Reial Pirineus Pas de la Casa

... having a beer and watching a man try to dig his van out of the snow. To my knowledge his van is to this moment where it was when I left the bar.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to post some pictures of Canillo when it's snowy and the sun comes out. Don't have too many, but figured it was worth a post.

... waiting for him too. Probably not, but he was still a hero in my book.


We finally arrived at my destination at about 8:30am, and I proceeded to try to get my bearings in a new place. I was surprised at how quiet everything was, and also by the fact that most of the shops were still closed at close to 9 on Saturday. A few hours later I realized this little town doesn't really get started until about 9:30 or 10. Never ceases to amaze me as the ...

... village et quand on est arrivé, il avait le marché du matin. On a acheter du vin à environ 1 euro le litre (vin de pays) et du bon fromage bleu pour le déjeuner.

On avait pas le droit de prendre des photos dans la grotte pour pas faire de la pollution lumineuse (il y avait déja des ptites pousses de plante pres des lanternes...ils veulent pas en rajouté non plus). Aussi il faut pas déranger les chauve souris...pauve cocottes...

Time to attempt something I’ve always been itching to do: rock climbing. And not the kind done on indoor walls with padded flooring. Real out-in-the-open, unforgiving stone ROCK CLIMBING!

Out in the Pyrenees in the Ariege region with it’s beautiful slopes lie a multitude of rock faces covered in climbers pretending to be Spiderman.

Even though it’s something I’ve always wanted to try, there were a few ...

... br>
Despite the dogs and the cold and wind, we did manage a little hike up past a waterfall up to a beautiful plateau area with mountains all around. Huddled behind a rock to provide some resistance from the wind, we scarfed down a bit of picnic lunch before running back to the truck for warmth. Then it was down into the town of Ax to soak our cold feet into some hot springs.

... returned to year after year to seek shelter from the harsh weather outside. When inside the cave, they would dwell fairly close to the entrance to take advantage of the natural light, but these paintings are deep in the cavern - some almost 3 km in!

So why did these people venture all that way with only little lamps and torches to paint pictures? Who knows! Walls lined with images of bison, ibex and horses (which are found in caves all ...

Went up to the Col de Port this morning. At 1250m it’s the big dividing force between this valley and the next. A climb of around 300m from where we are currently staying. The mountain road twisting and turning, making it almost impossible to go faster than 50km/hr. Turns so sharp you’re forced to go over the lines or slow to a crawl. But of course, if you’re going to meet a vehicle on this road, it will be at ...

... the ‘hostel’ guy- calls me up- again- on my emergency world phone.

"Where were you? You were supposed to be here at nine o’clock!"

“Where was I? Where were you? I was there- at eight o’clock! And where’s this so-called ‘Barcelona City House? Your neighbors said you left!”

“Where are you now? We can still meet up.”

“I’m in a ...

... blooded ex-girlfriend who I love. When she was recently in Europe, she wasn´t as excited to be with me as she had been in our home Michigan - even after I told her I wanted to stay with her over travel. I´d already left her twice to travel. I couldn´t understand why her feelings had changed so much. Now, I think it was because of that "uncertainty about getting disappointed" thing.

I bring this up because it´s fascinating how you can think about and ...

... She said yes. "*****!" Oh well. It was fun to ask out a girl in French. Of course ... I´d be lying if I said I´m not still wanting a certain Italian-blooded ex-girlfriend from time to time. But, I read something in a Dalai Lama book which has been helpful. I´ll leave you with that: "With the understanding of the impermanent nature of things comes the end of all suffering." - a loose quote from a Dalai Lama book peace! - Modern O. Thanks to Alfredo & Moncy for the ride!