https://www.thebigfriend.com/storm daily 0.75 2016-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cb3e0bf85082a807c001fe/1456171157330-Z5XVKCTPUYUE2AD94EVD/MatthiasHeiderich-082-2500x1875.jpg Nepal - Trekking Photos by Matthias Heiderich. https://www.thebigfriend.com/water daily 0.75 2016-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cb3e0bf85082a807c001fe/1456169868489-UIB361MRNY1FU5QNU3NF/MatthiasHeiderich-SpektrumZwei023.jpg Japan - 0 Water / October 2015 Photos by Matthias Heiderich. https://www.thebigfriend.com/france-01-paris daily 0.75 2018-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532762662993-RFLA4LRA5XZJQI1NB3U0/20180703-P7030172.jpg France - Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760530721-G863IDBVZILBBGWA3BP4/20180702-P7020052.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Summer living… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760599327-1ZKG4IQWRXNLCO86GQ6B/20180702-P7020059.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Views from the ferris wheel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760625108-THR5ATQZCNZKNDH3T5SJ/20180702-P7020069.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Worth it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794546311-9PO1VDXCJFIG8CPUH17F/20180702-2018-07-02+18.57.17.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris First meal! We learned that most places in France close after lunch and don’t open for dinner until 7pm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794953776-RM8ZLTVVE9MMHN9Z1CTC/20180702-2018-07-02+19.05.09.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Hey, there’s bread behind me! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794967541-06K669PX021BE33I8PLZ/20180702-2018-07-02+19.23.11.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Bon appetit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760496541-Y0YW3HEWJFXKAKHYDMCL/20180702-P7020048.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris How I feel about our current political state. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760468393-YYMH6PCLDJLXXUPNWHIL/20180702-P7020045.jpg France - Paris - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Straight line to the Egyptian Obelisk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794549258-YK5K91NL1945VF9AJUDU/20180703-P7030111.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Cruiser bikes are so different compared to the road bikes I typically ride… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760937868-CAT104GSCSQUJ15OSOKJ/20180703-P7030124.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Rainbow road https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794534056-8KKEHQXFT2JPH0L7XJV4/20180703-P7030095.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Because there weren’t elevators back in the day, we learned that actually, the higher the floor the less wealthy you were. Also, Go Mexico! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794559570-UGR0F2WDI23DG5TKCJZ3/20180703-P7030114.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Egyptian Obelisk. Originally located in Luxor, this is the oldest monument in Paris dating back over 3,000 years. The white structure next to it is temporary, as the city was preparing for Bastille Day Celebrations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760926526-O0DF4WKPBD1O4UC09T4B/20180703-P7030136.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour The sky really was that blue… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760644378-QS90Y4NCR7KOKAZZ6LKP/20180703-2018-07-03+15.34.40.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Wandering Around Paris Always have to find the Kodak sign! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794585494-VAXK7C4XR68DPI201XQE/20180703-P7030150.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise The Pont Alexandre III bridge. It was built for the 1900 World Fair and to celebrate a French-Russian alliance. An engineering feat of the day, the bridge is one giant arch, and lacks any pillars below that would disrupt the river traffic of the Seine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760989108-CYGW4RLIYBO8JUO0QBMN/20180703-P7030163.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761069437-SXQ2T4X85XGA9I7O07A1/20180703-P7030172.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise Notre Dame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761086776-MZDSIF66Q1EH3QF75LRL/20180703-P7030182.jpg France - Paris - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761162418-G2FRGQQ7VNUO96W170X4/20180704-2018-07-04+13.56.18.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Louis 14th (Sun King), the maniac behind this place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761146330-TPPRRC2MVMCPVT837IV9/20180704-2018-07-04+13.48.57.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles For all the glory of France! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761376327-XOLSR7F0WS0RCU30XLC5/20180704-P7040212.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761315379-2GMFP37ZD9ULJJBNUCDR/20180704-P7040214.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Escape… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761418821-X05VGZVMVMU2C0NP7GHD/20180704-P7040218.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Hall of mirrors. Ok, this dude had a problem… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761458783-H6181QFL6H4WECFPE5PX/20180704-P7040236.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Waiting to get our golf cart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761496622-8RHDR3LUKUBSX1BJI50W/20180704-P7040241.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Maintenance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761550871-0W5R5X8EA591EPYC3FST/20180704-P7040247.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Fountain of Apollo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761649613-AG3NVKZ2SHNAVYUOEON3/20180704-P7040276.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles Don’t get lost in the maze… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761664822-OGUH1AIDIGOAWJFRCIRV/20180704-P7040284.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761707833-DCZQYFZLDHAZL66ACMN1/20180704-P7040292.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Versailles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761733800-TZQ6E0KJI7Y86CT94O1T/20180704-P7040300.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris The Arc de Triomphe <3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794616843-CLBKNNFQBH3T1S92NGQW/20180704-P7040311.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Double decker Nespresso concept store on the Champs-Elysées. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794637540-IPZ648FAOB5SOSEZVS1L/20180704-2018-07-04+19.04.16.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Wall of Nespresso pods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532797757924-QV4MWAULSQ5BVVZ9NICZ/20180704-2018-07-04+18.46.19.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris A personal concierge for all your podspresso needs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532797758445-EB1WQPP6OSIV3L696CM0/20180704-2018-07-04+19.04.08.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris George was there too! (This place really amused me.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532797776773-PP5OD6P6KL81ETD3GEHK/20180704-2018-07-04+20.39.25.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Can’t leave Paris without having steak frites (with a mysterious green sauce). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761246965-FEWWW29UN2ZKI9F5FLQJ/20180704-2018-07-04+22.05.53.jpg France - Paris - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Au revoir Champs-Elysées, the mountains await. https://www.thebigfriend.com/france-belgium daily 0.75 2018-08-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909364236-7AN7PV8BWZ980J25ZIQP/20180714-P7140338.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble View from the Bastille. I felt like the view wasn’t earned considering we just took those little bubbles up versus suffering for hours… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909364236-7AN7PV8BWZ980J25ZIQP/20180714-P7140338.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble View from the Bastille. I felt like the view wasn’t earned considering we just took those little bubbles up versus suffering for hours… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921250126-KVJE163Q0KXWI8WY539L/20180714-2018-07-14+14.29.55.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble I’m at a Bastille, on Bastille day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921239924-5Q8N1K9NT8QLCG8OC3IT/20180714-2018-07-14+13.18.15+HDR.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble Behind the fortress where there was another fortress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921274381-ZF4C4HNV3FGOPAHAC2KQ/20180714-2018-07-14+14.33.26.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble Waiting for our bubble to go down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921285804-D71ODO2YLJ9GS72MF27Q/20180714-2018-07-14+15.02.00.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble Croque McDo! w/ french fries and a curry sauce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921310973-5ND067OI6FQCIEJPLUMC/20180714-2018-07-14+18.44.29.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble I think this hamburger place was my favorite part of Grenoble. What can I say, I love a good burger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909408333-X7IDLEL836G108SPUH72/20180715-2018-07-15+19.14.11.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble France wins the World Cup! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909473994-AGM7KS07LHYM9RF9V7ZY/20180715-P7150381.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble To be in France, when France wins the World Cup is an experience that will probably never happen to me again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909416633-3IN6VMR59RSYKQK9IKJA/20180715-P7150372.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble Fireworks and smoke everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909471883-78A6G8SJASYN67M8UXP7/20180715-P7150373.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble Cars were honking their horns all night! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921345400-W6Y7OOK86J4YX9PCK5YJ/20180716-2018-07-16+13.40.23.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble Classic dish of the region, gratin dauphinois. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921342797-G6I7BC9TA6EJ8ZSUN20A/20180716-2018-07-16+14.02.58.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble These little espresso cups were everywhere and I loved them! Coffee beans to mimic the Grenoble bubbles. Also the world’s tiniest cookie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909541261-EP7HQO9VH7QI5P0MMG39/20180716-2018-07-16+16.26.40.jpg France - Belgium - Grenoble After the highs of biking all day, my friend and I found Grenoble to be a bit boring. So we changed our plans and headed to city of Annecy, where the next Tour de France stage would start. (Also the rental car company upgraded us to a Mercedes.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909542552-9QMV86U078ZC1G4J5NAW/20180716-2018-07-16+19.08.55.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy We were pulling up to our hotel and started freaking out because we saw the Lotto-Jumbo team buses right outside! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909595299-IG8OHJ24O0RBS4EU1MAO/20180716-2018-07-16+19.22.02.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy The team had just finished their rest day ride, and the mechanics were preparing all of the bikes for the following day’s stage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909614689-DESIQCYY8X92DE8GLDJE/20180716-2018-07-16+19.22.21.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy bikes bikes bikes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909673204-04PS0Y72Z6MFBB5WT80U/20180716-2018-07-16+19.29.51.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy #166 is the bike of Primoz Roglic, one of my favorite riders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909696887-SY0HXIC3B5DPUD0OW6G3/20180717-2018-07-17+10.18.57.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy The start of Stage 10 of the 2018 Tour de France. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909758785-PCOGPJVAYUNXUGO6R4IP/20180717-2018-07-17+11.17.02.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy The start of the Tour de France Caravan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923435251-KXN2VBSNZQOGODNET5XY/20180717-2018-07-17+11.20.58.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy I did not know this, but about an hour before the riders roll out, a bunch of promotional floats roll by and hand out things. It’s bizarre and fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923389166-LRP53PXEXU259F7U9NBY/20180717-P7170390.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy The time-check moto! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923416180-CWHQ78L8O68ZXR774XVM/20180717-P7170397.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy The countdown is on and the gendarmerie are getting ready to escort the riders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923436100-QL6ENHXK5UGE18DPTNJ9/20180717-P7170403.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy Current yellow jersey wearer Greg Van Avermaet, and current/future Green Jersey winner Peter Sagan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909816535-SWAK8VB9UOTFDTL8VFUO/20180717-P7170418.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy Future most combative rider Dan Martin (left) and future overall Tour winner Geraint Thomas. Even in the neutral zone they are too fast for my camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909905760-0YE18ANMPHBFGQ8WVJ3L/20180717-P7170421.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy American rider Taylor Phinney. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909765035-KW69FVJ1V229QVO3AJNT/20180717-2018-07-17+14.42.39.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy It couldn’t have been more that 30 minutes after the stage start, and they had already picked up the barriers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909848396-OJEIQR180Z8AB7K3LRRT/20180717-2018-07-17+15.53.24.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy Walking around the beautiful city of Annecy, which is often called the Venice of France due to it’s canals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921454605-43FGDV2F04MBUPT5802F/20180717-2018-07-17+16.50.48.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy We found a bar and asked them to put the Tour on so we could watch the rest of the stage. La Chouffe and the Tour de France. I was in heaven! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909929716-IWWNRCMAT039KM89RY75/20180718-P7180444.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy The following day we rented bikes and rode 40km around the Lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909969880-YJT11UR8252T08UCH1B7/20180718-P7180458.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909991497-8LC15NXPQGEZGLA8KAMZ/20180718-P7180460.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910057459-BZ6U2YYKE4XCVFDQKTZP/20180718-P7180466.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910092721-NPNX4WW4ICKURLZPSGPX/20180718-P7180473.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy Part of the Stage 10 route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910174328-S688JTPPTFUW5D6LUS4U/20180718-P7180484.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy So many paragliders! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910212230-19XCD01BITHHRWJUVAZE/20180718-P7180502.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910231706-IDLI0C0RG697VNDQRY7P/20180718-P7180505.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910274114-597HUI9AHK679HQOE62I/20180718-P7180506.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910311963-5EX7RCSA3SQHHGMXFIQ6/20180718-P7180528.jpg France - Belgium - Annecy Throwback to my Oswego crew days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097528931-3UCO6MJV2XTMR0QY8QIV/20180719-P7190538.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium We drove 7 hours to Belgium, where we stayed at this (real) Bed & Breakfast out in the countryside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097377663-E5280N7A88UX3QLJ0MJ8/20180719-2018-07-19+16.28.40.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium We got to Belgium just in time to find a bar and watch Stage 19 of the Tour de France. This was important because it featured the climbs of Alp d’Huez and Col de la Croix de Fer, which we rode a few days before! I also looked at the menu and told myself I should get a local beer, then I remembered La Chouffe is local! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910406080-054ZSP9DJZDFN943SRGV/20180719-P7190535.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium Then we drove towards the La Chouffe brewery and passed by several peaceful farms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910359926-GYKDK6UO0NGXJRUVXJX9/20180719-2018-07-19+19.52.51.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium This way to La Chouffe! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097462215-ZT4IZ70BHHCOJLED9PTV/20180719-2018-07-19+18.33.29.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium There are so many to choose from! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097500557-2P5DE99G3HIX3FTKZBRX/20180719-2018-07-19+19.44.43.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium All La Chouffe, all the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097532752-QYM8Y3YRWKQUZUFOAIWF/20180719-2018-07-19+20.18.19.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium The area (La Roche-en-Ardenne) has plenty of U.S. tanks around it, memorializing the Battle of the Bulge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097585270-T8VDZQURBI1T6JOU6A0U/20180720-2018-07-20+11.12.28.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium You can’t go to Europe and not go to some type of World War II museum. We went to the Bastogne War Museum, which educates you about the Battle of the Bulge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910432667-4W29AUPS10B4S5OQYEWC/20180720-2018-07-20+14.24.29.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium Outside the museum is the Mardasson Memorial. It represents the friendship between the U.S. and Belgium, and honors the soldiers who lost their lives during the battle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097598232-9J42LQDFQHQYGC1QG568/20180720-2018-07-20+14.35.20.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium My friend’s grandfather was in the 101st Airborne Division, so it was neat to have that connection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097651431-R6NZD27AODG4Y2IB9A35/20180720-2018-07-20+17.37.05.jpg France - Belgium - Beligum We also checked out a bike shop for fun because, well, thats been kinda the theme of this trip. A bike tube vending machine is handy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910452011-70A341DQWSJ3JTNMI30Z/20180720-2018-07-20+22.27.10.jpg France - Belgium - Belgium Coincidentally we were in Belgium during their National Day. There was a presentation in the center of town telling a story about a ghost? Belgium has three languages (Dutch, German, and French), so unfortunately no English translation on this one! https://www.thebigfriend.com/national-parks daily 0.75 2019-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449603637-NYH61MJUSCU9EGRGTVVO/v1-2018-02-18+14.56.05.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449089947-4WNMAIJF9TZB4WMFHW5B/v1-2018-02-16+16.13.49.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449089652-1ZCN10UMT84ZEOMDTWNT/v1-2018-02-16+16.37.09.jpg National Parks - Death Valley The first of many dirt/gravel roads. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449104159-XYFCFMV3XSTH7BMDHS93/v1-2018-02-17+06.57.51.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Sunrise at Zabiskie point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449112295-KK4AOGHZMC0H0VFVY9IT/v1-2018-02-17+07.00.59.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449116185-P6V0H789CFNMQCQMCGT5/v1-2018-02-17+07.05.18.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449124986-P03NLDOKGGGGW9U8YL7Z/v1-2018-02-17+07.33.40.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449136931-0IAT26MVXLHOJH24KKFN/v1-2018-02-17+07.46.58.jpg National Parks - Death Valley The 2014 Prius C. Your ultimate off-road vehicle? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449139166-XXF8QK71H4968RVMF2RK/v1-2018-02-17+07.48.25.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449167075-F3AKEWADRKBXRD225CSL/v1-2018-02-17+08.22.54.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449175798-AE9SN4F22JGZEXREC0FL/v1-2018-02-17+08.34.20.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Death Valley is a photographer’s playground. The fun you can have with shadows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449188074-7UR1D5VRF4P95VODOG41/v1-2018-02-17+08.46.14.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449240930-OG3VPSPS3113HIYE5BLP/v1-2018-02-17+09.00.04.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449251771-EOTY9FHLCSWE5TBDXL5W/v1-2018-02-17+09.02.30.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449256083-0DGGABSB45GZ7ANU9HHK/v1-2018-02-17+09.59.48.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449293803-5U6WM3YE3SRS79C9G8D4/v1-2018-02-17+10.13.38.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449307194-MNG8UMYZULKOQ57QX6EV/v1-2018-02-17+10.58.22.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Artist’s Palette https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449324136-F78ZBW7FUYJOKZQRKKEV/v1-2018-02-17+11.16.04.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Artist’s Palette https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449319589-0LTLJXBDB596GY7TDUVT/v1-2018-02-17+13.10.44.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Harmony Borax Works https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449351101-R3XD3CBKCWNJRL3WCW9A/v1-2018-02-17+15.33.27.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449369314-VNWVYYL7V8R98DZ09CPF/v1-2018-02-17+15.36.59.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449374570-WITYAXP7NYD5HZHXIU7Y/v1-2018-02-17+15.42.55.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Quad cab…plus 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449403764-MCJZA6JJU7RAR21YMKY1/v1-2018-02-17+17.00.04.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Camping is all about your snack game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449408866-549HOSPUG5F7ZN5GI98H/v1-2018-02-17+17.19.21.jpg National Parks - Death Valley Our digs! Absolutely freezing during the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449423886-C02HQTZ2JWO5MFU6Z6UV/v1-2018-02-18+07.36.59.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449595312-CS0VUCUQ6RODHOX6KOKH/v1-2018-02-18+13.21.41.