A Day at Ober Gatlinburg

17 December 202022 September 2024

For some reason, we had never visited Ober Gatlinburg during our family vacations. With a little research, we realized this may be a perfect, kid-friendly activity for the whole family that Nolan would enjoy as well.

In addition to the children’s rides, we were excited about the Alpine Slide, the Ski Mountain Coaster, the Wildlife Encounter, the Amaze ‘n Maze, the Cyclone Rapids ride, Mini Golf and an indoor ice skating rink.

Our first step was to take the Aerial Tramway to Mountaintop Park. Reaching heights of 2813 feet above sea level, each tram’s capacity is 120 guests.

Waiting for the next Tramway, we were the next to board the tram which worked to our advantage offering a place near the window to enjoy the stunning views. Standing towards the front, we had an amazing view of the mountains as well as the other trams making their way, a little over two miles, towards the top.

The Tramway was completed in August of 1972 transporting millions of people to the Adventure Park to date.

Nolan was the most excited of all. Pointing out trees, houses and other sights, his commentary proved to be quite entertaining.

As we passed over the Animal Habitat, we knew we would need to make a stop to see the black bears – BJ, Chief and Holly, river otters and their adorable bobcats, all animals native to Tennessee.

We tried to talk Nolan into going down the side of the mountain on the Alpine Slide, but he was just a little too nervous. We thought that we would let him ride a few other games so that he would see how much fun the rides were and agree to take the slide. Lucky for us it worked.

Nolan was happy and content to ride the children’s rides. Animated and enjoying every minute of making us laugh, he was finally ready to ride the Alpine Slide with his mom, with a bit of hesitation. By the time they reached the end of the slide, he was ready to go back and do it all again.

With so many activities for young children, Ober Gatlinburg kept Nolan entertained. We were happy to see his enthusiasm to make friends on each of the rides. After a couple of hours, we moved on to the Scenic Chairlift,

The Chairlift reaches Mt. Harrison with a rise of nearly 800 feet. This is my favorite ride in the park with scenic mountain and bird’s eye views. On a clear day, riders can see as far as Douglas Lake and the views of Mt. LeConte are spectacular.

At the top of Mt. Harrison, we were entertained with bluegrass music….

…and met with an overlook that continued for miles.

Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee’s only Ski and Snowboard park making winter its peak season, open all year around. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting during our summer vacation and thought it would be fun to visit in the winter during ski season. What a beautiful place no matter what time of year it is.

Have you visited Ober Gatlinburg? Which season did you explore the park? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ober Gatlinburg
1001 Parkway Suite 2
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 5423

Admission Fee: $29 for ages 5 and older for the tram only; $49 for the wristband, ages 5 – 59 and $39 for the wristband ages 60+; ages 4 and under may enter at no charge with an adult admission
Hours: The park opens from 10AM to 6PM daily but parking is open at 9:40 and the tramway begins its operation at 9:40AM.
Length of Visit: 4+ hours
Amenities: Aerial Tramway, Tennessee Flyer, Wildlife Habitat, Ice Skating, Ice Bumper Cars, Scenic Chairlift, Carousel, Rock Wall, Family Snow Zone, Snow Tubing
Tips for Your Visit: The Ober Mountain Wristband is valid for unlimited use of the Aerial Tramway and all other activities on the mountain for the day in which it was purchased. Activities such as snow tubing, snow sports, white water rafting and ziplining are not included with the wristband. Check their website for activities available based on the season.

Where to Stay:

The Firefly Chalet booked through VRBO.

Where to Eat:

The Best Italian Restaurant
968 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 4345

What to Eat:

Everything on the menu and I highly recommend the Garlic Knots.

The Beautiful Firefly Chalet in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

12 November 202022 September 2024

As our car turned the corner to make the uphill climb to the Firefly Chalet, we witnessed our first bear sighting that included three baby bears and their mother. Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains are known for its black bears and we couldn’t believe our luck seeing these little cuties so early in our vacation.

