Author: randy

Continuing with the second half of our road trip.

So after being chicken and turning back on the 4×4 road we headed towards Otovalo. Daniela said our choices were Lagunas Monjanda which we had been to or a new place to us called Cubilche. I voted for the new place. A dirt road destination not to far from the town.

Cubilche is a group of small lakes on top of the surrounding mountains. It reminded me of some of the high alpine lakes above Markleeville CA. One of my favorite areas in California. Can easily spend week fishing for golden trout and doing some local hiking there. Just breath takingly beautiful and one of my favorite spots in the world.

Back to Cubilche. The hike was short, only 3km and it should have taken a little more than an hour. Took me 2 hours. I’m not sure of the starting elevation but the summit was 3840m (12,596 ft). The trail was all up hill. The others didn’t even slow down but it was a good work out for me. We arrived at the first lake just a the sun was going down.

Had some light rain overnight, nothing too hard. In the morning I got up early and hiked to the ridge to watch the sunrise. When the others got up they went for a short hike then we headed down the hill. Of course I was trailing behind everyone on the way down. It did make me feel good to see some of the locals I passed that were heading up doing a little huffing and puffing of their own. Nice trip but again a little quick. I would have liked to camp another night. Guess who was the dummy that forgot the camp stove in the car. A first for me on a overnight hike was that we carried full cans of beer back down!

Thanks again to Daniela for finding interesting and beautiful places off the beaten path to check. I’m also thankful to her and her friends for putting up with my lack of the Espanola language and putting up with me in general. I have been picking it up slowly but not very well. Makes me feel like a shunsho. I have been very lucky having so many wonderful people around me!

You all go out have a wonderful day now. God bless.

Last weekend we did a little road trip in Suave Monjita. It was the first weekend in a month that travel was permitted because of covid. I was a little stir crazy. The group included Daniela, Karlita, Andres, Bernardo, Jefferson and myself.

Our first stop was Parque Arqueologico Cochasqui. The park is the most important complex of pre-Columbian and pre-Inca Empire ruins in northern Ecuador. They are about 30 kilometers northeast of Quito at an elevation of 3040 meters (9970ft).

The park covers 84 hectares (210 acres). It consists of 15 pyramids and 21 burial mounds. The pyramids are made of soft volcanic rock and would not have survived except that they became covered in grass. They were constructed by the Cari or/and Caranqui people between 950AD and 1530 AD.

One pyramid that was uncovered included solar and lunar calenders. They think that 3000 people lived there at one time. Nothing is really known about the people and their culture.

It was very interesting and reminded me of the mounds I have seen in the mid-west. Monks mound outside of Saint Louis seemed very similar and nothing is known of those people either.

When we left we headed to Lagunas Monjanda which we had been to before but not from this direction. It was 17 kilometers of dirt road in 4 wheel drive. We made it around half way when I chickened out. I did not feel like getting stuck in the mud without a shovel or winch. When it dries out a little I want to return to complete the drive to the lake.

Papallacta is a small town a little over an hour from here known for it’s many hot springs. To get there you take a road that eventually ends up in the Amazon. The road passes through some small villages and ascends to over 4000m (13,123 ft.) then down into town at 3250m (10,662 ft). Interesting fact is that the town is supplied with hot water from the volcano.

It was Rodrigo’s birthday and Rosario invited Luchi, Alfonso, Daniela, Elena and I. Unfortunately the doctor said Elena should stay home since she is still recovering from Covid. (and doing very well)

If was a wonderful spa with multiple pools kept at 36c (around 97 Degrees) with one small pool with cold river water. We spent 5 hours or so soaking it all up hopping from pool to pool before heading back. The cost was 9 bucks (half price if over 65) and you can spend from 6am until 10:30pm if you wish.

When we stopped at a reservoir on the way home I gave the four each a two dollar bill for their birthdays. They are rare in Ecuador.

It was a wonderful day and even though it was overcast and misting we all managed to get a sun burn. Gringo got it the worst.

Daniela invited me on a couple bike rides last week. One to Cumbaya to the towns reservoir. The other around Conocoto in which we visited Armenia Park. a city park that she had never been to. The park reminded me of California in some ways. Lots of pine trees with their roots exposed. They are not native to the country. There were quite a few people on the trails. I will stop there again to do some more exploring when I am in the neighborhood.

I gave Luchi a ride home in the sidecar the other night. She was at Rosario’s store and needed to get home before the 8pm curfew. She was a little hesitant but it was cheaper than a cab. I think this is our last week of curfew.

David took Borigar to work and gave him a good clipping. That dog loves the mud!

I bought a used suit jacket and tie for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on May 23rd. It is a charity ride for men’s health that takes place around the world. Just checked and because of covid in Quito this year it is a solo event instead of a group ride. That sucks but I will ride somewhere.

The family continues working on the hotel/restaurant addition. Hopefully it will open soon.

