Tag: UNITED STATES

Categories
Florida St. Augustine United States

Visiting Marineland with Kids

Marineland
A dolphin at Marineland

This week, Smiley and I added another great outdoor venue to our list: Marineland. We have been having so much fun exploring our home state of Florida during this quarantine. We’ve been exploring some of the incredible parks in our area! Some of our favorites have been Jacksonville’s Arboretum and Gardens, Castaway Island Preserve, Fort Clinch State Park, and Blue Springs State Park.

We were bored one morning so we hopped in the car and headed down to Marineland to check out the dolphins.

What is Marineland?

Marineland opened in 1938 as the world’s first oceanarium. It was originally designed for Hollywood filmmakers to be able to shoot underwater footage of ocean animals. While the park still honors its glitzy past, it has evolved into a center that focuses on protecting and preserving marine life.

What are the highlights?

  • Dolphin Show
  • Playing/swimming with Dolphins

Where is Marineland located?

The physical address is: 9600 Oceanshore Blvd, St. Augustine, Florida 32080

Our Thoughts on Marineland

I’ve visited Marineland a few times in the past, but this was our first trip with one of the kids.

Smiley and I arrived at the park just before 10 AM. We were immediately greeted by one of the employees that kind of took to us and taught us quite a few tidbits about the dolphins. We stayed at the park for about an hour and a half- which is more than enough time to see the park. If you aren’t planning on doing one of the dolphin encounters, the park can easily be seen in its entirety in less than an hour. In fact, if you aren’t doing a dolphin encounter; there really isn’t much to do.

Smiley really enjoyed her time at Marineland. She loved being able to watch the dolphins swim and play in their habitats. She was a little bummed, however, that she didn’t get to swim with the dolphins. We made a deal that when she learns how to swim, she’ll be able to come back and swim with the dolphins.

Honestly, I think the animal encounters are the best part about visiting Marineland. If you simply book a general admission ticket, the park isn’t nearly as entertaining. The park itself is tired. You can really tell that it’s over 80 years old. I’m hopeful that now that it is owned by the Georgia Aquarium, it will be rejuvenated back to its original glory.

We’re both looking forward to go backing, once Smiley learns how to swim, so that we can book one of the dolphin encounters.

Our Marineland Essentials

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
Steel Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle

What is there to do nearby?

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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

Categories
Florida Florida State Parks Orange City Springs State Parks United States

Stunning Blue Spring State Park With Kids

Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring State Park will always hold a special place in our heart because it was the first spring that we visited with the kids.  It is an amazing place to swim, tube, paddle, snorkel, and even manatee watch!

What is Blue Spring State Park?

Blue Spring State Park is located in Central Florida. What was once a hub for steamboats is now a winter refuge for manatees. Temperatures in the spring run remain at 72 degrees, year-round, making it a safe haven for West Indian manatee. In fact, when we visited in January of 2023, there were 625 manatees in the run!! When the weather cools down, manatees congregate in the natural spring where the water temperature is warmer than in the surrounding areas.

What are the highlights?

  • Swimming/tubing in the spring
  • Snorkeling and scuba diving
  • Paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing (available for rent)
  • Hiking or biking the 3.6 miles (one way) Pine Island Trail
  • Guided river boat cruise
  • Camping

Things to Know…

  • Arrive early! The park frequently reaches capacity during the week and weekends during the winter and summer months. (see “Our Experience” for more info).
  • The park is open from 8 AM until sundown.
  • The cost to enter is $5 per vehicle.
  • You can rent inner tubes at the park.
  • If you bring your own inner tube, you can pay between $1 and $3 to have it inflated for you.
  • The water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round
  • There is typically a food truck on-site however, you can also purchase burgers, hotdogs, corndogs, nachos, soft pretzels, etc. at the cafe.

Where is Blue Spring State Park located?

Physical Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

Our Experience

Y’all, Blue Spring State Park is poppin’!  The springs open at 8 AM, 7 days a week. On Saturday morning we woke up and headed to the springs. We arrived just before 8:30 and they were already at capacity. Man, this place fills up quickly!

We returned later that day, at about 4:00 and the park had started to empty out. Since we weren’t going to be there long, we didn’t bother to break out the floats. We grabbed “Smiley’s” boogie board and put floatation vests on all of the kids and made the short trek from the picnic area, down the boardwalk, to the spring. The water felt freezing when we first got in, but our bodies quickly adjusted to the temperatures. It was amusing to watch everyone’s initial reaction to hitting the water. We floated down the spring run to the exit landing, which was just a short distance away.

