Costa Rica GTG at Bosque del Cabo - June 2009

Where's the countdown clock?!?!

What a wonderful place to have a GTG!

Not that I need another reason to visit, but I'm definiitely looking forward to kicking up the dirt with lovely ladies shillmac and tully, and of course mister shillmac.

To newbies, regulars, singles, couples, groups, etc. -- ALL are encouraged to return or discover Bosque del Cabo for the truly amazing place it is.

Hope to see you there!

That sounds absolutely wonderful!!

I might just have to crash the party.

Not necessary, Cam. We already have an Imperial with your name on it!

Come on down, everyone! It's going to be GREAT fun!

Let the countdown begin!!!!

shillmac I thought we'd alloted Cam 2 Imperials & 1 shot of tequila - did my notes get mixed up? Cam you're most welcome to crash the party - the coatis crash Miramar all the time so you'll be a piece of cake! Would be great if we can get a lot of people down there!

I want to be a crasher too! I would be in such great famous company!

I would love it! We'll see

Just back, will get the report going soon.

Quite a trip, Tropcal storm Alma, Sansa flight cancelled, being bused (should say "Vanned") 4 hours through the mountains at dark, in pouring rain!

Lots of sloths, even got to see and Grandson touched a baby sloth. Monkeys galore , and rare sightings of new critters we have not seen before.

But Oh BdC was even better than before! Unbelievable wildlfe ...whew what a trip! Toni

cmerrell and parrmt -- We'll definitely have to pull this post to the top a few times between now and then, but hopefully it will give you the extra push to start plannning your next trip.

parrmt -- Sounds like you had quite the adventure to say the least! Looking forward to your trip report.

Okay, 2 Imp's for Cam. . .let's let her have TWO tequila shots, also!

Toni, sounds wonderful! I'll bet your grandson had a great time. Good for you on all the wildlife highlights! Can't wait to read all about it.

I am so excited about this GTG plan. It has a lot of potential to be tremendous fun!

We'll probably get paid back for the times we've wondered up to Miramar and into the house (unaware) while people were renting it!

Maybe we can see how many Fodorites we can fit into that plunge pool. . .

Hi shillmac -- I'm taking a break from packing....argh!

Tequila shots? Ok, now who's volunteering to be the designated walker? LOL!

I can already see we're going to have some good photo op's here...might have to get everyone to sign a waiver.

tully -- Are you going to post this on the TA board as well?

I am so bummed that this GTG is happening in June and not in March when we will be there! Would have been so fun to meet all of you. But hey, I am still going to Bosque, so I shouldn't whine too much. I hope to see some great photos of all of you partying together and we will all be looking forward to reading the sure to be entertaining trip reports!

I am deeply appreciative of the kind offers of liquid refreshment. I might indeed need a 'designated walker'!

I'm going to sit down with a calendar over the next week or so to look at the logistics of everything and go from there...

Hi cam--you ain't seen nothing yet! with regard to offers of liquid refreshments. . . . LOL!

Toni looking forward to hearing all about your adventure and feel free to crash! After all, a whole year to plan right? Cam, you too! It would be fun(ny) to have all the cabinas & houses booked full of fodorites, except for maybe 1 random couple wondering why we just called someone hipvirgochick!

Shillmac, lol, agree on the getting paid back up at Miramar. Last trip the family of 4 said go ahead go on up there. So I did, was standing on the deck when I heard what sounded like "hello?". I thought oh no, they have another kid, I feel so weird! But then it repeated and I realized it was the cb radio

hvc - a waiver, lol. All pics of me down at BdC look scary when I'm sober, pics of me drunk as well....the horror.

Jane - you go in March and then again late June....what's the issue?

Oh, I wish. Airfare alone is such an expense - we don't get any awesome rates to CR up here in MN. Although, if I leave DH home, it would cost half ... hmmm.

You have been such a tremendous help planning our first trip to CR, I wish we could be their with you. We will be at BDC July 22 but will be sure to have a tequila with you in mind!!
Have a fantastic time. I should have just enough time to read your trip report before we head down there.
Thanks

hazelnut -- Enjoy your trip to CR! It's this July, right? The GTG is an early announcement for next year...so, if you love it you will have time to plan another trip!

hazelnut--we'll be there as well! It will be a mini-GTG! Hope to see you! We arrive the 19th and leave the 24th. If you hear someone wandering around calling, "Hazelnut. . .Hazelnut. . " it will be me!

We would love to come...need to check hubby's schedule.
We just returned from our third trip and it was fabulous. Arenal is really putting on a good show which we enjoyed from the Smithsonian room at Arenal Observatory Lodge.
We went with a couple that was seeing CR for the first time so we repeated some of our favorite things like zipping and the Cano Negro trip. Then we moved on to Manual Antonio which was our first time as well. We loved it! Did know whether to stay close to the beach or up the hill. Ended up doing both. First stayed at Hotel Espadilla so we could walk to the beach and park. Then we moved up the hill to Costa Verde II with a studio plus room. What a wonderful view. We just wanted to hang out at the pool and on our balcony the last two days and truly relaxed.
We were considering one more trip to see BdC. I would love to meet all of you that have been so helpful to me making our agendas each time.
Hope to see you in 2009!

janenicole -- Please don't be too disappointed because you've got a great group going yourselves already! March is a popular time to visit and who knows who you'll be running into.

cherbear -- I'd be interested in hearing about Hotel Espadilla. We came very close to staying there this past March and it looks like a pretty good choice.

cherbear--Yea!!!

You are gonna LOVE this place!

You're right, hip. I will probably do a roll call as it gets closer to March.

cherbear -- Hope you can make it! It's such a wonderful place to be.

volcanogirl -- Where are you hiding?

Hi all -- Just bringing this to the top for any travelers considering a trip next Summer.

Forgot to mention......

The first 5 to sign-up also get a resident gecko at absolutely no charge (one per cabina please - two geckos in a cabina will result in a turf fight like you have never seen, as far as gecko fights go).

I'd better get my act together! I want one of those geckos!

I think Hip should also promise a free puma sighting as an additional incentive!

Come on, Cam--get your gecko! And how about a free coati sighting? If you have enough Imperials, you might convince yourself it's a puma!

LOL! I'm glad we all have high hopes everyone! Whether it be a gecko, coati, puma or bug...I'll be happy.

cmerrell -- Hope to see you there!

ttt

FF miles are now open for shopping!

Well I got my FF tix in hand. Thank goodness at $824 per ticket from Sea currently!

Yes, and it's almost $900 from Dallas. Problem is, I don't know if I am going to be able to use my FF miles due to some of logistics and our desire to bring our granddaughter down for a few days after BdC. Not sure how to work that out. But I'd better figure it out quickly. SURELY that price will come down!

Doesn't seem like anyone's planning this far out yet (seeing a lot of posts for Feb/March) but bringing to the top anyway.

Just for kicks I looked up my flight schedule again. Price for same flight is now up to $1,144.00. Yikes!

Yikes is right. . .glad we locked in FF miles! Tully is still waiting for airfare to go down from her area in Florida. At least last I heard. Hope she gets lucky. With the latest, it may go in reverse! She's been busy keeping the Hurricane Shield up in her neck of the woods. . .

Hmm...what's GTG. And HI Virgo!!! Miss You. How was your last trip back??

Jaime!!!! How are you my friend? How are Aileen and you're new little one?

Our last trip back was terrific! I'll e-mail you about it. Life has been pretty crazy this year.

A "GTG" is a "get-to-gether". So you should make a plan to be there checking out the progress on your lodge.

I mean Jamie, sorry.

For all of you familiar with Costa Rica, how many hours in the air from Miami to Costa Rica? I no longer can tolerate long flights.

Around 2.5 hours, I believe.

Thanks Shillmac!!

Allrighty then. For future planners such as plumboy and mrand.

Thanks hvc! So, I have a Nature Air loco fare question. I just check for June, and it seems that they only have tickets right now through April - at any fare rate. Does that sound right? Or is it one of those situations where I have to be using Internet Explorer (I know the Sansa site only really works on IE)?

If they're not yet, how far in advance do tickets go on sale usually? Or is this a trade secret?

