Author: Elle MacRae

Categories
Alaska Cruise Tips Cruise Travel United States

What Should I Expect on an Alaskan Cruise?

I have to admit, I’m suffering from a bit of wanderlust. I’ve been dreaming of some of my favorite locations (Honduras, Belize, and Alaska) and I’ve been counting down the days until my next trip. Boy, let me tell you, it can’t come soon enough! Since Alaska has been on my mind so much, I thought I’d share some information about what you can expect on an Alaskan Cruise.

Ketchikan

Which Cruise Lines Offer an Alaskan Cruise?

Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, and Crystal cruise lines all sail to Alaska. There are also some smaller companies that make the voyage.

When is Alaskan Cruise Season?

Most cruise lines begin their Alaskan cruise season in May however, some may try to sailing in late April. The Alaskan cruise season will typically end by mid-September when the temperatures begin to plummet and the ice begins to form.

Rough Seas? Many people worry about experience rough seas while they are on cruises. If you cruise during the shoulder season (May or September) there is a greater chance of experiencing rough seas. This is mostly in part to the changing of the seasons.

What Will the Weather Be Like?

The weather in southeast Alaska is relatively mild during the cruising season. The average daytime temperatures are in the mid-60’s during the daytime and mid-’40s at night. Not bad, right? You should prepare for rain, however. Many of the cruise ports are located in the Alaskan rain forest.

If you plan on going to check out one of the many glaciers, you will definitely want to pack warm clothes; we’re talking coats, gloves, hats, and scarves. Even on bright and sunny days, these areas are super chilly!

It should be noted that if your Alaskan cruise itinerary includes a day sailing through the fjords that inclement weather/the presence of ice, may impact a fjord day. On my Alaskan cruise itinerary, we were supposed to sail through the Tracy Arm Fjord. Unfortunately, there was a ton if ice caps floating around so we were unable to successfully go through Tracy Arm, instead we visited Dawes Glacier in the Endicott Arm, which was awesome!

Seals

Since the summer months are mild, you shouldn’t have to worry about snow. There will be snow on the mountain tops, and maybe even some on the ground (we saw snow up in the Yukon, for instance) but it shouldn’t be snowing.

Will I see Whales?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions people that visit Alaska get. Chances are, yes, you will see a whale. We were fortunate enough to see countless whales on our weeklong Alaskan cruise. We saw several humpbacks (even some breaching the water!) and lots of orcas. The key to whale watching is being patient, paying attention, and focusing on the horizon.

Our Alaskan cruise had a naturalist on board that would announce when she spotted whales. She’d say “There’s a humpback fluke on the port side at 10 o’clock,” so people would know where to look.

We spotted most of the whales in the Inside Passage and right near the US/Canadian border.

Seals

What other wildlife is frequently spotted?

You’ll have a pretty good chance of seeing seals, and eagles in the fjords. I can’t even begin to tell you how many bald eagles we spotted. They literally dotted the entire fjord. We also saw quite a bit of them in Juneau.

As far as other animals, it will depend greatly on the excursions you choose. While we didn’t get to see any moose, we did spot some bears. In fact, we saw a bear sauntering across the street in downtown Juneau! You may also see goats and salmon.

What should I pack?

The key to packing for Alaska is making sure you have layers! I packed a long sleeve shirt or a sweater/cardigan for each day. Underneath this shirt, I also had a tank top or a short-sleeve shirt. I also wore a jacket every single day. I almost never took off my jacket so I could have totally gotten away with wearing the same thing every day! Make sure you pack a jacket and you are prepared for rain.

One cool thing about Alaskan cruises is that they are super laid back. You don’t have to worry as much about formal nights. This was incredibly handy since I had to worry about the weight of my baggage when I flew from Florida to Seattle.

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Updated: 11/17/21

Categories
Belize Central America Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel

Shark and Ray Alley in Gorgeous Belize

Belize has been my favorite country since I first laid eyes on her. She’s a little rough around the edges but she is lovely! My last trip marked my 6th trip to Belize. On the previous trips, I took a 2.5-hour bus ride to San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border. Here I’ve visited two Mayan ruins- Xunantunich and Cahal Pech-, I’ve gone cave tubing and gone zip-lining through the jungle canopy. While all of these were truly memorable experiences, I have to admit I’ve been missing out by not exploring the coast. Shark and Ray Alley took my breath away.

