I made it! After leaving the house this morning at 4 a.m. I finally arrived at the research station around 5 p.m. There are 5 resident scientists that live here and 8 volunteers, two teachers, and a journalist. I met all the other volunteers in San Juan and a van drove us an hour south into the forest.
The research station is so cool. We are on top of a mountain ridge, so there are steep slopes in every direction. There are several little structures with retractable tarps for walls and a tin roof. My tent is in one of these structures. There is also a building (with real walls) that is the office, library, and kitchen. There is electricity in the office and a satellite dish outside to provide internet access.
The reality of being here in Puerto Rico sunk in when my plane landed in San Juan and I noticed large lizards scrambling in the grass next to the runway. I haven't learned yet what they were, but I hope to soon. There are also tons of lizards, snails, and frogs here in the rainforest. I hope to do a "gabcast" with them singing soon. The frog below is about the size of a nickel!
Thanks for all your comments and questions. More to come tomorrow when we go out in the forest and learn what/how the scientists are studying in this amazing place.
You guys are all in my thoughts.
Mr. L
