Bodega Head Rugged Coast and Trailbodega head peninsula and rocky shoreline off pacific ocean in sonoma coast state park of california Alcatraz Vista Overlooking Powerhousepowerhouse or utility house and greenhouse on alcatraz island in san francisco bay of california overlooking pacific ocean Historic Architecture of San Franciscohistoric building in financial district of san francisco california at night with corinthian colonnade of greco-roman architectural style Garden Shed Plants and Woodsgarden shed potted plants and woods on winery estate along gated gravel path Bodega Bay Harbor and Doran Parkdoran regional park at mouth of bodega harbor and bay in sonoma coast state park of california Cargo Bays at Fishermans Wharfocean cargo bays at pier 33 adjacent to alcatraz landing in san francisco california

Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda CeilingWisconsin state capitol building interior rotunda ceiling detail and support columns Wisconsin State Capitol Building West GalleryWest Gallery wing above Assembly Chamber of Wisconsin state capitol building in Madison Wisconsin Autumn at Botanical Garden in MadisonWinding tree-lined path at Olbrich Botanical gardens during autumn in Madison Wisconsin Thai Pavilion and Reflecting PoolThai pavilion gardens and reflecting pool at Olbrich botanical gardens in Madison Wisconsin Terrace and State Capitol in Madison WisconsinMonona Terrace with fountain in the foreground and the state capitol building in the distance in downtown Madison Wisconsin Wisconsin State Capitol ExteriorBeaux Arts style architecture of Wisconsin State Capitol and dome under blue skies

Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth CanalDULUTH, MN/USA - AUGUST 31, 2014: Aerial Lift Bridge, a Duluth landmark, is the entry point to the Duluth Canal and marks the westernmost point of the Great Lakes Waterway and Saint Lawrence Seaway. Historic Duluth Mansion of Jacobean StyleAUGUST 31, 2014: Historic Glensheen Mansion as it appears in Duluth, Minnesota. The 39-room Jacobean estate is considered the most affluent home in Duluth with an unsurpassed beauty and style. It is the first home in the area to have electricity and hot running water. Forest Trail Crossing Stream at Jay CookeWooded trail through lush forest and stream crossing at Jay Cooke State Park in Minnesota

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Sirena River Boats at Corcovado National ParkBoats on banks of Sirena River at Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica Red Passion Flower in Full BloomRed Passion Flower or Passiflora Vitifolia with white filaments three red styles and five green anthers

Our trip to Costa Rica brought together two couples in a remote section of the country as well as a jaunt to Costa Rica's biggest city with driving through mountain passes in between. Carol, myself, Bruce and Diane Keyes parted during a cold Midwest February to explore this lush, inviting and sometimes dangerous democratic Central American country. The danger is in the natural environment which roams free and wild the way it should be in this exotic land of rushing rivers, dense forests with poison dart frogs, peccaries and tapirs as well as birds and flowers of extraordinary beauty, among other things. The Osa Peninsula captivated us with the diversity of flora and fauna as well as the knowledge and patience of professional guides who took us through the Corcovado National Park and on a boating excursion to Cano Island. Driving to our Eco-friendly lodge outside La Fortuna in northern Costa Rica was much easier than anticipated due to the modernized freeway system and reliable backroads. 

    Sunrise over Santiago BaySunrise illuminates Santiago Bay in Manzanillo Mexico San Francisco de Asis Church AltarAltar and sanctuary of San Francisco de Asis Church in Chapala Mexico Jimador in Agave Growing FieldJimador in Agave Field with Tequila Mountain behind Agave RowsRows of agave in tequila producing region of Mexico outside of Tequila Daybreak on Lake Chapala ShoresLake Chapala in Jalisco Mexico glows in morning dawn with fishing boat on shore and pier and mountains in distance Guachimontones at Teuchitlan and EnvironsAbove Guachimontones site at Teuchitlan Mexico with Presa La Vega lake and Sierra Madre Occidental mountains visible Guachimontones Circular Pyramid in TeuchitlanMain or largest guachimontones mound with Sierra Madre mountains behind it at site in Teuchitlan Mexico Streets of Tapalpa at DaybreakCobblestone streets of alpine village Tapalpa Mexico with mountains on horizon at daybreak Tulum TrailPhoto of pathway through tropical forest surrounding Mayan ruins site in Tulum Mexico Steeples of San Francisco of Assisi CathedralTwo steeples and bell towers of San Francisco of Assisi cathedral in Chapala Mexico _IGP9385Lake Chapala scenic of pelicans skiffs and mountains in Mexico Santiago Bay Sunrise in ManzanilloSantiago Bay and Sierra Madre mountains of Manzanillo Mexico at sunrise