Swimming in the Picard River.

It's not the pool and it's not the beach. I decided to try something different and took the kids to a little pool in the Picard river. It run clear and is fresh water, although we did smell a little fishy when we were done. The water was a little colder than I expected but it was refreshing. The kids enjoyed exploring and even went up river and around the bend. I had to call them back so that I could actually see them. The only issue was that we had to hang on to Kemiah or she would float away with the current. It only happened once and luckily she got caught by some rocks so she didn't go too far.

It is a beautiful clearing and was an easy spot to get to. Due to it's easy location, a cement truck uses it as a water supply so while we were there it came and hooked up to a hose that they leave in the river. It was kind of weird but the kids watched intently. And you can't have an outing without some rain - after all we are surrounded by rain forest. Luckily it was just a sprinkle and we were already wet so it didn't really matter.

Even though the pool wasn't that deep the kids wanted their floaties. I guess that was a good thing even though they stuck mostly to the shallow areas and crawled around on the rocks. They also enjoyed trying to catch the small fish and pulling the snails off the rocks.









Xiomara didn't like the cement truck at all and would not leave my side while it was there. She would just float around the little pool and climb on the rocks. She thought it was strange when I told her to go potty in the river - she had just started potty training.





Kemiah was excited to get going but was the last one in. She wasn't as excited when she felt the cold water but she got used to it. She enjoyed splashing but was not as happy about the drifting away part. It only happened a couple times so she was okay. Marissa took her under a tree for cover while it rained.


Marissa liked to chase the fish but found them a little difficult to catch. She is the true animal and critter lover so I wasn't surprised when she had a collection of snails in her hand. They were easy to catch and hold on to.


Here is a good view of the pool in the river. I'm sure some of the locals made it to do their laundry or bathing but no one was using it so we enjoyed it. I loved listening to all the different sounds (after the loud cement truck left).




Here's the cow we saw on our way home from the river. A common sighting around here - cows of different color tied up and eating on the side of the road. We have yet to figure out what they actually do with them though - no plowing, no milking, and they don't eat them. At least that's what I've heard. What are they here for then? We enjoy watching them so I guess that's enough.



Poor little Kemiah was all tuckered out and obviously unaware of her confusion. She has the sippy cup, the hose to Xiomara's water bag, and her thumb all at the ready but she is completely zonked. Silly girl.


We just love these flowers. They grow on green shrubs and have these colorful leaves and then three small flowers bloom in the middle. The girls picked them on our way home from the river and said, as I took pictures of sleeping Kemiah (and I think Xiomara had just awakened), "Take a picture of me." How can I say no to such sweet faces and pretty flowers.