In the mountains south of San Jose

Didn't make it very far today - 50% by design/50% fate. Tried to find tires in San Jose - only street tires available at several places. I will ride further south on these.
Up at 2700 meters now and it gets cold, dark and foggy fast so I pulled into a micro lodge lest I become road kill. There is only 1 north/south route for the continent through very twisty narrow roads and the truck drivers must be Guatemalan. It will be interesting to walk a few trails in the early AM as there is nada happening this evening - early to bed...
Saw several interesting animals today; got a ticket for going 97 in a 90 zone - I will just consider it a karma warning or payback for all the times I might have been going a little faster.
A Costa Rican day,
Nick
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Diving Playa del Coco

Enough driving, time for a little touring. Went for a couple dives this morning and a lot of nothing this afternoon.
Nick
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Playa del Coco, Costa Rica

You know that imaginary line that runs between Tijuana and San Diego? Well, they put one down here too.
Everything changes, even the natural landscape, Costa Rica is aptly named and really beautiful.
First right that GPS said went to the coast I took. Wound up in a funky little place full of expats, locals and tourists of the boomer species.
The foto is of the third or 4th of many lines I didn't stand in - ya' I paid another 2 fixers - one to get me out of Nicaragua ($7) and the other to get me into Costa Rica ($20 + 20 to shake hands with the jefe of the border so he would personally walk my stuff to the front of two long lines) and it still took 90 minutes. I'm sure I wouldn't want to deal with Fatherland Security either.
I may run a little further south but I'm going to hang in CR for a couple days.
Saw 5 bikes heading north, none at any borders to talk with.

Nick
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Managua, Nicaragua

Did a slow cruise through El Salvador this morning - detoured 20 k off road to a tiny fishing village at the southern-most tip; the tracks just ended and there was an old woman making pasteles from her front porch and people were bringing their own plates for take-out, so I stopped for lunch - 5 minutes later a couple kids came out - 15 minutes later ever boy between 6 and 12 within a mile was there. I let one climb on and they all needed a try - grandma just laughed. It was fun.
You can't see a smile from behind a full-face helmet so I've taken to big dopey waves - cops get the Richard Nixon peace sign which they seem to like 'cause they flash lights and wave back.
Leaving El Salvador was a breeze.
I wouldn't wish trying to get into Honduras on anyone - well, maybe our Dim Wit.
I thought I'd never pay one of the border vultures - today I paid and it was worth it. 5 different offices, 5 different fees, each needing a copy of something only available at the prior (trips to the copy kiosks) - no office marked and all pretending to be closed because it was Sunday. Then there was the fumigation process and the requisite bribe because the pump was broken... After the first 15 minute slow jerk I just gave my vulture my passport, all my docs and some money and told him to come get me when he needed more. They got me for about $45; he got me for 20 bucks - and it was worth it.
After that warm welcome I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when people threw garbage and bottles at me from the backs of trucks. I hit the after burner and didn't stop until I got to the opposite border (except for the 2 federal police check-points). At the Nicaraguan border people jokingly asked "so, how did you like Honduras" I guess my experience and reaction is common.
I kept the jets on and rolled into Managua - pulled into the first nice hotel and paid rack rate.. Going to check out the Lago de Nicaragua tomorrow.
A Long Day,
Nick
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Sonsonate, El Salvador

El Salvador is a kinder and gentler place than Guatemala. Its as beautiful as I remember and the guns seem less omni-present. Driving is a relative treat and entry into the country was simple and free. Last night I was begging for heat and today I'm staying at The Plaza (but not that Plaza) because it has A/C. There is a festival in al centro so I'm off to say hello.

Nick
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Pan American Highway

No wonder I was a little cold yesterday - I crossed the mountains at altitude 3670 meters (12,000 feet) in the freezing rain. Electronic Fuel Injection is a good thing.
Wanted to stay at the lake but too cold.
Blew by about 100 cars waiting on construction just outside of town - the flag men looked at me and waived me through with a warning. I had the highway to myself for about 20 km.
just twisted my way through Guatemala City - YIKES!
On the highway for El Salvador now.
Nick
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