Artifacts took the form of ceramic pots of various shapes and sizes and obsidian blades used for blood letting rituals.

Helmets and headlamps are considered essential. Kyle, pictured here with our cave guide.

The cave reaches 5 kilometers into the mountain side and requires a combination of swimming, walking through water from ankle depth to neck deep, climbing through openings and over rocks. Discovered in 1989, the cave was used by the Mayans for ceremonies and rituals between 300 and 900 AD. Artifacts and the sacrificial remains of 14 people remain exactly as they were left by the last Mayans who used the cave.

… and hike through the jungle.

Our first destination was the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. To reach the cave entrance we had to traverse the same river three different times …

Kyle and I prepare for the first days adventure by applying face paint made by Jes from crushed seeds of a local plant.

Our base of operations for the first three nights was the Maya Mountain Lodge.

Bigger and brighter seems to describe almost everything in the tropics.

Everywhere you turn there is something of beauty to appreciate.

Kyle and I arrived in Belize last night and are joined this morning by our guide and the rest of our group. From left to right; Lowell and his three sons, Lee, Jesse, & Gabe, David and his daughter Gabé, Marie and husband Steve, Grae and our guide Jes. Not only did we have a great guide, but our group was fantastic and we hope to stay in touch with them over time.

Kyle and I leave blustery New England today for tropical Belize on a 10-day father-son coming of age adventure. No more posts until we return. Meanwhile, Jeanine, Nicolai and Maya are off to Minneapolis and Indianapolis to visit family.

Our back porch snow guage looks to be at about 16″ and the snow is still falling.

Kyle takes a break from a writing assignment to watch a little Olympics.

New England is experiencing blizzard conditions at the moment. So far we have received 12″ of snow and no sign of it slowing down. With church and all sporting activities cancelled, we have a very rare unstructured day. Maya requested a portrait of her pet pig, “Shivers,” and here is the result.

I am beginning to wonder if Jeanine ate too much fish when she was pregnant with Maya.

Nicolai invited his friend, Joe, over for a little target practice. Click on the image for a larger view. No actual children were killed or injured during the photographing of this event.

Maya watched Kyle’s basketball game from an elastic perch. His team won by a single point against Lynn, the team to beat in their division.

Kyle played well in his basketball game today but managed to earn 4 fouls, which is uncharacteristic for him. He is a very aggressive rebounder and collected 6 today, these proving the main opportunity for foul production.  Kyle also had 5 assists and was in fine form all game.

“A bridge to nowhere.” Before Kyle’s basketball game today, (impressive victory, Kyle played one of his better games and saw lots of action) I happened upon this bridge on the Sudbury River. If you look carefully, you will notice that the bridge ends mid-river on the left side. I would love to go back this spring in a kayak for a better photograph and to discover the history of this structure.

My sister Alissa performing in a ballroom exhibition in New York. Both she and John have followed in my parents footsteps (pun intended) and become quite accomplished dancers.

Today is “half-way day” at Willard school. The school year is half way over an the kids take advantage of the milestone by coming to school with something done half way. Nicolai has elected to spike half of his hair.