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449487245-HZ70YC6Q0F2SF5H1E5X6/v1-2018-02-18+10.54.59.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449511924-HDYKNDVF3DAWTXWUGBMZ/v1-2018-02-18+11.00.16.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449518763-SF6FA6R0ZH9YW0ME8KA8/v1-2018-02-18+11.02.34.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449532144-VVF10UJ8NV0F9QF8IDHW/v1-2018-02-18+11.17.37.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449552215-4DNZXYMF42U01WUJZD84/v1-2018-02-18+11.28.27.jpg National Parks - Death Valley The summit of Wildrose Peak. Super windy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449578006-VI4INI36BPGPNJMN10XV/v1-2018-02-18+11.29.23.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449585290-5VI2O78MZRZ9WP3TRNUT/v1-2018-02-18+12.07.16.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533450991548-JEVWWKPLPBSV1OCD3641/v1-2018-02-17+06.56.24.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530260300-85JYNZ1V6TX1RV43XMYK/v1-2017-08-05+01.25.53.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528105939-WO3ZM53LW53POTFAEKVQ/v1-2017-07-30+23.59.32.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Lake McDonald https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528106241-RSX29TCH69HIHP0HQAVH/v1-2017-07-31+01.23.56.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Eagle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528118036-06WMXC2WHB8511R2GBY8/v1-2017-07-31+02.51.11.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park You can see where fires have destroyed the trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528126123-ZQORIWS1N3FMKB7Z1C9R/v1-2017-07-31+02.51.36.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Historic Red Jammers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528125612-BXKLH0P66QFHLX0N71I6/v1-2017-07-31+09.25.17.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528140141-F8662IP0F12QC1BEKXKD/v1-2017-07-31+21.29.15.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake Boat Tours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528150022-9RP1CF1AEC86ZOIISMG0/v1-2017-07-31+21.30.29.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528150305-XKFBXKRYFL6LY6LO4Q2B/v1-2017-07-31+22.13.16.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528162945-7JLUWPS3TJ1CQX5A2AE3/v1-2017-07-31+22.24.09.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528170221-2ZXT5LKM58ZEMILPV3J2/v1-2017-07-31+22.24.50.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528223314-IZG3SCS6GIJAAEKUQ8GS/v1-2017-08-01+21.10.04.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Beware! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528267419-D5TL9GSGND139S570CDJ/v1-2017-08-01+22.17.34.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Goat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528227463-92G6SHLGGRJFLY4TNFXM/v1-2017-08-01+21.18.36.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Mermaid pose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528201477-D7613NUTVC0QHV5BB9HW/v1-2017-08-01+09.57.33.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Morning clouds spilling over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528210971-3TQ1JJEYYLGVKQZE34AX/v1-2017-08-01+10.34.51.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Bearhat Mountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528243902-WAKC96QBYE05DBK3F8ED/v1-2017-08-01+21.42.48.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Goats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528263334-7NKL2R1WNAPJUNMLU778/v1-2017-08-01+22.48.03.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528283984-SBUOP1Z36AURD6M8A03M/v1-2017-08-01+23.09.52.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528287444-Z3XLJOWUMZFEGE7D3O37/v1-2017-08-01+23.25.48.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park He was singing to us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528306435-A3HX9FRLN6IR1ZVVGMUS/v1-2017-08-01+23.51.03.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528294743-WHZNDNPQHD7XPP9QG8J6/v1-2017-08-02+01.06.40.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Swiftcurrent Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528217857-VJPPSEUF0NEWH3L8TETA/v1-2017-08-01+18.13.39.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park The most majestic sight I have ever seen in my entire life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528367172-0FOFUEPBFLDCWF8NK5ZG/v1-2017-08-03+16.10.13.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Bear jam! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528302648-E0EOLH3UZM7WR4ASKESD/v1-2017-08-02+09.25.03.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Map of my bike ride! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528313019-354WPY58J8PTW3LV6D3H/v1-2017-08-02+11.12.04.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528319513-OJCW3WDH08LSG9CZV4JU/v1-2017-08-02+11.16.23.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528329175-P9CR8EV54FJTXN3EDFTY/v1-2017-08-02+11.57.59-1.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528332053-J48HC3VNMYMK7WI3ZJF5/v1-2017-08-02+14.15.12.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528373230-CWNPFT54ES119L8UM9CX/v1-2017-08-03+20.13.21.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake as viewed from the Going-to-the-Sun road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530116333-MAYZBV15DJXUU3493Z3J/v1-2017-08-03+13.16.58.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake trail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528379818-FE7VUOM52NBKVEE59VWN/v1-2017-08-03+21.25.58.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528396102-5N5SMMNCOE5UWL1QS9TK/v1-2017-08-03+23.21.43.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528396041-VOMQAEX25B3KJ1NQBGES/v1-2017-08-03+23.58.30.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528404628-CVN5ZSM83A7S8IMMU8PV/v1-2017-08-04+00.21.45.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528361941-2VVXNZPXCFSPGQG06ZHF/v1-2017-08-03+12.03.15.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528418098-EZR4L7A0LQFUPT8EM4LE/v1-2017-08-04+01.00.10.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528427190-NPNHXMR60VWVZPNY7L4I/v1-2017-08-04+01.19.59.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528425805-4ZKH9XBN03DDO92LKDHT/v1-2017-08-04+05.23.25.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park How bad the air quality was due to the fires. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528459053-VQ0143KXPM59G5DSJDWR/v1-2017-08-04+09.18.48.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528445851-1PW92XQB87W8FGLMG3CF/v1-2017-08-04+11.52.44.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528471927-Z7F72JHVJPVF28NX2PNH/v1-2017-08-04+20.54.05.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528483979-V1LCU8OCSDN5FKJZVEJ6/v1-2017-08-04+21.05.08.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528487950-2ILBW1O04VXS4QYYB31F/v1-2017-08-04+22.00.50.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528496545-CYHCJXCMXB7VPFR6P4JW/v1-2017-08-04+22.04.52.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park My friends are the biggest nerds and I love it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528459170-1Y8TKR04JJXA5G8142L1/v1-2017-08-04+13.15.26-2.jpg National Parks - Glacier National Park The Continental Divide! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528478503-8CD6O1N7GWSH8E1GROT1/v1-2017-08-04+13.47.16.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528503505-0ZDEQ8MZM31ZPV6J17AN/v1-2017-08-05+01.25.53.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550437822168-37NTUABKLBLJMG59RX46/Screen+Shot+2019-02-17+at+1.09.36+PM.png National Parks route from El Paso https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550435687444-UTV4SNVVWWC3KQMWT216/2019-02-11+13.59.56.jpg National Parks Park entrance, New Mexico. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358136656-0HR9BVCJNUTPEYS3O8JM/P2110738.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The natural entrance to the cave (elevator is also available) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358126282-3OECRGGYF3XCQ5JP6OBL/P2110757.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park “Whale’s Mouth” (draperies and flowstone) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550434336516-3S3B69XX0PIKGNT3XMIK/P2110777.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Boneyard - Notice how the limestone here is riddled with holes like Swiss Cheese! Explorers named this place “the Boneyard” because the rounded shapes of the rocks reminded them of old bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550435186323-SBOX6NSP6Z8691TMR2DR/P2110769.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Closeup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358183268-67BMWUXDDL8ES511JBBN/P2110770.jpg National Parks - 02.11.2019 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Speleothems, commonly referred to as cave formations, are formed by the deposition of minerals from water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358213040-AKB0RU9DJOBGQMYRRWJV/P2110775.jpg National Parks - 02.11.2019 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave deposits made chiefly of calcite are called “decorations” or speleothems.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358227681-MD1QK3IBTEYAU2O0FDPD/P2110778.jpg National Parks - 02.11.2019 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Big Room - with floor space at an estimated 600,00 square feet, this is the largest known natural limestone chamber in the Western Hemisphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358258113-F1TUEKDG1PXTVY7CNBMF/P2110782.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Big Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358272212-ZEQ9AI8FC8IBOWW5UBQ0/P2110785.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park “Lions Tail” (stalactite and popcorn) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358307885-9DDUV48W6ZUHER0BX4UH/P2110788.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Hall of Giants - Twin domes to the left, and the Giant Dome Column is the large structure to the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358326734-Z8Z8RDKX6G2D7JV2931B/P2110792.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Lots of spikey things https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358358285-5YPZTK335VO4ARL8P4YZ/P2110793.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Historic Explorations -This wire ladder was installed in 1924. It descends 90 feet into Lower Cave. I noticed it’s broken. I hope no one uses it anymore! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358454224-NUV44UAPGAVRGUYH4DQ4/P2110815.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Big Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550434805185-5FIOX5JG6RZL13HW4VXC/P2110806.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Bottomless Pit - This gaping hole appeared bottomless to early explorers who had no strong lights. It’s actually 140 feet deep. Mmmm, how many mimosas could fill it up!? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358473444-Q0O41YOMNR910YP4J5DO/P2110822.jpg National Parks - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Draperies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449191817-XRZ4GE2S050UZNL5H71C/P2120845.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Looking south on route 118. Literally nothing for 80 miles from Alpine, Texas to Terlingua, Texas. Nothing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446846571-D15HDI2J050FHKENJIWH/P2120853.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Dying cacti? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446766470-O13HRSK1UGKMM5YIP1O0/2019-02-12+11.30.38-2.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park About a mile up along the Lost Mine Trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446937998-BRICA054SMI7QXPSEJJ1/P2120868.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Along the Lost Mine Trail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446898596-LL1RVUGJQFXKLKAYHEZS/P2120867.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Along the Lost Mine Trail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446771668-ZRQPIZOKYKW4GL7Z4IJH/2019-02-12+13.11.35.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Sotol Vista - looking towards Mexico, the Rio Grande, and Santa Elena Canyon. At a distance, the scale of the small gap is not apparent. At the gorge, limestone walls tower 1500 feet above the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446938007-32T0I9V5MXDMDMV7IJQL/P2120879.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Sotol Vista, slightly different angle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446980733-5KUXDXPLLB4GFJCQ0WYE/P2120882.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Heading down from the vista point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446976380-DLXDDQWVZ4MAWOH0ZZ2G/P2120883.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Heading down the vista point, I wanted to capture the moon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449057431-RL9D3BA8QHFPSKRRRLKE/P2120892.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Tuff Canyon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447004709-O9GVCU54RCQ29YMFHYM6/P2120888.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park There were these beautiful blue flowers along the roads, but I finally got to take photos at Tuff Canyon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447020134-QQHRJRFTN3NZQTQ95RYN/P2120900.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park View from the Castolon Historic District - Santa Elena Canyon in the distance, Garlick House in the foreground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447030881-X0D7J7Z73LFPXDG5K78Q/P2120902.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon Overlook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449957533-WN0C09NQ0HXG6PI642MH/P2120905.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon/Rio Grande https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449959550-3TY3LM6DA2KIBZD7W475/P2120911.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park About a mile into the trail that takes you along the canyon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447044732-Q3LR8YSWF9RAUSLN8ZI3/P2120910.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Figured with that split in the rock Alex Honnold would have no problem climbing this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449987762-125SJYCAZ4OKYJACOL99/2019-02-12+16.36.28.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Out of the park and heading back through Terlingua. Saw this on the way down, so hit it up and got my mom a souvenir on the way back! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446815958-C4X4WMKP0EMM43AFM00T/P2120846.jpg National Parks - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Back to nothing…trying to get home before dark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550451233696-N3Y5UL67PNA5U4D6L1DH/P2120849.jpg National Parks Park entrance, Texas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530396593-JN5AVHCZ2C9ERMKXOTLQ/v1-2017-08-04+22.00.50.jpg National Parks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550438407482-WHVZSFOB6J55IL8VN71K/P2110834.jpg National Parks https://www.thebigfriend.com/nepal-02-kathmandu daily 0.75 2018-07-28 https://www.thebigfriend.com/glacier-national-park-1 daily 0.75 2018-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528105939-WO3ZM53LW53POTFAEKVQ/v1-2017-07-30+23.59.32.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Lake McDonald https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528105939-WO3ZM53LW53POTFAEKVQ/v1-2017-07-30+23.59.32.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Lake McDonald https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528219090-ZLD3NICKIU35RPSGA8I5/v1-2017-08-01+18.59.41.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528106241-RSX29TCH69HIHP0HQAVH/v1-2017-07-31+01.23.56.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Eagle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528118036-06WMXC2WHB8511R2GBY8/v1-2017-07-31+02.51.11.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park You can see where fires have destroyed the trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528126123-ZQORIWS1N3FMKB7Z1C9R/v1-2017-07-31+02.51.36.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Historic Red Jammers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528125612-BXKLH0P66QFHLX0N71I6/v1-2017-07-31+09.25.17.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528140141-F8662IP0F12QC1BEKXKD/v1-2017-07-31+21.29.15.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake Boat Tours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528150022-9RP1CF1AEC86ZOIISMG0/v1-2017-07-31+21.30.29.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528150305-XKFBXKRYFL6LY6LO4Q2B/v1-2017-07-31+22.13.16.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528162945-7JLUWPS3TJ1CQX5A2AE3/v1-2017-07-31+22.24.09.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528170221-2ZXT5LKM58ZEMILPV3J2/v1-2017-07-31+22.24.50.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528223314-IZG3SCS6GIJAAEKUQ8GS/v1-2017-08-01+21.10.04.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Beware! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528267419-D5TL9GSGND139S570CDJ/v1-2017-08-01+22.17.34.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Goat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528227463-92G6SHLGGRJFLY4TNFXM/v1-2017-08-01+21.18.36.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Mermaid pose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528201477-D7613NUTVC0QHV5BB9HW/v1-2017-08-01+09.57.33.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Morning clouds spilling over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528210971-3TQ1JJEYYLGVKQZE34AX/v1-2017-08-01+10.34.51.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Bearhat Mountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528243902-WAKC96QBYE05DBK3F8ED/v1-2017-08-01+21.42.48.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Goats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528263334-7NKL2R1WNAPJUNMLU778/v1-2017-08-01+22.48.03.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528283984-SBUOP1Z36AURD6M8A03M/v1-2017-08-01+23.09.52.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528287444-Z3XLJOWUMZFEGE7D3O37/v1-2017-08-01+23.25.48.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park He was singing to us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528306435-A3HX9FRLN6IR1ZVVGMUS/v1-2017-08-01+23.51.03.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528294743-WHZNDNPQHD7XPP9QG8J6/v1-2017-08-02+01.06.40.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Swiftcurrent Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528217857-VJPPSEUF0NEWH3L8TETA/v1-2017-08-01+18.13.39.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park The most majestic sight I have ever seen in my entire life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528367172-0FOFUEPBFLDCWF8NK5ZG/v1-2017-08-03+16.10.13.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Bear jam! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528302648-E0EOLH3UZM7WR4ASKESD/v1-2017-08-02+09.25.03.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Map of my bike ride! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528313019-354WPY58J8PTW3LV6D3H/v1-2017-08-02+11.12.04.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528319513-OJCW3WDH08LSG9CZV4JU/v1-2017-08-02+11.16.23.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528329175-P9CR8EV54FJTXN3EDFTY/v1-2017-08-02+11.57.59-1.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528332053-J48HC3VNMYMK7WI3ZJF5/v1-2017-08-02+14.15.12.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528373230-CWNPFT54ES119L8UM9CX/v1-2017-08-03+20.13.21.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park St. Mary Lake as viewed from the Going-to-the-Sun road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530116333-MAYZBV15DJXUU3493Z3J/v1-2017-08-03+13.16.58.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake trail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528379818-FE7VUOM52NBKVEE59VWN/v1-2017-08-03+21.25.58.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528396102-5N5SMMNCOE5UWL1QS9TK/v1-2017-08-03+23.21.43.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528396041-VOMQAEX25B3KJ1NQBGES/v1-2017-08-03+23.58.30.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528404628-CVN5ZSM83A7S8IMMU8PV/v1-2017-08-04+00.21.45.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528361941-2VVXNZPXCFSPGQG06ZHF/v1-2017-08-03+12.03.15.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Iceberg Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528418098-EZR4L7A0LQFUPT8EM4LE/v1-2017-08-04+01.00.10.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528427190-NPNHXMR60VWVZPNY7L4I/v1-2017-08-04+01.19.59.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528425805-4ZKH9XBN03DDO92LKDHT/v1-2017-08-04+05.23.25.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park How bad the air quality was due to the fires. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528459053-VQ0143KXPM59G5DSJDWR/v1-2017-08-04+09.18.48.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528445851-1PW92XQB87W8FGLMG3CF/v1-2017-08-04+11.52.44.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528471927-Z7F72JHVJPVF28NX2PNH/v1-2017-08-04+20.54.05.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528483979-V1LCU8OCSDN5FKJZVEJ6/v1-2017-08-04+21.05.08.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528487950-2ILBW1O04VXS4QYYB31F/v1-2017-08-04+22.00.50.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528496545-CYHCJXCMXB7VPFR6P4JW/v1-2017-08-04+22.04.52.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park My friends are the biggest nerds and I love it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528459170-1Y8TKR04JJXA5G8142L1/v1-2017-08-04+13.15.26-2.jpg Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park The Continental Divide! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528478503-8CD6O1N7GWSH8E1GROT1/v1-2017-08-04+13.47.16.jpg Glacier National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533528503505-0ZDEQ8MZM31ZPV6J17AN/v1-2017-08-05+01.25.53.jpg Glacier National Park https://www.thebigfriend.com/france daily 0.75 2018-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532751639815-V0Z9BJHRSIRAT4C8EKKV/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2893%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756032042-QDQNA45C5TQP0Y6RT3F0/20180706-2018-07-06+12.41.30.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Thoughts on the first climb of the tour: this is wayyyyy harder than I thought and I thought it was going to be hard… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818248050-BC5GI3LR6HB4UYE31V4X/20180706-2018-07-06+12.57.08.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Each major climb has road signs notating how many kilometers you have left, the elevation, and how steep this km of the climb is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756094141-5ARYR2Z8CLF2YW4IDW98/20180706-2018-07-06+13.01.14.