Rancho el Reflejo

Rancho el Reflejo in Nono, Ecuador

April 15, 2019

Nono???
We say "Si, Si!"

Nono is a town about an hour from Quito but seems a million miles away from the city.

We checked in at our Nono AirBnb at noon on Saturday.  Seriously, the ranch/home is probably the most fantastic place I have ever stayed at.  It's a bit unreal.  Our hostess, Lois, (self professed "people person") and her two dogs met us at the front gate of the property.  The place is set high up in the Andes mountains with neighbors near enough to see but slightly too distant to hear. 

Before even stepping foot inside the main house, we quickly noticed the variety of landscaping, succulents and garden full of fresh veggies and citrus.  Someone's thumb is muy verde! 

After making a few futile attempts to catch our breath in the high altitude, we made our way to tour the property.  The Wells' family had this paradise built about six years ago to their specifications and have no desire to change a thing.  A front porch welcomes visitors with more plants, a beautiful dining table that was handmade by a friend of theirs, a fireplace and seating.  I lied.  Lois did say she wished this area was a little bigger as they spend most of their time in this space.  Who wouldn't?

The main house is decorated (perfectly to my liking) with treasures from the family's travels.  There are artesnal baskets, blankets, pottery and art throughout.  Reflecting Lois' love for horses, the ranch theme continues in all parts of the property.  Even the banister in the stairwell is a yoke from oxen.  It's all about the details, and there are plenty of them.

One room in the main house sleeps six and has two restrooms.  

The next room is called the stable room.  It has a set of bunk beds.  

I can't even decide why I love it so much!  

An indoor/outdoor dining space is just.....ahhhhhhhh.....the best.

Finally, the last living space is a sweet cottage that has a bedroom, breakfast nook, kitchen, bathroom, living space with a sofa bed.  The interior brick throughout the home warm the space beautifully.

The perfect home

in the perfect setting.

www.ranchoelreflejo.com

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi

March 16, 2019

Cotopaxi Volcano is Ecuador's tallest active volcano and is home to the second most visited national park in Ecuador.  (Which of course begs the answer that the first most visited park is the Galpagos Islands.)  When skies are clear, we can see the volcano from Quito on our way to work.  And it's imposing.  

Cotopaxi from a somewhat safe distance

Today, we visited Cotopaxi. (Which of course begs the question of "why would you intentionally visit an active volcano," and I suppose the age old answer from aged old people is, "because it's there.")  

On our way to the volcano, we stopped for breakfast and took the opportunity to do a close up photo shoot of cows and llamas.  They seemed to love the attention, at least until they realized I wasn't bringing them food.  Next time, bovine.

After our breakfast and the "animals on parade" photo shoot, we rode the unpaved road to the volcano.  We walked switchbacks up the mountain for an hour, stopping every ten (probably five) minutes or so to take pictures (read: catch our breath.)  When we first started, I thought there was no way I could do the climb to the refugio, which is code for restrooms and snacks, at 16,000 feet, but every time I looked up at the blinding snow, I was pulled a little closer.  The thought of restrooms and snacks was also quite the motivator.

Bill close to the refugio, wearing complimentary colors to the landscape.

Blue skies at Cotopaxi are not the norm in March (the rainy season.)  We were blessed!

The refugio was a little like a ski shop, serving hot cocoa, and a little not like a ski shop, serving corn.  People from all over the world climb this mountain (active volcano), bring their nation's flags and hang them on the walls.  Ecuadorians come as well and enjoy the day trip with their families.

On our way back down, the views did not stop.  And, thankfully, we also didn't stop as much as we did walking up!  I stayed with our guide, Maria, and practiced my Spanish with her.  She taught me all the off color words I shouldn't say, which is actually very helpful!

View on the way down

Wild horses at the park

Ecuador is the size of a medium state in the US, but we are able to get to so many different geographical landscapes within the day.  We left this morning just after 7:00 a.m. and were back in Quito by 7:00 p.m..  That's just one of the things that make this place special to us.