Today was low key. The kids and I decided organized excursions were just a bit too expensive and I found a couple of trails that I wanted to explore anyway. So, to start the day, while the kiddos snoozed, I hopped on a trail and did an out and back run. It was the first one in a week, and I probably should rest my tendinitis more and longer. After the run and the subsequent hike, dang it aches. But, I got a perfect 3.14 miles in for Pi Day. Not fast, not furious, but finished.

Breakfast at the all you can stuff buffet, and we hit some trails. A good time. Even though we were in a really close-by location with civilization nearby, it still seemed as though stepping off the trail would result in getting lost and eventually dying of insect bites, exposure or getting eaten by a jaguar. I read River of Doubt, and can appreciate the rainforest’s unfeeling and uncaring allowance for death. One does not fuck with the jungle. Period. We stuck to the known, and traveled trails.

We saw some interesting things, but for me, the highlight of the time on the trail was spending the time with my kids, doing something that I really enjoy, and watching them enjoy it too.

Wrapped it up with a few beers at the bar, and a burger. It’s hard to diminish the pleasure of sitting in an outdoor bar, with a warm breeze and a cold beer and a good book.

Tomorrow we head back to the beach and Coronado. “Home”, I guess, though being away for a few days already makes it less a home than just a next place to be. I wonder if anyplace will be ever be a home to me?

Friday night Spencer flew into Panama City. I waited at the airport for about 3 hours for him, then we hopped into a Uber to the hotel. After a nice breakfast the next morning, we had time to kill before going back to the airport to collect Mikaela and head to Gamboa. We took the Metro to the Albrook Mall (largest in Central America) and walked its air conditioned expanse for an hour or so, before getting the classic Panamena dish: buffalo wings.

After the snack in the food court, we hopped again on the Metro for a short distance, then walked to and into and around Casca Viejo - the old part of Panama City. Interesting buildings and layout that reminded me of what I’ve seen the French Quarter of New Orleans to look like. We then walked back to the hotel to collect our bags and go to the airport to pick up Mikaela.

Along the way, we stopped at a place to get food. We waited patiently at the entrance to get seated. It was weird. We stood there for at least five minutes and were studiously ignored. Perhaps they didn’t want gringos? No idea. Given the number of food places available, it was no biggie to turn and walk away and find another.

Mikaela’s plane was late (as was Spencer’s) so I got to spend another 3-ish hour stint in the uncomfortable hard plastic seats of the airport. She did finally arrive and we took a taxi to Gamboa Rainforest Resort, where we checked in at 11:00 pm. I was able to fall asleep pretty fast, but I don’t think the kids did.

After a nice buffet breakfast, we took the excursion to the Sloth Sanctuary and the co-located butterfly and frog places. Cool stuff. Back to the resort and the pool and more food. It was the first time in quite a while we’d been all together. It was nice. I’ve scoped out a few trails to walk tomorrow, so that might be a bit more energetic. Fun though.