Rainy Morning

 We awoke to rain that was hard enough for us to wait it out.  After the skies started to clear we headed out.  The day started out on forest tracks that were very nice.  

We spent a lot of time in eucalyptus forests and figured out how they are managed.  They start by cutting down everything and panting new eucalyptus trees in long rows.  After a few decades they harvest the first for wood pulp used to make paper.  Then they tree stumps regenerate with new growth and they thin the trees down to just 2 or 3 main stalks.  This new forest grows again over decades until it is harvested again for wood pulp.  Eucalyptus is tough on the ground so after two or three cycles they abandon the forest and let it go fallow again.  There are tracts and traces of trees at different stages.  

We saw lots of corn fields and family gardens big enough that they have to sell some at local markets.  We saw some wonderful villages in different stages of rebuilding.  There are many abandoned buildings but the next series of houses are in wonderful shape.  Very interesting how the country is evolving.  

We had a long day but this one was very refreshing.  


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