Located in the Village of Cobbly Nob, the Firefly Chalet was our Gatlinburg property for our week’s vacation and it was absolutely perfect. The property includes a golf course, three swimming pools and a tennis court for recreation. A chalet-style home with three rooms, the Firefly was loaded with fabulous amenities including a hot tub, free WiFi, a pool table and spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

We booked the property through the Vacation Rentals By Owner website. There is also a toll-free number to discuss the reservation with an agent which is 888 829 7076. The 1,675 square foot chalet sleeps six with three bedrooms and attached baths.

The living room has floor to ceiling windows with a phenomenal view of the Smokies. There is access to the outdoor balcony which was a great place for us to enjoy our morning coffee and to relax under a passing thunderstorm. The central feature of the main living space is the beautiful stone, wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen was the perfect size, fully equipped with lots of storage space. There was a breakfast table and additional bar stools for seating. We used the outdoor charcoal grill to make hamburgers one night and enjoyed an evening of relaxing on the deck.

The chalet sleeps six with a sleeper sofa for an additional guest or two. The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, private bath and a 24” television with a DVD and VCR player. Located on the main level is another king sized bed, 24” television with a DVD and VCR player. On the lower level where the washer and dryer are located is another guest bedroom with a queen sized bed, 27” television with a DVD and VCR player.

Firefly is conveniently located 2.6 miles to downtown Gatlinburg and 11 miles from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. The property is located on Highway 321 North in Gatlinburg. For more information, visit the VRBO website to book your holiday at this spectacular chalet.

Have you visited Gatlinburg? Where did you stay? I would love to hear about your stay in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my stay at Firefly and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Great Smoky Mountains Laurel Falls Hike

4 September 202022 September 2024

Laurel Falls is considered one of the most popular trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 2.6 mile round trip paved trail is considered easy and reaches the spectacular 80 foot high falls. For 50 cents I picked up a self-guided pamphlet which pointed out several places of interest and we set out for the trail surrounded by pine trees and oaks for an enjoyable trek through the mountain wilderness.

There are eleven markers that correlate with the trail brochure and the first stop describes the laurel plant which grows along the path. During the early summer its blooms range from pink to white. Rhododendron are also popular along the path displaying larger leaves and growing taller than the mountain laurel.

Having passed through the forest of pine, oak and hardwoods, the topography switched from ridge to ravine. Here the trail curved sharply with deep drop-offs to the left. We began to see more rocks and there were several places to take a break along the path.

We regrouped and continued upwards as the trail continued its gradual climb towards the falls. We crossed over a small creek that trickled down the hill, through large and small rocks providing water to the rhododendron, hemlock and beech plants along the trail.

Soon, there was a break in the trees creating a “picture window” at marker number seven. The rounded peak in the distance was covered with trees and there was a sharp drop from the edge of the pavement.

The further we continued up the trail, the more contorted the trees became due to high winds, lightning strikes and other severe weather conditions. Interestingly, the aggressive change in climate does not affect the lichen that attaches itself to rocks and trees.

The pathway changed drastically before reaching the falls. Steep cliffs dangerously hugged the narrow trail which alerted us that we were nearing our destination. We began to hear sounds of water rushing from Cove Mountain as we continued our approach and gave a sigh of relief that we had arrived safely.

The double-drop cascade was spectacular as its light spray lit upon our faces cooling us down from the hike. The rocks were slippery and we moved with caution to allow other hikers to pass by standing in awe of its beauty. We gave ourselves about fifteen minutes to revel in our accomplishment and curiously tested the temperature of the runoff before backtracking towards the trailhead. It would all be downhill from here.

