Paradise in Puerto Rico
My parents live in northwestern Montana, where the winters are cold, and seldom does the sun shine. To combat the winter doldrums, they have an affection for "chasing the sun" trips in mid-winter.
Trish went to high school in Puerto Rico. She has fond memories of her family, friends, and equestrian competitions there. I've been begging her to take me to Puerto Rico ever since we met almost 15 years ago.
This year, she finally took me! Abbie, Jack, and my parents joined us for the grand adventure in early January. My mom's 75th birthday landed on the weekend before we left. We celebrated with much pomp and circumstance! 🎊
We had a direct flight from Denver to San Juan that took just under six hours. Our hotel, Isla Verde, was conveniently near the airport and the beach.
When staying at a resort, Trish and I like to start our vacations with a pool day. The kids and my parents liked the idea of relaxing in the sun. Trish had only been walking for two weeks because of her ankle. The swimming, mermaid floatey, and Fernando the enthusiastic pool host made for a fun day.
That evening, I introduced Jack to blackjack at the hotel casino. We walked to a nearby casino for better luck and gambled until the wee hours of the morning.
Wednesday was full of exploring. We drove our rental van to see El Morro, a legendary fort from the 1500s, and marveled at its history.
That evening, we dined at Marmalade and were amazed by the cuisine and service. The bill was incredible too. We didn't expect to set a personal record. 😅
Thursday, we ventured to El Yunque National Forest. It's the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
We hit the club with the kids that evening.
Friday was our last full day in Puerto Rico, and Trish saved the best adventure for last. A night kayaking trip in Fajardo's bioluminescence bay! It was a bit challenging to see the water sparkling because of a bright half moon, but we were grateful for the light as we paddled through the narrow canals to get to the bay. Jack and my Dad never saw any colors because they didn't realize splashing was required. The rest of us giggled with delight as the streaks of light formed while splashing. The guides put tarps over the group to help suppress the light of the moon.
We woke up Saturday refreshed and proud of the new memories we had created. Puerto Rico was fabulous and often felt like paradise!
Trish had a ball reconnecting with her roots. She started chatting with her high school crew again because of the trip, and she already has her next trip to Puerto Rico planned. Spending a week with family on vacation is wonderful, and we look forward to the next chasing-the-sun trip!
For more tropical photos and a few videos, see my Puerto Rico 2025 album on Flickr.