52 in the year of 52 --- #hike13 --- Papaguyo Forest Hike

 Pura Vida!

There are endless opportunities to hike Costa Rica. Whether near the sea, in the forest or deep in the jungle the sights are spectacular and the learning opportunities are boundless.

Next Costa Rica visit will include a volcano hike for sure.

Papaguyo Forest Hike

No poles 

Hiking boots a plus

Jumped in on a guided hike

1 hour - short but filled with pizotes, capuchin & howler monkeys, iguanas, coyol trees...

Milli and me...I swear she went willingly... :) 

Jumped in on another guided hike...love learning more about Costa Rica!

Can see the bayo de culebra below?

Look close! There are 5 1/2 howler monkeys in this tree!

Praticing our hiking team spirit and

Working together...who goes up, must go down! 

Back to snow and reality!

Adios CR...Hasta la proxima

52 in the year of 52 --- #hike12b --- Long Way Around

Why ride when you can hike? 

Want lunch you say? Well let's hike to lunch! My suggestion was met with one moan and a squeal of joy...luckily the squeal of joy came from my future AT hiking partner...

2nd hike of the day --- Milli and Robert in tow. We left our room at 1pm, low tide only way to do this...from harmony hotel to la Luna via the point...

Long Way Around

Hat, sun shirt, good water shoes, waterproof backpack and sunscreen...

1 hour (probably shorter if we didn't stop for shells and scene appreciation)

No poles 

Destination - lunch at La Luna 

Enjoy a hike to lunch! 

Before we left, a pizote came to our room also with lunch on his mind...

Then a butterfly...

Our hike will take us around this point....

Parts were like walking on the moon...

Don't let a little water stop you...

Or rocks...

Tried to make it out to this point...but I even have red flags...

Have pack will travel!

Tastes better when you work for it...

Full and back on the road again...but maybe a swim first...

Hike to eat! 

52 in year of 52 --- #hike12a --- Nosara Civic Trails

Another way to love Nosara is to hike Nosara! 

I took a day off from surfing and made it a two hike kinda day! 

1st up --- solo hike...Thanks to the Nosara Civic Association!  They have started blazing and marking hiking/walking/biking trails to give locals and visitors alike suggested routes to explore the flora and fauna of Nosara and take in a deeper appreciation of this special utopia. 

I almost did a little bit of each the "sections". I left my hotel, Harmony, at 6:15am and returned by 10:15am...I left early because of the sun! Next time I will start even earlier so I can catch the sunrise!! 

Nosara Civic Trails

Visit their web site to get a map:

http://www.nosaracivicassociation.com/trails 

I brought water, wore tons of sunblock, hat, back pack, sun shirt, long tights, and hiking boots...yes another trip with my boots in tow! It's dry season, so trails and roads are dusty and boots work well.

No poles needed, although I packed them

Traveled trails in sections: started J to G to C to A to R to D to L then back to C to D to H to G to J

Map will give you guidelines, but if you blaze your own trail, no worries just keep the fantastical Nosara beach hotel as a reference. 

4 hours

Easy hike, really a great way to see Nosara on foot

Nosara Beach Hotel --- my fantastical landmark...

Look for these trail markers! 

Traveling up the road towards Boca Rio Nosara...big tree down

Boca Rio Nosara...I think! 😜 Lots of birds fishing for breakfast

Jungle! Lots of butterflies and birds

A view of Reserve Biologica Lagarta...

View from other side of the trail...my fantastical marker in the distance! 

Down the hill and across the main road to Cruce Pelada on my way to Bioparque Marcel Schaerer...

Opening to the bio parque

Met up with a NCA trail tour with Phillipe! Awesome to tag onto his tour for a bit and learn more about the bio diversity of Nosara. 

Other tourers...

Heading back to Playa Guiones...

Trail map and reading glasses always close in hand...

I hear the waves crashing...getting close...

Home stretch...10:05am...

From snow to sun, every week of hiking brings me more adventure, personal insight and more intimate exposure to my surroundings...

Keep calm and get your hike on! 

52 in the Year of 52 --- #hike11 --- Devil's Den

I feel like I have been here before...the preserve and often the Devils Den! 

From 85 to 25! What a difference a week makes...location location location...

This hike is a good reminder to try to tussle up some friends when I hike. Although I do like my hiking solitude at times, there are those others when a buddy would calm your mind...

Well maybe 25 degree weather and fear of shrinkage kept this fellow at home today...

Yikes! #keepcalmandhikeon 

This is a beautiful preserve! Of course I did get a bit lost, par for my course. But once I finished I understood the trail better.

Hint: Pent Trail starts behind the TNC sign and the Laurel Trail starts where you park your car. But maybe you already knew that! 

Devil's Den Preserve, Weston, CT 

Owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy - what a treasure.

Poles used

Snow on the ground

Blazes on trees and well marked trail junctions 

Rocky (took a few spills) 

Went out on Laurel T.

Trail junctions: 

21,22,27,30,31,66,64,63,56/58,59,60,62,60,59,56/58,55,54,52,49,44,9,7,3,21

Sun shining 

18-23 degrees

Here come the selfies...

Getting my bearings and learning about the Nature Conservancy 

Map in hand! 

Blue bird day...

Of course I need to walk on every puddle frozen over...testing...

Made it up to Redding Great Ledge for some vistas! 

Streams galore...plenty of well maintained bridges, wooden walkways...but I like taking the path less traveled...😛

Ok, well this time I had no choice...

More of this, sunshine, snow and peaceful solitude... #hikeon

52 in the year of 52 --- #hike10 --- Yamato Scrub Natural Area

Yes, hiking in Boca baby! 

Didn't think I was going to find any "hiking" in Florida, well bite my tongue! There are tons of options! 

On another trip I will plan out an Ocean to Lake trip...check out www.floridahikes.com for hikes all over Florida.

Skyblue Lupine Hiking Trail

@Yamato Scrub Natural Area in Boca Raton.

I hiked about 5.5 miles.

No poles

Sand and paved walkways 

Lots of sun, occasional shade

Lots of fun wildlife

Pack water, sun screen 

Pee before you go! 

Near the end of my hike! 

The trail! 

A turtle ...

Saw a blue heron and an egret...

The vultures took a break from circling me! 

Inland sand

Hanging moss...

Inland shells...beats snow drifts... :)

Love this photo! I brought hiking boots but forgot my heels... #priorities 

Loved hiking Florida! Look forward to many more outings!