Our Costa Rica trip happened in February (so yes - I am that far behind!). I was actually the one with the idea of a trip to there after reading a blog post on Mother Earth News. It described a magical farm in the middle of the rain forest with sustainable practices and amazing food. Fran committed early, so we bought our tickets, and eventually the trip grew to six (which ended up turning out to be a perfect size!)
The farm was everything that I would want to create:
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| Bungalows |
- Relaxing bungalows
- Gardens on the grounds
- Hot and cool pools (although they were closed)
- Amazing meals (and coffee from right down the road)
- Yoga every morning and evening
- Outdoor bar
- Great sense of relaxation and laid back atmosphere
- Activity and opportunities on and off the farm
Everything I would want to create...in Nebraska.
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| P relaxing |
Although it is pretty hard to get anywhere in CR (due to lack of signs and bad roads), Rancho Margot was slightly harder than usual. The crazier the roads seemed, the more excited we got (or some may have been more scared due to my track record, but I know I was excited!) We eventually got to the ranch (even in the dark) and settled into our bungalows. We had an amazing home-cooked dinner with a few local beers waiting for us. We were definitely taken care of once we were there. It felt a lot like getting to your grandma's house. They were waiting for you and ready to get you everything you needed and more upon arrival. Great feeling.
During that part of our vacation, we were kids again. We would wake up (sometimes early enough for yoga, sometimes not) play on the jungle gym, lay around and talk, hike, MAYBE escape the farm for an excursion, and go to the bar at night. (Ok, maybe not COMPLETELY being kids!) It was great. The workers on the farm also contributed to the family-like feel that you got from the Ranch. No one cared if you were in your PJs or unshowered for breakfast. Makeup? What's makeup? You could see the guy from the dairy bringing the freshly-made cheese into the kitchen. You could watch the hummingbirds flying around from flower to flower. You couls wait out the rain with another cup of coffee (or run through it!) Everything I want a vacation to be. Or not even my vacation - but my life!
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| Being a kid on the jungle gym |
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| Not being a kid at the bar (my matrix move) |
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| Laura and I enjoying our morning coffee |
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| Sitting on some of their amazing in-house furniture |
I was in my happy place and wanted to know how it came to be. It wasn't hard to figure out who the Big Boss Man was. We ended up finding out that he was the former GM (I think that was his title) of Burger King in Europe - the sole reason BK is IN Europe apparently. Interesting that the former GM of BK has a paradise of complete sustainability. It makes you wonder... Regardless - all of the money spent seems to be his personal stash. His workers are very loyal and would do anything for him (due to the opportunities that he provides for them.) And after talking with one of his farm "interns" (who happened to be from Wisconsin), I discovered that they don't know too much about farming, but were working on learning. I think they concentrated on the livestock and re-building the forest before focusing on gardening. Whatever works!
I do hope to go back and see how his vision works out. And I hope to eventually show off my own little prairie paradise to this guy. My recent busyness has been attributed to a certain application that I've been pouring time into, so we will see if I'll have a stash of my own in the future!
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