Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

World traveler, Hash House Harrier, and Harley enthusiast...not necessarily in that order. Read more🇺🇸Cincinnati popl.co/card/qD4Qce0c/1/txt

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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Waiting for the Ferry
April 4, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The remainder of yesterday was warming weather then scattered rain, so I stopped before I got completely wet and before the temperature could begin to drop.

I've gone south this morning to pick up the Creole Nature Trail, which is Louisiana's portion of the 50 Rides 1 Nation challenge.

This part of Louisiana seems to have a significant role in the crawfish economy as there are hundreds of ponds in the area. Also, there is significant damage to man-made structures, mainly homes, from what I assume was a recent hurricane. Perhaps it was Sally, the storm that hit Pensacola.

Now, I'm about to board the ferry. It's warm enough today that two long-sleeve shirts and my fingerless gloves are plenty. Yay!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 15 mileage: 297.0 (total 3875.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 47)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 2)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Lunch in New Orleans
April 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
By the time I finished service in Pensacola, the temperature came up to about 55°F, so I wasn't too cold on I-10.

Outside of Biloxi near Kessler Air Force Base, I met up with another retired Air Force friend from Germany. He and his family were driving to Florida, so we met for a bite along the way. Awesome!

The rest of the day was uneventful, but short. Driving into the setting sun is terrible, so I stopped in Hammond, LA, around 18:00.

I was woken again by very cold weather. It was only 44 at 07:00 🥶. So I had breakfast at IHOP and didn't hit the road until just after 09:00. The sunshine was nice, but the wind chill was not.

After a couple of dealerships, I've stopped at semi-famous Melba's for a shrimp po-boy. It should be amazing!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 14 mileage: 240.3 (total 3578.1)
HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 45)

P.S.: The grilled shrimp was über delicious! Tender, not chewy, and lots of seasoning that didn't overpower the shrimp flavor. I could've eaten a whole plate of just the shrimp. Otherwise, the po-boy was just another sandwich.Read more
Travelerhow's the new windshield working out?
4/4/21Reply
Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarI hate it, but it does its job of keeping the wind off of me on the Interstates.
4/4/21Reply
Travelercompromise...
4/5/21Reply
2 likes
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
How Can It Be Colder?!
April 2, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
Yesterday after lunch was a very short ride to Pensacola to spend the night with another friend, this one from my time in Okinawa and Germany. So wonderful to see her again!

I hit the local HD at 09:00 this morning. It was only 40°F! What is happening to Florida?! Anyway, after a cold half hour on the bike, I made it to the dealership and waited an hour for them to open. First come, first serve service here, so I wanted to be the first in line. But it was so cold that there was only one other person waiting, so I'm just about done now. Luckily, it has warmed up to almost 55, so I shouldn't freeze running on I-10.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 13 mileage: 85.1 (total 3337.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 39)

P.S.: Hurricane Sally in September 2020 caused quite a bit of damage to Pensacola. The dealership hasn't yet replaced their bar-and-shields.Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
It's Cold in Florida!
April 1, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
After my Tallahassee stop, I continued West, eventually picking up US-98, on to Panama City Beach and then the Fort Walton Beach area. I got to see a couple of friends from my time in Georgia that I haven't seen since 2010. Too long, but great to catch up in person versus Facebook. (But I forgot to take a picture ☹️.)

I treated myself to a hotel across the highway from the beach on Okaloosa Island. Luckily, I was off the bike and in the beachfront restaurant before the rain came. Wow! What a storm!

I woke up this morning really cold. Yesterday was 90°F, but this morning it was 50! So I put on just about all of my clothes and left the hotel at 10:00. Brrr! the wind chill was crazy cold!

Now I'm having lunch with a retired military buddy who I knew in Germany. Small world!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 12 mileage: 384.1 (total 3252.7)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 38)Read more
1 like
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Why did I bring rain gear?
March 31, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Yesterday may have only been 315 miles, but it took 9 hours and a heck of a lot of clutch. I never got out of traffic, even on I-75. About 1/4 of a mile before I reached my hotel in Ocala, the sky opened up and I got absolutely soaked.