Have you hiked the Laurel Falls Trail or other trails in the Great Smoky Mountains? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for checking out my hike and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Laurel Falls
From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road.
Telephone: 865 436 1200

Admission Fee: There is no charge to visit Laurel Falls as it is a part of the Great Smoky National Park.
Hours: The park is open year around, though access to Laurel Falls may be limited during the winter months.
Amenities: Pamphlet for hike ($.50)
Scenic View: Spectacular views of Great Smoky Mountains throughout the hike
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours, depending on whether you can walk up the steep hill
Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes for hiking. Wildlife, such as bears, may be wandering around the property, so be on the lookout and do not approach them. We like to visit here in the afternoon as the trees provide shade from the warmer weather.

Where to Stay:

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone: 865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

A Tour of Salt Lake City Before Heading Back Home

22 January 202020 September 2024

I had such an amazing ski vacation in Park City and was sad to be leaving Utah. Heading out early in the morning, I had a late afternoon flight which left me with a couple of hours to explore Salt Lake City.

It would have been the perfect weather for another day of skiing.

The scenery took on a whole new vantage point when driving through the base of the mountains. The height of the surrounding mountains shaded me from the brightness of the sun as I continued my journey towards Salt Lake City.

The winding roads added to the interesting dimension of our travels as I slithered quietly at the base of the mountains, careful of oncoming traffic.

As I approached the outskirts of Salt Lake and entered the city proper, I noticed that the view had a strong industrial foreshadow with the majestic mountains towering in the distance. The sun was out warming me up in the cold until I exited the car and felt the bitterness of the January freeze.

As I crossed over several railroad tracks and train stops, the city’s public transportation seemed to add to the industrial aura of the town. The environment seemed as cold as the weather as empty streets enhanced the feeling of driving through an abandoned town. I was curious to explore some of the area attractions, yet knew that I have a limited amount of time before driving to the airport.

On the western side of Salt Lake City was the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. It was built in the early 1900s and was once a working train station. The tracks serviced various train transportation companies up until 1999 when it was moved to the Salt Lake City International Hub. In 2006, the location reopened as an entertainment venue, called The Depot and was available for restaurants and office space. It is located at South Temple at 400 West one the western side of Salt Lake City.

It was not long until I decided to escape from the cold to see the city’s Grand America Hotel, one of the Salt Lake’s historic spas and hotels in the downtown area. The courtyard was absent of visitors as a thick layer of ice covers the water feature and had transformed the fountain into a frozen popsicle.

The gorgeous floral arrangement displayed the opulence and grandeur of the hotel.

The beautiful chandeliers hung magically from the ceiling providing a secondary light source to the sun’s natural brilliance from the outdoors.

Salt Lake City’s Courthouse was located at 450 South State Street. It is open from 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. For more information about the courthouse, contact their website at www,utcourts.gov.

The Salt Lake City and County Building was topped with a statue of Columbia. It rose over 250 feet from the ground. The statue of Justice stood in the foreground.

The Mormon Temple commands attention as one of the most sought out attractions in Salt Lake City, Sitting upon ten acres known as the Temple Square, the temple was open to the public on April 5^th, 1893. Its famous design has become an icon of the Mormon faith with its beautiful spires and symbolic statues.

Salt Lake City’s Mormon Temple is the largest in the United States (most square feet) and is located at 50 West North Temple Street. From the east side there is a spectacular view of the three towers with the Angel Moroni in the center.

It is obvious that the Mormon faith is a central figure to the city of Salt Lake. There is so much history about the settlement of Salt Lake City, the life of Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon religion.

Have you had the opportunity to spend time in Salt Lake City, Utah? What did you do? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my short visit to Salt Lake! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

A Statue of Joseph Smith outside of the Church of the Latter Day Saints/Mormon Temple.

The Angel Moroni acts as both the “messenger of the restoration of the gospel and a herald of the Second Coming.”

Another view of the fountain and courtyard

A view of the Courtyard and Fountain from inside on a higher level

A beautiful mural in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah

Ski Trip to Utah: Park City Mountain Resort

12 January 202020 September 2024

Another beautiful day to ski with overcast skis that will soon clear up for a sunny day. While I am a little sore from skiing yesterday, I am more excited to ski Park City Mountain Resort, which hosted the 2002 Olympic Games. I am also excited to meet up with a high school friend whose husband works at the resort and I am looking forward to meeting her two boys.

