Macks on the Move & Making the Most of Life!: February 2020

So.... I'm way behind on these. It's been a weirdish year.

Everyone's definition of 'Adventure' is going to be slightly different. I'm not the type who likes a lot of unnecessary adrenaline with my adventures. I'm the stand-up paddle-board or wave-jumping type - not the whitewater rafting or surfing type. (I'm definitely the spontaneously-deciding-to-sit-on-a-live-bull-with-my-young-daughters type - as we did while visiting Cody Wyoming - the "Rodeo Capital of the World" - See 2012.)

I love to explore and try new things. But not just ANYthing... And quite frankly, I am not keen on learning a new language just to travel to where that language is spoken when we get the occasion, or where it’s only prevalent in certain areas. (If you stick to the traditional tourist destinations in CR, you won't have to worry about language barriers. But if you're like us - our adventures include going off of the beaten paths, taking in more than what you might find surrounding 5-star resorts and loads of oft-pretentious people doing typical 'touristy things'.) But we'd not ventured into such terrain under language barrier demographics prior to this, and it was a bit of a reality-check for us. (I honestly think if it were not for my intolerance to gluten, it wouldn't be as much of a concern. I could point at menu items and take a chance! I love to try new foods. But my body doesn't want to cooperate in that manner.)

In full honesty, this trip was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. There's a LOT that goes into that. But, thankfully, since then, I've processed a lot of things for myself and have made peace with many things as well. And also - several contributing factors have immensely improved since we took this particular journey, which implies that it is POSSIBLE that I may be willing to venture somewhere Spanish-speaking again some day. (Maybe.) I think now we'd be in a much better place as more developed and self-aware humans, for starters, plus we’d be able to laugh more and not get caught up in the stressors that come with exploring unknown territory. [Side-note. For better clarity - I don't expect perfection - from anyone or anything. Yet, in all of our road trips and trips abroad, we've never experienced anything quite like this. It was just - different, and it's hard to put into words. We've had stressors come about on those trips - like losing our brakes in the middle of nowhere, or a broken belt that rendered our vehicle un-driveable miles from civilization - waiting hours in the sun for a tow truck that could haul a truck and camper trailer - but this was just - again - different. Those things didn't get to us the same way. Maybe we were in a different place mentally & emotionally? Well, I know I was. But there's something else that I can't quite put my finger on, and it catapulted me into a reassessment of everything I had ever thought I had known or believed. It's been a long year of ups & downs, but I am now in a better place overall and continuing to make strides during our ever-continuous evolution.]

Pura Vida translates roughly to "simple life"... I'm a fan of simplicity, but there is a wishy-washy definition of simplicity around the world as well. It may be a more laid-back and slower lifestyle, where people learn to live very simply and enjoy life more. THAT I'm all about. But not having access to things like clean water, safe roads, and other such basics isn't exactly what I think of as "the simple life". So - it's a bit of a catch-22 (like most things in life.)

Rather than list the many issues that arose over the course of our 2.5 week journey through CR (some smaller ones that compounded, amid larger ones that overwhelmed) I'm going to focus on the positives. There were many highlights, and when I look back through this series of images - it shows.

We started on the Caribbean coast, in the small town of Puerto Veijo. GORGEOUS, laid-back, hippie vibes... (If I were to be able to be locked into one particular 'group' of people, I think "hippie" would be it, though that's not possible! I cannot be neatly categorized or molded.) We stayed in a private, 3-story jungle home in an area that is home to many endangered or rare species of jungle creature. (Bonus!) The third level was an open air tree-house style 360-degree deck that overlooked jungle (and the ocean resting at the bottom of the hill.) We wanted a genuine jungle experience, and we got one! IF I ever dare to return, I would likely spend all my time in this town. Plus, the Caribbean water can't be beat.

After one week, we ventured mid-way to a park of natural hot springs where we stayed a night in a tree house - and basically had the place to ourselves that night and next morning before heading further to the Pacific Coast (Gold Coast!) We rented another private home about 50 yards from the crashing waves!