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor You can can hear a cow-cophony of cow bells, moos, and your heavy breathing as you suffer up the climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756127909-NOMI1500Z4X5QP543JBI/20180706-2018-07-06+13.02.34.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Stay in your lane, cow… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756154075-BRDD03CWZR35IDHUTPQK/20180706-2018-07-06+13.55.03.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor My friend coming up around the bend… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756196261-PWLNCZ1DGW5EQMA0FFUG/20180706-2018-07-06+13.55.54.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Almost there! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750877644-5L4KERKF8AD36DQA0RV3/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+18-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Trek Travel lunch at the top of the summit. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532758331377-2Q1CMJ9E7ODL20XCAKOA/2018-07-06+14.28.53.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor If you don’t get a photo with the summit sign, it didn’t happen! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756221452-FDJWBTL4XUJ2UFWKG3SJ/20180706-2018-07-06+15.14.28.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Heading back towards Lourdes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756241131-WHQJEXQBB5AZJS7RYM9Z/20180706-2018-07-06+17.50.38.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Lourdes Had some time in the evening to check out the Rosary Basilica in the city of Lourdes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756279148-5CIHL5SBORHIEEJOTIJ9/20180706-2018-07-06+17.54.19.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Lourdes The door is open for my confession…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756334817-J717LANX0F9HV8QX4GOA/20180706-2018-07-06+17.57.25.jpg France - Cycling - Day 01 - Lourdes I need a Lourdes miracle to get me up these climbs! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750878784-WJCCD6T8S11AUBLNVMR7/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+35-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet On the road to Tourmalet. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532759077942-P1KS7GCED9OO498X7NC9/20180707-2018-07-07+12.22.43.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet A long ways to go… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532758351815-QMX8C0S4CVY3LL57B9WF/2018-07-07+12.34.37.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet Let’s take a breath and enjoy the scenery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756404773-TFNGIIDFS65YV08V1PDF/20180707-2018-07-07+12.46.23.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet You sure that gondola isn’t working? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818351238-MWLGTG06OS69BDQVRERO/20180707-2018-07-07+13.18.50.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet The pavement looks the same everywhere, so it’s important to take breaks and enjoy the views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756484126-R9QF230ABO0BYYYO7OGF/20180707-2018-07-07+13.06.34.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet 3K to go… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750879303-4YTY2D3PW5XVEA8ZS6SF/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+74-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet The van was just around the corner, and our guide was blasting “Don’t Stop Believing” and ringing a cow bell to help me up the last kilometer. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750880627-5C90NRZTFLV54OOB7XSX/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+77-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet Somehow made it to the top of this mountain. Awkwardly holding the statues hand…I need to work on my summit poses. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756581047-NTES4ZQE9ML9T1KL64VN/20180707-2018-07-07+13.55.55.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet “Turn around, look at what you just did!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756603349-WE4PMMGZC9P0Y4XBERAH/20180707-2018-07-07+15.56.17.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col de Aspin Heading up the second climb of the day… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750882368-RC0L2SY0XHDEEJABPEKW/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+96-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col de Aspin I wanted to hop in the van after Tourmalet, but my friend convinced me to push towards Aspin. I made it just in time before the hail came down…(photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756619741-YJ9GIZJLD3LVWWS1P0JA/20180707-2018-07-07+16.05.32.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Col de Aspin Dem clouds don’t look good… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818395882-TFFI5RCBOY5BZBTVCEIJ/20180708-2018-07-08+07.04.05.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel It started to pour, so our Trek Travel guides shuttled us down to the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818298068-FIIC6VRKWMHV0J32EBH3/20180707-2018-07-07+19.52.06.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel Asked for the local beer…it was an IPA :’( https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818340578-QLJZMBVM08ADSTJUZJUP/20180707-2018-07-07+20.03.41.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel Dinner at the hotel restaurant was so good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818380293-U8HFUNEF8CT4M0MHDK1D/20180708-2018-07-08+06.59.09.jpg France - Cycling - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel They even had mini jams for breakfast! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750841016-RS3NIBC06G0UW2RY4N4S/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2839%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux After a 7 hour bus transfer, I opted to take a rest day. Next up, the Giant of Provance, Mont Ventoux. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810669797-ZULR5K8R5JTUKGU57DRR/20180709-2018-07-09+09.00.49.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Feeling strong today :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750845067-M3X5I8IBRTK04R5BXPJE/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2858%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux On the road to Mont Ventoux. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810694514-90BN6UF7NR4YKPTAJML7/20180709-2018-07-09+11.57.43.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux In 2009, eventual tour winner Alberto Contador sealed his victory on this climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810722521-714732EGF6IO5U7JUNJV/20180709-2018-07-09+12.06.55.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux In 2016, eventual tour winner Chris Froome was knocked off his bicycle due to a collision with a motor bike. The neutral service bike didn’t fit him, so he started running up that hill… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810753101-VAMZVADPA7A0723W1Q23/20180709-2018-07-09+12.16.48.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux In 1967, British rider Tom Simpson fell off his bike 1km from the summit of Mont Ventoux. He got back on and rode 500 meters before having to be held upright by spectators. He was taken to a hospital by helicopter and died. This is a memorial where he collapsed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810788248-TFA5YQZUMOULF47K4J63/20180709-2018-07-09+12.17.23.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Legends are made in these mountains, and the rich history of the climbs help motivate you up them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810792238-5FGSHVLNPJVC1LTPYTKY/20180709-2018-07-09+12.33.21.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Boom! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810826118-6XOW98JNTPL3921W33TI/20180709-2018-07-09+12.36.19.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Mont Ventoux has been known to be particularly brutal due to the lack of shade and high winds. Luckily it wasn’t windy on the day we climbed it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810824879-5MGAFMP3OEQOG6L9EKLO/20180709-2018-07-09+12.38.02.jpg France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux The tower that loomed over the whole ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533012908895-QIK52FGTCLYW5JO0LZW6/Screen+Shot+2018-07-30+at+8.45.52+AM.png France - Cycling - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Descending down where I had so much fun I blew past our lunch spot and had to climb an additional 2km back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811744921-YIJAYVJNUO8QA4C8V214/20180710-2018-07-10+14.44.53.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier After a 3-4 hour bus transfer, let’s ride the toughest day! Cool! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811794636-X043MO7FW7QI7TGWFKTJ/20180710-2018-07-10+15.07.02.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Ahhh, the lovely site of the Trek Travel van! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532821180641-SP835JI3XDDM6XBRTZ0H/2018-07-10+14.57.53.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Pole pose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750883704-BZCV2GBHY7S0K9OIWLCE/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+160-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Do you remember doing this as a kid? Quack! Quack! (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811902767-4ETLO1GY081IBGG9GQC4/20180710-2018-07-10+17.01.03.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Now onto Galibier… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811951965-AVQ8ZMGNLE7AB8RXYJPJ/20180710-2018-07-10+17.21.15.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier All the major climbs have these convenient trash bins on the side of the road for you to toss your gel, snack, and other food wrappers into. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811986447-FUPIEEWBUHGHC55WUCQD/20180710-2018-07-10+17.26.13.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Fromage this way! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812046295-EXW5YDWAEI2YX9IPAG3B/20180710-2018-07-10+17.34.08.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier This ride was so hard, but so beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812060602-MEQ9V6APLFCJ87XU5TW4/20180710-2018-07-10+17.34.11.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier It is one of the highest road passes in the Alps, and often the highest point featured on the Tour de France. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750855213-180QO9UIEXBGW4WH660Z/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2895%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier I took so long the avid riders caught up with me! (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750856360-U8Y5IHWHJUG24MFTCQT1/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2898%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Heyyyyooo, yes, hi I’m, here! I made it! (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812111210-55JABWJP7AB3JET2HKS5/20180710-2018-07-10+18.17.21.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Count it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750853600-16AAW0EXBA4DCSMXWOCQ/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2893%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Telegraph & Galibier On top the summit of Galibier. Our guides not only fill our water bottles, maintain our bikes, encourage and take care of us, but they also take pretty awesome photos. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812174397-X8ANBUEDGF992ZF9ZEJ0/20180710-2018-07-10+20.34.09.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss View from our hotel patio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812193141-0OWD0GYVSUWPOOY821IP/20180710-2018-07-10+21.18.13.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss Water from the glacier… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812204653-LT3CFQ31LX74BR0T4JYQ/20180710-2018-07-10+22.02.13.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss France just won their World Cup semi-final game, so we were celebrating! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750885848-E0PGVGJXKNLXIA6P2B9C/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+204-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss Cheers to a pretty tough (35 miles, 6500 ft) and epic day. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750907865-PLRGGFONVCJZXDEPC3CR/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+231-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss In the morning before our “recovery” ride. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813736591-BZ0PPHXS5WTW6HV86MTP/20180711-2018-07-11+10.11.25.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Yes, a 40 mile, 3600ft recovery ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813800528-56JOLUJP638L7K82OCQ1/20180711-2018-07-11+10.28.45.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy In front of the polka dot bike of course! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750890824-32UVT7Z5XIEHG1AA87C4/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+216-X3-1.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Trek Travel rest stop. Hey! Let’s take our picture in front of the circus because that’s what this feels like. Rawr! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750893188-FGZ41GXA3X5016XMLEW5/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+222-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Hello! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813865965-FWLJZT7NBHNRQ8BNX6NL/20180711-2018-07-11+11.33.50.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy We were able to take a more relaxed pace and really soak in the views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813861174-MS6S9D5A4H0B08IRM8RE/20180711-2018-07-11+12.07.55.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813929340-YNNU0N5182Q4K348I7L6/20180711-2018-07-11+12.25.17.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813923838-E2EBLAY6POKAX1UOFRBU/20180711-2018-07-11+12.31.56.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy The roads in France are soooooooo nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813997244-GZYLGF7LMLCCP0UB8BYO/20180711-2018-07-11+13.13.44.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy We will be down there shortly! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750902329-32O7IFHXZDC7PGI8NLKG/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+226-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy almost to Italy…need coffee… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532814044986-35Y81AJ4LJQ9P1Z81NVR/20180711-2018-07-11+13.24.13.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Am I in France? Or am I in Italy? (This is the border.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530531142-YOKQR359T49ZIU8EQ9FN/2018-07-11+13.53.49.jpg France - Cycling - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Coffee in Italy! Actually my friend got this and I got an affogato (not pictured here). My as well eat some ice cream with espresso, the van was shuttling us back! :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530559007-G16VXK1WNLCQBQ26DBPS/2018-07-12+10.16.59+HDR.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer Signs letting the locals know that the roads will be closed during the Tour de France! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815030629-O7AUVWD1IGVX2G0QFY7K/20180712-2018-07-12+11.22.44.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer The start of a very difficult climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750860158-Y2V207BECZYZMN0AG3MH/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28144%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer Great shot from the Trek Travel guides. We love the blue van! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815020385-Q7KGJA10YZHVLHDOH92Q/20180712-2018-07-12+12.52.30.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer After a long 10% section and some 15% sections, I wanted to cry when I saw 3.9% https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815076545-ZHS50ZTP7OFVJWOWZ2C5/20180712-2018-07-12+12.58.53.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer I wasn’t sure if it said 10 or 0!? After I learned the hardest part was at the beginning (and therefore over), I made sure to give it all until the summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815076977-JK0SZTOS0KOJKJR7CMN1/20180712-2018-07-12+13.41.25.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer Yay! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815129378-ZQFGXC2YM58N0WATQS04/20180712-2018-07-12+13.44.58.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer We were also “training with” the pro Fortuneo team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815173243-3WMVTLF8B3KR653MLR9T/20180712-2018-07-12+13.55.08.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon There was a short descent down and then an easy 200 meter climb to grab another Col. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815177160-DBKLQTR3YLW2F3X05KQQ/20180712-2018-07-12+13.55.27.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon Wall sit! I know I should sit lower but I just biked for like 4 hours… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815218187-WS6AAZ7XXS3BZGTWACJ5/20180712-2018-07-12+13.55.47.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon Vanna White! (trying to get creative here) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815220030-2A574I73VSZ11EWSBGGQ/20180712-2018-07-12+13.58.01.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon The other side of the summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815277491-EZCNXALQT63O71BYLP0X/20180712-2018-07-12+14.34.36.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon Heading back the way we came. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815258781-X1FYVEQDJITI01PU0SZE/20180712-2018-07-12+15.41.12.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon The shuttle would be waiting for us by the dam, and it sure was a welcome sight :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815318790-1YU3ETIIWKL3PWL37JCQ/20180712-2018-07-12+15.42.39.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon The tour would come through here a few days later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815330488-Z6WJ7Q08FIW0NLIR4EVT/20180712-2018-07-12+15.43.23.jpg France - Cycling - Day 07 - Col du Glandon From the dam we were shuttled up to the hotel, where we would start the next day’s ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815371970-9HOF1IQCOKZGC79ZJF9O/20180713-2018-07-13+09.23.46.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Starting from our hotel at the top of Alp d’Huez, we went up the Col de Sarrene and then descended back down into Bourse d’oisans to start the traditional Alp d’Huez climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750874050-L4LTQUERTS46UFVKOFRO/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28168%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750866000-WXMGGGX8100GI110QHQ2/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28156%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750874605-08Z7A7DG6TTDRNNGMKTC/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28166%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750865398-KJFUNPBVG0ZFCK7NSWI8/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28154%29-X3.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Made it! And now for the descent… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815382571-6MPKZB9JVSCDW03L2ANE/20180713-2018-07-13+09.33.21.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez The start of the descent was steep and technical, but one of the most beautiful descents of the entire trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815452436-1S0X19ZE2XGKVVUHGITA/20180713-2018-07-13+10.47.55.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Back into the city where the climb starts. The Trek Travel van was there for us to refuel on drinks and snacks. This would be the final climb of our trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532901024530-CXJOX3ANZZTK22VXV3EO/20180713-2018-07-13+10.51.39.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez This is still here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815501453-X8TYLM5C1JL91AP1SLM4/20180713-2018-07-13+11.51.00.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Up one of the many switchbacks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815568396-9MYEEFZ3NOFHXAAFAJNI/20180713-2018-07-13+12.02.53.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez I believe this was switchback 16, where you can get a pretty sweet view of all the road you’ve covered so far. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815657788-CDLKZN735QEJV0V751BQ/20180713-2018-07-13+12.16.10.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Instead of notating km, the signs in Alp’ dHuez notate which switchback you are on. This is #7, the Dutch Corner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530568096-YBHU5YTAF6APLXW9BPQR/2018-07-13+11.43.52.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Switchback! Trek Travel Van! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750839035-0KCNOG6TCZ74G3259KIQ/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%281%29-XL.png France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp D'Huez Our fantastic Trek Travel guides surprised us with a champagne shower to celebrate the completion of our tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815745179-2YT7QA2D21Y856NJTN8O/20180713-2018-07-13+13.27.45.jpg France - Cycling - Day 08 - Alp D'Huez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815753540-A0EA55CKQIRBPAXND5BL/20180714-2018-07-14+08.13.09.jpg France - Cycling - Day 09 - Alp d'Huez View from our hotel. Time to say goodbye and hop on a bus to Grenoble. https://www.thebigfriend.com/death-valley-national-park-1 daily 0.75 2018-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449603637-NYH61MJUSCU9EGRGTVVO/v1-2018-02-18+14.56.05.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449603637-NYH61MJUSCU9EGRGTVVO/v1-2018-02-18+14.56.05.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449089947-4WNMAIJF9TZB4WMFHW5B/v1-2018-02-16+16.13.49.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449089652-1ZCN10UMT84ZEOMDTWNT/v1-2018-02-16+16.37.09.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley The first of many dirt/gravel roads. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449104159-XYFCFMV3XSTH7BMDHS93/v1-2018-02-17+06.57.51.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Sunrise at Zabiskie point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449112295-KK4AOGHZMC0H0VFVY9IT/v1-2018-02-17+07.00.59.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449116185-P6V0H789CFNMQCQMCGT5/v1-2018-02-17+07.05.18.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449124986-P03NLDOKGGGGW9U8YL7Z/v1-2018-02-17+07.33.40.