With our challenge running through Sunday, June 19, we have to stay focused.  With the lure of Cancun and the Yucatan to our north, and the site of the meteor strike that at a minimum contributed to the demise of the dinosaurs just to our northwest off the Bay of Campeche, not to mention the lure of Belize itself, we stay the course.

Our group follows the northern highway up through Belize until crossing the Mexican border near Chetumal.  Taking Route 186 west through the southern Yucatan and following the rough outline of the Bay of Campeche through Macuspana until arriving at Jaltipan de Morelos, a long stone's throw from the Bay of Campeche.
 
We did 570 miles on this day, and with a strong push on our last two days, the 18th and 19th, we have a shot to take the entire group to the location of by far are biggest mileage property for the duration - Great Bend, Kansas.  Great Bend is fittingly in the approximate center of the country and a good target assuming we can achieve Brownsville on the 18th.

It is hugely appreciated to build up steps in great walking town, village and cities.  It truly is a huge plus when our municipalities have the foresight to include sidewalks and bike trails when implementing growth plans.  It makes a huge difference.

This area of Mexico includes huge areas of farmland and minimal development, so we are staying as close to highways as possible.  It is pretty amazing how close our country is to areas that remain largely undeveloped.  Really makes you appreciate what we have.

On to Brownsville!

As the fearless (and often clueless) guide pulls up the map for 6/16, it becomes evident that we may have headed up the wrong coast in our goal or reaching the U.S.  Not to worry - if we're going rogue, we're doing it with style!

North from Potrerillos, Nicaragua, we reach the Caribbean coast at Puerto Cortes, then on the coastal route until reaching the other side of Montana de Cusuca National Park where we cross the border for our second foray  through Guatemala.  Through Puerto Barrios then southwest (? - many rumblings of where the hades are we going) to Morales, trekking up route 13 until touching the corner of Belize (near Livingston), but following about the only road around through San Luis and near Flores, then east on the western highway, we cross back into Belize and come to a rest in Belize City. 

Belize, the only central American country that does not touch the Pacific Ocean,  is considered one of Mother Nature's best kept secret, largely undeveloped with 450 islands in the Caribbean.  We are very excited until we discover as we're walking essentially through the jungle that it is home to the largest jaguar refuge in the world (not luxury car to the gringo, we're talking the unwary gringo being a little midday snack).

And if we think about violently defending ourselves against the attack of a random jaguar, apparently Belizian folklore tells of a three-foot dwarf (an evil thumbless dwarf, no less) named El Duende (Melissa, here is a photo shop challenge for you!) that punishes children (and gringos-as) who harm animals.    And even better, their own version of Bigfoot who, like the random rogue jaguar, likes to snack on, you guessed it, members of the Step 10 Challenge, among other humans.  You can't make this stuff up folks.  Well at least when we scream for help, English is the official language of Belize. 

But we know we are in the place the wellness gods intended when we discover there are no McDonalds, Burger King or  KFC restaurants in Belize.  That is the good news.  Also no Starbucks...not so good.

392 miles on this 16th of June 2016.   We have three days left - can we make it to the U S of A!  It is our destiny!!!

From Ciudad Cortes, a good portion of our days 527 miles is spent in fabulous Costa Rica. 

The average Costa Rican lives to the age of 77 - one of the longest in the world.  With more than 25% of its land dedicated to national parks, 800 miles of coastline between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, 121 volcanic formations,   12,500 foot mountains and beaches...oh the beaches.  We happen to be in the country in the wet season, and the many rain forests say thank you.  Relatively large numbers of its population speak English, due in large part to its place as a major tourist destination. 

Back along route thirty-four on the coast heading northwest through Puntarenas, and then near Cardenas at the border before re-entering Nicaragua.    Along Cocibolca (Lago or Lake Nicaragua, with Concepcion and Madera volcanos forming islands in the center of the lake - spectacular), on route 2 until switching to route 1 through the states of Granada and Mayasa through Teustepe and Matagalpa until crossing the border into Honduras then coming to a stop at Potrerillos.

The quince muy famoso "human exercise machine" Ticas and Ticos for June 15:

Samantha Funk - Great Bend
Sebastian Wee - Gainesville
Shonita Swank - Great Bend
Marlin Nesmith - Statesboro
Mary Hoisington - Great Bend
Sheila Jones - WCBI
Melissa St. Laurent - Morris Technology
Daniel Kiewel - Great Bend
Dale Hogg - Great Bend
Emily McGuire - Morris Technology

Woohoo!  Give these folks a zip line through the rain forest...or two!!!

More of an update will come later on this day as it has been input and lost twice (that is why there is a "save" button!!!!)

We start in Columbia, make our way up to Medellin on Route 25 and enjoy some time in the Columbian Civil War and Drug War (think Pablo Escobar) capital of the country, though it is also very beautiful.

