Let’s see … mountaintop cloud forests, endless shorelines, refreshing waterfalls, being dwarfed by volcanos, new friends that crossed our path, and all the other many wonders we experience on our 1050km adventure; Costa Rica was everything we expected and more! Pura Vida now and forever!
Manuela Antonio was our unplanned home/office/workshop for half of our time in Costa Rica. Even though it is an incredibly small town, there are a vast number of adventures to experience here. We did as much as we could while actually taking a little R&R in for the first time in a long time on these trips. Manuel Antonio National Park, Hotel Costa Verde, Espadilla Beach, and Gran Gallo Sportfishing are just a few of the activities we highly recommend becoming involved with if you visit.
It takes a little patience and a 4×4 vehicle definitely helps to get to this hidden gem of a protect forest! Captain Ahab’s traverse through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve made him many new friends this day that now share a unique story of breathing, tasting, wearing, and, most importantly, becoming part of the clouds!
First stop on our ‘zero planning before jumping on a plane to Costa Rica’ adventure was at the Peace Lodge & La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Like most travelers, the quick research we did do involved visiting the company’s website and skimming photos and descriptions. Sadly, the website falls short in describing the amazing hotel and grounds – Disney could learn a thing or two about how to create a memorable experience from this place! We could have easily spent several days roaming the grounds, but Ahab said we only get a day. Shout out to Freddie, Daniel, and Dixon for making our stay lawn-gnome-friendly!
We were ‘kindly persuaded’ to join this epic group of cyclists in North Adams, MA for the biking season this year. My only requests was that we found a bike that Ahab could ride. As you can see, that wasn’t an issue! See you next year!!!
Justin shared this bucket list item with us, so naturally we went and did it! The world’s second largest underground lake… check!
Out of all the distilleries we visited on this trip, Willett was easily our favorite! We met some of the family, learned about the history of the property, and got to taste some amazing recipes! It would be a lie to say that this was the last time we will visit!
In 2010 we were denied entry into Mammoth Cave and left the park with the first ‘No’, of the two total, in Ahab’s traveling career. After many years of planning, we were granted access to this amazing place! In the process, we really got to know a number of the park rangers involved with the care of this park and have an even bigger appreciation and better understanding for the parks service because of it.
Sometimes in life you are not going to be able to accomplish your goals instantly and you have to work even harder to achieve those that are out of reach… even if it takes 7 years!!!
This distillery is one of the beginning factors that changed the fate of Captain Ahab back in 1943! Being able to get a private tour of many areas of the grounds was an amazing feat. Being able to talk to folks that understood that part of our history/story…priceless!!!
Four Roses was under construction when we showed up, but from the moment we stepped through the door we knew it was going to be a good time. Not an unfriendly person on staff or touring with us! Chris, you are our hero!
Ahab has a soft spot for properties rich with stories. The Bulleit grounds are one of those places. Obviously, all the fun they let us have during our visit was just a great bonus!!!
Look at all the hidden gems we found hiking around the campus grounds! It always pays to show up early (and no that isn’t a lesson in the presentation!) Southern Vermont College was a motivating place and the group of incoming students set the bar high for the 2017-2018 speaking season!
