Overlanding

We call overlanding a trip where the valuable part is done mainly or largely by car. This activity became relevant with Elena's parents getting a car able to go on unpaved roads. We still tend to walk round even if the car would be able to go through all the way but this definitely reduces the time and distance significantly as compared to a traditional hike.

Arroyo de Mojapán

On 19 May (2018). In the fields nearby home. We stopped on two spots with virtually no walking done.

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  Ready to go.
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  The Cerro de San Pedro, not too far.
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  La Cabrera, farther.
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  Julia in the fields we've got next door.
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  A few spots with less familiar colors for Spain.
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  On the dirt road everybody can ride in front.
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  A spot we found.
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  At the Arroyo de Mojapán.
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  We could bath the feet there.
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  Although the water was a bit cold.
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  With the music of falling water.
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  Pausing before playing.
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  Something going on in the background.
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  You can splash water everywhere if you trample strong enough.
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  Which is no end of fun.
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  Far from where too much fun becomes dangerous.
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  Hysterical splashing.
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  So much fun with feet and a stream of water.
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  Not yet mountainous but with some interesting rocky landscape.
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  And much greenery.
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  Time to go.

Arroyo de Tejada

On 20 May (2018). Also with Tizon. This time, we walked a full loop, again in the countryside that we have nearby home, but starting from the middle of the fields, so allowing to make a morning 5km walk, that would have taken us twice this time and distance otherwise.

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  Off the car and onto the walking track.
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  Things you can only go outside.
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  Julia getting a hand from her Abu.
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  A path through the flor moradas (or buglosa).
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  There was a proliferation of buglosas.
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  Making each scene an impressionist composition.
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  Composing with a few daisies to achieve the perfect tone.
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  Typical landscape without much of the blue touch.
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  A carpet of colours.
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  Looking for stones.
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  A few specimens we collected on this occasion.
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  Madrid in the distance.
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  Our path through the fields.
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  And the views it affords.
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  With the Pedriza and the rest of the Sierra de Madrid
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  El Yelmo.
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  El Cerro de San Pedro.
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  Scrambling.
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  Details of the landscape: rocks, scattered trees and purple flowers.
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  Passing by.
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  Elena.
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  Carrying Julia.
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  Waiting for the picnic.
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  Seriously?
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  Observing ants.
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  Equilibrium.
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  End of the walk.

Coto Bello (Asturias)

On 31 August (2018), with Elena's parents and Camilo, during our trip to Asturias (August 2018).

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  The apex of this trip: Right at the top, with the car!
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  This is a bit earlier and further down, at the "mirador".
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  You can get there with a regular car, and then to the interesting spots by foot.
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  The mirador is actually a good meeting point (especially for cyclists).
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  Close-up of the mountains you have in front.
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  And of the coto's flank.
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  Inma pointing at various landmarks of interest.
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  If we remember correctly, this is the Puerto de San Isidro.
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  An Asturian village (we forgot which one).
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  Back at the top, where Julia is taller than the highest mountains.
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  Julio looking for a spot to see los Tornos.
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  You don't actually need the car to go back down.
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  A road in the sky.
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  A calf on the summit.
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  The "coto" by foot.
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  And by car.
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  Julia honking.
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  The effect it had.