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449136931-0IAT26MVXLHOJH24KKFN/v1-2018-02-17+07.46.58.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley The 2014 Prius C. Your ultimate off-road vehicle? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449139166-XXF8QK71H4968RVMF2RK/v1-2018-02-17+07.48.25.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449167075-F3AKEWADRKBXRD225CSL/v1-2018-02-17+08.22.54.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449175798-AE9SN4F22JGZEXREC0FL/v1-2018-02-17+08.34.20.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Death Valley is a photographer’s playground. The fun you can have with shadows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449188074-7UR1D5VRF4P95VODOG41/v1-2018-02-17+08.46.14.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449240930-OG3VPSPS3113HIYE5BLP/v1-2018-02-17+09.00.04.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449251771-EOTY9FHLCSWE5TBDXL5W/v1-2018-02-17+09.02.30.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449256083-0DGGABSB45GZ7ANU9HHK/v1-2018-02-17+09.59.48.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449293803-5U6WM3YE3SRS79C9G8D4/v1-2018-02-17+10.13.38.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449307194-MNG8UMYZULKOQ57QX6EV/v1-2018-02-17+10.58.22.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Artist’s Palette https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449324136-F78ZBW7FUYJOKZQRKKEV/v1-2018-02-17+11.16.04.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Artist’s Palette https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449319589-0LTLJXBDB596GY7TDUVT/v1-2018-02-17+13.10.44.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Harmony Borax Works https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449351101-R3XD3CBKCWNJRL3WCW9A/v1-2018-02-17+15.33.27.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449369314-VNWVYYL7V8R98DZ09CPF/v1-2018-02-17+15.36.59.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449374570-WITYAXP7NYD5HZHXIU7Y/v1-2018-02-17+15.42.55.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Quad cab…plus 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449403764-MCJZA6JJU7RAR21YMKY1/v1-2018-02-17+17.00.04.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Camping is all about your snack game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449408866-549HOSPUG5F7ZN5GI98H/v1-2018-02-17+17.19.21.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley Our digs! Absolutely freezing during the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449423886-C02HQTZ2JWO5MFU6Z6UV/v1-2018-02-18+07.36.59.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449595312-CS0VUCUQ6RODHOX6KOKH/v1-2018-02-18+13.21.41.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449487245-HZ70YC6Q0F2SF5H1E5X6/v1-2018-02-18+10.54.59.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449511924-HDYKNDVF3DAWTXWUGBMZ/v1-2018-02-18+11.00.16.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449518763-SF6FA6R0ZH9YW0ME8KA8/v1-2018-02-18+11.02.34.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449532144-VVF10UJ8NV0F9QF8IDHW/v1-2018-02-18+11.17.37.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449552215-4DNZXYMF42U01WUJZD84/v1-2018-02-18+11.28.27.jpg Death Valley National Park - Death Valley The summit of Wildrose Peak. Super windy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449578006-VI4INI36BPGPNJMN10XV/v1-2018-02-18+11.29.23.jpg Death Valley National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533449585290-5VI2O78MZRZ9WP3TRNUT/v1-2018-02-18+12.07.16.jpg Death Valley National Park https://www.thebigfriend.com/places daily 1.0 2020-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532895256444-UJ49R9YMBNLCLEL6DDZK/20180704-P7040310.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760530721-G863IDBVZILBBGWA3BP4/20180702-P7020052.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Summer living… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760599327-1ZKG4IQWRXNLCO86GQ6B/20180702-P7020059.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Views from the ferris wheel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760625108-THR5ATQZCNZKNDH3T5SJ/20180702-P7020069.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Worth it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794546311-9PO1VDXCJFIG8CPUH17F/20180702-2018-07-02+18.57.17.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris First meal! We learned that most places in France close after lunch and don’t open for dinner until 7pm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794953776-RM8ZLTVVE9MMHN9Z1CTC/20180702-2018-07-02+19.05.09.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Hey, there’s bread behind me! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794967541-06K669PX021BE33I8PLZ/20180702-2018-07-02+19.23.11.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Bon appetit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760496541-Y0YW3HEWJFXKAKHYDMCL/20180702-P7020048.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris How I feel about our current political state. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760468393-YYMH6PCLDJLXXUPNWHIL/20180702-P7020045.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering Around Paris Straight line to the Egyptian Obelisk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794549258-YK5K91NL1945VF9AJUDU/20180703-P7030111.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Cruiser bikes are so different compared to the road bikes I typically ride… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760937868-CAT104GSCSQUJ15OSOKJ/20180703-P7030124.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Rainbow road https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794534056-8KKEHQXFT2JPH0L7XJV4/20180703-P7030095.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Because there weren’t elevators back in the day, we learned that actually, the higher the floor the less wealthy you were. Also, Go Mexico! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794559570-UGR0F2WDI23DG5TKCJZ3/20180703-P7030114.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour Egyptian Obelisk. Originally located in Luxor, this is the oldest monument in Paris dating back over 3,000 years. The white structure next to it is temporary, as the city was preparing for Bastille Day Celebrations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760926526-O0DF4WKPBD1O4UC09T4B/20180703-P7030136.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris Bike Tour The sky really was that blue… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760644378-QS90Y4NCR7KOKAZZ6LKP/20180703-2018-07-03+15.34.40.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Wandering Around Paris Always have to find the Kodak sign! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794585494-VAXK7C4XR68DPI201XQE/20180703-P7030150.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise The Pont Alexandre III bridge. It was built for the 1900 World Fair and to celebrate a French-Russian alliance. An engineering feat of the day, the bridge is one giant arch, and lacks any pillars below that would disrupt the river traffic of the Seine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532760989108-CYGW4RLIYBO8JUO0QBMN/20180703-P7030163.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761069437-SXQ2T4X85XGA9I7O07A1/20180703-P7030172.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise Notre Dame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761086776-MZDSIF66Q1EH3QF75LRL/20180703-P7030182.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Paris River Seine Cruise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761162418-G2FRGQQ7VNUO96W170X4/20180704-2018-07-04+13.56.18.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Louis 14th (Sun King), the maniac behind this place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761146330-TPPRRC2MVMCPVT837IV9/20180704-2018-07-04+13.48.57.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles For all the glory of France! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761376327-XOLSR7F0WS0RCU30XLC5/20180704-P7040212.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761315379-2GMFP37ZD9ULJJBNUCDR/20180704-P7040214.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Escape… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761418821-X05VGZVMVMU2C0NP7GHD/20180704-P7040218.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Hall of mirrors. Ok, this dude had a problem… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761458783-H6181QFL6H4WECFPE5PX/20180704-P7040236.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Waiting to get our golf cart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761496622-8RHDR3LUKUBSX1BJI50W/20180704-P7040241.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Maintenance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761550871-0W5R5X8EA591EPYC3FST/20180704-P7040247.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Fountain of Apollo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761649613-AG3NVKZ2SHNAVYUOEON3/20180704-P7040276.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles Don’t get lost in the maze… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761664822-OGUH1AIDIGOAWJFRCIRV/20180704-P7040284.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761707833-DCZQYFZLDHAZL66ACMN1/20180704-P7040292.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Versailles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761733800-TZQ6E0KJI7Y86CT94O1T/20180704-P7040300.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris The Arc de Triomphe <3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794616843-CLBKNNFQBH3T1S92NGQW/20180704-P7040311.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Double decker Nespresso concept store on the Champs-Elysées. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532794637540-IPZ648FAOB5SOSEZVS1L/20180704-2018-07-04+19.04.16.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Wall of Nespresso pods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532797757924-QV4MWAULSQ5BVVZ9NICZ/20180704-2018-07-04+18.46.19.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris A personal concierge for all your podspresso needs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532797758445-EB1WQPP6OSIV3L696CM0/20180704-2018-07-04+19.04.08.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris George was there too! (This place really amused me.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532797776773-PP5OD6P6KL81ETD3GEHK/20180704-2018-07-04+20.39.25.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Can’t leave Paris without having steak frites (with a mysterious green sauce). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532761246965-FEWWW29UN2ZKI9F5FLQJ/20180704-2018-07-04+22.05.53.jpg Travel - Day 03 - Evening Stroll in Paris Au revoir Champs-Elysées, the mountains await. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532898385719-AOKUK2OER0SR4PBVU8HB/16CLT-Web_v3a.png Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532897367295-OA4HL05YTPVWTD3IXQ30/20180713-2018-07-13+12.04.02.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756032042-QDQNA45C5TQP0Y6RT3F0/20180706-2018-07-06+12.41.30.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Thoughts on the first climb of the tour: this is wayyyyy harder than I thought and I thought it was going to be hard… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818248050-BC5GI3LR6HB4UYE31V4X/20180706-2018-07-06+12.57.08.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Each major climb has road signs notating how many kilometers you have left, the elevation, and how steep this km of the climb is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756094141-5ARYR2Z8CLF2YW4IDW98/20180706-2018-07-06+13.01.14.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor You can can hear a cow-cophony of cow bells, moos, and your heavy breathing as you suffer up the climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756127909-NOMI1500Z4X5QP543JBI/20180706-2018-07-06+13.02.34.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Stay in your lane, cow… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756154075-BRDD03CWZR35IDHUTPQK/20180706-2018-07-06+13.55.03.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor My friend coming up around the bend… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756196261-PWLNCZ1DGW5EQMA0FFUG/20180706-2018-07-06+13.55.54.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Almost there! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750877644-5L4KERKF8AD36DQA0RV3/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+18-X3.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Trek Travel lunch at the top of the summit. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532758331377-2Q1CMJ9E7ODL20XCAKOA/2018-07-06+14.28.53.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor If you don’t get a photo with the summit sign, it didn’t happen! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756221452-FDJWBTL4XUJ2UFWKG3SJ/20180706-2018-07-06+15.14.28.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Col du Soulor Heading back towards Lourdes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756241131-WHQJEXQBB5AZJS7RYM9Z/20180706-2018-07-06+17.50.38.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Lourdes Had some time in the evening to check out the Rosary Basilica in the city of Lourdes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756279148-5CIHL5SBORHIEEJOTIJ9/20180706-2018-07-06+17.54.19.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Lourdes The door is open for my confession…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756334817-J717LANX0F9HV8QX4GOA/20180706-2018-07-06+17.57.25.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Lourdes I need a Lourdes miracle to get me up these climbs! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750878784-WJCCD6T8S11AUBLNVMR7/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+35-X3.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet On the road to Tourmalet. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532759077942-P1KS7GCED9OO498X7NC9/20180707-2018-07-07+12.22.43.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet A long ways to go… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532758351815-QMX8C0S4CVY3LL57B9WF/2018-07-07+12.34.37.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet Let’s take a breath and enjoy the scenery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756404773-TFNGIIDFS65YV08V1PDF/20180707-2018-07-07+12.46.23.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet You sure that gondola isn’t working? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818351238-MWLGTG06OS69BDQVRERO/20180707-2018-07-07+13.18.50.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet The pavement looks the same everywhere, so it’s important to take breaks and enjoy the views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756484126-R9QF230ABO0BYYYO7OGF/20180707-2018-07-07+13.06.34.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet 3K to go… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750879303-4YTY2D3PW5XVEA8ZS6SF/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+74-X3.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet The van was just around the corner, and our guide was blasting “Don’t Stop Believing” and ringing a cow bell to help me up the last kilometer. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750880627-5C90NRZTFLV54OOB7XSX/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+77-X3.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet Somehow made it to the top of this mountain. Awkwardly holding the statues hand…I need to work on my summit poses. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756581047-NTES4ZQE9ML9T1KL64VN/20180707-2018-07-07+13.55.55.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col du Tourmalet “Turn around, look at what you just did!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756603349-WE4PMMGZC9P0Y4XBERAH/20180707-2018-07-07+15.56.17.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col de Aspin Heading up the second climb of the day… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750882368-RC0L2SY0XHDEEJABPEKW/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+96-X3.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col de Aspin I wanted to hop in the van after Tourmalet, but my friend convinced me to push towards Aspin. I made it just in time before the hail came down…(photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532756619741-YJ9GIZJLD3LVWWS1P0JA/20180707-2018-07-07+16.05.32.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Col de Aspin Dem clouds don’t look good… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818395882-TFFI5RCBOY5BZBTVCEIJ/20180708-2018-07-08+07.04.05.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel It started to pour, so our Trek Travel guides shuttled us down to the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818298068-FIIC6VRKWMHV0J32EBH3/20180707-2018-07-07+19.52.06.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel Asked for the local beer…it was an IPA :’( https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818340578-QLJZMBVM08ADSTJUZJUP/20180707-2018-07-07+20.03.41.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel Dinner at the hotel restaurant was so good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532818380293-U8HFUNEF8CT4M0MHDK1D/20180708-2018-07-08+06.59.09.jpg Travel - Day 02 - Mercure Saint Lary Hotel They even had mini jams for breakfast! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750841016-RS3NIBC06G0UW2RY4N4S/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2839%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux After a 7 hour bus transfer, I opted to take a rest day. Next up, the Giant of Provance, Mont Ventoux. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810669797-ZULR5K8R5JTUKGU57DRR/20180709-2018-07-09+09.00.49.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Feeling strong today :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750845067-M3X5I8IBRTK04R5BXPJE/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2858%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux On the road to Mont Ventoux. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810694514-90BN6UF7NR4YKPTAJML7/20180709-2018-07-09+11.57.43.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux In 2009, eventual tour winner Alberto Contador sealed his victory on this climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810722521-714732EGF6IO5U7JUNJV/20180709-2018-07-09+12.06.55.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux In 2016, eventual tour winner Chris Froome was knocked off his bicycle due to a collision with a motor bike. The neutral service bike didn’t fit him, so he started running up that hill… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810753101-VAMZVADPA7A0723W1Q23/20180709-2018-07-09+12.16.48.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux In 1967, British rider Tom Simpson fell off his bike 1km from the summit of Mont Ventoux. He got back on and rode 500 meters before having to be held upright by spectators. He was taken to a hospital by helicopter and died. This is a memorial where he collapsed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810788248-TFA5YQZUMOULF47K4J63/20180709-2018-07-09+12.17.23.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Legends are made in these mountains, and the rich history of the climbs help motivate you up them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810792238-5FGSHVLNPJVC1LTPYTKY/20180709-2018-07-09+12.33.21.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Boom! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810826118-6XOW98JNTPL3921W33TI/20180709-2018-07-09+12.36.19.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Mont Ventoux has been known to be particularly brutal due to the lack of shade and high winds. Luckily it wasn’t windy on the day we climbed it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810824879-5MGAFMP3OEQOG6L9EKLO/20180709-2018-07-09+12.38.02.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux The tower that loomed over the whole ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533012908895-QIK52FGTCLYW5JO0LZW6/Screen+Shot+2018-07-30+at+8.45.52+AM.png Travel - Day 04 - Mont Ventoux Descending down where I had so much fun I blew past our lunch spot and had to climb an additional 2km back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811744921-YIJAYVJNUO8QA4C8V214/20180710-2018-07-10+14.44.53.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier After a 3-4 hour bus transfer, let’s ride the toughest day! Cool! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811794636-X043MO7FW7QI7TGWFKTJ/20180710-2018-07-10+15.07.02.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Ahhh, the lovely site of the Trek Travel van! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532821180641-SP835JI3XDDM6XBRTZ0H/2018-07-10+14.57.53.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Pole pose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750883704-BZCV2GBHY7S0K9OIWLCE/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+160-X3.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Do you remember doing this as a kid? Quack! Quack! (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811902767-4ETLO1GY081IBGG9GQC4/20180710-2018-07-10+17.01.03.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Now onto Galibier… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811951965-AVQ8ZMGNLE7AB8RXYJPJ/20180710-2018-07-10+17.21.15.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier All the major climbs have these convenient trash bins on the side of the road for you to toss your gel, snack, and other food wrappers into. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532811986447-FUPIEEWBUHGHC55WUCQD/20180710-2018-07-10+17.26.13.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Fromage this way! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812046295-EXW5YDWAEI2YX9IPAG3B/20180710-2018-07-10+17.34.08.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier This ride was so hard, but so beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812060602-MEQ9V6APLFCJ87XU5TW4/20180710-2018-07-10+17.34.11.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier It is one of the highest road passes in the Alps, and often the highest point featured on the Tour de France. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750855213-180QO9UIEXBGW4WH660Z/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2895%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier I took so long the avid riders caught up with me! (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750856360-U8Y5IHWHJUG24MFTCQT1/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2898%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Heyyyyooo, yes, hi I’m, here! I made it! (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812111210-55JABWJP7AB3JET2HKS5/20180710-2018-07-10+18.17.21.