Fishing and UFO's

Michael had been invited to go fishing with a neighbor a few times, and each time it was on very short notice, and we had something else planned for the day.  The other morning, at about 7:45 a.m. there was a banging at our front door, and there was our neighbor asking Michael to go fishing, we made some sandwiches, some Coca tea (for the elevation) and packed a few munchies for the trek.  They said they would be back around 5:00 and off they went.  The rest is Michael's.

We rode into the Caja's, after about 40 minutes we were high in the Andes, I saw several groups of pack horses scattered along the roadside.  I was told that these were animals belonging to families that live 2 -3 hrs back in the mountians with no roads.   Everything is carried in and out by horse, usually one person stays with the horses, while the families go into Cuenca to buy supplies.  Tough life of hard working people.

 When we got to our destination, or what I thought was our destination, we turned off the road for another 15 or 20 minute drive up the side of a mountian.  The road was really rough, the car kept bottoming out, Patricio (my neighbor) and I got out to guide his brother around the deep ruts, while holding bowling ball size rocks to put under the tires in the event that the car started to roll backwards, I was getting a real laugh out of this.

We finally got to where we would leave the car at rural farm house made of earthen stone (abode brick) and a straw roof, with chickens and ducks running around.  I looked back down over  the switch backs we had just driven up, the cars on the road below looked like matchbox toys!!! A check of my GPS showed we were just above 10,000 feet elevation. 

 Hiking in to  the Lakes

We started hiking into the mountains and it was ALL up hill.  I swore to myself I would keep up with these guys and was really happy that I did. Each time I felt I was ready for a break I just kept saying to myself "5 more minutes". After about 45 minutes, a lake was finally in site.  I was so relieved, but Patricio say "Oh no Mike this is lake #1 , small fish,  we are going to lake #5".  OH MY GOD I thought, but on we went.

Lake # 1



Lake #3


Lake #5

During the hike in I realized just what a outstanding place I was in, the beauty really moved me.  It was like nothing I had experienced before and really wished Anne was with me to see it.  We got to lake #5 an hour and a half later, total hike was about 2hrs and 20 minutes, we were at 13,400 feet elevation, no wonder I had such a hard time breathing.   The lake we came upon was big, calm and crystal clear. It started to lightly rain, but I didn't care, I was fishing.  I pulled out my  trusted Patagonia Rain jacket and thought this is a bit tight, then I realized it was Anne's not mine!!! Thank God I lost weight or the jacket would have never zipped, but it did and I was warm and toasty.

Beautiful Scenery

The fishing started, we met up with other relatives of Patricios, everyone spread out.  This lake is huge with rolling hills all around, I couldn't see where the others were,  we just communicated by whistling.  This is a lake where these guys usually catch large numbers of trout (rainbow/browns), but after 4 hrs I only had ONE. As we gatherded to leave I didn't feel bad, the other guys had also only caught one or two, I didn't care, it was a great day. The hike out wasn't bad, mostly down hill and with the sun going down behind the peaks everything had an orange glow, it was great.

Hiking back out of the Caja's

Back at the farm house we were invited in to have tea and warm up while we waited for everyone to return. It was getting dark and at that altitude the temp was dropping fast.  We sat around in an old kitchen, with an open fire in the corner and meat hanging from the ceiling smoking.  Our hosts were wonderful,  an older gentlemen and his wife.  She wore the traditional red wool skirt ,with thick wool shawls around her  shoulders, jogging pants and wellies, and a thick wool hat with a marijuana leaf on the front. 

Now remember, my Spanish is very limited so  I missed most of the tales being told, but Patricio did his best to translate for me.  There were two small children, maybe 4 and 5 years old and I gave them some hard candy and a pack of gum I had.  Their eyes grew and the biggest smiles I ever saw came across their faces. Grandma smiled also and came over and took me by the hand and led me over to the corner where the fire was.  She told the guy that was already sitting there to move, I was given his place.  I guess it was the warmest seat in the house, it was her way of saying thanks for treating her grandchildren to sweets.  A few hours went by of tea drinking and telling stories, I understood some but missed alot.  I listened to the farmer tell a tale about something, and all I understood was that 3 days ago something happened, but the rest I had no clue.  I guess the puzzled look on my face let them them know I didn't understand, so his wife starts waving a dish above her head and the farmer was swinging his arms around.  I had no idea what was going on!  Then my friend Patricio said "You know - ET, ET, how you say UFO?".  I came to learn that there are many sightings in that area, they all shook their heads in agreement and claimed to have seen UFO's at one time or another.  I didn't see any, if I ever do, I promise I will let you know.

I wish I had taken pictures of the house and family, but I didn't want to be rude.  Maybe next time.

So after a very enjoyable evening we packed up the cars to go into the freezing cold and pitch black night.  One car woudn't start so everyone was pushing, one pop of the clutch and it roared to life.  Down the the road and thru the Andes back to Cuenca.  What a great day.  My muscles were aching but my face had a giant smile. It was about 10pm by the time I made it to our front door, so much for being home by 5pm.  I was tired, hungry and my legs felt like rubberbands but I wouldn't have changed a thing.  It was a wonderful day and I feel privileged to have spent a day like that.   I can't wait to do it again.