Tulcan to Mindo- February 3 2018

Left Tulcan at 8:45 am .....no rain for a change..........I was intending to take an alternate slightly longer route back along Hwy # 10.....so with no working Gps...I used google maps and drew a map of the area I had to exit....but with limited signage along the route you need to have all the names of towns and cities on that route....as I never did see a sign indicating # 10....so had to go with plan B....continue on to  and exit Simon Bolivar Blvd........this would keep me out of the busier part of Quito and was the road I could not find heading to Colombia. I found the exit and ended up in a busy town next to the Pan American hwy going the wrong way on a 1 way main street. Did a U turn next to a police officer and stopped asking him where is 28B....he pointed down a street next to me....which led me following the Pan Am to Simon Bolivar......which I tookin the wrong direction...only realizing this a number of miles later when I recognized a long bridge Ken and I had crossed entering Quito at the end of my last visit Febr 2017. So many miles later heading west I come to a traffic circle with a barrier that won't let me continue. Another car is stopped and I approach the driver for directions in sign language...finally he motions for me to follow and leads me into the town, I was lost in the day before......he points in the direction I should go and I make a turn ......the  streets are all s turns up and down and I get lost....again seeing a police officer I stop and ask for directions to Mindo....he thinks I what the monument to the Equator and that is fine with me,...because I know my way from there. Finally back on the new Simon Bolivar...why a section forced an unmarked detour is beyond me.....but about 1k from where I need the route to Mindo...the road is finished but a cement barrier blocks the way and no detour signs. I am not going back into that crazy street town with numerous 1 way and dead end streets. This hwy has a bike path and I calculate the risk of taking it and not getting caught......I take it and make the 1k at speed and manage to fit my bike through the barriers at both ends/////// Traffic is lined up following a slow moving Tractor Trailer......oncoming traffic prevents anyone from passing....so I take to the narrow right shoulder and pass 1/2 k of cars, buses and trucks....1 hour before Mindo more rain, I arrive in Fog again. This time I book into a hotel at the foot of the main street and wow is it nice.......I shower then head up to the restaurant where Flor and Luz are helping out......they are sitting around playing cards.I order dinner and I chat with the ladies until it gets busy and Flor goes to help out ...I bid farewell heading out into the rain and my comfortable chalet.