Excursions close to Chirivel - December 14th and 21st, 2020

 This week we embarked on a couple of explorations within biking distance from the house, Dormilon, in Chirivel. We rode 40 kilometers out and back to visit the Sanctuario del Saliente (1681-1686) which the previous house sitters had told us was worth checking out. We even set the alarm to have an early start in hope that we would be there around the 10:00 am opening time. (sunrise photo below)


A small pueblo on the way to the sanctuary.

As luck would have it, the schedule we checked for opening times was incorrect due to COVID-19 changes; the sanctuary doors were locked tight. We will definitely have to return when it is open. The temple was built on the site of the prehistoric settlement of Monterroel, a historical route through a pass between two valleys which used to be a trade route.






We actually could see all the way to the pueblo of  Mojácar and the Mediterranean 

Below is a picture of the Sanctuario del Saliente from Sept. 8, 2002 during the annual pilgrimage during which people walk 19 km each way from Albox, Spain to visit the sanctuary. Quite the contrast to our visit where we were completely alone!


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Winter Solstice Ride
December 21st - Another great mountain bike ride!
We circumnavigated Maimon (pictured below). It was a gorgeous, yet chilly day; we had to keep putting coats on for the descents and removing them for the climbing sections. It was a three hour (yet only 24 km) ride with two very long climbs. At one point we rode back down into a valley at the base of Marmon and had to climb all the way up for a second time to reach a pass. 

As we set out on the ride, the crisp air carried wafts of rosemary and lavender!

Taking a break to appreciate the view.

This area is known for its geology and archaeological finds. It is the mountain with the Cueva de los Letreros which is the site of prehistoric cave paintings from the late Neolithic age. The region of Almeria has a symbol from this cave which is called Indalo. A human figure, arms in the air, holding a bow. 
(photo taken on our previous trip to Velez Blanco)


The mountain is riddled with caves and reminds us of Emmental cheese!

One of the flat sections after the first climb.


We saw huge eagles circling this area and one landed inside of the large cave where we presume there was a nest! It looks so tiny in the picture, but they were enormous.








Finally at the pass! I had to walk my bicycle on one steep section because the wheels kept sliding out on the gravel. I was so tired I didn't even argue to prevent Herman from jogging back down to help push the bike for me! After a short rest and snack, we decided to walk up the last bit of the peak behind the view point.

 
We knew the word "Peligro" means danger, but we did not know what "colmenas" meant until we had a dictionary. We were guessing "falling rock" because it was so steep with loose scree. It turns out "colmenas" are beehives. 

            View from the top

These are fossils and rocks we found on the short hike!


The final descent back to where SAM was parked took us past the amazing sight of the iconic Castillo de Vélez-Blanco and the Muela (which translates to "molar", "mill stone" or "hill". We don't know which is the correct choice for this flat butte above the castle, because all three would be appropriate nomenclature.



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