The classic sign on the side of the road that indicated this was the entrance to Charco Verde, a Hotel, Restaurant and Nature Trail.

The entrance to the nature trail was just off the parking lot. Here the trail appeared paved, but was really smoothly packed dirt.

One had to pass through the hotel grounds on the way to the nature tail proper. Alongside the trail near the hotel were piles of construction materials. Highways in Nicaragua were almost all constructed of specially shaped, interlocking, paving bricks as shown here.

Crops grew alongside the trail. We didn't know why such small areas were cultivated until we saw the upcoming sign which described the hotel's sustainablity plan.

Having arrived at the nature trail proper, one of the first things seen as we neared Green Lagoon (in the background) was this sign. It described the sustainable plan used by the hotel. In brief, biodegradable waste was sorted, classified and composted. The resulting fertilizer was used to raise crops which the hotel used for food. Uneaten food then became biodegradable waste.

Trees alongside the trail were labeled with signs that gave the local name, and below that the scientific name. Among the trees found there were: the Wild Fig (Ficus tonduzii) tree; Bombacopsis Quinatum tree; and the Guazuma Ulmifolia tree.

Some of the trees were still bearing fruit in November. Here was a coconut palm with coconuts still on it.

Green Lagoon was here at the end of the rainy season and so was extra full. Because trees were partially submerged at its edge, it had become part swamp. The water itself was murky and did suggest a greenish color.

The nature trail was supposed to go all around the lagoon. But because the trail was submerged in places we had to walk to the submerged part and back. Had the trail been open, this was one of a few rest areas found alongside its shore. Cool but hard concrete benches with a view of Green Lagoon.

We paused to rest at the rest stop alongside Green Lagoon. Here, our guide sat on shore and gazed at the view. Madeleine Lemire wandered toward the tree line to try to spot birds.

A rowboat was spotted on the far shore of Green Lagoon. It appeared to be staff surveying the submerged shoreline.

The nature trail continued inland but still along the shore of Green Lagoon. Here the foliage was beginning to look more jungle-like. Not much further along this trail we encountered a family of howler monkeys, but that is a story for another day.

We, at last, arrived at the end of the trail because it was submerged.