Cost Rica, Part 1--U.S. to Arenal Volcano region

Day 1 started as a smooth day of traveling--that quickly changed in Miami! A delayed first flight and a kid that was dying to go to the bathroom made a very short layover even shorter! Surprisingly we and our bags arrived in San Jose without any more issues. Getting through the airport and getting the car were pretty easy, and just after dark (wouldn't you know it!) we hit the road. It was twisty, turny, rainy, and narrow--Frank did awesome!

Day 2 we explored the grounds of the resort, enjoying birds, iguanas, butterflies, and a sloth! After a quick dip in the pool, we joined a tour to Arenal Volcano. The top was clouded, but it was still very impressive. And we saw howler monkeys, black mandible toucans, coati, a sloth, iguanas, and leaf-cutter ants marching through the forest!

The balcony over the San Carlos River at Tilajari

K describing the butterfly life cycle in the resort's butterfly garden.

Arenal Volcano

Toucan spotting around Arenal.

Amazing sky (and a toucan!) at sunset.

Day 3 we did a full-day tour to Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve. The trip to the reserve was nice as we learned a great deal about the agriculture and people of the area. We cruised the Rio Frio via power boat and saw a rare jabiru couple, howler monkeys, snake-eater birds, trogon, heron, and caiman. The highlight was seeing white-faced monkeys, and then seeing one almost get eaten by a caiman! After the tour we let the kids swim before heading out to eat at a local joint. When I ordered the proprietor looked at me and said, "no." We couldn't tell if he was out of something or really disagreed with my selection!

My animals on the river tour.

K collecting coconuts.

Meat.  Need I say more?

Day 4 we decided to do one final tour in the area before heading out and it was amazing!  We floated down the Penas Blancas and San Carlos Rivers with our outstanding guide, Pedro.  Along the way we saw a ton of wildlife--crocodiles, rainbow-billed toucans, howler monkeys, snake-neck birds, tiger rattle snake, basilisk (a.k.a. Jesus lizard), Great Blue heron, long-nose bats, slugs, swallows.  But the most amazing part of the trip was a visit to the estate of Senor Don Pedro, a sweet 100-year old family patriarch and farmer.  His daughters and several farmhands work on the organic farm, sans electricity, and welcomed us with coffee, tapioca bread, plantains, and Brama cheese.  He loved getting hugs from the kids!

Heading out on our river float.

We had a great view of tons of howler monkeys!

Enjoying coffee at Don Pedros.

We closed our visit to the San Carlos Valley and headed toward the shore.  We took a path that took us along Arenal Lake where we attempted a few geocaches, and we tried out a "Soda" for lunch.  I think we just didn't hit a very good one, but it did the trick.  We arrived at the Occidental Allegro Papagayo just after sunset.  After a long day of travel we just hit the buffet and then went to bed.

Calvert Marine Museum

The day started (and ended) with another high-speed dinghy run. We had a great time at the museum. I love how there's a lot for kids, but also great information about the seafaring history of the area.

That night Katreina surprised us by crumbling up her Christmas list, saying "I want the elves to spend their time on the starving kids instead of me." Wow.

We had some sweet sailing on the way back. Eventually the wind steadied above 20kts and we cruised back with a scrap of headsail up. We closed the weekend with a trip to buy Christmas lights and a had a better-than-expected dinner at Outback. :)

Last weekend for a while

What an exciting start to the weekend! Frank cut the old anchor off and put the new one on, I fell in the water trying to tie up the old dinghy, and we had a nice cruise down to Solomon's Island! When we got here we took the new dinghy out and got up on plane with all 4 of us--it was awesome! Dinner, movie night with "Thor", and now we are having sleepovers with the kids. Tomorrow we honor our veterans and head to the local maritime museum!

Merry Christmas! (Sort of)

In the midst of running a million errands the kids and I picked up the Captain's Christmas present--a Manson Supreme anchor--and they couldn't wait to give it to him! We might get it on the boat before leaving tomorrow.

Tonight we headed to Honey's Harvest for their yummy pizza night (perhaps a winter tradition?) where we ran into dock neighbors and Navy shipmates. It was a great dinner, and to top it off they had pumpkin cheesecake pops--enough said!

Semi-winterized

We spent the weekend tied to the pier with a few important chores--test out the new dinghy, dinner with friends, take down Halloween decor, "winterize" the closets, and purge the storage unit. We did it all before seeing the Captain off to Phoenix, and then the rest of the crew headed to the movies. Good times!