San Jose del Pacifico, Oaxaca //
We decide to stay another day here in the forest at Rancho San Melchor. Not just because we have the luxury of time on our side but also because the next leg of our trip, which is going to involve hugging the Pacific coast for more than a thousand miles, is likely to be stifling hot and humid. After we leave here, when we’ll be in a temperate climate again is anybody’s guess. Knowing something is about to end is when appreciation for it is most palpable.
Mid-day Mark and I set off for a walk around the San Melchor property. We come across more cabañas tucked into the trees, a zip line course, multiple hammocks strung between trees, and a hiking trail connecting it all. At the end of the dirt road is a small restaurant perched on the hillside where chickens, roosters, and peacocks are roaming about freely. A feisty young dog greets us excitedly and playfully nips at my ankles. I shoo him off and watch as he prances among the flightless birds. I’m shocked he doesn’t harass them and figure he must have learned a lesson at an early age. Feisty boy joins us as we follow signs down a trail that leads to a waterfall. The forest is lush with flowering shrubs at ground level and various types of trees rising above. In short order we come to a trickling waterfall that hints at being an impressive deluge during the rainy season. Our dog companion leads us back up the trail and through the bird corridor. His territory must end at the restaurant as that’s where we part ways. During our outing around the property we only see two other people. They appear to be workers or residents or both. We are the only visitors.
Back at camp the rest of the day passes in a leisurely fashion. At sunset, through the tree tops, cumulus clouds hover overhead and the tip top of the puffy formation glows orange. Somewhere out there is a magnificent sunset. Because of our proximity to mountain tops, canyon walls, jungle canopy, and RV park walls, sunrises and sunsets have not been very visible to us these last couple of months. I’m missing nature’s daily light show and for that reason alone I’m excited for our next destination. Pacific coast, here we come.
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I love your guide dog! How nice to be in the peacock’s environment! They’re amazing to watch. The forest is so lush and beautiful! Looked like you had a nice day! 😁
He was a great guide dog!