Cuenca weekend getaway

We're back from a weekend in Cuenca, Spain — our summer vacation.

The city in eastern La Mancha was founded in the 700s by the Moors as a fortress-town on a top of a dramatic stone ridge between the gorges of the Huécar and Júcar Rivers. By medieval times, it had prospered, and its buildings rose high above its natural rock-wall defenses. The fortified city was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

 
Here's my husband in front of the Arch of Bezudo gate to the hilltop fortress with the Júcar River valley behind him.

The most-photographed view is on the east side over the Huécar gorge.

 
We had a nice hotel, the 350-year-old Posada de San José, in a room with a view. You can see the hotel in the photo of me, above my left arm.

We were there for the Fiestas de San Julián, which included concerts until 4 a.m. and athletic contests such as a foot race up the Huécar gorge and cliff to the fortress, and kayak races in the Júcar River.

In addition, we ate and drank well. Now, summer is over, and it's time to get back to work. I'm rested and ready.

— Sue Burke