Darryl and Cindy Cunningham: Visiting Family in Costa Rica

February 1, 2023

I thought I should put up at least one photo of what brought us to Tampa, Florida. Of course it is a dome and by the first of February it was progressing nicely. My hard hat was at home, so I borrowed Cody's to go in the dome and take a few photos.

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Tuesday - Darryl and I flew to Costa Rica to see Hillary and Jake and the boys. It was so good to see my "baby girl" after 7 months.

Gabriel was in school, so Jethro and Ezra gave us extra hugs and kisses.

We stopped at a little restaurant and souvenir shop for lunch and the boys and I found a Rocking chair that could hold the 3 of us!

Several months earlier Hillary had asked us if we could donate any dresses to their little group (Now a branch) many of the investigating sisters and even some members didn't have dresses. We all donated and Skye's Relief Society, under the direction of her mother-in-law Donna, made 100 T-Shirt dresses of various sizes to deliver to the stake. Here are 4 that Hillary and I delivered to a wonderful family for Mom and her 3 daughters, Genesis, Belen and Jasmine.

And here are the girls with their sweet mom Benita.

***

I awoke that first morning to the sound of a dog making the strangest noises. It took me a few minutes to realize that it wasn't a dog, it was the Howler Monkeys that live in the trees around their home.

Hillary and Jake own a house on the Black Howler Monkey Trail and they actually have a troops of monkeys that live by their house and monkeys that just pass through. Look closely in the trees and you will see them.

But don't smile. Showing your teeth is a sign of aggression and they might throw something at you or even pee on you. Below is a momma and her youngster.

They have a beautiful property tucked away on a hill overlooking the river.

They took us out for a fancy dinner Wednesday night.

And on Friday, February 10th we took a little trip into the mountains,

Around the beautiful lake Arenal,

Past the Coti's who block the road begging for food (don't feed the critters - PLEASE!),

to the town of La Fortuna where we stayed at a delightful AirBnB, ate a quick dinner and went on a night tour of the local Coffee and Cocoa plantation. It was quite fun seeing all the critters, including

a glass frog,

a moving baby sloth..

unlike our toddlers, it's not very fast, but she was going back

to her sleeping mother. Can you see her up in the tree?

another tiny frog,

a special bird I don't remember the name of..

and the beautiful flora.

We got to see how the cacao pod grows..

and what the fresh slimy, white seed/pods taste like. Sweet and quite different from the product we know and love.

The coffee beans on the vine.

After fermenting the cacao seeds they dry it on these long racks.

The process to make Cocoa.

Finally we went to a little hut where we were able to grind the dry seeds (which wasn't easy) and each make our very own chocolate bar.

It took all three boys to partially turn the handle...

Grandpa showing us how it's done...

...and finally, mixing the fresh ground cocoa with nuts, sweeteners and spices to make our own chocolate creations.

The next morning we were up early and off to the Arenal National Park to ride up the side of the volcano and take a Zip Line Eco Tour down to the bottom.

First we had to take a practice run. This was the only time Ezra would be going by himself. Because he was so small a guide would take him on the regular zip line. At first he was afraid but the the time we his the 11th station he was an old hand and loving every minute.

The ride up the volcano trail. It rained on us which made the zip lines very fast!

Ready, set, GO! Gabriel was the first one to go!

Getting hooked up.

Jake is a Zip Line Veteran..

This was seriously great fun!

Jethro chillin' out and coming in like a pro.

Gabriel takes in the sights of the jungle ahead... or the tree he's about to hit!

The guides hade a good time giving Ezra rides on their laps. This was his first ride as you can tell by his death grip on his lanyard.

You got this Grandpa! Coming in strong.

Hillary zipping along...

We usually just went from platform to platform on the lines, but there were a couple of places where we had to walk on a trail or bridge.

We stopped off at the Tarzan Swing, it's about 45' in the air and you drop down and swing out over a cliff that drops off a hundred feet or so. Hillary, Darryl and I took the Challenge and it was ....

AMAZING!!!

Well, it is as soon as you get over the initial fright of that first drop.

At this point I wanted to change my mind, but the riggers don't give you an opportunity, he just opens the gate and you fall...

Exhilarating!! Absolutely fun and I want to do it again!

Darryl works at heights, so this wasn't such a big deal for him...

Well, except for the drop and the swinging out over open expanse. That was different I guess.

The volcano behind us where we tempted the fates and won this time. (okay, it wasn't really that dramatic!

On the way home stopped at a warm river coming off the volcano and soaked in the water as it tumbled over the rocks (I can't find the photo) then we hit the road for Guanacaste and home with one small glitch....

we had to change a tire..

and stop to get it repaired at a shop where Hillary made a new friend.

This was the sight on the way to church Sunday morning.

They had 27 people at their branch Sunday Morning.

The Branch President conducting the meeting. It was hot in the building, but that didn't keep the spirit away. It was a wonderful meeting.

The week just flew by! Darryl worked on building a retaining wall out by the driveway. I helped Hillary around the house and played with my grandsons as much a possible. They took us to their favorite beach on Monday the 13th,