Leaving the house in Heber City, the view was absolutely spectacular. The snow-capped mountains with their bluish grey highlights seemed at eye’s level as we descended down into town towards the slopes.

This is four-wheel drive weather and we were setting out on steep terrain with lots of hills. The roads were cleared early this morning, so we managed to stay within the tracks of vehicles that had previously made their way down the mountain.

Several majestic homes were set into the side of the mountain where their large picture windows offered spectacular views of peaks which could have been seen for miles.

As we continued on towards Park City, we passed a large lake that had frozen over for the winter. The stillness and solitude of the scenery was soothing as we prepared for another full day of skiing.

We entered the park, picked up our skis and headed towards the slopes. I decided only to ski for a couple of hours, realizing how sore I was from the previous day. My muscles needed a little rest since we were planning on sledding event later that the evening.

Park City Mountain Resort is about a half an hour, 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. The resort opened in 1963 under the name “Treasure Mountain” as it was once an active mining town.

There are shops and restaurants where we rented our skis and a skating rink in the center. We arrived early so it felt as if we had the park all to ourselves. The sun was out as we took a seat on one of the benches to put on our boots.

There are over 3,000 acres of skiing with sixteen chairlifts. It was exciting to think that there were several events that took place in this very spot during the 2002 Olympic Games. Park City Mountain Resort hosted the giant slalom events as well as the snowboarding competition.

I managed to ski the beginner slopes (blue circles) a couple of times to warm up. While skiing, there were other beginners as well as snowboarders, but I knew if I was going to ski the green slopes today, I would need to do it earlier in the day when I was not as tired.

Making my way to the end of the slope, I imagined what it would have been like to have close to 100,000 spectators for the Olympic Games. I am most certain that none of the events were using the blues and greens that I’m skiing, but nonetheless, it was fascinating to think that the best talent in skiing and snowboarding were once here competing.

After skiing the morning hours, I made it to the bottom of my last run and I was ready for lunch. With over 314 trails here at Park City Mountain Resort, I skied only four. I had a few minutes to check out the shops to see if I could find a hat or souvenir of my trip before making my way to the restaurant.

The restaurant was lovely with outdoor seating where we could catch up over a glass of wine. Surrounded by mountains and ski lifts, this picturesque scene also included large bear statues.

After lunch, I joined Dawn’s son for a ride on the alpine roller coaster. Bodi competes on a ski team and is quite talented, ranking high in the polls. He has a great future ahead of him should he choose to continue in his training.

I hated to leave Dawn and the boys but it was time to take the shuttle to a neighboring slope to prepare for our evening of tubing and sledding. I look forward to hearing about Bodi’s success and skiing and hope to visit Park City again.

Where is your favorite place to ski? Have you been to Park City Mountain Resort? I would love to hear about your experience, so leave your comments below! Happy Travels!

Park City Mountain Resort is located at 1345 Lowell Avenue, Park City, Utah 84060. During the ski season, the slopes and ski lifts are open from 9AM to 4PM. Some of the trails are open later for night skiing. For more information about the resort, ski lift tickets and rentals, ski instruction, etc., visit their website at www.parkcitymountain.com.

My friend, Dawn, and her two boys

The Amazing View of Park City from the Slopes

Painted Moose on Skis

Yellowstone National Park: Where the Buffalo Roam

22 September 201817 September 2024

Early afternoon, I left Mammoth Hot Springs to drive towards Hayden Valley. The valley, known for its abundance of wildlife, is most popular during the spring and fall seasons. I was looking forward to taking in the surrounding landscape and hoping to see some amazing animals on my drive.

