I didn’t want to leave Grazalema, you could live here. The craft store-tourist information store guy was riding his bike through and now lives here, you could see that. Leaving Grazalema you ride through cork forest.

YOU CAN SEE THE CORK BARK REMOVED & THE TREE STILL LIVES
Im heading to EL BURGO, its a cyclist paradise. Ive seen only one local touring cyclist. There are lots of lycra riders on fancy bikes, always friendly.

WHEN I SEE THESE SIGNS I KNOW I PICKED AN AWESOME ROUTE. WHEN THE OTHER CYCLIST SEE ME WALKING THEY ALWAYS ASK IF IM OK (I think?).

GOAT CROSSING AT THE PASS
My bike needs not just higher & lower gears, but disk brakes. I blew a tire in Portugal when my rims over heated. Considering where I am and the potential to blow out a tire and crash, I take it easy going down.

WHEN I PULL ONTO THESE ROADS ITS LIKE A ROLLER COASTER, THE BIKE JUST TAKES OFF WITH ALL THE WEIGHT IM CARRYING. IVE STOPPED 3 TIMES ON EACH HILL, JUST TO LET MY RIMS COOL OFF

Coming into YUNQUERA was this beautiful tile sign.

LIVING IN THE HILLS THE ROADS FREQUENTLY WASH OUT, LOOK CLOSE AT THIS PHOTO, THE ROAD IS MISSING PAST THE GUARD RAILS. THEY WERE WORKING ON THE ROAD ALOT.
THIS PARQUE NATURAL SIERRA DE LA NIEVES was spectacular, there are no roads through it, only around it. Its so mountainous that I don’t think they could get a road through it. I rode 8 miles downhill to start my day leaving Yunguera. I stopped and talked to Swiss couple who were touring. We both agreed cycle touring is the best way to see a country. They had come up about 3/4 of the way up when I met them. When I told them I was traveling for a year, she that was her dream to do someday. I am staying at the HOSTAL MARBELLA in the town of FUENGIROLA $40 a night not like camping for $10 a night. I heading down to the beach right now. When camping its difficult, to leave your valuables and jump into the ocean. The hotel has a room safe, so Im leaving everything here and going to take advantage of the opportunity. Its nice having a day off the bike, Im feeling it.
June 6 2013,
Here in Fuengirola its like a little UK, there are English people & Pubs everywhere. I was so over whelmed with the UK thing I went out for fish & chips.
Im getting ready to ride to MALAGA, birth place of Piccaso.

COD FISH & CHIPS WITH THE HOUSE SPECIAL OF MUSHY PEAS!
Having my bike is so much freedom, I can explore greater distances than I could if I was walking. I rode to the Castle (yes they have a castle here).

I GOT A HAIR CUT, IT WAS GETTING A LITTLE WILD
I thought this was in interesting pedestrian bridge next to the castle.

I haven’t figured out how to separate blogpost and photos, so the photos are in with all the other Spain photos HERE
Something cool about my photo program if you click the I tab on the bottom right of photo it gives you a map of the location the picture was taken. This will help as I get older!
POST CARD NOTICE, I love sending shopping for, writing post cards. As a collector I tend to buy only nice ones. Well, in Morocco I spent $150 on post cards & postage. Im not working , so that is a lot. Steve drove me to the airport, handed me $25 and said send post cards. I didn’t think about till it started adding up, thanks steve. If your a post card person and would like to receive numerous post cards, email me and we can arrange a way for you to help. Sorry but reality is what it is.

Im living my dream vacation. I biked (walked) some of the most beautiful country side ever. Nearly carfree, there was a bike race going on, nearly 100 riders going down hill as I walked up.

POLICE ESCORT FOR CYCLIST
I was so happy to see the pass sign.Nearly 4 hours of walking to get here. I

YOU COULD SEE THE SOLAR PANELS OF VILLAMARTIN FROM HERE

I need lower gears on my bike, these hills are for real. A tour guide in Seville warned me about where I was intending to go. I shrugged my shoulders, whatever. He was right, its been tough. Im 57 years old, Im not sure I could do this at 59. I think I made a good choice regarding this adventure, my age & financial situation helped make this happen. On that note, theres lots of people with a lot more money that wouldn’t consider this a holiday.

RIDING FROM PASS TO GRAZALEMA
The views were amazing. I want to back up some, BENAMAHOMA this little forgotten town. I do house & yard maintenance for a job and take care of my house. This town was amazing, all the buildings were painted white, not one crack in the sidewalks. After Morocco, where you had to watch every step for fear of twisting your ankle, this was awesome. I asked if this was a wealthy town, she said NO, they all get together and take pride in there town.

BEAUTIFUL STONE WORK & SIDEWALKS, THIS TOWN IS A GEM.
I finally lost something, my cutting sheet.

FRESH APRICOTS & APPLES WITH OATMEAL AND CASHEWS, IM EATING AWESOME. THIS IS THE LAST SITING OF CUTTING SHEET.

I only speak a little spainish, but enough to fake my way through. I can buy food, get hotel and go camping!

THIS IS ANTONIO, CAMPGROUND MAINTENANCE. THERE WAS A TREE THAT HAD BLACKBERRY LIKE FRUIT THAT HE WAS SWEEPING UP.

The road up was amazing, to be so free, to feel so healthy & safe. I feel sad that the 2 people who were going come didn’t. One is getting married and the other is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail & scuba diving in Alaska. Both note worthy, but Im happy with my choice.

I KNOW WHY THEY SELL THESE TOURS FOR $4000 A WEEK, ITS WORTH IT
The parks all around Spain & Portugal they have these exercise stations.

Im camping in Grazalema, I get up early,which isn’t the norm here. Some restaurants don’t open till 9 pm. My 2 month old american keyboard died. The reason my punctuation is missing or wrong is I have an American apple mini I pad computer with a new european keyboard. Im slowly learning where all the keys are hiding.

THIS HOUSE IS AMAZING ITS POOL IS HANGING OVER THE EDGE, ITS WAY UP
Im in the mountains and everywhere you walk, is uphill or downhill. Rarely is there flat ground.

THERE ARE MORE PHOTOS HERE

YOU HAVE TO BE TOUGH TO GROW OLD IN THESE MOUNTAIN VILLAGES

I got the flu in Morocco Im finally feeling better. Traveling alone being sick really hits you. I still have to sort out my daily living needs, its one of the toughest parts of traveling alone.
till next time (sooner)
Jeff