Unfortunately, the Motel 6 didn't have laundry, so this morning I had to put on my wet boots. At least they weren't still squishy 🤣. And wet socks, too, because what would be the point of putting dry socks in wet boots? 😉

I rolled at 08:00 and have now stopped at the Tallahassee HD for a bathroom break. [Note to self: Never ever eat another gas station egg salad sandwich 🤢.]

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 11 mileage: 315.1 (total 2868.6)
HD Dealership Challenge: 8 (total 36)Read more
Travelergas station sushi is a better choice
3/31/21Reply
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar🤣🤣
4/1/21Reply
1 like
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Another Friend (I'm so lucky!)
March 30, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
After the Everglades, I turned North through the HDs in Fort Meyers, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota on my way to my friend's house outside of Tampa. I haven't seen her in a couple of years, so what a treat. We ordered in dinner and she introduced me to the Netflix show Schitt$ Creek. OMG, Catherine O'Hara (the mom from Home Alone) is absolutely hysterical!

Because of traffic around Tampa, I didn't leave her place until 10:00. Now, I've hit my third HD this morning with a few to go before I stop tonight.

I saw two signs today that made me giggle. The first said, " FREE BELLY RUBS! (Sorry, pets only)." 🤣 The second was at an Arby's, which said "We hoped you enjoyed your stay at the top of the food chain." Too funny 🤭.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 10 mileage: 428.7 (total 2553.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 28)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
1
Back to the Buoy
March 29, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
After a gross McDonald's lunch yesterday, I was on my way to Key West. Very. Very. Slowly. Because of traffic, my GPS said it would take me 8 hours to go 120 miles 😱. It was bumper to bumper dead stop for 16 miles 😱. This is my third time to ride/drive to Key West. I am taking the ferry from now on.

Anyway, I was able to ride down the shoulder to cut through much of the back up, so I made it in just 3 hours.

I arrived at my friends' home at 17:00, but they weren't there yet, so I walked to the corner place for some dinner. Yummy mac & cheese with broccoli and grilled shrimp 😋.

I took my leftovers back to their place and dumped my stuff in their guestroom. By that time another friend had showed up to drive us over to their sailboat race award ceremony. But this is Key West, people. Although all the sailing teams were at the restaurant (bar), and they had a video of highlights from the "race," no one ever made any announcements, so we left around 21:00.

After a little of my friend's birthday cake, I said so good to see you, thanks, and see you later to everyone...because I would leave before anyone else got up 🤣. I was passed out by 22:00.

I wanted to get an early start to miss traffic (HA!), so I was up at 06:00 and rolling at 07:00. I figured I would be the only one at the buoy that early (it was still dark!), but I was second in line with a couple of bikers behind me 🤣.

I didn't miss traffic, but it wasn't dead stop either, so I made pretty good time for that stretch of road. I hit a little rain that slowed things down, but nothing like yesterday's nightmare.

Now, I'm crossing through the Florida Everglades. There is so much wildlife to be seen just from the road! Here are some images I wish I got on film:
- A cormorant perched on a log drying his wings in the sun
- A great egret slowly wading through the shallows hunting for the next meal
- A massive turtle sunning himself in the middle of the road (I really hope he didn't get squished.)
- A great blue heron tossing a fish around on the bank so he could swallow it head first
- A partially submerged alligator floating in his territory oblivious of a motorcycle idling nearby (my selfie buddy)

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish [and birds and reptiles]! ✌️

Day 9 mileage: 409.3 (total 2124.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 22)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 1)

P.S.: Did you know there are only two everglades in the world? The other is in Noosa, Australia.

More info:
1) https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/everglades…

2) https://www.kanukapersaustralia.com/what-is-the…Read more
Traveler YAY 😁
3/31/21Reply
1 like
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Down the East Coast
March 28, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
After 11.5 hours on the bike yesterday, I stopped for the night in Satellite Beach. It was Saturday and all the hotels were full, but I found a little no name place that had a room.

