"Paradise waiting, wherever you go..."

Costa Rica Adventure continues...

Worked Wednesday, then drove to MPLS arriving at Holly and Jason at 11:30. Up at 2:15, left for airport at 3:00, park and fly got us to terminal by 3:30, just had time to catch 5:00 flight to Houston. Fligfht delayed 1 hour due to no crew so into San Jose an hour late. After very slow Customs process we were met by Fabian who drove us to Our hotel outside of La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Marvelous house with private pool and lots of space and air conditioning. Fri day morning we went zip lining in the cloud forest. Like skiing, etc. weight is a hugw factor in speed. There were a couple of times I wondered about the sound barrier but apparently never exceeded 60 or 70 mph. And then there was stopping. I had full friction on the brakes for the last 100 meters and still slammed into the safety wall. I think the crew was a little surprised and the next 5 trips went better. That night we dined in La Fortuna after a fun shuttle ride with some of the staff who were going home for the day. Great food and a trip to the supermercado and home again. Saturday we went to a very fancy resort called The Springs. We toured the animal sanctuary, sat in many different hot springs, ate lunch, went kayaking in the Arenal River (where I was the only one who flipped in the rapids- just bruises, no injuries. Tami and Luke finished the afternoon with a long horseback ride. We spent the late afternoon and evening in the hot pools, watched the steam rising out of the volcano, and then ate a delicious supper at the Perdido Bar hosted by Donal the bartender. Wonderful day, and then a short ride back to our hoterl where we all crashed. This morning (Sunday) Hunter, Luke, and Will are off on a 25 Km mountain bike ride that looked like way too much work for the Papa. Tams and I are having a recuperation morning. If I can get my iPhoine Wi-Fi to work I will post a few pictures. Tami has lots on Facebook.

Spring Recital Time Again...

Borodin String Quartet #2

We traveled to Moorhead Thursday night for a string quartet recital at Concordia. Hunter has been working on this piece most of the year and this was the first (and only) time they played the entire piece. The venue was the little recital hall on campus and, as expected, not very well attended. Those who stayed home really missed out! It was the best I've ever seen Hunter perform in a group. It was a little tough to get home at 2:00 a.m. and go to work the next morning, but definitely worth it. If you were wondering, the last three photos are Alex and Grandma Bonnie before the show, me lugging the chain, and Hunter presenting his biology research project.

Spring Break!

So unlike the days when I worked every break(Boo-hoo-hoo), Hunter and Alex are off to vacation in Arizona with Uncle Pat and family. I dropped them off at the airport at -4 F. Pat just called and said his car thermometer said +78 F. That my friends is and 82 degree spread.OUCH. Here are the adventurers:

Hoping they have a marvelous time.

"I held my breath and I kicked my feet and I moved my arms around."

So Will continues to improve at his new adventure - competitive swimming. He learned to swim at YMCA preschool but doesn't really love the water. Somehow some of his friends convinced him to give it a try. He has worked very hard and his times are coming down dramatically. I know next to nothing about swimming so it has been a real learning experience for me as well. The season is winding down with a huge meet next weekend in Bismarck, and the WDA and then State, which is in Grand Forks. CHS is the favorite having won last year. We'll see if they peak at just the right time.

Deer blogging?

Sitting in a ground blind (a converted water tank, actually). The 2013 deer bow season is winding down and Luke is finally going to see if his mad target shooting bow skills translate to live deer.
We are hunting courtesy of Wolfman Jack, the last DJ.
Today is much, much warmer than the last three weeks so we can actually sit out here and not risk freezing to death. The main road out here is completely blocked by snow so we travelled cross country through the farmyard, over the (frozen) creek, up the hill and through another gate with major driftage. And then to within a quarter mile of the stand. Walked in and here we sit. The quietest place on the planet, several miles from any cars or occupied farms or highways. Nice country.

"O Tannenbaum..."

Have always wanted to do this the old fashioned ways and boys volunteered to help! An old fashioned Christmas tree. Only issue was this tree had a divided trunk so couldn't cut it off where I wanted to... hilarity ensues.

First day with their new tuxedos...

Concert Tour

Just a couple of photos off my iPhone. Penultimate performance of the Fall Concert Tour was in Bismarck at the Belle. Lots of fans present!

It was a really good concert, this orchestra can really put out some sound.