3 hrs, 10.0 kms



Down the road, there are two fellows following me—but these are clearly respectable, middle aged men, so no worries . In fact, I slow my pace so we can chat for a bit, which they seem happy to do. Fortunately, the scenery along this stretch is actually quite nice, as is the weather, so it doesn't seem so bizarre that an out of towner like me be hiking alongside the highway. Finally, just before we reach the next village, they bid farewell and disappear into the fields, so I quickly duck into an orchard for another quick parkbench session dedicated to my last town before exploring this next one.

Qulut is on ridge off to the side, and although I do have a clear deadline, I figure I should go ahead and explore it—and I’m glad I do. It’s actually a pretty active little village, with fellow chilling out in a scruffy little café. They call me over to ask me what I’m doing "Gheer candoor bash nshoof eltaabiaa" (I’m just wandering around to enjoy the nature” seems to be an acceptable response. On up the dirt street are butcher shops, a carpentry shop, miscellanous stores and of course a mosque—lots of people out and about . It feels like a true Meknes region farm town which, despite being so close to Meknes is a mini commercial “hub” of its own.

After walking up to the end and down a narrow street through the center, I continue on my way. I go around a bend, and am greeted by yet another vast sea of green. It seems that the highway does a looong loop around this valley and the works it’s way up the hills on yonder side. I calculate that the far end of the road is maybe 5 kilometers away (it’s 6). It’s a pleasant, peaceful walk, especially since there’s a stretch of trees lining the road for part of the way.

Finally I reach the wooded hills at the far side where there are a couple villages perched on the steep slopes that have been beckoning me ever since Meknes. It wouldn’t be too far out of my way to hike up there and check them out… but no, I decide not to. I still have painful memories of my Skoura to Toundout hike two weeks ago which kind of wiped me out because I tried to push myself to hard. I think just making it to Moulay Driss will be enough of an accomplishment for today.

A little later I see a sign saying that one of the villages is “Sidi Ali”. I’m guessing that that there’s a spring there which is the source for Morocco’s most popular bottled water, Sidi Ali. Maybe I’ll come back here someday and add a little sidetrip to Sidi Ali to my Superhike. Maybe.