There were artifacts both outside and...
There were artifacts both outside and...
0 2025/01/30 21:29:15
Such moody clouds.
Such moody clouds.
0 2025/01/30 22:25:45
Lotsa' trees about. A lumber industry was evident, in addition to varied agriculture. Barbastro's 'pink' tomatoes are favored by some over the more-hyped ones from Murcia.
Lotsa' trees about. A lumber industry was evident, in addition to varied agriculture. Barbastro's 'pink' tomatoes are favored by some over the more-hyped ones from Murcia.
0 2025/01/30 16:03:14
We felt sorry for this Canuck bum traveler and gave him a lift.
We felt sorry for this Canuck bum traveler and gave him a lift.
0 2025/01/30 16:03:42
...also wood.
...also wood.
0 2025/01/30 21:28:41
Mrs Z likes to paint.
Mrs Z likes to paint.
0 2025/01/30 22:25:05
...to enthrall us.
...to enthrall us.
0 2025/01/30 22:24:54
Cotiella's Clump Massif had a neighbor, the 2427m high Penu del Mediodia. The latter had intriguing patches of gold-coloured scree high above.
Cotiella's Clump Massif had a neighbor, the 2427m high Penu del Mediodia. The latter had intriguing patches of gold-coloured scree high above.
0 2025/01/30 23:51:18
This was a particularly floral area, with substantial pasture. Shown here is violet saffron crocus, but there was also 'oreja de osos' (bear ears') a primrose that survived the tropical prehistory and grows near karst cracks and fractures. Also seen: gentian, saxifrage, lilies, houseleek, cinquefoil, , alpenrose, rododendrum, silverbirch and fake cannabis that is toxic. Here, beech is called 'fresno.'
This was a particularly floral area, with substantial pasture. Shown here is violet saffron crocus, but there was also 'oreja de osos' (bear ears') a primrose that survived the tropical prehistory and grows near karst cracks and fractures. Also seen: gentian, saxifrage, lilies, houseleek, cinquefoil, , alpenrose, rododendrum, silverbirch and fake cannabis that is toxic. Here, beech is called 'fresno.'
0 2025/01/31 00:26:29
Usana eggplant.
Usana eggplant.
0 2025/01/30 22:28:34
Our landlady Pepita was incredibly spry for someone her age, let alone while recovering after recent surgery to mend a broken leg! That hospital stay had been near her son's home up in St. Lary just across the French Pyrenees border. She was a citizen of both countries. Mrs. Z is totally bilingual and carried the conversation during our visit to her home next door to Casa Blas. She grasped some of my clumsy Spanish and French. I think.
Our landlady Pepita was incredibly spry for someone her age, let alone while recovering after recent surgery to mend a broken leg! That hospital stay had been near her son's home up in St. Lary just across the French Pyrenees border. She was a citizen of both countries. Mrs. Z is totally bilingual and carried the conversation during our visit to her home next door to Casa Blas. She grasped some of my clumsy Spanish and French. I think.
0 2025/01/30 22:28:49
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
0 2025/01/30 16:00:16
Spectacular is the only word to describe the Freda Mirador. It was worth the by-now bumpier ride on dirt trails. What far-reaching views! We were most of the way up to the lake by this point and the fresh smell of pine was wonderful. Base-jumpers sometimes utilize the area.
Spectacular is the only word to describe the Freda Mirador. It was worth the by-now bumpier ride on dirt trails. What far-reaching views! We were most of the way up to the lake by this point and the fresh smell of pine was wonderful. Base-jumpers sometimes utilize the area.
0 2025/01/30 23:48:21
We headed north past Solomonte's Escalona HQ up the vale di Christau. The lovely aquamarine Cinca river was right beside. We passed the now-blocked shortcut to the lake, a route ruined by recent flooding. Then we went through the ex-hydro town Lafortunada and the Desfiladero des Devotas. A waterfall streamed atop us in the tunnel there. A historic pilgrim woman came from afar to worship there, hence the name. On the way up to Ibon de Plan we went to the village of Saravillo village (seen above).