Quickly into my road trip, I caught my first glimpse of a herd of bison. Stretching for miles, I was impressed with their large number. With stocky bodies and thick fur, I was amazed at how beautiful they were. Attempting to cross the road, they seemed to know that they had the right of way and took charge when trying to do so.

I was thrilled to watch the calves chasing after their mothers. The herd was moving slowly on each side of the road until they decided to cross, seeming a little hesitant and looking both ways.

Bison Stopping Traffic in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley

Herds of Bison at Yellowstone National Park

A Bison Calf Among the Herd, Yellowstone

Sightings of Bison in Yellowstone National Park’s Hayden Valley

Along the roadway, the river appeared at random intervals. Slowing down at the bends and curves, I was hoping for the chance to catch a glimpse of a bear or wolf, which make this valley their home. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found, but I was more than happy seeing all of the bison in Hayden Valley.

I was so close to the Montana border when I decided to drive a small portion of the Beartooth Highway, entering Gallatin National Forest.

Glimpses of snow appeared along the shadowed crevices on the mountainside.

My first pronghorn antelope sighting!

An Elk Bull at Yellowstone

I hadn’t ventured too far along the Beartooth, knowing that I needed to make it to Grand Teton National Park, but I was happy that I stepped over the state line to explore more of this gorgeous scenery.

What animals did you spot while vacationing at Yellowstone? Is there another US National Park that you recommend for wildlife sightings? I would love to hear your recommendations or about your experience vacationing at Yellowstone if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading my travel blog on Yellowstone and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

What to Eat:

Bison Burgers
Buffalo Steak
Chicken Fried Steak
Chuck Wagon-Style Dinners which usually include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked beans and corn bread
Cowboy Cookies: cookies made with brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, chocolate and nuts
Elk Steak
Fry Bread is similar to puff pastry and is the base for taco salads.
Jerky
Morels
Old Fashioned Soda
Pig Candy: Applewood smoked bacon covered in brown sugar and spices
Prime Rib
Rocky Mountain Oysters: deep-fried calf testicles
Soda Bread: Discovered by American Indians, this bread is made from a mixture of flour and soda (naturally found in wood ashes) creating a quick-rising bread
Trout
Wyomatoes are a type of tomato found in Wyoming. Known for their sweet taste, they are unlike any other varietal
Wyoming Whiskey

What to Read:

The Stories of Yellowstone, by Mark M. Miller
Mountain Spirit, by Lawrence L. Loendorf
Decade of the Wolf, by Douglas Smith
Bring Jade Home, by Michelle Caffrey
Letters from Yellowstone, by Diane Smith
Yellowstone Has Teeth, by Marjane Ambler
Dangerous Beauty: Encounters with Grizzlies and Bison in Yellowstone, by Carolyn Jourdan
Death in Yellowstone by Lee H. Whittlesey
Empire of Shadows, by George Black

Photo Guide for Yellowstone:

Artist Point
Artists Paintpots
Black Pool
Brink of the Lower Falls
Dunanda Falls
Dunraven Pass
Excelsior Geyser Crater
Fairy Falls
Firehole Falls
Firehole Lake
Fountain Paint Pots Trail
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
Great Fountain Geyser
Hayden Valley
Inspiration Point
Lamar Valley
Lewis Falls
Lookout Point
Lower Lookout Point
Madison River
Mammoth Hot Springs
Minerva Terrace
Morning Glory Pool
Norris Geyser Basin
Old Faithful
Point Sublime
Roaring Mountain
Roosevelt Arch
Snake River Overlook
Tower Falls
Trout Lake
Upper Falls View
West Thumb Basin
Yelloowstone Entrance Sign
Yellowstone Lake

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Our Adirondack Family Vacation in Photos 2005

5 February 201531 August 2024

The Great Escape in Lake George, NY

Downtown Lake Placid

Saranac Lake

Young Life Saranac Lake

Beaver Meadow Waterfalls

My brother and I at the rental house in the Adirondacks

The Dock at the Lake House in the Adirondacks

The beautiful mountains in the Adirondacks

The Adirondack Mountains

Surrounded by mountains while on vacation

Driving through the Adirondack Mountains

Sunday Driving in the Adirondacks

Meeting my Brother’s Girlfriend, Emily, for the First Time

What to See and What to Do:

Six Flags Great Escape
1172 US-9
Queensbury, NY 12804
Telephone: 518 824 6000

Sixty miles north of Albany, Six Flags is not only an amusement park but a water park named Hurricane Harbor.

