What a full week!

Let me start with a big thank you to my friend Hanz for inviting me camping and hiking. Last week, I gave you some first images from our adventures.

One thing that I forgot to mention was dinner on the night of June 20. I was with Hanz…from Sweden…on the Summer Solstice, also known as “Midsummer Night.” This special night required a special dinner of boiled potatoes and pickled herring. Hanz didn’t think I’d really eat it. But I did…and enjoyed it…and took seconds…and thirds.

Also, while we were there, I finished reading The Alchemist, in Spanish. Thank you to my friend Kate in Denver who gifted the book to me back when I moved here. I had read it in English years before. After I arrived in Spain, I tried several times to read it, but never had enough vocabulary to enjoy it. This time, I read it, and appreciated the language, the beauty of it, as well as the allegorical story. Thank you, Kate!!

On Monday, Hanz and I left the campground and ventured out on our own. Things only got better.

We found remote mountain roads and hiking trails, well off the beaten path.

We found a quiet spot to park the camper van and spent the night.

Early Tuesday, we got up and found our way to Los Charcos de Quesa, a beautiful natural series of waterfalls and ponds, open to the public.

After swimming and exploring there for a couple hours, we went downhill and found a beautiful gorge with more falls and mountain ponds.

From there, we stopped in the town of Quesa for a drink and some lunch and then drove on to Embalse de Escalona.

Here we camped for the night, overlooking the beautiful mountain lake.

We enjoyed swimming in the fresh mountain water both that afternoon and first thing the next morning.

After breakfast, we closed up the van and drove to Gandia. We enjoyed a few hours on the beach before we left to eat. Then, I caught the next train to Valencia, came home, and enjoyed a long shower, while Hanz drove home to Alcalali.

On Thursday afternoon, I started volunteering with the Gay Games.

Even before I moved to Valencia in 2023, I had been hearing from friends in Denver that the Gay Games would be in Valencia in 2026. Some friends were working to get Denver named as the host city in 2030. Eventually, Denver lost out to Perth Australia. But I was still planning (hoping) to be in Valencia in 2026. So here we are.

The Gay Games are an every-four-year event, like the Olympics, hosted in some city around the world. Right now in Valencia, we have over 10,000 participants, from 81 countries, supported by 1,000 volunteers.

This week, I’ve been working in the Welcome Center, meeting athletes and participants from around the world. On Saturday, it was a madhouse! I think everyone wanted to arrive just before the opening ceremonies. As I greeted each participant in my line (I was handing out credentials and swag to people with last names starting with H, I, and J), I was oblivious to the fact that the line to get into the building stretched around the complex. People were standing in line for more than 2 hours in the hot Mediterranean sun. And nearly everyone was laughing, happy and grateful to be a part of it all.

And I ran into some friends, like Blake from Denver.

On Saturday night, I attended the Opening Ceremonies with my neighbor, Justin. (Justin in a 23 year old American student completing his Masters Degree at the Valencia campus of Berkeley School of Music. He’s amazingly talented!). He’s only here a few more weeks, so I’m honored that he wanted to spend a little time with me.

This morning (Sunday), I took a couple of hours to be quiet and I went to the beach and was inspired by the beauty. I thought you might appreciate it. The walk from the bus stop to the beach, goes past a few small gardens and farms.

After a couple hours, I headed home to get ready for my afternoon shift at the Gay Games Welcome Center. But first, I stopped and bought some fresh tomatoes from the farmer.

Tomorrow, I start helping at the Bowling competition. The exciting thing about that is that I imagine the bowling alley will be air conditioned!

May your week be filled with moments of joyful madness and quiet beauty.

Hugs from the home of the XXII Gay Games!