May15th

We checked out of our place in La Linea de la Concepcion with a glimpse of The Rock of Gibraltar. First stop was the  Carrefour Hypermart, this would be equivalent to our Super Walmart or a Dillons Marketplace (for those back home). We had to buy some essentials: shampoo; deodorant, etc.. Shopping done we head out! Adventure awaits!!!

We take the CA-34 (our phone navigation calls this California, 34, ha-ha-ha) to the  A-405. Jeff purposefully chose a route that is opposite of the coastal/touristy roads. (When we left our hotel the clerk asked where we were going and then which way, he approved!!) The fact that the roads were windy and gnarly could have played into route choice, I'm just saying. But I have to admit, I mostly enjoyed the views.

Anyway, our first route stop was in the town of Jimena de la Frontera, with the Castillo de Jimena de la Frontera (the castle of the town). We hiked around the ruins. Romans were here originally, but Muslims build on top of their foundations. It is always fun to try and picture events happening among the ruins. If not you could definitely enjoy the views! Mountainous with sweeping valleys, very picturesque. 

Back to our car and on to next stop, Gaucin, and lunch. (We had been skirting the Parque Natural Los Alcornocales.) For lunch, we stop at a place that seems to have a group of people. We ordered sandwiches: a bacon and cheese; and a “mixto”-which is like a ham and cheese: and a small salad. Finished we tried to hike up to the castle/ruins here, but it was locked up. So…

From here we went to next stop, town of El Colmenar. This took us along an even smaller road, MA-512 (per phone was Massachusetts, 512. Man, we are lost. 🙂 ) Anyway, now we pass through Parque Natural Los Alcornocales, and a forest of cork trees. Seeing these trees is always appealing to me. I am still fascinated about the process to obtain corks from them.

Next on the route, drove thru Cortes de la Frontera to our destination of Ronda. We arrived at our “home” for one night. There is something about this town I really like – I can't put my finger on it, yet. Anyway, we unloaded the car, and went out and about. There is a 'new bridge over a huge chasm, and an older Roman one. Took some pics and went to a local mart for our supper – gazpacho, and a salad. Ate at our hotel – there's a nice patio area. Went out for sunset and just soaked in Ronda!