Costa Rican Mountain March

Several weeks ago, we had opportunity to go hiking up in the mountains at the house of a friend of Edwin and Zeidy's.  What we thought was going to be a 1 1/2 hour hike, turned out to be a 4 hour hike up and down steep mountains.  I thought I wouldn't make it and was amazed at how incredibly positive five-year old Lucy remained the whole time.  It certainly was a character-building experience for all of us.  Lucy especially taught me a lot that day.  We had a blast laughing and encouraging one another to keep pressing on and stopping along the way to enjoy God's incredible creation (and catch our breath).  We have been so very thankful for times like these that we have been able to share new memories with our dear friends while at the same time building new friendships.  Eduardo, Edith and their three girls, took great care of us and fed us a delicious feast of grilled meats, chimichuri salsa and tortillas at the end of the hike.  We rewarded ourselves by topping off the day with a platter of brownies!

                                          Before the hike begins...fresh and full of energy.

                            No, the girls aren't sunburned, just had the camera set on a funky exposure.

                                                            The big hike begins!

         Annie always seems to find a baby to care for, wherever she is.  This is a baby iguana.

                            Jarrett, Eduardo (our wonderful host and fearless leader), Seth and Edwin

                        The halfway point and popsicle break at a small grocery store along the way.

                                      Our KU fan club!  ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWKS!

                                   Two buddies and some beautiful flowers.  They are still smiling!

                                               A view down into the San Jose valley.

                                        A view along the way, up and down and up and down.

The final pass through...this was the rockiest part.  The rest of the road was a smooth path, just not a flat, smooth path.

                                                             We did it...almost...

                                        Yay, three cheers for crossing the rocky pass through.

                                   Three BFFs...they did AWESOME! and they are still smiling!!

 We had an incredible feast to reward ourselves...grilled beef, chicken and sausage and the most delicious   chimichuri salsa I have ever had (of course I got the recipe!), AND some yummy brownies.  It was all worth it.  

                                                      These girls were tuckered out!

                                                         Seth and sweet Michelle

                                        All the kids chilled out and watched a movie after lunch.

                        These are our wonderful hosts, Eduardo and Edith, and their three daughters.
                                                    They took such good care of us.

                                                        Some sweet and silly girls.

                                                                The whole gang.