The Joys of Having a Babysitter

About two weeks ago we were walking to and fro in our neighborhood and we kept seeing the same family trio:  mother, older daughter and younger daughter.  We eventually got around to introducing ourselves since it was apparent that we lived in the same neighborhood.  As we were leaving the older daughter, Sage, offered to babysit.  You don't have to ask us twice!

We set up a horseback riding tour with Terra Diversa and we were so happy with our adventure.  For $60 per person they will pick you up at your house, drive you to the hacienda in Tarqui, take you on a three hour riding tour, feed you lunch and take you home again.  Carlos and Cecelia were great guides.  The horses were perfect:  well-cared for, even-tempered, and so sweet.  AND sure-footed.  That was a very important quality for this kind of ride as it was probably the most grueling ride I have ever been on.  We went off trail on all kinds of terrain:  grassy bottoms, volcanic sand, red rock, gray rock, paramo and scrub.  All of it was beautiful.  We climbed up to 10,000 ft. and then we went up and then down and then up and then down again.  We did a lot of trotting and loping and sometimes a full-out gallop.  The horses would charge up a hill and I would hear Mark giggling behind me.  It was a blast.  The weather went in and out all day.  It was bright and dry when we got there, but then it started drizzling.  Then the sun would come out and warm everything up and then it would drizzle again.  It was perfect riding weather. 

If you are planning a trip to Cuenca you should go on this ride.  And if you are looking for a riding partner give me a call.  I would join you in a split second.  Here are some pictures of the mountains, the country-side and the beautiful horses:



The horses see and hear us coming.



Cute little pup.



Getting their sugar fix.



My two favorites: two year old half-brother colts. 



And we're off!



The best kind of riding...off trail.  I loved it!



10,000 ft.



Mark looks like a pro.



Isn't is stunning?



Our horses had to be resaddled because of all the loping we were doing.



Heading into the scub and vegetation.



Just gorgeous.



Carlos and I ran our horses up this hill, but Mark chose to take it a bit slower.



Nothing like a good roll after a long ride.



I just love this guy.



Lickng off the salt.  Yum.



We might have a chance at some land that is in that valley in the far distance. 



The view from the front porch of the hacienda.  Just amazing.



The hacienda.

It is Sunday now and Mark and I both woke up extremely sore from the neck all the way down, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.