Where to Stay:

We stayed in a rental home that we booked through VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner)

Where to Eat:

Black Bear Restaurant
2409 Main Street
Lake Placid, NY 12946
Telephone: 513 837 5166

Cozy, casual lakeside American eatery offering meat, seafood & pasta dishes, plus cocktails.

What to Eat:

Chicken Riggies (Chicken Rigatoni)
Dry Rieslings from Seneca Lake
Egg Cream – milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup
Frozen Custard
The Garbage Plate – Originating in Rochester, this dish includes burger patties with baked beans, macaroni salad and home fries slathered with ketchup and hot sauce.

What to Read:

Books by Author, Julia Spencer-Fleming

Photo Guide for the Upstate New York:

Kaaterskill Falls
Letchworth State Park
Mount Marcy, Adirondacks
Chimney Bluffs State Park
The Egg, Albany

Checking out the Costa Rican Coast for the First Time

10 November 201431 August 2024

I remember the excitement I felt when the plane touched down in San Jose, Costa Rica on a beautiful February morning. My best friend Melissa was going to pick me up and we were going to head out to the beach house in Playa Palo Seco. It was my first time visiting, so I wanted to see as much of the country as possible, not knowing that I would eventually visit several times.

The open air airport was so small that it was easy to see Melissa as she and our friend David met me in baggage claim. I took in deep breaths of air enjoying the mild humidity which was such a contrast to the snowy weather I had just left behind in Cincinnati. I couldn’t wait to explore this magnificent country in Central America and to experience the local food and culture.

We drove through the city of San Jose because we wanted to try to make it to the beach before nightfall with a couple of stops along the way. We took for a few minutes to enjoy the architecture before beginning our three-hour journey.

The drive was absolutely stunning with endless forests and majestic mountains. We drove through coffee fields and tropical plants as our rental car continued its climb heading south east towards the Pacific Coast. Before reaching Palo Seco, we drove through the mountains on 301 where the road began to narrow and hugged the steep cliffs.

Frequently the scenery would disappear as the clouds clung to the surrounding peaks. We were happy to finally reach the small town to pick up a few items before reaching the beach house. The house was not air conditioned so we relied on fans to cool us down at night. We also stopped by the local grocery to pick up some Imperial beer and food for the next couple of weeks.

We stopped short of the bridge so that we could see the local alligators and it became a favorite stop on our annual trips. We lovingly referred to the crossing as Crocodile Bridge which crossed the Pirris River. These bad boys measured over 13 feet long and there were at least a dozen of them basking in the sun as we drove over the bridge. No one dare go riverside and it’s quite obvious why.

Bidding farewell to the reptiles, we headed west towards the beach until reaching a dead end. We could see a large, abandoned water park to our left and made a southern turn here to reach the house. By now, we were traveling on a dirt road, having passed a small restaurant, we could soon see our beloved shack on the left. Across the street we had access to endless beach, so I couldn’t wait to wake up early and catch a few waves.

Our plans were to hang out at the beach for a couple of days before heading back inland and then travel over to the gulf side to Puerto Limon near the Panamanian border. I had been looking forward to exploring this amazing country, and so far, it has been spectacular.

Have you explored the beautiful country of Costa Rica? What were some of your favorite places? I would love to hear from you with any suggestions or questions if you leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my first visit to Costa Rica and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Costa Rican Countryside

The famous Crocodiles