Miles

@milorad

Only good vibes, please. Tar Heel in the PNW.

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Bluesky

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Miles@milorad· 2d

The eclispe reached totality just above the Alcazar with the Spanish flag waving to the left.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Finally, the reason we went to Spain in the most flaming hot time of the year was so that we could align our trip with the timing of the eclipse. It was perfect weather, and my planning for where to view the eclipse was just about perfect.

There were a couple hot air balloons in the sky just before the totality

Strange lighting preceeded and followed the totality

The sun seemed poised to set behind the Alcazar before the eclipse reached totality, but luckily, it lingered long enough.

Miles@milorad· 2d

For our last day in Spain, we traveled to Segovia. Segovia was not really a big draw in itself, but we scheduled this side quest because it was an ideal location to view the total eclipse. We met our friend, Griffin, there and explored some of the city before staking out a spot for the eclipse.

A courtyard of a historic building featuring an old well and a stained-glass ceiling

A picture I took of the Travisties and Griffin near the selfie Devil (look it up). We did take a selfie with the devil, but we used Halleigator's phone so I dont have it.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Part of an old crucifix that once belonged to El Cid.

Miles@milorad· 2d

I said I would pick up the narrative with our last stop, but I think it is worth mentioning that the Salamanca Cathedral had 3 works of contemporary art, that were striking and remarkable for their contrast with traditional religious imagery. I only got a pic of 2, but they made an impression.

A contemporary artwork displayed prominently in the Salamanca cathedral

Another contemporary piece of art in the Salamanca cathedral.

Miles@milorad· 2d

An astronaut is included in the ornamentation

There is a local debate over whether this "dragon(?)" Is eating ice cream or singing karaoke. Looks like an ice cream cone to me.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Honestly. I'm getting posting fatigue, so I'm going to just put some pics from Salamanca here without comment. If you have questions, make a comment. I'll write some more about our last stop, Segovia.

A view from one of the city's many towers

The University courtyard, which was shockingly green

Miles@milorad· 2d

We arrived in Salamanca in time to explore the city a little before enjoying a meal on the Plaza Mayor and people watching in the glow of the plaza lights. It was Boogs' birthday while we were there and we had a chance to celebrate how great she is.

The Travisties pose in front of a flowered Salamanca sign with a church rising behind

Strolling the city street into the wee hours of the night.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Then, it was on to Salamanca via Merida, where we stopped to take in some Roman ruins and a Neolithic dolmen.

The Travisties at the Temple of Diana in Merida.

One of 3 aqueducts still standing in Merida

The entrance to a Neolithic passage tomb outside Merida

Beaurito and Halligator stand in the main chamber of a dolmen, which, other than the roof, is remarkably intact

Miles@milorad· 2d

...then explored the Barrio de Santa Cruz and the Plaza de España.

Em&m poses in front of a fountain covered with climbing vines.

Em&m kisses the "Antigua Rincón del Beso" which is a white plaster corner covered with lipstick kisses.

The iron cross which stands in the heart of the Santa Cruz district

Em&m sits in the shade on the edge of the Plaza de España.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Then, it was on to the cathedral (another one!)...

On of the chapter rooms characterized by white and slate-colored stonework

The interior of the cathedral had an interesting mix of dark and light spaces.

The room where they stored and prepared the elements included a painting where the artist depicted rays of illumination that roughly mimic the light from the only real window in the room.

Miles@milorad· 2d

In the morning, the Alcazar was our first stop.

One of the primary courtyards of the Alcazar featured a pool with ornamental trees and peacocks

The orange and salmon-colored hues of the Alcazar made the spaces feel peaceful and inviting.

The Alcazar's gardens stretched on and on, making the exterior spaces the most impressive characteristic of the compound.

The Moorish influence was on full display.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Once we finally arrived in Sevilla, it was time to grab some more tapas and then recharge on our apartments rooftop terrace.

Crowds bustle in the streets of Sevilla, which are lined with its iconic orange trees.

The Travisties take a break on the rooftop terrace with a view of the lighted Giralda tower in the distance

Miles@milorad· 2d

Next, we headed farther south, and made a couple stops on the way to Sevilla. First we explored some castle ruins. Then we stopped where windmills on a ridge represent the landscape of Cervantes' Don Quixote.