I apologize if this has been dealt with in another thread. I sort of seem to remember it, but can't find it.

plum - the seats for the low season (May - onwards) will be released soon, act fast as the locos go fast, usually only 2 per flight. Last year I had a friend email me when they were available to purchase. I don't have that email anymore but I do have my email saved when I did buy them - 11/08/08. And I know I bought them within a day or so of being available, so looks like another 2 weeks they should be up. Can't hurt to start checking in a week or so.

Thanks, Tully. I will be doing that as well. How about you?

Thank you! I guess I better reel myself in for a minute - I'm getting way ahead of myself. Guess I better go the FIRST time before buying tickets for a return trip! See, this is why I have to start taking at least two trips a year... But, thanks for the tip on the loco fares - I'll keep that in mind for future trips...

you're welcome...

let me revise that though....I bought them 11/08/07 If it was 11/08/08 I'd already be back from vacation & know who won the election (shhhh...I won't tell anyone )

just a heads up

I've been working a lot lately and have been missing my time here on Fodors!

I figure I at least have a minute to bring this back up to the top for any oldies or newbies who are planning a trip this year.

Okay. At this point, I cannot promise anything, and if it were to work out, it definitely could not be for the full week. (I barely know my schedule for spring, let alone summer.) So how do these things work? I mean, you can't reserve the whole place for this event, can you? In all my time here, I've never been to BDC, but I know it's not a large place.

That would be great Jeff if you 'swing by' No, we're not reserving the whole place, just posting our dates and hoping maybe we can get a few of us all together, even if people come and stay for 3-5 nights. There's 16...I think...possible places to stay but shillmac, hvc & I are only taking up one of them.

Would be great to meet you if scheduling works out!

Okay, this is not really "motmot", this is shillmac (go figure). I am having a LOT of trouble logging on and actually had to get a new name the other day. "Shillmac" works from my home computer, but weird things are going on in general. A friend from Vermont, who has been a regular on and off, is now unable to log on under either screenname that she has set up. Very frustrating!

So, Jeff, I think it would be GREAT if you could come by. I just know this is going to be an awesome time! And just think, you could have the opportunity to see the puma with the rest of us! We ARE going to see a puma! Right, hip?

Hi motmot (AKA shillmac),

You'd think there would be a way for the Fodor's website gurus to fix the login issue. I wonder if there's a way to contact them?

My screen name has always worked, but I had to get a new password at one point which annoyed me.

I've started tracking airfare to SJO for June and looking at what kind of time I think I can budget for the trip. I think I'm gonna be able to pull this off! Getting excited, but still need to make sure I have a few other things squared away financially before I make an ultimate comittment.

I'd love to meet Jeff as well!

And I, all of you.

Jeff and Cam - That will be really great if you two can make it! I'll be waiting to hear when you get those plane tix!

shillmac -- Well at least motmot is a cute name! Seriously though, I'm sure the problem will be fixed soon. I had trouble logging in for a few days a week or so ago.

The new BDC website looks fantastic!

cam - keep your eye on AA, I've been eyeballing fares just for kicks and mostly rates around $114 each way, plus taxes, out of Tampa, so you should be able to get a rate near that. Hope you can make it! And Jeff too. And we're gonna see a puma, didn't you hear?!

motmot hee, please send me another scot, the one you sent has a dent

I checked AA earlier today, tully and they do have some decent fares.

I've also been watching Spirit because they sometimes have crazy fare sales. They recently had one that would have cost less then 200$ RT (Orlando-SJO), but you had to travel in March. 300$-ish is certainly do-able as well. I should be able to take the plunge and purchase soon.

I can't wait to see that puma! An ocelot would be nice too, and a tapir...

How did he get his dent? Don't be rough!

I'm so jealous of those cheap airfares! OKC-SJO, through DFW is $595 right now, which is about $100 less than last year, but still it's high. I could almost fly to Florida first and save $$.

Percy, you there? How are you doing? Like my new name? Hopefully I can be shillmac again soon. This split personality is making me exhausted!

Hey, our numbers are growing! I'm keeping my fingers crossed, Jeff and Cam. I'll bet you'll both find a way to make it! How could you resist?!

Hi hip. . .it is kind of cute isn't it? Maybe I'll keep it. You know, there HAVE been posters (not lately) who have posted under a couple of names and been real stinkers. Kind of childish. . .like identical twins pulling pranks!

I dunno, I like mot mot to motmot, but it's all in the pronounciation

cam that's a very humble wishlist! I'm only hoping for a boa, puma, ocelot, tapir & jaguarundi. Simple, eh?

Hi all,

Not to whine or complain (even though I am!), but I had a heck of a time finding this post to bump it back to the top of the list.

I tried searching for 'Costa Rica GTG' and was told that no posts in the past year tagged 'Costa Rica' matched that text string. Say what!? Grrrr! I finally went through tully's profile and kept going back through screen after screen of her previous posts until I finally found what I was looking for. I'm trying to give this new forum format a fair chance, but I'm underwhelmed thus far.

Okay, so ranting aside, I just wanted to let tully, shillmac/motmot and Hipvirgochick know that I purchased airfare to Costa Rica yesterday! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull it off financially with my rescheduled Peru trip happening at the beginning of May, but my job has required me to work a ton of OT over the past couple of months and I do get paid for those extra hours, so Costa Rica here I come!!

I've already touched base with Leonardo about BdC cabina availability. Looks like I'll be there June 27, 28 and 29. I'll get the reservation made officially next week. I'm bringing a friend from work with me who I travel with from time to time. This will be her inaugural Costa Rica visit and she's very excited. I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you and hunting down that puma (and everything else on my list; and tully's too )! Woo hoo!!

Oh cam that is awesome! Really awesome! (my friends always tell me to stop saying that word so much, lol) Seriously, that is exciting, I am so glad you can make it and look forward to meeting you. We will have to have sundowners at Miramar and a "group outing" to the Titi to look for 'our' pumas...and a boa....and a silky anteater..and

and....I know what you mean about finding threads, very hard to do

Awesome news!

Hey Cam--that is SO exciting! Can't wait to meet you--I just know we'll all have a ball! So happy it worked out. Good for you on the OT--there should be some fabulous compensation for all that work.

Now everyone, who will be our next victim? Come on down!

Cam that's great news! You can join us on the countdown now LOL! Can't wait to meet you and stalk some Pumas. I even have yet to see a silk anteater to that would be awesome too. I also need to play with my macro on my camera a little more so I can get some of those great close up's I see everyone getting.

Side note - I've been working a lot of overtime the past couple months too, but hey, I don't get paid for it...so now it's my turn to whine! Glad to hear it paid off for you in a big way and you already have a travel buddy, cool!

I'm thinking that with such a group of wildlife enthusiasts as ours, we'll surely see all sorts of big cats, anteaters, snakes, exotic birds that Jill will have to identify for us, etc... Can't wait!


You have my commmiseration on the unpaid overtime, Hip. That's sort of like adding insult to injury, don't you think? I know I'm fortunate that my employer does compensate for OT. Hang in there! I think June will come fast.

ttt

Okay smart---! Good job! And thanks!

Hey, cam, I can identify for sure--do I have to be accurate? Let's leave the birds to Carlos. Put me in charge of pumas!

The countdown is on!

hip--sorry about the non-pay. Same for me. But we have all those summers, right?! Hardly makes up for 180 ten-twelve hour days! Or does it. . never bothered to figure! Have things settled down a bit for you?

Let met guess...tully had to find this thread for shillmac and bring it to the top. Hee!

Countdown definitely on. In fact, I'm so far ahead with planning I hardly know what to do with myself!

In regards to work...let's just say I'm learning to take each day one at a time...Besides lack of staff and work overload, the non-profits are really taking a hit (even though I empathize with everyone being affected as it's happening everywhere).

This vacation is going to be a well earned one, but sadly it may be the last for a while depending on the economy.

hip--don't SAY that!

Yes, Tully summoned her abracadabra and up it came. . .and I don't know how to make that you know what eating grin she made on the ttt post! Tell me how!

':' + 'D' =

We are going to have a blast, it has been foretold And still plenty of time for others to chime in & join us!