I left at 07:00 this morning to get a jump on the traffic, which worked out. Since then, I've been hitting more HDs. One really cool coincidence happened. When I entered Seminole County, the song playing on my iPod was "Blow, Blow, You Seminole Wind."

Now I've stopped for a quick bite at McDonald's 🤢. This one only had a very basic menu, so no salads or grilled chicken. I got one of those new crispy chicken sandwiches. The best thing about it was the mayonnaise. Yuck.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 8 mileage: 404.5 (total 1715.5)
HD Dealership Challenge: 9 (total 19)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Finally Florida
March 27, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
I had a wonderful time with my friend in Georgia, but I had to keep moving. I left at 08:30 and cut through the bottom of Georgia to hit I-10 towards Jacksonville. I hit two HDs there, then turned south for St. Augustine. There I hit another HD and took a photo in front of a very important sign...for my trip. Castillo de San Marcos and down the A1A is one of HOG's 10 Rides for 2021, so only 9 to go! 😉🤣 [I've ridden every inch of and seen the majority of the sights on the Florida A1A while I lived in Georgia, so I'm just riding point a to point b right now.]

Riding through Georgia in the Spring is very special because of the way it feels. And not just because of the slight gagging of parfúm de roadkill either. I don't know if the high humidity contributes to more intense sensations, but regardless of why, it's pretty cool.

The stomach rumbling past a peanut processing plant. The subtle wafting of giant azaleas ablaze in all their glory. The nose crinkling at a roadside swamp giving up its little delicacies to the wading herons. The runny eyes because of the pollen drifting like sifted flour over a rolled out pie crust. The dusty flavor of freshly harvested pine trees.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 7 mileage: 0 (total 1311.0)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 10)
10 Rides for 2021: 1 (total 1 of 10)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Back in Georgia
March 26, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
Yesterday afternoon I made my way to Naylor, Georgia, stopping at the Tifton HD. Along the way, I crossed the Ichawaynotchaway Creek. What a name 🤣!

I'm with my BFF now. We met in 1995 when the military stationed me at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA. So awesome to see her and her son, who just graduated college with an Electrical Engineering degree. Smart kiddo!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 6 mileage: 299.2 (total 1311.0)
HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 7)Read more
3 likes
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Across Alabama
March 25, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
After yesterday's long lunch to warm up, I walked outside to find the weather completely changed. The sun had come out and it was quite warm. Nice!

A little more of I-20, then I slowed down a bit to take US-80 across Alabama. I stopped briefly in Selma at the small Civil Rights Memorial Park at the base of the Pettus Bridge, a landmark in its own right. [More info: https://www.history.com/news/selma-bloody-sunda…]

After hitting the Montgomery HD, I crashed at a Days Inn. I walked across Eastern Boulevard (yikes!) to eat at what I thought was a steakhouse but what turned into a seafood/barbeque place. With very loud R&B karaoke. 🤣 I ate and left before the place really got going, but it was only 19:00 and filling up fast. The food was really good! Yay to fried green tomatoes!

Another storm rolled through last night, but I was able to park the bike in a slightly sheltered area and keep it covered, so I didn't have any issues rolling out this morning at 07:45. It was a bit chilly and the roads were still wet, so on went the rain gear...until 09:00 when I couldn't take it anymore. But by then, the roads had cleared and the sun was coming out.

Now I'm East of Dothan after hitting that HD and making my way to Georgia.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 5 mileage: 337.9 (total 1011.8)
HD Dealership Challenge: 2 (total 6)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
On Through Mississippi
March 24, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Yesterday, I hit a second dealership in Louisiana, then beelined to Mississippi. I spent the night at a dump of a Motel 6, but it was cheap and no one messed with the bike overnight.

Last night after cleaning the bike (don't freak, Dano, it was just the windshield🤣), I walked to the corner Circle K gas station to grab a salad for dinner. As I was walking, I saw through the trees what looked like a monument of some sort, like one you would see in a cemetery. Turns out, I was right next to the Vicksburg National Battlefield. So, this morning, I drove through the park.

