El Norte - Day One (by Michelle and kids)

We just returned from a four-day trip to Burgos and the Basque Country. We packed so many different things into one trip that it feels like we've been gone for weeks!

First we went to two small medieval villages (Covarrubias and Santo Domingo de Silos) full of charm and without all the tourists. In Santo Domingo we were supposed to have toured the monastery, but they had lost our reservation and we ended up with a hour to kill. Many of us hiked the nearby hill for a view of the town and some fun pictures of a small hermitage (the stark black and white). It was such a refreshing and fun hike that I think that we were a little glad for the mix-up.

We then were treated to hearing the monks singing Gregorian chant. Some of you may recall their best selling album, "Chant" from the 1990s. They sing six times a day dressed in their robes and even singing in a bowed position before the altar at times whether anyone is there to listen or not. It was an amazing experience to be there: reverent, simple and beautiful. Even Eva sat very still and quiet.

Next, we then went to a wilderness area called La Yecla where a walkway winds above a stream in a deep crevice. (The crevice reminded me a little of the narrows in southern Utah.) We thought of you, Grandma Stowell (notice Eva with binoculars), because a few of us spent time watching huge eagles perched and then circling overhead before heading down the path. We loved this stunning and fun stop. The boys want me to mention that we saw two dead mice on the path.


Then, onto Burgos, the medieval city of El Cid and one of our favorite gothic cathedrals. Here is a picture of the cathedral's ceiling. The kids especially loved that in a part of the cathedral there was an artist painting a mural of El Cid. "I wished we could have stayed and watched him for a long time." Simon said.

After dinner we were returning to our hotel when we suddenly saw some lightning in the distance. Within one minute we were trapped in a downpour and took refuge under a famous gate/archway. Well, at least David and I were under the archway . . . the kids were in the plaza playing in the rain. (This was the beginning of wet shoes that didn't completely dry out for days.) I love this picture. The kids and I thought a good title for the photo would be, "Just don't get wet!" (which David and I might have said as they ran out into the downpour) Alex is the ghostlike runner.