All Around Campo Formoso

Last Thursday, February 13, 2020 we headed down from Sobradinho to Lages in the yellow sandrail.  There hadn't been any recent rains, so we went hopeful for a little less mud than our last trip.  On the map our last trip from Lages dos Negros through Minas do Mimoso is marked on the map in blue.  Our regular weekly route is in purple.  

This past week we took the purple route.  The mostly dirt road still had quite a few large mud holes especially between Cacimbinha and Queixo D'antas.  Most could be skirted around, but there were still a few as wide as the road with no way to avoid.  That day we had three Bible studies and spent the night in the Pousada Centro in Lages.  

First tip of the day:  Look for good places to stay along the way.  A good night's sleep is hard to beat.  A good bath makes it even better.

I have to tell you about the lady near the bread store who offers breakfast in the mornings and snacks in the afternoon.  Last week I walked over to her place around 7:00 am to see about some breakfast.  She was locking up the place.  Seems she serves quite a few of the current bunch of windmill project men staying in town and then she closes up.  This past week I decided to go a little earlier and see about some hot coffee and eggs.  Sure enough as soon as I got close, she was hurrying to close up shop.  I must admit it was a little frustrating, but that's why you must always go prepared on any interior trip even if you don't plan to spend a night somewhere, always take extra water and extra food.  That day I was thankful for my stash of granola and powdered milk = just add 
water!

Second trip tip:  Carry as much drinking water as you can and take lots of non-perishable snacks.

You can always look for some palm cactus fruit

 along the side of the road if you are courageous.

On Friday we had been invited to a wedding near the county seat - Campo Formoso.  Yes, a fancy wedding in a sandrail.  My good clothes were carefully chosen and carefully packed.  We decided ahead of time to use the day wisely to explore and survey some of the little towns we had heard of but not yet seen.  

Third good tip:  For interior road trips, always make your own map on a trail making GPS, but don't be afraid to ask for directions.  

Byron makes all his maps with a Garmin GPS.  He hunts for routes on Google Maps, but you never know when a route has been closed off by a locked gate or has just been abandoned and fallen into disuse.  On this particular day we found a few small towns that were not on any map.  We always stop, find a willing person and ask basic questions about the places we visit as part of our ministry.

Asking about a closed off road

Varzea Grande

We were glad to find some good sized communities and make some new contacts for future ministry visits.  Thankfully we didn't see any rain on this day in spite of dark clouds all around.  

Friday night we stopped at a nice gas station with rooms for travelers.  We changed into our wedding duds and headed off in our muddy sandrail much to the giggles of some at the gas station.

near Campo Formoso

Saturday for our return to Sobradinho, Byron had marked a totally different route to check our some communities slightly east of our normal runs.  The first leg turned out to be a quite unused, but fun path part of which is sometimes used for motocross races complete with little signs marking "dangerous hill" and "steep incline."  

We ran into a little rain along the way and Byron was happy to whip out the rain covering he had made for me for just such an occasion.

There's just not enough room on this road for the two of us...

Mooove over please!

Maçaranduba Tree

We saw some great sights including this tall tree.  Trees just don't get this big near Sobradinho.  The area around this past of the Campo Formoso County gets just enough more rain to grow taller trees.  It was quite enjoyable to see tall trees and beautiful flowers along the road.

We surveyed a number of communities on the way home and met a man in one spot who had seen us earlier that day while we were stopped under a shade tree for a picnic lunch.  Every where we go kids run out to wave at the little yellow car.  

I forgot to mention a flat tire on the way down that had to be changed and later mended, and a broken metal piece on one of the mud fenders that had to be welded.  All in a day's ride...