Another Mini-Van

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Just back from Ecuador, we hit the road for a quick family visit to Orlando. My 2010 Odyssey, merrily carting me over 100,000, broke down near a Honda dealer in Tampa. It served me well, but long story short, we traded it in for a new van.

With the soccer and hockey days long gone, I was wondering if a fourth mini-van is necessary in life. Alas, I realized, the schlepping is not over.

Keeping in traditional fashion, a couple thousand mile test drive is in order. Another road trip is just around the bend. Follow the action here. Err, hopefully, not too much action.

Roses and Rainbow

More from the mountain region. And then the fabulous finale of the trip: the Galapagos...

There was very little connectivity while touring the Galapagos Islands, and pictures can't capture the remarkable experience. It was a great trip.

Pictures from the Andes

Hats at a market, beautiful children, mountain town, ice merchant with daughter.

Highlights from the Andes

New friends Frances and Tom with us for the entire journey, scene from a club car, teak tree plantation, cacao seeds, old friends Pat and Glenn.

Cotopaxi

Extreme hiking was on the agenda Wednesday. We transferred by bus on the Pan-American Highway to Cotopaxi National Park. At the park, we hiked a couple of trails to view the active volcano with the same name. Our guide was telling us that the peak has been covered with clouds for the past three week, but the peak was almost in full view at our arrival.

While walking on the trail, Bill's ForeFlight app on the cell issued a warning that supplemental oxygen may be necessary. We were approaching 13,000. We all laughed.

Real pictures coming soon. Killer pace.

On to Quito

Stay tuned for some amazing pictures when we will have more technical options available this evening to upload real photos from the Canon. We are going up over 12,000 feet today and then on to the big city.

Roses and More Roses

Our little train climbed to just about 12,000 feet before noon. The train is revered by this population that depends greatly on tourism. All along the roadside people congregate and stop what they are doing to smile and wave at the passing Tren Crucero.

It was a little chilly at our stop in Urbina, where we were treated to a presentation from the only remaining ice merchant in the region.

There are 26 people on our train, most are from the U.S., but a few other countries are represented. Well into day three, we have become a friendly group.

We had a lovely lunch in one of the only surviving structures from the earthquake of 1949 in Ambato. Then on to Navado Rose plantation for a fascinating presentation on the rose production process from seed to ship.

We returned to the train for the final push to Latacunga only to find a dozen roses at my seat. A sweet anniversary present from the Tren Crucero crew.

The tour guides also arranged for a spectacular upgrade on our room at Hacienda La Ciénega. A memorable anniversary indeed.

Twenty-Five Years of Marital Bliss

I'm not sure if the pounding in my chest is due to the high altitude or our wedding anniversary.

Feeling refreshed after our respite in a most unusual (bizarre) and historically significant La Andaluza Hosteria in Riobamba, we will continue our climb from 9000 feet today.

The rose petals in our room upon check-in last night had nothing to do with our celebration. We entered the rose production capital of Ecuador.

Today, I will carry the sweet card my sister, Mary Ann, sent on Friday as a reminder of all the adventures I've shared with my most amazing husband since our official Union on 7/7/90.

Entering the Andes Region

Our sweet little engine that could climbed into the vast and beautiful mountains dividing Ecuador. We were all amazed at how populated and productive the region appeared.

There were plenty of animals and crops along the day's journey. We rolled through small villages and large cities.

Several stops afforded opportunities to walk through markets and fields and learn about the indigenous people, costumes, blue agave, quinoa, alpaca and llama. It is a fascinating tour of the Andes.

La Danesa Hacienda is Awesome

Sunday's post was incomplete and interrupted because of the poor internet connection.

We're heading out of the coastal region and into the mountains today. Tren Trucero is a deluxe mode of travel. It carries up to 54 passengers in only four cars.

Leaving the coast, the evidence of poverty was overwhelming. We felt like celebrities as the train rolled past the little urban villages, with children and parents waving enthusiastically.

Lunch at La Danesa Hacienda was stunning! We were entertained by dancers and educated on teak and cacao production.

We ended the day at Hosteria D'Franco in Bucay. It was the best in the area, which isn't saying much for the hotel. Moving on!

Guayaquil to Bucay

The Oro Verde Hotel was the perfect end to our day of travel to Guayaquil, a large, commercial port city. Breakfast was at 6:30am on Sunday, followed by a quick shuttle ride to the train station.

MIA

Our neighbor and friend, Dick, introduced us to Global Airport Parking: 

"Global Airport Parking provides travelers the most affordable and convenient parking in over 100 airports and seaports."

Google it! Big savings for parking; especially long term. We parked at the Hilton and boarded our shuttle. With all the hype and terror from ISIS threats going down on the Fourth of July, we breezed through the TSA in what was the most uneventful screening ever. 

The American Express lounge treated us to lunch, drinks and chair massages before we were united with long time friends and travel companions from NJ, Pat and Glenn!

We're off! So long USA!

Civil Unrest in Ecuador May Greet the Rogers and the Pope

If it isn't Obama on the Vineyard, it's the Pope in Quito. We tend to find ourselves among high-profile visitors in our travels. The above picture is from the story in The New York Times this morning describing how some Ecuadorians, disenchanted with their president, are using the Pope's visit to Quito on Tuesday to get their message out. Hope we miss the drama.

Baby Eagle Rescued in Naples

A juvenile eagle appeared in distress as Will and friends were out and about in Naples on July 4th. The quick thinking kids made a few phone calls, wrapped the wounded creature in a jacket and delivered it to an animal hospital. Happy Independence Day!

Pre-Trip Prep

Serious stuff

Treated clothes hanging to dry in garage

Minimal schlepping

The clothes have been sprayed with a serious dousing of insect repellent. After a day or so drying in the humidity of the sub-tropics, the bare essentials have been packed for an expedition into nature.

After all my years of blogging and sharing mobile travel journals, I was able to put this site together pretty quickly before our jaunt.

As long as we encounter internet connections from time-to-time, I should be able to share some of the sights and sounds of the diverse country of Ecuador.

Join us on an adventure through the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands.