One of the nicest events of life is to be age 82, and have a wonderful family of six children, 20 grandchildren and 3 greats. Especially, when this family is eager to share adventure with the roving grammy.

Gale, my youngest daughter, now slim and beautiful as a teenager, arranged an extraordinary trip to Costa Rica.

Casey and Troy were with her for about three weeks, with her husband, Jay, driving a jeep for one week, over rocky roads, through fiords, and the road travel itself an adventure!, Through his skilllful driving, and Gale's navigation, we survived, possibly one of the most harrowing experiences in my lifetime of roaming the globe!

Travel with the Morse family has always been in the VW 1979 camper van, with camping, youth hostels, National forests without facilities. And in the new millenium, in the well preserved rain forests of Costa Rica, all these memories came forward to enhance this extraordinary adventure of three weeks.

Whereas in Equador where Gale and I visited many years ago, the cattle ranches and logging interests have made great in- roads into the rain forest, here in Costa Rica, a series of interesting migrations of Quakers, Peace people, conservationists, has had a profound influence on the country, especially quiet influence of Quaker and other peace-oriented groups.

In the Tourist literature, Costa Rica wants to be known as a nation who has no defence budget, but spends generously in education, health, and conservation.

The cheese factory, managed by the Quakers, demonstrated very modern sewerage disposal.

A few days at Diane Inn, in San Jose, gave me a chance to meet various people at the Peace University, and Radio for Peace International which broadcasts its message of human rights, non-violence, conflict resolution, all over the globe.

Although the Monteverde Cloud Forest area was the highlight of the three week visit, other areas were also fascinating. By jeep, boat, jeep we travelled to Arenal Volcano National Park, where clouds were lifted for a superb view of the volcano and its burping sounds.

Other adventures: Manuel Antonio, Rincon de la Vieja. Peak experiences were on horse back, all day, riding through mountains, water falls, thermal springs.

Gale started the journey, 5-hour by bus, right off the airplane and had arranged five days in the Monteverde area where the Quakers migrated from the USA. We stayed at a delightful hostel, Pension Santa Elena, with backpackers from all over the planet.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded by the Quaker's as a private non-profit nature reserve. Managed by the Tropical Science Center, the reserve provides a living laboratory for visiting scientists each year. In a program with Yale, students come for information for their Masters and PhD reseach.

Gale, Troy and Casey were strapped into small harnesses and swung over the canopy of the forest, pretty scarey for me.

Other activities included a butterfly reserve, cheese factory, hiking through the forest, and soaking in the rain.

Jay added another dimension during his week with us, as our driver of a jeep. Through the forest, rocky roads, small streams, the jeap gave us a merry ride, as good as any amusement park.

Three days at San Jose to get back to civilization at the Diane Inn was very mild. However, the three week journey ended with a great adventure with the turtle nesting grounds in Tortuguero Park.

Many thanks to the excellent planning of my daughter Gale, the superb driving of Jay, and the fun and laughter with Troy and Casey.

Although eco-adventure tours in Costa Rica are very expensive, using public transportation and small inns and hostels with kitchen privileges cut down on the costs considerable. Attractive clean accommodations with private bath averaged $15 per person, in quad or triple rooms, and singles, $25 for the grandmother.

There are some pictures from Costa Rica here