In Search of Arenal

In this area, the only way to get around is to hire a driver, so we hired Marvin to take us to Arenal Volcano.  It was a lengthy 3 1/2 hour ride over two lane roads (at max).  The road had washed out in several places, also.  We finally made it within site of Arenal.  It was covered in clouds, so we decided to talk the "walk" thinking we'd at least get to the bottom of it.  No, we never saw the volcano during the almost 4 mile walk.  Our best views are below.  Lake Arenal was really pretty and we viewed it from several angles.  We stopped in a town called La Fortuna for a nice lunch and headed back.  It was a long day but a fun one!

Lake Arenal

A babbling roadside brook that caused---

This!!

We saw a flower like this in Lauterbrunen, Switzerland.  It was an annual there.
It grows wild in Costa Rica.

We saw many cool trees on the Nature Walk.

Impatiens grow wild in the area.

This was a cool palm tree

Lake Arenal

More wild flowers

Hidden Charm Waterfall

Wayne by the huge Elephant Ears that grew wild 

Another brook

This tree was gigantic!!

It looked cool in B&W too!

Arenal Volcano from the observation deck at the start of the Nature walk

Another side from the main road

Lake Arenal

Cool bird of paradise flower

La Fortuna

A park in La Fortuna

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

In March we went to  Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica for a  week's stay at the Riu.  The facility was very pretty and well kept.  The beach was volcanic so the sand was dark and very hot after about 10:00 am.  We stayed on the beach despite the heat until the winds kicked up and made the sandblasting very uncomfortable.  The scenery around the resort was diverse and pretty.  This blog will be about our resort stay.  Our favorite part was the fresh pineapple!!  We ate our weight of it daily!!

Sunset view from our balcony

Monkeys outside our room!

The beach !

Wayne's fishing excursion

I'm glad they made it back to shore!

Pelicans-YEAH!!

Knarly tree on the beach

The Riu

Another part of the beach

This is one determined tree! 

Cacti  in the cliffs

Sunset on the beach

All's quiet at the pool bar-it was closed!

Another beach tree.  The cages are protecting see turtle eggs.

Rocky Mountain National Park

We also went to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.  I'd never been to either so that was a true treat.  There was still some snow, but it was not inhibiting thanks to a very dry winter.  The park is immense and we saw just a wee bit.  I can't wait to go back and explore it further!



View at Bear Lake



Parts of the path to Alberta Falls was snowpacked.  It was fun!

Lower part of Alberta Falls

Peak view at Alberta Falls

Shots taken along the path back to Bear Lake

Shots taken leaving Rocky Mountain National Park

We WILL be back!!

Twin Owls Rock formation, Estes Park

The Stanley Hotel, site of the movie, The Shining, in Estes Park