On a cold, blustery day in January, Laura and I boarded a plane bound for Puerto Rico. Laura's brother, Chris, is stationed there and it seemed a perfect opportunity for both a family get together and a break from winter. A few hours later we were greeted by warm, tropical breezes and the sweet call of the Coqui-frog!

We had a most delightful stay at Chris' very comfortable quarters. One afternoon we walked out the kitchen door to find a bright green, young Iguana sitting on the patio. He was fairly tame and even took a nibble of bread Chris offered him!

Chris and Kim live within walking distance of a beautiful beach, where we enjoyed swimming and picnicing. A walk in the other direction leads to rocky Manatee Beach, where we did catch a glimpse of a Manatee sticking his nose out of the water. Alas, he wouldn't hold still for a picture.

One of our days was spent on a drive along the coast to the city of Ponce. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant by the ocean. Then on to Ponce, where we saw their famous old fire station, their beautiful town plaza and shopped in a little store where I bought a handcrafted paper mache festival mask.

On our way home, we stopped at a seaside park. I was able to take some neat pictures from a tower we climbed of both the moon rising and the sun setting.

Another day we took a bus tour to San Juan and the Bacardi Rum factory. After sampling some delicious rum, we walked all over Old San Juan, which is almost as hilly as San Francisco! We toured an old Spanish fort there. By the end of that day we were pooped!

All too soon we had to return to the cold, grey winter of home. But the memory of our time in Puerto Rico will live warmly in our hearts forever. Thank you Chris, Kim, Christopher, Nicole and Stephen for making our stay so wonderful!