Our son “82” hated it, at first, most likely because it was the first time he’s ever been in 72 degrees water. “Stinky” quickly adjusted to the water and was fine after the first initial tears. Smiley was in heaven!

Day Two

The next morning, we got to the park at 7:27 which was 33 minutes before the park was scheduled to open. At that point, we were the 72nd car in line (yes, I counted). One of the rangers told me that they were going to cut the line off at 150 cars. Once the park opened, it took us about 30 minutes to reach the ranger station to pay. The admission was $5.

Fortunately, we were able to stake out a picnic table where we could leave our stuff and have breakfast and lunch. We quickly saw that most people made this an all-day event! The park filled up rather quickly, we were fortunate to have been able to claim this spot.

Click here to order this awesome float!

The park has floats that you can rent. We brought our own, however. You can pay between $1 and $3 (depending on the size of the raft) to have your raft inflated. To me, this was well worth saving all of my hot air.

The kids adjusted to the water much more quickly on day two. They loved being able to ride in our float, kick their feet in the cool water, and check out the fish that swam by. We saw several different fish in the spring ranging from gar to tilapia.

After a couple of rides down the spring run, we decided to take a walk. We spotted hundreds of fish and even a decent-sized alligator, not far from where we had been swimming.

St. John’s River Cruise

After lunch, we hopped on a boat and took a one-hour “cruise” on the St. John’s River. It was a little slow-paced for the kid’s taste. The captain was very knowledgeable and stopped several times to point out various birds along the way. We didn’t spot any manatee or alligators on the river.

After our river cruise, we took one last run down the springs and called it a day. I think it’s safe to say that we all had an incredible time. Hitting the springs is the perfect way to beat the Florida heat!

 

Our Winter Experience

As I mentioned above, during the winter months, manatees flock to the spring because the water is warmer there than in the river.  Over the last few years, the number of manatees that migrate to the wildlife refuge have skyrocketed!  On our visit (1/15/23) there were 625 manatees in the run!  When we originally published this post in 2020, it was a big deal to have 300 manatees in the spring.

The park opened at 8 am and when we pulled in at 9:15.  At that time, there was already a long line waiting to get inside the park.  It only took us about 15 minutes to get inside the park.  

We walked out on to the floating dock, along the boardwalk and were able to see hundreds of manatees.  It was pretty cool!  Admittedly, it was harder for the kids to see the manatees because they often just looked like shadows in the water, unless the manatees were surfacing.

While it was cool for them to see, it was definitely more entertaining for adults.

Our Spring Essentials

Floats and Rafts

SportsStuff Noodler 2
River Run Inflatable American Flag 2 Person Tube Float with Cooler
Giant Flamingo Float
Giant Unicorn Float

More Fun Stuff!

Inflatable Kayak
Inflatable Paddleboard (I swear by this one!)
Full-Face Snorkel Mask

Safety

Puddle Jumper Vest
Swim Vest
First Aid Kit

Skin Care & Insect Repellent

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

Towels & Swim Suits

Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s Boardshorts
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard

While You’re in Orlando

 

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

 

Updated:  1/15/2023

Categories
Disney Florida Orlando United States

Disney Springs During COVID-19

Our family has been quarantined since the beginning of March. This weekend we did the unthinkable- we visited Disney Springs during COVID-19.

Let me begin by saying we haven’t been out to eat at any restaurants, the kids haven’t been in any stores, and Ashley and I only run out to grab the essentials. We’ve been very careful about social distancing and are taking all of the precautions necessary to keep our kids safe.

We haven’t stayed entirely at the house- we’ve been exploring the local parks like the Castaway Island Preserve, Fort Clinch State Park, and the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. We’ve also visited the Jacksonville Zoo nearly every week since they’ve been very cautious.

After doing a bit of research, we decided to venture out to Disney Springs during our mini-vacation to central Florida.

https://youtu.be/p0WeGtqQkws

What is Disney Springs?

Disney Springs is essentially an outdoor mall and entertainment complex following many of the Town Center models found in most cities. It features countless Disney themed stores, as well as other shops and restaurants centered around Lake Buena Vista.

What precautions is Disney Springs taking for COVID-19?

