Combate Beach: The Puerto Rico Paradise Named for Battle

Sandy shoreline and calm blue Caribbean water at Combate Beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Sometimes the places that stay with us weren’t part of the plan at all. On the fourth morning of our 2016 trip to Puerto Rico, my son woke me a little after six. I could hear him upstairs playing with Paco, my parents’ dog, so I dragged myself out of bed and joined everyone. For … Read more

Playa Sucia: When the Stop Along the Way Becomes the Memory

Playa Sucia beach with turquoise water and Los Morrillos Lighthouse on the cliffs in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Sometimes the destination isn’t the part of a trip you remember most. When my son and I visited Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, the plan that afternoon was to see Los Morrillos Lighthouse. Playa Sucia was simply part of the journey—a beautiful beach sitting below the cliffs we were actually there to explore. At least, that’s … Read more

Los Morrillos Lighthouse: Before the Doors Closed

Los Morrillos Lighthouse rising above the coastal landscape in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

Sometimes you don’t realize you’ve witnessed the end of something until years later. When we visited Los Morrillos Lighthouse in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, in 2016, I certainly didn’t. To me, it was another afternoon exploring the island with my family. My son and Grandpa hiked up to the lighthouse while Mom and I stayed … Read more

Cabo Rojo Salt Flats: The 500-Year-Old Industry Hidden Beside the Road

A panoramic view of the pink evaporation ponds at the Cabo Rojo Salt Flats in southwestern Puerto Rico, with white salt beds, coastal vegetation, and the Caribbean Sea visible in the distance.

Some of the most unforgettable places aren’t the ones you planned to visit. They’re the ones you almost drive right past. That afternoon in Puerto Rico, my son and I had one destination in mind: the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse. As we wound through the island’s southwest corner with my parents, the conversation drifted from retirement … Read more

Puerto Rico 2016: A Journey That Changed More Than Our Vacation

Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, featured as the cover image for a month-long family journey and travel series exploring the island's history and unexpected turns.

May 8 – June 8, 2016 Some trips are remembered for the places you visit. Others are remembered for the people you share them with. This one became both. What began as a Mother’s Day visit to my parents in Puerto Rico turned into one of the most meaningful journeys I’ve ever taken. My son … Read more