The Boys

The guys were getting ready to go to Este to give surf lessons.  I snapped this shot just before they left.  Larry, Kealy, Jeff and Brett.  This photo makes me happy as I simply love all of them.

Secret Waterfalls

Thursday afternoon I'm hanging at the surf shop when Noah comes by and invites me to dinner at the house his mother is staying, plus a hike to waterfalls the next morning.  I am definitely in!  Stir fry that evening with him and Ivy - plans made for the next day.  I'v asked if Pepper could join us and after a phone call, she is in.

Friday morning - 6:15 am - Both Pepper and I are on time for smoothies before we head out.

Where exactly did we go???.....Well, that is top secret.  If I disclose the location, Noah will never take me anywhere again.

But here is what I can tell you.  This was a true Costa Rican adventure.  We saw 2 amazing waterfalls.  Since we are now into the dry season, the water flow was not as spectacular as I am certain it can be, however.....the the hike to both, and the settings themselves..... were awesome.

The second hike required sneaking across private property thru the stream bed.  Dry areas watching for snakes, the wet ones avoiding deep holes.  Crossing thru jungle, going under rusty barbed wire fence.  Carrying a stick when we heard dogs barking, trying to be as quite as possible so no one would hear us.  All of us completely dowsed with mosquito spray.  Once arrived at the destination - so worth it!

I love times like this.  Great friends - a simple moment in time that will always be remembered.  Muchas gracias Noah!

Pura Vida at its' finest.

Hi Ho....Off to work we go.....

Anna needed a few minor repairs on her boards so Brett volunteered to help clean them.  Just another hard day at work in Paradise.  Pura Vida :)

Bean

Dogs have always held a special place in my heart - some more than others.  The most recent being Bean.

Bean was found by Shane.  Apparently she was alone and starving so he picked her up and brought her to LowTide.  That was back in December when Ray and Lisa were fully on board running the bar.  Lisa is the one who gave Bean her name.

In Feb. Lisa returned to CA to assist with a friend soon to have a child.  A few weeks later, Ray returned also after the loss of his beloved dog and best friend Felix.  Both of them return to EO next week.

In the middle of this, with Shane, Lisa and Ray gone, Bean sorta got lost.  She was hanging out on the beach, scrapping for food - trying to fit in with all the other beach dogs.  Then she got mange.  When we had the spay/neuter clinic that was when she came into my life.  Lisa was gone and I had told her I would help take care of Bean.  I made sure she made it to the clinic.  About this same time another guy, Joe - from Seattle, fell in love with Bean.  He bought her food, made sure she was feed.  Together Joe and I decided to take on the Beaner.  He bought all the medication necessary to deal with the mange and mites.  Joe also found someone who wanted to adopt her.  Then we discovered she had erlickia - a sickness transmitted to dogs by ticks that can be fatal.  I made a trip to Jaco to get the shot and pills that needs to be taken on a very strict schedule for 21 days.  Mange baths were now being given twice a week.

Joe returned to Seattle last week and 2 days before he left he took Bean to her new home in Hermosa.  I can't remember the friends name but later that afternoon Joe told me that when Bean got to her new home the other dog - another female about her same size came right up the meet her.  Immediately Bean showed teeth, the hair on the other dog went up - but.....within 15 minutes there were playing like puppies.

A story with a very happy ending.  Bean now has a home where she will be loved and taken care of.

The Beaner........

A story similar to the starfish.  A boy was walking on the beach and saw hundreds of starfish washed up on the beach.  He began walking and as he did he picked up a starfish and threw it back into the ocean.  A man walked up to him and asked why are you doing this....you can't possible get all these starfish back into the water.  The boy looked at him and said yes you are right, but it makes a difference to the one who was tossed back.

It is often difficult to see dogs that are so in need of love and care.  I try to keep the perspective - give and do what I can.  Know it does make a difference to that one and for the rest - just hope for the best.

Sunday's Catch

SEA GLASS

According to Wikipedia:  Sea glass is glass found on beaches along oceans, bays, rivers or large lakes that has been tumbled and smoothed by the waves, water and sand, creating smooth, frosted shards of glass.

I discovered this beach treasure about 3 years ago and have been obsessed ever since.  Each and every piece I find is like discovering hidden treasure.  I carefully check it out to make sure it is "done" - fully etched by the sea.  If not.....it goes back.  I must admit there have been a number of times when this was a delima - an unusual find, but not quite there.  Occasionally I find a way to justify keeping it but most of the time I let it go, hoping to find it another day when it is ready to be found.

Sunday was particularly good.  I was on a walk back with my friends Jeff and Sharon with Jeff's long time friend John from Half Moon Bay, CA.  John is here for only a few days - his first time ever in Costa Rica.  Punta Mala is one of my favorite places to visit in EO and he wanted to go - so despite the tide not being quite right, with a long walk in the heat of the day, the 4 of us made the trek - had a great time.  Maybe it was the extra bright sunlight that made the glass just pop out for me.

The most common colors here on my beach are white... of course, brown (beer bottles) and green.  Occasionally I find a light blue and different shades of green. This day was awesome - fun walk with great friends - wide variety of glass.

Fred's Birthday

Saturday was the big day and instead of having another all out party that takes days to prepare and then more to clean up - Bri planned a quaint party at home. Our friend Peter is here from London and he was all about curry.  I stopped by early in the day and saw the makings of awesome food and a king size cake. When I left, Peter and Bri were dancing on the lawn.

Fred has a zest for life like no other.  When there is a party goin on - he is always the last one on the dance floor.  The dance is not anything remotely traditional - it is all Fred.....energy, love of life, endless.....and so, how appropriate to have his birthday cake presented to him in a dance.  As candles were being lit, Fred was already in the zone on the floor.  Bri brought the cake out and the dance continued, next his son Martin took over and around the floor they went.  Ricardo is Fred's business partner and of course there he was, spinning the cake  above his head and all around the room.  Then lastly, Fred took it for a spin to the delight of all of us present.

Best wishes for many, many more.  Love YOU Fred!