Outdoor adventures in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with some occasional reflective storytelling.
Ahh, the Galapagos Islands. Made famous by Charles Darwin and the birthplace of his theories on evolution, they hold a special appeal for nature & animal lovers, and those who want to venture somewhere a bit more remote. They’re known for their incredible marine life, bird species, and overall biodiversity. But the one major disadvantage?…
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Ahh, Cotopaxi. The volcano I admired most from my Quito bedroom window since my first day in the country. Snow-capped, majestic, imposing. And, a quick day trip from the city! It doesn’t get any better than this. Jose Rivas Refuge Hike Hiked: mid-December Distance from Quito: 2 hrs Accessibility: Difficult. While the first part of…
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It’s hard to believe, but while I was living in Ecuador for four years, I didn’t do all that much hiking. The main reason was accessibility. Though I lived in the Andes, and there are ample trails within a fairly short radius of Quito, the problem was that you can’t easily bus to many of…
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Itinerary for two weeks in Ecuador for adventure lovers and nature lovers.
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Our first international vacation as a married couple, and the challenges and joys of our trip!
Read MoreIn March, Gonza and I had the opportunity to visit Cuyabeno, a wildlife preserve in the Amazon. It involved a seven hour bus ride, two more hours in a car, and two hours in a motorized canoe to arrive at the lodge. There was no cell service, electricity from solar panels, and plenty of hammocks.…
Read MoreMomipche, Playa Negra, Isla Portete, Rafting, and Laguna Azul with a great friend ❤
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In under two months, my closest friends and family members will be visiting Ecuador for my church wedding and reception. For you all, and for any future visitors to my adopted country, I offer the following advice in order to help you blend in here in Ecuador: Don’t Wear Athleisure Any and Everywhere While socially…
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On January 3, 2018, Gonza and I got married in a civil ceremony at the Civil Registry in Quito. Since then, it’s been happily ever after. Right? Not quite. While we are absolutely enjoying married life, marriage to a foreigner is a serious undertaking. It is not for the faint of heart. While all newlywed…
Read MoreOr, a lesson in navigating Ecuadorian bureaucracy. Step One: print out the cancellation documents, including a copy of the ex-volunteer’s passport, a copy of their visa, a copy of our proof of having a legal presence in Ecuador, and two copies of a letter requesting the cancellation of the visa because you need one to…
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Elizabeth Seeks 