The Coast News (Page 1)

B2 THE COAST NEWS
JAN. 30, 2009
osta Rican adventure more than couple bargained for
E’LOUISE
ONDASH
Hit the Road
When Frank and Heidi
Boynton of Oceanside decided to
venture to Costa Rica for eight
days last May, they couldn’t have
predicted what was to come.They
went to the small Central
American country because “it was
a very economical trip and many
people we know had raved about
it,” Heidi said.
They weren’t disappointed.
“We liked the lush vegetation,
beautiful flowers and bushes
… the unusual monkeys and the
many varieties of birds and colorful
frogs. We were impressed with
the cleanliness of the towns and
roads and the friendliness of the
people.”
When the Boyntons checked
into the Selva Verde Lodge &
Rainforest Reserve, Frank wrote:
“Our room hides in this Eden.The
food is very good,the people warm
and friendly … It is great fun in an
animal kingdom of howler monkeys,
iguanas the size of your arm,
exotic birds and insects, poisonous
snakes and bright colored frogs.
The lodge has covered walkways
through the rainforest. During the
LIFE’S A BEACH Frank and Heidi Boynton on the beach at Manuel Hotel National
Park-Tarcoles on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The area is known for its white sandy
beaches surrounded by emerald waters and forest. Visitors can walk forest trails and
find many of the native animals — like the cappuccino monkey, iguanas and birds.
Courtesy photo
torrential rains every afternoon,
we can reach out through a wall of
water and touch the flora.”
On their last morning at the
lodge, Frank decided to take a 25minute
walk on what was portrayed
on a hotel trail map as a
clear, easy loop.
“I showed the map to two
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recalled. “I left feeling great (but)
took no water or insect repellent.”
Twenty minutes into his walk,
he was lost. The rainforest grew
thicker and the light dimmer. The
super-high humidity steamed his
glasses and soon he was in kneedeep
mud and rotted logs, but he
reminded himself that the trail
was a loop and should bring him
to his starting point.
“My shoes filled with mud
and slipped off sideways,” he
remembered. “I was half blind
and … when I slowed or stopped,
more insects found me. I smeared
mud all over to keep the insects
off.”
Dehydration, exhaustion and
disorientation took over.
Fortunately, Frank had the presence
of mind to fashion a “palmleaf
bed with a vine headrest and
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MONKEY BUSINESS Pictured is a
cappuccino monkey, seen in abundance
in various areas of Costa Rica and other
Central American countries. Photo by
Heidi Boynton
cover my muddy body with another
huge palm leaf. I laid down and
listened. I could hear the howler
monkeys far away.”
Back at the lodge, Heidi was
annoyed when Frank didn’t show
on time,then panic and fear set in.
“He likes to explore,” she
said, “but would never go off a
marked trail, especially in a foreign
country. Also, I knew he was
experienced in the woods and
would never miss a departure
time.”
The Boynton’s luggage was
removed from the bus, which was
taking the group to its next stop.
“I was very distressed by
now,” Heidi said, “but also worrying
what to do in the middle of a
foreign country, in the middle of
the rainforest, far away from the
nearest major town. I could not
get my thoughts in order.”
Another traveler handed
Heidi a Spanish phrase book, and
their guide helped arrange extra
nights at the hotel, but mostly “I
was left behind to fend for
myself.”
The lodge staff eventually
began a search and Heidi went
into emergency mode.
“I’ve traveled and lived all
over the world,” she said. “I could
get back home and think of the
things I had to do without Frank.
Everything was in slow motion,
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Bakery back
in action
after holiday
flooding
ENCINITAS —
Elizabethan Desserts is back
and baking after battling the
damage from a flood in late
December.
“It drove me crazy to be
hampered during the holidays,”
owner Elizabeth
Harris said. “We always
make so many fun holiday
desserts and this year, we
were doing cleanup.”
Now open again from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays
through Saturdays, goodies
can be had just in time for
Valentine’s Day and the
Superbowl.
SWEET SOMETHINGS Bakery
owner and chef Elizabeth Harris puts
the final topping on her chocolate buttercream
cupcakes, just one of 15 cupcake
and cake flavors at Elizabethan
Desserts. Photo by Court Jones
“We have perfect
Valentine’s Day flavors like
Red Velvet and Chocolate
Toffee cupcakes and, for
Super Bowl, we even have
football cookies,” Harris
said. “We are thrilled to have
our ovens fired up again.”
Although Harris’
confections are wellknown
throughout San
Diego County, Elizabethan
Desserts, 155 Quail Gardens
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Trish