Category Archives: Holidays

Colorado Trip: Greeley Stampede, Estes Park, Family Visit

We are visiting Colorado for the first time in nearly 6 years! We have a lot of things we wanted to do while we were here including visiting our properties, family (some hadn’t yet met Aeden) and Colorado. So many memories have come up and it is strange to see if from Puerto Rico eyes. I have definitely changed, or been changed by my time in Puerto Rico. I will get into more about our comparisons/contrasts later, but for now, here’s a little of what we’ve been up to. It’s the 4th of July in Colorado, a more “American” style vacation there couldn’t be. BBQs, ice cream, flags and fireworks, big trucks and overly polite people calling me a “gal” abound. It’s funny how easily we stepped back in. Some things have changed, but more have stayed the same.


Hasta Pronto, Puerto Rico! Taking a Cape Air Flight. Aeden’s first!

Rincon from the air


Colorado weather is so nice this time of year!


Aeden travels well even though he is teething and developed his first cold. A baby certainly complicates things!


Greeley Stampede is as fun as ever. We walked around the carnival a bit and saw REO Speedwagon!


Fun spending time with old friends like Lorena and Kelly

 


REO Speedwagon was fun even if I only knew 3 songs haha

S

Family and Farmer’s Inn, it’s a tradition!


I had forgotten about squirrels! They’re so cute! (Puerto Rican “ardillas” are really mongoose!)


My 90+ year old grandma met her first GREAT grandbaby for the first time! 4 generations in this picture!


My brother met his only nephew too!


We went to Target!! haha


We visited the old houses we called home for a long time


So much food! I haven’t eaten steak in years! But we’re in cow country and not “lechon” anymore!


And there is just so much food in general it’s amazing!


Saw some bigfeet at the Dam Store


Pose like a tourist in Estes Park!


The mountains and drive were gorgeous! I do miss the mountains of CO!


Family in Estes Park


Fun at the Stanley Hotel -The inspiration for the movie The Shining

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Mother’s Day, TARS, and our Tropical Gardens


Overlook spot in Moca

A quick update. We have been tackling house repairs and building of the deck railings, keeping up with the cabana (recently painted the entire interior again) staying on track with all the mowing (we maintain about 2 acres of green areas) as well as planting and watering the tropical gardens when it’s dry. When we are not at the farm, we go out for drives or on searches for more plants as well as just normal chores like grocery shopping and things like that. We have also had the opportunity to spend some time with friends which is always nice.


The farm always feels so refreshed after we mow it, it’s like our own personal park


It would be a rare occasion at a plant store that I don’t find something to buy


Quick stop at Borinquen Beach in Aguadilla


Aeden loved it!

We also went to TARS in Mayaguez. It has been a long time since we’ve visited. Now that we’ve been doing this tropical gardening for a good long while I can appreciate the collection that they have there even more. It looked to have suffered some damage from the hurricane, but overall it is still quite impressive. So inspiring to see what’s possible here. So many home gardens are plain and this is extraordinary!


Britton and Aeden under a huge palm


Me and a HUGE Panama Canoe Tree


Britton and Aeden with a large agave


Me and a jackfruit tree/fruit


We just started a pandanus. It would be amazing to see it grow into this


Back at our farm


We are growing a new variety of microphone/beehive ginger


Another turkey came out of the woods with babies


Early morning sunrise at the finca


Peaceful serenity in the gardens


A mango tree releafing over head


Newest additions to the farm -2 tortoises (I think sulcata but not sure)!


Amazing number of torch gingers to take to the farmer’s market lately


At the farmer’s market with the babe


Celebrated my very first mother’s day as a mother. Here’s the mother who made me, and who made me a mother (around the same age 8-9 months)


My precious boy


Crossing the suspension bridge in San Sebastian


Everyone loves Aeden, everywhere we go. His hair is so “llamativo” and many people want to hold our smiley coloraito/ cano


Doing a photoshoot with friend Laura. Going to miss her so much! We always have fun together. And I have loved being her muse!

Tree-mendous!


Going away party for Laura and Kara


Receiving party (Hawaiian themed) for someone who got out of hospital with our neighbors


A normal day in Rincon -cows crossing the road and mangos falling from the sky


What a beautiful life!

Here’s our 8 month baby update video!

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A Day in Aguada


Britton and Aeden in the plaza of Aguada

The other day we went to Aguada for a doctor’s appointment for Aeden. We were surprised to be in and out quickly, so we decided to wander around the town a little. Although it is right next to it, Aguada is very different from Rincon in so many ways. Whereas Rincon makes me think of Hawaii, Aguada reminds me of Mexico, with lots of little boutique clothing stores, a large plaza, street vendors and a buzz of work. Rincon feels much more like a vacation destination where the beach and hanging out are the central points and swimsuits are often spotted. Aguada feels more like daily life and pants and shoes are common (as are the shops that sell them!). Aguada is also quite a bit bigger with about 50,000 people compared with little Rincon’s 15,000. Because of its size and the tiny roads, the traffic is often a mess, so walking around the downtown makes more sense than driving.


Vendors selling fireworks to celebrate the holidays (yes, it is a loud time of year!)


Bright, colorful buildings


Lots of clothing stores around every corner!


I like to stop in and check stuff out sometimes!


More street vendors and clothing stores


Sometimes feels like you’re walking into the 70s or 80s!


Family photo in the Aguada Plaza


Two soft drinks you don’t see in the states often- Coco Rico and Malta (normally in a glass bottle)


Aguada is known for its horses and horse events too


Aguada, like Rincon, has awesome sunsets

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Feliz Navidad and a News Story

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2019 full of love and wonder!

This Christmas after some plans fell through, we found ourselves on the beach once more trading snow and cold for sand and sunsets. They moved the annual Pig Roast celebration from Almendros Beach because it was devoid of trees after Maria to Playa Lala. Playa Lala was once just “the beach behind the old Econo” and has now become a popular destination especially with all the little kiosk bars right nearby.


The 3 of us getting into the Christmas Spirit


Playa Lala on Christmas


Driftwood tree


Another unusual tree


Breaking out the Coquito at sunset

What a beautiful sunset it was! Almost watercolor

Britton and Aeden away from the crowd


My silly sweety -my favorite Christmas present ever!

Also, the Newstory about us aired in Colorado on Christmas Eve. Check out more of the story here if you haven’t yet seen it, or watch the video below!

After Maria: The Kauffman Family from KDVR on Vimeo.

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