Puerto Rico proved to be an adventure eveywhere we went - lots of mountains, waterfalls, good food and holding true to its name "the Island of Enchantment". To stand atop El Yunque with the sun just poking its head above the eastern horizon as a thousand coquiis sing their song - priceless. The tropical rainforest rained, can you believe it? Tip for the day - a giant leaf comes in handy to use as an umbrella - hey it worked!

Beautiful foliage in the rainforest

El Yunque Caribbean Forest Center is the only tropical rain forest in the United States park system . Venturing deep into the rain forest past tall trees whose canopy covers the path at times.


This is a view from the top of El Yunque whose name comes from yuke, the Taino word for "sacred place". Legend has it that Yukiyu, the forest God, protects Puerto Rico from the assaults of Huracan, the God of hurricanes. Unfortunately you have to hike to the top instead of drive, because the road was wiped out by hurricane Hugo - go figure?

Deb decided to enjoy the view from the top of the tower from the pictures that Rick would take.

View from the top of the tower at El Yunque.

El Yunque Caribbean National Forest covers over 28,000 mountainous acres and boasts 28 miles of trails. We hiked the Big Bee Trail to La Mina Falls for a wonderful day of swimming in the falls.