It's easy to imagine myself as a grand seniora in my country villa this afternoon. I've just finished biking a very hilly Spanish countryside, with very little traffic, forested and only a few cyclists from guess where???? Surprise, surprise Clarkston, Wa , Lewiston I'd and two from Anchorage Alaska.

We biked 61 k fron Figueres today. It was a beautiful ride over rolling steadily rising elevation. Mostly country lanes with very little traffic.

Figueres was a layover day and offered many sights. This is where David lives so he offered a great extra ride yesterday towards the foothills of the Pyrenees, some old ruins and a beautiful secluded waterfall. After our ride most of the group toured the Salvadore Dali museum, full of interesting and strange things . I spent the afternoon shopping and going to the other art museum in off the city square. I saw a wonderful showing of the Spanish painter Maria Vil???.  We had a wonderful meal with fish, the owner brought us a plate of fish caught that day... hmmm, Ill have that one, yummy.

A Hotel by the sea

Geronimo to Toss a de Mar

We had a fun ride today through fields and countryside. We navigated around abouts at every intersection. They work like a charm. Not much climbing until the last15 k. We had a long assent over the coastal mountain, then a long glorious ride to the sea. OMG beautiful!! We ride into the city of Toss a and our hotel is very cool. Old, looks like turn of the century house, with a parlor, long staircase, patios and Windows to the sea. 

We shop, drink sangria and figure out dinner. First the dip in the Mediterranean Sea!!! Truly heavenly. What fun. My room mate for this trip will be Anita. She's quiet (except for brief periods of swearing at herself) very organized, keeper of all the extra bike stuff, takes the best pictures and manages to get the best pics on Facebook! Thanks Anita.

Mediterranean beach

Marika, Mike, Rita and Kelly

Hotel Diana

Anita, the Facebook wiz!

Catalonia and Costa Brava tour begins

Yorgos and David explain the details of our tour

Our tour began today after our train ride, what a clean efficient train system.  We could learn a lot about efficient high speed rail from Europe. Half an hour to Gerona from Barcelona.

Yorgos meets us and we all walk to our hotel. We have to wait abit to check in but Anita and I go off up the streets of Gerona, and I do mean up!!! Ancient steps all leading to the Cathedral. Gardens, small shops with elegant n t fashionable clothing etc. Little outdoor cafes, even book shops...only Spanish of course. Maybe Ill have to get one for Ellie

Walking up the city streets of Gerona