Best news is that Elena is getting much healthier and back to her happy self!!!! She enjoyed mother’s day. Daniela gave her a bottle of Ecuadorian wine that I would like to try.

Have a wonderful day!

Most of the Chawarmishsky we harvest gets drunk each day especially if super sweet. There are some days that a little is left over. We have been saving it and letting it ferment. The natural has quite a bite. Rosario mentioned that sugar should be added to take a little bite away. Daniela added white sugar and brown sugar to a third each of the batch. I am looking forward to see how it tastes in a couple of weeks. There were days where we harvested over 3 liters a day but it is down about two liters a day now. We have been doing this now for 5 weeks and I don’t think we have much longer left before the plant is played out.

The plastic bottles have taken new shapes because of the pressure. When you open them to release the gas you have to be careful or they kind of explode.

It was a great day. Next time I would like to roam around a little more. There is a waterfall near by that I want to check out. Icing on the cake was hardly anyone else around. Because of that it felt like it was off the beaten path even while being so close to the city. I loved that aspect! The hawk is a Gavilan and the white tail is a Caracara Curiquingue.

Thanks Daniela and Mateo for taking me along!

A Gavilan hawk decided to check us out. Daniela’s snow woman looked more like a snow woman zombie.

Well being on lock down from 8pm Friday night until 5am Monday morning for a month sucks. Also there is a curfew from 8pm until 5am during the week in over half the providence’s.

So I am a little stir crazy. I mentioned to Daniela that I need to get out of town and she suggested Guagua. On Thursday she had no classes and neither did Mateo so off we went.

The drive there to where we parked the car was around 2 hours from the house. You pass through a wonderful little village named Lloa on the way. Almost 1 hour on dirt road with some 4 wheel drive needed because of mud. We passed the parking lot and continued up the volcano almost to base camp. Parked the car around 4400 meters in altitude (14,400 ft).

It was just a short walk to the summit at 4630 meters (15,190 ft). Are was a little thin but it was fun. I want to to go back and tackle the nearby summits maybe even Rucu.

Even got to play in the snow. Just what the doctor ordered!

Mateo painted Borigar and I getting some wind therapy. A wonderful surprise, very cool. I love Bori’s smile. Thanks Mateo!

Some deep thoughts. The weather here has been nice during the day with rain in the evenings. Last nights April’s showers put me into a melancholy state of mind. Borigar must have noticed for my bedroom door was cracked. He would wander in and out during the evening then just came in a planted himself on the floor. For the first time ever I let him spend the night. It is 5am and he is snuggled up on the bed as I look out the window at the fog. He has been mellow like he senses I just need the warmth of his touch.

So to explain why I am feeling this way I need to start at the beginning of the month. Everything was fine with everyone and I did get my bike for some wind time. It started slowly with Elena not feeling well for a week or so then Edwin came down with a cough. They both had been working hard burning the candle from both ends on the new business. Long story short they both tested positive for covid. The hospitals here are full and currently we are in lockdown for the next 3 weekends.

Just so you know the home is now covid free and no one has needed to be hospitalized. Everyone is going to be just fine. Elena has taken it the hardest being pretty much stuck in bed for 3 weeks and very weak. She is on the road to recovery but it will take some time. Edwin was down for a couple of weeks. Weak and with a good cough but is now back to work. Mateo had some symptom’s early on and was slowed down for a week. He really did not want to admit he was sick. Same with Daniela. She has had a small cough for a couple weeks and it is slowly getting better. They are all both strong in will and body. David and I never had any symptom’s.

It was a tough month. The family did a great job taking care of each other. I tried to be helpful but the best I could do is stay out of the way. There were more than a few nights I had water in my eyes before I fell to sleep. When Elena was so weak it really hurt to see the worry on everyone’s face, especially Edwin’s. I know the feeling when there is nothing you can do for your love.

I am so happy to say that everyone will be fine! It is so nice to see the smiles returning to everyone’s faces and life getting back to normal.

For me the experience has been one of memories, thoughts of family, friends and many prayers. I really asked why not me. Why always the people I care about around me but “not me”. Of all the people I’m the one not needed if you can understand that. Please just accept that statement for how I feel about life I don’t need to be told different. I am content with my life and would give it willingly if it would help someone. Who knows maybe I will get covid later. I admit there were times while by myself I felt alone. I don’t feel that way often but this month it hit home a few times. I have lost so much meaning of my life in April over the years. This year Greg passed away and his celebration of life is May1st. I will miss him.

I hope that this has not sounded like I am feeling sorry for myself that is not how I meant it to come across. I really just wanted to put the emotions out there to get them out of my system. I have had a very rich life and hope to continue God willing.

To my family and friends I want to thank you all for the warmth you bring my heart. You give meaning to my life. You are the richness and I offer my love in humble in appreciation.

God Bless

PS. Thanks Borigar I needed that.