Otavalo, Ecuador

October 26th- October 28th

We arrived in Quito, Ecuador at 12:30 pm.  After going through immigration and claiming our luggage, we met up with our driver German. In tote were his traditional Ecuadorian parents - it was great to be greeted with smiles and an immediate taste of the culture. Unfortunately, our conversation was kept to a few phrases because of our limited, rusty Spanish. Our ride to Otavalo was 90 min. north up and down the mountains. After arriving and settling in to our hostel, we met up with Peter (a former Vermonter) for dinner who we had connected with the previous week.  Our 3:00 am wake up hit us hard and we went back to the hostel and crashed.  The sounds of the city were definitely upon us: dogs barking, car alarms going off, thin hostel walls and an early morning set up of the market across the street. We spent the next day getting acquainted with the city and finding some food Eli and Asa would eat. In the afternoon we took a taxi ride and then walked to Peguche Falls, a waterfall just out of town. We walked home, again just trying to take in the city and the Ecuadorian life bustling around us.  We found a couple of futbol fields, in hopes of getting some playing time in later this week.  Wednesday, Peter picked us up by 7am  and we headed off to Fuya Fuya Mountain.  It stands 4275 meters above sea level and gave us great views of the surrounding area.

On our balcony looking out at the famous Otavalo market.

An 8am start with Pete on a beautiful morning.

Taking a break.  Altitude kicked in a bit for us.

A Polyepis tree, the highest elevation of tree growth in the world.

A view of Volcán Cayambe. Notice the glacier covered top.  One Brad is hoping to climb.

We took a few shortcuts and followed the cattle trail up. It was a bit slippery as you can see!

Half way back looking at Laguna Grande de Mojanda (crater lake).

In the middle right under the clouds you can see the city of Otavalo where we are staying.

 

At the summit of Fuya Fuya

Driving back to Otavalo you can see Fuya Fuya in the far back right.

October 29th -31st

Hanging out in town for the day.  We played some soccer,  got some exercise at the park and had pizza at night.

Laguna de Cuicocha
We found a place to rent us bikes for the day- $8 each.  I guess you get what you pay for... We had to change the break pads before leaving (they were down to metal), adjusted the breaks so they weren't rubbing on the tire and had to use only half the gears along the way so the chain didn't fall off (we had to fix Asa's chain twice).  We road 20 km (12 miles) UP hill. It was a gradual uphill, but still made for a tough ride, luckily it was a fast easy ride on the way down.  Great views along the way and luckily the dogs were pretty mellow- except for the one chasing a motorcycle while running beside Eli and Brad.

A beautiful hotel we have been staying in for the past two nights. Definitely more expensive then we wanted, but why not splurge every once in awhile!

 

Saturday morning is a huge market day in Otavalo. It is the biggest market in Equador. Locals and tourists pour into the city for the day. 

 

 

Vermont

October 16th- October 25th

Home sweet home. We arrived in Vermont on Friday afternoon, once again homeless (our house still rented). Fortunately, the Thompsen's graciously opened their home to us- again. The week was full of soccer games, appointments, connecting with friends, regrouping for the next phase and celebrating Eli's birthday. AND Eli squeezed in time to get his driving permit. One week before take off, we were a bit uncertain if we were actually going to go to Ecuador or fly somewhere else.  About a month earlier, we had already decided not to do the bike tour that we had planned.  Our whole trip was an 850 mile loop south of Quito around Cotopaxi which is now on a careful watch for volcanic activity.  We decided biking around would not be the best idea at this point. This decision left us with no plans. After talking to Peter (a connection we made down in Ecuador through Chad Yonkman- the family renting our house), we decided that we would continue on to Ecuador. Pete arranged an airport pick up and we were able to get grounded again. For now our first two weeks were planned.  The rest of our time... we will let happen as it comes. It was great to reconnect with friends and family and spend time with people other then just the four of us. It was a well needed rejuvenation. We also thank the Thompsens for their hospitality.  It was great spending the week with them!

                                                                                                                                 

Eli driving home after getting his permit.

Celebrating Eli's birthday at the McDougall's house.

A great night with cousins, Ben and David

Another celebration with Sarah, Kris, Bob, Gramps and Mimi

Colorado Tour

Tuesday, October 5th- Saturday, October 10th

We left Purgatory early Tuesday morning to get over Red Mountain Pass before it closed for the day.  There had been a rock slide and half the road disappeared so they were repairing it. We woke up to beautiful views: snow had covered the peaks and the fall foliage was at it's peak as the Aspens popped with their bright yellow leaves.

Driving towards Coalbank Pass.

Molas Pass

Dropping down into Silverton, Colorado.

Fruita, Colorado: fast becoming one of the best mountain biking spots in the west. 

This week we got to ride the trails in Fruita, Colorado. The first day we rode at the Kokopelli  trail system. I thought that the Kokopelli trails were ok but I did not like them that much.  The trails were pretty easy in some spots and then you would just come to one place where it got so technical all of a sudden you had to get off your bike and walk. You actually had to hike your bike one whole section of the canyon to get down.  Then after that the trail became easy and flowy. There were a few really fun rocky sections of the trail that had some small drops, and some nice rock gardens. The trail followed along the Colorado River.

That afternoon we went up to 18 road and got a campsite. After setting up, we went to ride one short trail called PBR (Pumps, Berms, Rollers). That trail was one of my favorites so far on the trip. There was nice smooth berms, and double and triple rollers that were prefect for jumping. The 18 road trails had two parking lots that are about two miles apart. There are one or two uphill trails then a few down hill trails and you can ride up or you can have someone shuttle you up. The next day Asa, mom and I rode Joes Ridge and then Mojo's. Right after we rode Mojo's Asa and I decided that was our new favorite trail. Later that day mom shuttled Asa and I on PBR and Joes Ridge to Mojo's and we did some filming. Joe's ridge is an awesome trail that is pretty short and  it is on this big ridge that goes from the top of a small mesa all the way down. The trail is really fast and in one spot it gets pretty steep. Mojo's is not that steep but still really fun. There are little lips (jumps) built all over the side of the trail that are really fun to boost.
-Eli

Kokopelli Trail, Fruita, CO

Brad, Eli and Asa were able to ride the first part of the drop down the canyon, but it soon became too steep and we had to carry our bikes.

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Once we dropped down, we rode along the Colorado River.

18 Road Trails

                                    (Gayle is always a little nervous watching the boys ride!) 

Colorado National Monument

Brad and a former student, Josh climbed Independence Monument.

 Edwards, Colorado
Brad and Eli did some local trails while Asa and Gayle scoped out the local skatepark.

 Avon, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado: climbing the famous Flat Irons

Brad lead us up the seven pitch climb. It was Gayle, Eli and Asa's first multi-pitch climb.

Views from the rock.

Tied in hanging out on the rock while Brad lead the next pitch.

We were on the third flat iron.  This is a view of the second protruding up.

Reaching the false summit.




We made it! The true summit.



Repelling down the back side.
 

It was hard to capture with the sun, but you can see the third flat iron we climbed sticking up in the background.

Pearl Street in Boulder, the same person designed Church Street in Burlington, VT.

Heading home...