Brett Shelton -- co-owner (with Brian Cutter) of Hotel Turrialba,
river appreciaters, and great hosts!
...and then hopped in the car for a day of exploration. Lots of ground to cover in a single d
ay but Dad was at the helm of the rental vehicle and we somehow pulled it all off. The highlights included viewing several of the hydro-electric projects on the Reventazon River. The Reventazon also drains out of the central highlands to the Caribbean alluvial plain but, unlike the Pacaure River, it currently has two dams and preliminary construction on the third has begun. I needed to check it out as the most likely river for comparison of sediment transport/dam impact model testing.
We looped through high fertile valleys and twisting steep ridges over and along many streams to the most upstream destination of the Cachi Dam on the Reventazon River. It floods a massive canyon, has incredible
ay but Dad was at the helm of the rental vehicle and we somehow pulled it all off. The highlights included viewing several of the hydro-electric projects on the Reventazon River. The Reventazon also drains out of the central highlands to the Caribbean alluvial plain but, unlike the Pacaure River, it currently has two dams and preliminary construction on the third has begun. I needed to check it out as the most likely river for comparison of sediment transport/dam impact model testing.We looped through high fertile valleys and twisting steep ridges over and along many streams to the most upstream destination of the Cachi Dam on the Reventazon River. It floods a massive canyon, has incredible
discharge gates that are opened seasonally to release the sediment that it quickly accumulates through fluvial deposition in this tropical steep landscape, definitely NOT fish passable, and
releases suspended sediment & nutrient rich flow into the downstream riverine system.
Both the Pacuare and the Reventazon transition from cascade – pool/riffle systems in the mountains to a sediment rich braided systems when they reach the alluvial plain of the
Caribbean. The change in gradient from the mountains to the plain results in impressive sediment deposition in these zones. After “dropping” their loads the rivers transition yet again into wide sand-clay loam meandering systems across the alluvial plain to the sea. We reached the downstream most plantation town (Perla) on the Pacuare in the late 
afternoon after a 45 minute drive through plantations of banana and pineapple, the processing plants, and the small factory towns that the workers live in.
releases suspended sediment & nutrient rich flow into the downstream riverine system.Both the Pacuare and the Reventazon transition from cascade – pool/riffle systems in the mountains to a sediment rich braided systems when they reach the alluvial plain of the
Caribbean. The change in gradient from the mountains to the plain results in impressive sediment deposition in these zones. After “dropping” their loads the rivers transition yet again into wide sand-clay loam meandering systems across the alluvial plain to the sea. We reached the downstream most plantation town (Perla) on the Pacuare in the late 
afternoon after a 45 minute drive through plantations of banana and pineapple, the processing plants, and the small factory towns that the workers live in.We reached the Caribbean just at dusk driving along the outskirts of Limon and then south to Cahuita. Ate a delicious Caribe dinner at Chaos, danced to live music at the Reggae Bar at Playa Negra and then headed to bed --- exhausted!
But we all had a GREAT DAY!
But we all had a GREAT DAY!
Pacuare Recon Crew -- dad, mom, me and Pat at Perla.March 23rd: Feels great to be in Cahuita and to be with my folks.
It was a casual morning of laundry and saying hello to relatives. There was a protest on the road to Puerto Viejo (the next town south of us by about 20 minutes). People blocked the road for the entire day stopping up bus routes and closing commerce. They were demanding fair tax dollars for services (roads, etc) as compared to the rest of the country. An old issue here on the south eastern coast where minorities and it varied cultures often get seconds to the rest of the country.
After getting Pat a rental bike from our friend Wayne she and I headed out to the property with Dad for a tour of the land. It was a lovely day and the jungle was in its glory. Dad continues to c
are and tend it so well.
It was a casual morning of laundry and saying hello to relatives. There was a protest on the road to Puerto Viejo (the next town south of us by about 20 minutes). People blocked the road for the entire day stopping up bus routes and closing commerce. They were demanding fair tax dollars for services (roads, etc) as compared to the rest of the country. An old issue here on the south eastern coast where minorities and it varied cultures often get seconds to the rest of the country.
After getting Pat a rental bike from our friend Wayne she and I headed out to the property with Dad for a tour of the land. It was a lovely day and the jungle was in its glory. Dad continues to c
are and tend it so well.
Dad clearing a path with his machette -- Polly at the property boundary creek
I rushed back for yoga at my Jo & Jim’s house and then all my relatives in the area gathered for dinner at my parent’s place. The appetizer was a giant bowl of fresh guacamole ……. Couldn’t help but think of Steve.
March 24th: Breakfast at Bridget’s with Pat – yummy Guayabana fruit juice, plantanos maduros, 2 huevos, y chocolate caliente. WOW, I sure do eat a lot when I am in Costa Rica.
Pat and I were fueled up and we headed into the Cahuita Naitonal Park for the day. Sun, sand, jungle, and wildlife. Super cool!!! to witness Pat’s first viewing of wild monkeys (Kampucha and Howlers) and sloths. We were also graced with morpho butterflies, lizards, iguanas, and many sea birds.
March 24th: Breakfast at Bridget’s with Pat – yummy Guayabana fruit juice, plantanos maduros, 2 huevos, y chocolate caliente. WOW, I sure do eat a lot when I am in Costa Rica.
Pat and I were fueled up and we headed into the Cahuita Naitonal Park for the day. Sun, sand, jungle, and wildlife. Super cool!!! to witness Pat’s first viewing of wild monkeys (Kampucha and Howlers) and sloths. We were also graced with morpho butterflies, lizards, iguanas, and many sea birds.
Of course another highlight was the white sands and blue of the Caribe sea. We made sure to truly be on vacation this day with plenty of swimming and then napping in the shade of the cashew trees.
Pat McD in Cahuita National ParkTo top off the fabulous day we ate dinner at Ms Edith’s Restaurant – one of our favorite spots and favorite families here in Cahuita proper. Fresh Caribe seafood cooked to perfection.
March 25th: Errands in the morning got Pat and I into town around 8am. Into town means that we ride our bikes along the bumpy gravel road for about 3km to the 8 square blocks of Cahuita town.
We then rode back out of the town to my aunt and uncle’s place next to playa grande. Before doing some body surfing and swimming at playa grande we walked back behind their place to show Pat the tectonically uplifted coral terraces along visible in the area. Very cool!
I did yoga again tonight before dinner. There really is nothing like taking a good yoga class when the muscles in your body are warmed from a day in the tropical sun and sea. The yoga classes are given on an open air deck on the second floor that my uncle and aunt built. Breathing in the fresh sea air and listening to the sea, the birds, and the wind………ahhhhhh. Inspiring.
Dinner was hosted at my cousin’s place (Bruce & Gayle). We all gathered yet again for a potluck of delights. We really do food good!
Finally a little time to blog – and it’s midnight!
1 comment:
Sounds like you're having an awesome time and progressing in your research! Fun! I'm excited for you! I had an awesome time in Bandon and spent some time in Charleston. It was beautiful! Great suggestion!
~Didi
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