June 7

   Today was our last day at Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park. Before leaving, we were able to participate in a very special project for the park. The park is one of very few places to study amphibians (mainly frogs) in situ. This means that instead of taking the frogs out of their habitats to study, the scientists go out into the field to study frogs. In order to do this, though, the conditions have to be just right so that frogs will come out in a clear enough space that is natural for them. So, today we got to help with the construction of one of the in situ observation sites in the rain forest. The location was already picked out when we started, but the site needed to be prepared for the frogs. First, we dug up a hole and evened out the side of this hole. This hole would eventually be turned into a pond. The rain would fill it up, but we had to make sure it was big enough and deep enough. While some of us were digging the hole, others were out looking for and digging up plants to place around the would-be pond. We then replanted the species that were collected for us. This process may seem simple, but the area was rocky and the ground was uneven, so the whole job took a few hours to complete. We were all so proud of our work because this in situ site would help adavance the frog research of the park and its partnering universities.

  Super proud and muddy, the group left our work to walk over to a nearby river. Here, we rinsed off our tools, our boots and, our hands before walking back. I was super excited to return because we arrived at the site by tram ride. The return meant a second ride on the tram, and a chance to look over the canopy. Marco, our guide, pointed out a few plants as we were riding over the forest, like wild mint. We actually got to see the exiled howler monkey on a tree. We returned for a quick shower and lunch before our departure. The research team was very hospitable to us, so the farewells were a little sad. Nevertheless, we drove on to La Fortuna, our next destination.

On the way, we had some bus troubles. The road we took was very narrow, so when a semi-truck tried to squeeze through, we ended up off the road, during a rainstorm! 

The scene, though slightly dangerous, was quite comical. Everyone piled off the bus except Dr Mo, who stayed on the bus with Rodolfo for moral support....and to not get soaked and muddy!  The rest of us tried to push the bus back on the road (which didn't work) and even had to literally stop traffic while we got help! A truck came along and Rodolfo waved him down to see if he could pull us out of our trap.  Meanwhile, we all piled back onto the tilted bus to get out of the rain only to get back off quickly because all of our weight would make it more difficult for the truck to pull us out and the we were afraid the extra weight distribution would tip the bus.  We piled out of the bus and Dr Mo stayed on the bus to add weight so the tilted bus would not flip over.  We were instructed to make our way to the other side of the road where we lined up and watched as the truck pulled our bus parallel to the road.  Dr Mo was hanging on for dear life and Rodolfo was trying to steer the bus back onto the road.   Eventually the bus wrench forward and the tires made there way onto the road.  Dr. Mo's knuckles where white from hanging on but she was all smiles!  We all climbed back onto the bus dripping wet.  Finally we were off and driving and were also able to make it safely to La Fortuna!