Thursday - headed to the beach

On Thursday morning, we packed our bags for a long weekend at the beach and headed to pick up our rental car. Around 10:00, we started the 3.5 hour, 100 mile drive to Manuel Antonio. The trip included some narrow mountainous roads with one hairpin curve after another. Even the main roads were almost all 2 lane, with an occasional passing lane. Along the way, we pulled off to a small village for lunch. I think we were the first customers of the day. We also stopped at a coffee shop. Eileen ran in since there really wasn't a parking spot. She was gone long enough to make me think they were roasting the beans. Turns out they just had to grind them and did a very slow pour. However, it was worth the wait -the coffee was best I had in a long time.

When we arrived in Manuel Antonio, it was pouring. We were having trouble trying to locate our place. It was a gated property, down what it essential a beach trail. When we arrived, the cleaning crew was still at work and not expecting us- a mistake of the host. While we waited on the porch, they brought us a cup of coffee.

After the rain stopped, we headed to the beach. While it was mostly cloudy, the sunset hour was pretty. While walking, we saw a couple locals setting up a special scene for a wedding proposal. We stayed nearby to watch the couple come down the beach and the guy get down on one knee. It didn't appear to be a surprise, more of a staged photo opp, since there was a photographer there also.

While out, we looked for a restaurant where we could watch Penn State play in the orange bowl. Right before game time, we headed to El Marlin for dinner and the game. Dinner was great, the outcome of the game a little less so.Read more