  • Masks are required for everyone 2 and older. This rule applies to not only in the stores but in the outdoor areas as well. This is strictly enforced. You may remove masks while eating or drinking. There are several places where you can social distance, remove your masks, and simply breathe.
  • All visitors have their temperature checked before entering the property. When we arrived (in the late afternoon) there was no wait time. Several staff members were on hand to check your temperature.
  • There are hand sanitizer stations at the entrance of every shop and restaurant.
  • At the entrance to each shop and restaurant, a “cast member” is keeping track of how many people enter the building.
  • There are reminders posted everywhere about maintaining social distancing. There are also markers on the ground indicating which way to walk (in some areas).

Did we feel safe?

In a word, yes.  We were very impressed by all of the precautions that Disney has taken to keep its patrons safe.  Honestly, every single person that we passed (that was over two) was wearing a mask.  Even little toddlers being pushed around in strollers were wearing masks.  We took advantage of the countless hand sanitizer stations and washed our hands before we ate.  Honestly, everywhere you looked there was someone wiping down a surface.  It was quite impressive.

The only times we didn’t have our masks on is when we were rehydrating, sharing a Dole Whip (mmm, Dole Whip), and when we ate dinner at Rainforest Café.  We did find a place by Lake Buena Vista where no one else was around so we were able to sit down, take our masks off, and cool down a moment.

I will say that wearing a mask for long periods of time in the Florida heat is uncomfortable, and this is coming from a pro-mask Florida girl.  Keep in mind that although the thermometer might read 95, you have to take into account the humidity.  Florida, in the summers, can be miserable.  I imagine that it is even more unbearable for people who are not accustomed to high humidity.  Make sure that you stay well hydrated, especially since you’ll be required to wear a mask.

What are the highlights?

  • The NBA Experience
  • Rainforest Cafe
  • T-Rex Restaurant
  • Characters in Flight
  • The Lego Store (and nearby sculptures)
  • Word of Disney-  the largest Disney character store in Walt Disney World Resort-and on Earth!
  • Goofy’s Candy Company
  • Splitsville Luxury Lanes
  • Disney’s Day of Christmas (store)

Where is Disney Springs located?

Physical address: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Hours: 10 AM- 10 PM

Our Thoughts on Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a great place to visit if you want a watered-down version of the Disney experience, without the steep ticket price.  This, by no means, means that Disney Springs is cheap.  We bought the kids each a stuffed animal (that was “on-sale”) and they were $25 each.  We also had dinner at Rainforest Café and spent $100 on a turkey wrap, shrimp tacos, 2 kids meals, and 2 alcoholic beverages.

This is a fantastic location to pick up souvenirs.  There are a ton of Disney themed stores that offer anything you can think of; candy, kitchen accessories, clothes, toys, bags, etc. Be sure to check out the World of Disney store- it’s the largest Disney store on the planet.

Our Disney Springs Essentials

Mickey Mouse Backpack Safety Leash and Harness
Mickey Mouse Water Bottle with Straw and Lid
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen

While You’re in Orlando

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

Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Exploring Jacksonville’s Stunning Castaway Island Preserve with Kids

Castaway Island Preserve

Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your day to day life? Castaway Island Preserve is one of our favorite parks in northeast Florida. In fact, when pulling into the driveway, you are instantly transported into the “Real Florida”. This is the perfect place to become at one with nature.  This is hands-down one of our favorite parks in Jacksonville.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to pack plenty of water!  Even though the trail is short and extremely easy, it’s important to stay hydrated.

We strongly suggest visiting the park early in the morning or on a cool day.  The trail is lightly shaded, in parts, but it is easy to get overheated in the hot Florida sun.  Full disclosure:  the park is miserable in the heat… as are most places in Florida.

What is the history behind Castaway Island Preserve?

The land for the Castaway Island Preserve was set aside in 1999. The city of Jacksonville designed the space to help manage growth, protect the environmentally sensitive salt marshlands, and improve water quality in the area. Today the preserve covers over 200 acres.

For some of the best views of the Intracoastal and marsh, check out the observation outlooks.  Head down the Island Trail and veer right to the boardwalk.  The boardwalk takes you straight out to the marsh.

There’s an additional boardwalk that leads to a floating dock that serves as a launch site for kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards.  To access this boardwalk, follow the main entrance road to the very back of the park.  The launch site is right at the edge of the parking lot, making it easy to put in your water vessel of choice.  

What are the highlights of Castaway Island Preserve?

  • Kid-friendly interpretive natural trail
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Paddle Boarding
  • Education Center
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Scoping out the salt marsh wildlife
  • It’s pet friendly!

