Lightning Strikes on Stormy Peaks

A flash of white light. Brighter than anything I have ever seen. I launched into the air to crash under a boulder. 12,000 feet high on a mountain in Pingree Park and we were caught in a terror defining storm. It felt like less than a second and I whipped around shocked to see lightning strike right in front of us, My mom was on the ground. My brother scooped her up like a baby and ran into the trees. I started to run towards them as I heard my Uncle yell for me to get in the trees and strip down any metal we had on. Earrings, watch, jacket…chucked. Remind me to never wear metal on a hike again.
We bunkered between trees, thunder rolling. The fear of lightning striking again was running wild in all of our minds. Our feet solid on the ground, knees bent and head down. Surrounded by tall trees and ones that had already been hit I clasped my hands and prayed to God. We were all separated 50 feet apart so if one person got hit, we wouldn’t all. Knowing anything could happen I searched through the trees to take a good look at everybody. I turned to my mom and saw she was gripping a silver necklace that I have never seen her without; it was given to her from her mom. She was praying too.
I looked back down and couldn’t tell the difference between my fearsome tears and the roaring rain and hail. Shaking in the cold I finally calmed down. Realizing there was nothing we could do. We were in the safest spot, which there is still no guarantee. But the thunder became quieter and eased our fears. On my Uncle’s cue we headed back down the trail across slippery rocks and a rain fogged view.
It was a quiet hike down. I know we were all still stunned. Once we rounded the corner and saw the car we started to get happy feet, smiles and passing out high-five’s. There was even laughter stemming from relief. The best part of the day was hearing my Uncle say, “It’s a character builder.” And I think character is what makes someone stand out and offer something to everyone they meet. So if I ever feel my character needs to be built up, I’m heading into the storm again 12,000 feet up on Stormy Peaks.

Boquete Outdoor Adventures Rafting

YAHAAA!!! HIGH FIVE! (With paddles). We made it down the first rapid. No big deal. My new rafting buddy told me I better make sure to hang on tight for the next rapid. She was on her second rafting trip with Boquette Outdoor Adventures, and knew the drill, so I listened in, tucked my foot in tight and focused on the white capped water. On her first trip, she hit a rapid and out of the raft she went. Before she even realized she had fallen out, our guide, Freddy was over her life a rafting angel. Grabbed a hold of that bright orange life vest and placed her right back in her seat, and she was off paddling again, and smiling.
Well, dang. That sounds like fun. I almost wanted to fall out just to experience what a rafting angel looks like. I had no such luck, but luck was in everything else. Luck in finding the most energetic rafting trip I could imagine. From the bus ride…music pumping, people chatting. To hopping aboard the raft with the most outgoing guides you could find. You may sporadically get splashed by a paddle, or hear a “YEEHAA” from the next raft over. And these guides are chefs! Wait till you see the lunch spread.
We paddled down the Chiriquí River, and with all the rain fall from the year, we were hooting and hollering down these class three, nearly class four rapids. And when my rafting buddy voluntarily just popped out of the boat and hit the water, my head whipped around, waiting for Freddy to save her. She was soon in front of the boat, feet first (good thing she paid attention to the safety briefing) and then Freddy was in to! AHHH! I got it, swim time on the calm sections, and I hit the water!
And here comes the safety talk out of me. I would be petrified to go down the racing water without backup, backup meaning safety in numbers. Boquete Outdoor Adventures is premier because the trip is complete with a safety kayaker, and other B.O.A. rafts out there with you.
Boquete Outdoor Adventures offers trips all over the board (check out their website @ boqueteoutdooradventures.com) and an array of rafting trips. The middle on the line fit me, but hey, if you want to have the best chance of seeing a rafting angle head down the Rio Chiriquí Viejo.

Hiking in the Cloud Forest

“What was the highlight of Panama?” In response to everyone who asks this question the answer is: hiking in the cloud forest. I love hiking for views, which is why I always choose to on clear days. But know, I think I am going to start hiking ONLY on days with a chance of low level clouds, in a canopy, in a tropical climate, covered in mosses, flowers and plants that look like they are out of a story book. Does any one know of a place nearby? An Hablya guide, Alvero, and I, hiked up to Cerro Punta. My heart was racing from the steep steps and climbing. I kept thinking the clouds might clear up and we could see the mystical views of the Pacific Ocean and town of Boquete. Turns out, you would have had to tear away layers of clouds to see any of that, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have never experienced looking straight out and seeing nothing but clouds. If they could catch me, I would have had more courage to jump into the clouds than I did the in the waters of Los Cangilones de Gualaca. Many people do this hike with out a guide, but I am glad I had one with me! When I took the lead I took a wrong turn, and passed the trail head on the way up. So lucky me, got pulled back in the right direction before venturing into the cloud forest solo. The hike is about six miles and the hihest point you will reach is 6,500 feet. Sturdy shoes are needed, and a tide pen, because you they make get soaked in mud by the time you are coming off Los Quetzals Trail! But a mud, clouds, beautiful scenery…I know I know, enough said, Ill see you there!

