Category Archives: Friends and Family

Tide Pool Fun at Steps Beach

Steps Beach
Steps Beach is named after these concrete steps that have been there for many, many years

One thing that is great about Rincón is that there are so many different beaches for different types of activities. There are long stretches of sand to walk or run or search for shells and sea glass, there are great surf beaches, swimming beaches and snorkeling beaches and even a beach to launch boats (the Marina). Steps Beach, also known as Playa Escalera in Spanish, is part of the 3 Palmas Marine Reserve and is probably most famous for its snorkeling. Here you can often spot sea turtles and it has one of the best elk horn coral formations in the entire Caribbean. Now that we have a waterproof camera (thanks Sean!) we need to go out and take more underwater pictures.

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Playing in the tide pools

But on this particular day, we got to enjoy another special part of Steps Beach: the tide pools! Especially for folks with young children or people with limited swimming skills, the tide pools are awesome. The sun warms the water up and they are just deep enough to sort of float on top. There are little hermit crabs and snails and small fish in there with you so it’s a lot of fun to search for creatures as you laze about in the warm water.

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Floating and playing around in the tide pools

It was a great place to spend time with our friend Missy and her munchkins. We had a nice picnic lunch and watched the parasailors, snorkelers and boats as they floated past. And Britton and I each took a turn swimming in the deep area as well. But mostly we just hung out under the shade trees and in the pools. There were a few people out, but since it was a weekday it wasn’t too crowded. Just a really nice way to relax!

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Cultivating a love of nature and the beach early! Missy and the newest member of the family

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Cool finds!

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Pretty palm trees and sexy beasts 😉

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Loving February Plus Heliconias!

Back in Colorado February was by far my least favorite month. The novelty of snow and cold had long since worn off, the holidays and the excitement they bring were over and cabin fever began to set in big time. It was cold and dark and everything was just waiting…waiting for spring and life again. I would often read the seed catalogs and long for spring and gardening, being outside, spending time with friends and just enjoying the beautiful warm days of summer.

Cassie and Turkeys
Playing outside in the winter. Two turkeys at a time! Just like pelicans! 🙂

But now, we basically live an endless summer. I don’t even really think about those cold Colorado days much anymore except what I hear from my friends and family. Nowadays it’s flipflops and shorts year round. It does get a bit “chilly” here now that we are acclimated. I snuggle with a small blanket at night now and I like the slightly warmed water in the shower. But all the doors and windows are open. There are no heaters or humidifiers and it just feels perfect. It’s the type of weather you don’t even really notice because you are just so comfortable in your own skin. I know some people really like the changing of the seasons and the cold, but for me, I couldn’t be happier in always warm weather. I guess it’s sort of like Mondays now. I used to dread Mondays because I loved the weekends so much, now Mondays are just another lovely day. Every day here is a Saturday in summer!

Megan and Me
Pool parties in February -with my wonderful friend Megan

Things are very much still alive here! There is less rain in February so the yard work diminishes and while some of the grasses turn brown waiting for water, for some plants like these heliconias, it is their time to shine! The whales are visiting Rincón and other animals like the turkeys and chickens are preparing for their spring babies.

Bright Heliconias
Explosion of color in these heliconias -thanks to starts from our friends Missy and Ben

What a contrast to the grey, dark and cold Februarys. I am still so much in love with living here that I feel more alive and vibrant myself every day.

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Argh! Of Pirate Ships, Sword Fights and Coffee Festivals

With our friends Missy and Ben and kiddos we headed up to the coffee festival in Maricao once again. Before we left Mayaguez, though I wanted to at least see the huge replica galleon ship that was docked there and our friends agreed. It was quite impressive and I would love to go aboard and learn more about it and the history of these ships that brought the first Spaniards to the islands, but it will only be in Mayaguez for a few more days. Here’s an article in Spanish about it. We saw it sailing out near Rincón so it is sea-worthy. It would be cool to see it with all the sails out too!

Galeon crop
Thanks Missy for this photo!

Anyhow, it got us thinking and talking like the pirates we be! Argh! And the whole way up to Maricao we talked about wenches, sword fights, rum and hidden booty! So when we arrived we looked to the first ship we could find to commandeer!

Playing on a pirate ship
Ye ship belong to we rabbit-eared swashbucklers now!

Sword fights
And we be practicin’ our sword fights so beware lest ye lose an eye, matey!

Acabe del Cafe
Coffee Festival Poster

Since we came Friday afternoon, the coffee festival was just starting to get going but we walked around and checked out the vendors for a bit. We even saw one of the performers in traditional Jibaro garb. A fellow swordsman he be! Argh.

Jibaro Coffee Fest
Jibaro Pirate!

I didn’t stay for long though before I went to help show and interpret at our friend’s coffee and citrus finca that is for sale. I didn’t realize it would take that long to drive up to the farm and back, but Britton hung around at the festival and enjoyed his time with friends and the evening drew more and more people. Overall a great day with great friends….and pirates! Argh!

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Whirlwind Week

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Sailing with friends

We just had a fantastic whirlwind of a week! In a month or two I can write a little more about the details, but just suffice it to say that it was just amazing! We learned a lot, met new people, tried new things, visited cool places in Rincón and had a lot of fun. Stay tuned…

Cassie at Pool
Hanging out at the Horned Dorset

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