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Count it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750853600-16AAW0EXBA4DCSMXWOCQ/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%2893%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Telegraph & Galibier On top the summit of Galibier. Our guides not only fill our water bottles, maintain our bikes, encourage and take care of us, but they also take pretty awesome photos. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812174397-X8ANBUEDGF992ZF9ZEJ0/20180710-2018-07-10+20.34.09.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss View from our hotel patio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812193141-0OWD0GYVSUWPOOY821IP/20180710-2018-07-10+21.18.13.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss Water from the glacier… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532812204653-LT3CFQ31LX74BR0T4JYQ/20180710-2018-07-10+22.02.13.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss France just won their World Cup semi-final game, so we were celebrating! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750885848-E0PGVGJXKNLXIA6P2B9C/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+204-X3.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss Cheers to a pretty tough (35 miles, 6500 ft) and epic day. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750907865-PLRGGFONVCJZXDEPC3CR/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+231-X3.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Hotel Audberge Edelweiss In the morning before our “recovery” ride. (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813736591-BZ0PPHXS5WTW6HV86MTP/20180711-2018-07-11+10.11.25.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Yes, a 40 mile, 3600ft recovery ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813800528-56JOLUJP638L7K82OCQ1/20180711-2018-07-11+10.28.45.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy In front of the polka dot bike of course! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750890824-32UVT7Z5XIEHG1AA87C4/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+216-X3-1.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Trek Travel rest stop. Hey! Let’s take our picture in front of the circus because that’s what this feels like. Rawr! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750893188-FGZ41GXA3X5016XMLEW5/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+222-X3.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Hello! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813865965-FWLJZT7NBHNRQ8BNX6NL/20180711-2018-07-11+11.33.50.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy We were able to take a more relaxed pace and really soak in the views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813861174-MS6S9D5A4H0B08IRM8RE/20180711-2018-07-11+12.07.55.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813929340-YNNU0N5182Q4K348I7L6/20180711-2018-07-11+12.25.17.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813923838-E2EBLAY6POKAX1UOFRBU/20180711-2018-07-11+12.31.56.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy The roads in France are soooooooo nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532813997244-GZYLGF7LMLCCP0UB8BYO/20180711-2018-07-11+13.13.44.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy We will be down there shortly! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750902329-32O7IFHXZDC7PGI8NLKG/18CLT0706_C-LINE+-+226-X3.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy almost to Italy…need coffee… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532814044986-35Y81AJ4LJQ9P1Z81NVR/20180711-2018-07-11+13.24.13.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Am I in France? Or am I in Italy? (This is the border.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530531142-YOKQR359T49ZIU8EQ9FN/2018-07-11+13.53.49.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Col du Lautaret & Italy Coffee in Italy! Actually my friend got this and I got an affogato (not pictured here). My as well eat some ice cream with espresso, the van was shuttling us back! :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530559007-G16VXK1WNLCQBQ26DBPS/2018-07-12+10.16.59+HDR.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer Signs letting the locals know that the roads will be closed during the Tour de France! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815030629-O7AUVWD1IGVX2G0QFY7K/20180712-2018-07-12+11.22.44.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer The start of a very difficult climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750860158-Y2V207BECZYZMN0AG3MH/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28144%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer Great shot from the Trek Travel guides. We love the blue van! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815020385-Q7KGJA10YZHVLHDOH92Q/20180712-2018-07-12+12.52.30.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer After a long 10% section and some 15% sections, I wanted to cry when I saw 3.9% https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815076545-ZHS50ZTP7OFVJWOWZ2C5/20180712-2018-07-12+12.58.53.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer I wasn’t sure if it said 10 or 0!? After I learned the hardest part was at the beginning (and therefore over), I made sure to give it all until the summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815076977-JK0SZTOS0KOJKJR7CMN1/20180712-2018-07-12+13.41.25.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer Yay! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815129378-ZQFGXC2YM58N0WATQS04/20180712-2018-07-12+13.44.58.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col de la Croix de Fer We were also “training with” the pro Fortuneo team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815173243-3WMVTLF8B3KR653MLR9T/20180712-2018-07-12+13.55.08.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon There was a short descent down and then an easy 200 meter climb to grab another Col. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815177160-DBKLQTR3YLW2F3X05KQQ/20180712-2018-07-12+13.55.27.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon Wall sit! I know I should sit lower but I just biked for like 4 hours… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815218187-WS6AAZ7XXS3BZGTWACJ5/20180712-2018-07-12+13.55.47.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon Vanna White! (trying to get creative here) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815220030-2A574I73VSZ11EWSBGGQ/20180712-2018-07-12+13.58.01.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon The other side of the summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815277491-EZCNXALQT63O71BYLP0X/20180712-2018-07-12+14.34.36.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon Heading back the way we came. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815258781-X1FYVEQDJITI01PU0SZE/20180712-2018-07-12+15.41.12.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon The shuttle would be waiting for us by the dam, and it sure was a welcome sight :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815318790-1YU3ETIIWKL3PWL37JCQ/20180712-2018-07-12+15.42.39.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon The tour would come through here a few days later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815330488-Z6WJ7Q08FIW0NLIR4EVT/20180712-2018-07-12+15.43.23.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Col du Glandon From the dam we were shuttled up to the hotel, where we would start the next day’s ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815371970-9HOF1IQCOKZGC79ZJF9O/20180713-2018-07-13+09.23.46.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Starting from our hotel at the top of Alp d’Huez, we went up the Col de Sarrene and then descended back down into Bourse d’oisans to start the traditional Alp d’Huez climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750874050-L4LTQUERTS46UFVKOFRO/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28168%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750866000-WXMGGGX8100GI110QHQ2/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28156%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750874605-08Z7A7DG6TTDRNNGMKTC/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28166%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez (photo: trek travel) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750865398-KJFUNPBVG0ZFCK7NSWI8/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%28154%29-X3.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Made it! And now for the descent… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815382571-6MPKZB9JVSCDW03L2ANE/20180713-2018-07-13+09.33.21.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez The start of the descent was steep and technical, but one of the most beautiful descents of the entire trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815452436-1S0X19ZE2XGKVVUHGITA/20180713-2018-07-13+10.47.55.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Back into the city where the climb starts. The Trek Travel van was there for us to refuel on drinks and snacks. This would be the final climb of our trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532901024530-CXJOX3ANZZTK22VXV3EO/20180713-2018-07-13+10.51.39.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez This is still here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815501453-X8TYLM5C1JL91AP1SLM4/20180713-2018-07-13+11.51.00.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Up one of the many switchbacks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815568396-9MYEEFZ3NOFHXAAFAJNI/20180713-2018-07-13+12.02.53.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez I believe this was switchback 16, where you can get a pretty sweet view of all the road you’ve covered so far. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815657788-CDLKZN735QEJV0V751BQ/20180713-2018-07-13+12.16.10.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Instead of notating km, the signs in Alp’ dHuez notate which switchback you are on. This is #7, the Dutch Corner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533530568096-YBHU5YTAF6APLXW9BPQR/2018-07-13+11.43.52.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp d'Huez Switchback! Trek Travel Van! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532750839035-0KCNOG6TCZ74G3259KIQ/18CLT0706+J_Gomez+%281%29-XL.png Travel - Day 08 - Alp D'Huez Our fantastic Trek Travel guides surprised us with a champagne shower to celebrate the completion of our tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815745179-2YT7QA2D21Y856NJTN8O/20180713-2018-07-13+13.27.45.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Alp D'Huez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532815753540-A0EA55CKQIRBPAXND5BL/20180714-2018-07-14+08.13.09.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Alp d'Huez View from our hotel. Time to say goodbye and hop on a bus to Grenoble. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532925379050-AYCQ2P1EEYAVAGIVICYH/20180718-P7180458.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909364236-7AN7PV8BWZ980J25ZIQP/20180714-P7140338.jpg Travel - Grenoble View from the Bastille. I felt like the view wasn’t earned considering we just took those little bubbles up versus suffering for hours… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921250126-KVJE163Q0KXWI8WY539L/20180714-2018-07-14+14.29.55.jpg Travel - Grenoble I’m at a Bastille, on Bastille day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921239924-5Q8N1K9NT8QLCG8OC3IT/20180714-2018-07-14+13.18.15+HDR.jpg Travel - Grenoble Behind the fortress where there was another fortress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921274381-ZF4C4HNV3FGOPAHAC2KQ/20180714-2018-07-14+14.33.26.jpg Travel - Grenoble Waiting for our bubble to go down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921285804-D71ODO2YLJ9GS72MF27Q/20180714-2018-07-14+15.02.00.jpg Travel - Grenoble Croque McDo! w/ french fries and a curry sauce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921310973-5ND067OI6FQCIEJPLUMC/20180714-2018-07-14+18.44.29.jpg Travel - Grenoble I think this hamburger place was my favorite part of Grenoble. What can I say, I love a good burger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909408333-X7IDLEL836G108SPUH72/20180715-2018-07-15+19.14.11.jpg Travel - Grenoble France wins the World Cup! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909473994-AGM7KS07LHYM9RF9V7ZY/20180715-P7150381.jpg Travel - Grenoble To be in France, when France wins the World Cup is an experience that will probably never happen to me again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909416633-3IN6VMR59RSYKQK9IKJA/20180715-P7150372.jpg Travel - Grenoble Fireworks and smoke everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909471883-78A6G8SJASYN67M8UXP7/20180715-P7150373.jpg Travel - Grenoble Cars were honking their horns all night! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921345400-W6Y7OOK86J4YX9PCK5YJ/20180716-2018-07-16+13.40.23.jpg Travel - Grenoble Classic dish of the region, gratin dauphinois. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921342797-G6I7BC9TA6EJ8ZSUN20A/20180716-2018-07-16+14.02.58.jpg Travel - Grenoble These little espresso cups were everywhere and I loved them! Coffee beans to mimic the Grenoble bubbles. Also the world’s tiniest cookie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909541261-EP7HQO9VH7QI5P0MMG39/20180716-2018-07-16+16.26.40.jpg Travel - Grenoble After the highs of biking all day, my friend and I found Grenoble to be a bit boring. So we changed our plans and headed to city of Annecy, where the next Tour de France stage would start. (Also the rental car company upgraded us to a Mercedes.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909542552-9QMV86U078ZC1G4J5NAW/20180716-2018-07-16+19.08.55.jpg Travel - Annecy We were pulling up to our hotel and started freaking out because we saw the Lotto-Jumbo team buses right outside! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909595299-IG8OHJ24O0RBS4EU1MAO/20180716-2018-07-16+19.22.02.jpg Travel - Annecy The team had just finished their rest day ride, and the mechanics were preparing all of the bikes for the following day’s stage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909614689-DESIQCYY8X92DE8GLDJE/20180716-2018-07-16+19.22.21.jpg Travel - Annecy bikes bikes bikes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909673204-04PS0Y72Z6MFBB5WT80U/20180716-2018-07-16+19.29.51.jpg Travel - Annecy #166 is the bike of Primoz Roglic, one of my favorite riders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909696887-SY0HXIC3B5DPUD0OW6G3/20180717-2018-07-17+10.18.57.jpg Travel - Annecy The start of Stage 10 of the 2018 Tour de France. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909758785-PCOGPJVAYUNXUGO6R4IP/20180717-2018-07-17+11.17.02.jpg Travel - Annecy The start of the Tour de France Caravan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923435251-KXN2VBSNZQOGODNET5XY/20180717-2018-07-17+11.20.58.jpg Travel - Annecy I did not know this, but about an hour before the riders roll out, a bunch of promotional floats roll by and hand out things. It’s bizarre and fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923389166-LRP53PXEXU259F7U9NBY/20180717-P7170390.jpg Travel - Annecy The time-check moto! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923416180-CWHQ78L8O68ZXR774XVM/20180717-P7170397.jpg Travel - Annecy The countdown is on and the gendarmerie are getting ready to escort the riders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532923436100-QL6ENHXK5UGE18DPTNJ9/20180717-P7170403.jpg Travel - Annecy Current yellow jersey wearer Greg Van Avermaet, and current/future Green Jersey winner Peter Sagan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909816535-SWAK8VB9UOTFDTL8VFUO/20180717-P7170418.jpg Travel - Annecy Future most combative rider Dan Martin (left) and future overall Tour winner Geraint Thomas. Even in the neutral zone they are too fast for my camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909905760-0YE18ANMPHBFGQ8WVJ3L/20180717-P7170421.jpg Travel - Annecy American rider Taylor Phinney. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909765035-KW69FVJ1V229QVO3AJNT/20180717-2018-07-17+14.42.39.jpg Travel - Annecy It couldn’t have been more that 30 minutes after the stage start, and they had already picked up the barriers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909848396-OJEIQR180Z8AB7K3LRRT/20180717-2018-07-17+15.53.24.jpg Travel - Annecy Walking around the beautiful city of Annecy, which is often called the Venice of France due to it’s canals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532921454605-43FGDV2F04MBUPT5802F/20180717-2018-07-17+16.50.48.jpg Travel - Annecy We found a bar and asked them to put the Tour on so we could watch the rest of the stage. La Chouffe and the Tour de France. I was in heaven! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909929716-IWWNRCMAT039KM89RY75/20180718-P7180444.jpg Travel - Annecy The following day we rented bikes and rode 40km around the Lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909969880-YJT11UR8252T08UCH1B7/20180718-P7180458.jpg Travel - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532909991497-8LC15NXPQGEZGLA8KAMZ/20180718-P7180460.jpg Travel - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910057459-BZ6U2YYKE4XCVFDQKTZP/20180718-P7180466.jpg Travel - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910092721-NPNX4WW4ICKURLZPSGPX/20180718-P7180473.jpg Travel - Annecy Part of the Stage 10 route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910174328-S688JTPPTFUW5D6LUS4U/20180718-P7180484.jpg Travel - Annecy So many paragliders! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910212230-19XCD01BITHHRWJUVAZE/20180718-P7180502.jpg Travel - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910231706-IDLI0C0RG697VNDQRY7P/20180718-P7180505.jpg Travel - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910274114-597HUI9AHK679HQOE62I/20180718-P7180506.jpg Travel - Annecy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910311963-5EX7RCSA3SQHHGMXFIQ6/20180718-P7180528.jpg Travel - Annecy Throwback to my Oswego crew days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097528931-3UCO6MJV2XTMR0QY8QIV/20180719-P7190538.jpg Travel - Belgium We drove 7 hours to Belgium, where we stayed at this (real) Bed & Breakfast out in the countryside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097377663-E5280N7A88UX3QLJ0MJ8/20180719-2018-07-19+16.28.40.jpg Travel - Belgium We got to Belgium just in time to find a bar and watch Stage 19 of the Tour de France. This was important because it featured the climbs of Alp d’Huez and Col de la Croix de Fer, which we rode a few days before! I also looked at the menu and told myself I should get a local beer, then I remembered La Chouffe is local! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910406080-054ZSP9DJZDFN943SRGV/20180719-P7190535.jpg Travel - Belgium Then we drove towards the La Chouffe brewery and passed by several peaceful farms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910359926-GYKDK6UO0NGXJRUVXJX9/20180719-2018-07-19+19.52.51.jpg Travel - Belgium This way to La Chouffe! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097462215-ZT4IZ70BHHCOJLED9PTV/20180719-2018-07-19+18.33.29.jpg Travel - Belgium There are so many to choose from! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097500557-2P5DE99G3HIX3FTKZBRX/20180719-2018-07-19+19.44.43.jpg Travel - Belgium All La Chouffe, all the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097532752-QYM8Y3YRWKQUZUFOAIWF/20180719-2018-07-19+20.18.19.jpg Travel - Belgium The area (La Roche-en-Ardenne) has plenty of U.S. tanks around it, memorializing the Battle of the Bulge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097585270-T8VDZQURBI1T6JOU6A0U/20180720-2018-07-20+11.12.28.jpg Travel - Belgium You can’t go to Europe and not go to some type of World War II museum. We went to the Bastogne War Museum, which educates you about the Battle of the Bulge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910432667-4W29AUPS10B4S5OQYEWC/20180720-2018-07-20+14.24.29.jpg Travel - Belgium Outside the museum is the Mardasson Memorial. It represents the friendship between the U.S. and Belgium, and honors the soldiers who lost their lives during the battle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097598232-9J42LQDFQHQYGC1QG568/20180720-2018-07-20+14.35.20.jpg Travel - Belgium My friend’s grandfather was in the 101st Airborne Division, so it was neat to have that connection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533097651431-R6NZD27AODG4Y2IB9A35/20180720-2018-07-20+17.37.05.jpg Travel - Beligum We also checked out a bike shop for fun because, well, thats been kinda the theme of this trip. A bike tube vending machine is handy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532910452011-70A341DQWSJ3JTNMI30Z/20180720-2018-07-20+22.27.10.jpg Travel - Belgium Coincidentally we were in Belgium during their National Day. There was a presentation in the center of town telling a story about a ghost? Belgium has three languages (Dutch, German, and French), so unfortunately no English translation on this one! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594606918545-Q1X9V464A05MOP6WQP25/2019_ECUADOR_small.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603198467-CSXW1U0NB8G4MP0VNPY1/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-01.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Arrival Little surprise under the pillow! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603206028-9HOKGD1048MZ5OHA8DOS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-02.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Arrival View from the hotel window. Tennis Court! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603212717-B5VLXBRAKGNDO81SAAAL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-03.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering around Quito I noticed these strange scarecrow/pinata/life size dolls and was very curious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603214014-LSJDJ5HWQEOGZZH7NL5Y/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-04.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Wandering around Quito Scoped out a fabric shop and got something for my mom since that’s her thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604186602-SBDZXDY7BYR9DGOYK1MP/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-9.jpg Travel - Day 01 - Getting to know my Adventure Buddies For what’s it’s worth this craft brew was like $8 at the hotel bar. That’s like, LA prices! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603547070-MR9VS5OVZH1Y76MRBN2Q/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-1.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Straddling the hemispheres at the Museo de Sitio Intinan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603320083-BMB4TN4MQW2MU1EIV9XC/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-66.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Excuse me sir, do you have the time? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603316666-KVRRJAJDP15AKLUWFAB8/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-67.