On top of the world looking down on creation...

Kris had to go up to the Pico del Este radar site today to get things ready for the next four weeks of work. The new beacon radar system will be activated over the next few weeks. This project is in conjunction with the Air Force and civilian air craft. Since 9-11 the FAA is upgrading all their long range radar sites to keep the friendly skies friendly. This is a major undertaking coordinating military and civilian personal along with an FAA pilot and jet to activate this system. Two AM solars and two PM solars have to be logged over the next few days to catch the right angle for spotting air craft. It is amazing all the planning that goes into this project.

Anyway back to the top of the world. Kris took me up to an old castle at the very top of the El Yunque Rain forest. The only way civilians can get up there is to hike, but having the privilege of being with someone who has a badge and clearance we were able to drive our nice red jeep up there! Now mind you I would love to hike some, but still healing from surgery that would not be a good idea as these roads are steep! Of course I am not complaining about the ride either! I know that pictures will not do this justice but it is the best I can do to bring this to life for you.




I would love to see my son Duane and brother David on their bicycles here training for their next ride or race! I have a feeling it would whip the best of the best.

The road up there was quite breath taking. As we came out of one curve we were going into another one. I have been in the mountains of NC but I have never seen anything like this! I feel like I was part of Romancing the Stone and looking for Lupe's Escape! This is a truly amazing place with very steep banks and lush vegetation and signs of mud slides! It is my hope that more people in the States would come over here to experience the beauty this place has to offer.

Puerto Rico is like any large city. It has its low housing and upper class, but I have not met anyone yet who was not willing to assist no matter where we are. People smile and nod their heads or wave at you.

When we were at the top, I took some pictures on buildings and scenery to show just how quickly the scenery can change. One shot will show clouds all around us and just a few seconds or minutes the clouds are gone. This was not the best time to be here for there are more clouds around us. Time was not on our side today since Kris had to get to the site and meet someone there. Hopefully we can make it back up there again before we leave. That particular road was a one lane and no one else should be on that road, at least I hope not!







There is a telco building right before we get to the top that is not the FAA's, however, it has to be manned very day since there is no telling when communication will go down. I feel for this man since he is so far from any store. From what Kris tells me the man takes a lot of naps :) I don't blame him for there is nothing to do until something breaks. I guess you can only play solitaire so much.

As you will see in some of the pictures, as I am standing on top of the world in the middle of the rain forest I can actually see the ocean! It is truly an amazing sight!




While I was standing outside on the platform at the radar site taking some pictures, I could not believe the temperature change: it was so cold I could not hardly hold the camera still. I left NC to get warm! What is wrong with this picture!

As we were leaving the top of the mountain, we took the top off the jeep and enjoyed the nice cool breeze of the rain forest. We stopped by several waterfalls and took a few short walks.

While we were stopping for some dinner, Kris noticed a Bird of Paradise plant right beside of us. It was quite lovely and very interesting.
This has been truly an amazing day.

First full day in Puerto Rico

Kris and I arrived yesterday tired but very pleased to be back traveling together. It has been a long journey but it has reminded us both just how much we have been blessed. Flying into Puerto Rico was impressive in of itself! I would have never thought the area would have been so civilized. I guess it is a mixed blessing. Out hotel and room is very nice and with hot water! I can look out of my bed room window and see the ocean and without twisting too far to the left or right I can count 16 hotels! The island has something going on all of the time







We took a short drive today since my back is still rather sore from sitting so long on the plane and waiting a while for a rental car. All the road signs and most of the business signs are in Spanish. Kris and I have thought about learning to speak Spanish, I guess we better start soon, real soon! As a matter of fact it looks like I need to learn the metric system too since all the mile markers are in kilometers, and to think the people in the Sates think this is a third world country. More people hear can speak 2 languages and know the metric system and most the people I know have a hard time speaking the English language and surely don't know the metric system! It truly amazes me how us Americas are so quickly to stick our all mighty noses up at something we know very little about! I would love for some of them to come over here and see just how superior they are NOT!

There is an Outback restaurant here at the hotel. Since it is turkey day all the outside restaurants are closed ,however, the hotel provided a nice Thanksgiving dinner for $24.95 per person. The hotel serves a free breakfast buffet so that should help us save some on the cost of food. When we went to the grocery today we had to be mindful of what we bought since we have only a very small microwave and small refrigerator in the room. We came out around $155.00 which in the States would have been little more than half the cost. We are going to try to stay under $30 for two per meal. I believe we will be eating sandwiches (yuck, I hate sandwiches) we prepare for lunch and eat out for dinner.

Kris and I did stop by a roadside stand where the locals were cooking up (road kill) tacos and something wrapped up in a banana and fried! it was ok but hmmm don't think I will eat that again. Three Tacos cost us $8.00! It is interesting to try the local foods. I just know my body cannot take too many different kinds of foods. It will make me hate life later:)

It is a nice 85 degrees here so that in of itself is one good reason to be here! Kris will be taking me up into the rain forest (the only rain forest in the U.S.) tomorrow to the site he will be working at. From tip to tip of the island it is about 4 hour drive to give you some idea how large the island is. Oh, I almost forgot, when we were at the grocery we saw a SUV go by with I love NC on the back. I ran up to it and asked where in NC, they said Raleigh! I said my son lives in Holly Springs! They were surprised to here that and it is true about the old saying " tis a small world"!

Recovering

I have been at my mom's residence in Albemarle, NC since July. I am being treated for back
problems that has been plaguing me since early 1980. My wonderful back specialist Dr. Baker and his wonderful staff in Salisbury, NC has implanted a Medtronic back stimulator. It is implanted in my spine and is control by a remote device that I carry around with me. According to my doctor my back is so bad off and I am too young ( that made me feel good) to do any surgery at this time. We are all hopeful that I will never need surgery. I am truly blessed and amazed at how far and advance technology has come. It has been six weeks since the implant and I am still under doctors care. This is a very serious surgery and the healing process takes time. I can walk and take care of me but nothing else.

The good news is I can travel with Kris to Puerto Rico late November to be with him on his assignment. Kris has been in Puerto Rico through my recovery and now he is in the Grand Turks.

Don't get to excited, he said the place is a mess since the last hurricane came through and tore up most the island.

My wonderful son Duane took pity on me and brought me to his house for a few weeks to recover. The Stately Duane Manor was a fabulous place to recover. It was nice being doted on and cooked for. This really made me feel special that a young man who has a active life style would have his mom underfoot and willing to take time to help her. His girl friend Heather doted on me as well. She took me to get my hair fixed and to buy some new makeup to make me feel better about myself. I had not been to a hair salon since April. I could not walk or sit long enough to have anything done. I felt truly blessed

hello world

having a grand time at Duane's