Jeff, where have you been? Have you booked yet? Those cabinas fill up fast! Of course, there's always the Tropical Garden--gonna have to try that one of these days. .

Thanks, Tully! It works!

Just finalized booking all of my hotels and flights. Yay!

Has anyone seen Percy around lately? I'm worried about him...

I'll e-mail him this weekend. He's probably off on a trip--he goes twice a year, I think, but usually stays in touch by e-mail. Haven't heard from him in ages.

ttt Still hoping we can get some more to stop by. (And still hoping fodors will be so kind to send us some fodors goodies)

Whoot! We're under the 90 day mark!

Now that my trip is over, I can envy YOU now. Wish I could swing it -- would love to return when it isn't so dry and parched. Maybe June 2010...

There you go plumboy. Osa and a new destination for you! I've been looking for your trip report...No pressure though.

I know - isn't it a little bit sad when you get back and have to leave CR behind? I think that's why I always start planning the next trip so soon!

I'm working on it, I'm working on it. Too much real life stuff getting in the way! But, I gotta work and pay for these trips somehow.

I'm REALLY trying to hold off on planning the next trip already. We may actually skip CR next year This won't be my decision, but I have to be fair and compromise (buy why?!). Don't think I'm not already scheming, though I usually get my way...

Ho hum. . .look who's "ttt-ing"!

Seriously, FFF's (that's Fellow Fodor Folks, Freaks, Followers, Fools, Friends, Fans, your pick), if you want to see a puma, this GTG is your chance! There may be some camping on the Titi Trail!

Percy, our man, you still buying drinks at Happy Hour one night? By the way, if anyone has heard from or seen Percy, please direct him back to this board--he's been lost.

Jeff? Hopefully you're working out something!

Cam is for sure-yea!!!

Airfare is lower! The more the merrier! Tully!

Not only did you find the post but you got a smiley with his tongue sticking out

Hopefully we'll hear from Jeff & Percy if they plan to attend.

TTTT
(To The Top Tully)

. . .just doing the Fodor Flex, building up my "topping" skills. . . .

Looks like we may have more Fodorites joining us...wickedslick and wife are contemplating a trip end of June. C'mon and join in the craziness!

Look at the time on our posts Tully. When I topped it again, your response still wasn't showing--lest anyone think me a bit of a nutcase with my topping infatuation.

Every time this one pops to the top, I get this little wrench im my heart. When the post first appeared ( LAST June!!!) I said to myself I am going to be there. With daughters or hubby or both. Of course hubby saud he wasn't letting me loose in the OSA without him.....well we have to be back the first of July, but I still thought we could hit a few nights w/the wonderful group at BdC, but airfare shot that idea down real quick. I am not complaining I am just thrilled we are even able to go... even though it will be a month too early for the group. I will be so jealous.

Bit since I am going first I will be on the lookout for the Pumas (with Tuna sandwiches in hand ) I will then alert all of you where they are!

Maybe lasso it to Jutta's table!

That's very neighborly of you to hunt down a puma for us, parrmt! Maybe you can radio-collar one for us, so we can track it successfully! Although he/she might enjoy one of Jutta's massages, so the "lasso it to the table" option might have merit too.

Jutta's reflexology would have made even the puma scream.

And I don't know what it would think about that little "touch" she adds at the end! "do you feel the heat. . ."!

All that aside, thank you Toni! I, too, am just sick that you couldn't work it out for the same time. We'd have SO much in common! Next time. I think airfare has finally dropped a little--hasn't it? It usually does after I book!

Hope I'm not hurting Jutta's business with my little snips of insight. I'll get her massage every time--she is very good. Just a little. . . . . .out of the mold.

Toni, if you could just lasso one of those flashing strobes with a beeper around it's neck I'm sure we could find it, with or without the tuna melt!

Jutta massages are awesome and indeed different, just forget modesty

parrmt -- You will have a GREAT trip! And YAHOO that you get to go! Sure wish we could meet up with you, but there will be other years...right?

You bet, there will be many trips to BdC I hope

I will be off of the board for awhile..I am on a hunt to get that flashing strobe w/beeper

I have also contacted Barnum and Bailey and they are putting me in an accelerated "How to Tame Lions for Dummies" class.... I figure it will work for pumas won't it?? So I must be off!


PS Jutta rocks w/her massages.

Funny story...my first one w/her was during our first trip to BdC, I'm a little hard of hearing (my family will tell you alot, but they lie!)....anyway w/her accent and my ears I wasn't sure what she was murmuring toward the end. Well she had me sit on that little stool and bend forward amd rest my head and arms on the massage table. She then proceeded to massage my upper neck and back. She kept saying relax..relax.
Well these 2 big (hate 'em) appendages on my chest were just out there floppin and hanging in the breeze, no cover or drape..just these 2 big girlies out there. I could not realax! I said ...Ooooh Jutta, I am sorry I don't like this!! She ignored me and just kept on .
So last year I came prepared with a pareo so I could at least cover these beastie boys up, but it was a traditional massage!

Yes, forget modesty for sure!! hahahaha

Oh well, Toni, I haven't blurted it out yet, but just wait until she reaches around and grabs one of them trying to pass on a little "energy"! Hell, I didn't know WHAT to say--and I sure as heck didn't want to piss her off, considering the way she had pinched my feet the year before!

YIKES! Yes, other than that, she rocks. And rolls.

Katie, do you think this thread could win some kind of prize for "most hilarious"?

This is SO funny! I must get hubby to book a massage with this woman... I am getting terribly jealous, waiting until next Feb. to be at BdC.. I'll be rooting for a puma-sighting for y'all though! A camp-out - now that would be AWESOME!

Hi Everyone;

Thanks for missing me a little

As some of you know I had surgery for Dupuytren's Contracture of the right hand.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren's_contracture

I had the palm of my hand cut into several paterns.

It can take up to six month ( or more) for all the healing and recovery to take place.

In the meantime I have to faithfully do flexion exercises everyday and wear a splint every night.

Well, by doing the exercises faithfully, I developed one of the complication...that being Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Now my surgery fingers are not only painful, but the now the non surgery fingers are numb and hyper sensitive.

So when I have to type with my right I get little "shocks"
because of the numbness and hypersensitivity...just great.!!

So today the hospital made me a new splint to try and combat both the Duypuytren's and now the Carpal Tunnel.

I was to go to Viet Nam and Cambodia at the end of March,but my friends had to leave without me ...Boo - Hoo !!

So to shillmac ,tully, Jeff_inCosta _ Rica, cmerrell, hipvirgochick,volcanogirl, plumboy, quowadis and many other that I just cannot mention them all.....

I do think of all of you and I do read your comments, but I just type very little these days.

So I read your comments and keep quiet... at least I am making shillmac happy ...oops !!!

shillmac...I sent you and e-mail. What is with this mot mot!!!??? hmmmm

Good Night everybody

hi Percy! glad to see you again and glad to know you're still around. Sorry about all the trouble you've had with your hand, sounds painful, and sorry you had to miss your Asia trip - maybe you can sub in a June CR trip to recoup? Hope you're feeling better each and every day.

on a side note I had 'surgery' yesterday on my hand too except I did it with a cat food lid, so I am henpecking right along with you!

Percy, I'm sending you a big hug. We've missed you!

It sounds like you've had a rough time, Percy! I hope you'll start feeling much better with the new splint. You are one of my travel heroes because you've been to many places that I would like to see. So I'm sending you all my best wishes for a successful recovery so that you can get back out traveling again soon!

Yes, and good luck from me also.

I know how much you were looking forward to the Asia trip.

Thank you for the e-mails and the endless help you gave me for my Egypt trip.

I just want to tell the people that you personally wrote to a tour guide you know in Cairo and set up my tours of Cairo and Alexandria.... they met us at the airport like we were Royalty.. what a delight that was !!

Thank You and yes, get better soon.

Percy -- So glad you were able to post and let us know you haven't forgotten about us.

Sounds like you're going through some hellish pain and rehab and I'm very sorry to hear that. Missed your trip too -- BOO!

I'm sending healing thoughts your way in hopes for a speedier recovery.

P.S. Noticed some good airfares on Travelocity recently.

Percy, get well soon! Everyone was wondering where and how you were!

