Thursday, June 27, 2019

Day #2- Earthquake, Poison Dart Frogs, and Chocolate


At 11:23 p.m. on our 1st night here was a  6.2 earthquake. None of us felt it. We were sound asleep.
We saw over 10 poisonous frogs. Don't worry we didn't lick any of them.

Ian, the dog whisperer. There are dogs roaming around everywhere.

A guided tour of the Chilimante Rainforest.

Chocolate!!! That is cacao, the fruit that has the "chocolate bar on the inside."

Rope swinging over and into the Sarapiqui River.
Zingiber: Giant Orange Beehive



Green iguana to though a telescope lense.


Sorry ,  but I took all the chocolate tour pictures with my good camera and I can only use the photos from my phone. It was an amazing tour though and who knew that before chocolate is made into chocolate the seeds inside are bright purple.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Day #1 Walmart & the Chilimante Rainforest

First stop: Yes,
 Walmart to get sim cards for cell phones.

La Paz Waterfall in Poas region
Why did the Coatie cross the road? To eat Ian's chips! It was about to jump into the car.

Driving from San Jose to Chilimante Rainforest through a cloud.


Our mosquito netting in our open-air lodge at the Chilimante Rainforest Eco Lodge Resort.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Summer 2019- Costa Rica Here We Come!




Our Route 

  • San Jose
  • Chilamate Rain Forest
  • Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna
  • Samara Beach
  • Nosaro Beach
  • San Jose




We have rented a Daihatsu Bego Automatic because I can't drive stick. We rented it through Green Motion. Hopefully, we won't have to pay all these extra local fees that we've heard about.  
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Here's a sneak peek at some of our lodging.


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A few activities we may do:
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Wish us luck on this amazing ADVENTURE!!

Monday, July 18, 2016

Santa Fe - Last Stop

Day 17-20
July 9-12, 2016
Santa Fe, NM
Sunset in Santa Fe


Enchiladas with Green Chile sauce

Tamales

International Folk Art Market


Seeing all of these rugs made me miss Syria!

All of the artists were there to sell their fair trade goods.



Our Airbnb rental- 150 year old adobe

Green Chile Stew- very hot

My next house

Ian and I exploring the galleries near the Railyard.

San Miguel Church- the oldest church structure in the USA


On Canyon Road  -- exploring the art galleries


Meow Wolf - an amazing interactive mystery playground


There was an entrance into the "Dream Zone" through the refrig.


Cool artwork throughout Meow Wolf - If you go to Santa Fe, this place is definitely worth it.

Mesa Verde to Santa Fe

Day 16
July 8, 2016
Mesa Verde National Park
Definitely one of my favorite spots.
If you go you must stay at the Far View Lodge inside the park and splurge for a room with a view. It is spectacular.

What a cutie!

Long House ranger-led tour


Climbing into the Pueblo cliff dwellings

Home sweet home

My angel


David is experimenting with the focus on my camera. He thinks he's cool. 


Kiva

On our way to Santa Fe, after this hike.


Sunday, July 10, 2016

Magnificent Mesa Verde

Day 15
July 7, 2016
Chinle, AZ to Mesa Verde National Park, CO
The Four Corners Monument was supposed to open at 8:00. It was 8:05 and it was not open yet, and the line was very long. We waited five more minutes and still no movement in the line, so we decided to take a picture of the sign instead.

First look at Mesa Verde- highest point at Park Point 8572 ft.

Evidence of forest fire

After a five hour drive, we needed to stretch our legs by going on our first hike through Mesa Verde National Park. Here we are squeezing through on Petroglyph Point Trail. 

Looking over the canyon during the Petroglyph Point Trail
See that hole, no we did not have to crawl through there.

Out on a ledge - Please be careful!

Watch out for tarantulas and scorpions hiding in those holes.

Back to our beautiful hotel at the Far View Lodge within Mesa Verde National Park.
 At 5:00, we will go on our next ranger-led tour of Balcony House. 


Climbing up to Balcony House - the Pueblo did not use ladders, they climbed the rocks using foot and hand holds that they carved out of the rock.

Another ladder!

Balcony House - The Pueblos used the sandstone to build these structures and sand and clay as mortar. Sometimes they even used their own urine as the liquid to hold the elements together when water was sparse.

See the balcony behind Ranger Pete- that is why it is called Balcony House. 
It is the only intact balcony among the ruins.

Sitting around the top of a kiva- a room within used for religious rituals. As many as 15-17 people would go into one kiva.


Inside Balcony House

Not taken by me- but I wanted you to see what it looked like from the viewpoint. 
You can also see the 30 ft. ladder we climbed, on the right.