Escape to Selva Negra (with Clair and Beth)

It has been great to have parents/grandparents Clair and Beth around for the past week, which is also Semana Santa (Holy Week). The kids have off from school for this week and some of next week as well.

Being the hot time of year that it is, we have generally planned all our activity together around staying cool. So far, we've introduced Clair and Beth to the pool, the crater lagoon Laguna de Apoyo, a few air conditioned restaurants with indoor kids' play areas, and varieties of ice cream and smoothies.

But our favorite escape is heading toward the mountains around Matagalpa.  In January we went here with my parents, staying in the city of Matagalpa and traveling one day to hike around the coffee plantation and lodge of Selva Negra. Between the long sleeve pull-overs, the trails, and the restaurant's food, we were fairly confident we'd be back.

With temperatures in the upper 90s every day this past week, we went with Clair and Beth to enjoy the better part of three days, staying in a cabin at Selva Negra this time.  It was great.

New this time: seeing howler monkeys, deer, an agouti, hummingirds, ticks on Clair and Rebekah, a fat lip and knee scrapes on Silas, more delicious food, staying in great little cabin up the hill, reading time, and new trails.  Between our two visits we've now hiked all but one of the trails across their mountainside.  Trail #9, we'll be back for you.