The biggest highlight for me personally was ziplining! I've had a decent fear of heights since I was around 10ish(?) I am mainly concerned when I have to maintain my balance, as I tend to get vertigo and don't balance well at all. If I'm on a ride, a plane or near a railing or even dangling from metal cords, I'm all good. Because - I get to just surrender. I'm not in control anyway - and I don't have to worry about falling of my own clumsy accord. And quite frankly, death doesn't scare me. (Death of loved ones does, but I have accepted my own impermanence!) Injury & unnecessary struggle/ suffering? Yeah - that one does it. But death itself - not so much. So - if it's from a height where it's do or die, I'm also less prone to hesitation - ironically! We went on Valentines Day - and I'd say it was the best possible way to celebrate that as a fam! And a fantastic way to close out the trip (well, almost.... We had one more day of travel to the city for our final night's stay before departing by plane the next morning.) But it was a great way to release some pent up stress hormones, and really feel free and ENJOY! We’re all tree lovers/ huggers. I happen to adore trees. And flying through them like a bird was pretty amazing. And to note, it was uplifting and euphoric, not adrenaline-inducing. BOOM!

Another bitter-sweet highlight not photographed was our ability to come home and tell the story about "hitting a Tucan." Who has hit a Tucan with their vehicle? Probably not many! But the winds were SO strong in one area of the mountains between coasts, and we kept slowing down, it kept flying sideways, and then before we knew it - it bounced off the windshield - as we literally scared the shit out of it - all over the glass.... Poor thing! We felt bad, and had tried to slow down enough in time, but - it was also rather funny. The good news is that he landed in the grass and shook it off and took off again in the rear-view.

Final note here.... ALL of the sunset photos are STRAIGHT out of the camera - nothing done to enhance them whatso! (I'm kinda proud of this. It's one of my life's passions - witnessing sunsets in various locations, and photographing them.) So any time a sunset is involved, it's legit! ;)

And I have to admit, if you're a sunset enthusiast, CR is IT - for realz! It was gorgeous in a different way EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. Even the locals make an event of it - taking time out of their evenings to sit and revel in Mother Nature's artistic renderings. I like collaborating with her for creating artistic imagery of my own.

I'll let the photos do the rest of the talking. (For the most part!) Enjoy the highlights of our experience in Costa Rica!

The only way to start the day at the airport at like 5am....

FINALLY! The girls are old enough to sit side-by-side in the row in front of us so J & I can also sit side-by-side during the flights!

Welcome to San Jose', CR (where our flight landed!)
Um. Good luck moving. (It literally took one hour per block. No shit.)

Our first stop was part way to the coast from San Jose'. We barely made it - in the dark, on cliff-edged gravel roads full of potholes and wide enough for barely 2 vehicles to pass one another. And we hardly got dinner in before they closed the onsite restaurant. I had mashed potatoes, avocado, and wine. Now - not the GREATEST meal after a LOOOONG-ass day of travel (and light snacking).... But, they are 3 of my favorite foods.
Breakfast the next day was wonderful!

The grounds were gorgeous! We spent the first part of the day just hiking around and getting in some movement while taking in the beauty before heading on to our first week in the jungle!

Timer setting!

Joel and I (and later with the girls) have been doing this since WAY before selfies were a thing. (We used to call it "our shot".)

FARMING ON THE HILLSIDE. Like, damn near vertical! That's ingenuity.

Pepsi is taking over the world.

I LOVE me some fried plantains! And their salads were always amazing everywhere. (Even though we never knew if it was safe to eat them since washing them with local water often leads to the traveler's trots. Which we all got.) I got hit the hardest. Our rental had an excellent front seat that laid back almost horizontally. My worst day was during a travel day, and let me tell ya - public restrooms SUCKED ASS! I have always hated public restrooms, but here in the States, I realize that they are actually pretty AMAZING! Don't take that shit for granted!

Beautiful little local breakfast & juice bar across the road from the ocean (in the background) with organic & gluten free fare! (Can I get an Hallelujah!)

This is on one of the lower decks on the home we rented. It was discovered that hammocks are Addie's Happy Place...

And our own private jungle-pool!!!

The esteemed 3rd-story tree-house-deck!

I'm not sure if that's a "This is the life" look, or a come hither look, lol!

Some surfing going on.... and a huge riptide.

Our driveway for the week.

Poison Dart Frog!

Addie is our animal girl.

These little kids were so flippin' cute. It just feels like art :)

I am usually behind the lens - and then I have to get in there too. ;) J is great with the camera! Myla also does her share of photographing he and I.

I could rarely (if ever) choose just one favorite photo from a trip. But if I had to choose - this one is definitely IT!

