L’Escala Apartment In Front of the Sea looked the same after we were gone for 996 days waiting for our return so we could continue our Spain vacation.Henry guarding the keep at Torre Montgo. He could see the Barbarian approaching for miles. Our previous pictures of L’escala.There is a beautiful cove and the Platja de Montgo on the other side of the tower. We decided to walk to the cliff on the other side.Looking back from Cala MongoBeautiful Bay of Roses from Punta Ventosa.What does the sea look like down there? From Punta Ventosa.The Seagulls look different with a black and white tail.We enjoyed a walk around the marina and especially the old fishing boats.Walking back along the shore and the Reilles beach is The Little Prince reminding us that what we tame is important to us.The city of Emporion on the Bay of Roses off the Mediterranean Sea is where the Greeks first landed on the Iberian peninsula.The Ruïnes d’Empúries shows many different centuries of Greek building.Asclepius is the god of medicine and this replica looks over his temple – and the Greek Ruïnes d’EmpúriesThe real marble carving is inside the museum with a 3D computer recreation movie of Empúries as it looked in the 2nd century BC.This incredible roman mosaic (each piece smaller than the end of your pinky) from the 1st century BC depicts the myth of the sacrifice of Ipigenia.So the Romans drove out the Greeks and built their larger city adjacent but inland to complete the archeology Ruïnes d’Empúries.This is part of the Roman city with baths, mansions, mosaic floors and all sorts of interesting architecture.This is a small Roman courtyard in one of the massive mansions.The edge of the city has a concrete wall which was one of the earliest examples of Roman concrete we had actually seen.Sunrise on the Mediterranean is a great way to celebrate the winter solstice.
A gorgeous Faro (Lighthouse) at Cap Sant Sebastia.Amazing pink cliffs from Parador L’Aiguablava.The Costa Brava has walkways for much of the coast – this at Platja de la Fosca.The vineyards in the Alta Empurada with sheep near Peralada.South of the French border we took a walk near La Jonquera through a cork forest.We went searching for this Menhir Circle, Bas Baleta I. Incredible.The Menhir Cirlce has a center stone but not sure if it is meant to be a sundial or what the significance is.Nearby is the Bas Baleta II, a Dolmen that has collapsed.A short walk took us to Dolmen Estanys II.There is also the Menhir dels Estanys II – we wonder what these meant.And then onto Dolmen del Querafumat.We had some more urban walks, this in the medieval city of Pals.And here with the Catalan Christmas Log in Peratallada.This tower in Peralada suggests it is time to head for wine o’clock!
Ullastret is the largest Iberian settlement discovered so far in Spain. Picture is from 3D movie recreation.The excavated 5th Century BC Ruins today. We used an audio wand (in English) which assisted with interpretation of what we were viewing.This is what it would be like to walk the streets as shown in the 3D recreation.Looking over a dry moat you could see the enemy approaching for a long ways.We were the only ones in the 3D movie shown on 3 walls, so realistic how it brings to life the old city.The stone work on the thick walls around the city is amazing.The interior spaces appeared to be comfortable.Nearby is Sant Sebastia de la Guarda, an interpretive Iberian park.This was very well explained and we learned a bit more about Iberic life.The storage cisterns were at both sites – one was 15 feet deep into the ground and shaped life a large vase.
Summer mornings…Summer afternoons…Summer nights…Summer hiking…Summer biking…Biking route…Summer kayaking with a heron…Mom came for 2 weeks. Knitting seaweed for library on the balcony.Met Remy and the family in Buena Vista for a fun day trip.Play time on the Arkansas River…Fall Equinox sunset…can start to enjoy sunsets from living room again.Migrating swallows – several groups -chose our home as a stop over for several days. Lots of window washing!This friendly buck chose our patio several times – surprising us when we woke up in the morning and staying for several hours, perfectly content with us.With a younger friend who also spent the night. Beautiful. Amazing.End of the world sunset – amazing colors.First snowfall. 12X optical zoom from guest bedroom.Lake is freezing, summer’s over. A heron is very interested in this change of environment.
Mid October we headed west to enjoy the fall weather.The visitor center at Mesa Verde NP was a good break.Who are those aliens at Valley of the Gods? Enjoying our camp at sunset.Our zoomed in view of Monument Valley in AZ.We hiked the West lime Creek drainage area from camp Valley of the Gods.Henry the Navigator triangulating where we are!Drive through Valley of the Gods – such interesting formations.We left the Travato and got out for a walk.Such a clear day as the Moon set.Goosenecks State Park – WOW!And this was our campsite on the rim. Also there was a night star party!How many Mile 0 have we traveled to?Hillside towards Mexican Hat with a zoom lens showing erosion – interesting patterns.Sand Island petroglyphs – always interesting.Sand Island Petroglyphs – the figures look playful.An overnight BLM camp with view of Comb Ridge!What did we find in Butler Wash?Dinosaur tracks! Another preserved treasure.Always worth a hike to see House on Fire in the morning.What a home!Site #4 at Hovenweep NM CG was available – one of our favorite spots. Our pics from Oct 2020.Perfect day to contemplate the canyon and buildings at Hovenweep.The attention to detail is fabulous.
September camping trip to New Mexico – Eaglesnest State park, site #1.Rio Grande Gorge Bridge – always a spectacular site. 7th highest in the USA.Tres Piedras was another nice overlook on the way.Rio Grande del Norte National Monument – Full Moon Rise from our campsite #29 at El Aguale CG.La Junta Point where the Red river joins the Rio Grande – ready to hike!1,350 feet lower we are at the Rio Grande and ready for a break (6.5 RT).The boulders are all black basalt (lava), ground smooth by the river.Good morning! Big Horn Sheep, next El Aguala CampGround.Oh please don’t get up on our account. Maybe just morning stretches.Columbine CG with a day hike in Columbine-Hondo wilderness.Cimarron Canyon State Park for a few nights.Chili vs Chile – good New Mexican trivia to know.Site #20 at Coyote Creek CG had a view and electricity.Above Taos Junction Bridge and the Rio Grande Gorge. More lava flows.Looking the other direction from the same spot. Gorgeous!
Columbines blooming in the yard – our landscaping work paying off.We got a permit to relocate 2 Ponderosa Pines from a specific area in the San Juan National Forest as part of fire mitigation.It was hard work but we are looking forward to giving them a new home.Character Pine in the front yard – we love the curled trunk!The one in the back is being appreciated by a forest friend.Time to play! Time to explore Vallecito ResevoirWe found a nice campsite, wooded but a view of the Vallecito Resevoir.Lots of wetland areas where river flows into the Vallecito Resevoir.How many goslings? Will they all grow up to be Canada Geese?We thought we would try Heron State Park in New Mexico. We were not expecting it to be this dry!But looks like rain is in the forecast – tomorrow we will kayak Heron Lake.Rain gives us Gorgeous Spring Flowers!
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) would be responsible for reforesting public lands, building roads, trails, bridges, and buildings in state and national parks and other public lands across America during the 1930’s.
Historic Big Springs has a CCC built lodge and cabins as well as several additional buildings like this.
The Big Spring has a wonderful water color.
The CCC also built an impressive flood control dike that is now part of a hiking trail from the campground.
The CCC workers laid out a trail along the cliff to the back of the spring that blended in with the natural environment. They also built a stone ledge wall in the spring branch to stop animals from entering.
