Stepping out of the Groove: Manizales, Los Nevados NP, and back to Salento

As mentioned in a previous blog entry, our trip into Los Nevados was abbreviated due to Rock's altitude-related illness. What we did see and do was very nice. Beautiful above-timberline terrain.

Additionally, the hot springs at Santa Rosa were a real treat. You are soaking in the hot water and watching the waterfall cascade down right behind you. A pretty sublime setting.

We have been back at La Serrana in Salento for the past three nights. Rock has been doing very well. We even took him horseback riding yesterday. Joanie and I got in a nice 40km adult-only mountain bike ride in today. Our last full day in Colombia. It was a a nice way to wrap up the visit to one of our most favorite countries that we have traveled through - on this trip or any other.

Tomorrow we get on a plane to Guayaquil, Ecuador and then follow that up the next morning with our flight to the Galapagos Islands - our final international destination of this nearly 9-month journey.

We were counting the days and we only have 10 remaining before we will be landing in Portland, Oregon. We knew before we started that it would go fast. It has been the trip of a lifetime and we are looking forward to reuniting with friends and family to catch up.