May 1st found us back in Washington. This was moving day for David’s dad. He was moving from LF’s house to an assisted living facility. I have to say David’s oldest sister, J, did an outstanding job researching this huge project. She found the facility, hunted down all the paper work from Medicare to The Veterans Administration, as well as helping her dad fill it out. It’s a very nice place and L seems to have settled in nicely. Lots of activities and exercise.
David had spent the previous day at LF’s house helping L sort his belongings.
Friday morning J & I met the moving crew at the facility. David had our van so there wasn’t as much room as there would have been in the truck and his dad rode with him. Soon LF, JF, and one of their twin daughters, SF, showed up. With this many hands the move progressed smoothly and quickly,
After we were finished the folks from the south Puget Sound area; LF, JF, and SF, headed off to wherever they were going and David, L, J, and I went back to J’s house. L actually could not move in until the following Monday. He was staying with J until then.
The following morning David and I were up earlier than usual for us. We had a long day ahead of us. This was going to be a quick trip to Colorado with long days of driving. It was May 2nd and we had to be home by the 14th for dental appointments.
Our first destination on this trip: My younger brother’s house in Nampa, Idaho. It was an 8 hour drive across Snoqualmie Pass, down through Yakima and Northeastern Oregon. We arrived in the early evening just in time for my sister-in-law’s yummy cooking. Whether my brother or my sister-in-law is cooking, the food is always good.
The next morning we said our goodbyes and headed east – after we finally found our way out of my brother’s neighborhood.
We spent the night at a Love’s in Green River, Wyoming. We must have slept pretty well because we woke up a bit late. It always amazes me how many people pull in and out beside us in these truck stops, and we never seem to hear them. I think it’s because we live so close to the freeway in Eugene.
We arrived at our daughter’s house in Colorado just as our son-in-law left for work. At the time he was working crazy long hours on a night shift. Because this is often the way life is for these two, we try to help with the boys and around the house. I couldn’t do a lot since I was trying to avoid damaging my left shoulder any further.
Much of our time was playing games with the boys, letting N run errands without two little boys tagging along. Grandpa played a lot of games with our grandsons.
Later in the week David and I took grandsons 1 & 3 to their local park and watched them play on the equipment. Grandson #3 has really gotten into his balance bike so he wanted to be sure I took the right pictures at the right time. He’s 5. Some day he’ll be supervising employees.
We stayed through Mother’s Day. We started with Mass in the morning. In the afternoon David made an early dinner for us so we could eat as a family before our son-in-law left for work.
Monday morning we left around 10:00AM and headed north to Wyoming. We wanted to stop in Laramie since we always seem to drive past. While David drove I pulled out my phone and looked for lunch in Laramie. David had heard about a New York style deli and wanted to give it a go. Then we’d spend the night back in Green River.
Well that did not happen. As we approached the state line – we were practically there – signs were telling us that Highway 80 west bound was closed to vehicles like the van because of high winds.
We have experienced high winds on Highway 80 in the van and trust me once is enough.There were also high winds predicted for I25. Our only choice was to turn around and take I 70 west. All the way south of Denver. A two hour delay. And we had to find a different town to spend the night.
We finally got through Denver and onto I70. Things were going well. The weather was perfect. We sailed through the Eisenhower – Johnson Tunnel without any difficulties. And then life stopped. Just stopped. Traffic was at a standstill in both directions. Road crews were blasting on the mountains. By the time we got to Green River, Utah ( yes another Green River – but hey, Green River towns have worked for us as a matter of fact I think we should stop at every town named Green River in every state) we were beat and hungry.
We had a delicious meal at the Tamarisk Restaurant. This restaurant was right on the river. A beautiful view for dinner.
Then we toddled off to the local Love’s for the night.
The rest of the trip went smoothly. We spent Tuesday night the 12th at another Love’s. We arrived home in the early evening on the 13th.
The next week was spent cleaning out the van and preparing for our next adventure.
Thursday the 22nd we were on I5 again, heading north to J’s house. What is usually a five and half hour drive turned into 8. Our first delay was in Longview looking for gas at a reasonable price. This meant Fred Meyer, about as far from I 5 as possible and still in Longview. And of course GPS took us the scenic route.
When we got into King County we were feeling pretty good about the time we made up from Longview. Ha, ha, ha. I5 in Seattle was a mess due to major lane closures. It was a real slog, but we made it in time for dinner. ( I know it sounds like we always make it “just in time for dinner” We really don’t plan it that way)
Saturday we took L to lunch at Red Robin. We had hours and hours before we had to leave for Sea Tac to catch a 7:10 PM flight to….San Juan Puerto Rico.