We continue on the inhospitable northwest of Columbia until about 1/3 of the way through the day, say adios South America.  We have hit all the nations of the continent save for two of the three Guianas and Uruguay - pretty darn impressive.

We emerge in Panama and continue north then west, back over the Panama canal and Panama City while still moving west then northwest.

Panama is the least populated country in Central America, yet is the most industrialized.  Their beaches are overrated and we are seeing plenty of them. 

Panama is the only place in the world where from one place you can see the sun rise in the Atlantic and set in the Pacific.  Priceless...

Then we continue through Panama until crossing the border near Corcovado National park, winding up in Cuidad Cortes, Costa Rica - 928 miles  for the day.

So from May 14 to June 14, I suppose it is fitting to list the top 14 individuals with the most miles stepped:

Dale Hogg - Great Bend - 572 including a bike trek across Kansas - that is worthy of a photoshop by itself: WOOHOO
Sebastian Wee - Gainesville - 525
Sheila Jones - WCBI - 477
Mary Hoisington - Great Bend - 433
Marlin Nesmith - Statesboro - 396
Daniel Kiewel - Great Bend - 383
Debbie Purvis - Barrow Co. - 379
Tyler Swank - Great Bend - 373
Kimberly Franklin - WWAY - 345
Shonita Swank - Great Bend - 342
Samantha Funk - Great Bend - 337
Jeff Samuels - Corporate - 313
Jana Hestand - Great Bend - 305
Mark Swendra - Morris Technology - 294

Based on miles recorded as of 6/16.  WOOHOO!

Some catch up stepping miles on Monday.  The group pulls in just under 918 miles - WOOHOO. 

On Route E25 north by northeast through Machala, with the Pacific ocean in all its glory to our left, venturing back into the northern Andes mountains into the state/province of Chimborazo before connecting to E35.  Through the Andes winding roads with volcanos on either side (inactive Chimborazo on the left, very active Tungurahua on the right), through Ambato. past active volcano Cotopaxi (news alert - our guide has a death wish). 

At this point we once again cross the equator, moving from very late fall to very late spring, and sort of wishing we could walk on water to trek the 700 miles or so to the Galapagos islands, biological laboratory of the world!  But we we trek on to Atuntaqui before crossing the border just north of Tulcan into Columbia.  Past the high Andes towns of Balboa and Cali until arriving at Cartago, Columbia.   We have re-entered areas previously part of the drug cartel universe, though much of that has splintered since the main cartels were splintered in the 1990s. 

Columbia is still a beautiful country with massive biodiversity, from rain forests to the high Andes mountains.  We will be very glad to be at lower elevations as truly this type of hiking would be much tougher at these altitudes. 

The next section will again be tough as we fast approach central America. 

Once again mind melding with current events, the U.S. national soccer team plays Ecuador next on Thursday 6/16 - be there!!!

At 1,531 miles stepped on June 12, we traverse the coastal outline of Peru, including the capital of Lima a little less than half the way up.   The same distance roughly as it is from Miami to Boston, to give you an idea of the length of the country.

Peru is the original home of the potato (there are 3,000 varieties).  It is also the 6th largest producer of gold.  Peru is a surfer's paradise.  It also has over 1,600 varieties of orchids.  Lake Titicaca is South America's largest lake,  and the highest that is navigable in the world. 

From Arequipa on Route 15, through Nazco, Pisco, Lima then transitioning to 1N up through Chimbote and Chiclayo before heading directly north through La Union.  We skirt the Andes mountains on the right as we cross the border into Ecuador.  We stop around Piedras, Ecuador. 

The top 20 over the weekend of June 11-12

Sebastian Wee - Gainesville
Kimberly Franklin - WWAY
Marlin Nesmith - Statesboro
Debbie Purvis - Barrow
Dale Hogg - Great Bend
Patricia Leon - Hinesville
Samantha Funk - Great Bend
James Andus - Great Bend
Caleb Stambaugh - WDEF
Sheila Jones - WCBI
Mary Hoisington - Great Bend
Loretta Russell - Great Bend
Veronica Coons - Great Bend
Joshua Keller - Great Bend
Ray Funk - Great Bend
Richard Kurazawa - Corporate
Mike Mischner - Camden
Devona Clark - MNC of Tennessee
James Clark - MNC of Tennessee
Melissa St. Laurent - Morris Technology

Bravo!!!

As the Nazca tectonic plate began to collide with and subduct under the South American tectonic plate, up sprouted the Andes mountains beginning 70 million years or so ago.    A more rapid subduction under the northern Andes in and around Bolivia and Peru means the Andes are wider and more dense than in the southern Andes of Chile and Argentina. 

But speaking of Chile, as we head west from Turco, we cross the Bolivia/Chile border with pairs of volcanos in the distance on both our left and right as we pass into Las Vicunas National Preserve.  The preserve is named after the native high altitude creature of the camel family, the vicuna, which weavers around the world covet for their coat, which can only be shorn once every three years. 

