Long drive, great finish (no, it's not about golf!)

The deck of our hotel room at La Mariposas made taking chamber of commerce quality pictures a simple task for this old Okie. The Pacific Ocean provided a stunning backdrop to the rainforest and the busy seaside town of Quepos.

Problem is, in this near equator location, sunset each night is around 5:40 pm, making for an early evening. Not a bad thing if you're getting as old as me!

To get to the Manuel Antonio National Park at Quep0s, one first has to navigate a treacherous three hour drive through the mountains, around eighteen wheelers built during the Eisenhower adminstration, and the usual collection of motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and vendors selling their wares on crowded highways.

It was worth the drive. Known as one of the top ten beaches in the world, Manuel Antonio has the added attraction of monkeys that would as soon steal your last 5 colon coin as look at you. We spent a lot of time on the beaches, avoided the rip currents that have claimed many a victim in these parts, toured the national park, and came eye to eye with perezosos, monos, mapeches, pajaros, and other critters whose name I don't know.

We ate twice at Sancho's, a joint run by an ex-pat, boasting the freshest and best fish tacos we've ever encountered.
We sat at the pool and enjoyed smoothies with delicious ingredients and friendly waiters.

But the best thing we did?

We focused on God's sensational creation and the sense of wonder that it gives each of us. We thought about our place in this world and the purpose that God has given to our family. We read scripture and prayed for the rest of our adventure, and also for the needs of many close to us who are sick and hurting. We continued to be amazed at God's faithfulness to us in each step of our journey.

Thank you Lord, that you have made this not perfectly planned, not perfectly executed, not completely thought out, flawed little adventure, something that is blessing many. Like the last picture in this post, we are not perfect, but you Lord, are perfect, and you are worthy of our love, our adoration, and our praise. May each year that passes by allow us to do greater things for you.

Guillermo