Saturday, 17 May Dolora and I started the morning a little slow since all we had to do was eat breakfast and be packed by ten. We met our guide, Luis, in the lobby and the group boarded a bus for the short trip to the Barcelona train station. The station was busy on a…
Spain – Day 5 – Park Güell
Friday, 16 May A tidbit I missed yesterday, after 140 years of construction the Sagrada Familia church has no roof. When it rains, it rains inside the church and they clean it up…. Last night my sleep was interrupted by a series of loud bangs. I found out at breakfast, Barcelona won the La Liga…
Spain – Day 4 – Sagrada Familia
Thursday, 15 May If you are only seeing these posts in your email, you are missing all the photos. Click “Read on blog” and you can see the photos at the bottom of that day’s post. After another hearty hotel breakfast, it was off to the Sagrada Familia for a 9:45 tour. The basilica is…
Spain – Day 3 – Museu Picasso
Wednesday, 14 May After a comfortable night’s rest, Dolora and I dined at our hotel breakfast. Too many choices, bread, pastries, meats, cheeses, cereal, yogurt, eggs, bacon and more. After a hearty breakfast it was off to the Picasso Museum. On the way we walked past the Mercat de Santa Caterina. This is much more…
Spain – Day 2 – Arrival in Barcelona
Tuesday, 13 May Our flight landed at eight after an uneventful flight. It seems that is what you hope for these days. Passport control was a breeze with only a short line. The taxi ride ran into Barcelona rush hour but Dolora and I made it to the hotel by 9:30 and were lucky enough…
Spain – Day 1 – D.C. to Barcelona
Monday, 12 May In 2018, Dolora and I experienced Italy through a Rick Steves “My Way” tour. These tours provide lodging and transportation, with a tour guide offering town insights on the bus and assistance with recommendations, reservations, and any problems during daily “office hours.” A key benefit of the “My Way” tour is staying…
2024 Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) – Epilogue
16 – 23 September Destination: LHHT Northern Terminus (MM 70.1)Start Location: LHHT Southern Terminus (MM 0.0)Trip Miles: 70.1 The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail offered an exceptional September hiking experience, despite encountering a day and a night of rain. The water posed no challenges, and the terrain provided a welcome change with less elevation change than…
2024 Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) – Day 8
Monday – 23 September Destination: LHHT Southern Terminus (MM 0.0)Start Location: Ohiopyle Shelter Area (MM 6.3)Today’s Miles: 6.3Trip Miles: 70.1 Last night when we had dinner with Brian, Bob and I asked if he had a map. Brian had printed one at home but there were none at the trail start. I gave him my…
2024 Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) – Day 7
Sunday – 22 September Destination: Ohiopyle Shelter Area (MM 6.3)Start Location: RT. 653 Shelter Area (MM 18.5)Today’s Miles: 12.2Trip Miles: 63.8 Sorry for the late update. No cell service tonight. First night with no service. Another DCNR ranger came by last night to check our reservation. He spoke with a group camping outside the designated…
2024 Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) – Day 6
Saturday – 21 September Destination: RT. 653 Shelter Area (MM 18.5)Start Location: Grindle Ridge Shelter Area (MM 24.0)Today’s Miles: 5.5Trip Miles: 51.6 Cell service not strong enough for photos today. Last night the DCNR, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources stopped by our campsite and chatted for a while. The ladies in the shelter built…