The weather was a little gloomy, giving the dewy grass and rolling hills an appropriate aura for a place where almost 20,000 men bloodied themselves for their side of the Civil War. I was so thankful that nothing seemed to have fallen prey to the current trend of defacing or destroying Civil War history. It shouldn't celebrated, but it certainly should be remembered.

After that, I jumped on I-20 again and hit two Mississippi HDs in Jackson and Meridian. I've stopped at Chili's in Meridian to warm up (the wind chill is nasty today) and eat. Coffee is a welcome lunchmate today. The interstate is soooo boring.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Days 1-4 mileage: 673.9 (total 673.9)
HD Dealership Challenge: 3 (total 4)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Heading East on I-20
March 23, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Willie and I have hit the real road this morning and we're heading East. I usually don't take the Interstates because of all the truckers (and drivers in general), but the weather is pushing me. So I-20 today. Only two close calls because of 1) a trucker changing lanes on top of me...shocking; and 2) a texting driver almost veering into a trucker in front of me...dumbass. [Did you hear Jeff Dunham say that in Walter's voice? 🤣🤣]

Now, I've stopped at the HD dealership in Bossier City to take an "official" picture for the HOG Dealership Challenge. You have to have one of the HOG publications in the pic, which I've never done before, so despite about 140 pics in front of dealerships, this one will be my first official pic 🤦. But with my luck, this dealership won't be participating 🤣😭 🤞.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 3 mileage: I'll roll this into Day 4. I keep forgetting to check 🤭. Oh, and BTW, since I post these at around noon, my mileage is (or will be 🤭) for the day before. Daily mileage tracking tomorrow. I swear.

HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 1)Read more
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Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
New Phone
March 22, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Well, after too much birthday cake and ice cream last night, mom and I watched Matthew Mcconaughey's YouTube fundraiser for Texans devastated by the winter storm in February. Lots of great music and plenty of donations. I don't know what the final total came to, but Camping World ponied up half a million bucks. Awesome!

Today, I got a new phone. It always seems like something goes wrong with my phone right before I begin a long trip. So, that done, now I'm setting it up and repacking to hit the road tomorrow. I'll be in between two very wet storms (it's raining here now) and expect the second one to catch me. I hate wearing rain gear, but it's too cold to not. Anyway, wish me luck.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 2 mileage: I'll roll this into the next real riding day.

[No pics today.]Read more
TravelerBon voyage, Pat!
3/22/21Reply
3 likes
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
My Brother's Birthday
March 21, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Yesterday, on my way to visit my mom before leaving Texas, I completed two stops on the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas (see photo captions). Then to my mom's for a quiet evening.

Today, my little big brother has a birthday, so he and his wife have come to Mom's for a barbeque dinner and cake and ice cream. Yummy!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 1 mileage: I'll roll this into the next real riding day.
MCGTTX Stops: 2 (total 2)Read more
2 likes
Summer on the Harley Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Summer on the Harley...On the Road Again
March 20, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” -- Anthony Bourdain

The past 12 months of my life have been the worst of my life. Worse than high school. Worse than my first car crash. Even worse than Afghanistan. I'm retired and supposed to be living it up! Now I find myself wallowing in self-pity and loathing to get out of bed. I am absolutely sick of this. The loneliness of being separated from my friends😩. The frustration of canceling months of international travel plans🤬. The unexpected and devastating loss of my father💔. But that's it. Enough is enough. I refuse to continue this way.

Today, I throw off the past 12 months and forge ahead, just me and my 2018 Harley-Davidson FXBB Street Bob. I think I'll call him Willie. Just me and Willie on the road again.

Last year, he took me on my longest motorcycle trip yet, lasting 40 days across 14 states and covering 10,000 miles. This year, over the next 7 to 8 months, I plan on guiding him through all of the Lower 48 and rolling roughly 40,000 miles. 😱

Here are my trip goals:

- Ride all 10 of Harley's "10 Rides for 2021" [https://members.hog.com]

- Attend 12 of Harley's HOG rallies [https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/content/h…]

- Ride 48 of Harley's "50 Rides, 1 Nation" [https://members.hog.com]

- Complete all 50 stops on the 2021 Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas challenge [https://motorcyclegrandtouroftexas.com/]

- Take a photo in front of all 45 Texas Harley-Davidson dealerships because they're in Texas 🤘

- Take a photo in front of the 356 Harley dealerships plotted on the pictured map for the Harley Dealership Check-In Challenge [https://members.hog.com]

And most importantly, have fun, keep smiling, and don't crash!

