Looking for Square Trees

Today was one of those bright sunny days that haven't been coming around too often. If you were to look at a brochure of El Valle de Anton, you would see that there  are several tourist attractions listed.  Because there are so many, Bob and I decided to do it a little bit at a time.  This morning we didn't have much going on, so decided to take the hike to the Square Trees.  We'd been to the location once, and it began to rain before we could even find out much - then went again, found out where to go, and you guessed it, it started to rain.  So today seemed to be the perfect day.

We headed to the rather historical Hotel Campestre (built in 1939), in a gracious setting tucked far back from the road and fronted by spacious lawns, a huge fountain with Lilly pads, and backed up against the jungle.

 Pretty Lilly Pads

 The former entrance from years ago - the newer part off to the right.

Looking back across the lawns towards town.  Cariguana Mountain in the distance.

We drove up the long circular drive and parked - ready to begin our hike.  It was necessary to walk across some of those spacious lawns, until we reached a little gate that led to a path through the woods. Let's just stop right here.  I just never know whether to call it jungle or forest or woods.  It looks like a forest to me...except with tropical trees and flowers....but we live in the jungle, so....  I also don't know whether to call it a hike or a walk....not like we were really climbing anything, but it WAS in the woods/jungle, so that seems like a hike to me...... bear with me while I struggle with this.

The Gate

Too often, I think we miss our journey because our eyes are on the destination.  THIS journey was lovely.  Winding pathways with tall trees on either side, the sound of a stream rumbling over the rocks, brightly colored flowers tucked here and there, birds singing and squawking in the trees, a giant iridescent butterfly, moss covered boulders, huge stalks of bamboo perhaps 5-6" across, an occasional bench to sit on.  Every turn held some new site to take in....some wonder of creation.

A meandering path through the forest.

Some of the path had mossy rocks...

 Bob's hands are huge...this is some giant bamboo!

 In some places the stream was narrower and quieter, but always quite pretty.

 Seed pods growing on a tree.  I have no clue!

 Mossy rocks in the stream.

 Splashes of color

 Flowers tucked into the jungle growth

The hike was only about 30 minutes, and not difficult at all (I know, you thought I'd surely be rock climbing!) and we arrived at the Square Trees.  I'd read that it wasn't all that great thing to see, but I like to determine those things for myself.  Could have gone to the bank with that one, though. There were a few trees there with oddly squarish trunks, looking a lot like young banyan trees.

They had some benches to sit on - except they were covered with moss (they probably cleaned them yesterday) and...that was about it.  We took a few pics, then headed down anther pathway to get closer to the stream.  There was a swinging bridge that crossed over it - now that was a great site...well worth the hike to get there

.....so peaceful....

As we headed back from our very much enjoyed journey, we noticed several times where there were 1/2 leaf sections moving across the pathway.  Each piece of green was being carried by an ant that was 1/20th the size of the leaf it was carrying.  Hundreds of them .....gave the effect of the ground moving under us.  Where were they going?  Why were they carrying leaves from one side of the jungle to another, where clearly, there were lots of leaves already?  Was there purpose in this?  

I don't know the answers to those questions, but it doesn't matter, really.  Our walk was peaceful, refreshing and one we will definitely do again....maybe with friends or family...maybe with a picnic lunch.....

It was a five star kind of day.