After a week in the sea and then the ocean, soaking up more than our share of vitamin D, we left Rio Hato for one last adventure in Panama. At the heat of midday, we set out and headed 40 miles north, up curvy roads that ascended into the cooler mountains of El Valle. The days were still warm but not as hot as the beach or the concrete walkways of the city. While I prefer higher digits, it was a nice respite to head to the hills. El Valle afforded perfect temperatures (70 something during the day) but at night, similar to Bay Area, a windy fog rolled in just before sunset making the air cool and crisp.
El Valle is a peaceful, lush valley surrounded by rivers and national park. While the highlight there was to stay with some rescued sloth, we still found the town to be quite special.
For two days we walked or cycled to find food (it was wonderful to not set foot in a car), a thermal bath or to see about horseback riding. Our hosts, Ursula and Harry, at our loding were more than accommodating with steering us in the right direction for all those things.
El Valle also had something that is on my 'must do' list on any traveling adventure; a local market. El Valle's sweet market was complete with both foods and crafts for sale. A local market speaks volumes about the area and the El Valle market told us that the town served both the local and tourist populations, which seemed smaller rather than larger, yet provided just about anything one might need.
During a solo hike at dawn, I found myself daydreaming that I could easily spend extended periods of time in the mountain town of El Valle. Green, lush, plentiful flowers and warm people, it seemed a great place for us to return one day. And when we left, we had rich memories that would stay with us for more than an extended stay.
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| Only Amara and I wanted to check out the thermal baths. We had to bike quite a ways and for Amara it was a bit feat. She did amazing! |
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| When I saw our faces with clay from the baths, I gave an impromptu lesson about black face in the USA. That moment of silliness along with seriousness was also a good lesson about life having alot of grey areas. |
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We went for an hour and a half horse ride along narrow country roads, up to a national park. The horses were quite relaxed the whole time, stopping to eat grass and plants all along the way. On the way back, however, my horse Ferdinand took off and we near galloped all the way home! Don, he was opted to hike along side while we rode!
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Harry helped us get to and from the horses with Amara riding on the back of his two person bicycle.
Here he is on our return. |
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| Don had to ride Havana old school style. She wouldn't walk and she is not yet that proficient in solo riding! While the weather was color than the coast, it was still quite toasty and Don got quite the workout that day! |
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| TV time back in our flat! (Spanish cartoons were a hit!) |
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| Papa sloth |
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