Monday January 31

 

There are lots of flowers on the bushes, just hard to see. Today started early we drove a young man to the airport and helped him get off then after a short time at home returned with the missionaries from Ponta Delgada as they were flying to Terceira to spend a couple of days doing divisions. It was cloudy and even sprinkled at times but was nice weather for this time of year. We picked up the other two elders and set off on a drive around the north part of the island.

First stop was a view point with historical interest during a civil war in Portugal when two brothers were fighting to be king. A pivotal fight took place here in 1831 but it appears there was not much actual bloodshed.

We went to both the town of furnas and the lake and park named the same. We have been here numerous times and shown tons of pictures so I just enjoyed looking at the places again.

Next stop Povoacao. This is where the first settlement was established in1454 as it has sort of a beach to land boats. Normally there is a couple of sandy beaches with a footbridge and concrete walkways all were gone even the walkway was mostly gone they will need to do a lot of rebuilding before summer. 

We drove on up the coast to the northern tip of the island. I love looking out over the ocean from here. The waves really crash ashore.

The next stop was the famous lighthouse. The first time here we drove down, but this time we walked. I have never been down a steeper concrete road.

We sure enjoyed the different perspective.

There are little houses along the way and in the bottom where the boats are. It would be exciting to stay there and I have no idea how they get the boats in and out of the water.

We had a Patrick, crood’s moment when I saw the handprint in the wall

Driving home some workers were cutting trees in danger of falling onto the road. I wish I would have got a picture quicker as they cut a large one that fell slowly down into the road.

We came on home, with nice views all along the way. The canyons and tree covered slopes remind me of home in Idaho, but looking out the other side at the ocean and you realize “you aren’t in Idaho anymore “. We stopped off for lunch at the cafe in ribeira grande did a little grocery shopping even bought chocolate chips at the American store. We had our two zoom meetings, then talked with Hunter. He is fun to talk with. Busy day. We love you all.

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