Piles of rocks cascade down the slope from a hilltop castle ruin

Halligator and Beaurito explore the remains of the castle keep

Em&m sits on a bench at the foot of a historic windmill. Though these windmills are old, they are much younger than Don Quixote. But this ridge in La Mancha is known for being windy and has always hosted windmills, making it a primary site for celebrating Cervantes's novel.

Halligator and Em&m pose in front of a tow of windmills

Miles@milorad· 2d

There's so much Catholic history, with Muslim highlights due to the Moors. Spain also has a problematic history in regard to its Jewish community, so we slipped into Sinagoga del Tránsito. It was a beautiful place of worship and sparked good conversation re why Jews have often been targets of hate.

Beaurito and Boogs rest in a tree-shaded square.

A small blue tile marks the way into the Jewish Quarter.

The interior of the Synagogue was spare compared to the excesses of the cathedrals we visited, but the tracery and details were amazing.

Windows showing Moorish influences even filtered into the design of Jewish spaces.

Miles@milorad· 2d

We finished up in Madrid with a trip to the Plaza de Toros and the bull fighting museum. Then, we picked up a car and headed to Toledo, where we toured the Cathedral (one in every city!) and Beaurito bought a sword. The sword shops are touristy, but shopping for HIS perfect sword was a good time.

The historic Plaza de Toros was a striking building and the museum is more of a hall of fame.

The Toledo Cathedral was darker and more ornate than the Madrid Cathedral, and held the first relics we encountered, the remains of St. Ursula.

A bastion is bathed in golden light just before sunset in a view from the Toledo city walls.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Next morning, we toured the Royal Palace, strolled through El Retiro Park, and then visited the Prado and Reina Sofía. When we take the kids on trips, we ask them each to pick one thing to prioritize seeing. Halligator chose Las Meninas as her "thing" and the Prado's alt-Mona Lisa was a fun surprise

The Royal Palace was as opulent as promised

Madrid had some construction going, but still offered beautiful monuments

El Retiro Park was a peaceful break from the city

Picasso's Guernica was more emotive than what I usually get from his work.

Miles@milorad· 2d

We used the afternoon to take the Rick Steves city walk (kids lovingly renamed him Ricardo Stephan), visit the Cathedral, grab tapas, and enjoy some late night churros.

The interior of the Madrid Cathedral was light and airy due to the white stone construction

The kids stand in front of Chocolateria San Gines, a Madrid landmark

Miles@milorad· 2d

The next morning, we ate at a nice cafe across from Casa Vicens, another Gaudí landmark. Then, it was on to Madrid by bullet train.

Casa Vicens was built during a period when Gaudí was still into geometric designs as demonstrated by its exterior ornamentation

As some who spent quite a bit of time in UT, the Spanish countryside between Bacelona and Madrid was very familiar.

Em&m poses in front of the bear statue in Madrid's Puerta del Sol.

Miles@milorad· 2d

Then we wandered the Gothic Quarter until finishing the night with paella and dipping our feet in the Mediterranean.

Wandering the streets of the Gothic Quarter

The Barcelona Cathedral stands half in light and half in shadow

There is a small piece of a Roman aqueduct integrated in some buildings

Boogs smiles at the camera while the rest of the Travisties wade in the sea

Miles@milorad· 2d

From there, we wandered through the neighborhoods to Sagrada Familia.

Mural of war eating money eating humanity.

Em&m on a sidewalk in a sleepy Barcelona neighborhood

Sagrada Familia rises like an enormous drip castle

The interior of the basilica was illuminated by light filtered through its many stained-glass windows

Miles@milorad· 2d

Our trip started off on a bad foot. We were scheduled to fly into Madrid, but due to delays, we would have lost 2 days of our trip, so we flew into Barcelona instead. First stop was La Pedrera, but I was exhausted and didn't get good pics. So Park Güell kicks off the vacation imagery.

Park Güell was crowded by tourists wanting to beat the afternoon heat

The Travesties pose in a shadey arcade characterized by the iconic rock decor

Rocky capitals at the top of the columns evoke corinthian style

Miles@milorad· 13d

Booked a flight on @aircanada.bsky.social and they delayed us to the point of missing our connection to Madrid "because of extreme weather conditions in Denver." The weather in Denver today:

Ideal weather conditions with blue skies at the Denver airport.

Miles@milorad· 19d

I love when the dog wrestle all day until they both end up laying on the floor still wrestling. Poor Pike has his whole face in Rainie's mouth at one point. 😂 #Terriertuesday