At one point the cave opens up into a huge chamber and you can envision how the Mayan must have gathered here for their ceremonies as did we for a group portrait.

The cave itself was unbelievably beautiful. According to our guide, effective one week from today, photography will no longer be permitted in the cave. I felt exceptionally fortunate to be among the last visitors to have an opportunity to capture these scenes.

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. 

 
Three generations of beauties.; all mine. 

Maya’s teacher, Sally, presents her with a bouquet and certificate. Maya’s concert included twenty songs all committed to memory.

Very serious business, this piano playing. Here, mother and daughter playing a duet together.

Today was Maya’s big piano recital. All of her friends and their parents attended. She did a fantastic job and really seemed to enjoy herself despite the pressure. Jeanine and my mother have been busy bees preparing for the follow on reception. I have been in charge of cutting things. First, Maya’s hair this morning, then, pieces of wood for a piano foot stool with 30 minutes to spare before the opening piece.

My mother is visiting for the weekend to attend Maya’s big piano recital and appears here to be doing her best Koala bear impression. Nicolai had a MRI today which was not much fun. He was a tough little man though, endured the 40 minute, ear numbing procedure without a single complaint. He emerged from the huge machine sweat soaked and starving. He later devoured a huge burrito in the time it took me to unwrap mine. 

Another nice snowscape from my commute.

 I pass this view of the Concord River everyday on my way to work. Today, with the fresh snow fall, it was too beautiful to pass by.

I just finished a two day trip to LA and San Francisco which featured a two hour delay out of Logan due to snow (with the distinction of being the last flight out before they closed the airport for the rest of the morning.) On the bright side, I had a seat with a relatively clean window and good visibility.