Chapter 3

Woke up this morning, feeling fine!!!!  Another leg of our journey completed and we are ready to explore new territory.  Today we leave the beach-side community of Esterillos and now travel south to Manuel Antonio Park area.  We have made arrangements for a home nestled on the hillside overlooking the Pacific.  In the fishing village of Quepos we'll rent a car for a week to trek around the area.  Everyone here says that Manuel Antonia is the "Jewel of Costa Rica".  We shall see.

Chapter 2

We have finished the second leg of our journey.  During our stay here, we managed to see and do wondrous things.  Our hike in the Cloud Forest, the tram ride up into the mountains, surrounding the forest canopy; we experienced the thrill of the famous "Hanging Bridges" which left us suspended above the valley floors and giving us the bird's eye view of the canopy.  And I can't forget the riotous, exciting rafting ride on the Balsa River! Ah, and the fishing day on Arenal Lake at the foot of the Arenal Volcano!  Fishing while seeing toucans fly, hearing the squealing of the howler monkeys, and iguanas lazing in the tree limbs--what more could you ask for!!!!  After five days in the northern region, today we drop down to the south near the surfing town of Jaco.  There we will stay in our first beach house--our little cassita!  Everyone says the south is very different from the north.  We shall see! Pure vida!!!!!

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 covers the first leg of our adventure.  Of course, we arrived safely, but what was most exciting, we had NO layover in Houston.  We hopped right onto the next flight without a hitch!   By the cocktail hour, we were sitting on the outside patio, listening to a terrific sax player, sipping beer then martinis.  A delicious meal followed with our own private piano player,, then bed!  We were dog-tired.  On Day 2 we walked the city sites, including the Mercado Central (LOTS of shops, etc.) the Teatro National, the Jade Museum, etc. etc.  It was a full day, finished with a meal at the Cafe Monda, a local favorite.  On Wednesday, we hit the mountains. ..8000 ft.!  A tour a one of the large coffee plantations, the Dakota Estates was followed by the Poas Volcano.  Wow...the steaming volcano was three football fields wide; the last time it erupted was 2010.  In the afternoon, we traveled to La Paz Waterfalls and Gardens.  What a treat!  The five waterfalls were impressive and the walk was well worth the journey's end.  At one point, Larry didn't think he would make it, but he did!  The full day finished with martinis on the Plaza Cultura, people-watching and enjoying the local entertainment.  After three days here at San Jose, we leave for the Cloud Forest---Monteverde--- and the Arenal Volcano.  That will begin Chapter 2.

The Great Adventure Begins

Our adventure begins!  After months and months of planning, tomorrow at 3:00 pm we will land in San Jose, Costa Rica for a three-week "holiday"!  I'll be blogging our adventure and sharing with family and friends our excursions and "happenings" !  As the locals (Ticos) say:  Pure Vida!

A Brand-new New Year

Welcome 2013 !  

Wow, where did the time go....  To all my family and friends, I wish health and happiness.  May all your lives be bright and merry.  May all your worries disappear.  May Good Luck be a constant companion and Love be a good friend.

Remembering Mom...

Christmas is family. A time for memories to overflow your senses.  A time of peace and tranquility.  Ten years ago today on Christmas Eve, Mom passed on to a better life.  For her the gathering of the family clan (and at that time we numbered in the 60s!) was the highlight of the year.  Baking, cooking, cleaning, preceded the event.  She was in her glory surrounded by family love.  Every Christmas Eve brings her presence in my home.  Hats off to a wonderful Mother and lovely person!  Mom, you'd be proud of your brood today !

Game Plan for the New Year

On Monday Larry had his PET scan and on Wednesday we met with the Doc. The second round of chemo didn't work; his cancer cells weren't affected. On the flip-side of that, the cancer has not yet spread to other organs or tissues. It is stabilized in his lymph node system. We all realize now that the cancer is here to stay. What the Doc and we hope is that the cancer stays where it is...and not metastasized into other areas so quickly. Not until it does will Plan C (whatever that may be) go into effect. All three of us (Doc included) look forward to a good run through into the spring. Beyond that, no one can say. Both of us are dealing with the situation, and we have a good outlook for 2013. He feels quite fine and is now in the woods at the Vandalia cabin with the boys hunting the second deer season. As you know, Larry and I have tried intensely to live our life large (deep and wide!!). Our three week trip to Costra Rica in January and our month-long stay in the Keys is keeping us chipper. Doc is pushing us to enjoy life...and we WILL ! You know and understand us well enough to realize we still are smiling, and laughing, and relishing our family and friends.