Thanks everybody.

I am doing the best I can... I did not think I would be in this condition when April arrived.

April 14th my friends come back from Viet Nam and Cambodia to show me their pictures of the trip I had to miss.

To all of you a big Hug

Even I am sorry for your troubles, Percy!

Seriously, one thing on top of another is never good unless it's money. Just the carpal tunnel (sp?) alone would be a pain.

I didn't realize you were planning the southeast Asis trip, but you probably mentioned it back in the fall. You're probably thinking ahead to where you'll go this fall, right? Maybe travel plans will get you through the drudgery of a slow recovery. How long before you will be able to do surgery again?

Tully is in a serious "fix" right now with her stitches and pain. She will need rehab to be able to hold an Imperial.

Come back to us soon--miss your comments.

Thanks shillmac

tully is in worse shape than I am if she cannot hold and Imperial

Yes,I am planning a Fall trip,I will keep you posted.

Thanks again (I sent you and e- mail yesterday)

Behave , I am still reading (and watching over you !)

Got your e-mail. Haven't responded yet. I will. I've meant to write you for weeks now, but haven't been at the house where your address is in my computer. Can't access it from the "other house" and my laptop. At least, if you've been reading, you know we've been thinking about you!

Been a while since this has been topped! Maybe we can still catch some stragglers deciding when to go.

Right now it looks like we have......
myself
shillmac & mr shillmac
hipvirgochick
cmerrell & friend
wickedslick & the mrs.

Anyone else?

Do you think you could smuggle me onto the grounds? Casa Miramar is actually a pretty good distance from the main area -- they'd never know. Oh wait, I'm pretty sure Kim follows this forum. Shoot. Have fun! I'm so envious. Can you plan another one for next year? Maybe late May? Please?!

Sure plumboy - Do you think you could squeeze into my carry-on? Never to early to start planning...you're hoping for May, eh?

I'm pretty thin, so I really do think I could do it. I'll meet you in Seattle, okay?

Yeah, next May -- or even at the same time you guys are doing it this year. I guess you'll have to check out what the weather is like, etc. But, we want to return next year in the 'green' season so we can afford to stay an entire week and so that I can finally see those elusive green tree frogs! It would be great to meet everyone too.

29 days until departure. - WHOOT!

ai yi yi--that's 21 for me. I'll never be ready! We are going to have such a great time.

Any last minute takers? There's still time; come on down!

dang I started this thread eons ago, we've definitely been waiting haven't we?

I emailed Katie again about our GTG, hopefully they can send some pins, or tags, or something....

Oh, yeah, LOL. I forgot all about that! Think she forgot about us? Well, at least Percy's buying us a round!

Plumboy will have to start the one for next May.

I keep reminding the friend who's coming with me, "We're going to Costa Rica next month!!!". She's excited to go as well, but just has no idea what a treat she's actually in for.

I'm still not fully unpacked from Peru and am not even bothering to put away the toiletries and other things that will be going to CR as well. I like this whole concept of taking a trip every month. If only I could support it financially...

I hate you all. (Just kidding.)

Percy, keep an eye on how many tuna melts they're buying for that puma!

Percy, are you buying the tuna melts as well???

And Cam. . .it will be so cool to meet you and your friend. Always fun to see someone else's eyes light up with all the amazing stuff! There are so many people I'd like to get down there just so they could have some idea of what we rave about.

I'd settle for every 3 months. 2 long trips a year like Tully (and Percy whose trips are such extravaganzas!), with a couple of short cool ones in between--like a spa weekend in Arizona. I'd like to be able to do a girl trip with my daughters every year--and pay for it. So hard to coordinate the jobs, even if I COULD! We had such fun in NYC couple of years ago. AZ is next on our agenda. . .

AZ sounds like a fun choice, Jill. Sedona, maybe? I was there once as a kid and remember that it was beautiful.

My grandparents used to spend their winters in Phoenix every year so we went down a few times to visit (from Utah where I grew up). In addition to Sedona, I remember liking Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon (of course!). I need to get back out there as an adult...

AZ would be a fun girly vacation... check out some awesome rates at the Fairmont Princess. Put NFAF in the IATA code. I think you can book up to 3 months in advance. An awesome property and you won't believe the price.

So many restaurants...our favorite was north of Scottsdale, towards Cave Creek at a golf course called Rancho Manana.

BTW, that code works (currently) for the Fairmont Resort and Hotels worldwide. Some of the rates are as low as $99.

Ditto on Cave Creek area - that was my first trip to AZ last Jan. - at the age of 55! But back to this Get Together on the Osa. Ya know, I will be in New Orleans the middle of June with DH (he gets to work a little!); if I would actually buy a lottery ticket, and then actually win, I would splurge, buy a plane ticket from down south and join ya'll! Oh, you are going to have soooo much fun - I can't wait to read your posts. Shillmac - we just spent four days at our cabin in the Black Hills. There was STILL a snow drift on one side of the cabin! We did golf - in 54 to 60 degree weather. It's beautiful, you just forget about the chill!! Pura Vida

Dyer - LOL! You're always welcome! Buy that lottery ticket!

Someone bought a lottery ticket in my state and won $230 million last night! Don't have any relatives in the community that it was purchased, but maybe my relatives were just passing through Winner, South Dakota and stopped at the convenience store and bought the lucky one! (Or the winner might be from Winner!!! - had to say that!) Again, Pura Vida.

Maybe me.

Hey, Dyer, I was just listening to that on Countdown with Keith Olberman. Pretty cool. Winner from Winner. Neat that you got to spend time at the cabin and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. There's just not much I'll do out in 55-60 degree weather. . .unless there is no wind (rare in my neck of the woods). How's your golf game? Neither of us ever picked that up.

We'll be looking for you in June--showing up with money to share! If your luck doesn't hold, we'll offer a toast.

Gotta get to bed. I've been doing last minute things since about midnight. Slept from 8:00 until 11:30 as Isabelle and I both came home from school wiped out after a full day of kickball and watergun fight. . not to mention we teachers got pied with redi whip. So playing catch up during the night. . .if I can just get through tomorrow it will all be okay!

Sad news this evening. Our elderly dog walked behind a neighbor's car (she's gotten a little deaf lately) and he was backing up. She didn't make it. He took her to the vet, then called us. Then the vet called. That was the news I got to hear when I woke up a few hours ago. I don't have time to grieve now, so just shed a couple of tears. . .still can't get it in my head that she won't be there in the front yard waiting for us when we pull in tomorrow. She was so young at heart! We gave her a last bath on Sunday and a good brushing to clear her of the winter clumps. Poor Daisy.

oh Jill I'm so sorry to hear about Daisy. Bless your neighbor though for taking her to the vet.

Jill, sorry to hear about Daisy, I know you gave her a great life (that's what always gets me through losing a pet, knowing I gave a lot of love and care throughout the years).

Sorry I won't be able to meet you all in CR next month, but I too will be in New Orleans assisting DH with work. Dyer, are you going for the trade show? Wow, SD, another place we've always wanted to visit.

Have fun all, I'll be thinking of you hiking down the 'ol Pacific Trail!

Jill, I'm so sorry about Daisy. I am a true dog lover. I know you gave her a wonderful life. Big hugs to you today.

Jill, so sorry to hear about your dog Makes me very sad to hear, but it does sound like she had a long, great life. Take care of yourself.

Jill, I am sorry about your dog. The unconditional love they give! When you feel like reading a GREAT book about a dog, THE ART OF DRIVING IN THE RAIN is very, very good. I couldn't put it down. Whipped Cream Pie in the face, huh. Sounds like your school (or you teachers) let kids be kids. That is rare these days. Thank you for being there for both children and pets!! (Oh, I don't golf much, just try to keep the ability as some of DH's trips offer golf and he loves to). Owlwoman - my husband is taking continuing education classes for his work - his agency allows him to go anywhere he wants on occasion. AND, no one has contact me (yet) saying they love me so much that they want to share that $230 million lottery ticket. I wouldn't want to win that much, but just give me a little!!!! Pura Vida

Jill, I'm so sorry about Daisy. I know she had a great life with you. Be well.

I can't join the GTG in June since I have classes so I'll just have to wait for the next one. Looking forward to the trip reports from everyone though.