During my most recent visit, I booked a trip to swim with sharks and stingrays near Caye Caulker (pronounced Key Corker by the locals). Caye Caulker got its name from the fact that many of the original explorers would get holes in their boats from the mangroves and reefs that surround the area. They would have to cork the holes to repair the vessel- hence the name Caye Caulker.

Heading to the Mesoamerican Reef

We took a scenic 45-minute boat ride from Belize City to Caye Caulker passing countless islands such as St. George Caye- where the British originally settled in 1650. Our boat took us to the Rainbow Bar & Grill where we were able to change. Afterward, we took a quick ten-minute boat ride to the Mesoamerican Reef- the second largest coral reef in the world. Although it is smaller than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, it is considered the largest living reef in the world.

Although Belize likes to lay claim to the reef, it actually stretches for nearly 700 miles from the northern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula down through the Bay Islands of Honduras. My friends in Honduras are quick to remind you that the reef belongs to them just as much as it does to the Mexicans and Guatemalans.

We spent some time snorkeling the reef. Our guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out many different coral formations, several different species of fish, and many other things such as stingrays and a green moray eel. We got to see a ton of angelfish, parrotfish, a pufferfish and we even saw an intimidating barracuda that was longer than my arm!

Shark and Ray Alley

Next, we hopped back on the boat for about five minutes and made a pit stop at Shark and Ray Alley just south of the Hol Chan Cut and Ambergris Caye. For years, fishermen would clean their catches in this location. Soon, they found the remnants from their catches were attracting Nurse Sharks and Southern Sting Rays. Over the years, the sharks and rays have become very accustomed to having people around. Now, whenever they hear the purr of an engine, they surround the boat to vie for some scraps.

I’ve been swimming with stingrays before, in Grand Cayman, and I’ve swum with sharks before- but never quite like this! We were surrounded by more than a dozen Nurse Sharks and just as many stingrays! There was no time to get intimidated! Within minutes we were in the water. Believe it or not, without a snorkel mask on, you’d never know you were surrounded by the sharks and rays…at least not until they grazed up against you!

The sharks and rays were harmless and actually seemed to like the attention. It was such an awesome experience!

Back on Caye Caulker

Afterward, we returned to Caye Caulker for lunch at Barefoot Caribe’s. The island was full of vibrant colored buildings. It looked very much like your typical Central American or Caribbean beach town. The sand-covered roads were lined with palms, bungalows, shops, and bars. There were no cars on the island- just bicycles and golf carts. The overall experience was unlike anything I had ever seen in the rest of Belize. The remainder of the country is blanketed in vibrant green jungles, rolling hills, and homes that are in various stages of disrepair. It was almost like being in an entirely different country altogether!

After a day full of swimming, snorkeling, boating, and drinking rum punch and my favorite Belkin beer, it was time to head back to Belize City. Our captain took us through “The Split” and told us how in 1961 Hurricane Hattie cut Caye Caulker in two. Just past The Split, the captain surprised us with a side trip to a cove full of tarpon. The crew passed around sardines to everyone and showed us how to properly feed the massive fish (we’re talking over 100 pounds!). The fish leaped out of the water to catch their afternoon snack. It was a great way to end the day!

Caye Caulker and the coast made me fall even more in love with Belize. I am so glad that I switched things up and went north to Shark and Ray Alley. I will most definitely be back to check out more of what the coast has to offer. Ambergris Caye…I’m coming for you!

While You’re in Belize

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Updated: 2/19/2021

Categories
Cruise Travel Packing

13 Things I Keep in my Cruise Beach and Pool Bag

Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of your trip. I mean… essentially you’re going to be living off of whatever you toss into your suitcase. Of course, there’s always the option of buying items in port but who wants to spend their trip shopping for toothpaste? Purchasing everything you need for your Cruise Beach and Pool Bag will save you the hassle of hunting down these items in port.

For me, organization is the key when it comes to packing. I like to have everything I need at arms reach. I use packing cubes and individual bags to help me keep everything nice and organized. That way when it’s time to hit the beach or pool, I have exactly what I need. The same can be said for when I’m spending time in the jungle or on a walking tour. The faster I can be out the door, the better!

Today I’m going to share with you what I keep in my 13 Things I Keep in my Cruise Beach and Pool Bag. I mean… after all, that is the reason most of us go on a cruise, am I right? I fill my beach bag with both the essentials and items that you may not have thought about.

