Yep, we're milking it. . .

Especially since the editorial department discovered that another picture was worth putting up!

Besides, can anyone really complain about too many sloth pictures?

Advance warning. . .

Is always appreciated, and the electric company sent out fliers earlier this week that said: Electricity will be cut from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 28.

This is for the whole area, not just us.

It was a bonus to get the warning ahead of time, so we can tell the guests.

Perhaps the shutdown won't last as long as advertised. That would be nice as there are five tree houses checking out that day and five tree houses coming in. That translates into a lot of laundry that may not get done until the late afternoon hours of the day.

Hence, no e-mail, no phone, etc., for a good long time on Sunday. At least it's not NFL time.

Lucky you live Costa Rica. . .

Is what 95 percent of the guests say when we talk to them. That, indeed, is the case.

However, just because everyone else is on vacation, it doesn't mean that we are.

For example, yesterday, we had just two tree houses checking out and two checking in. There was also a tree house that was moving from one tree house to another.

7:45 a.m.: First guests show up for breakfast as they are going to the local wildlife rescue center.

8 a.m.: More tree houses show up at the rancho for breakfast.

8:10 a.m.: Private transportation to pick up departing guests arrives outside the gate.

8:25 a.m.: Wildlife rescue center is late; a phone call and they say they're on their way to pick up the family.

8:30 a.m.: Guests that will be changing rooms finish breakfast and are ready to head out.

8:32 a.m.: Run up to another tree house, collect the keys and the gate opener before they hike to the waterfall, so the other guests can have the keys when they return later in the day.

8:35 a.m.: More guests at the rancho for breakfast (they spotted toucans on the way up).

8:38 a.m.: Different private transportation shows up to drop off guests who will be staying in the same room that the others are still in (with different transportation).

8:44 a.m.: Departing guests come down to drop off keys and pay for beverages.

8:45 a.m.: Incoming guests still waiting to be checked in.

8:46 a.m.: Last of guests head to the rancho for breakfast.

8:47 a.m.: Departing guests on their way with transportation.

8:50 a.m.: Check in newly-arrived guests.

9 a.m.: Newly-arrived guests go to the rancho for coffee.

9:01 a.m.: Driver and editorial department take new guests' luggage to their room and editorial department strips down the linen.

9:10 a.m.: Two tree houses come down to ask directions and questions on where to go and what to do.

9:30 a.m.: Breakfast time for the art and editorial department.

9:34 a.m.: More guests need directions and suggestions on where to go.

6 p.m.: Last guests check in for the day. 

Still, we wouldn't trade it for another gig.

Toucan-palooza

The other day, when we were walking around the grounds, we were lucky enough to spot to different toucans and a cousin, the Collared Aracari.

One variety of Toucan sounds like frog that has been made a eunuch (high-pitched and croaking); the other is more of a sharp screech. While the aracaris like to come down and feed close to the tree houses and the rancho, the toucans prefer to hang out high in the trees.

The toucans, while very pretty, are kind of gnarly things as they will raid nests and trash the eggs of other birds. Why? No clue, though we're welcome to suggestions.

Pizza John

On the far side of Lake Arenal, past El Castillo, is a little town that doesn't see a lot of tourists. Up a dead-end road, there is a place called Pizza John's.

Owned by a character, cut from the punk-rock scene of Los Angeles, the pizza was great and the home-made ice cream was truly a cut above plain vanilla.

We only had the pleasure of meeting Pizza John a couple of times and each time was a delight at his place overlooking the lake.

Pizza John passed away recently and he will truly be missed.

And this is what you get from the art department. . .

Nice to have the art department back in the fold! A great picture is worth, in this case, a lot more words.

A picture!

This is what happens when the editorial department grabs the camera.

The sloth is there, though it's not nearly as good of a picture that the art department takes.

However, when you need a pic, this isn't too bad, considering (awaiting derision, etc. from other non-snappers).

This critter has been hanging out by the rancho for the past couple of days and actually came down about 15 feet from terra firma, which was a bonus for the non-photogs here at Jungle Journey.