Open call to anyone who would like to compete in the River-crossing Competition!!
(Rio Cinto – Mindo, Ecuador) —When I learned that a friend planned to trek to the high ridge across Rio Cinto, I asked if I could tag along. We agreed to meet at ten o’clock this past Saturday morning. Since the starting point was very near the property, I walked the short distance and arrived a few minutes before the rest of the group.
We planned to go to the top of that high point… well, we thought that might be the target!
…or was it there?? (Why were we trying to reach the top?)
New friends have a little vacation house somewhere on the ridge, and they have GOOD INTERNET reception! We planned to explore options for bouncing that signal down to the property…
The neighbors, who live in Quito, were unable to meet us (car trouble!) but their worker Lenin was there to guide us to their property.
Since I arrived first, Lenin showed me how to cross, then he patiently waited for my ‘landing’ on the far side.
Here’s a little background music to get us in the mood to swing!
Ready… Set… Let’s Go!!!
Hmmmm. Look up… Sure! Let’s Go!
Do you think this would pass OSHA requirements in the USA?
It has character, and it made us all smile!
Half way across, I motioned to Lenin that I would take a few photos… The landing on the far side was easy!
The area of the crossing was not quite so calm this past January!
Ater seeing me safely grounded on the far side, Lenin zipped back to assist the other members of the ‘Trekking Party’ who had just arrived.
Gary, David and Rolando were ‘all smiles’ as they prepared to cross Rio Cinto!
(Do the Olympic Games have River-crossing events?)
Final participant Rolando illustrates that childlike enthusiasm that we all experienced!
Swing secured, we embarked on a journey that would take us to the top of the mountain ridge.
Leaving around ten, we had no idea that it would be three in the afternoon before we returned to the starting point!
Stay tuned! Don’t change that channel!
How fun – hope you got the gold Amiga! 🙂
Lisa….I laughed all the way through this!! as you probably already know I was there in spirit and could feel my presence!! You know how that would have been with the two of us……want to do it again??? let me know am finally back in Panama will try and email you soon with the experiences I had there…..sad and smiles!! Hugs… BB
Indeed a gold medal for a team effort.
Great escapade Amiga. Hugs
Si.. that would probably be great medicine for you as well! Thanks!
Z, thanks for sharing your excursion. Keith
It was a rewarding one… Photos are ready for the follow-up post, but it’s best to write it offline at the property and share later in the month….
Quite an adventure, Z, and one that looks like fun. I had to laugh at the OHSA part. I think you all get the team gold. And I love “Sultans of Swing.”
janet
Si, we all seem to laugh more down here — compared to when we had to be careful and comply with safety regulations! I am glad, however, to have been schooled in safety, as it only takes one wrong step to change a great experience into a horrid one.
That looks like fun…now, not earlier in the year.
I’ve been lucky, and have taken some very challenging treks lately.. So far, the nickname ‘Mountain Goat’ has been appropriate!
Hmmm…”rusty and rickety”, the ONLY way to fly!
With zero qualms of accidents… That system was strong!
Wow, that looks an amazing experience, I’m very envious.
It was a lot of fun but was also a challenging trek.. Will be sharing that story soon, I hope.
Me Gusta Este Blog – “playamart”.
Your post reminds me of the descriptions of the river crossings in The Mapmaker’s Wife, which I finished a couple of days ago.
Glad you were able to get the copy… While scrolling thru photos from the past week, I’ve thought of you many times.. So much info for the tourists, if they know where to stop! I had a great person, a geologist, who took me to some places of interest.
So much to share, and so little time online!
Better to live it now while you can and describe it later when there’s some down time for reflection and analysis.
Looked like fun !
Haha! I just got my internet up and running after two weeks of withdrawal. I sure enjoyed this post. Can’t wait to read the next one.