Maybe these goals aren't realistic. Or maybe they are. What I know is that I have to go somewhere. I have to do something besides sit here. Sitting here isn't comfortable. Most of the time it hurts. It has even broken my heart. Tony, you did leave something good behind. Your spirit. And in that spirit, today I leave the bad behind. Today I'm taking ME back. Today my journey begins.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Starting mileage: 16,440 😁Read more
TravelerGODSPEED. LOVE YOU.
3/22/21Reply
4 likes
Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Bye Bye, Costa Rica
January 17, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
I spent yesterday holed up in my hotel room with Netflix and room service. It was a nice ending to a great trip. Now, I'm on the plane, and we're pushed back with engines running. However, the flight deck just threatened to return us to the gate if people didn't properly wear their masks. Yet as I type this, we've started taxiing, so I guess all is fine.

I had a great time and highly recommend CR.

Pura vida!!!!Read more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
National Museum of Costa Rica
January 15, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Today I visited the National Museum and the Jade Museum. The National Museum was free, and both were good.

Pura vida!
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Morning at the Zoo
January 14, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
After the gold museum yesterday, I went back to the hotel with some beer and empañadas and hung out at the pool and jacuzzi. There I met a couple from Pennsylvania who come down here for their dental work. This is another indication to me that CR is the Americas' Thailand, just much more expensive.

I watched CNN, the only English TV channel, and toasted the House of Representatives, particularly the 10 Republicans, for impeaching the president...again. History...again.

This morning I went to the Simón Bolívar Park National Zoo and Botanical Garden. It is small, but well laid out. And although a few animals weren't on display, most notably the kinkajou, I was able to see a jaguar and an ocelot, two of the five cats in CR. I also saw a sleeping tapir, which wasn't on display but could be seen just barely around the back of the bathrooms. I though it was interesting, though, that they had a sign for the American Crocodile but not one for the alligator. I guess they don't think anyone will notice.

[If you don't know at least one difference, then watch (hopefully again) Robin Williams's movie Jumanji:
Sarah Whittle : "Alan, you wrestled an alligator for me."
Alan Parrish : "It was a crocodile. Alligators don't have that little fringe on their hind leg."
🤣🤣]

Now I'm eating lunch at...yes...McDonald's. This country has great french fries, but these are just the regular McDonald's ones, so ugh. The burger was good though, a McNífica, with lettuce, tomato, and onions. Basically, it's the Royal if you're in Europe. (Good on you if that made you remember Pulp Fiction. I guess it's movie quote day 🤣.)

Pura vida!

P.S.: I just learned that the US will make all arriving international travelers pass a COVID test before boarding their inbound flight. But it doesn't start until 26 Jan, so I won't have to take one to get back. 😁Read more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Back in San José
January 13, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Yesterday after the park, I finished reading a novel, "America America," which was quite good despite being mostly about politics (mainly set in the age of pre-Watergate Nixon).

Anyway, I had to get up at 043o this morning, so I didn't do anything else last night.

I was on the bus at 0530 rolling back to San José. I'm a little sad to end this terrific trip, but it's quite a bit more expensive than I thought it would be, so I need a little time at home to save up before hitting the road again. Two weeks should do it 😉.

I arrived and was able to check into my hotel by 0945, so I walked up the hill to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, which also had Costa Rican money and artists exhibits. It was English-subtitled, nicely organized, well lit, and easy to social distance...of course most people are at work right now. Too bad for them!

