Looking at the forest trees, it is easy to create a picture of how the cloud forest had reclaimed the area after it was cut to fuel the mining boom between 1881 and 1954. Dotting the shady hillsides, ancient forest giants rise up, dwarfing comparatively spindly second growth. Metal pipes, like giant veins, poke out of the ground, framed by dozens of fern species. On the drive back to Tegucigalpa, we pass burning hillsides. The acrid smell of charred vegetation forces us to roll up the windows as we pass through the smoke.
Fire proves to be our constant companion throughout our travels.
Often, these fires burn out of control, especially during dry spells. During my visit, El Nino is credited with bringing an early dry season. We hear the next day that a fire or two burned out of control into La Tigra. Later in the month, an old park guard tells Taylor that 14 blazes have burned into the park in the past year, scorching about 750 acres. Our next stop is the North Coast and some of its wetland and rainforest parks.