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Now sitting in the center of the world https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603329075-LHX7KG8OV87ULCONCUSB/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-68.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Ancient shrunken heads. Yes I tipped the guide! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603332282-OW4OV17BWB1GBIZX885C/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-69.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Basílica del Voto Nacional, the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. (Statue game with the Pope) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603646994-MHP40EH2I91VKR38GYGC/2019_ECUADOR_small-38.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Inside the Basilica of the National Vow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603348341-SP2OUL30VKPPP8YG8K6M/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-70.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour me inside a church, it’s a rare sighting! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603341507-XZFQ2HTV1VTGN0FIY6BS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-71.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Old organ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603658987-V9REGLJ39HQE5BZN8YYR/2019_ECUADOR_small-41.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Climbing up a VERY TIGHT space to the top https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603659208-V46WGLBK0MY0HJ2BTVOH/2019_ECUADOR_small-40.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Again, me at a church…take a picture it’ll last longer, they say… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603645924-X1JSBFLDKOAJHWPQWD8A/2019_ECUADOR_small-39.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour From the top of the church you can see the Virgin Mary on the other side of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603664409-23Q9E4K17DRFJHZOED5U/2019_ECUADOR_small-42.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Virgin of Quito https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603355658-93I2GYMICVMWVWFIXTJ9/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-72.jpg Travel - Day 08 - Quito City Tour View from the Virgin of Quito looking out to the city https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594605369596-EEWEBJHJPAMV53TE5LWV/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-1-2.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia Rented a city bike and rode through the city! They transformed the old airport into a park! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603378387-AYVGE3KNXCRF95YVZ8UU/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-77.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia Riding a bike down an airport runway… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603375295-DEEWU3745IPR8DA92FP9/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-76.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia They had free water stations set up throughout the route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603385562-J5587A6Q910VFQG9T6AP/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-78.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia Stopped to get an epic mocha with marshmallows! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603388002-GO66C6KS4T2WW13269ZA/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-79.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia coffee coffee coffee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603394976-5DUSS2PIHKLC26QQPA92/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-80.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia my shop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603396399-E50L6JGCVYIRJHTFL6EG/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-81.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia snack game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603360692-OAGSMTEKYIUMRSPGHUWT/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-73.jpg Travel - Day 09 - Ciclavia snack game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603369890-S0BGQ44IITO5SN3MSS6R/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-75.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Wandered around some cafe’s to write my postcards https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603404673-P7QIX4XH84T2TEWYDSBW/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-82.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Yay! Hope everyone got theirs! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604148547-K5I1K6O38PMK1BQO0PZ2/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-7.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Rode the teleferico (cable car) up to get a view of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603403677-IW9UJO9DW8KZZ0JS64OR/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-83.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day You can take your dog on in the cable car with you <3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603418118-W0ZMR99GFNTA7D70KOZ3/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-85.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Oxygen for sale… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604143410-ML5XP8W76HNBM7DXVVQ1/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-6.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day The mountains I was suppose to see, but there was too much cloud cover. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604132062-9O23JXG3ZSPDAN2OGHZR/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-5.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Ecuador loves their swings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604278759-HOFJ57FSOCRY495QWIIJ/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-10.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604137106-C0CT8XYZZ57OW6T3Y1MR/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-3.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Foch Yeah! The Foch is a touristy/young/hip district of Quito https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603363783-CMB1ONVDV73YQ3W7RJ2S/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-74.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Final meal out, checkin’ the beer selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604151240-QYITIUQB9MMKFQFIZH2R/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-8.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day I liked this brewery…probably because they had animals on their labels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603987851-94NHHKLNM86TXH2O5BVE/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day Since my flight was sooooo late (11pm) and I didn’t want to purchase another night in the hotel, they offered me access to the “executive lounge” so I’d at least have a place to chill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594606517508-4B238YBICVA0TSP7EJ3B/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-86.jpg Travel - Day 10 - Last Day View from the Executive lounge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610303992-56579G5T8E0M3KS3SOLF/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-06.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park I think the base here is about 12,000 feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613910776-VL6TR26IZ78HARC2YVML/2019_ECUADOR_small-01.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613911548-0C3Z5RK5K6HZM6D8FF6U/2019_ECUADOR_small-02.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613920672-QMT09HMX7GG3ZF9LIUD7/2019_ECUADOR_small-03.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613917090-G8MB9F12KDK69CETFTVP/2019_ECUADOR_small-04.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613925272-M21L0LMVG3Z9Y1VVE4XA/2019_ECUADOR_small-05.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613926913-50PYRQPMF4JKWUBWU1Y7/2019_ECUADOR_small-06.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594687646933-NBILT21J5RKWQJUNCNI8/2019_ECUADOR_small-2.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613936088-4EFVFA8JCPULPNSDOE8G/2019_ECUADOR_small-08.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park Geological marker on top of that white thing I was awkwardly leaning against https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613930193-GBJVULNJYYB775DAT8Y5/2019_ECUADOR_small-07.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi was hiding… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610312496-LNH5FGY8P3RL0QAQ4H2F/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-07.jpg Travel - Day 2 - Lunch Break Wandering around where we had lunch…watch out for Volcano’s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689660939-3WKAL0GRLJXKIBAUTWXI/2019_ECUADOR_small-1.jpg Travel - Day 2 - First Night in Baños Having a night out at the “Leprechaun Bar” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610315895-XZVD3QNA3Q57XE9NKPKO/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-09.jpg Travel - Day 2 - First Night in Baños Welcome drink with a blue flame… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610310293-6W9GYFKQUYXHM0X7AML9/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-08.jpg Travel - Day 2 - First Night in Baños I made a joke wondering if restaurants in Ecuador had the health ratings like they do in California and on the way out… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610318187-8K2XZMCRZ4R569VMJFYX/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-10.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest On our way up we picked up some strangers and dropped them off at the bus stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610322840-8O9ORQRC8E2L7TYFOBHE/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-11.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Then our bus got stuck and the locals were very concerned at what the hell was going on in their neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610333884-U1QVOR8R17FNZN5T7H42/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-13.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Then we had to stop for directions again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610331902-3JHUGKBLYA9LTGWO9LD7/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-14.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest We finally made it! Our “destination” was just another truck with bikes on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610341443-9XA47JQ9H231CKTB5IYL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-15.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Come on, you know it’s gonna be a good day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689670262-XD6EW3N0N49Z3ICE9JVY/2019_ECUADOR_small-3.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest There she is, the big beautiful bus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610342471-TQY8XLKQCSB7PI2UTTZO/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-16.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Spoiled for choice! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610696896-4W5IHITAJJPGEMMJ0K9U/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-17.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Let’s gooooooo! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610700213-9LE6V0W4AMRBEPPUADFC/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-18.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Watch out you donkey! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610710445-K6BRRKU0P5H10XF95GYI/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-19.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Stopping for a photo op on the way down https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610712760-1QTDHWY8H4LWA2QCOY1N/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-20.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Watch out Alpaca’s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610724857-GHSJA2YBNLKGZ4RG5FUI/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-21.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest A travel buddy commented that the mountainside looks like a patchwork quilt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610722440-3SKWGJOX77DJRVLEDHHG/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-22.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest What’s up cows! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610739288-XOX6W7DEPX7F1GE0A4R3/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-23.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Stopping again to make sure out bus can get through. Our driver was the world’s best driver! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610737544-GX1J8RCM2EZWX78BKXCB/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-24.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Views like these… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610754548-EZNYU4N404NW2GM0V9ME/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-25.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest I mean… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689666258-TXD84Q8AV2FEUFJAFXHM/2019_ECUADOR_small-4.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Lunch at the Blah Blah cafe! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610747241-4QQLVX3XL5R7TGCQWKMJ/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-26.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Typical post bike-ride beverage! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610759496-RE5XA39A6WLTSJKVU01T/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-27.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños Baños is getting ready for the new year https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610766068-NJWOVPIOTX2XHXHXNYEE/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-28.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños Get your effigy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610768035-3W0MXTZF1FCZZQGCZ7D0/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-29.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños The Swing of the End of the World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610773796-XQX3RWT2LNL4ZBF52RQY/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-30.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños The winner of the 2014 Nat Geo photo contest took his photo here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610775507-AAUA4O2SZUORRZBCRTFY/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-31.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños If you don’t want to wait in like for the real thing, you can swing on this one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689676800-24UNYDJRZ2NT51AT5OQO/2019_ECUADOR_small-6.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños Still rockin’ that duct tape patch on the tear in my beloved Patagonia PUFFY jacket! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610781985-ADTKFH4TQMX8PXD54XE7/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-32.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños Hi! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610784195-BOPMYRBB1PHX99A9E6G8/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-33.jpg Travel - Day 3 - Baños The swing is at the foothills of the mighty Tungurahua Volcano, which is still active. Our guide said it is never this clear so we got lucky! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610793186-97NJAQVKFEARTYKVCY38/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-35.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall The source of the waterfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613955664-IPXX21PQPZYAMVS8MKTS/2019_ECUADOR_small-13.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall You had to cross a sturdy suspension bridge to get down to the waterfall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613953089-JXMIDLPHFEBOUPO2EJ8W/2019_ECUADOR_small-14.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall Very structurally sound and more stable than some of the scary ones I crossed in Nepal! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613940935-YG25RDFNP05H13M7DM3L/2019_ECUADOR_small-10.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall So pretty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613942855-4G334HS94YUFRPP899K9/2019_ECUADOR_small-11.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall It was hot, how about a little mist! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610798407-AC399ESS9EOELCHKIMIS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-36.jpg Travel - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610807424-AGHQ6V98UTHEFZ8P327T/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-37.jpg Travel - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon NYE traditions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610808979-LDN8HPE75LT0EIH159HO/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-38.jpg Travel - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon NYE Traditions… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610818916-4DR8ACIHD179SSZA0YUL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-39.jpg Travel - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon I noticed a lot of these outdoor gymnasiums by the schools and thought they were pretty cool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613243095-P7LTHE8NQHOJIXRPS3IY/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-41.jpg Travel - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon My shop! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610817617-SVEDDEGOLSD7KY4M5957/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-40.jpg Travel - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon The presence of human life is getting more scarce the closer towards the jungle we get. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613242878-MC3QJ2S4QOWRCUAHTVUW/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-42.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in Amazon Chickens! It’s what’s for dinner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613256199-O9E2K4YGVKHP925SFSAV/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-43.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon We learned how to make chocolate - first you toast the cacao beans on a open flame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613254970-7581DDO8BW7TMOLWG2HG/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-44.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Then you peel the shells https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613264475-3P1WWYB1GJY3L8YG9VVU/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-45.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Then you toss them in a grinder to make cacao powder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613263685-LL3MLQXHJZWT75DULJUZ/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-46.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Toss the cacao powder back on the flame to melt. We added milk and lemongrass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613271914-1QUOD4U4F7YVUJYT2WUA/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-47.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Voila! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613272203-70R42KNOSU19OQ5GWDPU/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-48.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon It was our dessert at dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613279544-CYLGSZ875L226R7LF4VS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-49.jpg Travel - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon We had another item for dessert…local amazon delicacy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613278812-ED3KMHR2W163Y7RZTI0N/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-50.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Homestay in the Amazon Our accommodations in the jungle - very simple rooms with a shared bathroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613285107-YE1UUIJQ4YX3JX8TMIJW/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-51.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Homestay in the Amazon The main area of the homestay. Here comes that jungle rain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613284191-7KK811FYZCDTLSDW457Q/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-52.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Homestay in the Amazon Rain! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594744094783-5STJR7VO3E76RVNLR27I/2020-01-04+15.14.17.jpg Travel - Day 05 - White Water Rafting in the Amazon At first I was nervous, but this ended up being my favorite day! It’s usually a class 3 rapid, but because of all the rain it was more like a 4. I did not fall out! Yay! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613294428-NKX05RQZD8J1FIEN9YIB/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-53.jpg Travel - Day 05 - En Route to Termas Papallacta We stopped for a bathroom break and got a little empanada snack. The wait took forever but it was really good… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613967913-LVG5TLQWF73518GH96TD/2019_ECUADOR_small-16.jpg Travel - Day 05 - Arrival at Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort Hot springs outside my door? Yes please… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613980391-M8U6RAZJWQP2X57X7F8A/2019_ECUADOR_small-19.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve There was a little farm right outside the spa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613972348-R0A10J41IBITN9F8P8IQ/2019_ECUADOR_small-17.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve There was also a short little hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613979432-M1P3R53FZYOX0DD2VX0Q/2019_ECUADOR_small-18.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve If I remember correctly, homie here smelled REALLY bad. He is a cow, after all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613291244-F5TKI3GOJQY2NTXUD9FF/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-54.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve Loved all the cows just roaming on the hillside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613301178-0DQC1I6KXNO2ZRKJASCL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-55.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Equator This is “the real” equator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613295946-XDD9H0M6KZ6Z8B591TJ1/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-56.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Equator Confirmed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613308395-LEXSNJYPNFW9VUAYITJQ/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-58.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Puerto Lago We stopped to grab lunch in this town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613310555-376Y5OS8X4FIK1DT5SA4/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-59.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Puerto Lago Volcanoes everywhere https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613318452-B6K0B4T5KPXBKSUWODC8/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-60.