We had about an hour and a half to wait. We still weren't sure where we were going to get off, but we decided while we waited. We had to take three buses to get where we were going. At one place we had about 45 minutes to wait so we went to the tourist information. We can never have enough information. The woman called a place for us to stay where we were going which was in Las Arenas. We wanted a place that had a kitchen, but they were farther away than we wanted. So we settled for something else.
The ride was beautiful with the rolling hills in front and then the high rock mountains behind. There was even snow on them.
We found the hotel. It wasn't like a normal hotel, maybe more like an inn. The room was very nice with great views. The name of the place is Rivoal del Mestas. We settled in and then went to check the town out. We went into a small market. It sells a cheese that is known to this area, Cabrales. Laurie tried it and I didn't. It is like a blue cheese and I don't like blue cheese. I think if I wrote what was in it people would be grossed out. I can't tell you now anyways because I lost our travel book.
We ran into a woman from Oregon in town. She was waiting for the bus. She had a lot of time so we all went to the cafe and had something to drink. The woman's name was Sam and she is traveling for five weeks. She said that she was heading for Morocco. Who knows we just might see her there.
Sam caught her bus and Laurie and I went back to our room. I read for awhile before we went to dinner. For dinner we went to the same cafe that we had drinks in. It's Friday night and there were two tables of men playing cards and a couple of tables of women playing parchessi. It must be their big night out.
November 8, 2003
Laurie and I were having hot drinks at the cafe at 8:00. By 8:15 we were on the road trying to hitch a ride to Poncebos where the Picos de Europa National Park is. The road to there is a little over three miles. We kept walking and sticking out our thumb when a car came. We didn't get a ride until almost the end.
There were a lot of people parking their cars. It was going to be a busy day. Laurie and I had a bite to eat before we started hiking. The morning at first looked like it was going to rain, but by the time we started to hike at 9:40, it was clearing up. The trail goes up for awhile and then it was flat almost all the way. It was a great trail. It was carved out of a side of a mountain and the other side was straight down into a gorge where Rio Cares flows. The name of the trail is called Rutas del Cores. The mountains surrounding us were jagged rock and were high. Parts of the trail went through little tunnels in the mountain. There also seemed to be a man-made canal that ran along the trail.
The trail to the end was 12 kilometers which is about 7.5 miles. We made pretty good time, but that is because it was fairly easy. We arrived in Cain at 12:20. There was a restaurant there so we got something to drink and ate our ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato sandwich that we made. There was a group of eight that started the hike when we did. They arrived at Cain after us. We said hello to them. One man spoke English. The group came from Bilboa.
We left the restaurant at 1:00 to head back. The sky looked like it was starting to turn gray. It took us 2 1/4 hours to get back which was less time than to get out there. I was tired and I was hoping we would be able to get a ride back to town instead of walking 5 more kilometers.
We did get a ride back from a young couple, also from Bilboa. We conversed in the little Spanish that we knew. I am glad we got the ride. The fog had moved in and the sky looked pretty black.
I was chilled when I got to the room. Between the sweat and damp air, I couldn't get warm. I took a shower and I didn't want to get out.
I now have warm, dry clothes on and I feel better except that I am hungry (hambre in Spanish)
November 9, 2003
We didn't rush out this morning because we weren't doing a long hike. Laurie went to the cafe for coffee. I stayed in to read.
We had breakfast, cereal and yogurt, in out room even though we weren't suppose to. We started walking about 10:00. The trail is one we noticed yesterday. It was close to town so we could walk there.
The weather was a beautiful, warm fall day. We were the only ones on the trail. The trail was pretty muddy in the beginning. The trail was also steep. Thank goodness for switchbacks. We hiked for a little more than two hours up to the ridge. We lost the trail at this point. So we decided to eat lunch and head back down. We got down by 2:30. It was still so beautiful out, I didn't want to go inside. I made some phone calls home at the pay phone in the center. As I was talking to my mother a farmer came walking down the street with six cows. My mother could hear the cow bells
Laurie and I stopped at the cafe for a drink. We were wasting time because we were going to an exhibit that opened at 4:00. The exhibit wason Cabrales cheese making. The guide didn't speak enough English to guide us through, but the panels were in English. The guide also found the English video that explains the process. It was quite interesting. I tired the sample. I ate the whole thing, but I didn't go back for seconds. The cheese is made with cow, goat, and sheep milk. During the maturation, mold (penicillin) is formed which gives the distinct color and taste. To form this the cheese is left to mature in natural caves where there is about 90% humidity and it is about 40-50 degrees in temperature. It takes about 3-6 months to mature.
After the tour we went back to the room and relaxed before it was time to go for dinner.
Right now I am sitting at the cafe waiting for dinner. The cafe is full. We almost didn't get chairs, but a woman gave us a couple of chairs. There are men sitting watching the soccer game on the TV, the women are playing parchessi and some men are playing cards. I think, Laurie and I are the only ones that eat here. We only eat here because the price is right.
We got our meals. We have noticed that several countries serve eggs with their meals. We can't figure it out, why. Last night we had chicken and they served one fried egg. Tonight I had pork loin and they served a fried egg again. They also have eggs on sandwiches with weird combinations. I guess because they don't serve them for breakfast they have them at other meals.