13 Things I Keep in my Cruise Beach and Pool Bag

1. Sunscreen- The first thing I always stash away in my bag is sunscreen. Cruisers often underestimate the UV Rays in the Caribbean. Even as a Floridian, I can easily get color in the islands. I carry around sunscreen of various strengths so I can switch it up depending on how much color I have already gotten during my trip. Trust me, there is nothing worse than being burnt like a lobster on Day 1 of your cruise. Don’t forget to protect your lips, as well!

2. A Towel– Of course, you have to bring a towel along, right? I don’t bring one of my own personal towels from home rather, I use one of the ship’s towels. Quick-dry beach towels come in handy if you plan on doing more than just hitting the beach (ie: shopping, fitting in an excursion, etc.)

Pro- Tip: These towels can be taken off the ship as well, just make sure you don’t lose it! There will be a fine if you do.

3. Aloe– I always, always, always pack aloe with me on a cruise. I keep it in my fridge when I’m in the cabin and take it into port with me. I got absolutely fried in Aruba. Despite the fact that I was wearing sunscreen, I got burnt to a crisp. I was miserable in my next port, Grand Turk. Since then, I always make sure I have aloe on me juuuuuuuusssssssstttt in case.

4. A metal tumbler or water bottle– Remaining hydrated is super important while traveling, especially if you’re going to be drinking. I bring a water bottle with me into port and carry a tumbler around when I’m poolside. I use a metal tumbler so it stays cold longer and I replenish it with water or juice throughout the day so I don’t risk getting dehydrated.

5. Towel Clips– Towel clips are the latest addition to my beach and pool bag. They are most definitely a novelty, and not totally a necessity but it is nice to not have to worry about your towel flying overboard.

6. Hair Brush– I hate how tangly my hair gets after swimming in saltwater. I like to run a brush through my hair before leaving the beach or before leaving the pool area. I travel with a collapsible brush so that it doesn’t take up much space.

7. Hair Tie– Ladies! Always, always, always bring a hair tie along. The decks of the ship can be very windy and your hair will be a hot tangled mess if you don’t wear it up. This is always super handy to have when you’re going on boating excursions.

8. Sarong/Cover Up– I bought the cutest sarong in St. Thomas and I bring that thing with me everywhere. It’s great to have on hand so you can throw it on real quick if you need a refill or some fruit (or pizza!) from the buffet. Sarongs are super versatile! They can be used as a cover-up, a scarf, a headwrap, an extra storage bag, and even a sling (trust me, I’ve done it!).

9. Ear Buds– Bust out your earbuds and crank up your beach playlist! Earbuds are a great way to drown out background noise and get the most of your “me time”. If you don’t have earbuds at the pool, no worries- there is usually a band or some tunes playing.

10. Kindle Paperwhite– I used to always have a book on hand when I’m on vacation! Now I travel with a Kindle Paperwhite. It has an adjustable screen so that it is easy to read outdoors and it is waterproof making it the perfect e-reader for the beach or pool. Easy reads like The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich and anything by Chelsea Handler are great to read while relaxing in the sun.

11. Gallon Size Bag- I pack a handful of these when I cruise. They are great for keeping documents and phones safe and dry, preserving small souvenirs, and for storing wet bathing suits and clothes. They take up practically no space and are super lightweight- so why not?

12. A Hat– Hats are a must for the beach or pool. They are a great way to keep the sun out of your eyes and for keeping your hair somewhat tamed.

13. Snorkel Gear- Okay, so obviously I don’t use my snorkel gear in the pool (that stops being cool at like the age of 12) but it is great to have on hand at the beach. If you book a snorkeling excursion, the company will most likely provide you with the equipment however, I still like to bring my own. It’s also great to have on hand when you’re just doing a beach day. I bought this full face snorkel mask and it worked perfectly!

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Categories
Costa Maya Cruise Travel Mexico

Relaxing in Costa Maya, Mexico

Located in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula is a quaint cruise port known as Costa Maya. Costa Maya, or Puerto Costa Maya as it is known locally, is one of the most diverse ports in the Caribbean. The land was developed by Carnival and opened in 2001. It was later rebuilt in 2007 after it was devastated by Hurricane Dean.

Costa Maya is an absolutely stunning corner of Mexico. The turquoise blue waters crash into the vibrant green jungle and the white sand beach to form some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever encounter. Believe it or not, you can experience this port to the fullest without shelling out a ton of cash! Although it isn’t nearly as developed as Cozumel (130 miles north), it still offers visitors plenty to do.

