Ma and Pa Eidson are

visiting, so since they comprise the majority of our readership, we will try to put up some compromising pictures while they are visiting, though the art department may very well cede control of the pictures while they are here.

Tooting our horn. . .

For the two other folks that may not check our Facebook page, we were recently honored by Tripadvisor.com for multiple awards, including best for family in Central American and Costa Rica and best for service for Costa Rica. You can check it out on our Facebook page and on tripadvisor.com:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tree-Houses-Hotel-Costa-Rica/302379833147411

Who would have thought. . .

That kennel cough can be caught from a pooch that hasn't been in a kennel?

Certainly not us, as we spent most of the night comforting Akila as she honked, horked and snorted her way throughout the evening.

Kennel cough has been going around the area (like the flu for pooches) and Akila unfortunately picked it up.

Warm and dry places are the best spots for a dog with the cough, though that's not always easy to come by here. We are trying out best and Akila, after a bunch of shots. is on the mend.

Two hours. . .

A couple from France checked in the other day, and got settled into their tree house. They went for a quick hike around the grounds, and came back an hour or so later.

They were a bit red in the face (much warmer here than in France at this time of year) and we asked if they were doing OK.

"We are fine!" was the response.

On their short jaunt around the grounds, they had found a sloth and its baby; a white-tailed fawn; and some monkeys. They also saw a lot of birds, though the mammals were the highlight of their walk.

We did ask if they would like to join the art department, but they declined.

The picture we alluded to. . .

Earlier. . . The great array of birds that come down to the rancho at breakfast. They all don't flock to the plantains that we put out; a lot of them hang out in the background, waiting their chance.

Difference of about 80. . .

That was the answer to a question from a couple in Wyoming that made a reservation for 10 nights in December, 2015.

They asked what the temperature was down here, compared to what theirs was. We were close to 90 (farenheit) and they were just a bit above the zero line.

They seemed happy with the answer and said they were definitely looking forward to December of 2015.

Anymore guesses?

This critter comes down regularly, and will even hop around from table to table when the guests aren't around.

Test your knowledge. . .

Name the bird! Photo courtesy of Seidy Munoz, an intern for Jungle Journey.

Birds!

Here is the Blue-Crowned Motmot with some other critters in the background. (There will be another picture popping up later with the smaller birds in the background).

Breafkast is our favorite time to get together with the guests and see the birds.

And Happy New Year!

OK, after six years down here in Costa Rica, we are running a bit on "Tico" time.

As the three faithful followers know, the high season ramps up a week or two before Christmas in Costa Rica, and continues through the first part of May. Our high season goes from the first of November through the end of August, as we are completely full on those days.

We just had a great group roll through for four nights, and they took up every tree house. They also pretty much drained the beverage supplies during their time here. A good time was had by all, as the tennis coach at Whitworth used to say.

It was great having such a fun group down. However, when they took up all seven tree houses for the four nights, that made for some long days before and after they came, as all of the tree houses were booked before/after they came.