Tropical Rain Forest: El Yunque

One of my favorite cold weather activities is spending quality time in a lovely big greenhouse. I take to the warmth, humidity and deep green smells like a mummy takes to hand lotion. So it almost goes without saying that walking into the 28,000 acres of tropical rain forest was like being reborn.

Located about 40 km southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical forest in the United States National Park System. It's full of the the kind of flora that only exists in pots in my part of the world. The impatiens that I plant each summer are growing happily next to El Yunque's waterfalls, the vines I see decorating our shopping mall are joyously covering trees that would tower over my house. The ferns are huge. The snails are huge. The place is bursting with enough steamy heat and life and sweet fresh smells to make make Yoda feel right at home.

El Yunque has more than 240 species of plants and trees (that's about one species for every inch of rain) and is home to one of the world's 10 most endangered birds, the Amazona Vitatta -- a bright green parrot with a red forehead.

My traveling companion, my sister Abbie, and I started our adventure at El Portal visitor's center and ventured out to see La Coca waterfall (right), a panoramic view of the forest from the Yokahu Observation Tower, and then on to a trek through the forest itself. Every bit of it more interesting and more beautiful than the bit before.

As wonderful as El Yunque is by day, one its the most appealing aspects comes out at night. We never did see the coqui, the tiny native frogs, but it was impossible to miss their surround sound chorus as the stars came out.

I found this site that will let you enjoy the nighttime sounds of the rain forest for yourself. But first, you should drag your computer into the bathroom and let a hot shower steam up the place. For full effect, add a couple of plants, and some ripe pineapple. It should keep you going as you wait for the warmth of the spring sun to find you.