We headed north past Solomonte's Escalona HQ up the vale di Christau. The lovely aquamarine Cinca river was right beside. We passed the now-blocked shortcut to the lake, a route ruined by recent flooding. Then we went through the ex-hydro town Lafortunada and the Desfiladero des Devotas. A waterfall streamed atop us in the tunnel there. A historic pilgrim woman came from afar to worship there, hence the name. On the way up to Ibon de Plan we went to the village of Saravillo village (seen above).
0 2025/01/30 23:48:45
The latter flowed into a stretch of quasi-submerged trees lining its banks.
The latter flowed into a stretch of quasi-submerged trees lining its banks.
0 2025/01/30 22:24:36
There, one finds the excellent four-bedroom Dos Arcos B&B. Owners Emma and Yiftach had agreed to be available for assistance if we'd needed any upon our arrival. Mrs Z and I appreciated their gesture, even though we eventually found the secret location of our hidden door key aided by the actual owner lady. Yiftach also operates a Bike Workshop with tours. Their impossibly-clever children are trilingual and will be quick to tell you that!!!
There, one finds the excellent four-bedroom Dos Arcos B&B. Owners Emma and Yiftach had agreed to be available for assistance if we'd needed any upon our arrival. Mrs Z and I appreciated their gesture, even though we eventually found the secret location of our hidden door key aided by the actual owner lady. Yiftach also operates a Bike Workshop with tours. Their impossibly-clever children are trilingual and will be quick to tell you that!!!
0 2025/01/30 21:28:29
...the mind delights.
...the mind delights.
0 2025/01/30 22:29:28
Local laundry.
Local laundry.
0 2025/01/30 22:29:10
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
0 2025/01/30 15:57:12
The sun kept making the mountain brighter.
The sun kept making the mountain brighter.
0 2025/01/30 23:51:01
Btw, this is the Bielsa parador. We enjoyed our three nights there, with VG food, excellent service and a fine fireplace in the lobby common area. The latter came in handy as it rained 90% of the time. Waterfalls such as Cascada Cinqa streamed down the cliff face of Mt Perdido and company.
Btw, this is the Bielsa parador. We enjoyed our three nights there, with VG food, excellent service and a fine fireplace in the lobby common area. The latter came in handy as it rained 90% of the time. Waterfalls such as Cascada Cinqa streamed down the cliff face of Mt Perdido and company.
0 2025/02/02 19:50:52
Timeless icon of Iberia.
Timeless icon of Iberia.
0 2025/01/30 15:59:44
Next: our first daytrip with Raquel (Solomonte): the Ibon de Plan lake.
Next: our first daytrip with Raquel (Solomonte): the Ibon de Plan lake.
0 2025/01/30 22:47:33
Dramatic, heart-stopping views are but one advantage of staying here. The above manager Jayne Calvert lives not far off and will take care of all your concerns.
Dramatic, heart-stopping views are but one advantage of staying here. The above manager Jayne Calvert lives not far off and will take care of all your concerns.
0 2025/01/30 21:25:37
The rustic door to Casa Blas. Note the symbolic scallop shell, so meaningful to those along the Camino trail.
The rustic door to Casa Blas. Note the symbolic scallop shell, so meaningful to those along the Camino trail.
0 2025/01/30 21:22:41
*Ibon de Plan is a pristine lake with an entry hike. Raquel picked us up. Juancho had earlier been busy transferring some cyclists to a mountaintop for sunrise. Those riders had been part of a major international cycle fest centered up at Bielsa. Raquel brought the Solomonte jeep, not the van. Note that she and Juancho speak good English. In addition, they guide various adventure water sports popular in the area e.g. canyoning. *image above shows elsewhere SOLOMONTE phone +34 617 99 5434
*Ibon de Plan is a pristine lake with an entry hike. Raquel picked us up. Juancho had earlier been busy transferring some cyclists to a mountaintop for sunrise. Those riders had been part of a major international cycle fest centered up at Bielsa. Raquel brought the Solomonte jeep, not the van. Note that she and Juancho speak good English. In addition, they guide various adventure water sports popular in the area e.g. canyoning. *image above shows elsewhere SOLOMONTE phone +34 617 99 5434
0 2025/01/30 23:50:03
0 2025/02/02 19:52:31
We found more than one variety of grapes on the outskirts of the village.
