In February 2023 we took a trip to Colorado for my brother’s wedding. We normally wouldn’t choose to go back to Colorado and especially wouldn’t choose the coldest month of the year, but it was for a very happy reason.
Aeden enjoyed the air travel and seeing snow for the first time. He also liked being with his family who has missed him and us quite a bit. We were happy to catch up with all our friends as well. We tried to do fun inside things like visit the Denver Aquarium, the Greeley Train Museum, the science museum in Fort Collins, the mall and of course lots of restaurants that we had missed (I think we actually gained weight in that month’s time!!).
The wedding in Breckenridge was beautiful and we really liked the gorgeous cabin we stayed in. Congratulations to Justin and Aundrea!
Of course it was quite the shock to the system to go from the tropical warm days to bitter cold so we were very happy and grateful to return once again to our now beloved home!
There are so many fantastical places and moments in Puerto Rico but Casa Mucaro in Las Marias has to be up there as one of the most intriguing I’ve seen! This place was built nearly all from scratch by the inventor, artist, and creative genius Bill Birdsall. Not only is it his personal residence, but it’s also a cave and labyrinth underneath and a termite structure above. It’s just incredible. Check out the pictures and video!
February used to be my least favorite month of the year when we lived in Colorado. It was so cold and there were no real festivities to brighten spirits. On the other hand, here in Puerto Rico, it is one of my favorites. The humidity drops and it is so pleasant to be outside working in the gardens.
We also had a visit from Britton’s sister Torrie and her friend so we did some touristy things with them including going to one of our favorite spots in Aguadilla: Borinquen Beach and the area around there (Lighthouse Ruins, Wilderness, etc). We also ran into a wild pig that started out friendly but got pretty aggressive and actually attacked and hurt another tourist pretty bad later on. We also stopped by the drum circle that meets up each first Friday of the month.
We also took a boat trip to La Parguera in Lajas where we rented our own boat and went to some of the lesser known keys. It was a lot of fun until I had a freak accident climbing a mangrove tree. Of all the crazy things I do, I didn’t think I would break my arm climbing a tree 3 feet above water. My arm was wrapped around the back side of the branch and when I tried to catch myself midfall I heard a crack. I really hoped it was just the tree creaking and not me. We went on with the day and even though I was in pain, I just tried to convince myself it was a sprain. The next day we went to the emergency room in Rincon and with an Xray I found out it was indeed broken. I was bummed and had to be in a two different casts for a total of 6 weeks.
Because of my injury we couldn’t go out and do as many adventurous things, so we stayed a little closer to home for a while. We did visit the new trail they opened at Tres Palmas Reserve as well as the celebration at Almendros Beach where the pool was stopped from being built.
We took a fun trip to Hatillo and the Gran Parque del Norte! Lots of great photo ops!
Otherwise, during the month of February we enjoyed our time on the farm and with friends.
One of my favorite flowers! Carolina or Shaving Brush flower -Pseudobombax
We continue to update our life mostly on Youtube and Instagram now, but I figured I would put together a long post of the last 3 or 4 months or so. I have peppered in some of the videos here, but check out the channel for lots more! Life has been a little more stable lately than it was in the spring and summer and we, like most people, are pandemic fatigued. But we’ve been staying busy and healthy going on outdoor explorations and working on the farm. Thankfully daycare has been open since the summer so that really took a lot of pressure off. Maybe because of all the talk of dying, we have felt the YOLO sentiment even more and have seen more of this island in this last year than ever before. Every time I think we have “seen it all” there is something new! This island truly is the “Island of Enchantment!”
Fun in Aguada
Lots of fun in the gardens and even got to play with butterflies!
Incredible Sunsets!
We tore down the old shed, built a new shed/wash room and are starting to build a new tiki hut/gazebo in the old space! It has taken a lot of work and time, but poco a poco we’re almost finished!
Swimming with a sea turtle and lots of fish at Pena Blanca
You have to check out the sea turtle underwater footage in this video! Start at 8:30 if you don’t want to watch the whole video but want to see the turtle! Super magical moment!
Abandoned Youth Detention Facility in Cabo Rojo
Fun random moments, flowers, bananas, friends, abandoned buildings, tarantulas
Ermita San Antonio
Fun excursions around Isabela including Royal Isabela and the Guajataca Tunnel
Fun with family who were visiting
Visit to a waterfall and molino in Maricao
Playa Buye is so buyetiful haha
Playa Buye in Cabo Rojo
Good times in Aguadilla: Crashboat, Cerro Cabrera and More even though we had to deal with a traffic ticket (dark tint)
Fun on Halloween
Cool new waterfall: Charca el Zumbo in San Sebastian!
Stopping by downtown Cabo Rojo after a Dr Appt
Cool Bridge in Morovis called “Puente Mata de Platano”
A Super Unique Experience to see an Abandoned Castle in Morovis
More good times that I don’t take for granted anymore: Thanksgiving, haircuts, flower deliveries
Awesome cave to explore: Cueva del Viento in the Bosque Estatal de Guajataca!
Photoshoots to keep up the creativity
Visit to a Gothic Cemetery (San Rafael)
Checking out a cool Hacienda (Casona Amador) including an interview with the owner!
And Barrio Charcas of Quebradillas with its Parque Jibaro
And the Portal de Los Reyes and the Cantina Custer also in Quebradillas
More flowers, gardens and out and about in RIncon
And that just about catches us up!
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for a much better 2021!
