Parque Nacional Capiro Calentura

To the south of town, and up the mountain, is the Parque Nacional Capiro Calentura.  It's a pretty tough climb, allegedly taking 3-1/2 hours each way, from the high end of town -- another 45 minutes from the hotel.

I didn't plan to head up the mountain, today, but ... just head out, wearing my Teva flip-flops and carrying about 4L of water.

But ... after going by the Villa Brinkley Hotel, I headed up.

Dig this: RealFeel® 112°

That's the temp metric of heat + humidity -- the polar (!) opposite of wind chill, I guess.

I only got about 2hrs into the hike up before I was down to a little over a liter of water, and -- literally -- soaked to my skin, from head to toe, with sweat.  Just ... drenched.

I mean ... veritably spraying water from every square centimeter of my skin.

No canopy.  Just a "ditch" of a trail, meaning ... no shade AND no view of the bay, below.  Quite technical, too -- even if I had worn my hikers.  Not a relaxing hike.

The top was the payoff.  There were views only from the bottom and top.  I couldn't get to the top, though.  

Also had a little equestrian trouble.

I had passed four wild horses on the way UP the hill.  They were in a small "turnout" area, and caused no issue.

On my way down, though, they were IN the trail, and I was coming up behind them ... in "being kicked by a horse" range.

No passing on the left or right, and these were wild animals.

Hmm.  I sat for a while.  Negotiated, in vain, for a while, made ALL kinds of noises for a while, and then drank the rest of my water.

I did NOT want to get kicked by a horse.  That much, I was clear about.

I'm funny that way.

Eventually, the baking sun got the better of me.  I had to make a move.  I approached the rear horse, and started shouting and clapping, hoping that they'd head down the hill instead of kicking me.

I knew that ... in about 10 yards ... there was a break in the trail, where -- if luck was with me -- I could run around all four, in sequence, leaving them lined up on the trail and unable to kick at me without significant machinations.

I hooted and hollered and clapped my hands.  They sauntered down the hill.  Eventually, I saw my break, and bounded through what looked like flat-enough ground, off-trail.  Tevas, don't fail me now !!!

Okay.  It worked.  I turned around, bid them a fond farewell, and made my merry way back down the hill.

After about 5hrs, total, I got back into town, having seen lots of lizards, a few frogs, a couple of pedestrian butterflies, and a random, non-descript bird or two.  

It NEVER got any cooler on the way up.  It may have gotten hotter, actually.  

Three spring-fed cisterns gave me an opportunity to fill the Tilley hat and soak my clothes ... with water, instead of sweat.  THAT was rather thoughtful of these Trujillianos.

Took a few snaps from MY payoff vantage point, just uphill from that hotel.

Stopped to wolf down a half-gallon of OJ (about USD$1), then to the beach for a Coke, garlic bread, spaghetti with shrimp, and french fries.

She asked me if I meant to order all that food.  I told her I just got back from a walk up to the national park.  She smiled, and said "right away !"

It's that "Oh, you're that kind of idiot" look that I've come to know so well.

Gotta' shower, and lay down now.  From mid-bicep, down, I look awfully Garifuna -- the African-Caribbean folk that live out this way.

Nobody's buying it, though.  Well ... one old toothless critter up toward the park, but he really seemed out of it ;-)

Pics from the day.  I THINK I kept the sweat off the lens.....

Touching.  It says, "If you're here tonight, you'll be here in the morning."  

Lizard.  Trust me: he's there ;-)

NONE SHALL PASS !

Look, Buddy.  Don't be an ass.  We can work this out (that's ME talking to HIM, incidentally).

The Bay.  You can actually see Lagoon de something, something in these pics.

Lunch spot !