Costa Maya is one of the Carnival ports where you can get away without booking an excursion. Other ports like this include Mahogany Bay, Nassau, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Half Moon Cay.

Wait…what do you mean I don’t need to book an excursion here?

Carnival has developed some ports as “destinations” and created a safe environment for cruisers to relax by the pool, spend some money in the shops or dine at restaurants. Costa Maya even gives you the option to swim with dolphins- if that is your thing. The port also features an aviary, a fish spa, and a place for you to experience Maya healing rituals. Oh, and of course there’s a tequila bar.

When you get off the ship you’ll need to walk down a long pier to the port. If you are not comfortable walking, or unable to, there are free shuttle buses that cart folks back and forth.

What are the highlights of Costa Maya?

  • Beautiful, large pools (with free floats)
  • Souvenir shops
  • Restaurants and bars (Senor Frogs, Carlos and Charlies, etc).
  • Tequila Bar
  • Aviary
  • Fish Spa
  • Kakaw Chocolate
  • Dolphin Encounter
  • SCUBA diving

What is there to do nearby?

At the rear of the complex, you can catch a cab into “town” where you will find more restaurants, shops, bars, and beaches. There really isn’t anything within walking distance.

When you’re on the ship, looking at the coast, you’ll see a building built to resemble a Maya temple. This is the Lost Mayan Temple Adventure Park where you can spend the day zip lining, zooming down water slides, or relaxing in the pool.

Consider…

  • Visiting the Lost Mayan Temple Adventure Park
  • Explore the Maya Ruins of Chacchoben
  • Venture of to the Mahahual Fishing Village
  • Tour the Spanish fortress at Bacalar

How do I access the beach?

Walk towards your right from the port entrance, past the shops to the grand staircase. To the right of the staircase there is a small pathway leading to a ticket selling booth/table. Here you can purchase tickets for a taxi or trolley ride. They can take you to any of the popular beach clubs.

My Thoughts on Costa Maya

Costa Maya is a great port to kick back and relax. I enjoy browsing through the stores and sampling the local beers. Each time I’m in Mexico, I pick up a bottle of vanilla for baking season. Mexico is also a great place for linens, pottery, ceramics, and silver.

It is important that if you decide to venture away from the port that you pay attention at the taxi stand when they go over the map. I’ve never had any problems in Costa Maya, but like any tourist destination, there is some crime.

Sometimes, it’s great to have absolutely nothing to do. That’s what I love so much about visiting Little French Key– there’s no timeline and no agenda. Costa Maya is the same way, really. You can just mosey around, popping in and out of stores, visit bars, maybe grab a bite to eat. It’s just so relaxing!

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Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Huguenot Park- The Locals Favorite Summer Hangout

When people think of Floridians they think of a bunch of rednecks that hang out at the beach all day, am I right? Believe it or not, until we adopted the kids we actually didn’t spend a ton of time at the beach. At one point we lived 5 blocks from the ocean and rarely ever hit the sand. Now that we have kids, however, we’re at the beach every weekend. It’s the perfect way to wear them out. Huguenot Park is the beach that we visit most frequently. The fact that you can drive on the beach makes it super convenient when you have little ones.

What is the Huguenot Park?

Huguenot Memorial Park is a 450-acre horseshoe-shaped peninsula that is surrounded by 3 bodies of water: the Fort George Inlet, St. Johns River, and the Atlantic Ocean. The park is famous for birding, the ability to drive on the beach, and for the one mile of jetty rocks that are used to guide ships into the mouth of the St. Johns River. The jetties, as well as other areas of the beach, are well-known for fishing.

The park was named after the French Huguenots that arrived in this area in 1562. The Huguenots were led by explorer Jean Ribault who reportedly landed less than 1 mile from Huguenot Memorial Park. Ribault and his men established the settlements of Charlesfort and Fort Caroline (both named in honor of his king, King Charles).

On his second voyage to the Americas in 1565, Ribault and his men were shipwreck near St. Augustine. The crew encountered the Spanish Governor, Pedro Menendez, at the Matanzas Inlet. The Governor feared that the French were encroaching on his territory and killed Ribault and his men.

There is a memorial plaque honoring these men at the entrance to Huguenot Park. The park is formally named Huguenot Memorial Park in their remembrance.