So sorry about Daisy, Jill. I'm such an animal lover, and losing a beloved pet is always so difficult. I lost both of my kitty boys last year; both to cancer (at different times, and different forms of cancer...). It made for some rough months last year.

I am so sorry to hear about Daisy,Shilmac. I have 2 chocolate labs at home (Fanny and Freud) and they are truly my soulmates. My deepest sympathy.

Such a loss when a pet passes - a day we all dread, for sure. Each animal is so special and there will be more tears over your Daisy. I'm certain your neighbour is extremely upset. Special thoughts your way.

Oh noooooo. I'm so sorry to hear that, Jill. I'm the type of person who cries when other people's pets die because I know how deeply it hurts. Sending comforting thoughts your way.

Thank you, everyone. It has been very difficult coming at this time of year, last week of school and all it's busy-ness, etc. It was uncanny arriving back in OK from TX last night and no Daisy coming out to greet us talking in her whining. I was so tired it was impossible to grieve in that moment. This a.m. when Isabelle and I were leaving for me to take her back to her parents', she found some Daisy fur in the garage and asked if I would put some in a baggy for her. After we left, DH picked Daisy up at the veterinarian office and buried her with her sleeping cushion and pillow in a special corner of a side yard. I think I'll plant daisies atop the grave and see how they'll do. Only this afternoon have I really had a strong spell of sadness, and it still is a bit surreal. Thanks again for the kind words.

Safe travels to all this summer!

OK, I just found an incredible airfare to Liberia from Toronto ($500 rtn)!!! So.....does anyone out there know how plane connections would be down to Puerto Jimenez from Liberia? San Jose is out of the question ($1700 rtn)!!! Is it worth it? I'm so in need of a holiday (real estate burn-out) and I'd be coming alone, without hubby, so he can take care of the dogs. I'd love to meet all you guys!

Is it worth it? Of couse...we will be there, lol. I would go to Bosque anytime so I'm an easy yes on that. Only issue may be getting flights. I would check online at Sansa & Nature Air and make sure first they have availability from Liberia to PJ (with a stop in SJO) and that the rate isn't more than your int'l fare! Love to have another fodorite join us, let us know how it's going.

Good luck costaricalover--I hope it works out for you. Would love to have another Fodorite on board at Bosque!

costaricalover -- It would be great to meet you. Do it!

Not sure the exact dates you're looking at, but with Nature Air it looks like there are at least options for $119 round trip from LIB to PJ. I say go for it!

Hi fellow fodorites,
I have found a great airfare to San Jose for June 26th! Just have to work out a few details with my hubby, who is presently feeling a bit left out. But I have never travelled on my own to CR, and think I would find it a bit of an adventure. I'd be arriving on June 27th to Bosque, and leaving June 1st. I'd love to get more details, and if anyone would like to email me directly, I'm at segal@eagle.ca (can you tell I'm a bird lover?) Or you can also just post here, what ever you like. How many Fodorites? I have never been to CR in green season, only in January or February. Is it a lot hotter? I do know that everything turns beautifully green, and I look forward to that. This could be very exciting....

Whoo-hoo! I'll be coming on my own as well, tully is coming by herself too, but we're meeting up in Dominical after a few days on our own and after a few nights there we'll drive to PJ/BDC on the 25th where we'll meet up with shillmac/hubby, cmerrell/friend and there's another couple who will be there (they didn't tag along on this thread but on another post). You and shillmac will get along great if you are a bird lover!

So glad you can break away.

Fantastic! I just photographed 4 baby birds in a red wing blackbird nest today. My granddaughter and I discovered the nest with eggs last weekend in some reeds near a pond behind their home. It will be nice to have another bird nerd along! Looking forward to meeting you!

Speaking of birds, did you see your osprey the other night Tully?

Continental is offering Dallas to San Jose through October for $188. Can't believe it. We are NOT close to Dallas, but will try to get there somehow for a few days in mid August before school starts.

Me too!

I'm IN!

Just got confirmation this morning from Bosque del Cabo. I had made some reservations a few months ago, then cancelled them thinking that I might get the opportunity to bring my folks to Costa Rica in August . My Dad doesn't get around well yet and he has decided to rehab from his ankle surgery in the comforts of his own yard, where he knows the terrain, but my Mom has decided to join me!

This is our first mother/daughter vacation ( on our own with no males) so it's going to be really cool and even cooler is that we will be joining my daughter, who is helping out at Bosque for the next few months.

Our dates at the Lodge are June 24 - June 28. I have not been to BDC but I know its going to be incredible. I have been looking at that new web page all day!

So cool. The GTG is growing last minute. That's great! I'm sure we'll figure out who everyone is once we get there!

Rivet,
I may have met your daughter at BdC a couple of weeks ago. There was a girl being shown the ropes by the outgoing intern. Did your daughter also work at Lookout Inn?

We decided to go to BdC early instead of the GtG because my sister in law and her son were visiting us at our house in CR and we wanted to show them the place. We also took our son and his girlfriend last August. Since moving to CR a year ago we haven't traveled much other than to visit a few of our favorite places like BdC. Orquideas Inn in Alajuela has also seen a lot more of us as we rack up the ff miles.

I told everyone they should put up a baby board with all the pictures of moms and babies, including Maggie's pups. Gerly's little one is a little doll and practicing her hands clapping for her 1st birthday in August. Such a beautiful smile on a very beautiful little girl. Heyline's (sp?) little boy is a little butterball and also a cutie. Only got to see pictures on her cell phone of him so hope to get to see him in person next time or the next time they come into San Isidro for dr's appointments. Got to see Ben last August and will probably see him again before too long. I can't stay away from the Osa for too long, it is still my first love and has been for a good 18 years now even though we chose to live in the cooler mountain area not far from Chirripo. It is only about 4 1/2 hrs drive for us to get to Puerto Jimenez.

Sorry to read about your dog Jill. We lost our Malamute a year before moving down here. We still miss her terribly. We brought out little beaglier with us and and have since bought a golden retriever and a german shepard down here (decided to get the puppie phases over with all at once LOL). In spite of the chewed cushions, puddles and muddy feet yhey are all part of our family and it is hard to loose one of them. Can't imagine a life without a furry companion-or two or three. The Costa Ricans here where we live haven't seen many North Americans and our dogs being allowed in the house is really strange to them.

Hope you all have a wonderful time at the GtG. We spent a little time enjoying the view at Casa Miramar while we were there. It was actually fun to have been able to go and have the lodge almost to ourselves like we used to so many years ago. I was happy to be able to pass the word on to so many people about how wonderful a place it is even though I have to share it more these days. I have lost count of how many times we have been there. I just feel like I am home when there. So glad so many of you have enjoyed it and passed the word on as well. Phil and Kim have worked hard to keep it the wonderful place it was meant to be and I am sure people will be enjoying it for years to come.

Cool Rivet! That is so exciting. It's gonna be such a great time. Our little fun group is growing!

Nice to "see" you Sue. Thanks for the kind words. Yes, always tough. With are plans to split 6/6 mo in Costa Rica in a couple of years, we probably will stay dog free. I'll just befriend some of the local canines! Or adopt one there and let the Rancho Nat. crew care for it in our absence. We shall see.

Serious countdown time now. We'll be there in a week and the architect has some plans ready for our perusal. Anxious to see them, naturally!

Wishing everyone safe travels! What are we up to now, 9 or 10?

That is great to hear Rivet! You will get to see your daughter and see what we've all been rambling about! I did similiar last year, took my dad to Bosque. It'd been years since we'd actually traveled together and we had a great time. Except for the Pacific trail with all the steps he got around much better than I thought he would. We are going to have a mighty fine group!

Speaking of the babies, I couldn't resist more shopping today. Just some little wind-up toys, they are too cute. Good thing I won't have my Nature Air flight til the end of the trip or I'd be in serious trouble!

I'm going to try to get together everyones dates here in a minute....

Ok think this is correct or close to it....

shillmac, mr shillmac, hipvirgochick & myself - June 25 - July 2nd

camille & friend - June 27 to 29

rivet & mom - June 24 to 28

costaricalover - June 27 to July 1 (still working on details?)

mr & mrs wickedslick - June 24 to 27th

Any last minute add-ons?