Where is the park located?

The preserve is located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located off of San Pablo Road between Atlantic Blvd. and Beach Blvd.

What are the park’s hours?

The park is open during daylight hours. There is also an Education Center that offers special programs. Check the park’s Facebook Page for events.

 

Our Thoughts on the Castaway Island

Castaway Island Preserve is truly a hidden gem. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. The Island Trail is the perfect place for little ones to explore and learn about the wildlife that inhabits the area. The trail has paintings of animal paw prints that will keep the kids guessing what animals they will learn about next.

The Island Trail is  comprised of boardwalks and paved sidewalks making it easy to navigate for everyone.  The trail is approximately one mile long and is a loop trail.  We really enjoy taking the boardwalk out to the marsh to look for creatures.  The kids love looking out for osprey, fiddler crabs, and woodpeckers.

This is a fantastic park for pups, as well. We’ve taken Lady Belle and Parker here to explore new sights and scents.  We always run into family’s with their dogs when we visit.

What is there to do Nearby?

  • Adventure Landing
  • Cradle Creek Preserve
  • Jacksonville Beach Pier
  • Fort Caroline

Our family also recommends the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as kid-friendly destinations.

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Updated: 10/23/21

Categories
Fernandina Florida Florida State Parks State Parks United States

Historic Fort Clinch State Park with Kids

Fort Clinch

Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day life? Fort Clinch State Park is one of the best State Parks in northeast Florida. When pulling into the driveway, you are instantly transported into the “Real Florida”. This is the perfect place to become one with nature and to take a step back into our state’s rich history.

There is plenty to do at Fort Clinch Park. Not only is the park home to a charming Civil War-era fort, but it is one of the best places in the area to find shark teeth. The park has a handful of excellent hiking/biking trails.

What is the history behind Fort Clinch?

Construction of the first fortifications on this site began in 1736, however, it wasn’t until nearly a century later that the Fort Clinch that we know started to take shape.  They should have put a woman in charge, it would have been built in no time (haha).  After the War of 1812, a series of forts (including Fort Clinch) were built along the eastern coastline of the United States to defend against foreign invaders.

After that, the construction of modern-day Fort Clinch began in 1847. However, when the Civil War started in 1861, the fort was only about two-thirds completed. For example, the cannons had yet to be mounted to the walls. Due to its location, the fort defaulted to Confederate control. Booooo, right?

Soon the Union swept through the area and started to gain control of southern Georgia. As a result, General Robert E. Lee gave the order to evacuate the fort. The Union troops quickly took over the fort and continued to enhance the fortification. When the fort was abandoned in 1869, it was still under construction.

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The kids at Fort Clinch, 2020
The kids at Fort Clinch, 2024

What are the highlights of Fort Clinch State Park?

  • Visiting the fort
  • Shark tooth hunting
  • Shelling
  • Bicycling (there are 3.3 miles of paved road and 6 miles of multi-use trails)
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

Where is the park located?

The physical address is:

2601 Atlantic Ave.
Fernandina Beach FL 32034

Our Thoughts on Fort Clinch State Park

We’ve spent many days wandering around Fort Clinch State Park. It’s a great place to escape the madness of our day-to-day lives. The hiking/biking trails here are fantastic. Our dogs love wandering through the woods and marsh. Be on the lookout for (alli)gators!

Likewise, the fort itself is amazing. The crew that works at the park has done a phenomenal job maintaining the park and helping it come alive. The kids love being able to peer into the windows of the prison, barracks, bakery, storehouses, hospital, kitchens, blacksmith shops, etc. All of the rooms were furnished to help recreate the feeling of living in the fort in 1864.

The kids also like to explore the rampart and gun deck to check out the cannons. This part of the fort offers incredible views of Cumberland Island and Cumberland Sound.

Also, a “soldier” is on duty every day of the year. Be sure to ask them questions and interact with them while you’re there!  

 

Lastly, searching for sharks’ teeth is another one of our favorite things to do at the park. It’s best to hunt for shark teeth during low tide (when there is more beach exposure) or after a storm (when things get washed up onto the beach).

We have visited the park countless times with the kids and they never get bored of it!

Our Park Essentials

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

What is there to do nearby?

