Saturday, December 29, 2012

The journey is the destination...or something like that

We arrived in Playa Montezuma from Samara Wednesday after a long, dusty drive down some of the worst roads I´ve ever seen.  (really on the major highways here and some roads in towns are paved) Arriving in this beautful place made it worth the times we had to stop and ask for directions (with plenty of confused stares from the locals) and the multiple river fordings (in our rental car!!).  We´ve been exploring the beaches all around, finding some deserted ones nearby that are perfect for lounging and fishing.  The town is mostly full of Ticos on vacation, with a few travelers tossed in. The town here has a very unique hippie vibe that reminds me a bit of Humboldt in the summer. There seem to be a lot of people who came for the surf and just never left!


Last night, we at a jack that Matt caugh for dinner, then we sat on the beach under a full moon and drank wine until we were sleepy. Today, Matt is out fishing with a guy we met at the fish market near Cabo Blanco and that he talked into taking him out in his panga for a couple of hours. 
Tomorrow, we´re taking the ferry back to the main land for a stay in Monteverde, the cloud forest and animal preserve.  It will be a refreshing trip after the baking sun of the beach which has turned us both into very bright pink lobsters.



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge

Squirrel Monkey

Jabiru Stork-about the size of an ostrich!

 

We decided to check out this wildlife refuge in the far north, as it is famous for tarpon fishing.  We went out with a guide for a day and saw some amazing wildlife.  Matt caught one tarpon, about 10 lbs.  (Pequeno, according to our guide, Napolean)  I caught a lot of mosquito bites.

Lago Arenal and Volcan Arenal


We started our trip in La Fortuna, a town near the Arenal National Park.  We were hoping to see the lava flows from this active volcano, but it was not happening.  We got to see the cone for a few moments, but that was all.  We spent our time wandering around the cloud forest and Matt fished for guapote (rainbow bass) in the lake.






Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Canoeing the Winchester Wasteway


Getting ready for our maiden voyage!


The sunset on our first night.  We saw a pair of badgers here in the morning and spent the evening listening to owls and coyotes.

 


 



The water was very calm and slow moving, at times wide like a lake, and others narrow like a stream.  The thing to watch for is these deadly trees-Russian Olive Trees, with GIANT thorns.  There were many hanging over the edge of the river and we had several tangles with them and left with a few stratches.  Luckily, we only lost our hats.

 


We drug our canoe over some dunes to portage around this waterfall and canoe into the Potholes Resevoir. 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Winter Adventures











Snowshoeing at Crystal Springs













A hike on the John Wayne Pioneer trail















Razor Clamming in Ocean Shores, WA. There were hundreds of people out on the beach with lanterns.













Matt fishing the Metolious. Not even snow can stop that guy.









Target practice!










Our Christmas tree-cut down by Ben and lovingly decorated by the whole family.