Thursday, March 27, 2014

Cotopaxi

Wow!  We had a wonderful time on the volcano Cotopaxi.  It was so beautiful and just so amazing.  Our guide picked us up at the hotel at 8 and drove us to the volcano.  Part way there we met another guide that drove us into the park in his four wheel drive SUV.  You drive up a winding road with a beautiful view.  The guide explained the vegetation and the changes based on the elevation.  We stopped on the way up to get a picture.  Then we drove up to the parking lot where you start the climb.  There was already snow when we got there.  We started the hike all together, but the kids and my dad needed to go down a little earlier because of the elevation.  The boys, the guide and I made it to the refuge and then up to 5000meters above sea level.  The air is definitely thinner, but we did well.  At 5000 meters you can see you are on a glacier covered in lava rock.  It was truly amazing and we drank glacier water.  The way down took us a third of the time.  From there we went to see the lake made of glacier water coming up from the ground.  It was foggy then, but cool to see.  We then went to a shack for coca tea and hot chocolate.  After that we headed back to Quito.  On the drive we all slept except Lucas.  After a short rest we headed to dinner at a really cute little place in the plaza.  Another successful day.  I will try to post pictures in the morning.

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