Breathing Deep at Los Lobitos

Wednesday, March 25, 2020. This was before beaches were officially declared off limits and police check points were established exiting the city of Iquique. We were itching for fresh air and a change of scenery even while a bit nervous due to the days of seclusion and so much uncertainty. There was a a solemn spirit among the kids that needed some respite. So along with the Fisher family, we loaded our matching black and white vans and drove south to the beach that has provided us escape many times during our years in Iquique.

We frequented Los Lobitos with three small children on Tuesday "family nights" in 2009:
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2009/06/tuesday-night-at-los-lobitos.html



And took friends there on multiple occasions our first year in Iquique:
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2009/08/sharing-beach-with-friends.html
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2009/10/at-los-lobitos-with-uncle-mike.html

We celebrated baptisms with the IBM church in 2010:
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2010/03/baptism-step-of-obedience.html

Then revisited with Grandma and Grandma Garcia when they stayed with us in 2013:
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-lobitos-we-loved.html

Pedro took the boys camping there in March 2014:
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2014/03/third-fatherson-camping-trip.html

And we breathed in the fresh air once again in September of the same year:
https://garcias2chile.blogspot.com/2014/09/lovin-life-at-los-lobitos.html

But it had been quite awhile since we had returned to this spot which is so beautiful in its natural state yet sadly often trashed by the humans who visit it. Pulling off the highway and descending the winding sandy road to the shore, we saw a couple other small groups of twos and threes with the same idea as ours. They were on the beach and so we "social distanced" away from them to the rocks which were our desired destination. The weather was comfortable and the waves were magnificent. The rocks beckoned to be climbed and by the end of our time we were rewarded with a beautiful setting sun. Best of all, everyone's tension melted away in the comfort of God's creation.

Sadly, it was our last visit for the foreseeable future as restrictions began to tighten and we await the freedom to return again. For now, these pictures serve as a reminder of a lovely evening and the love of our Heavenly Father who created such beauty for us to enjoy. Thank You, Lord!