Let's Watch A Movie

Ah, modern technology... makes it nearly impossible to get together with friends for what should be a simple, relaxing pizza and a movie night. --K&R

Christmas Moose

This moose was literally on our doorstep this evening. By the time I grabbed the camera he had walked around to the backyard.

Non-traditional Dinner

We decided to do something different for dinner this year, so we made Cashew Salmon, some homemade fried rice, broccoli, & fresh rolls. It was awesome! --K&R

Traditional Breakfast

We did have a very traditional breakfast of Sourdough Pancakes. I think that has been our Christmas breakfast every year that we've been together. --K

Non-traditional Tree

Our tree this year was a bit non-traditional. After returning from Spain, we didn't really decorate much for the holidays.

Christmas Eve

A very cold and beautiful Christmas Eve in Anchorage.

Home Sweet Home

Well at least we made it back without a scratch, but we can't say the same for our luggage. --K&R

Seattle with SNOW!

We missed our flight connection in London, so we ended up having to stay the night at a friends house in Seattle. This bus was in a ditch near his house. --K&R

Fuengirola

A plaza at the center of downtown Fuengirola. --K&R

Puebla Aida

A bird's eye view of Puebla Aida where we rented a house during our stay in Andalucia... Awesome place! --K&R

Mijas Bank

This was the bank near where we were staying where we exchanged our money. --K&R

Mijas

A small white washed city in the hills along the Costa del Sol, this charming city attracks many visitors all year round. --K&R

Place of Worship

Not uncommon to find small places of worship such as this along the journey in Spain. --K&R

Christmas Lights in Fuengirola

On the way home from Linares we took a little detour to see some Christmas lights in Fuengirola. --K&R

Along the Way Home

Apparently olive trees are hearty enough to withstand the hot summer sun as well as some winter snow. --K&R

Olive Trees

One of millions of Olive Trees that we saw on the drive between Mijas and Linares. Most all Spanish food is cooked with oil from this savory fruit. --K&R

Bar in Linares

This is the family owned bar of a friend of Kirt's. --K&R

Three Kings

Spain celebrates two separate holidays with the bringing of gifts. The more Western adopted version with Santa Claus or "Papa Noél" on the 25th of December... and the more traditional "Three Kings" who bring gifts on January 6th. Here we see the three kings sneaking into someone's house... --K&R

P.S. If you ask us... the "Three Kings" bringing gifts makes more sense... right?

Mi Madre en Linares

Kirt's adopted mom in Linares during his time in Spain in the late 80s. During our chat, we managed to eat a box of bread, a sausage roll, two different plates of cheese, 4 drinks, 3 ice cream bars, & three different types of Spanish Christmas candy... Oh no... now we have to drive home... --K&R

Linares - Old Friends

Today we took a three hour drive north to the small town of Linares where we spent the afternoon with another one of Kirt's friends from years past. --K&R

Road to Linares

We traveled through the Sierra Madre mountain range on our way to Linares. --K&R

Finished Product

Our Spanish Tortilla for supper was great! --K&R

Spanish Tortilla

Frying the potatoes to put in the Spanish Tortillas. A very traditional Spanish dish made of eggs, peppers, onions and potatoes. --R

Another Beautiful Day

The Costa del Sol (coast of the sun) was living up to it's reputation
again today. This is another view from our little community called
Pueblo Aida where we are renting a house.

Blogging

Sometimes we are unable to post blog entries on the road. Back at our place in Mijas, Kirt is here posting our photos after returning from Sevilla. --Roger

La Familia Romero

One of the GREAT hightlighs of our trip has been to reconnect with past friends. Kirt was basically adpoted by this family during his time in Sevilla in 87-88. Emotions ran high both for seeing them and for saying good-bye again. --K&R

Plaza de España - Sevilla

We could spend an entire day here in the plaza taking photos like this with the amazing art and architecture that is on display. --K&R

Plaza de España - Sevilla

Plaza de España - Sevilla

Here in Sevilla taking in a few sights before going to see a family that Kirt knows here. --K&R

Bridge - Sevilla

This cable stayed bridge spans the Guadalquivir River in Sevilla. --K&R

La Alameda de Hércules - Sevilla

This plaza, just a short walk from our hotel, is where we found some amazing pastries for breakfast! --K&R

View from our Neighborhood

We took a stroll through our neighborhood this evening. --R

The Rock

Gibraltar was ceded by Spain to the Crown of Great Britain in perpetuity, under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, though Spain asserts a claim to the territory and seeks its return. The overwhelming majority of Gibraltarians strongly oppose this, along with any proposal of shared sovereignty. The British government has stated that it is committed to respecting the Gibraltarians' wishes.

Streets in Gibraltar

Suddenly everything was in English, but still looked very Spanish to us. --K&R

Gibraltar

Took a break from Spain to visit England.. Well, a small part of England. --K&R

Outdoor Comfort

A couch, a plaza, & a fire is a perfect place to relax after a bowl snails and a frosty beverage. --K&R

Motor Art

Now we know what Dad can do with his retirement plans and all those old engines that are lying about... --K&R

Great Balls of Christmas

I guess these are for that HUGE tree!! --K&R

Holiday Decorations in Málaga

Wow! What a tree... --K&R

Reclining Pope

I guess this Pope wanted to be remembered this way as this is on top of his grave in the Cathedral in Málaga. --K&R

Parking in Malaga

Downtown Málaga is so busy that even the Motos get stuffed into the smallest of spaces. --K&R

Tasty Snack

While seeing the sights in downtown Malaga we got hungry, so we ducked into a small tapas bar and had some snails and a cold drink... Yum! --R

Cathedral - Málaga

Lentejas for Supper

I made another of our Spanish favorites for supper tonight! This is a lentil stew with onions, peppers, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, & chorizo (don't ask... you don't want to know what is in this meat)... --Kirt

Laundry Day

Laundry day in Mijas... --Kirt

Frozen Food

Yes... There are whole, frozen, vacuum packed baby pigs in the freezer section at the local supermarket. --Roger

22 Years Hence

This is the street in Fuenjirola where Kirt lived many years ago. --Roger

Downtown Fuengirola

Kirt is here mailing our unused Madrid metro passes back to David.

View from our Window

This is the view from the window of our place in Mijas. --K&R

Paella

Spent some time today at the house that we have rented near Mijas making some Paella for supper (a very traditional Spanish dish). I make mine with chicken... even though traditionally where is more sea food and crustaceans on top. --Kirt

View from today's travels to Mijas

This was the view as we were parked close to our bank today in Mijas getting more Euros to spend... --K

Dinner with Friends

David and Juan had us over to their home and cooked us some traditional Spanish food for our last night in Madrid. --K&R

Man's Best Friend

David and his dog Turi (short for Turandot)... Now, David sings for a living with the National Choir of Spain, so I'm sure you'll figure out where the dog's name comes from... --Kirt