El Yunque

El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System. It is a 45 minute drive from the city of San Juan.
We did some hiking and wound up in a cloud forest observatory with 2 guys from Long Island. We finished off our time with a refreshing and cold dip in a waterfall.

Acacia Inn

Our last stay was in a San Juan home converted to a seaside inn.




Rooftop jacuzzi


Leaving

Old San Juan

Do not venture into Old San Juan on Monday and Tuesday evenings unless you like being mobbed by sunburned cruise-goers in a rush to get back on the boat.


San Juan Cafe


Burned Out Beauty


Keeping Watch


Black Toes and Blue Cobblestones


Always

Luquilla Beach

On our way up to San Juan, we stopped here to explore.

Biobay

The microscopic plankton in the Bioluminescent Bay of Fajardo light up when they are touched! Pure magic, the experience is nearly indescribable.
We kayaked into the ocean waves at night into a bay surrounded by mangroves. As we neared the bay, the water surrounding our paddles began to glow.
By the time we reached the bay, we could see glow trails from large fish, small fish, schools of fish, and fish jumping into the water.
Las Croabas Lagoon in Fajardo has 500,000 to 700,000 of bioluminescent dinoflagellates (a plankton) per gallon, so when you wave your hand through the water you trigger so many of them that your hand lights up with a thousand tiny stars.
It was an exhilarating experience and i am amazed at how many little details God made for us to enjoy!

So We Flew Back...

It cost $35 and 15 minutes. It was a tiny plane with only 6 other "got sick on the boat people." I would be surprised if i willingly got on another boat again.

Flamenco Beach- Culebra

After spending a few hours laying on a bench hoping i wouldn't die, we grabbed a ride to the beach.
It was worth it. This beach helped me feel better. Faster.
It is considered to be the 2nd most beautiful beach by National Geographic.




This photo is courtesy of JP. It is of our Estonian friend.

Fajardo Inn and Ferry Ride

Bitty island.


Getting scared.


Leaving Fajardo on the ferry.


Sunset off our balcony.

We took an early morning boat 17 miles off Puerto Rico to Culebra, a Spanish Virgin Island. It was $2.00.
I got very sick and spent the rough ride barfing into a large black trash bag. Apparently the last thing i mumbled before my demise was, "I can't believe I'm my Mom." (Who had a similar experience but it included 3 kids laughing at her. I don't remember the laughing part.)

Mountain drive to Fajardo

It took us a while, but we finally arrived on the coast. It was a beautiful drive.

Puerto Rico- Casa Grande

Special thanks to Justin's Mom, my sister and brother-in-law, and my Mom for making this trip happen. They were gracious enough to watch the kids. We love you all!




We stayed at a former coffee plantation. It was a dangerous drive up into the Central mountains outside of Utuado. It was raining, dark and curvy. It was lovely to fall asleep to the sound of rain on our tin roof. And even lovelier to see our surroundings the next day!




Sleeping in while a cool mountain breeze wafts in through the window slats and the coqui frogs and birds sing a morning song.


Looking off the back porch of our cabin in the Central Mountains complete with hammock and jumping lizards.


Pool perched on the mountainside.

Tullaia's Haircut

Tullaia got sick of all her tangles and got her first professional haircut tonight. She looks cute!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Silence

"May this space, sacred by Your blessings, become for me a waiting room where i shall wait upon You, my Lord, my Beloved, my Friend." (taken from prayer in my hermitage)

I spent a lovely weekend at Visions of Peace atop a bluff above the Mississippi.
www.visionofpeacehermitages.org
It was a necessary time of reflection and solitude.
I read several books two of which were by fellow Dutchman Henri Nouwen. In one he says, "This is a real discipline. It requires choosing for the Light even when there is much darkness to frighten me. Choosing for Life even when the forces of death are so visible, and choosing for the Truth even when I am surrounded by lies."

It was cold, but i sat on the bluff and took in seldom heard sights and sounds. Barred owls hooted day and night. Trains rushed by. Barges crept up and down the Mississippi. Eagles stood watch on the tops of tall trees. Otters ambled about in the icy water. Snowflakes finally fell. I was quiet.

"I thank you, O secret one, for the graces of this time in solitude. Each time I withdraw to be alone, i learn more not to fear being alone." (taken from another prayer)

Escape and Chase

Well, we had our first chinchilla chase this evening. Of course Justin was not here to enjoy it.

It felt like old times as i yelled at the kids. "Stop, over there, stand RIGHT there! No, okay, Shit! Now run, don't let it get through, back away slowly...NOW!!"

One of my first childhood memories involves me, a metal panel, a septic tank, and a large red boar(complete with tusks).

And my Dad yelling, "Stop, over there, stand RIGHT there! No, okay, Shit! Now run, don't let it get through, back away slowly...NOW!!"

For some reason, the pigs always had their recreation on Sundays.

Here is a picture of my Dad and some of his little pigs.

Charli Misty Powell

Our new pet chinchilla. She is like a mix between a rabbit, squirrel, and a tiny kangaroo.
Tullaia wants something small and furry to take care of since her baby brother is not too fond of being cared for anymore. She thought a chinchilla would be nice after a zookeeper friend took us behind the scenes at the zoo.
I told her we would never have one because they are quite a bit more expensive than other small rodents.
But a family on the home school forum was looking for a home for their 4 year old chinchilla. The daughter is going to college. So we got to surprise the kids with a pretty exciting Christmas gift.

Old Home Place

More ice.

Iowa Ice

From Michigan, we ventured through icy roads and sore tempers to Iowa. We barely made it. The morning we left, i took this picture. It was beautiful.
We had a lovely time with our family ice skating, playing Settlers, and eating Dutch pastries Mom made. My Dad put a dead hog in the field so we could watch the eagles feast, but a Canadian scared them away. I do not have pictures to prove it.

Michigan Snow

I dropped the kids off in Iowa with my mom and drove to Grand Rapids to visit with my brother Eric. They received a whole lot of snow. (3 feet in the last 2 weeks!!) It was beautiful and Stella couldn't stop rolling in it. She is made for the snow.
This is me in Holland on the lake shore. It was crazy cold and icy.

Footprints

We went a conservation class at Forest Park today to learn about animal tracks.

We mixed sawdust, flour, and water to make the material to shove into rubber molds.
This is a picture of Jasper's beaver and Tullaia's red fox.

Have you ever tried to walk like a raccoon? It's pretty hard.

Sunshine By Tullaia

Tullaia was feeling inspired yesterday.
We were driving in the car when she wrote this poem. She says it reminds her of Hafiz.

Rainy day.
Cloudy day.
Litle slits
of blue between the clouds.
What is that?
Clouds part.
Blue.
The color of a little girl's eyes.

This is a picture of Iowa sky.