An ode to a Dog by Reid Millis

 Luna  

I stared out the window at the passing scenery as we made our way out into the outskirts of Salem.  Luna hung her head out the window, drooling at the forest aromas.  I thought about how hard it was going to be to leave Luna, but how exciting it was to be going to a new country.  

My mom turned onto a little gravel lane, and we bumped down along it in my grandma’s car.  Horses stuck their heads over the fences by the side of the road and whinnied at us.  As we came to a stop below their house, two women came down the wooden steps. I got out and Luna bounded out behind me running around smelling the grass and bushes.

Luna’s new owners lived in a two story brown house that sat on a thickly wooded hill.    A field lay below the house where their four goats grazed.  One of them was veterinarian and owned a cat clinic and the other was a massage therapist.  We walked up the stairs and through the front door, Luna panting and wagging her tail happily.  We all sat down in the living room to chat.  They told us about the animals they had had in the past, and their dog that had recently died. One of their many cats wobbled in to check Luna out.  It was very old and half blind and had half of its belly hair shaved off because it needed an IV.  It missed its old dog friend that had passed the following year and was in need of a new friend.  Luna tolerated him but didn’t seem very delighted about her new buddy.   

We walked outside to go check out their goats and take a walk in the nearby park.  They had four goats, two big males and two older smaller females.  We continued along the lane  stopping to eat blackberries every so often.  When we came to the park, Luna jumped into the creek and splashed around, happily chewing on a stick.  Then continued up the trail to the top of the hill Luna chased squirrels and rabbit in the underbrush.  As we came over the top of the knoll, we could see far over the rolling grassy hills.  Luna ran around rolling in the grass joyfully, and we laughed as she tried to catch a bee in her mouth.  I found some more blackberries and threw them to her.  She caught them jumping high into the air, doing 360s in mid air.  When we all got tired of watching Luna doing acrobatics, we started back down the trail to their house.

     Back in their living room I lay down next to Luna and talked quietly into her ear explaining that

 we  were going to leave her here. When it was finally time to go, I got up and she followed me to

 the door ready to go, but was confused when we started to leave without her.  I told her goodbye,

  and that I would be back.  She wagged her tail, and tried to follow us out to the car, but when I 

told her to stay she obediently sat and watched us leave.  I tried to tell myself I would see her 

again, but it was still so hard to say goodbye.  I looked back and saw her looking out the window

 after the car, but then we rounded the corner at the bottom of the hill and she disappeared from 

my view.

A Week without Walls

 

After being hired at Academia Cotopaxi, we quickly heard about a program called "Week without Walls" where students from 4th grade to high school go explore Ecuador from 2 days to a whole 5 days.  The program is actually run by Outward Bound, an international outdoor education company.

Ed and I found out a week before the trips left that we would be going.  Ed went with the 7th graders to Cotopaxi National Park for four days/three nights.  I went with Rae's 6th grade class to Lago Santa Pablo for three days/two nights.  Reid went to Mindo for four days/three nights.  All three of the trips include group challenges, outdoor adventure, and service learning.  It was interesting to see how each of the different grades/trips did these facets.

  Both Ed and my groups fell in love with two sweet pooches.  The golden was on Rae and my trip and the Rottweileresque one followed Ed and his group for many miles and days.

 This is the high ropes course that even I went up on to quell some fears of heights.

Our second night we had a beautiful view of Imbaburra.  We were definitely   in the high grasslands.

There was some hail on the Cotopaxi trip since it was at the highest elevation.  

Despite some heavy rain and hail, we all enjoyed beautiful sunsets.

If only all students could enjoy a Week without Walls, the world would be a different place.

Happy dreams,

TEAM MILLIS

We went to the zoo, zoo, zoo...how about you, you, you?

Rae and I have been to zoos in Portland, San Diego, Asheville, Southern Oregon and Harlingen.  When Ed and I had a day to ourselves with her, we decided to try out the Quito Zoo.  Reid was away at a Volleyball tournament in Guayaquil, and we had a car for two days.  So off we went Saturday morning on an adventure.  I'll try not to bore you too much with all the animals...just a few of our favorite "native to South America" species.

This cute monkey guy greeted us when we strolled down the path.

And then we saw two Galapagos Tortoises playing leap frog slow motion style.

An Andean Bear checked us out while we checked him out.

Our absolute favorite of all the animals was this gorgeous jaguar.

A great surprise was a hike with information about the local plant species...ya know Ed LOVED it!!

Gotta love the ears...better to hear me telling him to get to the closest empanada stand!!

So cute, but not cuddly...

Thinking of you Millie...

Ed's new best friend who might be a distant relative...Ed aka Mr. Ed (Don't tell him I said that...)

Some skinny, teenager cows begging for some carrots!

Does he look slightly familiar?  Hogwarts...Harry Potter...?

And to finish our trip and post, the back side of the most famous and endangered vulture...the Andean condor.  Beautiful for the vulture variety (:

Okay, I lied...I may have bored you with all the animals.  I hope your week is full of life's small and big adventures.  We'll be back this weekend with more fun.

