Day Trip to Anza Borrego Desert Park

Today I went with family to Anza Borrego Desert Park. My dad has property on the boundary to the park. We were able to enjoy the quite of the desert and all its beauty. On the way home we took a detour up Grapevine Canyon. There were a few spots that we may have had to use four wheel drive if it was wet and muddy. We passed without using the four wheel drive. While going up the canyon that had been burned in the last year, we found these rock formations, indicating previous native habitation. I'm looking forward to going back and investigating the area.

The Ride

Well I took a ride on the motor bike. I had the option to take the big ford pickup, it was cold and over cast. About forty-five minutes to the doc. office. I've rode when I was younger and have spent some time on back roads. However, going with the flow of traffic watching out for those who don't see you on a motorcycle can take a lot out of you. I'm glad my sis suggested I take a slicker otherwise I would have been very cold. There were a couple of other motorbikes that got in right beside me without me seeing them in the mirrors. That was a wake up call as to what I need to work on in the practice toward getting my license. Definite, I need more practice before I go on any long rides.

Hiking the "Slot". Anza Borrego Desert Park

After T-day we took a hike. A narrow wash that I've heard family talk about for a few years. This time I was able to go with.

Solar array is doing what it should!

When I came back to Costa Rica I was all gung-ho about the solar I had installed for electricity for my cabin. However, the panels did not get as much sun as I thought they would. They were in shade a good part of the day. So we moved the panels into a more sunny location. It's amazing what a little sun can do.

A baby Boa

Just a quick post of a baby Boa Constrictor. I saw this on the way back from shopping. Just on the side of the road, we watched him for about a minute, then decided to get out the camera. Just as I was starting to take the shot he or she decided enough is enough I'm out of here, feel blessed to get the shot. Also, a random shot of the flower that is blooming which I watch the humming birds come to on a regular basis, just right there when I look up from my chair while reading. And a pic of my place in the jungle. fincabellavista.net

Gringo Domingo! (American Sunday)

I was able to go down to the river on the north side of the property fincabellavista.com for a swim.The first time I'd been down to Rio Piedras Blancas. It's a much bigger river than on the south side of the property, Rio Bellavista. The last part of the decent to the river was almost straight down. It paid off with a great access to the river, small pools and such to explore. The sun was right on the river for a short period, nice start to the day.

Back in Costa Rica

I have been back in Costa Rica for a week now. First thing I did was try to get the phone going at the airport, apparently an IPhone needs to be configured for Costa Rica. The Govt power and communications company can't do it or won't. So much fun! Looking forward to seeing how the new solar works at my jungle cabin. The next day I purchased groceries and refrigerator  and headed out to my place. After paying way too much for a cab, I plugged in the refrigerator, just my luck the one in the store that doesn't work. So another trip to town, oh well next week. I was able to exchange the refrigerator for another, more $'s for the a cab and yes the fridge works. However, after about six hours I noticed the warning light on the batteries was showing red. Well, we have had two and a half days of rain, we all know that if the sun doesn't shine on the solar panels, that the batteries don't get charged. I'm thinking propane refrigeration now. I'm enjoying the peace and quite of the rain forest. I'll head back to the States the end of September to be with family and do some traveling in the Midwest.

More solar

Last week I was able to visit family on the Central coast of California, San Luis Obispo County. On the way over I encountered a solar farm in construction. www.topazsolar.com & www.firstsolar.com These two links will take you to the web site to gain more information on the project. The project is on the Carriso Plain on route 58 going from Bakersfield, Ca. to San Luis Obispo, Ca. Route 58 is very desolate, you get an idea of how parts of the west were before so much population and all that comes with progress. You also have to make some sharp corners and jog back and forth around the property owners land. Back in the day the roads (wagon trails) didn't cut through a persons property they jogged around those 160 acre homesteads.When I went through there last October the construction hadn't started yet. As I remember, it was just happen stance that I took this route. Last Oct. I missed the exit for route 46 to Paso Robles. Well last week I was planning on going route 101 along the coast, beautiful drive. Some how I missed the exit for route 101 and continued on route 5 over the Grapevine. Of course there was construction going on and the signs were not as clear as they could be. Sometimes the best part of the journey can be getting there.

• Power SolutionsVertical Integration
• Projects1 - 550MW+
• InnovationIntegrated Technology
• SustainabilityClean & Affordable
• Press CenterNews & Press
• About First SolarOur Company

TOPAZ SOLAR FARM

San Luis Obispo County, California, USA

Price of what?

I like the price here. I don't think I'll like the price of Healthcare when the Affordable Healthcare Act starts doing more damage to our economy. Come on the Gov't has screwed up Social Security and can lose track of millions of Tax payer dollars, do we really want the the Gov't to take over or, tell us how to handle our healthcare?

Solar Array

Saw this and had to stop and take a look. It looks like this is an option for areas where the Sun does shine.

