2016 01 24 Day 2, Cartago

Joslyn and her boyfriend Randall gave us a lesson in dancing the bolero.

We went to a Tico restaurant called Mi Tierra. I had a Casado Vegetriano which included thick little tortillas, rice, beans, avocado, elote (corn), and I had some of Ann's pescado frito and papas. I drank a refresco de cas and Ann had a Rebalado (barley, cinnamon, nutmeg).

The weather was cool, 66F and misty. We spent the afternoon and evening chatting around the kitchen table and checking maps and bus schedules on the computer in the living room.

Jan 23, 2016   Costa Rica

Our first few days are spent with cousins Beth and Mathew and their daughter, Joslyn in Cartago.

 

Above: COSTA RICA 2016
Below: MEXICO 2015

2015 Trip to Mexico

Jan 30, 2015   We are delighted to be in Mexico once again!

When we speak about our trips to Mexico, people often ask if we aren't afraid of all the narco-violence. My usual response is to speak about how friendly the people are, and how lively the cities are.  I describe how much we enjoy visiting city parks at night, like the one pictured above. There is usually music and the streets are always filled with families and couples (young and old) walking arm in arm enjoying the cool evening air. Whether it is a weeknight or weekend, they are shopping, eating in open air cafes, listening to free concerts, (or listening to strolling mariachis) occasionally dancing, or just hanging out with friends. Compare this to parks in any US city on any night of the week.

Guanajuato, Days Two and Three

JANUARY 31, 2015    SECOND DAY:

We hit the streets, walkin', ready to explore the town. First discovery, right around the corner from the hotel, was Fuente de las Ranas, the Fountain of the Frogs (the city's mascot). There were no live frogs to be seen, but there were about twenty stone sculpted frogs, all carved in different styles. 

   

Guanajuato is a city of hills. We enjoyed hiking around the city and seeing the brightly painted homes.

We hiked and climbed, looking for the the Museum for which GTO is famous, Museo de los 

Momias--Mummies!

THIRD DAY:
Today we moved from our Hotel room to this AirB&B apartment on the other side of town.









This is the view from the bedroom and living room windows.

This is the living room & dining area. There is also a small kitchen.

Our hosts were very welcoming. After settling-in we walked down the steep streets and callejones into the University district. We wandered through several galleries and then visited the Museo Regional de Guanajato. This is the central court yard containing an exhibit of modern sculptural pieces.

This mural painted on the walls and ceiling of the main stairway depicts the injustices that led to the Mexican Revolution in 1810-1821.

Six THEM Guys hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern Washington State.

This bridge, spanning the Columbia river, is the southern-most part of the PCT in Washington State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 27 & 28 Oregon Coast: Dunes and Cape Kiwanda

We continued driving up the Oregon Coast and stop occasionally to marvel at the natural sculpture in the surf.

(BTW: You may enlarge any image by clicking on it.)

 

The dunes seem to stretch back away from the ocean for a mile.

 

Back on the road and heading north, the highway was temporarily blocked for construction, so I stepped out of the truck to take a picture of a light house.

 

I couldn’t pass by Cape Kiwanda without climbing the giant dune on which I had learned to fly a hang glider more than twenty years ago.

 

Coincidentally, the tide happened to be way out, exposing the sea life living in tide pools at the base of the large dune.

 

We hung out on the beach for one more sunset, the grand finale of our trip.

 

 Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog. I would enjoy reading any comments you are willing to share about the blog in general or about specific images. 

 

Wishing safe and interesting travels to all,

Rich

 

 

Feb 23 & 24, 2014 Pacific Coast, Half Moon Bay

We had a great bike ride on a path that parallels the beach. I was having such a good time, I forgot to take pictures!

At the end of the day, we sat on the slope to the beach watching the sun go down.

 

Photo by Ann R.

 

Feb 25 & 26, 2014 Redwood National Park, Elk Creek

We drove along the Avenue of Giants and saw magnificent Redwood trees, some over 300 feet tall. The signage tells us that the “champion” trees can grow 370’ tall, have a 16’ diameter, 52’ circumference, and can live to be 2200 years old! What a humbling experience to walk in their presence!

(Continue reading below . . .)

 

It feels so different to be in the Redwood Forest after spending most of this month in the desert. Even though we are still in California, the tall trees, green leaves, abundant sword ferns, cloudy skies, the darkness of the deep woods and now a drizzle turning to rain, all remind us of home. We so enjoyed the warmth and dryness of the dessert, but we realize we also miss our home environment.

 The scale of these giant trees is difficult to capture.

 

En route from the south end of the Redwood National Park to the north, we stopped in Crescent City and checked out the stormy coast. (click panorama to enlarge it)