Decker Trip - Panamerican Highway 1966

Nov 9. We left Quito in the morning--near noon, taking with us a delicious lunch packed by Mrs. Riffle. What a thoughtful thing to do. We got as far as [Riobamba] without too many incidents. Oh, yes, we did have to push the car over a desvio through very deep dust. Thank the Lord, the passengers on the bus behind us helped out.
(Forgot to mention that we met Betty Harkins, Ken's old flame, last night).
We got to Riobamba in the late afternoon and looked up Edith Cruz of the G.M.U. She wasn't there, but another missionary, Helen, let us stay there. She gave us a room and we had a comfortable night's rest. Then she fixed us a good breakfast.
Nov 10. In the morning, after breakfast, Ken got a taxi to take the kids and me on to [Colta] to wait for him there. There was a very steep climb between these two places, and he thought it would be better to have as little weight as possible. We really zipped along over those cobblestone roads, though they do skake up the car.
We were given hospitality at the school in Colta by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Slausan. The G.M.U. has this school for Indian children. It reminded me of Santiago. I appreciated the cup of coffee and fellowship. Ken got there much quicker than I exptected. The climb wasn't as bad as anticipated, and the Lord answered prayer.
We went on and got as far as [Gun]--just a little corner where the two main roads meet. We parked along the road in front of the telefonista's house. Just across the street was another little store and restaurant where we ate supper. The people are Spanish and we enjoyed talking to them. They seemed starved for contact with the outside world.
Nov 11. In the morning, we had cafecito before leaving, and took pictures of both families on the polaroid. They were amazed at the camera and overjoyed to receive the pictures--probably the first they've had in years.
We arrived in Cuenca before noon and met 3 American boys--2 on a fellowship to Cuenca U., and one with the Peace Corps (quite a character). He recommended a little Argentine Restaurant just in front of us, and we had a good thick soup there. Just a few miles outside of Cuenca, Ken noticed that the trailer was riding low in front. Sure enough, the tongue had almost separated at the joint. That meant leaving us beside a lovely meadow and stream, and going back into town by taxi (which came along just then).
It was about 4:00 when we stopped, but it gave us time to wash some clothes, and the kids a ripping good time swinging on a vine and letting off steam.
By the time Ken got back, it was getting dark and I had the spaghetti started. Ken got the tongue back on and switched the car to the other side of the road where we camped for the night.