Extreme horseback riding

After breakfast we headed to downtown Vilcabamba where we had our horseback riding booked. The woman told us beginners could do this trip - 2 hours to a waterfall, swim for a while if you want and then 2 hours back. It had been years since we had been on a horse so 4 hours sounded a bit much but we decided the experience was too good to pass up and we could deal with the soreness afterward. Lisa had taken horseback riding lessons in NS the year before so she was the more experienced of us three. Off we went, starting on a dirt road for the first few km. Then we crossed a small river and headed up, up, up on a winding narrow trail. It soon became apparent that this was no beginner trail, but there was no turning back! Greg was groaning from the get go. Lisa was having the time of her life and Cheri was somewhere in between. We felt like we were in an old western movie, on a narrow rocky trail with twists and turns to the top. The little horses were excellent climbers - born and bred for mountains. After we leveled off at the top there were steep drop offs where one false step would be the end of us!! I kept telling myself "Four legs are better than two". I couldn't get the shots I wanted because of hanging on for dear life and not being able to get my camera out during the "fear factor" moments.

Of course, a good part of the trail was enjoyable - the scenery and going through the forest, relaxing and avoiding thoughts of the descent. After two hours we made it to the falls. We had to leave the horses and go on foot because it was too steep for them. Lisa went for a refreshing "shower" in the falls. After about 1/2 hour it was time to return.

Now for the hard part - going DOWN the steep paths with rocks, boulders, slippery shale and horses that were reluctant to move on. Cheri's horse was the most hesitant and stumbled at times. VERY SCARY. You have to put your feet in the stirrups and lean back. Greg was groaning in pain because he had pulled a tendon in his groin. Each step and leap down was torture but what choice did he have? He knew he couldn't make it down the mountain on foot. After we got back to the main road, a few km from town, Greg got off and limped towards town while we continued on. When we got back to town we returned with a taxi to find Greg.

It was 3 o'clock and we hadn't eaten since breakfast so we went to a Mexican restaurant. Beer never tasted so good! But Greg's pain was getting worse and he couldn't stand up on his own or walk without help. He turned white and gray and couldn't eat. Me and Lisa went to the drug store and got some muscle relaxant pain killers, went back to the restaurant to pick up Greg and took a taxi back to the hosteria.

Greg vowed never to get on a horse again in his whole life. Cheri was very sore and stiff for the next couple of days. Lisa was ready to go again the next day. Ha ha ha.


Three amigos - at the beginning of the trip - still smiling.


On the trail up the mountain.


Enjoying the ride.


Don't look down!


We walked through a corn field on way to the waterfalls.




Our destination.


Cooling down.



copy these links to see the videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMQ0xAV0IRc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVfYG6Zs0Us