So with Quilotoa behind us we decided to test out a new toy: a kids tent we picked up for the dogs! We’ve wanted to take them camping with us for a while but nights are pretty cold and we had no place for Tali and Gandalf to stay out of the wind. So we have this brightly coloured tent, threw a tarp over it, and put some doggy blankets down. While Tali climbed in and seemed to appreciate it, we’re almost 100% certain Gandalf not only did not use the tent, but that she doesn’t sleep at all.
And of course, both Tali and Gandalf still tried to sneak into our tent every time we opened the zipper because Tali and Gandalf will Tali and Gandalf.
We also used the opportunity to give a proper run of the doggie backpacks. More on that in a bit.
Truck ride heading to the park got political.
While Roger rode in the back of the truck with Tali and Gandalf fumbling everywhere to smell all the smells, clambering over Roger and drooling everywhere as is their thing, Malena was up front with the driver. They talked about beer, life in Ecuador, life, the universe, everything, and eventually the topics led to the Venezuelan crisis and the people trying to escape to greener pastures for their families. We were of like minds with the driver, it’s always wonderful to see people band together in aid of those who need it, anywhere in the world. It’s also sad to see when people don’t.
The wood and the merry band of travellers.
So once we got dropped off in the park, we started our march. Don’t ever let Roger bring a bag of fire wood ever again. It’s heavy, tedious and makes for a miserable hike lugging something that cumbersome. Yah it’s all just and well to have a nice big fire. But the trouble of lugging a sack of firewood on top of all the other gear is just… well not worth it.
Oh, and about those new backpacks for the dogs: so of course both of them are not yet accustomed to the width of the packs and immediately get stuck on fences, in bushes and everywhere else they tried to shimmy into to sniff.
Nice shiny new red backpacks, rainproof and all, now already have holes in them.
THE MONSTER OF THE GRASS SEA
Finding a camping site.
Mojanda does have some designated camping areas. Supposedly. We never got to one and found ourselves looking for a flat place to pitch the tents and setup a fire. Which, after some trial and much error we found.
So off the trail when looking for our eventual campsite, Roger wandered aimlessly through some form of “grass”. It was more like deep quicksand in tentacle form. Averaging around waist high, and in some places up to Roger’s shoulders. Jammed knees, several tangled falls and much swearing later to no avail. Oh the joy. It felt as though it was grabbing and pulling with every step.
Grass was too tall so Gandalf turned back to join Malena where she yelled directions at Roger. 
Malena searched down a side trail and came across a nice patch of flat ground not far away in the opposite direction from where Roger was drowning in tangles. We were so happy to finally dump the bags, setup the tents and eventually sit down next to the fire to enjoy all the junk food we brought and wash it down with the flask of our homebrew.
Walking through tall grass can take a toll. 
Like Quilotoa, we precooked a bunch of food to make it easier to deal with on-site. Rice and beans seasoned out the wazoo, chicken soup packs we can just mix with hot water, tons of chopped veggies. Not as much sausage this time. Thankfully. Last time Roger cooked over 3lbs of meat for the trip and admittedly that was a bit overboard even though we’d planned for several days. We also remembered the marshmallows, lovely fluffy sugar clouds imported from Canada. Have yet to find marshmallows here that are even close to being as satisfying.
But then we go and forget our utensils in the kitchen at home. Yes we did that.
Camping without spoons at minimum is…. tragic. So we fashioned a scoop out of a piece of tree bark, seared it over the fire and still managed to enjoy our meals. Even used them to roast some of those marshmallows Malena had brought from Canada.
Never camp without a knife! 
Finally got to use that saw. 
Our wooden spoon works!
The night was beautiful as the clouds cleared up and the stars beamed along with the moon, providing us with lots of light. At times like these is when we wished we had a good camera to take some night shots. Speaking of night time, we are convinced Gandalf simply does not sleep. We woke up occasionally and heard her sniffing around outside, snuffling for access to our tent, around the fire pit, in the grass surrounding our campsite. Everywhere but in her tent, where Tali was cuddled and sleeping.
Mini-lake on the Mountain:
On our hike to find a camping spot we found another smaller lake along the trails not far from where we set up tent. After our breakfast soup we wandered over to check it out, and it was GORGEOUS.
Gandalf and Tali loved running in and out of the cold water and chasing birds along it’s edge that seemed to almost be playing with them. We spent some time there just taking in the peace and quiet. There were very few people, although one couple showed up just as we were heading out, and they were nice enough to take a pic of us, and of course their dog joined in.
Gandalf and the Roller Coaster.
It goes without saying that the ride in and out of Mojanda is a around 12km of bumpy winding mess of a road. It’s laden with large stones instead of the usual cement blocks used in many roads in the area, filled with pot holes, and in some places erosion has taken it’s toll. It didn’t agree with either of the dogs. They managed to keep their composure on the ride up in the back of a pickup truck with all the wind.
Now on the ride out we caught a cab so Malena hunkered down in the back seat with Tali and Gandalf and Roger took up shotgun in the front.
Gandalf almost made it to the paved section of road.
Almost.
Malena noticed Gandalf trying to sniff around the back of the car, lifting her paws seeming uncomfortable. Suddenly Gandalf opens her big mouth as Malena is looking right at her and vomits straight at her. Malena had a few seconds to consider hiding this fact and clean up quickly, but with those thoughts came another wave of vomit. Resulting in Gandalf’s breakfast all over Malena’s hair, hoodie, pants, back seat and all over Tali’s back. Luckily Tali was wearing her coat and it took a significant wave of it.
Thankfully, the driver was cool, he just stopped, shrugged, let us clean up what we could, dump the dirty clothes in the trunk and drove a little easier down the last stretch before we hit regular paved road. The ride back into Cotacachi was thankfully vomit free but with all the windows down.
Time for those little pine trees that hang from the rearview.