day with maybe a hike or short bike ride this afternoon.  I am loving loving the mountain life and the feeling of freedom and independence it gives me.  

Always and Adventure II

Guess Ally couldn't find Eli anywhere.  She found her with a suitcase packing for Texas - Two swimsuits and toys.   I guess that is all she needs.

May 20

Today was so fun.   We got up and went down the street to a little cafe for breakfast.  Mark and Stephanie picked us up at our hotel with their grand daughter and took us to their church.  It was all in Spanish and Stephanie sat behind us and translated it all.  The sermon was on Hebrews.   After church we went to Espania Plaza and had dinner at the top of the bullring that is now a shopping center.   The views were great and dinner was wonderful.  We had mixed veggies and Bob ordered Chicken curry and I ordered steak.  Both were very well-prepared and tastey.  The views of the plaza from the top were the best.  After dinner we went to their youth center to see it and then back to the hotel.   We rested a little bit but today Bob wanted to go out and see more so we went walking.   We went to the harbor and then to a street market.  On the way home it started to really rain so we ducked in to a little cafe (Caleuche) and had supper.  We had pizza (ham, olives,cheese, and artichoke) that was some of the best we have had.  If you are ever in Barcelona, try this little cafe.   The atmosphere  is great and food the same.  Now we are at the hotel and packing to go home after such a wonderful trip.  It was really good for Bob and me.  I think there are times we just need to be forced to be together and rebuild our relationship.  I pray that we will have many opportunities to do this again, real soon.  Love to all of you who have supported us over the past, trying years!!

May  19

Today we went to Barcelona.  These two days are Bob's days.  It was a little scary as I planned most of the trip and told him months ago that he got Barcelona.   He did no planning!!!  We left Granda and flew to Barcelona and then took the train and subway to our hotel, The Hotel Paral-lel.  We got there and checked in and went next door to have lunch at KFC, Bob's favorite fast food place.  After that we headed out to find the double-decker bus, Bob's favorite mode of transportation in the cities.  We took both the red and green line tours.   Need I say more?  We say ALL of Barcelona.   It is a beautiful city.  The architecture is very diverse.  I talked him into getting off at the cathedral and walking back.  It was probably 2 miles so I will pay for that someday, I am sure, but I love seeing the city by foot and nosing around.  We stopped for a little dinner and got back to the hotel about 9:30 pm.   Tomorrow we are going to church with some friends of a guy who goes to Bob's Bible study so that will be great!

May 18

We returned our car to the train station first thing this morning (that is after we got up at 9:00 - I doubt we will ever have a trip with these hours again, ha!) We got directions and then got close to the station but had to ask for final directions. There were police officers directing traffic in a construction zone with cars going everywhere. Bob just stopped in the middle and waited until an office came over and then asked him. We only held up traffic for about 5 minutes. Took a taxi to the hotel from the train station and left our luggage. The hotel was right in the middle of town. (Marcie Gran Via Hotel) We took a walk and then returned to the hotel about noon when we could get in to the room. Took a siesta and then headed to the Alhambra by bus. We spent a few hours there. Bob was in "Disneyland" mode. (This is what the girls recall of their dad when we went to Disneyland and he wanted to be sure the kids got to do everything and he nearly ran all over.) There was a lot to see. After that we headed back to the main part of town and Bob found an Irish bar so was able to get Guiness. We walked around a bit and found a place for dinner. Tonight we ate pizza and Sangria. The pizza was very good. We had bad memories of pizza in Europe in the past but now that is changed. Granada was pretty nice by night. It had cooled off and there were a lot of people out just walking around by the cathedral. There were street people out playing music and doing acts. We went back to the room and went to bed about midnight.

May 17, 20

Today was a true adventure.   Bob decided not to go around the coast but instead to head through the backroads of the Sierra Nevada.  It was twisting and turning for the whole way of about 6 hours.   Many of the roads we could not go more than 20 per k.  We did find a really fun spa town to stop at and Julie did quite a bit of shopping.  We went to the highest town in Spain.  We sampled the Jamon (smoked ham) of the area, took pictures of white villages, saw fabulous scenery (at least Julie did as Bob was driving and watching for cars coming at him on single lane roads.)  We came over one rise and right there was a herd of goats and a herder (and we were so baffled that we did not take a picture.)  We saw the first and I think largest castle built during the Renaissance. We started looking for a place to stay about 4 and could not find  anything.   This is the first time we were not able to find something in one of the little villages.   We drove through several white villages.  BOb said he was doing a great job of backing at one point.   We parallel parked on the left side of the car and he did a great job.   Well,  we went down a village alley and got stuck  with no way out.   He had to back out, around a corner with walls within about 6inches of each side of the car.  He managed to get us backed out, turned around, and then out of the winding one way streets.  HIs comment about being able to back-up has now come to haunt him.  We got out and we ended up at a truck stop near Granada, which is our destination for tomorrow anyway so all worked out.  Not even a scratch on the red car!!!

May 16

Today we arrived in Salobrena.  It is a white village partially on a hill and partially on a beach.  We found a great little hotel(Hostal San Juan) in the middle that is decorated with pictures and the names of the rooms are the major cities in Andulcia.  It is a short distance from Granada so we will stay here and check out the beach, castle, etc. a little later.  Everything is closed until 5:00, except the beach.  We are thinking it is very sad that we are getting close to the end of our trip.    We went up to the castle at about 6.  It is so nice to see the view from these high places and cooler in the evenings.  It is an interesting area because there are many greenhouses over the valleys.  They grow everything.   Had dinner at a little bogada and they were so nice.  They topped our dinner off with homemade cordials in iced glasses.  Needless to say, I ate too much and it is far too late so I will suffer tonight - and I did -- Ha!!!!