Dreams DO Come True!

Paradise ........found at Last....

Returning from a week of daily delight in Costa Rica.....along with, Dockie & Annie P., Ray & Betty, and Charlie and I.....makes me sad that I don't live there!....
Tasting Shangri-La is an experience I will always remember....
Ray's son, Donnie, said it perfectly last year when he encouraged

his Dad to go for a visit....

as a result, we became part of that encouraged dream....
Don said, and I quote...."Costa Rica was as wonderful as I could have ever imagined. It is a fairy land of deep blue seas, mountains,

rain forests, volcanoes and pristine landscapes.

The cost of living is very inexpensive and the people are

free, happy, friendly and beautiful.

I climbed mountains, swam in beautiful oceans, saw 16 ft. long crocodiles, Capuchin monkeys, Quetzal birds, giant toads, heard a Volcano speak..

I highly recommend a trip to this beautiful, free and safe paradise..."
In addition to what Don did,

we experienced many stunning waterfalls,

had a small earthquake tremor our first night, went horseback riding on the beach and swam in hot springs of every degree....

But most of all.....we 'fell in love' with the people...

they are so respectful and helpful and live in peace

with their private Garden of Eden.

As caretakers of their nature reserve,

they are truly professional

and it was a genuine delight to have them share it with us.
My heart felt very much at home there....

and I hope to return some day....
Pura Vita.....is true!

***Click on pictures to enlarge for better viewing...especially the Boa!

By the way, we changed hotels every night for 7 nights and had glorious fresh fruit breakfasts plus full buffets of other food as well....

Their food was.....not 'fast food' ...everything was

fresh cooked upon ordering....there is a difference in taste!

Paradise does have an address.................COSTA RICA!

Pura Vida (Pure Life) is the greeting from the local Tico's...

another way of saying, It Is a GOOD Life!

My 'Dream Come True' ....riding horses on the beach....other pictures will follow later...this was the hi-light of the trip for me....I'll just have to tell you about this experience...personally!

Marriott marina near Quepos beach area....our nautical men had to 'sight see' here...

Three girls....enjoying the "Pura Vida" life...

Quepos shopping area....

Click on picture to see clearly the Boa in tree
on our Mangrove Jungle Cruise...

Monkey licking the banana off of my hand...after he had eaten it....from my hand...

Morning catch at a local fishing village..

A Tico man who has worked in this volcano reserve for years and years...he is 87 and walks up 2 mile mountain road every day just to get to reserve area....a wonderful caretaker of this awesome environment...blessed by God!

Our Arenal Home...Heaven on Earth!

Charlie's seafood soup...$6.00 only and included two lobsters and huge shrimp along with other seafood...gourmet delight...again!

Our Hotel brochure....we each had one of the little cottages...only 11 room in hotel...4 by pool and 7 individual bungalows...what a delight!

Night view of volcano ....we heard it speak with a loud rumble during the day....

Our Hotel at base of Volcano....

Bar in the center of one pool that is filled with Hot Springs water every day and emptied every night at the Arenal Paraiso Hotel..

One of the 10 pools from the Hot Springs...at Arenal....home of the Arenal Volcano

Paradise....everywhere...

This little family was our delight...little "Julianne" captured Dockie's heart...

Pura Vida ...means Pure Life...or.....The Good Life!

Betty & Ray enjoying..The Good Life...

Waterfalls and flowers and lush tropical delights are...everywhere!

Annie P. celebrates her birthday in beautiful Costa Rica....this is the fresh flowers in the 'Ladies Room"...

Betty protects our 'stuff' at the airport...

Charlie saying good-by to C.R.

Flying Home...over Cuba..and a good time was had by all...

Words of Wisdom

from an 11 yr. old Florida Storytelling contestant Winner.....

........"Believe in yourself, but don't be too cocky, "

said Zayven Reese

'Lil 'Turkey'...aka Lil Chuck....

meets a real live turkey on Sunday....

along with other country critters as well....

Be sure to click on pictures below to enlarge for better viewing...

Going to the 'country' on Sunday was a family delight.....

This picture of 4 generations of...

Carlos Manuel Fernandez's...

Sr., Jr., III and now the IV.....

is a wonderful blessing of life...Praise The Lord!

Vinnie is learning another sport...calf roping...

this is one his 'big brother' Marine/Chuckie has NEVER done....

You go, Vinnie boy....

Chuck Jr. takes Cowboy Kyle's hat for a try-on.....

Kyle is the 'real deal'....now teaching Vinnie 'calf roping'....

"I love Aunt 'Tarla's wheels', says Lil Chuck

10 Pt. Buck....a virtual family zoo at Lil Chuck's backyard....

country living at its best...

Red Rock kisses Baby Chuckie...

Red Rock....will be 'good steak' one day but is friends with family dogs, Cash and Peanut, and Lil Chuck as well...

Dad's 'Bubba'....

Mommy, MJ, and her heart's 'delight'.....

Our Sweetie, Pie, Honey....walking at 10 mo. old....he captures the heart of all.....even teen-aged Jared!

Heather Benjamin is having....a girl! We celebrate the coming birth of another child into our family.....Congratulations MooMoo and MooMoo Jr....~

Family Baby Shower was a great time to see family members from near and far....far Florida that is...

Lindsey, Shelley & Erin.....delightful Southern girls....Shelley is the Mother of our families 'Lil David'....

Is this really 'Lil David'? Can not believe what a wonderful young man he has 'grown into'....living proof of a 'Mother's Love'.....

Aunt Lynn and Mom to be....

Mother-To-Be, Heather, ready for her 'life changing experience'....God Bless You, Dear One....

God Bless Our Troops!

It Is A Good Life!

It Is A Good Life!
As a student of life, I am ready to learn in fun, joyful ways…
Knowing that our spiritual life is anything but dull…
there are also times to be quiet and contemplative…..
then there are other times when life fills us with joy and laughter.
There are days when things seem to go wrong in such funny ways that
we have to laugh at ourselves and say, “God MUST HAVE….a sense of humor!”
God did provide each of us with a sense of humor and the ability to give things a light touch.
Life is not meant to be ALL seriousness…..
Children show us how to enjoy life fully
because they worry less and play more.
Worry is a LEARNED BEHAVIOR, but play is an innate tendency!
Teachers know that the most effective lessons are the fun ones.
And we are all students of life, willing and ready to learn life’s lessons in fun, joyful ways….
The 'delight' of a child....can teach us.....to enjoy....Life~

Marine boot with one dog tag...other dog tag around the neck...I asked Pipo why in the boot....he said 'in case leg gets 'separated from the body'....a grim reminder of the cost of being 'military' committed...Thank you, Americas 'Best"....we salute you!

Smiling and still on duty...our Pipo/Chuckie

Appreciation to Chuckie from the Vietnam Vets of Pinellas County...for serving in Iraqi Freedom...

Safety Harbor work in progress...

attending the 'Seafood Festival' over the week-end reminds me again and again.....

it is a Good Life...

Thank you goes to the many men and women in the military that are committed to preserving the freedom we so enjoy in the good ole USA ...Lest We Forget~

America the Beautiful....Vets not forgotten...