I hitched a ride with John from Coronado for a 6 hour drive west to the Chiriqui area, near the Costa Rica border. We passed through David (accent on the second syllable) and headed upland, about 6000’ worth of up. What a difference elevation made. In David, the temp was probably close to 95°F, but at the cabin we’d rented it was only 72°. Nighttime saw 57, so, yeah, I felt a lot like home in both elevation, and temperature. If I could ignore the eucalyptus and other tropical vegetation and focused solely on the pines, I could very well think I was in CO or a wet part of NV.

I tried my butt at horseback riding, but the horse knew I was a newb, and steadfastly refused to do more than saunter. I swear he was even talking like Slim Pickens while doing so. I was able to get him to walk about half a klick before I gave up, and so did he. We turned back.

Cerro Punta is a ag town. It’s nestled high next to the volcano that gives the area its name. Fertile fields surround the town, which is pretty much a single main drag with shops and a few hotel-type places. After “riding”, we drove through, and picked up tow broschetas - a Panamanian kebab. It was a skewer of local sausage, chicken, beef, peppers, onions and potatoes. Grand total for both: $6. Really good eating, and made more so by the picante sauce on it.

I like the area, but I don’t foresee returning. It triggers too many memories of another tropical volcanic area where I spent time - a different lifetime ago. I need to keep moving on and experience new things, and new places, and not those that will trigger the memories and ghosts of what was, and what will never be. That way lies nothing but mind churn and sadness. I don’t need either.

The timing of this side trip has been perfect though, since the day after my return to Coronado, I need to prep for a flight to the States. Turns out, I can’t quite take care of all my business while on the road, and need to be in CO to sign some paperwork. I’m going to stay in the Front Range area for a week, then head to Mancos. There is an undeniable pull for me in that direction.

I bought a one-way ticket, and am not entirely sure when I’ll be leaving the States again, but as I sit here in a Swiss chalet-style cabin at temperate temperatures in a tropical country, I’m thinking I’ll be coming back this way to Coronado around the end of April with a round tripper to return to the States again in June so I can work a race in July. Why return to Coronado? There are a couple of reasons, really: I like it here, and I have a paid lease through the end of June. I know it’s not going to break me to bail out on the lease, but my sense of fiscal responsibility balks at leaving unused and on the table, money I’ve already spent.

But, given that the anchor is weighed, I’m only loosely holding the rudder and the sail is unfurled, who knows where and when I might blow. Given my capricious nature (lol), I’ll be taking everything with me when I go, and leaving the key. If I return, I know where it is, and how to get it. If not, there’ll‘ve been a reason good enough to overbalance my fiscal and other desires to return.

Enjoy the photos.