Category Archives: Puerto Rico

These are posts about Puerto Rico or Puerto Rico culture including music, food, language (Spanish), religion, politics and moving to Puerto Rico.

Secluded Waterfall: Charca Las Vegas, Maricao


Our family at the waterfall (photo thanks Markus)

Our friend Daisy invited us to a last-minute getaway into the mountains of Maricao and we are so glad she did! We quickly did all of our chores so we could head up to this secluded, hidden waterfall and yet it was not too hard to find in the jungle. One of our favorite waterfall areas is Gozalandia, but it has become a tourist trap and just too popular, especially on a Saturday in summer. This trip was just perfect with just our group and a couple of other people there. The pond was deep enough to swim and jump into and the water was soo refreshing. This time of year, the ocean water is almost too tepid warm and so the rivers and ponds start to beckon to us to cool down.


Fun in the water


Beautiful (au) natural setting


Aeden seemed to enjoy playing in the water


After how hot it’s been, we are already thinking of going back!


The group. It’s really not a long walk from the road to the waterfall


Stone petroglyphs (maybe old maybe not)


Super refreshing!

Apparently there is another smaller fall up a little higher as well as a waterwheel (molino) just down the way, but we just enjoyed this amazing spot. We brought down some drinks and snacks and enjoyed a much-needed break from the heat. We WILL be back!

Here’s a video of our time there:

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Birthday Fun and other Updates

We have been enjoying the island even more since we returned from our trip to Colorado. Nothing like a trip off the rock to help you appreciate our tropical island home even more.

For my birthday this year we stopped by one of my favorite resorts: Villa Montana in Isabela/Aguadilla. I like how it is tucked away and not too “posh” that we can drive in with our truck or old Mustang and not feel like a hillbilly as we did at Royal Isabela. There was hardly anyone there and so we had one of the pools to ourselves and Aeden just loved it. We ordered a pizza and walked along the beach. It was a very chill time, especially considering how hot it’s been!


With Aeden down the beach


On the drive to Isabela we stopped at this windy coconut farm


And at a coconut tree!


The beach is so interesting to a baby!


We have been enjoying our trips to the Pulgueros around the island -these are delicious mangosteens


Our friend John Grady died recently and we went to his memorial at the Rincon Marina


Orchids in bloom -I am starting to get into orchids more around the property!


And we continue to expand the trails to the gardens


Fun at Steps Beach (Aeden got sand EVERYWHERE!)


Our little sidekick won’t be in our arms for long- he is raring to go walk!


Quick stop at Hacienda La Fe in San Sebastian and old coffee/sugar plantation turned museum/park


At La Fe’s kids’ park Aeden got a ride in a swing


Fun scenes around the island and with friend Daisy


With my friend Jessika and her little boy who is close to Aeden’s age


At Indicator’s in Rincon


Lots and lots of mowing this time of year!


And bugs! Yes, this greeted me in the shower! haha Life in the jungle!


Our little monkey with silly faces


Even loves bananas and swinging!

Here’s Aeden’s update video. He has really grown a lot!

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Combate Beach, Cabo Rojo


A cute stop on the way there!

We have been back to exploring the island. We prefer the west coast because we can make a day trip out of it and be back before dark and Aeden’s bedtime. I don’t know how we missed Combate Beach in our explorations, but it is definitely one worth checking out. Near the lighthouse area of Cabo Rojo, it’s hot and dry and the water was a welcome sight! I loved how still and flat the water was -perfect to bring a baby! It was also nice that at one end of the beach there was a restaurant/bar if you needed any refreshments. On the other side there is an extensive natural reserve that you can walk or bicycle! Pretty hot for too much physical activity out of the water in the summer, but maybe this winter we can check it out some more.


Nothing like a huge chair to make you feel like you have been shrunken!


Fun at Combate


Playing with the boy – he still LOVES the water!


Playa Combate: We will be back!

Check out this video of our time there!

 

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Red Rocks on the 4th of July

We had always wanted to see a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater on the 4th of July, and so with this vacation we made it happen. Blues Traveler has been playing there on Independence Day for about a decade now and we had always heard great things about it. Our show lived up to the hype even though you could tell they were a little used to playing there and had a lot of the opening bands play with them. Blues Traveler put on a decent show, but the real star of course is the location itself. Nestled between two huge triangular red boulders, Red Rocks is a natural wonder. I am generally not into concerts because they tend to be really expensive and indoor venues just never do justice to the music. But Red Rocks is special even to musicians. You just aren’t a “true” star until you’ve played there and been listed on their museum wall.


The rock formations are out of this world!

We took advantage of our family’s offers of free babysitting to go out to this concert. We were expecting a great show, but what we didn’t expect was a lightning show, rainbows and all the fireworks shows that lit up the whole Denver area. It starting raining in the middle of the show, but it cleared out half the crowd which made the rest of the performance all-the-better. The firework show put on by Bandimere Speedway was the best and it was so interesting to watch the displays from above instead of below. We loved our time at Red Rocks and encourage anyone who loves the outdoors and music to go (hint: pack some snacks and expect some outrageous prices at the concession stands). Here’s a little from our time with our niece and her boyfriend at Red Rocks.


With Summer in the summer of Colorado


Britton and his niece with an impressive rock formation


You could see Denver in the distance


And rainbows forming over it


We took the long way to the amphitheater and saw deer on the hike


And a bear (haha)


Our group at the concert


Fireworks going off as Blues Traveler played


Such beautiful countryside!

Here’s a little video of our time at Red Rocks:

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