January 15, 2020
Villa Tuscana, Colombia
Wow, the last couple of days have been about climbing up to Villa Tuscana to visit Dave and Maria Luz. He is a retired postman from Medford and Ashland she is a Columbian accountant.
Mostly uphill from Zipaquiera, this deep valley is spectacular. Wait a minute, up hill to a deep valley, No. Yes!
After the flat ride to Zipaquiera, I found, good word, a road to take me back to the Autopista and north. The road had a small, 524 meters high hill, in just under 3 km. Then a down on a dirt road, with lots of sharp curves, deep holes and big rocks.
At the autopista, the highway opened up to 4 lanes and a nice shoulder of smooth pavement. But of course it had to have some challenge or why would I do it? It began a climb that would continue for the next 2 days.
As you know I like to climb as I like the rewards of great views and ever changing landscape. In Columbia that is very true. This country is right out of a fantastic novel. It is just not possible for the landscape to be real. I do not have the capability to share with you in words what I am seeing. As you know my eyes have witnessed many countries on this world. Every continent has felt my tires and Columbia stands out as spectacular!
Dave had told me to go to Terra Negara and turn right at the sign for Villa Tuscana, well there was no sign but only one right turn so I took it. I did ask and was told it did go to Janesano which I knew was close to David’s place.
Ok, he said there was a climb and a rough road I had to negotiate. Ha! Yes, a climb of about 5 km with short grades in excess of 20%! Rough road, yes. But not too bad. Much better than the dirt road of yesterday.
But what awaited me was harder. A big downhill. A crazy stretch of 12 km of extremely steep down with no pavement in places, speed bumps, trucks on my side of the road, and all of this awaiting around very sharp curves. Do not know how steep, but my nose was sore from rubbing on the road as I fell of the mountain. The down was harder than the up.
Am now staying in Jenasano for a few days to get some dental work done. Just think about travel to such a great place and dental work done for a great price. A cleaning and 3 caps for $140. Lida, the dentist has been in practice since 1999. Lots of good experience and very busy. She cleaned my teeth today and will finish the rest on Sunday and Monday. I had heard that prices here were low, but wow.
Dave and Maria Luz have been great hosts. They live in a small closed village with tennis courts, a large pool, several weekend restaurants, a bowling alley and a movie theater. All tucked into this beautiful valley.
Moved into town for a couple of days as Dave and Maria Luz left for Bogota. Sunday Lida finished my work and I left for parts unknown Monday. I have some towns in mind but overall do not know where this trip will take me.
You may notice this story is a little out of order, but then again so I am.
I am writing this from the Altiplano where it is raining hard in the desert. I guess the rain falls hard here because we are so close to the sky it does not have far to fall.
e.
You may notice this story is a little out of order, but then again so I am.
I am writing this from the Altiplano where it is raining hard in the desert. I guess the rain falls hard here because we are so close to the sky it does not have far to fall.