Notes from the Trail Index
Below is a list of all of the Notes from the Trail entries we have published so far. Click on an entry's title to see the full entry.
Update 18: Teamwork Helps Everything Survive
: May 05, 2006The plants, animals, and people of the rainforest also rely on each other to survive. They build relationships, and require knowledge, resources, and skills necessary to maintain the delicate balance that allows thousands of different species to survive in the Amazon Rainforest.
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Update 17: The Friendly Faces of Yarina
: May 03, 2006Within minutes, word spread that we were in town. Several people that remembered us from last year's visit to Yarina came down to the river to say hello and to ask us how our year had gone.
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Update 16: The Perfect Habitat
: May 01, 2006The knowledge the people in flooded forest have is irreplaceable. I believe using their knowledge of the forest, and working with them to develop ways to protect their habitat will protect the Amazon and other rainforests throughout the world.
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Update 15: Finding Animals on Lake El Dorado
: April 28, 2006A Pink River Dolphin surfaced to get a closer look at us. It almost scared me our of the boat when it took a loud breath only 10 feet behind out boat. A few more paddle strokes down a narrow canal revealed a sloth eating breakfast in the tree tops, while a troop of Saddle Backed Tamarinds chirped loudly to let the other animals know that we had arrived.
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Update 14: Ice Cold Coca Cola!
: April 26, 2006I really enjoy our simple diet, but the thought of drinking something ice cold after weeks in the hot, wet rainforest was more than I could resist. After several weeks of eating rice, beans, fish, and bananas, we took...Read more!
Update 13: Emerging from the Wilderness
: April 24, 2006It felt strange to paddle along, feeling like we were in the middle of nowhere, only to come around a corner and find a line of four canoes heading into the park. It was like rush-hour on the river after so many days of solitude.
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Update 12: Warren Comes to the Rescue!
: April 21, 2006We have learned a lot so far, but I know that it would be very hard for Ruben, Anna, Patrick, and me to survive here without Warren.
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Update 11: Home Sweet Hammock
: April 19, 2006The rainforest is full of bullet ants, spiders, snakes, and other poisonous critters that demand our respect. Our hammocks provide us with the shelter we need to get a good night's rest. They keep us off the ground, safe from the insects, and protected from the rain.
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Update 10: Living in the Flooded Forest
: April 17, 2006Last week students decided that we should paddle down the Pacaya River, and then continue our journey down the Yanayacu River. Our team is excited about your choice. We have been paddling hard and learning a lot as we travel down the Pacaya River.
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Update 9: Animals Abound on the Pacaya River
: April 14, 2006Three days ago we packed the last of our food and gear into our bulging canoes, and said goodbye our new friends in Monte Bello.
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Update 8: Paddling on Rainforest Time
: April 12, 2006Last week you decided that we should head into the flooded forest to study animals as soon as we can. However, things in the rainforest do not always happen quickly.
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Update 7: Life on the Launcha
: April 10, 2006Instead of driving cars and trucks, people use use boats to travel from place to place. Launchas are large boats powered by strong engines that travel up and down all the major rivers in the Amazon Basin. We have spent the last two day nights and two night on a launcha that is traveling up the Amazon River at about 10 miles an hour.
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Update 6: Exploring the Flooded Streets of Iquitos
: April 07, 2006The Team hires a canoe guide to show them around the city. From January to May the streets, soccer fields, and gardens are underwater. Many of the houses are built on rafts that float up and down as the river rises and falls. Other houses are built on stilts so that the water does not cover the house when the water rises.
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Update 5: The Belen Market -- A Wild Place to Buy Groceries
: April 05, 2006I was overwhelmed by the whirling colors, over-powering smells, and wild sounds as we wound our way through a maze of vendors. Our team had come to the Belen Market in Iquitos to purchase supplies for our journey into...Read more!
Update 4: It was a long trip, but we made it to Peru
: April 03, 2006The team has arrived in Lima, Peru. They are in Lima for a day before boarding another airplane that will take them to Iquitos on the Amazon River. Soon we will be exploring the rainforest in canoes. For now, we will stick to using gas-powered vehicles and our trusty feet as we explore Lima and purchase maps, medicine, and other supplies.
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Update 3: Off to Peru
: March 31, 2006The team is preparing to depart for Peru. Spanish lessons, last minute purchases, and school assemblies all need to be taken care of before leaving the United States.
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It is school visit time!
: March 29, 2006Visiting schools to talk with students and teachers in person is one of the main things that Anna, Patrick, and I have been doing to prepare for Project Peru 2. This is a very important part of what we...Read more!
Update 1: Welcome aboard virtural explorers
: March 27, 2006Dear Student Researchers, Hi! My name is Dave Freeman. I'm leading this expedition into the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. We are heading to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve in northern Peru. Our team will consist of 5 people including Anna (a...Read more!