We found more than one variety of grapes on the outskirts of the village.
0 2025/01/30 22:47:11
The corner of that same garden. Once during our 9-day stay, a hiking teen couple obsessed with the perfect Insta image posed while standing directly atop those beautiful flowers shown to the right!
The corner of that same garden. Once during our 9-day stay, a hiking teen couple obsessed with the perfect Insta image posed while standing directly atop those beautiful flowers shown to the right!
0 2025/01/30 21:25:51
Heavy rainfall a month earlier had resulted in serious flooding within the Circo di Pineta. This was the valley that we looked down onto from the Estiva refugio on the previous daytrip. The Ermita di Pineta chapel beside the parador was unharmed and the Visitor Center still stood. But the riverbed was littered with tons of flood refuse.
Heavy rainfall a month earlier had resulted in serious flooding within the Circo di Pineta. This was the valley that we looked down onto from the Estiva refugio on the previous daytrip. The Ermita di Pineta chapel beside the parador was unharmed and the Visitor Center still stood. But the riverbed was littered with tons of flood refuse.
0 2025/02/02 19:51:29
The second historic tunnel, which was located one lane below us. Usana was a paradise for both shutterbugs and painters.
The second historic tunnel, which was located one lane below us. Usana was a paradise for both shutterbugs and painters.
0 2025/01/30 21:28:20
Some outdoors decor speaks to the arty steak of Dos Arcos.
Some outdoors decor speaks to the arty steak of Dos Arcos.
0 2025/01/30 22:07:50
The knocker on that same door.
The knocker on that same door.
0 2025/01/30 21:23:11
More of same.
More of same.
0 2025/01/30 22:07:37
In flowered fields...
In flowered fields...
0 2025/01/30 22:29:21
0 2025/02/02 19:52:51
A die-hard American mountain bike couple and their local guide navigating through the immediate Ibon de Plan periphery. Upon our earlier arrival at the parking lot terminus, we had just seen the 'Comlet' megalithic stone circle. That'd been unexpected. So had the filthy condition of the attached Refuge Labasar. Trash had been left uncollected. This had embarrassed Raquel. She was rightly disgusted. We carried on past the massive scree of avalanche-prone Mt. Punta es Litas (2623m).
A die-hard American mountain bike couple and their local guide navigating through the immediate Ibon de Plan periphery. Upon our earlier arrival at the parking lot terminus, we had just seen the 'Comlet' megalithic stone circle. That'd been unexpected. So had the filthy condition of the attached Refuge Labasar. Trash had been left uncollected. This had embarrassed Raquel. She was rightly disgusted. We carried on past the massive scree of avalanche-prone Mt. Punta es Litas (2623m).
0 2025/01/30 23:50:30
Usana pomegranates.
Usana pomegranates.
0 2025/01/30 22:28:14
This map shows the heart of Ordesa-Perdido park proper. It receives the most visitors and those visitors are tightly controlled. To the best of my knowledge, no private vehicles have ever been allowed and there have been but three van tour companies allowed to operate inside the park. My Torla connection was one of them and an outfit with the same name also was in nearby Broto. The third van company was in Fanlo, but it seems out of business now.
This map shows the heart of Ordesa-Perdido park proper. It receives the most visitors and those visitors are tightly controlled. To the best of my knowledge, no private vehicles have ever been allowed and there have been but three van tour companies allowed to operate inside the park. My Torla connection was one of them and an outfit with the same name also was in nearby Broto. The third van company was in Fanlo, but it seems out of business now.
0 2025/02/02 19:41:28
also inside.
also inside.
0 2025/01/30 21:29:28
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