The most unexpected part of the day actually came after we returned from the ride. Raye and I hiked into the canyon behind our hotel. We followed a stream all the way back to the point it comes up out of the ground in a spring called Font Viva. It was a beautiful, intimate spring set far back into the rocks, and we were delighted to actually find it. The water was as cold as ice and clear as glass. We could see smooth round rocks of all sizes lying beneath the surface, and a leaf floating slowly along the water’s edge. In the stillness of the canyon, we could hear a tiny sound emanating from the water as it spilled over a few of the rocks and into a small pool below. So peaceful. I thought about some of the pristine waterways in Arkansas that are well known and well loved by many, both for recreation as well as relaxation. We are blessed to live in a part of the country that is home to such natural beauty. Riding motorcycles through it is one of our greatest pleasures.

After a hot shower and a quick check of email, once again we gather with our companions on the deck overlooking the farmland surrounding the hotel as well as the valley beyond. It is yet another stunning sunset, and we unwind from the day until it is nearly gone before moving inside for dinner. The food is all locally grown or caught, depending on what you ordered. I enjoyed another fantastic meal of foix gras, veal stew, cream cake and espresso. The cabernet is from a local vineyard, and we are all very impressed with its quality. One of our friends from California has quite the palate as well as the nose for great wine. With his blessing, we all declare it a find and are determined to take home some of this hearty, robust Spanish wine, Castell Del Remei 2005 Gotim Bru.

Sleep comes easily for Raye, but I cannot rest. I stand out on our balcony this evening and drink it all in. Even under the stars, this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. In fact, the Pyrenees countryside shines more brightly at night. I finally lie down quietly singing a song that seems well suited for the moment: “It’s a wonderful night for a moondance…” Leave it to Van Morrison to know just what to say.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with twisties – tight turns – leading us through the base of the Pyrenees Mountains. Today we just got our legs under us, so we only rode about 150 miles. We had a rest stop at a motorcycle museum that all the guys really loved. Then by early evening we arrived in a tiny town called Peramola, near a cross-roads that leads further into the Pyrenees. On the edge of town was our hotel, the Can Boix. www.canboix.cat.

This charming European hotel was a welcome site for us. There is a small church on the property, which is actually a farm, a vine-covered walkway, plenty of amenities like tennis courts and a pool – even a helicopter landing pad, which gives you an idea of its popularity as well as its remote location. Our rooms are very spacious, have hardwood floors, marble bathrooms and the view into the valley from our balcony is postcard-perfect. The hotel has a delightful history, built by the Pallares family in the early 1900s to attract families on holiday from the larger cities in the region. The Pallares family still runs it today, and the land has been in their family since the 1700s.

We spent the evening becoming much better acquainted with our fellow riders and found ourselves still laughing and talking well after 1 a.m. Of course European dinners don’t even begin until 8:30 or 9 p.m., so it’s not as bad as it seems. Plus, our companions are bright, engaging and accomplished individuals each in their own right, and our conversations about their work, their families, their lives — and most importantly their riding experiences! — was a pure joy. We met a Wall Street investment banker, an Oxford law student, a CEO, several attorneys, a successful real estate entrepreneur, an orthodontist, an endodontist (root canals) from California who is really a vintner-to-be, a construction superintendent, a gentleman who runs a plastics company, a lovely lady who used to work in public relations believe it or not, and several other unique and enjoyable individuals. On top of all that, one of our guides plays guitar and sings, so we were serenaded during our after-dinner espressos.

I leave dinner with a gratefulness about our companions. If you are very lucky in life, you might meet a few people like this, but rarely all at once and in such a magical setting like Europe. You come on the trip for the ride, so having a shot at making new friends like this is just a bonus. I think we scored big time.