We’ve been anchored under the caldera in the background (photo above) off and on now for more than two weeks. This morning, when Katy and Kirk Braun from nearby Interlude knocked on the hull and announced a climb in the afternoon, it did not take us long to accept. We had a drawing that had to be finished, a stack of e-mails to answer, and it was time to pack our gear.

Getting high behind the anchorage opened up series of new views in all quadrants.

Of course there is a volcano to climb, with steep slopes.

Katy and Kirk were very patient with our constant stops to take in the views, which were numerous, as the hike which would normally take them two hours drifted in to a leisurely four.

Did we mention the slopes were steep?

This is a desert-like environment. The occasional scrub dots the landscape.

With here and there a tiny flower.

To the north is another volcanic cone.

Looking to the Northwest is a high relief island, swathed in blue sky and bluer sea.

The most prevalent flora are lichens. These remind us of the Arctic.

Gaining the crest of the volcano the anchorage is laid out below us. Wind Horse is lower right, Interlude, with her topside stripe is bottom left.

It is always a treat to see one’s yacht from on high. But the wet atmosphere made for less than sharp photos.

Interlude looks pretty good here (from lower down at the end of the hike).

Looking across the channel at Lanzarote, the cliffs have us thinking of the Marquesas Islands in the eastern South Pacific (and their delicious pamplamouse).

Walking along the ridgeline the views keep getting better.

Katy (right), Kirk, and Linda at the summit.

And your intrepid authors.

There is a lookout before we begin our decent, the hard part of the day in the loose soil.

While gulls wheel overhead on the orthographic lift.

On the way back the Guardia is on patrol.

And then, with the sun low in the west, perfect light.

We’re going to sleep well tonight.

Post script: although our leg muscles and toes are sore, the scramble up and down was more than worth the effort and hanging out with friends for an afternoon adventure was a treat. The spontaneous nature of the occasion, starting with that knock on the hull, is one of the things we love about cruising.