After feeling like I’m completely unorganized, losing my wallet, catching on fire….I’m not quite dictating the trip. The trip is dictating me. The one thing I have control of, is where I sleep and eat thats it. I feel like when nothing is going right, go back to controlling what you can. Yet, I’ve been summoned to retrieve my RCU check card in Italy. Cash is calling!!

I hit the road and just tried to enjoy the scenery, as I ascended to a town called Ojen near Marbella, Spain. The weather got more manageable and I just tried to take in the fresh mountain air.

I needed to get some miles under me, but of course I wanted to stop where ever I could, to take in the views.

First gas stop was in Malaga for gas, then followed by Almeria, which had a beautiful fortress, before entering the town

Just another cathedral as I look for a gas station……

AND even the gas station spot was pretty cool. Almeria looked like a good small/big coastal town, if you know what I mean. But no time to stop….I have more miles to cover.

As I rode along I tried to stay close to the coast while also hitting the motorway. I didn’t want this to just be about getting to Barcelona. As I was riding I spotted these caves off to the side of the road in an area/town called Cuevas del Almanzora……

The use of these natural caves, from which the name of the village comes, was that they were easy to excavate in the hills that edge the Almanzora River, it is the most important feature of these times. It is believed their existence is due to the fact that they were used by hermits or as hiding places from the frequent Christian attacks from the neighboring Kingdom of Murcia. Las Cuevas de Calguerín, with more than 260 caves, was a place of dwellings and refuges during medieval times as well. Today some of them are still inhabited. 

Cuevas is one of the oldest towns in the province. I didn’t find this out until after I got to my next campsite. Still time is of the essence, but who wouldn’t want to explore this ancient town?

I even took a wrong turn which took me along this hwy the D20 near Lorac, Spain.

A nice mountain top ride that gives you a birds eye view of the ocean and local farms.

This weather and riding along the ocean reminds of those warm summer nights as a kid camping out on our front lawn, it makes me to want to do just that. I immediately had a real time goal. Camp, take a dip in the ocean, meet some locals, and eat something local. Luckily I found just the town called Bolnuevo, Spain.

It was a stones throw from the beach. That night I was beat, I ate at their restaurant and for the life of me I couldn’t remember what I ate. I think it was just some average ham sandwich with a beer. Oh well. At least the breeze views were nice ….and I ended up speaking to no one.

After what felt like a long week of issues, the hot weather and the long ride since I arrived in Erceira, Portugal I needed a good nights rest. Tomorrow we hit the road again.

I left in the morning around 9am and road to a town called Santa Pola for brunch.

I did not see anything but the city center before riding out of town and back to the motorway. Sometimes thats the way it is nothing to report here:)

Except on the way out, as an observation, at a gas station there was a smaller RV that are very popular in Europe. I really like their size, they need more of these in the states. Not sure why we don’t have more RV options besides the behemoths.

Im trying to ride as far as possible, but also not trying to miss out on any cities, towns, or sites I think I won’t want to miss. As I looked at the map, I found a town about 350km (Castellon de la Plana) that hosts bull fighting events. I have not immersed myself into the Spanish cultural in anyway that I had hoped on this trip. So I would love to get a glimpse of one of these Bull fights.

I was eager to see if there were any events but unfortunately it wasn’t happening that week. I tried to find a local place for dinner as I wandered the city, and found a place that had tapas. It ended up being very underwhelming and felt like your average hot dog stand.

Some sort of pasta tapa!

Either way the goal once again was to get a good nights rest, so I stayed in a nice hotel this time. Just to make sure I could cool off efficiently. My clothes were limited, and some still smelt like plastic. I did buy some back in Portimao, Portugal, but I was not pleased. Europes clothes are much smaller and when you buy them from a side street vender you can guess what type of material I got.

That morning I woke up and had the hotel breakfast no time to site see….. I had a 3 hour ride to Barcelona.

My ferry leaves in the evening, so if I do this right. I’ll be in Barcelona by lunch time. Again I don’t want to rush but I would like to enjoy Barcelona again. The last time I was there was in 2016. I also was told to go to a cheese cake spot by my friend Mickey. She knew the owner and said I had to go say hi in person. I love little goals like this. It’s random, its adds to the art of wandering but it also helps me create connections it towns I have very few reasons to be.

The road to Barcelona was quite a boring ride. Up until I took the long way through the mountain road BV-2411 and a town called Olesa De Bonesvalls. A great motorcycle ride with twisty roads and much cooler weather. I finally arrived mid-day in the heat. I was here in 2016 and it immediately brought memories back.

So first stop was the cheese cake spot…..

Cheese cake before lunch at JONCAKES…..after meeting Jon, who’s brother lived in Petaluma for a year, it was a good common connection to make. The cheesecake was good too, go check them out if you go to Barcelona . He recommended a bar/restaurant down the street.

BAR DEL PLA

Im not one to post food unless its worth it! The Ox tail appetizer followed by the back strap pork was spot on. Topped off with what they call “natural wine.” I was in heaven! The wine was spicy and earthy and became my new favorite.

I had plenty of time before the ferry boarding, so I decided to head to Montjuic Castle. I missed it last time I was here and thought it would be nice to see.

Working my way up there was a nice view of Barcelona!

Its a great looking castle but I didn’t want to pay the fees to get in, only to rush through it. Combined with the fact they wouldn’t let me park my bike near the castle, it would mean I’d have to hike back up after finding a spot. So I snapped a few pics, and decided to make my way back down to the ferry building. It was time to get out of Spain and back to Italy……

Checking in was seamless, the air condition was on, and I was about to relax in my own room for a 20 hour ferry ride. The last time I took this ferry I chose just a seat, and spent most of my time on the Spa area, where they had a sauna. Although that would be nice again, sleeping my way there sounds even better. I am beat down!

The sun was still shining and it was hot so I took a quick dip in the pool and instead of going to bed I hung out at the bar for bit. It felt like a proper cruise so why not.

I woke up to the sounds of the captain saying we have arrived, only it was Sardinia, not Main land Italy. I have another 8 hours before I get Civitavecchia. Its a port an hour north of Rome.

As soon I walked outside I realized I slept quite a long time as the sun was in full effect…….

The cars unloaded on this beautiful island and I was reminded of the time I slept on the beach near this port just to make sure I didn’t over sleep and miss the ferry in 2016. What a crazy experience that was, out in the open like a proper homeless dude!!!

I spent most of the day outside by the pool, and realized I hadn’t even booked a place to stay. Our arrival is around 9pm, so I looked on booking.com for a place in Chitivecchia.

I found a B&B at a local home and knew it was the spot. Forget the hotels. I want the Italian experience. 60 Euros!!!

Off the boat and into a new world…or is old world in Italy?

I arrived around 10pm and the B&B gate was closed until they gave me the code, which I had to wait for until my email downloaded. Instantly an old Italian guy with no shirt, directed me to my parking spot. I chuckled, as this was exactly was what I was expecting. He and his buddies were barbecuing and drinking wine. No one spoke english, and all I knew was bonjourno, which I quickly realized you generally say that in the morning…Lol…either way I felt at home.

Time to rest, Ive got my RCU check card to recover tomorrow!