Trip Report

About 58 Obsidians and friends enjoyed the Friday, January 20 potluck at the Lodge, followed by Chuck & Sandy Reuls’ fascinating account of their recent trip to Ecuador and Spain. Among highlights of their travels, which were augmented by some beautiful slides, the Reuls recounted:


"We traveled to Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador, and took a side trip to Ingapirca, Ecuador’s largest Inca ruin, where the sun would send a glow from a golden statue only on the Solstice. [Can’t help but regret our own Mt. Pisgah ‘monument’ is quite a bit off, despite modern technology and knowledge!]

"We also did a five-day trek to Cajas National Park, 73,000 acres located at 11–15,000 ft. elevation, with some 250 lakes. Very impressive and exotic!

"After returning to Quito (Ecuador’s 9,300-ft. high capital city), we took a side trip in Otavalo, with an incredible open air market and then on to a strenuous six-day trek to Cotopaxi National Park, which has the highest active volcano in the world at 19,460 ft.

"Later," Sandy reported, "it felt good to be in warm and sunny Spain on a village-to-village hike staying in pleasant quarters. We flew to Malaga, went to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Andalusia and climbed 8,313-ft. Mt. Penabon and, later, on to Mulhacen, the highest peak in Spain (11,424 ft.).

"We finished in Granada with a visit to the intriguing and beautiful Alhambra, an old Moorish fortress." [Note: Names and addresses of travel companies helping with this trip are available and highly recommended.] </blockquote>

The presentation made for a stellar evening, full of color and contrast. A big thank you to Sandy and Chuck - who looked so good and happy (despite some trials and challenges on the trip!) - for sharing it all with us. - Birgitte Williams
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