We Might Not Be Back: Pavones to Monte Verde to SJO

We learned our lesson (sort of) for the next drives. We were told it would take about 7 hours and so we gave ourselves 12 hours of daylight to get there. I knew it would be a little trickier heading to Monte Verde because the roads up into the mountains are a slow go. We got out by 600am. This time we made sure to actually stop for food and crocodiles. And it was a good thing because the last 15 km of the trip to Monte Verde probably took at least 1-1.5 hours. When we were really moving we were in second gear. It was terrifying. Heights don’t bother me, but one lane dirt roads with traffic moving both ways up the side of a mountain test my limits. Thankfully the girls slept through Dan and I panicking in the front. They have a gift for that. They completely missed Dan’s nervous breakdown driving through Arizona. Thankfully I have video to show them later, so we can all laugh. I spent most of this drive trying to figure out why I plan these ridiculous trips where I spent hours at a time certain we are not even going to make it to the next stop. There are flat places in the world right? Maybe our next trip will be to the prairie where we can learn about the dust bowl or something?

And then we arrived. The view was breathtaking. The man who rents the property was incredibly nice. The house was super cute and quaint. We were a short walk or drive from town and multiple activities. You can check out the rental here www.vrbo.com/106066. We even decided to go all out and head back out that evening to a nearby restaurant. Casado con pollo and arroz con pollo make everything better. And the Imperials were tolerable. Two meals in one day sort of made up for the moments of worry on the road.

Now the trip back down the mountain at 400am in pitch black on dusty and deserted roads that are closed during daylight for construction was a little more awful. It didn’t help that a cow had pooped right behind our car the night before. Dan was loading up the car in the dark and didn’t see it until he stepped in it and some luggage fell in it. Once it’s time to go home our patience for long semi-dangerous car rides sort of disappears. It’s not like you look forward to sitting in an airport and on an airplane for hours after a long drive. On top of that we ate breakfast at Denny’s by the car rental place out of desperation. There is nothing like paying $50 for breakfast at a garbage American chain restaurant.