Dunson Adventures

Yesterday, we visited Jardín Botánico Plan de la Laguna, a hidden gem in Antiguo Cuscatlán, just outside San Salvador.  Nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano, this lush botanical garden is home to over 3,500 species of plants, towering trees, vibrant flowers, and even some curious little animals.   We wandered through winding trails, crossed wooden bridges, and found peaceful ponds filled with turtles and koi fish.  It was the perfect escape from the city—cool, quiet, and absolutely breathtaking. Instead of telling you more about it, I’ll let a few more pictures speak for themselves! If you ever find yourself in San Salvador, this place is a fun visit!

If you’re looking for a great place to eat with breathtaking views, Cadejo Brewing Company in El Sunzal is a must-visit! Nestled on the beautiful coast, this spot offers not only fantastic food but also an unforgettable experience. When we arrived, the views took my breath away. The restaurant overlooks the crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a meal. We were fortunate to have a tour guide with us, thanks to my husband’s prior planning, which allowed us to skip the wait for food.  Note to self for the future: for a little extra fun, you can pay a fee of $25 per person to swim in the pools right below the restaurant. While this might not be the best deal for families (especially if you’re with younger kids), it could be a fun splurge for adults who want to take a dip and enjoy the surrounding scenery from the water. Wow, this country is so beautiful! Cadejo Brewing Company, El Sunzal, really impressed me, from the lush landscapes to the sparkling wa...

Settling into life in San Salvador has been an adventure. Everyday life can feel overwhelming, and we are still figuring things out. On weekends, we rent a car to do our shopping and try to carve out some family time. One of the most beautiful things about our new routine is that when we go to church on Sundays, the San Salvador LDS Temple is right there, just across the parking lot. I often wish I could take the feeling of the temple with me wherever I go.                                     One particular Saturday, I had just had enough. I had slipped in the shower three times, the boys were rowdy, the news was filled with worry, and my heart felt heavy. I needed peace. I turned to Mike and asked if we could drive by the temple, just to find out how attending worked here. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for—just some reassurance, some grounding. When we arrived, we walked into a building where p...

 College spring break brought us our very first visitor—David! His trip was a bit of a surprise, with plans coming together at the last minute, but we were thrilled to have him. Our home still wasn’t fully set up, as we were waiting on our shipment, but the embassy graciously provided an extra bed, making sure we had a comfortable spot for him. At 19, David is very much a "baby-adult", living life on his own schedule. He’s not exactly an early riser, so most of his visit was spent enjoying slow mornings (or, let’s be honest, afternoons) and late nights. More than anything, he just wanted to hang out with his siblings, which was really sweet to see. We did venture out for dinner one night, but in all the fun, we completely forgot to take a family photo. In fact, we almost made it through the entire visit without a single picture! Thankfully, Mike managed to snap a couple of airport photos, and I grabbed one just before David left. Not exactly a full album, but at least we ha...