Things to Know…

  • Bicycle entry is $3, vehicle entry is $5 per car for up to 6 people, $1 for each additional person.
  • The beach is open from 6 AM until 7 PM (6 PM after we fall back)
  • The entrance gate closes 1 hour prior to closing time.
  • The park is surrounded by 3 bodies of water; St. Johns River, Fort George Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean.
  • The sand is extremely soft when accessing the Atlantic Ocean side of the beach. 4 wheel drive is highly recommended.
  • Family Beach is accessible by 2-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
  • Pay close attention to the tide signs at the front of the park. The high tides can get super high- you DO NOT want to get your car stuck in the high tide.

Where is Huguenot Park located?

The beach is located off of Heckscher Drive near Big Talbot Island State Park and Little Talbot Island.

The physical address is: 10980 Heckscher Drive Jacksonville, FL 32226

Huguenot Park Highlights

  • Paddle boarding and kayaking at Family Beach
  • Fishing (everywhere)
  • The “hidden beach” on the opposite side of the jetties
  • Camping
  • Birding
  • Surfing and body surfing on the Atlantic side
  • Being able to drive directly on the beach
  • Scoping out the naval ships across the river at Mayport Naval Base

East Coast Greenway

The Timucuan Trail runs right back Huguenot Park.  This trail is a small portion of a large trail network known as the East Coast Greenway.

The Greenway is part of a large network of trails connecting 15 states, 450 cities and towns and running from Maine to Florida.  It runs from the Canadian border all the way down to the Florida Keys!

Our Experience

Considering we spend nearly every summer weekend at Huguenot Park, I think it’s safe to say we love this place. We bought an annual pass for $100 and it has been well worth the money! There are some weeks where we visit twice.

The park is surrounded by 3 bodies of water: the Fort George Inlet, St. Johns River, and the Atlantic Ocean. When we visit we tend to gravitate to two different areas: the jetties (the Atlantic Ocean side) or Family Beach (the Fort George Inlet side).

The ocean side is great for fishing, searching for crabs, surfing, and boogie boarding. Growing up, we LOVED climbing the jetties. There’s a “hidden beach” on the opposite side (the St. Johns River) which is an excellent place to go to get away from people. Since the jetties are an easy landmark, it’s a popular place to meet up with others. Since accessing this part of the beach requires navigating through soft sand, 4WD is strongly recommended.

Our favorite place to go, however, is Family Beach. The water is super calm and there is a sandbar that you can walk to/paddleboard out to depending on the tides. This is a popular place for paddle boarding and kayaking. It is also closer to the campsites so many of the campers fish in this area.

Our Huguenot Beach Essentials

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard
Inflatable Paddleboard
Electric Air Pump with 12V adaptor
Boogie Boards

What is there to do nearby?

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated 12/20/2021

Categories
Aruba Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel South America

What to do With One Day in Aruba

Waves Crashing

It’s been a while since I’ve featured a new destination on the blog. I’ve blogged a lot about my time in Belize, Honduras, and Mexico but I haven’t really touched on many other countries I have visited. Over the last ten years, I have visited more than 20 countries across Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. One of my favorite countries has been the small 70 square mile island of Aruba.

Aruba in a Nutshell

Aruba is located in the Southern Caribbean, just north of South America. In fact, it’s so close that you can see lights from Venezuela once the sunsets. Although it is located on the South American continent, it is often considered to be part of the Caribbean. This island is primarily inhabited by the Dutch now (as it is a constituent country of the Netherlands), it was originally inhabited by the Arawak Tribe from Venezuela. Since then it has changed hands from the British, Spanish, and the Dutch making it a diverse culture. Aruba became a part of the Netherlands Antilles in 1845 and is home to many ex-pats.

What surprised me most about Aruba was its terrain. I was expecting lush green hillsides, much like the rest of the Caribbean. However, much of the island is actually a desert. Although it does have beautiful beaches, the island is completely different than any other Caribbean I’ve been to.

If you ever get the chance to visit Aruba, take it. Don’t hesitate, just go! There is so much to do on the island, you could keep yourself busy for a week! Many of the island’s visitors arrive by cruise ship and have only a day. There is still plenty for you to see and do in just a few hours that will give you an excellent introduction to the island.

What did we do in Aruba?

We booked a tour with ABC Tours Excursions and had the absolute best time ever! From start to finish, it was absolutely incredible! The tour includes a bit of history, sightseeing, and adventure! You are carted around the island in a customized 4×4 Land Rover that will take you off-roading through the desert and skirt along the gorgeous, rocky coastlines. It is seriously one of the coolest things I’ve ever done- and I’ve done some awesome things!