Pura vida!!Read more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Curi-Cancha Nature Preserve
January 12, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
(to be written later)

Rufus colored sparrow
Clay colored thrush national bird no pic
Coati
Dracula orchid
Double strangler fig (ficus) over 300 yo
Yellow throated red start
Mushroom like sponge
Highland tinamou no pic tried video. Like guinea fowl
White throated thrush no pic tried video
Turkey tail mushroom
Spotted wood creeper
White-fronted parrotsRead more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biolog. Preserve
January 11, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 72 °F
(to be written later)

5000 feet sea level
Emerald toucan
Female quetzal main food avocado
Tiny orchid
Hepaphite tree growing in tree not vines roots
CR warbler
Army ants
Black face solitaire
Silver fronted tapacolo no pic
Calateya yellow flower earlier
Lucky seeds come from mucuna urens ojos de buey (brown seed pods earlier)
Violet saber wing largest hummingbird in central america
Banana quit little yellow bird with hummingbirds
Coppery headed hummingbird only one endemic to CR
Dung beetle
Common chlorosphingus nest by video
White fronted parrotRead more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Selvatura Park in the Cloud Forest
January 10, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 68 °F
I arrived in Santa Elena around 1030 and was able to check into the hostel, Pensión Santa Elena. It had a kitchen, so after I dumped my stuff in my room, I bought a few groceries. I had a couple of sandwiches with a wedge of gorgeously delicious manchego cheese, then rested for a couple of hours.

At 1500, I went horseback riding for sunset. It was great! We were on trail for about two hours with plenty of trotting and galloping. And to top it off, we saw a magnificent sunset at the top of the mountain. At the end, they showed us how they press the sugar cane to extract the juice, then gave us some to drink. Surprisingly not as sweet as I thought it would be. I remember chewing on sticks of sugar cane as a kid, but they were much sweeter than this. Or perhaps my tongue has just become accustomed to sugar since Americans put it in practically everything. Then we made some caramel and had a piece of banana bread and a small empañada, a flatbread-looking thing made from corn and cheese. Yummy!

After I got back to the hostel, I grabbed a quick quesadilla meal from across the street, ate a little, then went for a night walk tour. Wow!

Although I didn't get to see my kinkajou, we did see a bushy-tailed olingo, which are endangered and very rare to spot. We saw so much, but the big ones for me were a short-tailed fruit bat eating a guava, a two-toed sloth on the move, a massive walking stick, and a bark scorpion, which is pictured under a black light. Really nice walk!

When I got back to the hostel, I ate my quesadilla and crashed around 2200. I was up again at 0630 for today's excursion at Selvatura Park, zipline park that also has hanging bridges and exhibits of two-toed sloths, butterflies, and reptiles, where I got the pic of the bluejean poison dart frog. I did all three of those exhibits first because it is raining quite heavily, and they were awesome! I could've spent all day in the sloth exhibit, which also houses a scarlet macaw, because the adorable things were quite active considering they're nocturnal.

As you can see by my pic, I'm on one of the hanging bridges now trying to take pictures with my real camera without getting it too wet. Today has been great so far, and I'll see the hummingbird exhibit next. I hope the weather lets up before I do the zipline!

Pura vida!!

Night Walk:
Orange-kneed tarantula
Brilliant forest frog
Bushy-tailed olingo
Rufous-eyed stream frog
Pygmy rain frog
Keel-billed or rainbow-billed toucan
Sidestriped palm pit viper
Waking stick huge
Leaf mimiking catydid (green)
Two toe sloth
Bark Scorpion
Emerald toucan endemic x2
Short tail fruit bat eating guava
Blue crown motmotRead more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
On to Monteverde
January 9, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
After lunch, the guys and I made our way to my hotel near San José city center, where we hugged our goodbyes. What great guys.

I grabbed some dinner at the bar to take up to my room, then crashed hard. I was up at 0430 to grab a cab to the bus station. Another early morning 🥱. I caught the bus just in time...one guy told to wait for the office to open, then another told me it was always open, then I stood in line for 20 minutes, then the office told me to pay the driver. So, even though I was there about 45 minutes early, I just made it.

Now I'm curving up the mountain to Monteverde. The climate and countryside are already completely different than the steamy jungle terrain I've been in so far. I can see pine trees and people wearing long pants and jackets. Very different.