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Updated: 3/5/2024

Categories
Alaska Cruise Travel Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier United States

Sailing Through the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier

After spending a couple of days in Seattle, Washington, we boarded our cruise ship and sailed northwards to Alaska. We were scheduled to sail through Tracy Arm Fjord but due to the high density of ice, we ended up going through Endicott Arm instead. I have to tell you, I was not at all disappointed by the change in our itinerary!

Dawes Glacier

What is the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier?

Both the Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are fjords in Alaska, about 45 miles outside of Juneau. The arms are the heart of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. Both fjords are over 30 miles long, with 1/5 of this area covered in ice.

How is this area accessed?

Both fjords are typically accessed via the Stephens Passage and entering Holkham Bay. Float planes from Juneau and Petersburg also frequent the area.

Both fjords are commonly visited by cruise ships.

Our Experience

Endicott Arm & the Dawes Glacier were awe-inspiring. The combination of the gorgeous azure water, stunning jagged rocks, the Alaskan sub-alpine vegetation, countless waterfalls, the vibrant blue ice drifting by, and, of course, the wildlife, was more than I ever dreamed of!

What animals did we spot in the Endicott Arm?

  • Humpbacks
  • Dall’s porpoises
  • Seals
  • Eagles

We spotted our second humpback while entering the fjord. The opening was full of humpbacks feeding! Our friends were staying in a cabin at the stern (very back of the boat) that featuring an enormous wrap-around cabin. We were able to see countless whales playing in the ship’s wake as we made our way closer to the glacier!

Iceberg in Endicott Arm

The closer and closer we got to Dawes Glacier, the more vibrant blue the water became. We passed countless icebergs like this one. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Dozens of waterfalls flanked both sides of the passage cascading from high up in the mountains and splashing into the crystal clear blue water. Aren’t they incredible?

Although I was initially disappointed we weren’t able to go into Tracy Arm Fjord, Endicott Arm Fjord exceeded every one of my expectations. It was a fantastic introduction to Alaska!Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

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Updated: 11/14/21

Categories
Seattle United States Washington

Gas Works Park- Seattle’s Ultra Funky Green Space

Seattle is full of some pretty incredible green spaces, but one of them stands out amongst all of the others. Gas Works Park is a 19-acre public park located on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company. The park still has a super industrial vibe to it, which makes this park incredibly unique.

What are the highlights of Gas Works Park?

  • Large play barn
  • Gorgeous view of Lake Union and downtown Seattle
  • Picnicking
  • Kayaking
  • Paddle Boarding

Where is Gas Works Park?

The physical address is:

2101 N Northlake Way
Seattle, WA 98103

When is the park open?

The park is open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.

What are our thoughts on Gas Works Park?

We enjoyed our time at the park. It was a great place to spend the afternoon. There were a ton of people (tourists and locals, alike) who hung out at the park. Many kayaked, paddle boarded, flew kites or simply relaxed on the hill with friends and family.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic and simply take in the views of the stunning Seattle skyline.

We loved the park so much that we added it to our list of 6 Things We Love About Seattle.

What is there to do nearby?

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Fremont Troll. We also suggest going to Kerry Park in the Queen Anne District. The Space Needle is also less than 4 miles away.

 

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Categories
Seattle United States Washington

6 Things We Absolutely Love About Seattle, Washington

Like many Alaskan tales, our trip to Alaska began in Seattle, Washington: The Gateway to the Pacific Northwest… or at least that is how it was advertised at the start of the Gold Rush in 1896. You see, one of the founding fathers of Washington was a total schmuck. He “mined the miners” and swindled the gold-hungry pioneers out of their money before they trekked more than 1,500 miles to The Yukon where gold was discovered.

Unfortunately, a majority of the Gold Rushers were ill-prepared for the harsh terrains of British Columbia, Alaska, and The Yukon. Eventually, the Canadian Mounties moseyed into town and said, “Listen, eh, we are tired of digging graves for all of you Americans. We are going to instate a new law, eh, that mandates you gold-rushers must have 2 tons of supplies in tow so you have a better chance of surviving, eh.“

Seattle has grown from being a town full of swindlers into being a bustling metropolis.

Some of the highlights from our stay in Seattle were:

Pike Place Market on the Seattle Waterfront

First, what once started as a Farmer’s Market has now grown into a vibrant neighborhood populated by farmers, artists, crafters, small businesses, and even residents. The market first opened in 1907, making it one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in the United States. We wandered through six floors of shops featuring things like antiques, crafts, jewelry, comic books, flowers, baked goods, and, of course, seafood. The market has some really neat hidden gems, you’ll never know what kinds of things you’ll stumble upon!

