Around the Block 2007

We were let out the front gate around 8:45 and had a good day ahead of us.  We were told that the "truck problem" on the roads would only get worse.  True to form, they were.  But since the mountains began (these are not that tall, but it is the watershed (pix) of the Amazon that drains north vs the Paraguay/Parana/Plata rivers that drain south) we were able to pass probably 200 trucks today.  In the US you only notice the trucks because of their speed and size...  here in Brazil it is because of their blocking the one lane and you either have to pass or decide to stay behind (or between!) them!!

At Rondopolis (pix from bridge) we turned south and headed towards Campo Grande.  Our goal today was to get to a place called Rio Verde (Green River) by 3pm-ish where there is supposed to be a cool waterfall and swimming place.  Well, with all the trucks and then the really hard side wind we didnīt pull into Rio Verde until after dark.  We drove all thru town looking for a hotel, then found one just on the outside of town off the highway.

Unloaded and went walking into town (only 10 blocks to the plaza) to find something to eat...  The final "Copa America" playoff game was on between Brazil and Argentina and as we reached the plaza a huge cheer went up (Brazilians always seem to have fireworks on hand for such times and fireworks went off all over town also)!  We worked our way thru the crowds and got a burger enjoying the fervor....  But for us itīs back on the bikes in the morning so weīd better get to bed....

aroundtheblock07@gmail.com