Vacation time! (it finally arrived!)

Ok, so I felt really guilty about taking some time for ourselves right after the earthquake.  We needed to be with Chile, with the people, but after 2 intense weeks at the Nursing Home, a relaxing week in the mountains, with a peaceful lake, a smoking volcano and hundreds of beautiful waterfalls sounded like just what the doctor ordered.  We picked good!  Pucón was amazing.  The first picture is the view of the lake from our little cabin we rented.









The scenary was amazing.  There are wild fuchsias, a wild cousin of the rhubarb plant with enormous leaves called Nalka, and the same great sour flavor.  We saw our first wild Copihue flowers in full bloom (the Chilean national flower).  We even happened upon a large grove of blackberries, and took a big bag home to make blackberry pie!  Around every corner was a new beautiful surprise.

The highlight of our trip was.. well, actually sleeping in til noon... but beyond that... the highlight was definately hiking up an old lava flow from 1974.  It was amazing being in the middle of the flow, and imaging the power, how alive it had been, and how it had changed the whole landscape of the hill and valleys around it.  To physically be present in that space and feeling so small, you appreciate in a new way (once again) the awesomeness of God´s creation.  I wish I had a better picture, but hope this gives you an idea. You can ski this whole area here in the winter, about half way up the mountain.  I would love to go back and ski this same flow.  It´d be like returning to a new mountain, and experiencing it in a whole new way.


Our last big adventure was to the 80 meter waterfall. There was this deep revene, and standing just 20 meters away from it you´d never know it was there.  The cliffs were so lush and green, it was like out of Jurasic Park, or a mini Niagra.  We put on our swim suits and walked over to the rocks on the far side of the waterfall.  The water, even though it was really the size of a stream, had enormous force.  The wind the water created when it hit the pool must have been near 80 mph.  we were soaked through in 2 seconds. The intensity of being in the water´s domain was amazing.  You could only be in the present moment, all other thoughts were imposible.  It was like a crash course in intense nature meditation, leaving you energized and refreshed.

Definately worth the trip.  You all should come next February... Eric and Gloria have promised to go with us and they´re bringing the tent!!!

More Pictures Here!  Más fotos aquí!