26.06 Park Guell Barcelona, Spain

Air Conditioning???? As cities goes, Barcelona has got to be in the top 5. It's not New York, but then again New York can't claim winter temperatures of 16 degrees C. It is practically a twin city to San Francisco in many respects - but then add the arcitecture of Gaudi, the Picasso museum, the Miro museum, and two huge city parks. After sitting for a couple hours on Las Ramblas sipping a Sangria and watching several street performers take their turns entertaining our crowded cafe, you realize that it's the people in this city that make it fantastic. Like all great cities you have this large population of creative, energetic, talented people that contribute to the culture that makes Barcelona. I could live in this city - of course then there are those 38 degree C summers you would have to deal with....   Maria Puro and I recovering from many long walks on the benches in Park Guell (click on photo to enlarge)

24.06 Mountain Rambling The Pyrenees

Walking From France to Spain "One foot in front of the other" has been our moto for the past few days as we've sampled the inspiring hiking in the Pyrenees. Just after arriving, we set out from France hoping for just a brief chance to escape the heat into the mountain air. Our trail soon rose above the trees to reveal striking and seemingly endless green moutains and valleys where a chance encounter with a charming 22 year old mountain shepherd convinced us that we could reach the ridgetop for our first steps into Spain. Grazing animals, wild flowers, and spectacular views kept us moving well above and beyond our intended path to a gentle ridge hanging high between the Spanish and French counrtrysides. Simply moving through this landscape was both intoxicating and energizing; and on our descent, Kona seemed to agree, happily galloping and careening across the carpeted hills, turning any which way he pleased. - rp (click on photos to enlarge)   Courtney motoring away in the mountains near Luchon, France   Courtney winding through the granite on her way back down from Estany Negre near Taull, Spain

19.06 Swimming Lakes and Sea, Europe

My favorite summer past time.... Ever since I was a kid I've spent pretty much all the summers I can remember within running distance of some large body of water. The landscape around usually changed quite drastically, but there was always a bit of swimming to be had. From deathly hot southern beaches, to northwestern pacific islands, to mountain lakes - a beer and a swim is all the therapy a body could ever need. It's always particularly nice when you have some sort of entertainment; for example, a cliff to dive off of or a float down the Boulder stream. I had a junkies greatest fix with a full day at a beach in Finale Ligure, Italy and a couple days later, a full afternoon at the lake at the Verdon Gorge, France. As I floated about in the salty Mediterranean water I was wondering how I could ever leave the land of creamy gelato and sandy white beaches; but the Verdon Gorge put all other swimming events to shame. On our first day we hiked down into the dead vertical limestone gorge taking occasional dips in the shallows of the rushing Verdon River. Kona decided to drink from one of the fastest rapids on the whole river and was treated with a quick trip downstream after he slipped into the whitewater. Randy enacted a heroic rescue and got him to the opposite side of the river, where the only way out was a 5.13d limestone multipitch climb or a long jump across the rapids. With some luck and a leash, both boys made it back fine. The next day we took a paddleboat out from the lake and cruised around the shore, finding spectacular limestone bouldering just above the water. Just climb until your pumped and then drop 10 feet into crystal blue water. My two favorite things in the world combined....I was in heaven.   Kona diving off the paddleboat (click on photo to enlarge)

09.06 The Gritstone The Shire, UK

England Well we are back from England with one very important thing to say: I LOVE GRITSTONE. 'Gods own rock' I'm told and found absolutely no reason to argue with. It's the shit. Even the non grit mingon rock is the shit. It's just an absolute playground for the lucky sods that live within 5 minutes of 20+ crags. So we did what any right thinking brit with a 3 year old rusty rack and no idea how to place nuts would do...we went trad climbing. After 15 feet and 45 minutes worth of "gear placing" with jammed friends, you just give up on protection and scramble to the top any way you can. It's the most frightening thing in the world, and the british love it. For us born without steel balls, you have plenty of quality gritstone bouldering in Yorkshire and the peak. I must also point out that England is home to some of the best brews in the world. You have never tasted Guiness until you taste it straight from the taps in England, it's nectar really. Needless to say it was hard to leave, especially from our absolutely fabulous hosts, Tim and Anne. The burley couple from Burley in Warfedale.   "Shy" Yorkshireman (and guardian of Almscliff) Tim Clifford showin' the skills. (click on photo to enlarge)