Our tour visited an Ostrich Farm, the Ayo Rock Formation, Arikok National Park, the Natural Bridge, Bushiribana Ruins, the Chapel of Alto Vista, and the California Light House.

Ayo Rock Formations

Our first stop was the Ayo Rock Formations, once a sacred site for the Arawak Indians. The natives used to visit the rock formations so they could hear incoming thunderstorms. The caves are filled with paintings, or petroglyphs, which you are able to glance at. A walking trail and steps have been set around the rock formation so you are able to explore this natural wonder.

California Lighthouse

One of the island’s most famous landmarks is the California Lighthouse. It is open to the public to climb up to the top for panoramic views of the northern point. The lighthouse was named for the steamship California, which wrecked nearby in 1891.

Aruba Ostrich Farm

One of the coolest things we did while in Aruba was to visit an ostrich farm. Yes, an ostrich farm. In Aruba. If you’re near the Natural Bridge, do yourself a favor and pop in. The ostriches are super excited to greet you and love the attention! You can even feed the ostriches, which was a neat experience.

The farm’s massive open-air lodge is dedicated to the ostrich’s native African homeland. It features an art gallery that carries handicrafts straight from Zimbabwe right alongside local goods.

Natural Bridge

One of the most visited attractions in Aruba is the Natural Bridge. Although it collapsed in 2005, visitors still flock to the area for the incredible views. The arch, which spanned 25 feet, was the remnants of an ancient cave. The pools around it are absolutely stunning and offer stunning views of the turquoise blue waters surrounding the island.

Buhirbana Gold Mill Ruins

One of my favorite stops was the Buhiribana Gold Mill Ruins. This stunning structure is what is left of a Gold Mill built by the British in 1872 during the Gold Rush. Although you probably won’t find any gold here today, you will find absolutely incredible views and one of the most picturesque locations on the island.

Aruba is absolutely stunning and “small-town friendly”. I was so in awe of my surroundings throughout my entire visit. I cannot wait to go back to this incredible little island.

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While You’re in Aruba…

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Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Getting in Touch with Nature at Tree Hill Nature Center

Tucked away in the middle of the Arlington suburb of Jacksonville, Florida is a quaint 50-acre nature center that is working to preserve environmentally sensitive flora and fauna. The Tree Hill Nature Center offers interactive exhibits, a nature center, a learning laboratory, gardens, nature trails, and animal enclosures. It is the perfect place to take the kids for a few hours outdoors.

What is the history behind Tree Hill Nature Center?

Since 1971 Tree Hill Nature Center has worked to educate the public about the importance of taking care of our environment. The center encompasses 50 acres of hilltop forest, wetland areas, swamp, and a fresh water stream.

Tree Hill Nature center has partnered with Duval County Schools to educate the youth about the local flora and fauna.

What are the highlights of Tree Hill Nature Center?

  • Interactive Exhibits
  • Learning Laboratory
  • Indoor Nature Center
  • Hiking Trails
  • Butterfly Garden
  • Goat and Chicken Coops (Goat food is available or $1/cup)

The park consists of 7 easy to navigate trails each offering a pleasant walk through the woods.

Sabal Palm Trail: 488 ft and wheelchair accessible
Red Bay Branch Trail: 1670 ft
Longleaf Pine: 2620 ft intermediate trail
Howland Creek Trail: 2160 ft intermediate trail
Boardwalk Trail: 721 ft boardwalk
Happy Trail: 1263 ft easy/intermediate trail
Stable Loop: 1690 ft paved trail

Where is the nature center located?

Located just a few miles from Downtown Jacksonville in the Arlington suburb.

Physical address: 7152 Lone Star Road Jacksonville, FL 32211

Our Thoughts on Tree Hill Nature Center

We arrived at Tree Hill Nature Center just after 9 AM so we could beat the early-September Florida heat and hopefully avoid the mosquitos. First, we checked in at the indoor Nature Center and began exploring the interactive exhibits. The exhibits consisted of both live animals and stuffed animals that are local to our area. At the top of the ramp, there is a Learning Laboratory where you can view tanks full of snakes and turtles. The kids loved being able to touch the turtles and watch them swim about.

Next, we made our way over to the goat enclosure. The goats have TONS of things to climb on and even a cool “goat walk” that soars over your head and crosses over the trail. The goats were extremely friendly and super excited about being fed a little snack. Several chickens strutted over greet us.

