![Sow covered mountains behind the mosque at Gombe](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2812.jpg)
We took a day away from boat chores yesterday and rented a car and explored nearby sites with Melinda and Dave of Sassoon. A nice Fiat 4-door sedan is only 25 euros this time of year. Our trip took us west along the D400 coast highway past Kalkan to the beach and ancient Lycian city of Patara. The Lycian civilization goes back more than 3000 years. On the way we stopped for a look at Kaputas Beach in between KaÅŸ and Kalkan. From Patara we took the road up into the mountains to the small town of Gombe, locally famous for its cherries, apples, and other orchard fruit. At Patara Beach it was 72 F and sunny, the warmest day this year, but 90 minutes away in Gombe the mountains were covered in snow and we were wearing coats over our fleeces, with warm hats. The road down to KaÅŸ from Gombe was particularly beautiful — covered in pines, views of snow capped peaks, and the occasional herd of goats crossing the road. We left the marina at 10 am and were back at 7 pm the same day.
![Kaputas Beach on the KaÅŸ - Kalkan road](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2765.jpg)
![Laura at the ancient Lycian temple at Patara](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2781.jpg)
![Temple coliseum at Patara](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2778.jpg)
![Some friendly your Americans who just finished hiking the Lycian Trail (Patara)](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2773.jpg)
![On the road above Kalkan](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2795.jpg)
![View from the barrage (dam) at Gombe](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2801.jpg)
![The trail above Gombe](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2822.jpg)
![The trail above Gombe](https://sabbatical3.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN2817.jpg)
The boat is almost ready to put to sea. Easterly winds are predicted for Sunday and Monday and we will use that opportunity to sail to Goekova Limani, the long, narrow bay on which the city of Datca is located. We will leave at 1 am Sunday or Monday morning so we can still arrive in daylight at our destiination.
M.
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