Doñana National Park

August 30, 2014

Doñana National Park is on the opposite side of the Guadalquivir River as the Doñana Natural Park we visited last year in October.  This park is where the Guadalquivir River meets the ocean.  Many of the famous Spanish explorers went down the river through the park to begin their grand explorations. This is one of Spain's UNESCO sites and can only be entered via a tour boat that leaves from Sanlucar.  The boat took us about 10 miles up the river to see the native houses and go along a boardwalk to see the animals and vegetation.  It all reminded me of the Eastern Shore in Maryland.  I liked that the houses also had their own beehives made from tree bark. The houses were all made from a thatch-type of material.  One of the houses is still owned by one family that will periodically visit.  They have a solar panel for electricity so I guess they don't totally live like the datives.  Through the park is a very wide sandy path used for the El Rocio pilgrimage.  This occurs in June ending on Pentacost Monday.  The length of the pilgrimage depends on how far the person lives from the church. El Rocio is the most famous pilgrimage that attracts nearly one million people per year.  It began in the 12th century when a hunter found a statue of the Virgin Mary in a tree trunk in what is now the Doñana National Park. A chapel was built where the tree stood and it is the destination for the pilgrimage. 

The "native" house with a solar panel.

The road for the El Rocio pilgrimage.

Where we left from in Sanlucar.

Sidewalk and Driveway

This is the gravel put down for the driveway apron and sidewalk.

That there is a lot of gravel...we will probably be putting in a couple more steps.

The driveway apron will probably be a bit more sloped too.

Damon's gabions and the gravel down on the driveway. 

The whole sidewalk area from the front door to the driveway. 

The back porch stairs.  Eventually this will become a full-size porch, 

but that is something we will get to later.

The outline of the sidewalk can be seen with the white lines.

Driveway and sidewalk framed.

The driveway pad.

The pad has been poured.

The sidewalk has one step down from the driveway, and then one additional wood step will be added to the front door steps.

Another view of the driveway pad.  Damon will add gravel all around the edges to prevent from chipping on the corners.

Italica, Spain

This was our first day trip with Owen (well, with Owen out in the cold, cruel world). Italica is only an hour and a half away just north of Seville.  The ancient paths on the site were not very stroller friendly, so Damon held Owen for most of the walking.  This was the first permanent Roman settlement in the southern Iberian Peninsula in 206 BC. The Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born in this city.  Hadrian provided the town with a water supply system and drainage network.  The running water was from cisterns and aqueducts that was distributed via lead pipes.  Some of the pipes were dug up in the excavations.  The city itself is organized with an orthogonal layout having the private structures clustered and then the public buildings clustered.  An interesting side not with the archaeological dig was that it was stopped during the Franco years.  The excavation and visitor center was very well done and many of the signs were in English as well which was really nice for me.  Italica is part of the Junta de Andalucia that also tends to Carmona and Balelo Claudia where we have already visited.  I love visiting Roman ruins.  It makes me wonder if any of our modern cities will fare this well in 2,000 years. 

Our first photo on a trip with him out in the world!

This is the first colosseum that we have been able to go into the main arena.

A panorama of the colosseum. 

Exterior Finished

The house is looking very good! The last bits for the exterior are the concrete poured for the pad in front of the garage and the front and back steps installed.

Views from the street.

Owen - Month 1

Owen's first month we can claim a success.  The measure of success is that he is alive and healthy! It's important to set low standards, then they are easier to achieve. Coming home from the hospital was scary to be on our own and my recovery was also tricky.  He is a very adorable baby!