Metallica: from the Snake Pit

August 11, 2017, Category: Blogs

Metallica rocked Seattle on August 9, 2017. I was right up front for an experience in the Snake Pit that I still can’t quite believe happened. I stood, at times, inches from James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo while they performed live for a packed Century Link arena. Read on for pictures, video, and a recap of a night never to be forgotten. All pictures and short video clips were taken with my iPhone.

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Day 13: Destination Home, hopefully…

January 23, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

Our journey home. Can an empty water bottle get me thrown into a Panamanian jail? Maybe. Read on to find out…

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Day 12: Driving at Night in Costa Rica

January 19, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

On our final day in Costa Rica was spent soaking in hot springs. We learn an important lesson the hard way. Almost every travel tip says do not drive in Costa Rica at night. Read on if you’d like to know why…

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Day 11: Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

January 17, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

Hot Springs surround the Arenal volcano in Costa Rica. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, it has often spouted lava and rumbled throughout the night (something I hoped to experience). Our scenic mountain drive through coffee fields and villages is a great lead-up to our stay at The Springs, a luxury hot Spring Resort in the shadow of the giant, lava-covered peak. Read on for details and pictures…

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Day 10: Leaving Corcovado National Park

January 14, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

Nito leaves without us, and we wait for better weather so a plane can land to fly us out. There are no guarantees. Will we be stranded in the Corcovado? Another family is ahead of us in line (they were supposed to leave yesterday).

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Day 9: Sirena Ranger Station, Corcovado

January 12, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

The Corcovado exceeds our expectations: rodents, animals, birds, insects, critters, plants, formations, trees, lizards, flowers, sharks, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys—the day is packed with jungle life. Well, except maybe the sharks. Maybe. You decide.

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Day 8: Hiking the Corcovado, Costa Rica

January 11, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

Drama in the Corcovado: I almost kill my brother, Sandi projectile vomits over six feet (which I think is a world record), and I slice off the back of my foot. Despite the setbacks, we trek fourteen miles through the most bio-diverse place on the planet (according to National Geographic). Crocodiles, monkeys, parrots, wild pigs, and a rescue operation to save twelve baby turtles.

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Day 7: Drive to Pureto Jimenez, Costa Rica

January 10, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

Four of us drive to southern Costa Rica to prepare for the Corcovado jungle. We drive over a crocodile. A member of our group is cranky. Read on for all the gory details…

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Day 6: Drive to Naranjo, Costa Rica

January 8, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

How do the ferries work in Costa Rica? I had no clue. After a crazy mountain drive, a local family adopts us for the night and treats us like family. Maybe ’cause we were family.

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Day 5: Montezuma, Costa Rica

January 6, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

We hike all day. To waterfalls. Swimming holes. Deserted beaches. Through the jungle. Montezuma, Costa Rica is heaven. Read to see the the details and pictures.

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Day 4: Drive to Montezuma

January 3, 2017, Category: Costa Rica

I sink knee deep in seashells, find a massive iguana with the head the size of a soccer ball, and discover one of the most awesome places on the planet: Montezuma, Costa Rica. Read on for details!

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Day 3: Flamingo and Conchal

December 31, 2016, Category: Costa Rica

My brother and his Costa Rican wife direct us to the “two best beaches in Costa Rica.” Read on to find out where. Watch out for the howler monkeys!

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Day 2: Drive to Tamarindo

December 30, 2016, Category: Costa Rica

We arrive in Costa Rica and find out, the hard way, our bank cards aren’t working at the ATMs. How do you survive without cash? Read on and find out…

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Day 1: Airport Troubles

December 29, 2016, Category: Costa Rica

Our travel day to Costa Rica didn’t go as planned. I’d told Sandi our layover through the night at the Guatemala Airport would be fun and sold her on the Red Carpet Lounge. I really blew it.

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Adventures in Costa Rica

December 28, 2016, Category: Costa Rica

Sandi and I went to Costa Rica in December of 2012. We spent two weeks backpacking in Corcovado National Park, hiking in Montezuma, relaxing in Tamarindo, and soaking in hot springs near the Arenal Volcano. I nearly kill my brother on our camping trip, and Sandi perfects her Marge Simpson groan. It’s all here for your enjoyment (and my humiliation).

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