Big Sky Country

Arriving in Bozeman we picked up our rental car and drove to our cabin to meet the owners.  It was a 150 year old historically restored cabin called the Bannack. It was tastefully decorated and felt very welcoming with all the comforts of home. The temps during our stay ranged from the upper 40’s to the mid 80’s. Ron, one of the owners was quite the character and a expert on almost all subjects.  We started most morning with a discussion with Ron on the front porch and learned a new Montana term, 

NAVIP- newly arrived very important person! Ron’s wife Kate was a talented quilter and her work filled the cabin.

During our week stay we celebrated Dale’s 79th birthday with a soak at Chios Hot Springs, a drive along the Yellowstone River, dinner and a yummy dessert in Livingston at Montana’s Rib & Chop. I did manage to get him to take some photos to remember this special day!

I especially enjoyed the early morning visits from a group of mule deer bucks.  They would arrive after daybreak and then right before sunset for a drink out of the lake!  We also had a few does with fawns visit during the day.

Other highlights of our trip were a visit to the Bleu Horses, a beautiful artist renditions of a group of wild horses enjoying the native grasses of Montana. The 39 horse sculptures are on a hillside outside Three Forks, Montana.  A special treat was a visit to the Sedan Cemetery, a rustic old cemetery with million dollar views.  Especially intriguing was a cowboy hat formed from old barbed wire hanging on the sign.  Just like a cowboy put it there before he had eternal peace and rest.

We decided to pay a visit to Ted Turners, 14,000 acre Flying D Ranch outside of Bozeman.  The National Park Service maintains a road through the ranch with a picnic area at the end.  We had hoped to see Turner’s massive herd of bison, but didn’t spot any!  Planning a picnic lunch, we found a table in the shade of some trees and spread our stuff out to enjoy.  I realized I forgot something in the car and headed to get it, when a bull bison walks out of the brush near our car.  It was just a perfect memory for our picnic.

Another stop was at the Soldiers Chapel near Big Sky, Montana, a beautiful little church with a large picture window behind the altar. The chapel was built to honor those that fought and died in WWII.

We had a great week in Montana, saw a million bales of hay, and loved the big blue sky country!

Clark’s Cay-Lady Go Diver trip

Lady Go Divers invade Clark’s Cay Guanaja

 21 ladies spent a week diving and being treated like royalty by the staff.

Planes, a van, ferry, and a boat to get to Clark’s Cay! A long day of travel.

                                   

 

Sandpiper for the 4th

Dale and I checked into Sandpiper #604 for the 4th of July!  

We stopped in Rockport on our way down to Port Aransas to enjoy a late lunch at Paradise Key.  We enjoyed the pool most mornings with walks on the beach before sunset.  

                     

                     

We did venture into town for lunch at Fins before driving the beach to see the crowds enjoying the beach.  We celebrated the 4th with ribs, potato salad, and beans for lunch. Just after sunset we had a great fireworks display off our balcony thanks to some of the tenants. 

A squadron of seagulls fly over!

Packed up we checked the ferry line app, it said 15 min wait but we drove directly on…..quite a pleasant surprise!

Solo in Costa Rica

 Arriving solo in Costa Rica I grabbed my bags and headed outside the terminal to find my driver, Sherman.  About the same time a big thunderstorm hit and it was pouring down rain, thus this is called the rainy season.  Sherman grabbed my bags and escorted me to our van for the trip across the country to the Pacific coast.  Arriving at Esterillos Este and Encantada Beach Resort, I checked in, had dinner, and pretty much crashed in cottage #4…..no unpacking as I was too tired.

After a great nights sleep I settled in, enjoyed breakfast, a hot cup of Costa Rican Cinnamon  coffee, and had a long walk on the beach which became my morning ritual.

My days were filled with beach time and pool time…. taking photos, long walks, and reading!  This was a unusually slow pace for me, as I usually like to be on the go. 

One day I walked down the beach to a restaurant called Don Toro for a late lunch or early dinner with a yummy Pina Colada.  It is a outdoor beach restaurant, with tables set in the sand under the shade of some big trees. Service was great and it was a great way to enjoy a local Costa Rican dish.

Several nights we had thunderstorms and heavy rain, but most days were sunny with few clouds.  Most mornings I took a long walk on the beach, which most days I had all to myself!

My trip came to a end with my transfer back to San Jose, a Covid test, and a night at the hotel. My flight was smooth and on time, the only issue was my suitcase being damaged between Houston and Austin.