Our Solar System is in Trouble

 

The past few days have been challenging. About three days ago, just as we are quoting a small solar system for the house that we're supposed to be fixing up, we find that we don't have any electricity in the morning. At first it didn't really bother us. After a couple of hours the lights and internet kicked back on. But later that same day in the evening as we sat staring at the walls after dinner, all the power kicked off again. Hmmm... We talked to Juan and Augustin who came over and checked all the charges on the bank of eight batteries that power the house. Everything was right around 5.8 volts - not too bad for 6 volt batteries.

We asked them what they thought it could be and they both mentioned that the last owners who had internet here had the same problems. When there is no internet connected, no problems. Activate the satellite and they start to see the problems with the solar system. So at this point it seems obvious that we'll need to do something to expand the capabilities.

Yesterday we hiked the south border of the Cerro Osa property with Augustin. We had no clue how crazy this trek was when we started. The beginning is fairly normal trail through the forest. But about halfway in, we found ourselves on a pronounced ridge that fell off to each side steeper with every step. We made our way, sliding for some of it, down to the base of a waterfall. Augustin looked back, half apologetic, half amused, saying that we had to go up.

Go up? All we could see was a waterfall. He pointed and showed us a rope that ran about 50 meters up the cliff. After some slipping through the splashing water, we got to the rope and hauled ourselves to solid ground. The next quarter mile, however, was a very steep climb, where the only good way to keep yourself from sliding backward down into the river was by searching for and grasping onto tree roots that stuck out from the soil.

Covered in mud, with a couple of bruises and a few cuts, we came out on top to complete another hour and half hike back to the house. When all was said and done, it was a great hike. But probably one that we won't do again. It was important to learn the trail though.

This morning I had the laptop set up out on the porch to work [after the electricity came on of course] and saw three Fiery-billed Aracaris zip by into the Cicropias behind the house.  I had seen some before fly across the clearing, smaller than the Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, with a different flight pattern and the distinct bill allowing them to be discerned from a distance.  I was able to get a few good shots.

I took the memory card out of the camera to download the photos, and looked up from the screen to see a Tayra skulking across the clearing.  I fumbled to get the memory card back into the camera, but by the time I did, it was gone.