Sharon's Souvenirs

Monday, January 14, 2019

Costa Rica: Dos

Dominicalito Beach

New friends.

This was our entry way. Every time we entered the portal, we received a swooping, winged surprise.

Ventenas Beach Caves. Feel the joy!

But, only at low tide.

A nocturnal run-in with a Praying Leaf Mantis! (that's our sheets by the way) He was the size of a human hand. When he turned his head to look at you, well, you wondered if he was contemplating how best to scale you with his sticky paws. Still, I was glad I decided to look at the stars - in flew a green surprise! They are common bugs in Costa Rica, but they are very hard to detect in nature as they look just like leaves when fanned out.

Wide and wonderful, Whale's Tail Beach.

Sunset over Dominicalito Playa.

However, the sun hasn't set on our adventures in Paradise.

Pura vida.

The Awesome Links:

My Corner of the World Wednesday

An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, January 7, 2019

Costa Rica: Uno

Horses in Tamarindo.

We love Costa Rica.

We love it so much, we've traveled there seis times. It's the only Central American country that people don't ask us: "Why?" when we say we're going there. That's what happened when we told people we were going to Nicaragua and Guatemala. (not so much Belize and Panama) However, we loved all of those sultry destinations. Still, Costa Rica is the country we always wish we could build Casa Hana-Akua Nani. Or, whatever we name our future fantasy home.

For the month of January, I'll be posting siete photos each week. Meanwhile, we'll be collecting memories...

Face-off

Twigs and Toucans...

Dominicalito beach. There's more vultures than people. Just the way we like it. Unlike in Tama-gringo.

See you next week!

The Awesome Links:

My Corner of the World Wednesday

An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, December 31, 2018

Pepsi Bottle Canyon

O.K., this canyon in Moab, Utah isn't really named after a Pepsi bottle. (I'll get to the carbonated beverage later) The official name is Negro Bill Canyon - now you know why I re-named it. Here's the scoop from hikespeak: P.S. I vote for Granstaff Canyon too.

Why is it called Negro Bill Canyon? William Granstaff settles in Moab in 1877, becoming the first non-Caucasian pioneer to do so. He had success ranching in the area that now bears his name. William Granstaff Campground adjacent to the trailhead inherited his given name, while Negro Bill Canyon took a more colorful title. If they ever decide to change the name, Granstaff Canyon has a nice ring to it.

Granstaff Canyon is nestled beside the Colorado River. You'll find Red Rock cliffs dripping with desert varnish, meandering along a creek, leading to a natural bridge. It was delightful.

Flora, fauna and critters...

Morning Glory bridge.

A bottle!

Do you see it now?

This was one of my favorite trails in Moab. As always, we did it early in the morning to prevent being baked alive. Still, it was hot. It felt refreshing to walk in the cold stream on the return hike. A new perspective too. Traveling always gives you a new outlook. I can't wait to find new trails in 2019. I hope you'll follow my footsteps!

Happy New Year!

The Awesome Links:

My Corner of the World Wednesday

An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, December 24, 2018

Museo de la Plateria

I thought the silver museum at Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua, Guatemala was the perfect post for Christmas. We toured the hotel ruins a year ago, and were blown away by the religious artifacts from the 16th, 17th and 18th century.

A modern, five star hotel hides within the old ruins. Volcanoes loom in the background - an earthquake caused the crumbling decay.

I hope you enjoyed the all saint's glamour.

Merry Christmas blogging friends!

Happy New Year!

The Awesome Links:

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wednesdays around the World!

Monday, December 17, 2018

Newspaper Rock

The drive to the isolated Needles district - part of Canyonlands National Park in Utah- passes one of the largest and best preserved petroglyph sites in the Southwest. We visited back in June, on a morning full of bright sun and looming shadows from the surrounding sandstone cliffs.

There are hundreds of carvings. Complete chaos.

The image on the right looks like an alien!

Scorpion man.

Thank goodness we're beating feet back to Utah next summer - for more red rock adventures. I absolutely love red rock country.

I love this scene.

The shadow appears to creep into the scene, like a masticating fog. Watch out cows! Stay tuned for the rest of the story - our surreal visit to the strange, mushroom rocks of Needles.

The name, "Needles" really triggers the imagination!

The Awesome Links:

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wednesdays around the World!