May 2011: Cloud Forest

We left the (mostly) clear blue skies of the coast and headed inland, up into the famous cloud forests of Monteverde. The guide books had warned us about the constant drizzle, so we spent just a full day touring the rain forest. But with the help of a good guide we were able to see plenty of interesting creatures.

Our first wildlife sighting was this lovely snake, hanging out a few feet from the trail.

Even the puddles were pull of life, with frog eggs.

Not flowers, but very striking.

A glimpse of the famed Quetzl.

Hummingbirds at the hummingbird garden were much easier to see.

Cara checks the trail sign.

It was a muddy trail, but Cara was a good sport.

Eventually she got tired, though.

May 2011: Playa Nosara, Costa Rica

One of the great sights of Nosara is the mangrove swamp, best enjoyed by boat. On our third day we went on a kayak tour of the swamp, and were treated to a wide variety of bird life. As a break from sitting in the kayak (much appreciated by Cara), we landed on the beach side of Nosara River and crossed the dunes to the ocean. There Cara had a lovely time building sand towers and watching them be washed away.

On learning that the combination of a mid-morning low tide and low river levels made crossing the Nosara River on foot possible, we decided to return soon to this secluded beach. The following two mornings we walked, ran, played and thoroughly enjoyed the beach. A handful other tourists made it across the river and the beach was also popular with Tico fisherman, using traditional throwing nets.

The fine black sand on the beach made for fun sand castle/tower construction.

Watching the waves wash over a castle was part of the fun.

Not deep enough to swim, but the gentle surf was fun to splash in.

The pelicans grace flying along the surf line amazed us.

Cara explored the beach from all angles.

Always finding interesting things to look at.

We enjoyed the complicated grain of this piece of driftwood.

The peace and beauty of Playa Nosara.

May 2011: Lagarta Lodge, Costa Rica

The lodge we stayed at in Nosara, Lagarta Lodge, turned out to be ideal for our family. Our room was simple but large and very comfortable. The proprietors were extremely pleasant, dinners excellent and breakfasts heavenly. At the end of a warm day, there was nothing more delightful than sitting on the veranda overlooking the mangrove swamp and Nosara beach below, sipping an ice cold sandia juice (watermelon). Absolute heaven - we're looking forward to a return visit.

The lodge grounds include a sizable nature reserve in the mangrove swamp. We made several forays to explore the trails, learning about the native trees, birds, crabs and monkeys. Even around the lodge itself we found huge toads, geckos, a bat family, and Craig saw a large (non-poisonous snake).

Walking into the nature reserve.

A howler monkey watches us from above.

The curious juvenile.

These vultures hung out everywhere.

The local bat family.

Along the path from the beach to the lodge.

Cooling off in the pool.

Sunset from the bar.

May 2011: Playa Pelada, Costa Rica

As we searched for our next family vacation location, Costa Rica seemed to have a lot to offer. Beaches for Cara to play on, interesting hikes in cloud and rain forests and not too much driving to see it all. We started in the NW part of the country, in a lovely beach community called Nosara, 20 km down a dirt road. The actual town of Nosara is 5 km from the beaches, but a series of three beaches support a range of lodging and restaurants.

We spent most of our time on Playa Pelada, a lovely cresent-shaped beach. The different aspects of the beach resulted in varying sizes of waves to splash in (or dodge) and a rocky outcropping provided interesting tide-pooling. In the evening we were surprised to find the shell-strewn edges suddenly springing to life in little hermit crabs scurrying along the sand.

Playa Pelada.

A good place to run!

Play in the sand.

Find some friends.

Play with the waves.

It's catching up to us!

Sitting and enjoying eachothers company.

Not need for sand toys - sticks and shells abound.

The last comment on a beautiful day.

April 2011: Easter

Easter turned out to be a big weekend this year. Cara met up with friends Ida and Sophie at the Zoo for the annual Bunny Bounce event, including an egg 'hunt' and face painting. She colored eggs at home and then got to hunt for them in our backyard. And finally our neighborhood features a yearly egg hunt which Cara was very excited to participate in.

At the starting line for the Zoo egg hunt.

Bunny face in a butterfly

There's an egg!

Sneaking up on the next one.

Is it hiding in the flowers.

Ready with all the neighborhood kids.

Picking up eggs.

March 2011: Cherry Blossoms

March in Seattle is cherry blossom season. This year C and Cara met up with friend Ida in the UW quad, celebrating the 4th anniversary of meeting Ida there for the first time! How big the girls have grown.

Cara investigates the individual cherry blossoms.

The girls found the trunks of the cherry trees, with moss and tiny ferns, interesting as well.

Hanging out against the tree trunk.

The view is always good from Dad's shoulders.

Reaching for flowers.

March 2011: Ski Lessons

The weekly trek up to Snoqualmie Pass proved worth it. After a few lessons Cara got the hang of those boards and really started to enjoy herself. C also enjoyed getting up on skis and working with the teachers and other parents to get all the kids going downhill in the same general direction. An added treat - our pediatrician was there with his daughter!

We were sad when lessons were over but, thanks to some unusually late snow, were able to get up and ski three more times before calling an end to the season. I think we'll be out a whole bunch next winter.

Standing tall.

Turning.

Down.

This takes focus!

Getting the correct stance.

Snack time!

All in a row.

Now that was fun!