March 31. Lucas has a couple of very gentle horses for us. We saddle up and start out with a few helpful hints from Lucas who doesn't seem to understand why someone wouldn't know how to ride a horse (we are not 'trained' riders) . Riding is a way of life for him and a normal mode of transportation. I think this might be Jonathan's first real horse ride (besides the little pony rides that just go in a circle at the fair). Dean is enjoying practicing Spanish with Lucas though he does fairly well with English.

After a short distance on the pavement, he leads us off onto a dirt road and soon we are in unbelievable country, wild and green and sparsely inhabited.

We rounded a bend to a great view of Cota Lago. It appears to be a caldera--I wonder if the water's cold and how deep it is.

There is an environmental place here nestled by the lake called Eco-Adventure Lodge. We did not visit, but I understand it is very nice with modest accommodations, decent food and provides hiking, horseback riding and water sports. During our ride, nary a soul can be seen on or around the lake. This is protected area, national park but not developed as we know it in the U.S., just protected. A few old farms within the park along the lake's edge are still in use. 

Dark clouds come rolling in from the Carribean, but keep on going past us.

It is hot and humid here with all the vegetation and moisture. We take a short side trip down into some really lush area to take a rest in the cool shade. It is here while sitting quietly and soaking it all in that we see blue morpho butterflies.

We didn't bring enough drinking water since the trip was taking longer than normal for us gringos. Lucas hopped a fence and came back with an armload of freshly picked large grapefruits right off the tree. We eagerly devoured them.

Jonathan is having a little difficulty as the saddle isn't small enough for him and his feet don't reach the stirrups. So he walks awhile and we trade horses for awhile. But eventually enough is enough. Lucas says we are probably an hour away from 'home' so it is decided that he and Dean will go on and take our horses back to Chalet Nicholas, then return in the jeep for Jonathan and I. 

What follows is one of the best moments of our trip. Here I sit alone with my beloved son, somewhere in Central America, in the forested region of the mountains near the continental divide, listening to the breeze, birds, and buzzing things, enjoying the beautiful wild flowers. I am keenly aware that he will never be ten years old again and this short time we have together here is permanently recorded in my mind's book of priceless memories. A moment to savor to the last drop.

After awhile we decide to mosey on down the road to try to find some water. It isn't long before we surprisingly come to a bigger road and a few houses. We were just about ready to stop and ask for drinking water when the jeep appeared. It was a long enough ride back in the Jeep, down a fairly steep road let alone on a horse and I am glad we waited. 

April 1 - Tuesday. After lingering over our great breakfast, John took us on a leisurely hike through the back hectares of their property. What was once cultivated and planted in coffee is now reforested and has been returned to habitat for untold birds and animals. And the dogs (did I mentioned the dogs?) loved the new pond they built. We talked of coming back for an extended visit, so special was our time here.

After taking some photos in their gardens of beautiful flowers, with the view to the south of Arenal Lake, and to the east of Vulcan Arenal and it's ash eruptions, we are off to explore the east end of the lake and the La Fortuna area.