Afterwards, we hit the trails. We took the Sabal Palm Loop to the Boardwalk Trail to check out the maze and community garden. The maze was a bit overgrown so we skipped it and followed the Stable Loop to the Happy Trail. The Happy Trail was easy to navigate for our family of 5 (including the twins who are 2.5 years old).

On our way out, we said goodbye to the goats and chickens and made our way through the gorgeous butterfly garden.

All in all, we had a wonderful time at the Tree Hill Nature Center. The kids enjoyed being able to run around on the trails and absolutely loved the goats. I mean, who doesn’t love goats? We strongly recommend being bug spray and some bottles of water along with you. Mosquitos are out in full force for much of the year here in the Sunshine State.

Our Tree Hill Essentials

OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

What is there to do nearby?

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Florida Jacksonville United States

A Recap of our August Adventures

August in Florida is hot. Dreadfully hot. We’re talking about sweat pouring, swamp ass, triple-digit hot. It is absolutely beyond miserable so we didn’t spend nearly as much time outdoors as we did in July.

August also brought a huge change our way- we went back to school and work for the first time since March. Re-entering civilization has cut into our adventures but we still managed to cram quite a bit into the 31 days of August.

We kicked off the month with a trip to the Jacksonville Zoo. Our zoo has an AMAZING little splash park that is a godsend in the summer months. That same day, we also hiked through the woods to one of our favorite isolated beaches, Blackrock. I know what you’re thinking- hiking in August? We must be crazy! The trail leading out to Blackrock is covered in a canopy, which helps keep it a little more cool. Plus, since it dumped out at the beach- we were able to take a dip in the cool salt water.

  • Largo Well Park
  • Lillian S. Davin Park
  • Landon Park

Smiley and I also checked out a super-hip, totally modern playground called Landon Park. Smiley loved playing on all of the innovative structures and enjoyed strolling through the butterfly garden. While we were in the San Marco area we also checked out three other small parks, Lillian S. Davin Park, Largo Well Park, and Riverfront Park.

  • Southbank Riverwalk
  • MOSH
  • MOSH

Later that week, we went downtown to check MOSH (Museum of Science and History) and the Southbank Riverwalk. The museum focuses on local history and animals. I had the opportunity to teach Smiley all about our cities history. She was fascinated by the Timacqua people! While we were there, we were able to check out their annual dinosaur exhibit. It was really neat to see the robotic dinosaurs.

Catty Shack is a wildlife sanctuary that cares for lions, tigers, and other big cats that have been rescued. Since it is just a hop, skip, and a jump from our house, we popped in one afternoon to check out the felines. It was so hot that most of them were dozing away in the shade.

  • Sheffield Park
  • Huguenot Beach

We spent every weekend at our favorite beach, Huguenot Memorial Park. The beach sits right across the river from Mayport Naval Base. The naval ships, and passing cargo ships, serve as a really cool backdrop for this family-friendly beach. This is one of the few beaches that you can drive on in our area so it makes it easy to take the kiddos. We park in an area that is perfect for paddleboarding. Our goal this summer was to get the kids used to water and I think it’s safe to see that we were successful! All three kiddos love paddleboarding, kayaking, and playing in the saltwater.

While researching things to do in Jacksonville, I learned that I have unknowingly lived near a set of waterfalls for nearly 30 years! Waterfalls are a rarity in Florida since we’re such a flat state. Bulls Bay Preserve has 2 sets of waterfalls! While both of them under 5 feet, it’s still a pretty cool sight to see.

We ended our month with a visit to a local ice cream shop. It is the only indoor place the boys have visited since March (with the exception of Disney Springs). The ice cream shop, Mayday Ice Cream, has such a hip outdoor space they didn’t mind the fact that we ate al fresco.

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Categories
Belize Central America Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel Mayan Ruins

Xunantunich- A Glimpse into Belize’s Ancient Past

I’ve been to many Maya ruins in the past, including some throughout the country of Belize but Xunantunich is my ultimate favorite. Located in western Belize, about 70 miles from Belize City (where you would pull into if you arrive by cruise ship). The journey from Belize City to San Ignacio, where the ruins are located, will take you about two hours by motorcoach. The bus ride will give you a truly accurate picture of life in Belize. Some may not think it’s the most scenic drive but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it’s gorgeous!

