Day 4. More around the Ranch and lots of creepy crawlies

Rancho Margot, Day four.

Well, Eric got smart after he watched me happily skipping off to Yoga yesterday. Today, the bike snob, rented a HUFFY, to go pedal around the mountains. He came back quite proud of the challenge of not riding with clip less pedals and covered in what had to be volcanic ash mixed with dirt. He was ever so kind to arrive back just in time for me to jet off to yoga class again once more. After finding my zen in the rainforest we met for breakfast before learning the nitty gritty in and outs of the ranch. It was quite amazing to learn how the ranch uses nearly everything, produces its own energy and is self sustainable. We learned how the owner had reforested much of the area as it had once be used for grazing cattle. We learned that the location of the ranch borders the Children's Eternal Rainforest. What an amazing and inspiring lesson to be learned on how youth can change the world!! Now if they could just figure out a way to reduce the mosquito population that met us along the drizzle hike around the ranch.

































After learning and soaking up the ranch we headed to the Serpentarium just up the long dirt road in El Castillo. The Serpentarium, Arenal Eco Zoo, was one of Graham's favorites from our whole trip in Costa Rica. Victor, our guide, commented almost immediately, on how impressive Graham was with his knowledge of animals, snakes and bugs. And, from that point on, Graham and Victor's passion for snakes seemd to rub off on all of us.







































After a long visit to the serpentarium we headed back to Rancho Margot to swim in their hot pool, to relax in our cabina and to get ready for new year's eve! The swim was nice but COLD when we realized we only had 2 towels for the 5 people in our family. Guess who didn't get a towel... The relaxing at the cabina was just what we needed. Fleeting thoughts of hikes or hanging bridges passed our thoughts but with kids who are homebodies at home you can't expect much different on vacation.














And part of our relaxing included listening to the call of the Montezuma bird! The most lovely call we've ever heard! We went on a scavenger hunt just to find out what was making the noise of this magnificent bird! LISTEN!