Snowy owls

Last time we went to Ocean Shores, the Snowy Owls were visiting.  So we bundled up and hiked the beach to join the camera covered throngs.  I begin to sympathize with men a little, my camera is kind of little...

Beautiful birds though

Just so you know, I have about 40 pictures that look exactly like that one.  He didn't move much.

Oh wait!  Someone got too close with their camera, damn paparazzi

You can't always maintain your dignity.  some things just have to be done

It wasn't all owls.  the gulls were going crazy for the shellfish washed on the beach

It was a lovely day

Sandy River dog park

We went for a hike to walk off the post Christmas food coma.  By the time we got our butts out the door though, it was a bit too late to make it to the gorge before it got dark.  So we went to the Sandy River dog park, a huge set of trails on the Sandy River delta.  It was beautifully stormy.

 These babies didn't make it very far

Last day

After we dropped Nancy and Jim off at the airport, we had a day to ourselves.  Raissa had a wedding to go to, so we were on our own.  Eric and I got gussied up and went out to dinner.  We met up with Raissa's sisters friend Sara and went dancing (happy me, poor Eric)

But the next morning, we got some time with the new family.  We had a yummy brunch (mofongo eggs benedict, yumm)

and more time with adorable Alvaro

 I really am going to miss them.

Bacalaiitos

The last day before Nancy and Jim left, we went to Raissa's family's favorite beach up by San Juan.  

And we got to eat bacalaitos, yummy.  Odd though, since it is basically a fish pancake deep fried.  yum

Fun with the Hales

Relaxing day

Tourism is hard work!  We spent the next day just lying around once again

Here's the view from our condo

Iguanas liked to hang out below our balcony

Stormy beach.  You can see Viaques in the distance.  funny how the island across the way looks ever so intriguing 

No idea who these people were, but they look cool

Eric and I, on the other hand, look a little doofusy.  but oh well

Sunset

Sand crabs

Back to Old San Juan

We took another day to tour San Juan

La Perla, a reportedly sketch neighborhood outside the walls of town

we laughed because in our world, that would have been prime real estate, not slums

Entry is hard though

An old cemetery 

gilded rubble

very pretty though 

And then to El Morro, the fort blocking the harbor 

more garitas

triangle stairs

view across old San Juan to San Cristobal

The Three Kings are a big deal in Puerto Rico.  Nativity scenes always contained them, sometimes exclusively (no baby Jesus needed here)

Cobble stones

El Yunque

Puerto Ricans are very proud of El Yunque rain forest.  And it really is spectacular.  

Full of waterfalls 

and lush plants

We took a little hike down the big trees trail

fun plants

fun water

We hiked up to the cloud forest.  There is seriously a cap of clouds that cuts the world off

Back at the car, we finally met a mongoose (can you see him under the car?)  Signs all over the park warned of rabid mongoose occurrences.  hmmm, is is safe to approach the car?