El Yunque

Excellent weather - did we mention that it was 84 and sunny - oh, but we did get a brief shower in the rainforest - very refreshing..........ok, now with the news! First, to complete last night. We decided to eat at the inn and went down to the outside bar and had some beer while the bartender cooked our meal (yes, we had a cheeseburger - but had a great conversation about Puerto Rico).

We headed east this morning - destination El Yunque, a rainforest, which is about 35 miles from here. As you enter El Yunque, which is The Carribean National Forest and part of the U.S. Parks Service, you are greeted at a beautiful, open air welcome center. The paths are lined with flowers and trees and the facility has no doors - completely free for all the cool breezes. A short drive brings you to Cascada La Coca (waterfall #1) which cascades next to the road. Further up the road, you climb Torre Yokahu (tower #1), and see an amazing panoramic view of the rainforest all the way to the ocean. Next stop, the big hike to waterfall #2 (Cacada La Mina) which is the highest one in the park. The path took us through all types of vegitation - palms and plants that fill a rainforest. Finding fallen leaves, snails, flowers, exposed roots, and stands of bamboo were highlights. After our hike to the waterfall, we drove to the end of the road which leads to Torre de observacion Monte Britton. Unfortunately, we did not make the time consuming hike because we had several stops left. So....................we headed for Concesion de Comida "Yunquiyu Delights" for some lunch. Our lunch was typical of Puerto Rico - alcapurrias (beef and plantains deep fried) with pico de gallo sauce, rice, beans, and sweet plantains - washing it down with Medalla Light, Cerveza Puerto Rico.

Back in the car and headed to Luquillo located on the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico. We walked the beach, enjoyed the palm grove, the quioscos de comida (informal eateries) and drove just outside downtown Fajardo to the largest marina on the island and in the Carribean. Sat on a waterfront bench and looked at the boats and islands to the east and then headed back into town. Steve's friend is President of Universidad InterAmerican de Puerto Rico. Guess we should have called ahead because the University was closed for break so our visit will need to take place on another trip.

One thing that we find fascinating is that the Christmas season is celebrated until the end of January. We have seen many festivals and the 3 Kings seem to be the most recent. Such a wonderful atmosphere in which to travel. Another interesting note is the architectural aspect of many buildings. The tropical climate makes it possible for most houses and buildings to have open windows, archway open doors, and a fantastic open floorplan - all the better to use nature to cool the facilities (lower electric and gas bills - we can all relate to that!). On our way back to At Wind Chimes Inn, we drove through Isla Verde - the neighborhood/part of Carolina next to our location - to see if we could find the hotel where Theresa visited in 1991 as Eastern District/AAHPERD President. No luck, but the journey was worth it.

Well, we are back now and sitting at the outdoor bar of our inn typing to the beat of merengue music, enjoying a beer, and writing this entry. Not sure of our dinner destination, but there are several posibilities...........more on that tomorrow.

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