STREET VIEW, MAJORCA, SPAIN

February is almost over and it is a good thing it had an extra day this year.  I needed time to finish my watercolor paintings for The Virtual Paintout.  This month we virtually explored Majorca where the members of Spain's royal family spend their summer holidays in the Marivent Palace.  Wikipedia says it is a popular tourist destination and I could see why.

Settlements dating back to the bronze age have been discovered there along with artifacts left behind by Phoenicians and Romans.

I liked the rustic buildings, the narrow streets and sunny skies I found as I moved the little yellow Google Pegman around the map.

Majorca has a long history of seafaring.  In the harbors I saw small and unusual boats.  Turns out they are crafts called Llauts which are specific to this area.  The design is a part of their history of fishing boats.

I call this one, "Neighborhood Watch."  I followed a narrow street in Palma and found this white haired lady gazing from her balcony.  The timeless buildings plus the variety of textures and colors made this a painting waiting to happen. 

Google Street View is a great tool for armchair travelers like me who will never in this life be able to afford trips to exotic places like Majorca or scuba diving along the Geat Barrier Reef.

As always these paintings and more are for sale at my Etsy Site, Watercolors by Leenie.  

DOGGY DAY AFTERNOON

Warmer days have melted our snow down to lower levels, but there is still plenty of the white stuff up north.  That’s where we went Saturday to watch the not-so-serious part of the Annual American Dog Derby.

 We arrived after the big dogs and their sleds had been down the 40-plus mile track and back.  Now it was time for some kid fun.

 The Junior Race was followed by the Skjoring Potluck Race...

...in which one to two dogs assist a cross country skier along a four mile track.

 This team left with the most speed and control in my opinion. 

 While the racers were out we did a little people and dog watching.  Almost everybody brought their dogs for the day.

 Almost everybody.

 There were dogs of all sizes and breeds.

 Here comes back the fast team…still with plenty of hustle but those tongues are hanging out.

 The return of another one of the Junior Mushers to plenty of applause and high fives.

After the sled races the crowd moved to Main Street for the next set of events.

 First were the Kid Snowshoe Races.  The racers were grouped by age and strapped into snowshoes and set off.

 There was some very serious competition.

Next came the Mutt Race wherein dogs with no training were harnessed to a dog sled and encouraged to pull their friend down the track.

 

 Some dogs did okay with a little encouragement.

 Others were having none of it.

 Then there were the dogs who were just happy to be there and expecting a treat at any moment.

 Just for fun here is some action from the snowshoe races.

The last ones on snowshoes were the Mormon Missionaries.

 First the Sisters.

 Then the Elders. They had been assisting all day with the events and deserved a moment to show off.

 It was a great day to get out of the house and enjoy the sun and the end of a long winter.

 Kids and dogs.  What’s not to like?

IF IT WEREN'T DANGEROUS IT WOULDN'T BE FUN - 2

The weather was sunny and the snow was deep.

 Plus every ride down began with a free ride to the top courtesy of Crazy Chris’s Four Wheeler Haulage.

 

Which was also an excuse for Crazy Chris to hot rod the hill.

Sledders shot down with their face a few inches from frozen slush.

 Well…some went down in reverse.

 Screaming was optional.

 What just happened?

 Grab the sled and catch another ride to the top.

 Rider down.

 No serious injury.  Just dust off and go again.

 Yeeee---Haw!

 Skills!

 Clear the hill for one last ride.

 Load up the toys and go home.