Fun Fact: Belizeans don’t have to pay taxes on their homes if they are not 100% complete. Therefore, many of the homes are left unfinished to avoid having to pay taxes.

Xunantunich Pronounciation

Say it with me shoe-nan-too-nich. Shoe-nan-too-nich. Or… just call it Tuna Sandwich and the locals will totally know what you’re talking about…oddly enough.

Where is Xunantunich located?

This ancient Maya archaeological site is located in western Belize, about 70 miles from Belize City. The journey will take you about two hours by motorcoach.

Xunantunich Map

The physical address is: 40 Park Street, Belize

Once you arrive in San Ignacio you’ll come to the Mopan River where you’ll see the cutest ferry. It’s a hand-cranked ferry! The ferry platform is on a cable and is moved back and forth by a hand-crank. So awesome! After crossing the river, you’ll be in the gorgeous park area. It’s just a short walk to the ancient ruins.

All About Xunantunich

Xunantunich means “Sculpture of Lady” in the Mayan language. The first modern explorations began in the mid-1890s. Since then, archaeologists have excavated the site and uncovered many structures including El Castillo, the second tallest structure in Belize. The site was built during the Classic Period (250 to 900 AD) and is made up of six major plazas and features more than 25 temples and palaces- and counting!

El Castillo, is the main focal point of the site and has been partially restored and is famous for the frieze carvings that cover it. Want to know something even cooler? You can walk in the steps of ancient Belizean’s and climb to the top of this 130-foot tall structure.

This place ain’t Disney World!

Let me just tell you that this climb is not for the faint of heart! It will totally get your heart racing! There are zero safety features installed on the structure, to help preserve it in its original state, and there will be points where you literally have to press your back against the rock and shimmy your way across to make the climb to the top. It is freaky! In fact, many of the people who started the trek up had to turn around because they couldn’t take it.

It is totally scary but totally worth it! Ashley and I somehow summoned up enough courage to climb to the very top and were rewarded with some of the most incredible views! From that vantage point, you could see Belize, Guatemala, and even get a glimpse of Cahal Pech, another ancient ruin I have visited.

Belize-it-or-not this place is still under excavation! Archaeologists have discovered new chambers and structures as recently as 2016 when a burial chamber was discovered! This burial chamber was attached to a large building and held the corpse of a young male (between 20-30 years old), and relics such as knives, jade pearls, ceramic vessels, and animal bones. Totally cool right?

If you ever get a chance to check out Xunantunich, I strongly suggest that you take advantage of the opportunity. This place is definitely an incredible marvel and the perfect glimpse into the ancient past. It requires a lot of courage and exercise to get to the top but it is absolutely incredible. It is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and worth the anxiety and long bus ride!

What is there to do nearby?

Our Ruins Essentials

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

While You’re in San Ignacio…

 

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated: 10/25/21

Categories
British Columbia Canada Cruise Travel

A Carriage Ride Through Beautiful Victoria, British Columbia

Our cruise to Alaska took us to some incredible places, from the Endicott Arm & the Dawes Glacier to Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Our final stop on the cruise was Victoria, British Columbia. We were in port for strange hours. Getting off the ship at 7 PM and getting back on board at 11 PM didn’t leave much time for us to really get out there and explore. However, we made the best of what little time we had in Victoria.

4 Hours in Victoria, British Columbia

As soon as we got off the ship, we walked towards the taxi stand and hired a cabbie to take us to the downtown district. Outside of the Parliament building, there’s a company that offers horse and carriage rides around the downtown area and surrounding parks. The ride was an hour-long which was perfect for our short time frame.

First, we left downtown and headed for Beacon Hill Park in our carriage. The park is massive! It is home to stunning gardens, manicured lawns, cricket pitches, a petting zoo, and several different trails.

Next, our tour took us down Government Street which led us past Emily Carr’s Home (Canadian artist and writer) and other stunning examples of Victorian architecture. Paint was a status symbol during the construction of these homes. Any home with 3 or more colors was a sign of wealth.

This vibrantly painted house was one of my favorites! I think it is safe to say that the homeowners were making bank!

Lastly, our tour ended right back in front of the Parliament building. We spent a bit of time perusing the area and watching the sunset over the harbor. Victoria is an absolutely stunning city/island when the sun goes down. It was interesting visiting a port a night, and for such a short period of time. Many of the buildings are lined with bright white lights. It reminded me a lot of St. Augustine, Florida– the oldest city in the United States. It was definitely a cool place!

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