We began our Saturday walking up the "911" stairs at 5:30 a.m. to meet our Cajas National Park bird-watching tour group. We met at 6:00. There were 6 (including our guide Carlos). We were driven to the entrance of the park and began our hike at 9,500 ' around a beautiful lake and meadow. We saw many beautiful birds and flowers. Our guide had downloaded software on his phone of the 'songs' of hundreds of birds in the area. He would "call" a bird and it would call back and come. Some of the trail was out in the open in the meadow and part of the trail was under a canopy of overlapping trees. We came upon a German Brewery. It had been shut down during WWII and the people made to leave Ecuador. Llamas and Alpacas were grazing in the meadow and along the mountainside. We hiked (sometimes slowly and breathing heavily or barely) from 7:00 until noon. By this time we had liked up to about 10,000' and back down (circling around the lake) to 9,500'. We had a lunch that had been prepared by the touring office. We drove to another mountain-winding entrance at 12,000' and walked a short distance. There was this incredible view and more birds of different species. We had gone prepared with umbrella and rain poncho. The sky was beautiful and the weather was dry and perfect. We had only walked about 30 steps and I bent down to get a better look at this beautiful flower, and boy did my head spin. I said "that's it for me" - no higher. I was so proud of John, he was really a "trekker", however, we may not do this again - but we were really glad we went. Carlos was hoping we would see at least 40 species - we saw 34. We had also hoped to see the Condors flying. There is a nest on a ledge on the side of the mountain.
Well, I could go on and on about the beautiful view, the fresh air and the healthy (though tired) bodies.
The folks we have talked to around here say the locals are pleased with what the President is doing for the country. He is strengthening the infrastructure. We are seeing a lot of new construction.
We are well and learning more of the customs and Spanish each day. We still have not left the city proper (except the Cajas Mountains), but plan to take the bus out and around. Hard to pace yourself when you want to see lots and experience much.
We hope all of you are doing well - we do miss you all and are so blessed by your friendships.
Let us hear from you.
Will send pictures of some of the birds and plants in next post.
Hasta la vista,
J & J
The Greatest Commandment--
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
