Cold, cold,…. very cold…. and very good atmosphere in the group. This could be the motto of the Bajo Aragón Route
We met on Friday night at the cozy hotel in Zaragoza, where we were treated wonderfully as in all the hotels on the route. All the comments, as we arrive, are very similar, “how cold it is”. Fortunately, the good atmosphere during dinner, and the briefing where tomorrow’s stage is discussed, warms our spirits.
First thing in the morning (the truth is that it was quite cool first thing), the first group leaves (with a lot of desire for 4×4)…. They almost go out at night… that’s really a hobby!. Others stayed to enjoy breakfast, and to leave calmly… they say it…. “Dude, haste kills.”
Once on the road: fast tracks… windmills… more fast tracks… more windmills. And… more windmills.
In some narrow tunnels we made bets on the possibility or not that the Hummer could pass or not, because the Toyotas were just passing by,… well, no problem, Enrique passed it without touching… but very, very fair.
A “hot” rhythm and a cold wind takes us to the bar next to Goya’s birthplace (first coffee, and then culture). Further on we have the vestiges of the Civil War (trenches, fortifications,…), until we reach a hidden canyon, where most of us take the opportunity to have a magnificent picnic: it seems incredible the quality and quantity of food we can take (we are not hungry, of course).
The route takes us to Belchite. Those who knew it were already on notice, the rest of us were surprised: a town devastated in the Civil War, intact ruins… As a reminder of the conflict: churches riddled with bullets, houses destroyed,… the result of intense artillery and aerial bombardments,… It gives the feeling that the war ended yesterday. An emotional visit, for what it represents. Then, we warmed up again on the tracks, until we reached Alcañiz.
There, we took the opportunity to visit the old town (very cool by the way). In the evening, a fantastic dinner, the corresponding briefing,… and to bed.
Early in the morning… the first group has already left (do they never sleep?). Today we alternate fast tracks, slow tracks and many olive groves…
Today’s Road Book is laborious and requires a lot of attention from the co-drivers. At mid-morning we reached the “Convent of the Desert”…. Impressive: it is uninhabited and in ruins, but it is impressive and very surprising for its location. According to what we are told, it was founded in 1682 and destroyed during the Civil War, in 1936. The truth is that it was an interesting visit.
We continued our route, and by “chance” we almost all met in the same café in the same town. To recover calories (today is also quite cold). Chapurreado is spoken there, a mixture of Catalan and Spanish that is very characteristic of the area.
We arrive in Calaceite, where a sumptuous and tasty meal awaits us (there is no doubt,… This could be a gastronomic 4×4 route). There, after sharing experiences, photos and laughter, we said goodbye,… Looking forward to seeing us again on the next route.
A fantastic weekend.
