Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2018 Volcano, baptism/birthday party

Monday Day-Off   
We climb  active Volcano Pacaya  


Pacaya: 2552 meters (8,373 feet)
Eruptions of lava since 1800: 1805, 1830(?), 1846, 1885, 1961, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017. We were told there was lava flow on the day we were there, on the other side, but we could not substantiate it on Google. 


We rode horses up the mountain, because Babette’s foot had been hurting and because Larry pooped out after hiking about 100 meters. “This trail is almost VERTICAL,” he pronounced in his defense. The real reason is that he is 40 pounds overweight and hadn’t been preparing for such a hike. The Holmans did the whole hike on foot and they are Larry’s age and older. 


Bryce and Sherry Holman were able to walk the whole way because they used STRIDER POLES. What do YOU think? Maybe Larry should use them next time. Perhaps they’re magic. 

Disaster!
Larry killed his iPad as he mounted “Guapo” the horse the first time. CRACK! Here is a photo of the screen of his Air 2 iPad, taken by his iPhone 5...

The small iPhone is now Larry’s tool for producing this weekly blog. Not as easy. 

Lots of beautiful foliage along the path going up. Nice for this being JANUARY, eh?


Not so beautiful at the top (except for Babette). Just big chunks of lava laid down by eruptions over the years. 


Larry and Babette found a hot spot (fumarole) in the old lava, keeping them warm from the cold wind atop the volcano. Below, Larry unsuccessfully attempts to roast marshmallows at another spot. 



Horse owner César makes sure Larry and Guapo get down the mountain safety. Babette’s foot stopped hurting so she walked down. The whole excursion took about five hours. 


Fellow temple missionaries Oscar and Gloria Fajardo, top left, invited us to the baptism and birthday party of their granddaughter Rebecca. We saw our first piñata breaking in Guatemala. Rebecca’s father is bishop of the Nimajuyu Ward. It was fun. 

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