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Pinsaqui Hacienda Our accommodations for the night was at a farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613360930-J2KIF86GYQSGJE0TJO52/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-61.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Pinsaqui Hacienda The rooms were so old they had a skeleton key. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613358340-BKGS0U5OLVG5W9O9TR9W/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-62.jpg Travel - Day 06 - Pinsaqui Hacienda Dinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613369536-TK8ZMTGDGQDMIKEMVAXN/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-65.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cotacachi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613441468-2SCYZ8WNJJS0PBY2VQRN/2019_ECUADOR_small-20.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake The start of our 7.5 mile hike around the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613442358-A4HZUDO67PI8X0AEPM0R/2019_ECUADOR_small-21.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613459071-4LPAG04BJV9ZBXRGAHQV/2019_ECUADOR_small-24.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake It’s cloudy out, but your heart is like, always sunny! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613363238-HY7X3RCYB632TFNHQD10/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-64.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Volcanoes are hiding…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613362193-XCWHBZOWBLXL4FJGTNJ0/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-63.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613455792-2FAJT7KTH7N2F290K2Q8/2019_ECUADOR_small-22.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake With the main attraction covered in the clouds, it was fun to look at the vegetation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613467641-XMM7UXVE644TLU8K3QME/2019_ECUADOR_small-25.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613469195-XCOOB5VBLT7GQZSNLFFE/2019_ECUADOR_small-26.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Starting to clear up a bit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613473443-AR22ZW5ICQLX1KW2W589/2019_ECUADOR_small-27.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake I know you’re back there! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613474610-DNFIMP7TBDIQLFOLJ6ID/2019_ECUADOR_small-28.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake whoooosh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613482232-6FRFTIJOCDAOOE77XVJW/2019_ECUADOR_small-30.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613507184-SJRCI2URBV0TDBAMDOSM/2019_ECUADOR_small-31.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake All clear now, and it was starting to get hot hot hot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613493488-NV6EH3MY28Z627FXPR1J/2019_ECUADOR_small-32.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613508670-5CZ7TNM0NLYIRMAJDGYN/2019_ECUADOR_small-33.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613530762-A1OPMJVEILCB5SX1RJ83/2019_ECUADOR_small-34.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Cows in the middle of the road… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613523546-YU1BHPBE74SHZCQIWD0E/2019_ECUADOR_small-35.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake En route https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613537350-G45G0T8TS6CC63B38CC1/2019_ECUADOR_small-36.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake So we walked around the whole lake, and that orangish structure in the distance is where we were heading back to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613542044-PKSMOV8XZHNBCS6MNIYR/2019_ECUADOR_small-37.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Beautiful farms in the country-side . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594743957684-ZGFT72B6RN0RBDOXMQUX/2020-01-05+11.02.01.jpg Travel - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Group photo! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594767069575-0LSK3TCKW1PO41IR8F5P/2019_ECUADOR_small-30.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1532810108830-PO85CQE3OQBH6LOGQK2D/20180703-P7030172.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533527721412-LJIR1BWLX5IB6RUFNIYK/20180707-2018-07-07+13.55.55.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1533527841107-TOPQV5KZ8889JBN6VTSA/20180718-P7180444.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594608372912-IM0T02YKB9G1WPLHBH41/2019_ECUADOR_small-39.jpg Travel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594768143475-K0DDCWDN8STVR38AOZAC/2019_ECUADOR_small-9.jpg Travel https://www.thebigfriend.com/carlsbad-caverns-national-park daily 0.75 2019-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358136656-0HR9BVCJNUTPEYS3O8JM/P2110738.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The natural entrance to the cave (elevator is also available) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358136656-0HR9BVCJNUTPEYS3O8JM/P2110738.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The natural entrance to the cave (elevator is also available) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550432995685-JKDV0UL1A5WO6E0VWXRX/2019-02-11+13.59.56.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Just got off route 62 and am now entering the park grounds! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358126282-3OECRGGYF3XCQ5JP6OBL/P2110757.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park “Whale’s Mouth” (draperies and flowstone) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550434336516-3S3B69XX0PIKGNT3XMIK/P2110777.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Boneyard - Notice how the limestone here is riddled with holes like Swiss Cheese! Explorers named this place “the Boneyard” because the rounded shapes of the rocks reminded them of old bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550435186323-SBOX6NSP6Z8691TMR2DR/P2110769.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Closeup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358183268-67BMWUXDDL8ES511JBBN/P2110770.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.2019 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Speleothems, commonly referred to as cave formations, are formed by the deposition of minerals from water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358213040-AKB0RU9DJOBGQMYRRWJV/P2110775.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.2019 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave deposits made chiefly of calcite are called “decorations” or speleothems.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358227681-MD1QK3IBTEYAU2O0FDPD/P2110778.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.2019 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Big Room - with floor space at an estimated 600,00 square feet, this is the largest known natural limestone chamber in the Western Hemisphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358258113-F1TUEKDG1PXTVY7CNBMF/P2110782.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Big Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358272212-ZEQ9AI8FC8IBOWW5UBQ0/P2110785.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park “Lions Tail” (stalactite and popcorn) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358307885-9DDUV48W6ZUHER0BX4UH/P2110788.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Hall of Giants - Twin domes to the left, and the Giant Dome Column is the large structure to the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358326734-Z8Z8RDKX6G2D7JV2931B/P2110792.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Lots of spikey things https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358358285-5YPZTK335VO4ARL8P4YZ/P2110793.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Historic Explorations -This wire ladder was installed in 1924. It descends 90 feet into Lower Cave. I noticed it’s broken. I hope no one uses it anymore! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358454224-NUV44UAPGAVRGUYH4DQ4/P2110815.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Big Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550434805185-5FIOX5JG6RZL13HW4VXC/P2110806.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Bottomless Pit - This gaping hole appeared bottomless to early explorers who had no strong lights. It’s actually 140 feet deep. Mmmm, how many mimosas could fill it up!? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550358473444-Q0O41YOMNR910YP4J5DO/P2110822.jpg Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 02.11.19 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Draperies https://www.thebigfriend.com/big-bend-national-park daily 0.75 2019-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449191817-XRZ4GE2S050UZNL5H71C/P2120845.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Looking south on route 118. Literally nothing for 80 miles from Alpine, Texas to Terlingua, Texas. Nothing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449191817-XRZ4GE2S050UZNL5H71C/P2120845.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Looking south on route 118. Literally nothing for 80 miles from Alpine, Texas to Terlingua, Texas. Nothing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446846571-D15HDI2J050FHKENJIWH/P2120853.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Dying cacti? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446837667-67F0ETMHJA6U50ST63JH/P2120849.jpg Big Bend National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446766470-O13HRSK1UGKMM5YIP1O0/2019-02-12+11.30.38-2.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park About a mile up along the Lost Mine Trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446937998-BRICA054SMI7QXPSEJJ1/P2120868.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Along the Lost Mine Trail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446898596-LL1RVUGJQFXKLKAYHEZS/P2120867.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Along the Lost Mine Trail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446771668-ZRQPIZOKYKW4GL7Z4IJH/2019-02-12+13.11.35.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Sotol Vista - looking towards Mexico, the Rio Grande, and Santa Elena Canyon. At a distance, the scale of the small gap is not apparent. At the gorge, limestone walls tower 1500 feet above the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446938007-32T0I9V5MXDMDMV7IJQL/P2120879.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Sotol Vista, slightly different angle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446980733-5KUXDXPLLB4GFJCQ0WYE/P2120882.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Heading down from the vista point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446976380-DLXDDQWVZ4MAWOH0ZZ2G/P2120883.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Heading down the vista point, I wanted to capture the moon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449057431-RL9D3BA8QHFPSKRRRLKE/P2120892.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Tuff Canyon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447004709-O9GVCU54RCQ29YMFHYM6/P2120888.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park There were these beautiful blue flowers along the roads, but I finally got to take photos at Tuff Canyon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447020134-QQHRJRFTN3NZQTQ95RYN/P2120900.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park View from the Castolon Historic District - Santa Elena Canyon in the distance, Garlick House in the foreground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447030881-X0D7J7Z73LFPXDG5K78Q/P2120902.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon Overlook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449957533-WN0C09NQ0HXG6PI642MH/P2120905.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon/Rio Grande https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449959550-3TY3LM6DA2KIBZD7W475/P2120911.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park About a mile into the trail that takes you along the canyon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550447044732-Q3LR8YSWF9RAUSLN8ZI3/P2120910.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Figured with that split in the rock Alex Honnold would have no problem climbing this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550449987762-125SJYCAZ4OKYJACOL99/2019-02-12+16.36.28.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Out of the park and heading back through Terlingua. Saw this on the way down, so hit it up and got my mom a souvenir on the way back! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1550446815958-C4X4WMKP0EMM43AFM00T/P2120846.jpg Big Bend National Park - 2.12.19 - Big Bend National Park Back to nothing…trying to get home before dark. https://www.thebigfriend.com/ecuador-quito-1 daily 0.75 2020-07-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594602444271-YIODUQYH2WPQMX4BWKI4/2019_ECUADOR_OLYMPUS-58.jpg Ecuador - Quito https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594602444271-YIODUQYH2WPQMX4BWKI4/2019_ECUADOR_OLYMPUS-58.jpg Ecuador - Quito https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603198467-CSXW1U0NB8G4MP0VNPY1/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-01.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 01 - Arrival Little surprise under the pillow! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603206028-9HOKGD1048MZ5OHA8DOS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-02.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 01 - Arrival View from the hotel window. Tennis Court! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603212717-B5VLXBRAKGNDO81SAAAL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-03.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 01 - Wandering around Quito I noticed these strange scarecrow/pinata/life size dolls and was very curious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603214014-LSJDJ5HWQEOGZZH7NL5Y/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-04.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 01 - Wandering around Quito Scoped out a fabric shop and got something for my mom since that’s her thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604186602-SBDZXDY7BYR9DGOYK1MP/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-9.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 01 - Getting to know my Adventure Buddies For what’s it’s worth this craft brew was like $8 at the hotel bar. That’s like, LA prices! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603547070-MR9VS5OVZH1Y76MRBN2Q/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-1.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Straddling the hemispheres at the Museo de Sitio Intinan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603320083-BMB4TN4MQW2MU1EIV9XC/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-66.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Excuse me sir, do you have the time? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603316666-KVRRJAJDP15AKLUWFAB8/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-67.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Now sitting in the center of the world https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603329075-LHX7KG8OV87ULCONCUSB/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-68.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Ancient shrunken heads. Yes I tipped the guide! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603332282-OW4OV17BWB1GBIZX885C/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-69.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Basílica del Voto Nacional, the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. (Statue game with the Pope) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603646994-MHP40EH2I91VKR38GYGC/2019_ECUADOR_small-38.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Inside the Basilica of the National Vow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603348341-SP2OUL30VKPPP8YG8K6M/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-70.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour me inside a church, it’s a rare sighting! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603341507-XZFQ2HTV1VTGN0FIY6BS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-71.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Old organ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603658987-V9REGLJ39HQE5BZN8YYR/2019_ECUADOR_small-41.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Climbing up a VERY TIGHT space to the top https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603659208-V46WGLBK0MY0HJ2BTVOH/2019_ECUADOR_small-40.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Again, me at a church…take a picture it’ll last longer, they say… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603645924-X1JSBFLDKOAJHWPQWD8A/2019_ECUADOR_small-39.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour From the top of the church you can see the Virgin Mary on the other side of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603664409-23Q9E4K17DRFJHZOED5U/2019_ECUADOR_small-42.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour Virgin of Quito https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603355658-93I2GYMICVMWVWFIXTJ9/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-72.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 08 - Quito City Tour View from the Virgin of Quito looking out to the city https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594605369596-EEWEBJHJPAMV53TE5LWV/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-1-2.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia Rented a city bike and rode through the city! They transformed the old airport into a park! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603378387-AYVGE3KNXCRF95YVZ8UU/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-77.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia Riding a bike down an airport runway… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603375295-DEEWU3745IPR8DA92FP9/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-76.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia They had free water stations set up throughout the route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603385562-J5587A6Q910VFQG9T6AP/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-78.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia Stopped to get an epic mocha with marshmallows! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603388002-GO66C6KS4T2WW13269ZA/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-79.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia coffee coffee coffee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603394976-5DUSS2PIHKLC26QQPA92/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-80.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia my shop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603396399-E50L6JGCVYIRJHTFL6EG/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-81.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia snack game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603360692-OAGSMTEKYIUMRSPGHUWT/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-73.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 09 - Ciclavia snack game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603369890-S0BGQ44IITO5SN3MSS6R/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-75.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Wandered around some cafe’s to write my postcards https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603404673-P7QIX4XH84T2TEWYDSBW/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-82.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Yay! Hope everyone got theirs! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604148547-K5I1K6O38PMK1BQO0PZ2/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-7.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Rode the teleferico (cable car) up to get a view of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603403677-IW9UJO9DW8KZZ0JS64OR/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-83.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day You can take your dog on in the cable car with you <3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603418118-W0ZMR99GFNTA7D70KOZ3/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-85.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Oxygen for sale… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604143410-ML5XP8W76HNBM7DXVVQ1/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-6.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day The mountains I was suppose to see, but there was too much cloud cover. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604132062-9O23JXG3ZSPDAN2OGHZR/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-5.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Ecuador loves their swings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604278759-HOFJ57FSOCRY495QWIIJ/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-10.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604137106-C0CT8XYZZ57OW6T3Y1MR/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-3.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Foch Yeah! The Foch is a touristy/young/hip district of Quito https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603363783-CMB1ONVDV73YQ3W7RJ2S/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-74.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Final meal out, checkin’ the beer selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594604151240-QYITIUQB9MMKFQFIZH2R/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall-8.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day I liked this brewery…probably because they had animals on their labels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594603987851-94NHHKLNM86TXH2O5BVE/2019_ECUADOR_phonesmall.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day Since my flight was sooooo late (11pm) and I didn’t want to purchase another night in the hotel, they offered me access to the “executive lounge” so I’d at least have a place to chill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594606517508-4B238YBICVA0TSP7EJ3B/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-86.jpg Ecuador - Quito - Day 10 - Last Day View from the Executive lounge https://www.thebigfriend.com/ecuador-adventure daily 0.75 2020-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610303992-56579G5T8E0M3KS3SOLF/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-06.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park I think the base here is about 12,000 feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610303992-56579G5T8E0M3KS3SOLF/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-06.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park I think the base here is about 12,000 feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613910776-VL6TR26IZ78HARC2YVML/2019_ECUADOR_small-01.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613911548-0C3Z5RK5K6HZM6D8FF6U/2019_ECUADOR_small-02.