Pine Ridge for the Christmas Holiday!

This was our first Christmas away from all our families. It was tough, but not as bad as we envisioned since we had plenty of friends around. We had a large gathering at Albert & Anita’s house on Christmas day and spent the day eating, playing games & visiting.

We spent the weekend at Mountain Pine Ridge. I had heard that it had been raining heavily for the past couple of days, so I was excited to see the muddy roads leading up to our friends cabin, where we were going to stay.

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We left the paved road heading for the reserve. To my dismay, the roads were dry. Almost dusty. I wanted to test my Land Rover potential climbing to 3000 feet with the ruts and mud, and torrential rain we met the last time we visited the mountains. However the skies were blue, and the roads pretty well maintained. Still lots of obstacles and pot holes to avoid, made for some excitement. And we were able to find some mud holes along the way. Enough to splash mud and spray the windshield.

Along the road up!
Along the road up!

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Part way up, we stopped at Hidden Valley Inn for a tour of the resort. A quaint “little” resort sitting on 7200 acres, featuring countless waterfalls, one at 150 feet tall. The hiking trails spanned over 90 miles throughout the property, all with natural beauty. The main house was actually a personal residence in the 70s. It had a wood burning fireplace, for the cool mountain nights, a restaurant, gift store, and unique bar area, feeling more like an elegant parlor in an old Plantation home. The pool was inviting, surrounded by landscaping, a hot tub, and natural screened in observatory. We were invited to view one of the 12 suites on the property. It was ornately decorated, a bathroom with claw foot tub, private outdoor waterfall shower, and a screened in common area with hammocks, between the two large bedrooms. Maybe we will be back.

 

We pulled into the cabin, 50 acres of mountains and valleys. The view was picturesque. The pine trees for which the reserve is named,scattered across the ridges inviting us for some trail riding.
We set up our tents, each picking the location that we wanted for views.

Our camp for the weekend!
Our camp for the weekend!

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Our outdoor kitchen on the porch of the Albert & Anita's cabin.
Our outdoor kitchen on the porch of the Albert & Anita’s cabin.

A campfire felt really good in the chilly air of the mountains. We sat and visited until well after dark before settling in for some good sleep in the cool breezes.

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The next day we got up and made a Belizean breakfast of scrambled eggs, beans, cooked on the fire, and one of my favorites, fryjack. Fry Jacks are essentially puffed bread. Light and soft, I could eat a dozen! Some people stuff them with cream cheese or other ingredients, but they ate great by themselves or dipped in the beans.

We decided to go site seeing, and ended up at Rio On Pools. This is a natural wonder nestled right in the mountains, amongst the river, scattered with waterfalls and rapids. The sun was perfect for getting a tan/burn, and the water was “crisp”. Angela and I waded in up over our knees, enjoying the cool sensations. Adam, Ashley, and the kids waded in before full on swimming. At one point Cayen asked to “slide ” down the rapids. Adam joined him splashing and pushing themselves for greater speeds. Laughter was the word of the day. All enjoyed the few hours we spent relaxing. The sun was perfect as the temps got up into the upper 80s.10906382_10204734923065582_4840505085826609740_n

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On the way back, Adam rode with me so we could hit some of the two track trails. We had fun traversing the ruts, mud holes, rocks and wildlife. We checked out trail after we trail, riding them until they ended, mostly off the side of a cliff.10346310_10204734933065832_4933581316648706707_n

 

Scott & Adam took off with the two girls to teach them how to off road! They loved it!!

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Back at camp, we got another fire started and began cooking dinner. Ashley had brought some strawberry pie filling, cream cheese, and bread. We made pies over the fire, along with marshmallows. Again the night ended with great conversation, getting a glimpse inside Ashley’s head was an experience!

Another perfect nights sleep, being serenaded by the cool breezes and occasional rain shower.

Breakfast was eggs Ala Mexicana. A mix of scrambled eggs, green peppers and garlic. Nothing beats a good meal whole camping!

We packed up the rover and we’re about to head out, when our friend returned from Spanish Lookout with a western dairies pizza. It wasn’t quite lunch time, but it’s always a good time for pizza!

Poza Rica or Bust!

Day 2 we made our way down to Poza Rica. The country side changed from farm fields to rolling hills of citrus farms. It was easy driving until we reached town and then the heavy traffic was on & was quiet a shock to Adam who was used to the calm of the Nebraska small town.

Rolling hills of citrus trees
Rolling hills of citrus trees
Giving honor to the hardworking citrus workers.
Giving honor to the hardworking citrus workers.

We drove into Poza Rica Inn at a reasonable hour, so there was plenty of time to go swimming & set up our tents in the back parking lot. We love staying here because it is a beautiful hotel that will let us use all the amenities for 250 pesos ($16. U.S.) a night!

We have watched the flyovers being built for the last 2 years. Should help traffic flow a lot!
We have watched the flyovers being built for the last 2 years. Should help traffic flow a lot!
We found signs of Christmas season throughout Mexico.
We found signs of Christmas season throughout Mexico.
The pool was a little cold, but didn't stop the kids.
The pool was a little cold, but didn’t stop the kids.

Scott & the kids were always up to something fun!

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We have camped here on many of our trips and we always have the same problem! There is a rooster on the next property that starts crowing at 5am and will not stop! As well as a dog that sounds like he has permanently lost his voice, OH and a street sweeper that comes in and cleans the parking lot on occasional visits! But, we still love it and will go back again!20141213_175146

 

 

Traveling & Christmas Abroad!

We flew from Augusta to Houston on December 10th which would be the first leg of our trip to Belize with Adam, Ashley & the kids! I found the Chick-fil-a restaurant in the Atlanta airport for one last chicken biscuit. Then by noon we would be in  Houston where we were reunited with our Land Rover & headed South.

My last Chick-fil-A for a few months!

Once we arrived in Houston T.J. picked us up at the airport and drove us to Laura’s brothers house where we were reunited with our Land Rover they stored for us.  I think Scott truly missed his rig!

Then on to the house to see Laura when she got home from work! That evening they treated us to there favorite local restaurant and then drove thru the well-to-do area’s of town to look at Christmas lights! They had to be the BEST light displays I have ever seen! You could even hire a horse & carriage complete with a coachman with a top hat to drive you from house to house!

Giant lighted stars hung from high up in some trees.
Giant lighted stars hung from high up in some trees.
Every house in the neighborhoods were extensively decorated!
Every house in the neighborhoods were extensively decorated!
It is hard to capture the beauty of the lights!
It is hard to capture the beauty of the lights!

After a terrific evening with Laura & T.J. we took off the next morning on our way to meet Adam, Ashley & Kids in Brownsville to begin our trek thru Mexico! Along the way we happened upon a great little BBQ place. We decided we had to have some good BBQ before we left the States! It was delicious & the owner was one of a kind!

Best little BBQ place in Who-Knows-Where, Texas!
Best little BBQ place in Who-Knows-Where, Texas!

We finally reached Brownsville & reunited with the Swierczek’s. Ashley had found a mobile home park that also allowed campers to stay. Surprisingly it was very hard to find someplace to camp unless you had a large RV, most wouldn’t allow us. They allowed us for one night, but it was not the normal for their park! Once we arrived there was lots of talking & excitement from everyone. I think the kids were most excited to get to Mexico & the beaches! Ashley just wanted warm weather! It was amazing how much the kids have grown in the 7 months since we seen them last. A good nights sleep & we were ready to GO!