Pura Vida

Pura Vida "Pure Life" is the tourist slogan for Costa Rica. Well, we finally got out and did some touristy things. A group from school went to an adventure park about two and a half hours from San Jose. We rode horses for 45 minutes up a mountain, zip-lined down 25 platforms, swam under a beautiful waterfall and enjoyed every minute of the adventure.

Can you tell we are excited?


Cristen rode "Coffee", Lori's was on "Sweetie, I rode "Molasses" but should have been name after a product containing lead.

Sorry, Dustin's horse Sky, did not make all of the picture.


Are we in Montana? No, Costa Rica.


Cristen found this "repelling", though she did like it.

Off We Go! Into the wild blue...


Can you say Ninja Moma!


This was more fun than the Army!


Dustin had the best form of anybody. He is a natural.

Sites from San Jose

Here are some pictures from around San Jose. The last is large critter that lives in the creek by our house.



Part of the walking zone "downtown".




Large Iguana, heard it tastes like chicken!

Second Trip to Granada Nicaragua

We needed to depart Costa Rica for 72 hours, it was time to renew our passports. Other classmates joined us on this trip. (Dustin was in Tsimari for six days helping rebuild a school)



We took a day trip to visit a "live" volcano, watched a demonstration on how to make Indian pottery at a pottery school, and visited a two markets. Included on our schedule was a dip in the cool waters of an extinct volcano (cancelled due to rain).


Sulfuric smoke lifting from the crater of the Masaya Volcano.



Cool picture illustrating builiding techniques in Nicaragua. Notice the mud, straw, and sticks on the top part of this building.




Walking is probably the primary way to get from one place to another. Bikes are probably the next most popular way to get around. Many businessmen use the horse and cart.

La Cruz de Alajuelita (The Cross of Alajuelita)

Visit with Ron

The Cross of Alajuelita can be seen from anywhere on the south side of San Jose. We heard you could hike to the crosses. This would be a great way to keep our legs in shape for our work on the reservation. A couple of weeks ago we finally made it up the mountain with friends from the Language Institute. Now it was time to do it on our own with our dear friend, Ron Sweet.





It is great to get away from the noise, smells, and concrete of the city. Here are a couple pictures of our wonderful hike.





There are three crosses. The last cross is the cross that can be seen on a clear day.








One does not realize how big San Jose is until you climb the mountain. This is just part of the city and the view of the first cross.



We do not want you to forget what we look like.