Yes, I’m mad a mud at the moment. It happens every rainy season. I shouldn’t be mad, however, because I’m the one who lives off of a dirt road. I miss a paved driveway but my driveway is way too long for paving and I honestly don’t think blacktop or even concrete would look so great coming up to my house. I’ve thought about gravel—another option for sure—but I worry about the gravel just being washed away or mixing with the mud. Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with mud as I’m a bit of a “clean freak” but there’s not [View Full Entry]

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It’s been a very busy two weeks here at Angel Valley Farm B&B, up in the mountains above San Ramon! Between guests at the B&B and just wrapping up our May “Boomers in Costa Rica” relocation/retirement tour of the Central Valley, it’s enough to keep anyone out of trouble! Working this time of year, particularly outdoors, can be a challenge though. If you want to view properties, for example, you need to get out there early in the morning to catch views of the mountains and/or the ocean (at least from the San Ramon area), not to mention walking in [View Full Entry]

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I wasn’t sure what to call my latest blog entry largely because I wasn’t sure I’d have one or two discreet topics to fill this entire blog entry. However, I have a few crazy things to report on this week. Losing my brakes…going downhill! I have to admit I do love my 1991 Iszusu Trooper. I don’t quite know why though. It’s old, it’s body is scraped and scarred. The back and front bumpers are pushed in a bit and the interior looks like—well—it is 16 years old. Even in the relatively short time period that I have owned it, just [View Full Entry]

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Okay, so February is definitely my busiest time of the year. Back in the states, when I was working full time, except perhaps for Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas weeks, along with the summer holidays—Independence Day and Labor Day—I always seemed to be busy, steadily busy. Most months looked fairly similar. Here in Costa Rica, however, it’s crazy-busy from November to March and then things just drop off as fast as they seemed to get busy. I understand it though. Who wants to be in Indianapolis, Minneapolis or any other “apolis” during this time! Just when I start worrying about my bookings [View Full Entry]

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The past few weeks have been good ones in Costa Rica. The year didn’t start off all that well as numerous issues came up—but things are looking up, as is the weather. Speaking of weather, the past few days have been bright and warm, which one would expect this time of year and coincidentally, as it has gotten warmer here in the wilds of San Ramon, it has gotten colder in many parts of the USA! I’m definitely enjoying living in the tropics right now! Good people! We’ve had a fun group of people at the B&B during January with a [View Full Entry]

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It’s been a few weeks since my last blog update. There are a number of reasons for this. First, it’s just a darn busy time of the year with many guests at the B&B. Obviously, many people want to escape the weather in much of the U.S. so Costa Rica is a natural target. Second, I’m still trying to catch up from being away for 3.5 weeks in December. Even though being away actually gave me some time to get work done without anything else interfering there are just some things you have to do while in Costa Rica. Third, almost [View Full Entry]

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I’m back in sunny Costa Rica and I am sure glad to be here! While I enjoy visiting the United States, even if it is primarily for my surgeries (one more left and hopefully that’s it!), I think I enjoy it less and less each time. This time was particularly interesting considering during my time in the states President Ford died, Saddam was executed and most sadly, my good friend/Godson’s brother died. I think I’ll stay away for a while. I definitely don’t miss the hustle and bustle of the U.S. I actually tired very quickly of so many people where [View Full Entry]

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I am visiting New York again and will be in the area for one month. Last time I was in New York for an extended period of time—this past February—I got a bit of criticism from anonymous commentors (why not post your name?!) asking me how I could be away from the B&B for a month, particularly during the high season? It is a good question (though really not anyone’s business but mine) so I wanted to answer this question here and set the record straight. Since I moved to Costa Rica, I’ve been back in the U.S. three times, and [View Full Entry]

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I’d like to think I’m right about a lot of things but the weather isn’t one of them. In my last blog entry I confidently stated that I thought the dry season was here because some strong winds had blown away the rain and it was sunny for a few days. Well, was I wrong about that. Before my dirt road could even dry the clouds rolled back in along with mist and light rain—and it’s been that way for several days now. I know the dry season will come, I’m just not sure when! Perhaps early December? Maybe around Christmas [View Full Entry]

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Summer is in the air in Central America Spring is in full swing here meaning its raining less and summer is just around the corner. After a full onslaught of guests in recent weeks, things have quieted down a little in the last two weeks and that has enabled us to do some spring cleaning and to spruce up the B&B. It didn’t need much work, but change isn’t bad in this case. Terry, our new manager, has painted many of the rooms in uniquely tropical colors and reorganized the living area. His re-do definitely opened up the living space a [View Full Entry]

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