Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Natividade da Serra is on a giant reservoir with lots of little finger lakes. Most folks get around in chalanas - flat-bottomed utilitarian boats. It takes about an hour and 45 minutes to get from Peter's house to the sitio – the farm/ranch where Peter and Co. go to get away from the hustle and bustle of a town of 2,500. It's really not that far away, but it's kind of a pain in the butt to get there.

Here's the route:

Dave bought the farm (ha!) in 1992. The 125-ish acre farm has two houses – the main house where Dave (Peter's dad) and his wife Nina hang out, and the Peter's smaller house. Both were built in the 60's or 70's of traditional Brazilian construction. There's a pole frame, the walls are built with horizontal smaller boards and mud fill and covered with stucco, and there's a red tile roof. Over the years, the sitio has been a chicken farm, a commercial vegetable operation and various other things. Currently, Pedro the neighbor keeps dairy cows on the property (I'll post separately on that).

It's the kind of "camping" I like: plumbing, electricity, and shelter. There are bugs and REALLY loud frogs. Lots of them. It's also gorgeous, the water's warm, and the views are amazing.

Peter and Dave sitting on the porch at the main house.

The view from Peter's porch. That small structure holds salt for the cows.

Peter, Zezee and I went for a walk/hike up the ridge behind the houses. This is an abandoned termite hill that now houses some other sort of critter. I like its halloween face. 

Peter and Zezee walk over the bridge up to the main house. Dave really likes Art Nouveau and he's made some really cool gates, railings and other interesting details. Check out the railing on the bridge.

Peter on the patio at the main house. Cool railing.

The view from the main house. The little house is Peter's.

In the world before smartphones... look it up in the ENCYCLOPEDIA! (watch out for bat poop.)

Peter and Zezee on the porch at Peter's house. Porches are a big part of being at the sitio. obviously.

A piece of wall where the stucco has come off. You can see the mud and bamboo.

Cool wall in the bathroom that Dave made with congac bottles. 

That same window at night - LOVE IT!

The view from my window at Peter's house looking up to the main house. 

The original wood stove at Peter's house. No, we didn't use it.

The chelana on the way back to Natividade da Serra. I feel like I'm on "The African Queen" with Hepburn and Bogie whenever I ride in one of these.