We were leaving from Lynnwood for SeaTac with J. To save money, time, and aggravation we took Sound Transportation Lite Rail from Lynnwood to SeaTac. What a great system. The train drops you in the parking garage and then it’s a straight shot into the airport terminal.
Our flight had changed a couple of times since we booked in December. The original reservation had us leaving Seattle at 10:58 PM, stopping in Chicago, and then arriving in Puerto Rico around 12:30PM the following day. This flight had us connecting in San Francisco to a flight to Washington DC arriving in Puerto Rico at 12:38PM the next day.
What a nightmare.
The connecting flight to Washington DC arrived 40 minutes late. We waited on the tarmac for another 20 minutes while they finished loading luggage. We finally took off over an hour late. When we landed in Washington DC nearly everyone on the plane had a connecting flight to make – ourselves included.
We arrived in Puerto Rico after 17 hours – felt like 3 days. K was there to meet us. K had been working in the area for about a month, thus the trip.
After a short uber drive we were at the condo. We had time to kill before check-in so we played a card game, Scout – a new one for us – while treating ourselves to some libations.
After check-in and a much needed shower we were off on foot to find food… in the rain.
Chido’s was our choice. Located on a corner of the main drag, Chido’s made me feel happy and in the mood for new experiences. Our server, Vanessa, was very helpful answering all of our questions regardless of how confusing we were.
Wonderful late lunch. David and I had shrimp tacos with tostones – everything comes with tostones – K & J had shrimp avocados and margaritas and pinacolotas. When you order shrimp in Puerto Rico they aren’t the shrimp we’re used to getting here on the Pacific Coast. These shrimp were 3” long, minimum. And the avocados had to have been 6” long. We also had entertainment.
A couple of older gentlemen were playing an oil drum, maracas, and a guitar. So we sat here at a table beside a huge open window (more of an open wall) in the rain and listened while we ate.
Monday was Memorial Day.
It can be very easy to forget Puerto Rico is a part of the USA, but Puerto Ricans do not forget. They celebrate the same national holidays, use the same currency, and suffer from the same inflated gas prices we do on the mainland. And this day everyone seemed to be exiting the island. Going home to the mainland.
The weather was not only rainy but also blowing gusts. After a lazy morning of coffee and pastry ( K is always first up so he left early and went foraging for a pound of coffee and pastries. We all appreciate this weird part of his character. K makes great coffee), we decided to walk down the beach to one of the bars that had been too busy the day before. The trick was finding a beach bar with enough shelter from the wind. We found one with an empty table we squeezed into. We had tasty pulled pork sandwiches and of course margaritas and pinacolotas.
I’m really surprised margaritas and pinacolotas weren’t part of breakfast.
The condo was not stocked with any food at all so a trip to the grocery store was in order.
Dinner was at a very small family restaurant. We ordered family style: roasted pork, sweet potatoes, macaroni salad and just for a change of pace sangria. Then a walk home in the rain.
Tuesday we had papayas for breakfast before heading to the beach. Since so many people left the island the day before the beach was relatively empty – of course it was raining. Our two beach umbrellas helped until the wind shifted. It was actually warm and very relaxing. No sunscreen needed.
Dinner that night was a bit of an adventure. We ubered west to Ocean Lab Brewery. This gave us a very different view of the Atlantic and the area we were staying. The complex was huge. A beautiful beach with palm trees along the beach side of the open air restaurant, an aviary with a couple of very large macaws, a gift shop and of course it seems to be attached to a beach club. After we ubered back to Carolina, the neighborhood/town where we were staying, we finished the evening with a walk to Cold Stone – like we hadn’t had enough to eat – and a walk home in a downpour! We finished most of our ice cream in a bus shelter.
Wednesday. The previous evening had gone on a bit late. It was decided this would be a late morning followed by an early lunch and a stroll through Old Town at Barrachina. K had heard that this was the best place for paella. Our ultimate destination for the day would be a self guided tour of San Cristobal. First an early lunch of paella with – you guessed it – margaritas and pina coladas.
I’ve never had real paella before, This was incredible. We of course ate too much, but we had a lot of walking ahead of us and it was hot so we needed the fuel.
The architecture in Old Town is beautiful and some of it very old. The first thing we noticed were the blue cobble stones. The blue is from the iron content in the stone. A fact that surprised me since usually orange that shows iron.
