Arriving back for lunch, my husband was quite amused thinking I had probably spent a miserable morning with these two guys, but the truth was, it hadn't rained on us, I had learned a lot, and the hiking and looking had been a lot of fun! Quite the little bird-woman! I was stoked to have some lunch and go back to the quetzal place! Jim had also seen a quetzal fairly close up during his morning wanderings, so we were both satisfied on that count! 3:00, here we go again! Turns out, Marino had his mind set on birding until dark, so 6:00 finds us standing by the road (didn't go as far as the trail this time), with Marino playing his ever handy tape of a particular bird song hoping to lure this particular bird to show himself. By this time, we couldn't have seen him even if he had showed up, the bats were starting to fly, for pete's sake! The rain began, and we were starting to get a little cold and wet. Mike and I were both ready to return to the lodge when Marino finally decided our birding was over for the day! We were grateful for the little bit of cover over our seat (we both crammed in next to Marino as he drove) as the rain continued during our 10 minute ride back to the lodge!

They dropped me at my cabin, but Jim was waiting at the bar, thinking he would see the mule come back in. I waited on the porch (wet and locked out), but grateful for the roof over the porch and waited for him to figure out I was back. Now for the fun part! Here comes a couple walking up to their cabin. This was the day Molly from Fodor's was supposed to arrive with her husband, and we had made plans for dinner if we found one another, so I knew I had to ask! Yes! This is how we met Mara (Molly just a Fodor name) and Mark from Vermont! What fun it was to join them for dinner along with Marino and Mike and to talk about everything under the sun with good company and great food! One of the true highlights of our trip was this dinner meal! Mara and Mark arranged to go out with Marino and Mike the next morning, and Marino invited me along for the first hour or so to try to spot a few more birds to add to my list. Before dinner, Marino, Mike and I had sat down for a bit and gone over our checklist. I had seen 48! We were checking out and leaving at 10:30 the next morning, so I was able to go out with the others and added 12 new sightings! Including the Elegant Euphonia (listen to me!). We said our goodbyes, and away we went with Alejandro for the 1.5 hour transfer to the bus station in San Isidro where we would begin our next journey--the Valle Cote Brus (hope I spelled that right) and San Vito near the border of Panama. Next post. . . .San Vito, Shillmac

Shilmac, great report but I am lost, would you please number them for me. What comes after what? Where is the first part of this one? thanks for your help

What a mess! As I mentioned, in one of the reports, I'm posting in a real hurry because of time issues! Okay, here is the order:

1. Costa Rica Trip Report, 4 Weeks

2. Nine Days on the Bus, Costa Rica, #2
3. Savegre, Continued
4. San Vito
5. Bosque Del Cabo, 3 Days
6. Dominical--Wasn't Meant to Be
7. Shillmac, Last Installment, Central Valley

Sorry, everyone!

Shillmac, thanks for your kind words. Getting together with you and Jim was a high point of our trip as well! It was so exciting to see you waiting on the porch - in the flesh! Dinner was a blast, wasn't it? I'd love an e-mail copy of the picture you mentioned, and, if my developed photos come out, this dinosaur will mail you a copy!

Birding with Marino and Mike the afternoon after your departure was an adventure, as you can well imagine! I'll post about that very soon. We never did get the great views of quetzels that you and Jim did, unfortunately, but we were well-pleased {though somewhat worn out!} with the number of birds Marino found for us.

We wondered how the rest of your trip went; your report is excellent!

When you have time, send me your e-mail address. I've lost it, naturally! Or else it is tucked is some odd corner I haven't explored yet since returning home. Am having serious withdrawal! How about you?
[email protected]

Thanks for your help, shillmac. I wouldn't do without you.