An update on this, I was testing a  post from my handheld device (I-phone) just a quick blurb. I needed to take more pictures of the actual solar panels. At this time I'm glad I caught the web site of the builder, www.blueoakenergy.com. You can go to the web site check out some of the projects they have done. It was somehow very intriguing to me to see a City setting aside land to power BART in the Bay Area, some 180 miles away.

Feeling Better

Well it's time to get back to the Blog. I have recovered from surgery. All the cancer was taken out. This is very good news. Enough of the tongue was taken to leave me with a speech impediment. Mainly it's the r's that are hard to pronounce. I think some of it possibly being lazy, and not wanting to move the tongue because was so painful for a bit of time, I'm looking forward to it getting better with time. Yesterday at the DMV (Dept. of  Motor Vehicles) I felt a little self conscious. I was there to take the test for Motorcycle permit. I did pass and was able to practice a little yesterday. Mostly I have been staying with my sister and her husband. Her grandchildren have been here for two weeks, having fun with them, going to the beach and just hanging out. Was able to see a lot of family during a little get together for the Grand nieces.

Adventure or Ordeal

My daughter told me lately that the difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude. I'm on an adventure. I have had a good run in remission, almost eight years. Now I'm scheduled for surgery next week. I have now come to the point of partial acceptance, turning it over to my God. I must say the last few days have been a roller coaster ride. My friend Tom said "just think you have been given a second chance, some don't get that". I find great comfort in family and friends, who support, wish well and pray for me. For all those who are in the same battle with cancer or some other medical condition, while it may not be easy, I say CHARGE!

What adventure is in store for next week

Well the weekend before I was in Tn. visiting my daughter, and helped a military family paint and move to a new place. This last weekend I moved one of my other daughters, out of situation. Over all things went fairly smooth. There were a lot of what ifs going into the situation. It was very emotional for me to do this for my daughter. Family will always come first. I know there are things that we missed. However the circumstances and the emotions were too painful to continue. I remind myself that it is all just stuff, and health and happiness reign over possessions. At this point in time I look forward to my next adventure, what ever that may be.

Getting lost with GPS

I have been in the South (United States) visiting my  daughters. Before leaving Ga. I bought my self a new iPhone. Upon landing in San Diego, I caught a Taxi to an Urgent Med. to take care of a medical issue. Well I found my self in downtown San Diego, needing to get to Old Town to meet my brother and his wife for diner. I pull out the new phone, go to maps and start tracking my location and direction I'm moving. I go about ten blocks, thinking I'm heading toward the water. I sure thought I saw the water through those buildings. This doesn't look right. I stop and ask a passerby, "do you  know San Diego well"? She respones with "yes". "I'm going to Old Town which way should I go"? "Your walking"? "I live in Costa Rica I'm used to long walks". And of course she tell me to go back the way I came, and get down to the water and folllow Pacific Coast Hwy. It took about an hour and a half to get there. Welll worth the walk to get the exercise, since I'd been on three flights to get to San Diego. San Diego is such a beautiful city.

I can post again

I have been locked out of the ability to post, welcome relief. Was just on the phone with a airline agent and because of a time change with a future reservation, I will receive a full refund. That was a simple call. I hope to get back in the swing of Bogggging!

Toucans

Just a couple of photos taken at friends house in Sierpe, Costa Rica, last month.

Another side of Arenal

 Coauti

 With cloud

 Lake Arenal

 Ginger

 Without cloud

Somewhat of a self portrait

A small side trip to the other side of Arenal Volcano. Mark a Canadian drove from Ontario, Canada. He is on his way to Tiera del Fuego. The link to his blog, web site www.25kwithoutmonday.com. It's a large site takes a while to get all the pictures. Anyway a small hike, probably the last before I head home on Thursday 4/26/12.

Learning experience

Well I learned something I've been wanting to know when I got on the wrong bus yesterday. I learned that the 9:50am Trocopa bus out of Palmar Norte uses the coast route to San Jose. It still takes the same amount of time, approximately five hours. It does stop for a lunch break north of Uvita 25 minutes and another short break about two hours later. It just happened to be the one time I didn't ask the driver if he was going where I was going. Most buses out of Palmar go through San Isidro. He obviously didn't look at my ticket very closely. I went to San Jose for half price, I only paid to go to San Isidro what a deal. So the eight $ diner at KFC made up for it. I love the excuse to come back to La Fortuna, although it is a bit warm (the fan is on), had some lunch when I got here, will get diner in a couple of hours. As I found out last time I was here and headed back to San Jose that the bus from La Fortuna goes by the Int'l Airport on the way to San Jose so will save $25 on a taxi to the airport when I head to the States on Thursday the 26th. Looking forward to seeing family in the States.

Update on the upgrade

They finished the railing this am as I was leaving for San Isidro. However, getting on the wrong bus gets you to a different town, oh well, it gives me an excuse to go back to La Fortuna, Costa Rica. I was able to do my exercises, yoga this am before I left. Will be in La Fortuna for four days then come back to San Jose to fly home, the States to visit family. Big shout out to the construction crew at Finca Bella Vista. fincabellavista.com