Following the fairy of curiosity
A SPONTANEOUS ADVENTURE IN PANTICOSA, VALLE DE TENA
Today I went to take out the trash when a little stone pathway called my curiosity. All of a sudden, I was having a great adventure that brought me to the top of the Pyrenees.
I always imagine Curiosity as Tinkerbell the fairy. With her free and sometimes mischievous spirit, she suddenly appears whispering ideas full of wonder and possibility. Like a candle, she shines light upon an unforeseen and sometimes dream-like path.
The path became more and more intriguing … and still not a soul on the way!
Imagine my surprise when the path led me to this doorway… towards a bunker! There is a tunnel, and there is a room with small beds. Later I learn from an old sign that i’ve just arrived at the Linea Pirineos, a military line of forts and pillboxes across the Pyrenees built around 80 years ago in strategic places to defend the country against potential attacks coming from France… Here, where I am, there are actually two bunkers, or “nidos” (the local name). These “nidos”, once scary, look more like play castles for little people.
I was in the middle of writing another post when I went to take out the trash. Then I saw this path and followed it as it disappeared into the darkness of the trees. I had seen it many times before, but today, for some reason, I followed the call of my curiosity.
Some steps further and I receive the final gift: El Mirador de Santa Maria. This tower on top of the hill is a wonderful viewpoint where the immensity of the Pyrenees can be admired in 360º. This beauty covers el Valle de Tena, Pueyo de Jaca and Panticosa…
A minute later, I was on this ragged path. My feet couldn’t help but continue along it’s shady way; a natural tunnel of moss, stones, tiny plants and trees. The creatures nearby seemed like the perfect companions for an adventure.
The final steps towards the top of the mountain… where will this adventure take me?
In this moment, I feel like the luckiest person on Earth; me, who volunteered to take out the trash and ended up on the top of the Pyrenees.
Part of the joy experienced on this journey comes from the spontaneity of starting an adventure without much planning… simply moved by curiosity to explore new places.
…In amongst all this beauty made by mother nature is an unexpected gigantic private housing compound!
This is the perfect place for a self-guided Wonder Adventure. My mind starts to dream… what if I write a Wonder Adventure Book that brings you on this journey to the Mirador and ends up finding these forts?
The path that brought me here is actually one of the greatest natural pathways that Panticosa offers. Here is their websites with more excursions.
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