Pura vida!Read more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Driving back to San José
January 8, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 72 °F
Yesterday's park excursion ended with a good meal just off the Drake Bay beach...and the chicken was better than the fish. Lunch was late again, though, and I was hot from the trek and wet from the boat, so headed back to the hotel, where I spent the remainder of the night.

During the trek, I met and hit it off with two Americans from Berkeley who had room for me in their rental car, so we're driving back to San José today.

The drive is spectacular! We started with dirt roads, several brief river crossings, and the oldest, rustiest ferry I've ever seen much less been on. That was crossing the Sierpe River back into Sierpe, from where I took the boat to get to Drake Bay. We stopped in to see James the Irishman, but he was out on a tour, unfortunately.

We stayed for a brief drink and rest, then hit the paved roads. We lucked upon a beer brewery and restaurant on the side of the mountain. (What would I ever do without Google Maps!?) So, we've stopped for lunch and a brew. Yay!!

Pura vida!Read more
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Goodbye & Good Riddance 2020 Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Corcovado National Park
January 7, 2021 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
After snorkeling, we finished the day with lunch back at Drake Bay. The old dog got most of my very dry fish so it wouldn't go to waste. Great outing!

After a shower and rest at the hotel, I met the owner for a guided night tour at 1830. Javier was fantastic! We saw so many animals, most notably: red and green poison dart frogs (not as poisonous as in the Amazon but still), two kinds of glass frogs (named so because you can pretty much see through them), and an eyelash viper (named so for the protuberances over their eyes). Just incredible.

We arrived back at the hotel around 2045, so I just took a cold shower and went to bed. I was probably asleep by 2200. BUT. At 0200 I woke up with ants all over me. Ugh. I hate when that happens. I took a shower and went downstairs to a hammock. I didn't get back to sleep, but I had to meet for breakfast at 0520 anyway, so not as big of a problem as it could've been.

Anyway, we left on the boat this morning at about 0700 and arrived at the park around 0800. It was a rainy ride out, but we saw many animals despite the bad weather. We saw all four kinds of monkeys: howlers, spiders, squirrels, and capuchins 😱. We saw a giant American Crocodile on the beach and another in the water 😱. We saw a very young Fer de Lance Viper 😱 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothrops_asper). We saw many Brown Mandible Toucans 😱. We saw White-Nosed Coati, a relative of the raccoon 😱. And we sqw.so very much more. But unfortunately, we did not see any tapir or anteaters 😟. Regardless, it was an awesome day trip and we walked about 6 miles/10 kilometers 😱.

Now we're waiting for the boat back to Drake Bay and another lunch at Robertos. I hope today's chicken is not as dry as yesterday's fish.

Pura vida!!!

P.S.: FUCK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND ALL OF YOUR SUPPORTERS. ALL OF YOUR DICKS ARE STILL JUST AS SMALL AS THEY EVER WERE. YOU'RE FIRED!!!

The Night Walk:
___ sordida (deaf) frog
Marine toad
Red eye tree frog
Millipedes mating
Spider scorpion (that is neither)
Jumping spider (many)
Wolf spider
Guanacosta (area of CR) walking stick
Common rain frog
Leaf mimicking catydid (usually green)
Red and green poison dart frog huaca
Reticulated glass frog
Spotted glass frog
Baby tink dink frog
Eyelash viper
Opposum
Water spiders in gutter under road

The Day in the Park:
Spider monkey
Ground chicken
Roadside hawk
Squirrel monkey
Howler monkey
Colored Pecare (pigs, like javalina)
Common black hawk
White neck puff bird kingfisher family
Crested guan
Great curacau
Rio Sirena (where bull sharks and crocs come)
Snowy egrets on trees
Herons and vultures on beach
Black hawk again
White ibis
Squirrel monkey
Spider monkey with no tail
Brown mandible toucan
Capuchin white face monkey
Another brown mandible toucan
Capuchin monkey again
Spider monkey again
Brown mandible toucan again
Anole
American crocodile (as in The Americas, not just US)
White nose Coati
Fer de Lance!!!!!!Read more
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