Monday, May 28 - Up the Teleferico

Up at 7:30 to overcast and drizzle. Fresh snow on the mountain tops! After breakfast walked out of the hotel and nearly stumbled over Jasper, the huge St. Bernard who guards the front steps. Drove 10 km. to the end of the road at Fuente De. There is a Parador there and the teleférico station that sends small cable cars 3000’ up the mountain face. There was so much drizzle and sleet that we could hardly see the station at the top, so we left hoping for better weather later in the day. We went back to the hotel and walked around the village and followed a cowherd with their bells clanging as they left for summer pasture.

It started to clear a bit so we drove back up the mountain to pretty clear sky!! Got on the teleférico and it took off, zooming up into the air and toward the rock face and up it, passing the other car going down. Spectacular ride! Disembarked at the top and fortunately had our vest, windbreakers and scarves along as it was 35 degrees with a stiff wind blowing and quite a bit of snow. We immediately saw Alpine Choughs, crow-like birds with yellow bills and red legs, and set off on a hike to see some more of RRZ’ desired life birds, most of which are brown, black and white and blend in perfectly with the snow and mud. We had forgotten mittens and had a hard time holding binoculars with numb hands. Beautiful views of the green valley below, deciduous tree-covered mountains and rocky snow-streaked peaks.

Several more carloads of teenagers and other tourists appeared and the one main trail became rather noisy. We left the crowds and slipped and slid over to a rim of rock and spotted a chamois (rebeco in Spanish) standing silhouetted against the sky with beautiful curved-back horns.

After a few hours we rode the car back down and collapsed in the Parador for sandwich and beer and wi-fi catch-up as the del Oso has the world’s slowest connection.

After lunch we walked around the meadow next to the Parador. We had a minor standoff with a large goat herd and one billy with enormous horns. Found two gorgeous types of purple and white orchids and fields of yellow and white flowers.

Back to Hotel del Oso in sunshine. We think the weather is finally changing and it may be warmer and sunnier for the rest of our trip. Dinner at our hotel of wonderful vegetable soup, cod with pepper and tomato sauce and, for dessert, fig ice cream and tea with orujo, a local liqueur.