We saw a couple of Sloths in their natural habitat. Just good timing!

Iced coffee, baby!

Worth the read. Hilarious!

We ordered a crepe for dessert for the girls. The gal had a heavy accent (think really rolled tongue), and while waiting she came out to inform us that our "crrrrap" would be ready soon. (Lolz!)

Big amazing treeees!

This is our pad.

This is the bustling little town of Puerto Veijo.

This was our pet for the week. He was either confused and thought the mural on the livingroom wall was real, or - he couldn't find his way out and rolled with it. The girls named him "Atun" - tuna - in Spanish.

The essentials!

How come you're not prayin', buggie?

Her happy place.

She did share.

Natural beauty!

Rare green Macaws! They visited right outside our 360-degree top deck every night. You can tell in a few of these below that they are playing with me, right before one leaps off and decides to fly right at me, landing himself on the metal roof just above my head! :D

[I was going to attach a video with their sound. But it's too big, and I don't "do"videos. Technology hates me.]

This clip showcases many of the other jungle sounds!

And this is a small snippet of the Howler Monkey sounds... (More distant in this short-enough clip. Of course, again, the better example is too long/ big for Blogger. Get with the times, Blogger!)

Hey! I just realized - the first sounds (loud) are the green macaws! The howlers can be heard in between them. Yayzz!

(Heart)

One night a fave lil' place with amazing gf tacos and house cut ff (stellar combo if I do say so) had a live band. Joel and I got to do some Lindy Hop! Myla & I also danced (though I'm a terrible lead!) This song happens to be one of my *all time faves*, and it has always been a source of calm for me.

Some phone pix from J. teehee

I used to have this! Well, I guess I still do, but it's slightly evolved.

We did try a traditional Soda (street food.) Delish.

Sat at a bar table looking out over the bustling streets that afternoon...

Back to the beach!

Mmmm, Vitamin D. Warm. Goooood.

This time, we brought a lil' sumpin'. Fairly cheap at a local grocery store!

Beachy self portrait.

Beachy "Our Shot"!

Water camera = a whole notha level of funzies!

Red-Eyed Tree Frog - VERY rare to actually see these!

Another pet leaf bug, partial to Joel....

My journal entry on our last night.

Ahh - the hot springs. If we look sickly - it's because we are. But - these seriously helped soothe!

This place was amazing. Wish we'd spent two nights here.

This was my fave watering hole. PERFECT temp, surrounded by jungle. Serene. Peaceful. I spent a lot of the morning here all by myself. :)

Red Macaw! (hiding)

Our tree-house for the night!

Volcano enroute to our next spot.

Whatever this weird creature is!

Mossy trees!

Construction and closed roads everywhere. It took almost double (or at least 1.5x) longer than expected to get anywhere.

But this beauty greeted us upon our arrival to the home rental on the Gold Coast!

And this guy....

FAVE breakfast (well, brunch - for us!) spot. Lots of GF, organic, + juices and health-shots + kambucha... and all delish and amazing.

This is my first meal there. (Home-made GF toast.)

I LOOOVE avocados. So I love this bike.

Watching locals in town was entertaining. And their means of travel...

Our front yard for the next week!

Our home for the week....

Overlooking THIS!

Her happy place, part 2.

Story: I love Jambu shoes. They start at size 6. I need a 5.5 in these. I SCOURED the Ben Franklin store up in Grand Marais, MN (go figs) and found THESE on CLEARANCE! Same brand, fit me just right. Bought 2 for the price of one! Must. Last. FOREVER.

Interesting root system. (maybe?)

Addie is not heat-tolerant, or walking-too-much-tolerant!

J's first time ocean fishin'. (As an adult, and off shore.)

We had surfing in our yard for a week, followed by those delish sunsets. Or both at once!. WOW.

This is the menu of that brunch spot we loved. We ate there every morning. Normally we like to ease into our day and eat at our place for brunch, but there were literally hardly any real groceries anywhere to be found! Snacks, rice, beans.... and not much else. So, this was a great find.

In my element

Addie was wanting a "white tummy shirt" (halter top) even before we got there. She found one!

The fisherpeople fish....

These rambunctious guys tried to get into the house pretty much every evening. Once they succeeded when we weren't there, and knocked over a wine glass. Oops! When we told the owner, he replied, "Happens everyyy tiiime...." :D