7th Anniversary

Though our seventh anniversary was on April 7th, we celebrated the accomplishment with a trip to Isla Contadora in early May. While there, we spent time on a few pristine beaches. On Sunday, we kayaked to a neighboring island with only one other person on it (who happened to be guarding a dock where the cast of Survivor - Turkey would be filming a scene or two later that same day). While on this island, we came across blue-footed boobies and a baby bird (either a frigate, pelican, or boobie baby).

Blue-footed boobies

A boobie baby?

Altos de Campana Camping Trip

Like we do many weekends, we found ourselves camping in the hills. The altitude was enough to cool us down from the hot dry season, and we got a lot of great hiking in. While our tarp leaked, the weekend was a success. 

Carolyn's 30th Birthday

To celebrate Carolyn's doble quinceañera (double 15th year debutante ball), we went camping in the jungle and had a party on a bus. For the camping trip, we hiked into Pipeline Road, then walked down a river to find a spot for our site and hammocks. We awoke to howler monkeys and parrots.

Our river campsite

Our hammocks

Parrots

For the party, we had friends come over to our apartment for drinks and cake, after which we borded a Diablo Rojo (a converted American school bus) for a private party. The bus party even had a piñata.

The party!

The cake

The bus

Cross-Country Tournament in Costa Rica

In the first week of April, Nick's cross-country team traveled to their league tournament in Costa Rica. Mary came, too. The boys team scored second overall, with a third-place finish in the relay. On the girls side, his top runner got second place overall. See this link for a play-by-play blog about the trip.

A photo from the back porch of the hotel room. Not bad.

Mary and Gena Visit

During spring break, Nick's mom (Mary) and her friend (Gena) visited. During their stay, we visited two oceans in one day, we hiked through Pipeline Road, and we went scuba diving and snorkeling in Coiba. 

Mary and Gena at Ocean 1 (Pacific)

Mary and Gena at Ocean 2 (Caribbean)

Carolyn with a fallen sloth (who shook off his fall and eventually crawled away)

Monkeys were hanging right in front of us on Pipeline Road.

Amador Causeway

The Amador Causeway is a land bridge created with earth extracted during the building of the Canal. Now, it is a very pleasant place to walk, ride a bike, eat, and even see sloths and iguanas. 

Surfing at Rio Mar

On many weekends, we take a short, day trip or overnight trip to the beach. The beach shown below is called Rio Mar and is a well known surfing spot. Though a bit out of our league, Austin and I gave surfing a try, although the "waves surfed us" (quote from Austin).

Some of my students participate in a Near Space program, and they were sending a weather balloon up, thousands of feet into the atmosphere. Luckily, the launch site was right close to the beach, so I stopped by to watch the launch.

Carolyn, Ashley, and Austin (and the surfboards)

Students at the launch

Cynthia and Bill Visit

A visit from the Claridge family! Bill and Cynthia, if you are reading this, please send us some photographs. Apparently, we only took four photos, and only one included a person.

Nonetheless, we had a fantastic time with the family. We spent a few days in and around Panama City, where we hiked at Pipeline Road and Barro Colorado (a Smithsonian research center). Afterwards, we spent Carnaval in Pedasí (though the Carnaval photo below is from early festivities in Panama City). 

Beautiful jungle in Barro Colorado

Spikey tree on Barro Colorado

Vines for miles in Barro Colorado

Seemingly rabid, but actually very docile, raccoon at Pipeline Road.

Carnaval float

Tiger float

Caleb and Kaytlin Visit

Caleb Heeringa, a good friend of Nick's from childhood and beyond, and his girlfriend, Kaytlin, came to visit before quitting their jobs and moving to Alaska. While here, we took a camping trip to El Valle, a small mountain town that is quaint, pleasant, and cool. 

Ashley, Austin, Kaytlin, Nick and Carolyn hiking (Caleb is taking the photo).

Austin, doing a canon-ball like jump into a swimming hole.

Our dinner at the campsite.

Kuna Yala Islands

After returning to Panama from Christmas vacation in Central Oregon and Western Washington, we had another week before going back to school. We stayed for three days in a small cabin at the Kuna Yala Islands, which is a somewhat autonomous territory run by one of the few prominent indigenous groups of Panama. 

Some of these islands were so small only one palm tree was thriving. Other islands, like Star Fish Island, was completely underwater, and you could just wade in the middle of the ocean on the island just below the surface.