This September found us wandering a new path between our work in Lage dos Negros and our residence in Sobradinho (near the dam). We were interested to see what routes lie to the east of the two we usually travel. Byron made a GPS planning/tracking route and off we went.
Araras is a lovely, good-sized town in the mountainous area of Campo Formoso County. The slightly higher elevation means more rain than the western part of the region and a few more hummingbirds and flowers. We found the views refreshing.
There are also more mining projects with the possibilities of emeralds, quartz, and topaz for which Campo Formoso is famous. We came upon one such abandoned project with quite a few green quartzite rocks thrown about here and there.
The dirt roads to Araras from Lage dos Negros were not so bad in general, but proceeding towards Curral Velho via Bom Jardim was quite another story. The path was covered with pointed rocks embedded in the the dirt. Avoiding one just meant hitting another. So our ETA was increased dramatically. Perhaps Google Earth needs colored lines for the roads they find to indicate rock, sand and good old dirt!
Our little sandrail took a beating and we ended up with a loose shock absorber along the way and a fissure in the frame that was found the next day. Sandrail enthusiasts on the back roads of Brazil are well to bring along their own McGyver Mechanic Man. I am always glad for mine. I just ride along taking photos and making notes and passing out snacks. Byron does all the hard work. On the way home he had to figure out a way to remove the banging shock absorber and did so wonderfully with some wood and a handy rock.
Part of our trips is always to seek out new communities where we might return to share the Gospel of Christ. You can check out a map of this route below.
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