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon founded the first European settlement in 1508 so some structures are over 400 years old. This includes Castillo San Felipe del Moro, started in 1598.
I could give a cursory history lesson here, but it would take pages. I’d rather just show you photos.
Old Town
Thursday, the day everyone was looking forward to.
The Bacardi tour!
We ubered out to the Bacardi plant/distillery and signed in at the tour kiosk. While we waited for our tour we played Love Letter and enjoyed yummy rum beverages in the covered open air bar. I have to say right here; I am not a rum drinker. Rum is sweet as is everything that is mixed with it. They did , however, serve a rum drink I could really become addicted to. Wish I could remember the name.
Unfortunately, it was one of the most expensive drinks on the menu. It was made with coffee, cinnamon, and light on the sugar.
On with the rest of the tour.
A couple of things I learned: Bacardi was founded in Cuba in 1862 then with the Revolution in 1960 the family was forced to relocate to Puerto Rico. They also have distilleries in Mexico and India. The tour was great and our tour guide, Esther, was delightful.
We finished the tour in time to make the ferry for dinner in Old Town. J & K were looking for a restaurant that would serve a good Mofongo, a traditional dish of the island. I ordered shrimp. The mofongo looked interesting but I was determined to get as much shrimp as I could on this trip. We accompanied our dinner with sangria.
Bacardi, dinner in Old Town
Esther
Friday. This was going to be a huge day. We had booked a tour of the El Yunque Rainforest. This is the largest US tropical Rainforest. It has a very different feel than Hawaii.
We met our Patria tour bus at a nearby hotel. Our tour guides, Jorge and Adrion, were both very knowledgeable about the island’s history as well as the rainforest. Jorge was an excellent driver. He could drive me through any jungle up any mountain and I’d feel safe. Adrion kept the drive interesting with fascinating information about the island. It was Adrion who told us that the “bird” we kept hearing at night was not a bird at all but a tiny frog called a coqui for the sound it makes. The frog is less than one inch long but makes a very loud chirping sound.
On the way down the mountain we stopped at Yokahu Tower.
I really do not like heights. Truly hate heights. This tower at 1,575 feet has 64 stairs. I really didn’t want to climb it. The power of the camera and the desire to get that photo can be very compelling. Combine that pull with your best buddy (J) egging you on and before you know it you’re at the top of a very high structure taking photos.
Dinner that night was a few short blocks from our condo at The Metropol, a restaurant recommended by our guide Adrion.
This has to be THE restaurant for all family celebrations. While we were there no fewer than four birthdays were celebrated. On our way out we passed a wedding party dancing their way into the restaurant.
Art in the forest
Saturday, last chance for the beach. There was nothing planned for Saturday but the beach. And that is what we did. The weather was beautiful, albeit hot. We were there most of the day on our chaise lounges under our umbrellas reading or napping. David and I did get in the water for a bit. I’m a terrible swimmer and with a torn rotator muscle didn’t really want to try much. But it was refreshing if not as cold as what I am used to.
We bought homemade empanadas and mango sherbet from private vendors walking the beach. It was a delicious lunch.
For our last dinner we went back to Chido’s. Once again Vanessa was our server.
My sister-in-law took this photo with her I phone. I don’t have an I phone. Fortunately I have a very tech savy son-in-law.
Sunday our last day on the island. Our flight was leaving at 1:00AM Monday. Lots of time to kill for last minute souvenir shopping in Old Town. We went to the Fort (Castillo) one more time. J wanted to look at the cemetery – cemeteries are so interesting especially in an environment like the tropics. Unfortunately, the cemetery was closed. Kind of weird considering it was Sunday.
While walking through Old Town we happened upon the Cathedral Menor de San Juan Bautista. If we had found the cathedral at the beginning of Mass instead of the end I would have stayed for Mass.
K had secured a hotel suite next to the airport for later in the day. When we got into the hotel suite we took turns taking showers, we read, we napped, and we watched part of the Mariner baseball game. Then it was time to catch our flight to Chicago. The flight home went off without a hitch. Monday morning we found ourselves – having traveled back in time over time zones – safe on the ground at SeaTac.
This trip was definitely one of the most interesting trips David and I have done together. I embarked on this journey with no preconceived ideas. I did not expect the feeling of being in a foreign country while at the same time feeling like I was in the US. The history is both sad and fascinating. And Puerto Ricans know their history and political situation well. I left wondering if Puerto Ricans would have been better off without the US gaining control in 1898. The US mainland certainly does not treat the people in this US territory as equal citizens.
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