Los Cangilones de Gualaca

UNO, DOS, TRES…JUMP! I still stood there. And again. UNO… Ohhh I was shaking. Finally to the count of TRES and I jumped into the cool water of Los Cangilones de Gualaca. A narrow channel that soon forms into a larger channel, after a few seconds of free floating. It doesn’t look that intimidating, but for me it was. There is something that gets my adrenaline pumping more than a high dive ever will. I watched my Habla Ya guide jump in with no problem. uno, dos, tres, and he actually jumped. I uno, dos, tres’ed and stood, and retried and rethought. But let me tell you, when you give yourself no other choice and just jump, it’s that rush we all crave. The best part is you don’t feel like frozen needles are piercing your skin, and you are short of breath. I can’t think of a more perfect temperature. But say that you are cold-blooded, no problem. Get your adrenaline rush on, hop out and recoup by lying on the rocks that surround the water. They radiate as much heat as the environment radiates a fantastic environment. There is no tourist shed selling t-shirts, a line or a Popsicle cart man pushing you to buy some helado. It’s just you, your crew and the energy surging water waiting for you to jump on in.

Caldera Hot Springs And Petroglyphs

You could attempt to find the Caldera Hot springs and Petroglyphs on your own, or you could find a tour guide or group. Lucky for me HablaYa took the lead. We headed to Caldera, about thirty minutes from Boquete. We first took in some history at the Petroglyphs. We climbed up and down the rocks and studied the ancient drawings etched by who knows. My favorite were all the smiley faces, they must have been pretty happy people, and as I looked around in every direction, I could see why.
After the petgroglpyhs you are a short drive 15 minutes away from dipping in the Caldera Hot Springs! The hot springs are located on a private farm, which is another reason why you should go with a guide. We tried out three different hot springs, all different temperatures ranging from 38 to 46 degrees Celsius. And in Fahrenheit that would convert to… PERFECT!
The best part about these hot springs is you feel like you are a modern day Christopher Columbus and stumbled right upon them. They looked untouched, trees streaming across them, up them and rocks lay perfectly around.
Now every time I walk by a pool of water I want to take a quick dip in, but I am sure nothing compares to Caldera.

La Milagrosa Coffee Plantation

Boquete Day One: The real experience of a coffee plantation. A trip to Finca La Milagrosa. If you are going to visit a coffee plantation you might as well have the full experience. Tito Vargas will show you the process from the tree all the way to a filled cup in front of you. Whether you like coffee or not, its an entertaining education. Especially with the personality that Tito Vargas brings. I ask Tito how many cups of coffee he drinks a day, and he tells me, zero, he never drinks coffee! How could a coffee farmer be so anti-coffee? He then smiles to tell me, he jokes, he drinks 14 cups a day, 14 cups that are muy grande. Then to tell me the truth, he usually settles around two to three. The tour starts in the field, and if you ask nicely you can wear a berry pickers basket around your waist and get to work. From here the berries are washed, dried, roasted, ground and French pressed to be poured into your cup. You will leave with a clarity of how coffee is made. I had a special day at Tito’s. He invited some friends over and we tasted the difference between the roasts of American, French and Italian coffee. French was the general consensus of the favorite so we headed upstairs to see more of Tito’s hand made equipment. His coffee grinder includes a car tranismission, parts of a computer, I mean not just homemade but he really wings it when it comes to making everything. I walked out with coffee I made, because Tito lets this be a hands on process, and hands down was one of the highlights in Boquete! Make sure you check in with the HablaYa office before going and they will get you set up on the tour!

HorsebackingintheCalderaMountains

If only I had room for my straw cowgirl hat in my luggage. My second day in Boquete found me traversing the different trails in the Caldera mountains. Sounds great right? Well, I am not a natural with horses. Once I was on the saddle I didn’t want to come off because I knew it would be a process, and another boost to get me back on. And my knees started to ache because they were my grip on the saddle when we crossed over steams. I was nervous to pull on the reigns because it always gave my pretty pony the idea it was time to pick up to a jaunt, which only made my knees grip harder. And harder still when we were crossing streams that you wouldn’t run across because of the depth and larger size boulders the horse strategically made his way around. Oh yes, and this is not a beginner trail persay… it’s steep going up, which means even steeper going down.
However, let me tell you. Everything turned out perfectly, and who wants to ride a horse on flat ground, that is predictable. Giddy up! I felt more comfortable as the switchbacks guided us to a photogenic viewepoint of Volcan Baru, the highest point in Panama, about 11.000 feet. And on a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean. Regardless of if you will find cloud cover in the views, get out here and ride! There is nothing but green, gold, running streams, and volcanic walls surrounding you. And hopefully my horse that had the punchy personality.
I don’t think my riding sound effects off “EASY GIRL!” and just a plain “AHHHHHHHH!” (only something an wannabe cowgirl would say) was entertainment enough for my horsey. This horse found entertainment in teasing the other horses. If one of these studly stallions found his way at a water stop, mine would put his head right in there until the other would stand straight up and walk away with some sass. Persistant little bugger! Even when water was not involved he would nudge the other horses until they nudged back and our cowboy guide, Nodier, would have us separate. I am telling you these horses will get you to the bottom and top no problem and you will laugh along the way. I think its time for me to invest in a real cowgirl hat.