Jerez, Spain - Botanical Zoo

This is at the Jerez Zoo that was a really great little trip out of Rota that was super easy for Owen and the stroller. The land was originally the site for the town's water tanks in 1889 from the Tempul spring 46 km away in Algar. The water passes through several reservoirs on its route to Jerez. Part of the aqueducts are originally from the Roman times and had a large restoration project that finished in 2008. In 1939, the site became a public garden that is considered one of the oldest in Spain.  In 1953, the 1,300 animals covering 200 different species were added to the landscape making the zoo that is seen today.

Our lunch was comprised of some "American" hotdogs that had fried onions as a topping along with the ketchup and mustard. It was surprisingly good.

Month 2

Month 2 is a success! He survived the immunizations very well and has a thumbs up for healthy at his 2 month visit.  His smiles are absolutely wonderful.

September 3

September 2

September 2

August 26

August 23

August 19

Enjoying bath time with his dad.

August 13

His hair gets all poofy after bath time. And he makes funny faces.

August 13

BABY SMILES

August 12

August 10

He likes to sleep with all of his finger out and raised up.  He will hold them like this for a while.

August 10

  

August 9

August 2

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.