July 21 - Manizales to Yarumal

We departed Manizales feeling rested in good spirits and expecting to be in Medellin by 12 noon, given that it was "only" a 3.5 hour drive.  Except for the fact we accidently took the wrong road down the mountain... it was a blessed miscalculation because we ended seeing wonderful coffee plantations, haciendas and rural colombia.

The GPS had adjusted for our insistence on this new route and plotted a course for Medellin, but after one hour or so, we realizing we were really off the beaten path.  We stopped and asked for directions and were told we were headed in the right direction, so we pressed on.

The signs indicated towns that weren't listed on our map (or GPS) so... I asked a police officer for directions at a small intersection and was told to turn right.  Unfortunately, listening isn't one of my strong suits so I just continued straight through the non de-script intersection.  Marnie might have been video recording my little detour so I might of been a bit distracted. We ended driving deeper and deeper into Colombian jungle/ coffee plantation, mountainous terrain until another we came across another fork in the road.

Again, we asked for directions but this time from a military officer and were told we were going the WRONG way! What! After 10 minutes of back and forth discussions (given my listening impairment, I was convinced I was going the right way AND the GPS said as such) the officer was persuasive in convincing us to turn around, back track about 30 minutes in order to save one hour of driving to Medellin.  Hmmmm, to trust my map and GPS or a complete stranger who happens to be a military person.   To complicate matters, after the officer left, another citizen came up and told us we were heading in the right way!...it would just be a little bit longer drive through mountains...great.

We double and triple checked the map and agreed to back track, eventually coming the small intersection...the same intersection that I was told to turn right 45 minutes prior.  Finally, we pointed the truck north on Hwy 50 and headed towards Medellin.

There was a squeaky noise coming from the roof rack of the truck which was only getting worse. So we pulled over and I investigated only to find one of the main brackets had cracked and was about to break completely!  All the mountain driving combined with pot holes and a bit of weight on the roof rack has had it's toll.

We stopped for lunch and I decided to hunt down a welder.  Sure enough I found a shop beside the gas station which was across the street from our restaurant.   The gentleman agreed to weld the crack and even install a steel plate for good measure.   It was perfect time management and it only cost me CND$25.00 including a lifetime warranty, plus an extra 20 minutes.

The squeaking was gone but the driving became much worse the closer we approached Medellin.  Thus far the Santa Barbara - Medellin drive, a mere 48 km has been the slowest, most frustrating of the trip.  Due to all the truck traffic and more switchback driving, it took us one and half hour to cover the 48 km's.  It was 4 pm by the time we reached the Medellin city limits.

We pressed on through Medellin gazing at it's beautiful sky line in contrast with the backdrop jungle mountains.

The sun was hanging low on the horizon when we pulled into Yarumal a small town about 120 km north of Medellin.  As soon as we pulled into the gas station a local kid jumped up on the side step and offered his services, he was an excellent guide and took us to the best hotel in town.

It was saturday night in Yarumal, so the town was very lively with Latin Music and loud motorcycles.  We strolled through the town, tasted some local cuisine and called it a night.  Once back at the hotel we fell asleep to the beat of loud Colombian music blaring from across the street.

Note to self:  When my lovely wife asks me to jump out of the truck and buy fruit from the side of the road in Colombia, do not return with bananas and oranges.... apparently we can buy those at home. I guess I should have picked up something a bit more exotic.