Our field trip to La Bocana (written by all the Johnstons!)

 Yesterday was one of those great days, though we have found ourselves saying that a lot lately.  Zac, Gabriel, Zeus and I started the day with an early morning hike in San Roque.  We caught the sunrise and enjoyed the cool temps along the coast.  We were treated at the end of our hike to some smoked fish, from Fernando, who was keeping watch of the fishing village.  It was also nice running into some friends who were camped on the beach.

We had breakfast and decided to take a day trip to La Bocana.  According to Gabriel’s calculations, La Bocana is 49.4 miles from our house.  3.7 of those miles were on pavement, the rest was dirt roads.  Up to Punta Prieta (20.5 miles) the road was in great shape, though the same can’t be said for the remainder of the trip.  From our door to La Bocana it took us about 2 hours, and Zac drives very conservatively. 

 Rancho San Rafael

Zeus enjoys anytime he gets to ride inside the truck!

This is a dry lake bed.  If conditions are dry, it's a great road to travel!

The road is covered with broken clam shells.

Beautiful cemetary in the entrance to La Bocana

We always enjoy the restaurant in La Bocana.  We find the view to be incredible and the food equally amazing.  We ordered 3 margaritas, (1 for Mommy and 2 for Daddy, as Mika wanted to point out), 2 lemonadas mineral and 2 lemonadas natural, fish ceviche, campechana, aquachile, and 3 fish tacos.  The food was delicious!  Gabriel and Mika took Zeus to the water, which was incredibly warm.  We were delighted to talk to our waiter, Hector, and later Joaquin, who we found were both relatives of Chemo, a friend from this town.  We are amazed constantly at how small the world is.  We wanted to get a 6 pack of beer for the trip back, but found that beer was not being sold until Monday morning at 9 am. 

We enjoyed the drive back, and instead drove through San Hipolito and Punta Prieta, and found those roads were in much better condition.

 

Back in Asuncion, we bought beer and drinks for the kids, and went out to our go-to beach here in town. 

We were distanced in between 2 different groups, and at first noticed 3 dogs down the beach a way.  We still tend to be extremely cautious with Zeus, since we’re never quite sure how he will do with other dogs.  At first we leashed him, then decided to trust him.  Moments later he happily trotted down the beach where 2 of the dogs and 5 kids were playing near the water’s edge.  I briskly walked toward them to find all the kids happily petting Zeus, and Zeus happily playing with the 2 dogs.  He was so proud of himself, but I think I was a bit more proud.

  “My boys all growns up!”

 

We ended the day swimming and floating in the warm water. 

Mika insisted on a kiss cam shot!

As we made our way home, Zac decided to let Gabriel practice driving.  He did an incredible job! Another ending to a great day…...