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613920672-QMT09HMX7GG3ZF9LIUD7/2019_ECUADOR_small-03.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613917090-G8MB9F12KDK69CETFTVP/2019_ECUADOR_small-04.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613925272-M21L0LMVG3Z9Y1VVE4XA/2019_ECUADOR_small-05.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613926913-50PYRQPMF4JKWUBWU1Y7/2019_ECUADOR_small-06.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594687646933-NBILT21J5RKWQJUNCNI8/2019_ECUADOR_small-2.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613936088-4EFVFA8JCPULPNSDOE8G/2019_ECUADOR_small-08.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park Geological marker on top of that white thing I was awkwardly leaning against https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613930193-GBJVULNJYYB775DAT8Y5/2019_ECUADOR_small-07.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Trek in Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi was hiding… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610312496-LNH5FGY8P3RL0QAQ4H2F/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-07.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - Lunch Break Wandering around where we had lunch…watch out for Volcano’s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689660939-3WKAL0GRLJXKIBAUTWXI/2019_ECUADOR_small-1.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - First Night in Baños Having a night out at the “Leprechaun Bar” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610315895-XZVD3QNA3Q57XE9NKPKO/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-09.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - First Night in Baños Welcome drink with a blue flame… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610310293-6W9GYFKQUYXHM0X7AML9/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-08.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 2 - First Night in Baños I made a joke wondering if restaurants in Ecuador had the health ratings like they do in California and on the way out… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610318187-8K2XZMCRZ4R569VMJFYX/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-10.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest On our way up we picked up some strangers and dropped them off at the bus stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610322840-8O9ORQRC8E2L7TYFOBHE/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-11.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Then our bus got stuck and the locals were very concerned at what the hell was going on in their neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610333884-U1QVOR8R17FNZN5T7H42/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-13.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Then we had to stop for directions again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610331902-3JHUGKBLYA9LTGWO9LD7/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-14.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest We finally made it! Our “destination” was just another truck with bikes on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610341443-9XA47JQ9H231CKTB5IYL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-15.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Come on, you know it’s gonna be a good day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689670262-XD6EW3N0N49Z3ICE9JVY/2019_ECUADOR_small-3.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest There she is, the big beautiful bus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610342471-TQY8XLKQCSB7PI2UTTZO/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-16.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Spoiled for choice! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610696896-4W5IHITAJJPGEMMJ0K9U/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-17.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Let’s gooooooo! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610700213-9LE6V0W4AMRBEPPUADFC/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-18.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Watch out you donkey! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610710445-K6BRRKU0P5H10XF95GYI/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-19.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Stopping for a photo op on the way down https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610712760-1QTDHWY8H4LWA2QCOY1N/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-20.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Watch out Alpaca’s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610724857-GHSJA2YBNLKGZ4RG5FUI/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-21.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest A travel buddy commented that the mountainside looks like a patchwork quilt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610722440-3SKWGJOX77DJRVLEDHHG/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-22.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest What’s up cows! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610739288-XOX6W7DEPX7F1GE0A4R3/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-23.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Stopping again to make sure out bus can get through. Our driver was the world’s best driver! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610737544-GX1J8RCM2EZWX78BKXCB/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-24.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Views like these… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610754548-EZNYU4N404NW2GM0V9ME/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-25.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest I mean… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689666258-TXD84Q8AV2FEUFJAFXHM/2019_ECUADOR_small-4.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Lunch at the Blah Blah cafe! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610747241-4QQLVX3XL5R7TGCQWKMJ/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-26.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Mountain Biking in Cloud Forest Typical post bike-ride beverage! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610759496-RE5XA39A6WLTSJKVU01T/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-27.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños Baños is getting ready for the new year https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610766068-NJWOVPIOTX2XHXHXNYEE/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-28.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños Get your effigy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610768035-3W0MXTZF1FCZZQGCZ7D0/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-29.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños The Swing of the End of the World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610773796-XQX3RWT2LNL4ZBF52RQY/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-30.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños The winner of the 2014 Nat Geo photo contest took his photo here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610775507-AAUA4O2SZUORRZBCRTFY/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-31.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños If you don’t want to wait in like for the real thing, you can swing on this one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594689676800-24UNYDJRZ2NT51AT5OQO/2019_ECUADOR_small-6.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños Still rockin’ that duct tape patch on the tear in my beloved Patagonia PUFFY jacket! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610781985-ADTKFH4TQMX8PXD54XE7/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-32.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños Hi! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610784195-BOPMYRBB1PHX99A9E6G8/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-33.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 1 - Day 3 - Baños The swing is at the foothills of the mighty Tungurahua Volcano, which is still active. Our guide said it is never this clear so we got lucky! https://www.thebigfriend.com/ecuador-adventure-part-2 daily 0.75 2020-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610793186-97NJAQVKFEARTYKVCY38/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-35.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall The source of the waterfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610793186-97NJAQVKFEARTYKVCY38/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-35.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall The source of the waterfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613955664-IPXX21PQPZYAMVS8MKTS/2019_ECUADOR_small-13.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall You had to cross a sturdy suspension bridge to get down to the waterfall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613953089-JXMIDLPHFEBOUPO2EJ8W/2019_ECUADOR_small-14.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall Very structurally sound and more stable than some of the scary ones I crossed in Nepal! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613940935-YG25RDFNP05H13M7DM3L/2019_ECUADOR_small-10.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall So pretty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613942855-4G334HS94YUFRPP899K9/2019_ECUADOR_small-11.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall It was hot, how about a little mist! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610786219-5J9MA9JFCT2SQ249IO39/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-34.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610798407-AC399ESS9EOELCHKIMIS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-36.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610807424-AGHQ6V98UTHEFZ8P327T/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-37.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon NYE traditions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610808979-LDN8HPE75LT0EIH159HO/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-38.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon NYE Traditions… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610818916-4DR8ACIHD179SSZA0YUL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-39.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon I noticed a lot of these outdoor gymnasiums by the schools and thought they were pretty cool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613243095-P7LTHE8NQHOJIXRPS3IY/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-41.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon My shop! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594610817617-SVEDDEGOLSD7KY4M5957/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-40.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - En Route to the Amazon The presence of human life is getting more scarce the closer towards the jungle we get. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613242878-MC3QJ2S4QOWRCUAHTVUW/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-42.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in Amazon Chickens! It’s what’s for dinner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613256199-O9E2K4YGVKHP925SFSAV/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-43.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon We learned how to make chocolate - first you toast the cacao beans on a open flame https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613254970-7581DDO8BW7TMOLWG2HG/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-44.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Then you peel the shells https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613264475-3P1WWYB1GJY3L8YG9VVU/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-45.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Then you toss them in a grinder to make cacao powder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613263685-LL3MLQXHJZWT75DULJUZ/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-46.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Toss the cacao powder back on the flame to melt. We added milk and lemongrass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613271914-1QUOD4U4F7YVUJYT2WUA/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-47.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon Voila! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613272203-70R42KNOSU19OQ5GWDPU/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-48.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon It was our dessert at dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613279544-CYLGSZ875L226R7LF4VS/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-49.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 04 - Homestay in the Amazon We had another item for dessert…local amazon delicacy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613278812-ED3KMHR2W163Y7RZTI0N/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-50.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 05 - Homestay in the Amazon Our accommodations in the jungle - very simple rooms with a shared bathroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613285107-YE1UUIJQ4YX3JX8TMIJW/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-51.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 05 - Homestay in the Amazon The main area of the homestay. Here comes that jungle rain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613284191-7KK811FYZCDTLSDW457Q/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-52.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 05 - Homestay in the Amazon Rain! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594744094783-5STJR7VO3E76RVNLR27I/2020-01-04+15.14.17.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 05 - White Water Rafting in the Amazon At first I was nervous, but this ended up being my favorite day! It’s usually a class 3 rapid, but because of all the rain it was more like a 4. I did not fall out! Yay! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613294428-NKX05RQZD8J1FIEN9YIB/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-53.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 05 - En Route to Termas Papallacta We stopped for a bathroom break and got a little empanada snack. The wait took forever but it was really good… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613967913-LVG5TLQWF73518GH96TD/2019_ECUADOR_small-16.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 05 - Arrival at Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort Hot springs outside my door? Yes please… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613980391-M8U6RAZJWQP2X57X7F8A/2019_ECUADOR_small-19.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve There was a little farm right outside the spa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613972348-R0A10J41IBITN9F8P8IQ/2019_ECUADOR_small-17.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve There was also a short little hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613979432-M1P3R53FZYOX0DD2VX0Q/2019_ECUADOR_small-18.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve If I remember correctly, homie here smelled REALLY bad. He is a cow, after all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613291244-F5TKI3GOJQY2NTXUD9FF/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-54.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve Loved all the cows just roaming on the hillside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613301178-0DQC1I6KXNO2ZRKJASCL/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-55.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Equator This is “the real” equator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613295946-XDD9H0M6KZ6Z8B591TJ1/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-56.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Equator Confirmed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613308395-LEXSNJYPNFW9VUAYITJQ/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-58.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Puerto Lago We stopped to grab lunch in this town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613310555-376Y5OS8X4FIK1DT5SA4/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-59.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Puerto Lago Volcanoes everywhere https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613318452-B6K0B4T5KPXBKSUWODC8/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-60.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Pinsaqui Hacienda Our accommodations for the night was at a farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613360930-J2KIF86GYQSGJE0TJO52/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-61.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Pinsaqui Hacienda The rooms were so old they had a skeleton key. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613358340-BKGS0U5OLVG5W9O9TR9W/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-62.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 06 - Pinsaqui Hacienda Dinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613369536-TK8ZMTGDGQDMIKEMVAXN/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-65.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cotacachi National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613441468-2SCYZ8WNJJS0PBY2VQRN/2019_ECUADOR_small-20.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake The start of our 7.5 mile hike around the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613442358-A4HZUDO67PI8X0AEPM0R/2019_ECUADOR_small-21.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613459071-4LPAG04BJV9ZBXRGAHQV/2019_ECUADOR_small-24.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake It’s cloudy out, but your heart is like, always sunny! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613363238-HY7X3RCYB632TFNHQD10/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-64.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Volcanoes are hiding…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613362193-XCWHBZOWBLXL4FJGTNJ0/2019_ECUADOR_PHONEsmall-63.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613455792-2FAJT7KTH7N2F290K2Q8/2019_ECUADOR_small-22.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake With the main attraction covered in the clouds, it was fun to look at the vegetation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613467641-XMM7UXVE644TLU8K3QME/2019_ECUADOR_small-25.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613469195-XCOOB5VBLT7GQZSNLFFE/2019_ECUADOR_small-26.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Starting to clear up a bit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613473443-AR22ZW5ICQLX1KW2W589/2019_ECUADOR_small-27.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake I know you’re back there! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613474610-DNFIMP7TBDIQLFOLJ6ID/2019_ECUADOR_small-28.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake whoooosh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613482232-6FRFTIJOCDAOOE77XVJW/2019_ECUADOR_small-30.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613507184-SJRCI2URBV0TDBAMDOSM/2019_ECUADOR_small-31.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake All clear now, and it was starting to get hot hot hot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613493488-NV6EH3MY28Z627FXPR1J/2019_ECUADOR_small-32.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613508670-5CZ7TNM0NLYIRMAJDGYN/2019_ECUADOR_small-33.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613530762-A1OPMJVEILCB5SX1RJ83/2019_ECUADOR_small-34.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Cows in the middle of the road… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613523546-YU1BHPBE74SHZCQIWD0E/2019_ECUADOR_small-35.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake En route https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613537350-G45G0T8TS6CC63B38CC1/2019_ECUADOR_small-36.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake So we walked around the whole lake, and that orangish structure in the distance is where we were heading back to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594613542044-PKSMOV8XZHNBCS6MNIYR/2019_ECUADOR_small-37.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Beautiful farms in the country-side . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1594743957684-ZGFT72B6RN0RBDOXMQUX/2020-01-05+11.02.01.jpg Ecuador - Adventure Part 2 - Day 07 - Cuicocha Crater Lake Group photo! https://www.thebigfriend.com/pictures-by-lydia daily 0.75 2022-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068625277-Z51Z44WAKO2N2YHGWYRN/2019_ECUADOR_small-01.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068625277-Z51Z44WAKO2N2YHGWYRN/2019_ECUADOR_small-01.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068638864-P19YK5FUC0PF8IFMWLLZ/2019_ECUADOR_small-02.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068654545-VAFVVG5Y3XVF3MY7QWG0/2019_ECUADOR_small-03.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068657595-H319LTRH9GMONRCKL15L/2019_ECUADOR_small-04.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068682304-EI5ZEM8SYNNBC01F24DL/2019_ECUADOR_small-05.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068692430-ZROELV5U6LIX7YTN0UYW/2019_ECUADOR_small-06.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068706182-DLUYD61EHSX2LV31W63D/2019_ECUADOR_small-07.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068727401-H7XTVT6HAC3REG4XXD6U/2019_ECUADOR_small-08.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068732121-VJ1T1V1IZGJT4D9NWC6Y/2019_ECUADOR_small-09.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068751913-M8DUGC31E533J6W0IDHG/2019_ECUADOR_small-10.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068760009-Y8MSRG3TXZWB3T5IQ0AE/2019_ECUADOR_small-11.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068776796-HA7HHEA2LOSACB9R9SWU/2019_ECUADOR_small-12.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068788653-OZQZV7M67DGZX40LUUD7/2019_ECUADOR_small-13.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068795411-VGNYCSIAFD556D276Z9O/2019_ECUADOR_small-14.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068807230-WMR8Q4SICAELCV92MC0D/2019_ECUADOR_small-15.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068814450-F75R8LB2PTG9Y8UHWU1R/2019_ECUADOR_small-16.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068830634-4BBIKLFQS8UXP9M4LW0Z/2019_ECUADOR_small-17.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068836109-UVH3IU64XXY435GOG6CZ/2019_ECUADOR_small-18.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b5beaa97c93279793ab1b9a/1641068852033-4CD6XBOIKD2S0VGI6O7M/2019_ECUADOR_small-19.jpg Pictures by Lydia https://www.thebigfriend.com/blog-forte daily 0.75 2025-05-09 https://www.thebigfriend.com/blog-forte/2016/2/22/alveolar-glottis-bsfkg monthly 0.5 2016-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cb3e0bf85082a807c001fe/1456175561685-689P6R253SY7L7ZUGS8M/image-asset.jpeg Blog - 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