Suzie - so sorry you are not joining the GTG. I have enjoyed your posts about Guatemala and Costa Rica very much and appreciate all the sharing over the internet. I reread your thoughts on building and living in CR and now we can glean extra information from Shillmac and Mr. Shillmac ( I love that name). ....which has me thinking??? I wonder what my mom is going to think when someone at Bosque calls me rivet...and her "rivet's mom". She is used to being referred to as "rivet's grandma" as the real Rivet is our yorkie. Oh well, I'm sure a few Imperials will help sort out those details.

Tully - nice, a father/daughter trip - still hoping for one like that. He he, I haven't told my mom that we are actually going to a party - for her the main attraction is a young gal down there. Sweet, tucking a few toys into your luggage. If anyone has extra room, a nearby school is looking for markers for their white board, and erasers and the liquid super eraser for the same boards. Other ideas are supplies, even small items for the hospital in PJ. Thanks.

I KNOW THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE, but it snowed here today, but the sun is out now and we are going to Costa Rica soon!!

rivet - yes as it reaches almost 90 here that is hard to believe and fathom. Where are you, lol? What a weird contrast to go from that weather to CR. Here it's hot & muggy with some rains and when I get off in CR - same same.

It's actually mucky here today so no tanning so will bop off to Target and see if they have the dry erase stuff. Do you know which school it's for? Nueva Hoja or Carbonera? We will be driving ourselves so would be fun to drop off the stuff.

ok Rivet, that was a really bad idea, lol. It takes a stronger person than I to walk into Target to get one thing and walk out of there with only that one thing. Got the dry erase markers, extra markers, eraser & liquid eraser, plus pencils, pencil erasers and dry chalk for sidewalks. It went downhill after that, I told myself to keep walking passing the baby clothes but alas....

Oh Tully, good of you to do some shopping. I love baby clothes too - wish we had Target here. I will ask which school they visited and get back to you. Glad you let me know which items you got....I will pick up some other stuff. Other donation suggestions, from the Rainforest Aid website are : polysporin ( or generic) , ear drops, advil (no Aspirin), for the clinic.

I'm in Alberta, and we are having unseasonable, unacceptable weather at the moment - yesterday we had all the seasons -hailed , rained, snowed and had a few minutes of sun when it actually felt warm.

Alberta? That is where our beloved Percy lives. Percy, are you paying attention, you old drink buyer you!

Percy is in Alberta? I wonder where...maybe he is my neighbour?

Well, it looks as though I won't be making the GTG! I almost had everything booked, and then my plans changed drmatically-I am now going to Cuba for a week, leaving this Sunday.
I know it's not the same as Costa Rica, and somewhat anticlimatic, but my husband really wanted to go away, and we found an AI that was too good (cheap) to be true at a very nice resort. However, I am returning to CR next February.
Would all you Fodorites do me a favour when you are at Bosque?
Would you toast "costaricalover in absentia" with an Imperial or 2? I was looking forward to meeting you all, and doing some birding with Shillmac. Have a wonderful Bosque experience, and I wish you all the very best in paradise!

Oh man! Hate that, but hey, sounds like a great trip you've got planned for yourself. Gotta say I'm a LITTLE jealous as I'd sure like to see Cuba. Probably never will as I am too chicken to try it from Costa Rica as a U.S. citizen. We will absolutely toast you. And I'll miss my birding partner! DH was relieved that he wouldn't have to be on call at all times! Just kidding. . .I can do it just fine solo. But we'll all miss your company and the potential for finding a new friend!

Yeah, not sure rivet. You two could have your own little GTG!

costaricalover sorry to hear you won't be joining us but you do get a lovely trip to Cuba where many us have not a chance in visiting (at least not yet, hopefully soon one day). We will certainly raise an Imperial or two for you. Have fun on your trip!

rivet any update on which school needed the dry eraser & misc stuff? I'll be passing by both of them so wasn't sure which one needed more.

10 more sleeps, same for hip and lucky jill only has 2 more!!

Thought I better jump in here and let you all know that I am wishing you safe travels and a wonderful trip! I know you will all have a blast together at BdC! Wish I could have joined you! Maybe next time!

Shillmac, sorry to hear about your dog. We lost ours this past winter due to old age. Now we have a rascal of a puppy keeping us on our toes!

Can't wait to read the trip reports!! Good luck with the puma quest. Have an Imperial (or two, or more) for me!!

Ditto to janenicole's today's post. Can't wait to hear about your adventures; your fun. Got to see my babe's last week, from Lincoln to St. Cloud. So am blessed. Looks like the weather in New Orleans will be WARM a week from today. I'll take it, cool here. Here's to ya'll traveling safely to and from Costa Rica. Pura Vida

Thanks janenicole and dyer -- This will be a much anticipated, much needed and much appreciated vacation!

Pura vida -

Yes tully, the schools are Piro and Carbonera,

A GTG in ALberta? Would enjoy meeting Percy but not as exotic as CR.

Down to 13 days until we leave and we're getting super excited! Looking forward to meeting the shillmacs, hipvirgos and such Seems unreal that it's already here!

Hey Dyer--thanks! You enjoy New Orleans--one of my favorite places. This your first time since the flooding?

Thanks for the kind words janienicole--we will indeed do a "salud!" for you! Keep your mind on that goal of yours!

We were supposed to fly out today, but weather in DFW kept us here in OKC. Until Saturday! Oh well, more time with the granddaughters. We'll get there eventually. . glad we weren't going for a long weekend!

And good luck with the puppy. They are always so cute, but think we'll stay dogless at this point.

shillmac bummer about your flight, I guess leaving tomorrow isn't too bad but I know you were ready to get down there and have some relax time.

rivet thanks for the info on the school, when we pass Carbonera I know it's just about that time to BdC so know it well. Will drop off stuff on our way in.

wicked good to hear from you, will be looking forward to meeting you and mrs wicked Maybe you will be arriving same time/flight as Rivet?

Wish we could have everyone that wants to go join us.

bon voyage, shillmac! Hug a monkey for me!

Have a great trip down, Jill. See you on the 27th!

Wow Shillmac, that's quite a delay... We are travelling through DFW on Monday ( yeah!) so will keep our fingers crossed.

Safe travels everyone and see you at the GTG !

Yeah, I think the problem was the OKC-DFW leg. OKC is 2.5 hours from DFW and we thought about driving, but we are ticketed back to OKC, so what would we have done with our car down there? We went through all the options, but there were a ton of passengers trying to get out of OKC, so that had filled up next day flights. Oh well, we've had fun here. This is the first time ever for us to have run into such a travel glitch. Just so glad we didn't HAVE to be there!

See you soon!

Any one going July 17-21st???

Not sure if I've seen anyone going those dates Ladena...I'll be heading to CR on the 19th, and then to BDC on the 25th. -- Have a great trip!

Be safe and see you soon everyone!

Just watching it rain in South Dakota, dreaming about what it is like in CR today! Tomorrow will be our first time in Louisiana - and I am anxious to see that part of the country. I think I am prepared for the heat and humidity! Hope all are traveling safely this week.

Dyer,

I live in Louisiana, so brace yourself for some hot weather, supposed to be 97 on Thursday. Our heat index is above 100 every day - way too early for this!

Hope you have a great time in the Big Easy and some fantastic meals - hard not to eat well with so many wonderful restaurants! We just celebrated DH's BD with the best charbroiled oysters I've ever had at Dragos.

Forgot to add that I hope everyone has a great time at the GTG! Wish I was going, but am thinking about an anniversary trip to BdC for next year. Can't do it all, darn it!

Happy travels to all.

colibri, us too - it was 100 degrees here yesterday. I think we're going to have to go to CR just to cool off!

VG - I keep thinking about cool cloud forests, hummingbirds and quetzals at Savegre - it is what is keeping me going through this heat and drought!!

Don't think you will cool off in CR,it was sooo d**mn hot, there were 2 hikes that just about did us in. Arenal for me and the Saino for my hubby at BdC. Hot, sweating way too much, extreme humidity and no breeze. Whew!

Oh, no, parrmt - don't burst our bubble! I can't believe Arenal was so hot for you!

