El Desperado de las Montanas

We parked in the parking lot then descended past the gates of the fancy hotel. When we arrived at the river, we cornered a couple lizards onto a rock near the waters edge and as we advanced closer, they lept, sprinting across the water's steaming surface. An amazing feat of speed and agility, each step taken before the last could sink. We lower into the warm water and position ourselves behind the waterfall. Surrounded by the sound of water pounding against its self and the soothing sensation of floating in liquid warmth, the falling water creates a translucent moving wall in front, allowing only diffused light to penetrate into the watery cave. The current creates an eddy, but I still have to dig my feet into the sandy bottom to keep my position. I move into ... read more

My worn sandal soles struggle to grip the steep muddy path. We stop to observe some petroglyphs carved into a stone by the side of the trail. A sun, various geometric shapes and what sorta looks like an animal etched into the rock. Remains of a past civilization, people who long ago inhabited this land, fished its waters and cultivated its soil. The island still remains sparsely developed, but I fear the influence of tourism and will eventually strangle much of the natural life and beauty from this enticing destination. An enchanting island in the middle of Central America's largest lake, formed from two connecting volcanoes, how long can you resist modernization and development? When will your farms be replaced by housing developments and eco-tour parks? When will your shores be lined with fancy hotels, jet ... read more

Perched precariously over the cliff edge, I watch the clouds wisp by below as I puff on a 5 cent, hand rolled cigar. Sitting on the boarder of safety and danger, with hundreds of feet of air dangling beneath my feet, fills me with a sense of being alive. The soothing echo of the 1000 ft water fall and the calming sound of wind rustling through the trees as it blows the shifting clouds over the ridge combines with the melodic chirps of tropical birds. The ample rainfall allows for a very lush environment in this humid, cloud forest. Thick, soft layers of various mosses cover the ground and rocks around where I sit. Orchids and other colorful flowers dabble the mountainside. In the shoulders and nooks of pines and other trees, tropical plants have taken ... read more

Spent over two weeks at the tranquilo Horizonte Beach Resort. I lost my jounal with this entry, but will eventually write something about this awsome surf spot, but here are some pictures. This was one of our favorite places on the trip so far.... read more

After leaving Monterico, the fastest way to the El Salvador boarder was by ferry. We drove the truck onto a 40 ft, rickety, wooden boat and prayed it wouldn't sink. The boat ride was fun as we sat on top of the truck, listening to music as we cruised through the canals toward the boarder. Safely arriving on solid ground, we paid the ferry captain 75Q ($10) and drove the rest of the way to El Salvador. The boarder crossing was a slow process because we were stuck behind a long line of truckers. In total it took over three hours to get our needed paperwork, by far the longest boarder crossing yet. We were surprised that they didn't want to stamp our passports at the boarder, but we were assured that it wasn't needed. El ... read more