Springtime in southern Spain was beautiful.


Jaén was covered in olive groves.















The Sierra Nevada mountains were still snow-capped














and spring wildflowers were in full bloom.














Cabo de Gata natural park had a lot to offer. There were fossilized sand dunes on which to climb











and cooled lava to climb on too.














There were goats to be herded (The goat herder and his dog kept watch from under the shade of a tree.)













and horses to ride.


















There was a (chilly) sea in which to swim




















and sand in which to play.





















There was a picnic spot to choose

















and desert mountains paths to hike. And...


















there was a 38 year old man to turn 39!