May 16th

Awoke and went out and about for sunrise at 7 (before breakfast at 9, which was included with our stay). There is a reason people go out at this time. The sun definitely enhances everything! God is amazing. The birds were out chirping all along the glorious chasm, even the peacocks were crying out (there were a few at the abandoned palace). Beautiful morning. 

Back at hotel, we had breakfast and checked out. Jeff drove along small roads to, Setenil de las Bodegas. This town is known for whitewashed houses built into the surrounding cliffs. We went into one place that was a shop. You could see the rock ceiling. It was very cool inside the shop due to rock surface, really quite nice! We bought a chocolate bar. Meandered about a bit and then back in car.

From here we went to Olvera. Another mountaintop whitewashed town, but this has sweeping views from an Arab castle and Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion church, that both sit prominently over the town. The street up to these attractions is a very steep, narrow drive. We parked and bought entry into the ruins of the castle. It was a hike and 'clamoring' up some steps, but well worth the wind-swept views. You could see enemy movement for miles. (I must say it was quite scary for me though!!) When we came back down the church was closed for siesta time – so we missed seeing inside. We did a picnic lunch of bananas, plums, nuts, and chocolate, of course, along a shaded promenade with view up of the castle/church.

Then we went on along even smaller, and more switchback roads to Moron de la Frontera, and just drove around, but did not really see anything of interest for us. So we went onto Zahara de la Sierra. To get to town we drove over a dam that makes a lake (which is quite low, as Spain is in a severe drought). This is another town perched precariously on a mountainside. Found our place and unloaded. We are here two nights, with the place all to ourselves. It is huge: five bedrooms (only one open – in all fairness), front room, kitchen, and dining/family room. Plus there are two patios, one is rooftop! I know were I will be at sunset!!! Dinner will be homemade, probably a pasta dish.