So are all you party people going to post from BDC while you're there or keep us all in suspense till you return?

We may leave you guys in suspense glover, internet there is so spotty and pricey. If we spot a puma though we will send out a signal...of some kind!

The heat and humidity does me in too. Being from the NW, I'm a wimp. I try to keep on trekking though. Being near water is good!

Thanks for the good wishes. It's been a long time coming it seems!

glover -- We'll be sending good vibes through the airwaves to you!

I forgot to mention that, in addition to a free gecko in every cabina, we also have some fodor's goodies as well for attendees. Not to late to book for next week !!

See everyone soon! Safe travels down Off to the airport...

I hope you guys all have a wonderful time, and remember we want to see your puma pics! Have fun!

It is now eleven days after the last post from a GTG at Bosque del Cabo participant. Anyone out there? We are so hoping for an update! Dyer

Yes, put down the banana pancakes and tuna melts and let us live vicariously!

I really wish we had planned out trip during this time-I would love to meet all of you who have posted such helpful comments and info on BdC. My husband & I are going for the 1st time from 7/23 to 7/28 and I look forward to trying these Imperials I hear so much about

I hope all was great with your get-together. I'm anxious to hear about it.

Shillmac, I hear you met my fellow Fodor's guidebook writer Dorothy. She covers that part of the country.

Oh yeah, it's officially over today They must be very bummed, but I hope they all had a great time. Can't wait to hear...

Hi everyone,

I just got back from CR last night. I was able to spend 3 nights at BdC the same time shillmac, hip, and tully were there. I also met rivet the first night I was there. I missed wickedslick at BdC, but ran into him and his wife in Pto. Jimenez one afternoon.

Everyone seemed to be having a terrific time. I know I certainly did! I'll try to do a more comprehensive trip report soon, but thought I'd share a brief recap of the BdC activities now:

My friend and I hiked the Titi Trail with tully one afternoon but didn't see much wildlife on that particular hike. We also accompanied tully and hip to the wildlife refuge which has expanded/upgraded many of it's enclosures since I last visited in 2007. They've got more of a 'structured' tour they take you on now to show all of the animals. They did a nice job. We saw a huge pod of spotted dolphins on our way over to the refuge that encircled the boat and were leaping out of the water. It was a wonderful added bonus.

We also did the Pacific trail with the gang; the shillmacs joined us for this one and planned to lead us to the waterfall. This was a good idea in theory, but some of the landmarks had changed a bit and we ended up overshooting the stream that leads to the falls by a long shot! It's so beautiful down by the Pacific, but it was hot! In retrospect, it's rather amusing to think of us all trudging endlessly along that beach. My friend and I eventually had to turn back because we had a canopy tour scheduled for that afternoon, but the rest of the group continued to trudge for quite some distance further... to no avail!

The fodorites sat together each evening for dinner, and it was fun to chat with everyone. Everyone was very nice and I'm really glad I got to meet them in person. BdC was incredible; as it always is.

Now for maybe the most important tidbit of news: The puma was spotted 3 separate times in the 3.5 days that I was at BdC, twice near the cabins and restaurant area!! Rolando, one of the wait staff, actually saw it grab an agouti and take off into the forest!!! The tragic, frustrating fact of the matter is that I never saw it! None of the fodor's gang did, and we were all sorely disappointed! I'm hoping that maybe someone from the group lucked out after I left on Tuesday.

So that's my quickie recap. Feel free to ask questions. I'll try to start a more organized report over the weekend and begin the arduous process of weeding through my photos.

Hi everyone! Costa Rica offered, once again, a spectactular experience. I won't take too much time on the computer here as I will post more when I get home.

The Pacuare was an absolute blast! I was trying to figure out how to do it again before going home but no can do. Anyone thinking about -- do it!

Dominical was amazing. Met up with tully there. Shelter from the Storm is wonderful and the area has so many nooks and crannies to explore. tully rented the 4x4 which was much needed, and the ride down to Puerto Jimenez was great, if not a little bumpy.

It was great seeing the staff at BDC again, as well as meeting up with the Fodoritie housemates (shillmac and hubby) and then rivet, cmerrell and wickedslick. More details later. We all meshed well and enjoyed each other's company immensely. Great hikes and wildlife -- no disappointments!

I'm currently at Orchideas Inn for the tonight. I have a 5:25am pick up for Tortuguero and really excited about exploring the canals.

More details and tidbits to follow when I get back. Because of flight snafus, I get back late Sunday and back to work Monday. Ouch. Nevertheless, I wouldn't change a thing!

Pura vida!

Welcome back, ladies; we missed you guys! Wow, about the puma!

hip, I'm glad you loved the rafting; we'll be following in your footsteps!

Hi everyone! Ditto to previous remarks. We had a great time as well. Tully, hip, Mr. Shillmac, and I had such a fun time hanging out at Casa Miramar. I think we all became a little addicted to that place despite the 1/2 mile walk to and from the restaurant 3 times or more per day! We were like the 4 Musketeers!

DH and I stayed into the afternoon yesterday after tully and hip left and it was a little melancholy as it seemed all the animals were grieving as well, very quiet. That area around Miramar, being so close to Titi, is typically a great place to spot all kinds of good stuff. Jack, the brave coati, (tully named him after he seemed to think it was his home as well) didn't come around yesterday; the tucans (always in the trees in front) disappeared; no scarlet macaw fly-bys, or white hawks, or king vultures (or any other vultures!). No agoutis, it was dead silence. Very eerie.

Finally, in the early afternoon, I walked around out back and found a tamandua (anteater) in some bamboo. Later he was on top of Miramar scouting around, so that perked us up a bit! First time we'd seen one there, although tully spotted one on the main road first day of her stay.

Meeting cmerrell and her friend, rivet and her mother, and wickedslick and his wife was fun. Kim and Phil had gifted us with some beer and a couple bottles of wine as well as bocas on the day of our arrival so we had a couple of little group celebrations at Miramar early in the week. Very kind of them, and we enjoyed!

We wished for the rest of you from time to time! And lifted our cups (bottles?) in your honor--at least once!

Kudos to hip and tully who helped make OUR time the entire week so enjoyable. So many laughs, and I didn't take the time to make of note of it all. Mostly at each other. They are both Pura Vida several times over!

DH and I are still lamenting the fact that we led the others on such a wild goose chase for the waterfall and missed it so badly, having them trudge WAY too far down the beach on a morning when cmerrell and her friend were really pressed for time. To punish ourselves we returned the next day. The trail up to the waterfall had changed to the opposite side and the little stream had become a lagoon. The El Remanso sign was there, but not at the entrance, moved up the trail about 1/4 of the way to the falls. We apologize once again as we felt rather silly having just been to the falls last July!

And tully, that WAS Miguel's Rock. . .did Kristin and I ever tell you that? Horseback riding was great fun as usual, with Miguel, who is the ultimate Osa man, never having had a pair of shoes on his feet. Well, hell, I'm doing the trip report here. Better save that for later. . .I tend to run on and on! DH confirms it regularly.

Time to make plans for next year! Pura Vida!

By the way, at Iguana Lodge, I THOUGHT

Oops! I THOUGHT I saw a puma during breakfast this a.m. They have a yellow cat on the premises, and when I saw it walk across a trail about 30 yards from us, it stopped in the trail and looked toward us. In my brief glance, it looked very large for a regular cat and had such a long tail. Toby, the owner, was having breakfast with us and he searched the area quite a bit looking for prints. The dogs had been carrying on, so he thought it might have been possible. I will never know. The sighting lasted about 3 seconds, and I was staring at it, trying to fit my mind around it. Jim thinks it was their cat. I'm not so sure. Oh well.

Ciao for now!

Once again--me.

Need to say to Jeff--I was so surprised to "meet" you through Dorothy (and it was fun visiting with her as well. The rest of you will know her as Dorothy McKinnon who writes for the Tico Times and for the Fodor's CR guidebook.) I hope she didn't paint me in TOO bad a light as I tended to spar a bit with Liz Jones at BdRT! Not seriously, but a little! Dorothy was such a bubbly person, we both really enjoyed meeting her and Peter.

