Escaping Medellin required some creative riding in the intense traffic. Tameka did a great job staying on my tail as we weaved between the trucks and cars. As we climbed up and out of the Medellin valley it, of course, started to rain. The winding mountain road was slow going with slick conditions, poor visibility and many heavy trucks. Eventually we reached the Cauca River valley where the road was wider and faster. The roads dried out for a while and we were able to maintain pretty good pace until we stopped for lunch. The skies opened up and dumped volumes. Cracks of thunder shook the little roadside cantina while we ate. We waited until things lightened up a bit before venturing back out onto the highway.

We arrived in Filandia in the early evening and had time to walk around town before the sun set. Filandia is a historic agricultural town in Colombia's coffee axis. It is still home to several coffee estates though now is mostly a tourist destination. Its brightly painted buildings and festive town square are filled with handicraft galleries and numerous restaurants. We found a historic hotel near the town center that used to be a family home. It has a beautiful kitchen area and central courtyard.

We will be heading back into Cali tomorrow which will be our last day of riding together.... for this adventure anyway.