TEAM MILLIS

NO EXCUSES!

Our school's outdoor basketball/volleyball court is protected not only from the elements but most importantly from the equatorial, high altitude sun.

It seems all tennis courts are painted my favorite colors.  Great sky on this overcast day...much different than last week's smoke-filled sky.

Reid's favorite spot at school is the soccer field where he goes for recess and weekend practice sessions.

This is Ed's view from his office.  You can also see the pool off to the upper left corner.

The floors were just redone this summer.  PRETTTTYYYY!!  We have enjoyed watching Reid's volleyball games here and look forward to some baskeeetballll this winter.

Okay, Ed Sr., here is the shot you've been looking for...unfortunately the cover was on when we remembered to bring the camera.  We feel quite lucky to have such a wonderful facility so close to our house.

So as I said in the title, NO EXCUSES, Team Millis will be one fit, well-conditioned family when you see us next time.

Hope you can have "NO EXCUSES!" too,

TEAM MILLIS

A Park Walk Turned Flaming Forest Fire on the Autumn Equinox

On Sunday, some school friends invited us to go for a stroll through Parque Metroplitano which is about a 10 minute walk from our house.  Our day was warm with gorgeous blue skies.

Up at the top of the steep hillside, we passed by a full blown soccer game.

Along the path was a small village with a few stores selling popcorn, juice and other snacks.

And we were dismayed to meet the most unfriendly Golden Retriever just doing his guard dog duties.

On our way down, we stopped to admire the view.  Reid was obviously enjoying every minute ( :

The view of Cotopaxi filled Ed with remorse for not accompanying our friends who had summited the mountain earlier in the day.

After we returned home, a half hour later, I left our apartment to go buy groceries.  This is what I saw.  The green on the hill is Parque Metropolitano, the one where we had just taken a walk.  

Arson is suspected.  The fire is being investigated with rewards of $50,000 to $100,000 for any information. We spent the rest of the day watching and listening to the multitude of helicopters buzzing overhead fighting the fire.  Today was much of the same.  Most of today's recesses were spent indoors due to the poor air quality.  Fingers crossed for it to be totally under control soon.

May you be safe on your journeys,

TEAM MILLIS

15,696 ft. looking down on Quito

Reid and Ed decided to go to go for a "hike" on Saturday after our first Parh-te in our apartment.  Over twenty people gathered at the Millis homestead for pizza, charades and dancing.  Ed's famous G n T's were also a hit.

Riding the Teleferico (a.k.a. gondola) to the start of our first Volcano Climb, Pinchincha.

On the trail to the top of Pinchincha which is hidden in the clouds.

Here is a peek of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world and on the list to be climbed.

A church to stop and pray for safe travels on the way to the top.

A shot of an unidentified vulture-esque bird on the top of Pinchincha looking for handouts.

We made it to the top, but unfortunately we're surrounded by clouds.

On Sunday, we followed our fellow Ecuadorian's custom to go the park.  We went to Carolina Park where soccer, basketball, volleyball, kite-flying and...

SALSA DANCING LESSONS...Rae was aghast with the "dirty dancing"...forever "traumatized" in her words.

Time to relax....

Hope you make it to the top of your destined peak,

TEAM MILLIS

Gorillas, Virgin Mary, Indigenous People and Clowns

Last weekend we were invited to attend a festival in Guapalo.  After spending the day sorting through our 17 boxes from our shipment, we stepped out to explore a new part of town and enjoy a once a year cultural event.

Here is a view from our friends' apartment of Guapalo looking towards the east and Kumbaya Valley.  The new airport is off in this direction.  You can see the church of Guapalo down in the central part of the picture.

At this little tienda (store), we enjoyed homemade empanandas filled with beef and vegetables with a few olives thrown in to spice it up.

As we strolled down the cobblestone streets, we met up with these fellows heading for the parade.  Gorillas at an event to honor the Virgin Mary...hmmm not sure about this one. And then we saw these guys in a combination of an indigenous person/clown.  I'm still searching for information about the reason for all different costumes.

We reached the square at the Iglesia de Guapalo where the three parades of people came together.  There is a structure to the right of bamboo with fireworks attached to it that was lighted later in the evening.  Super cool but definitely dangerous with the numbers of people standing in close proximity!!  

Inside the church, we were awestruck by the intricate details and floral arrangements.  Ed sneaked in one shot before he realized he wasn't supposed to take any shots.

Just as the sun was setting and all the participants arrived we joined in the revelry and danced along to the music.

And...for $.25, we enjoyed a highly competitive game of foosball.  The R's beat the Hot Ladies by a BUNCH!!

Our cultural evening ended with hot dogs at Los Hot Dogs de la Gonzalez.  LOOONNNGGG hot dogs with a special sauce and crumbled potato chips on top.  A picture is a must for our next hot dog dining experience.

And...Remember...Follow your ADVENTURE dreams!!  Time is of the essence!!

TEAM MILLIS