We missed you at Bosque, and I hope things are looking up with your family issues. Jim and I both lost our parents way too soon, so we don't have those things to deal with, but we sure miss our moms and dads and would love to be able to share our experiences with them or tell them about the lives we are living since they've been gone. . .the tangents we've gone on! We're almost different people than the ones they raised! We tend to assume they have some knowledge, somewhere, of what we're up to. Anyway, sending positive vibes and good wishes your way.

Welcome back, guys! You have all been on my mind over the last 2 weeks, and I'm just salivating in anticipation of more details of the GTG!

My trip to Cuba was a real let-down. It was an all-inclusive on a stunning beach in the Santa Clara region (Royal Hideaway Ensenachos) but the resort was soooooooooooooo generic, I could have been staying at the 4 seasons in downtown Toronto. It had absolutely no feeling of Cuban culture. Never, never again, will I do an all-inclusive. Every morning I would get up and think of Costa Rica, and how I could have been there instead of Cuba. Oh, well, live and learn! I got a lot of reading done - no distractions like exotic birds and pumas to distract me!

I really want to hear about Dominical, and Shelter from the Storm. I'll be staying there next February for one week, so when you are settled in, (Tully and Hip) do tell the story!!

That's a bummer, costaricalover. At least you got to get away somewhere. It sounds relaxing if perhaps a little on the boring side!

CR certainly wasn't boring. My friend and I were laughing about how battered we got during the week. We did the Rio Pacuare in addition to BdC, and we're both covered in bruises and bug bites, and each got sunburned. My friend has a huge welt on her leg from rafting, and I have one from the BdC zipline (I somehow managed to slam my shin into the railing post as I came in for a landing). Yet, beat up though we may be, Costa Rica was wonderful and we'd go back in a heartbeat! This was trip #3 for me and there will definitely be a trip #4 and beyond if I have any say in the matter!

Best wishes to Jeff_Costa_Rica. Sounds like you've got some things going on with family. I hope all is well with you and wish we could have met you at BdC.

It was great to meet everyone and chat and hike. Sorting thru pics now, will get a trip report together soon. We had such a great time it's sad to be home again.

shillmac we should've just kept walking and showed up at Miguel's!!

crlover wish you could've been there, sorry about Cuba You will love Shelter from the Storm, no doubt. It's such a great place I do intend to go back very soon. Will write more soon.

cam yes I have some battle scars too, part of the ride I guess, lol.

Hi All,

Well Bosque del Cabo was a true delight - a highlight of our trip. I will never forget that outdoor shower, all the beautiful ginger growing around the perimeter and the view of the ocean. Already I am missing the sounds of the rainforest even the tink frogs. Our patio was lovely and relaxing and I did yoga one afternoon with my daughter. Every afternoon we were treated to groups of toucans, pelicans and scarlet macaws seen right from our patio.

Mom and I did a few of the shorter hikes, Creek trail, hanging bridges and made our way to the mango trees every morning to watch the monkeys Mom's biggest hike was to Miramar for the first night's wine soiree. Thank goodness Kim and Phil came to the rescue in the jeep as they brought the snacks....the trails were a bit difficult for her. Nice to meet everyone that night and thanks Hip and Tully for your great navigating back to the restaurant, that dewy dark night. Quite a memory! Shillmac, as expected was chatty and Mr. Shillmac was a good sport. I had heard the others on the forum speak of Cam. (cmerrell) so I was surprised when she turned out to be a gal.

Hi Cam and Monica.

I did more hiking with my daughter, the Pacific Trail then we came back near El Remanso and joined on Titi Trail. Also went down to Martina's and Matapalo one day. We cheated though, took the Bosque truck both ways. Had hoped to find the artisans there, buy a few souvenirs but we missed them.

I really enjoyed the family style dining.. .fun to chat with other travellers. I would recommend at least 3 nights at Bosque - there are lots of tours. We took the noctural tour with Phillip and REALLY enjoyed it. It seems there is always something happening at Bosque, queen leafcutter ants hatched and filled Phillip's sink and shower. They hatch in an exodus once a year and he brought a couple to the restaurant for us to see. They are huge, as big as a dragonfly, all so interesting. Also there was a bit of an army ant invasion on the back trails, a carpet of ants, something to see for sure.

We spent a whole week in the Osa - 3 days in Puerto Jimenez prior to our arrival at Bosque. We had a room, then a bungalow at Cabinas Jimenez and enjoyed the very nice linen, air conditioning, and the relaxing communal areas. Lots of interesting guests were there, musicains from the festival etc. Though it is a completely differerent style of lodging than BDC, it was still a great place to stay before our amazing visit to BDC. We had lots of interesting experiences, even jsut going to the bank to cash travellers cheques was an event for us. Ate at Carolina's (yum), Sardi's (sp), El Giardino, Cafe la Onda(yum) and missed out on a new restaurant on the back street called Rustico, which looks very nice.

Prior to the Osa, we travelled bu car to Arenal Observatory Lodge and yes my Mom saw the lava flow. Then we spent a night at Selva Verde and Tortguero fpr 2 nights. Flew on a 4 seater with Nature Air out of Tortuguero. As we entered the plane. a family of 4 were already strapped in to the seats, Mom sat in the jumpseat and I became the copilot Luckily I did not have to take over the controls .... travelling in Costa Rica is so much a part of the adventure.

Anyway, great to meet the Fodor's gang...sorry I missed Wicked Slick and his wife. I was wondering what he looked like...his screen name is intriguing.

Hasta lluego.

Nice to hear from you, rivet. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! And how nice for 3 generations of "rivet" women to be able to enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica together! I took my mom along on my first 2 trips and she just loved it. We even got her to try SkyTrek in Arenal at age 68.

Yes, I am a gal, lol! It is hard to tell sometimes by a person's writing style and the nicknames they pick up here on the forum.

It was great to meet you guys. I wish our time at BdC had overlapped a little bit more. I hope you went home to nice weather. Canada is a far cry from Costa Rica, but a very beautiful country in it's own right.

Same here, wish we had more of a chance to chat. We had to rush off to Ida's BIg Cat talk after dinner on your first night and I know you had a busy day planned for your second day anyway - off early to the animal sanctuary, I think it was.

Wow, your Mom is a great sport! Sky Trek is awesome! I know a lot of young people who would be nervous to go on it...but that is one of the really great things about Costa Rica. Makes us move away from our comfort zone and experience new things each trip. My Mom was afraid of snakes yet when we went on the night tour with Phillip, she enjoyed seeing a few and other critters he found for us.

On the other hand, we saw how similar our own city is, in one respect, to the little town of Puerto Jimenez. On our way to Nature Air, there must have been a hundred horses and riders all heading out of town. They were all over the road, some carrying 3 or 4 people, some single riders. Our taxi driver said there was a rodeo and we laughed because that is exactly what we were coming home to in Canada. The city where we live goes all out Western for the Calgary Stampede, horses, chuckwagons, rodeo events, parades, pancake breakfasts. A nice memory for us leaving the Osa. Too bad those were the only large wildlife we saw. So envious of those puma sitings

rivet it was great to meet you, your mother and your daughter. Seemed like your mom was really enjoying herself. Sorry about the walk down the hill, I was still a little freaked out by the 2 stalls on hills we had driving in and wanted to make sure the 4wd was working okay in daylight before attempting anymore driving. Was great to have everyone up to the deck for a drink. Hope mr & mrs wickedslick had a great trip afterwards, I know hip ran into them in PJ, very nice couple. I got some pics of those horseriders! Gerly said they werre going to ride to an ailing man's property first so they were all over the road, very cool to see.

Still swamped with back to work stuff but have pics ready and will try to get a trip report together this weekend when I have a breather.

Thank you, Shillmac. Things seem to be fine back home, fine enough for me to be traveling again, working on Guatemala and Panama books. I'm in Panama now.

My two big regrets in not making it to BdC were:

1) not being able to meet all of you. (But I did feel like I had met you through Dorothy.)

2) not getting to go to BdC. I just never get down that way anymore. That's Dorothy's territory for the book.

It sounds like a wonderful time was had by all.

What is GTG???? Was hoping to go to BdC in June. Waiting to hear back on availability.

Get together.