We spent Saturday morning on the streets outside our hostel at the second parade for the Festival of the Wines. This parade was quite different from the on Friday night that featured the queens of the various districts from the state of Mendoza. Instead, Saturday's parade was more on foot and featured various social and political movements, marching bands in wild costumes, gauchos, and, of course, queens from the region and various other festivals. At times it was hard to tell what was the parade and what was not. There was no real control of anyone, the crowd often squeezing the street closed along with the vendors of everything from tiaras, sandwiches, balloons, cotton candy and empanadas. But when a band or group appeared the throngs pulled back to enjoy yet another band, political group singing ... read more

With my good friend Bill Elasky we are headed to Mendoza, Argentina and environs to enjoy the annual wine festival, explore some great parks and mountains, visit vineyards, did I mention sample wines, and maybe even chase a trout or two. Right now we are waiting in the airport for the first of about 20 hours of flying time. Will check in when we get to the city of Mendoza and have tipped a glass or two. This is your alert that if you have signed up for my blog they are about to start coming in. You've been warned! Adios.... read more

After a bone jarring drive, especially for those in the back seat, we reached Monteverde. The surprise here was that the weather battering the US had reached this far south and the winds were howling and clouds covering the mountains. The rain in the upper elevation was being blown down into the town and so, while you might be standing in sunshine, there was always a mist--and this is supposed to be the start of the dry season! Of course, we were hungry and so headed for the recommended Taco Taco and were treated to the best plate of tacos I have had. Then off to the lodge. After being given incorrect directions to our lodging, we stopped at a hotel and were provided with a detailed map which we would need to find the place. ... read more

As I write this we are in for the night and experiencing the rains you get when you are in the rain forest mountains of Costa Rica. For the past twenty minutes there has been a wall of water falling from the skys, it is so loud you cannot hear the river that runs past our cabin. But we missed the rain during the day and had some great adventures. The day started with breakfast, served by Felix, seeming known as Cinderella in the neighborhood. He comes by the name due to his ability to lure birds of all shapes and sizes to his hands with bananas and fruits. Right where we sat for breakfast, on the patio around his home, he has a large 'bird feeder' which he fills with fruits gathered from the yard. ... read more

Well, we really aren't to Costa Rica yet, but this is just a heads up for those of you that get the automatic alert that we are headed south for 10 days! Right now we are still in Columbus as the first leg of the flight has been delayed but two hours, sure am glad we are supposed to have a five hour layover in Houston! From Houston we head to Liberia, CR. Not sure about the wireless, glad to be disconnected, but will try and fill you in on our travels as they progress. Adios!... read more