The Perfect Day

I cannot imagine a day more perfectly created for me than today.

Before coming to Costa Rica one of the main things I researched was hiking. I was dying to hike through the lush forests that I've heard so very much about, therefore when I heard about Mario's trip to Las Cruces de Alajuelita, I signed up immediately. I wasn't quite sure what kind of hike I was getting myself into, and was quite frankly expecting not to be too physically challenging; it was so much better than I expected.

We drove about twenty minutes to the bottom of the mountain and started the hike around 10:00. The weather was perfect: overcast and a bit cool. Twenty- one volunteers started up this rough, slippery terrain - made even worse by the recent rains - following Mario, our fearless leader. Mario is a 28 year old local Tico who works at Maximo, the organization through which we volunteer. From the moment we began, it was clear that he was in his element, and that if nothing else, he would make for an entertaining hike.

Being the often impatient, and extremely anxious girl that I am, I hiked to the top of the mountain up front with Mario, which was great for three reasons: he is so dang fit that he pushed me physically; I got to ask him tons of questions and get to know both he, and the Costa Rican culture a bit better; he took a bunch of great pics of me :). After about 45 minutes of chatting and climbing, we made it to our first goal: the first cross. This one we could actually climb up - with a little help up and down from Jordan - and the view was absolutely unbelievable.

And then it was time to begin our even more difficult next portion. There were quite a few slips, a shortage of breath as the altitude began to steal it, and lots of fresh cow patties. As we passed the hermit's home, we knew we were getting close. Thighs burning, I watched Mario jog up the steep hill to the top, and for the first time in a long time thought my legs might give out if I tried to keep up. Some people had to sit along the way due to the loss of breath, and there were a couple who I was afraid might not make it, but soon enough... we all filed into the area around the second cross and enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch. Some of the troops were pretty pooped.

After a few minutes of sitting and eating, the bugs all told each other about our food and were EVERYWHERE, therefore it was time to make it to the final cross. Of course, Mario told us this was the easiest part, and it was definitely the hardest, but it was well worth it in the end. After three hours of hiking/climbing straight up the mountain - with very little opportunity to catch our breath - we were at the top. The final cross is absolutely enormous, and the view from it is by far the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. One one side of us there were small Christmas tree farms, and coffee plantations with a back drop of the city, and on the other side were more mountains, through which we could see a small piece of the other side of the city. There was a family of cows at the top who let us get close enough to nearly touch them, and seemed quite perturbed that we were walking around in their space. I felt like I was in the sound of music. One boy who is Irish actually pulled out a flute and began playing the most beautiful music; I never wanted to leave. All I could think about was how much my father, a man who raised me to love trees, birds, and untouched land, would love this.

After about thirty minutes of admiring the breathtaking scenery, we took a vote as to how we were going to get down the mountain... we had two options: go straight down the other side, which was the steepest thing I have ever seen, and end at a creek, fresh water spring and waterfall; or go back down the same way we came up, which would be a slippy, slidy mess. We voted on going straight down the other side, and I am absolutely SHOCKED we all made it alive. I slipped and fell on my butt a time or two, some people got a little scratched up and bruised, but the fact that none of us tumbled all the way down to the bottom is unbelievable. We were told to go slow, steady and side ways; I felt like I was part of a little family of mountain goats.

After about an hour of straight down, we made it to the creek. Being a nasty, smelly, sweaty mess, I immediately took off my shirt and jumped right in, going all the way under. It was the coldest water I have ever swam in, and I am pretty sure that every one in my group thought I was absolutely insane. Some of them waded a little bit, but no one was willing to swim with me; it was actually extremely refreshing. Then, we walked another ten minutes and made it to the most amazing water fall. Once again, while everyone else went to sit right at the top of the water fall, I took off my shirt and got right beneath it. I've always wanted to be soaked beneath a waterfall; it was just as beautiful as I imagined. This time, however, one of the girls, Nina, joined me, and then the other girls followed behind. It was just too irresistible.

When we were done here, it was time to make our way along the creek to the little town where we were getting picked up. It was another long walk, but this time it was flat ground, and very relaxing; a chance just to enjoy our surroundings. Around 3:00, after 5 hours of hiking, we made it to the end and had a wonderful little snack at the cutest local cafe. It began to rain just as we were loading the bus.

It is amazing how rejuvenating to the spirit spending time in nature can be - and also vigorous exercise. Being with nature, away from all distraction and pollution - both physical and mental - is so cleansing and brings out such a beautiful side of people. It is times like these that all my doubts, fears and uncertainty seem so insignificant, and all I can do is think how amazing, loving and powerful our God is.

Favorite pic.... made me smile and think of my Papa.