Following the outline of an adjoining river flowing west, we head through Northern Chile to the coast where we see the town of Arica to our south and the Pacific ocean in front of us.  Moving right/north, we head on the Panamericana Sur on Route 15 north into Peru before ending just past Moquegua, Peru.

Though we traversed 293 miles based on info recorded, suffice to say this would be among the toughest miles of the trip, given the altitude in general and the Andes in particular. 

Lots of folks are catching up with weekend numbers, so we'll hold off on listing the rock stars until tomorrow. 

One more note for June 11 - USA, USA, USA.  On to the next round!

June 10 through Bolivia (612 miles in all) takes us through one of the wettest countries on the planet (The home of tropical rain forests in the world, more so than even the Amazon on a per square mile basis), and also one of the most biodiverse.  Allegedly 40% of the earth's animal and plant life calls Bolivia home/one of its homes.   This includes 20,000 plant species.  Not sure if poison ivy is one, but just in case, we stay to the roads.

Though we won't be going there, La Paz, the capital, is the second highest city (in terms of elevation - breathe or more appropriately exhale  a sigh of relief, Denver) in the world. 

Bolivia is also one of the top 12 places on earth with organic agricultural regions.  Between this, the largest iron ore mine in the world and other key minerals including perhaps the largest single deposit of lithium, it is well situated in the future.  All it lacks is a gateway to the sea, and it has historically engaged militarily with its neighbors in Chile and Peru to gain that access.

North/northwest we step out of Entre Rios through El Puente, Camargo to Challapata.   Then west/southwest to Adolfo  Mier along the Avineda Heroes del Chaco road to Turco, Bolivia with the Andes mountains clearly showing in the distance, of course when not covered by clouds. 

So with enough Brazilian beaches and Olympics build-up, we start on the trek back.  And what a first day back it is!

On route 374 through Sao Paulo, the most populated province in the country.  West through Volta Redonda, Santo Andre, then southwest through the state of Parana.  Past Assis Chateaubriand and Medianeira to the border of Paraguay.  At that point, we reach Iguazu National Park and Iguazu falls, which not only brings together three rivers into one of the most spectacular natural features in the world, but it also serves as the common boundary for the countries of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina (the latter of which we make sure to touch so we say we've been there). 

As a sidenote to Paraguay, it is not a coincidence we've chosen this route:  US Men's National Team can advance if they defeat or tie Paraguay (today - June 11 at 7:00 pm).

On route 8 through Paraguay west to the Argentina border again at Narciso Lopez, then northwest on route 9 to Mariscal Estigarribia and then vectoring more west to cross the border into Bolivia and ending this day's journey in Entre Rios, Bolivia.

In a single day we've managed to see one of the great sights of the world and touch the only two countries in South America that do not touch the ocean.

21,532 total miles stepped through today. 

In the spirit of the 13 countries of the South American continent, here are the top 13 groups in descending mileage, with an accompanying South American country sorted in square miles - pretty amazing effort by the group....

Great Bend  4,465 - Definitely Brazil
Gainesville  2,015 - Argentina
WWAY  1,547 - Peru
WXXV    1,480 - Columbia
Corporate  1,211 - Bolivia
MNC of Tennessee  1,200 - Venezuela
Morris Technology  1,086 - Chile
WDEF - 1,000 - Paraguay
WCBI   981 - Ecuador
Wisconsin  892 - Guyana
Statesboro 882 - Uruguay
Hinesville 869 - Suriname
Barrow 734 - French Guiana

And the top 13 Step 10 To (and From) Rio based on average steps and at least 20 days:

Sebastian Wee - Gainesville
Sheila Jones - WCBI
Marlin Nesmith - Statesboro
Dale Hogg - Great Bend
Mary Hoisington - Great Bend
Shonita Swank - Great Bend
Tyler Swank - Great Bend (an in-house spousal contest - gotta love it)
Debbie Purvis - Barrow
Kimberly Franklin - WWAY
Samantha Funk - Great Bend
Daniel Kiewel - Great Bend
Barb Puckett - Wisconsin
Melissa St. Laurent - Morris Technology

The first Olympics in South America coming up in Rio this summer.  While always rooting for the U S of A (and we'll hear plenty about them running up to early August), there is always a soft spot for the host country to do well. 

Brazil's best chances:

 - Men's Soccer/Futbol:  it will be tough, especially after the big disappointment at the World Cup, but never count the Brazilians out, especially at home;

 - Laser Class Yachting (say what?), which I know nothing about, is a big sport in Brazil, and they have medaled in the past;

 - Indoor Volleyball (my latest Olympic obsession...love it for men and women):  Brazilians are in the hunt!!

 - Beach Volleyball, both men's and women's, are good chances for success for the Brazilians;

 - Sprint canoe:  Isaquias Queiroz is a two-time world champion;

 - Men's gymnastics (rings) Arthur Zanetti;

 - Water polo, tennis, modern pentathalon and boxing are other areas that could generate medals for the Brazilians.