For Family and Friends: Father's Day

This year it worked out for our little family to spend the Father's Day weekend at one of our favorite places: the Caraça Sanctuary. We used to go there at least once a year, but the last time we went was three years ago.

Anyhoo, we had loads of fun, froze our toes and noses, were graced with the wolf's presence, and arrived back home safe and sound.

Naturally, there are loads of pictures to share of the trip. :)

On our way:

This lovely post shows a simple map of the historic "Royal Road":

Cyclist:

Several more occupying the road:

Laurie posing with her chapstick after a yummy lunch:

A view of the "Caraça" (big face) as seen from our room:

Love my Lili!

Exploring ...

Another pose:

On our way to one of the waterfalls (the closest one, hehe):

Termite mound:

A trickle of a waterfall due to it being the dry season (aka winter):

Tadpoles:

Resting after a strenuous 2 km hike :)

More exploring:

The old neogothic church:

Laurie's photographs of other guests while we awaited the arrival of the wolf:

Yummy-ness was had while we waited: popcorn, chocolate, wine, and tea (not in the pic)!

Thirty years ago one of the priests began setting out scraps of meat for the maned wolf. With time, the wolf became accustomed to eating closer and closer to the church until it was climbing the steps and eating on the patio. The adult wolves took their cubs to eat, the cubs grew and took their cubs, thus passing on the "tradition". They aren't afraid of people sitting relatively close, talking, taking pictures, etc. Though they do get startled with loud or sudden noises, as well as if the entrance, which is also their exit, is blocked. The girls were thrilled to see it so close, especially Laurie. It was a first for her being that she was a baby last time we came.