The next day, after returning to San Ignacio, eating dinner, and spending the night, we drove south to the Pine Mountain Ridge Preserve. This area is unique ecologically in that it doesn't resemble any other area in Belize. Whereas the rest of Belize is very tropical, here it's very sandy, with pine trees. It felt like some areas of Vermont, or southern New Jersey.

The color of the soil would also change radically from one area to the next. A very stark and beautiful area.

I bitched about the Ford Escape, maybe a little too much, but the thing pulled through, despite a serious rattle coming from the front end.

Ever patient, Lisa put up with my bitching and stood up for the Escape.

The Escape actually looks pretty cool in this shot, amidst the sand and trees and mountains. I think it's growing on me.

More gorgeous skies and colorful landscape.

Entrance to the Rio Frio cave. Massive cave with a river running through it.

This is the entrance on the other side.

Someone was very interested in the geological aspects of the cave interior.

Me, I'm just a total dork. I do like rock formations, though.

Looking out of the main entrance to the cave.

This set of waterfalls and pools is called Rio On Pools. We hiked around on the rocks and went for a dip in one of the pools. Very refreshing after scampering about all day in the heat.

Another view of the falls and pools.

This is the pool we dipped in, with mountains in the background. It was truly lovely.

I was just knocked out by how colorful it was. The redness of the soil in contrast to the green of the foliage was just amazing.
Watch a movie of driving this road.

1000 Foot Falls.
This was kind of a let-down, since it took quite a while to get there, then all there really was was an observation deck to view the falls. On the other hand, the Mayan guy that was caretaker of the site was really nice and full of great information. We hung out with him for about an hour asking questions and talking.

A view over the valley in the Preserve.

Movie - driving on the road to the Five Sisters Lodge.

In the Pine Ridge Mountain Preserve we stayed at the Five Sisters Lodge, name after the five-headed waterfall near there. It was a very idillic place, comfy and friendly.

More of the Five Sisters Lodge. Very lush.

More of the Five Sisters Lodge.

This is the cabaña we stayed in. Luckily they had this one available. They had just finished renovating it, so it smelled a little like fresh paint, but they gave us a break on the price.

The interior of the cabaña.

With hammock...

which was great for napping.

The five sisters.

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