21 February 2011

A Beautiful View from Above and good food.

There are many beautiful things in this world, the kind of things you see on National Geographic or Discovery Channel. Not to say I can compare to the photographers or writer of those extraordinary magazines, but I am fortunate enough to photograph and experience these sights. This last weeks adventure was to the Window Cave and a Food Network Event at the Air Station. How can I complain? Food and beauty in the same day.

The Window cave was spectacular. You arrive at the trail and do a seamlessly normal walk over lush terrain clueless to the idea that caverns the size of large house reside below you. As you look to your left, there is an entrance the size of a smart car with a few trees that line the entrance. As you look in you see a small light at the end, with stalactites and stalagmites growing from every surface. Heading farther down the trail line by the verdant plant life. Occasionally seeing a small lizard or a movement in the leaves that line the ground you come to a grove with two cave entrances, one to a large cavern the size of a large house, the other, a dark entrance with little or no light in the core of the cavern. The first cavern was large and open, there was enough light to get through without a light. The ground is slippery from the ever-present water drops, and mud that line the ground. There are places to climb, and not knowing what hides in the small crevices we used for grip just added to the challenge. The low light made it even more interesting. Occasionally we would see a insect of some sort or feel a drop of water. After we made our way up the ledge to the original entrance we took the rope down and headed out to the large entrance and headed for what is known as the window cave.





The Window Cave is the smaller cave with a steep and dark entry. It has some similar landmarks as the larger cave, but lack any light source to make your way through. With our lights, we were able to see a family of bats sleeping in one of the many oval shaped indentions in the roof. They moved a little at the light, but were otherwise quite adorable in a bat sort of way. After we made our way through the relatively spacious main cavern, we found our way through a smaller passage to a lighted window over looking a valley. The silhouettes of the people gazing at the view said enough for the view. Once you reach the window past the potholes in the ceiling and the stalagmites falling from the ceiling. The light flowing in to halfway cover the many surfaces the diverse cave landscape offered to the eyes. Once you reach the cave opening or window as they call it. The landscape stretches before you. The river meandering past a man made bridge. Line of trees and shrubbery follow the smooth curve of the river. Fields, Cliffs, roads all in front of you as you see the dramatic height that you are looking from.







 
 

I have to admit I had a little fun, did some bouldering although some would call it rock climbing considering the height. I assure you I was careful, but that is what you have to do for a photograph sometimes. I followed the ledge out to the tree about ten feet above the sill of the window. It was a good little challenge. Following our lightless and excellent display of teamwork as we made our way back through the entrance. The challenge was to make our way through by feel, not sight, smell or hearing.

Later that evening the good food happened. Some chefs from the food network, the Jacksonville Jaguar cheerleaders and an American Idol person came to perform a live show and cook some good food. It was a fun event. The weather was gorgeous. The performances went well, especially when the children came out with cheerleaders. The food was very good. How could a man complain when ribs, Panini, a pastrami sandwich and some other food made by very skilled chefs. I ate good that night. The cheerleaders put on a good show, but I was more interested in the scenery and food. Call me crazy, but that is what makes me tick.








Overall it was a wonderful weekend. I look forward to telling you more about this adventure in Puerto Rico. Until I write again Enjoy every moment.

03 February 2011

The First Weekend Adventure

The Coast looking West

The Coast looking East.

This last weekend was the first adventure beyond our little area. Julio, Vicky took Tina, Karina and I us to a gorgeous waterfall about an hour from us and we went snorkeling to a very nice local beach. The pictures do not do justice to how beautiful it is, but they are worth many words.

The Trail going down to the waterfall.


It was the waterfall used in the movie “The Getaway.” The water draped over a slowly molded face forming an almost transparent sheet running down the rock face. Falling into a forest green pool deep enough to jump into from the highest launch pad. The water was colder than the ocean. Refreshing to say the least. I jumped from them all. The drive was not half bad either. Driving down the coast with the deep blue tint of the water off the coast. With the blue skies above us and the warm air, there was nothing to make it anything short of a beautiful day.

Karina Jumping the waterfall.

Julio and Vicky relax on a rock.

I jump off the rock as Julio climbs back up.



The Snorkeling the following day was incredible. The irregular array of corral line the sea bed and through a single passage, you could move beyond to open sea forty to fifty feet deep. The Corral and rock face draped to the bottom with numerous crevices, waves crashing around us as they hit the corral shelf and nothing but the sea floor and blue sea infinitely expanding before us. It was a sight to behold. There was some sea life to be seen, but the most amazing part was the diverse corral. From the very small to the very large bulbous corral the size of a small car. I went out twice. There is something very peaceful about looking under water and still able to breath. I cannot say that the free diving to around twenty feet feels peaceful to the ears, but it was fun to see how deep I could go.

This was followed by what I would call an eventful week at work. My birthday was a surprise to many, but they came through with a well played practical joke and cup cakes I did not expect. I got a call on my phone coming back to work from lunch after I worked through that I was late for a meeting and I needed them to meet them I the conference room. Much to my surprise, they were there to surprise me. Needless to say, they got me good. We got dinner that night and a nice restaurant and had a great time. Believe it or not, a banana margarita is really good.

As for work, it is going well. I work with a great team of people. The area out here is beautiful and the culture is beginning to reveal itself. Like any culture you have both positive and negative aspects, but they are as good as any other culture. Much of it is simple, but they get by on what they have. Sure you have the people that stand out as the bad examples, but for many, they are a very good and respectful group of people.