It is hard to believe that we are in the homestretch of this adventure. Our final morning at Pocosol Research Station started with the threat of rain, which is always close by in Costa Rica. While we watched the rainforest wake up, our biologist, Katherine, reminded me that Pocosol means “little sun”, which was true today. Thankfully, the rain passed us by, and a little sun became a lot, as we headed out on our hike towards the waterfall deep within the reserve. As we stopped at a trail map, it became clear that we had explored nearly every trail within Pocosol, something that few people can say. The power of waterfalls is always humbling, and this one was no exception. We learned that the acres surrounding where we stood were some of the last to be protected because of their location, making our journey to and from that spot even more meaningful. A final lunch at the research station was shared with a group of Grade 4 students from a local school who were on a day trip to learn about the rainforest; another reminder that this magical place has so much to share. With a warm farewell to Pocosol Research Station, we started our journey to La Fortuna. The transition was gradual but profound. The deep, enveloping calm of the rainforest gave way to movement, noise, and life at a faster pace. Where the forest whispers, the town sings. Moving into a town after days in the rainforest was a big change, but the Pura Vida way of life was still so clear, no matter where we were. With our time here coming to a close in a few days, yet still so much to do and see, Pura Vida (a way of saying that you are doing great) is a reminder that this journey is far from over, and there is still so much more waiting to unfold.
