Costa Rica- Tamarindo

For the last part of our trip, we headed to Tamarindo for some beach time and a surf camp.  It was quite an experience staying at a surf camp with other spring breakers who were there to surf all day and party all night.  It definitely added to the surfing experience!!  As we were getting ready to go to bed each night, they were getting ready to go out and party!! I don't know how people can get by with only 2-3 hours of sleep especially after we were in the sun all day surfing.

Blue Trailz Surf Camp

When we arrived at the surf camp, this was up on the wall.  I was a little nervous but apparently it was from the week before because of the earthquake in Japan.  The waves were still plenty big for me though! 

   

This is our surf instructor, Giovanni.  He was awesome! He not only taught us how to surf but saved me from getting pounded by huge waves! (Yes, I know how white we look next to him!)

Todd and Giovanni waiting for the prefect wave...

Giovanni giving me some last minute tips before going out.

Surfing was so much fun.  It was both of ours first time ever doing it and we loved it.  Todd was a natural and didn't need much instruction so Giovanni was with me most the time.  We can't wait for it to warm up here in Virginia so we can head to the beach and do it again.

Todd also tried paddle boarding which was a lot harder than surfing. 

Tamarindo Beach was so pretty.  It was so nice to relax and not worry about work or school! 

Our surf camp included an adventure activity so we decided to go horseback riding.  Being the dry season, it wasn't as green by the beach but we still had a good time.

We loved Costa Rica!  Pura Vida!! 

Costa Rica- La Fortuna

For Spring Break this year, we went to Costa Rica.  We had a great time and enjoyed exploring this beautiful country.  We flew into San Jose and headed to La Fortuna.  We went in the dry season but La Fortuna was still so pretty and green.  The Arenal Volcano was awesome to see and the rain forest is beautiful.

Arenal Volcano

View from our room

We enjoyed hiking around the volcano and seeing this waterfall and all the beautiful flowers.

Lake Arenal  

As we were driving around the lake, we saw these guys all over the road...

They were so funny to watch.  I got out of the car to take some pictures and they all started running towards me.

In La Fortuna they have canopy tours all over so of course we had to do one!

It was so fun and beautiful.

They had a Tarzan Swing.  They hook you up to the rope and then they open the gate and you pretty much fall off the platform.  It was crazy!!  

Later that afternoon we started our drive to the beach.  We found an awesome German Bakery to eat at and then stopped at some Hot Springs and pretty much had the place to ourselves! We soon found out that it was more of a local place and its only busy on the weekend.  We didn't mind though.

The Hot Springs

They even had a pool with Mickey Mouse!  We thought of the Olson's and Vanhille's who were at Disneyworld! La Fortuna was a great place to begin our vacation.  

Birthday Boy!

Todd's birthday was on March 13th!  We were in Costa Rica so the week before the celebrating began.  Before we left he got packages and cards in mail and of course opened them as soon as they arrived.

Lots of gift cards from family back home....

Todd was excited to invite Jack and Benson to his birthday party! :)

 and Derek was so kind and got Todd an "iPad 2." It is lighter and thinner than the original!

Happy Birthday Todd! I love you! 

Also, Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!  We wish we could have celebrated with you guys! 

Weekend in Baltimore

Todd and I decided to go to Baltimore last weekend.  Todd had a test on Friday morning so as soon as he was done, we headed up there.  We got a hotel right on the Inner Harbor thanks to priceline.  We walked around the Harbor, checked out the National Aquarium, and ate a delicious dinner in Little Italy.

Saturday morning we went for a run around the Harbor and Federal Hill.  We ran by the American Visionary Art Museum and enjoyed all the art pieces they had outside.  We then headed to Mount Vernon, which is just north of downtown and saw the first Washington Monument, the George Peabody Library, and the Walters Art Museum. 

Inner Harbor

In High School, I went with my history class to DC and we stopped in Baltimore for a day.  While we were there my friend, Katelin and I wanted to ride one of these paddle boats.  We soon found out that they weren't as fun as they looked.

National Aquarium

Dinner and Dessert in Little Italy

Saturday Morning Run- Federal Hill

American Visionary Art Museum

Mount Vernon

George Peabody Library

(picture taken from the internet)

Unfortunately we weren't able to go inside because you have to have a guard with you and it was closed but we were able to look through the door and windows.  It is a pretty amazing library. 

We had a great time in Baltimore.  Next time we plan to go to Fort McHenry to see where this song was written...