The Devils Cauldron, located 25 minutes from my home, is one of the most dramatic waterfalls...and this day we were treated to rainbows in the spray!!
November began with a delightful visit from dear friends, Nancy and Chuck. They are an older American couple who live in Cuenca and I got to know them well during my many visits to collect donations for the BIB Bazar secondhand shop. Always generous with their home, their time, their donations. Chuck went to pick up garage sale leftovers and stored them, helped me pack the truck up, and theyve always opened their home to me. When Nancy was getting ready to redecorate their guest room, she asked me which fabrics she should consider for the curtains in my room.
Nancy and Chuck are avid travellers and take several long cruises each year. Quarantine hit them especially hard but once things began to open a bit they set off adventuring within Ecuador, getting to know the culture more in depth by travelling to smaller rural places. I shared some of my tips with them and they arranged for several days in Baos on their way back south after exploring the Quilotoa Crater Loop and staying at Black Sheep Inn. owned by good friends of mine but its for sale...take a
CiCi wasnt so sure at first about crossing the suspension bridge, but once I coaxed her onto it we had such fun hiking right to the base of the falls.
Their visit to Baos came right after Chucks 82nd birthday and just before Nancys 73rd. Chuck asked me to scope out the best restaurant in town for us to all go out and celebrate. Well, the best restaurant in town (Swiss Bistro) had not yet reopened in Baos, however I suggested that we take the stunning drive to Swiss Bistros Finca de la Vaca down towards the Amazon Basin. Since Chuck and Nancy wanted to visit the Pailn del Diablo waterfall which is right en route, the plans felt perfectly into place. CiCi was thrilled to get along on the excursion!
At the entry gate to the upper path to the waterfall the cashier recognizes me as someone who always brings visitors so they dont charge me the $2 entry fee. Not sure if dogs are actually permitted, but CiCi came along on leash and was a very good girl.Even though Ive visited this waterfall literally dozens of times, it was fun to share the adventure with Cici this time! The smooth, glassy surface of the Rio
Verde narrows into a rocky gorge before entering La Laguna, a jacuzzi pool (hahaha!) with a myriad of vines and ferns and orchids dangling from a rocky overhand, feeding on the constant spray of water. The next overlook is called El Cuello de la Cascada -- the waterfalls neck as its pathway narrows even more just before the falls themselves.
At first, CiCi wasnt too sure about the suspension bridge which sways slightly when anyone walks across it. She pulled back when she saw it wobble, but when she realized that I was barrelling on ahead, she bravely followed. By the time we reached the second hanging bridge, CiCi was trotting along like a pro. We decided to descend the stone steps all the way to base of the falls. Where the water was crashing and splashing CiCi again pulled back...no way was she gonna get wet! Theres clearly no labrador in her lineage; mostly spaniel and terrier as best I can tell...maybe with a bit of greyhound or whippet tossed in.
half a dozen waterfalls before arriving at La Finca de la Vaca. If you are a repeat blog reader, youve seen plenty of photos of this place with its stunning swimming pool which follows along a curve in the river. Nancy hung out with CiCi on the dining room terrace while Chuck and I braved the chilly pool. CiCi is free to run with the Finca dogs, but she refuses to go anywhere near the pool! It was nice weather so the water wasnt too icy cold and once you get moving it feels incredibly refreshing. At first you have to swim really fast to get your body temperature up. Then if you hold still awhile you form a warmish pocket around your body.