Coffee

Ashley and I are huge coffee drinkers. Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. Depending on who you ask, there are 2 “original” Starbucks locations, both in the Pike Place neighborhood. First, the store has maintained the classic (and historic) look and has been opened since 1971. However, the 1st and Pike location is also referred to as the first Starbucks location. We visited both, for good measure 🙂

Another place that we visited for coffee was Biscuit Bitch. We had the best biscuits and gravy I’ve had outside of the south (it even crushed a lot of our local places!) and the prettiest coffee I’ve ever had. You will want to get there early, people tend to line up down the street to get in on all of this deliciousness!

The Greenspace

Seattle has some of the most amazing parks! Many of them offer absolutely breathtaking views of the city’s skyline.

Our favorite parks were:

Meredith Grey’s House (from Grey’s Anatomy fame)

You may or may not know that we are huge Grey’s Anatomy fans. Although the show, itself, is filmed in LA the exterior of the title character’s house is an actual home in the Queen Anne district. It’s not far from Kerry Park, or Parsons Garden so it was easy for us to fit into our tight schedule.

Art

We did a ton of walking in Seattle. Let me just say that those hills are freakin’ insane. I’m pretty sure that folks that live or work in Downtown Seattle have the best calves in America. You can quote me on that.

We saw some pretty great examples of art scattered all around the city. One example is the Tlingit Indian Totem Pole from Pioneer Square. More modern examples include the infamous Fremont Troll, and “Changing Form” in Kerry Park.

Mt. Rainier

Lastly, you can’t visit Seattle without hitting up Mt. Rainier. Mt. Rainier is part of Seattle’s iconic landscape. The mountain, which is an active volcano, is 14,410 feet above sea level. It is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous US.

We dedicated almost a full day to Mt. Rainier National Park and it was well worth it. The trails and our hike were a great way to kick off our vacation on the left coast. When you consider that we live in a city that is around 10 feet above sea level, it’s pretty astonishing to be somewhere that is so far above sea level. I mean, we barely even have hills in Jacksonville.

In short, Seattle quickly became one of our favorite places to visit. The city is full of a rich, fun, vibrant culture. There is plenty to do to keep you and your family entertained.

While You’re in Seattle

 

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Updated: 10/27/21

Categories
North Carolina United States

DuPont State Forest: An Epic North Carolina Hiking Spot

DuPont State Forest, frequently called DuPont Forest is a 10,000+ acre state forest located in Henderson and Transylvania counties in western North Carolina. Dupont State Recreational Forest is a perfect place to take a daytrip from Asheville or Hendersonville. The park’s picturesque trails and waterfalls are some of the best in the region.

The forest is a popular spot for hikers, kayakers, and swimmers (which is only permitted in designated areas).

The forest, and surrounding areas, are absolutely stunning. You may recognize portions of the park from movies such as The Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans.

What are the highlights of DuPont State Forest?

DuPont State Forest has nearly 83 miles of multi-use trails and roads that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The trails range from easy to moderate and are well-beaten and easy to navigate. When we visit we tend to stick to Triple Falls Trail, Hooker Falls Trail, and Bridal Veil Falls Trail, but there are plenty of more options!

Triple Falls Trail- 2.9 miles (easy)

This is the most popular trail at the forest, and one of the ones we hike every time we visit DuPont. It’s absolutely stunning and easy to do with little ones. In fact, I first started hiking this trail as a child! The hike crosses the Little River and then follows it upstream to up-close views of Trip Falls.

Hooker Falls Trail– 0.7 miles (easy)

This is the shortest hike in the forest making it super kid-friendly. Hooker Falls is well worth the short hike! This spot is also a popular swimming hole during the summer months.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail– 4.6 miles (easy)

This is one of my favorite hikes at DuPont. The 4.6-mile hike will lead you to the forest’s most beautiful waterfalls, the sheer cascades of Bridal Veil Falls.

The forest is probably most known for its waterfalls (which are way better than Florida’s waterfalls!). The waterfalls include:

  • Bridal Veil Falls
  • High Falls
  • Hooker Falls
  • Triple Falls
  • Grassy Creek Falls
  • Wintergreen Falls

Where is the DuPont State Forest located?

If you plug the following address into your GPS it will lead you to the High Falls Access Area:

1300 Staton Road
Cedar Mountain, NC 28718

 

What is there to do nearby?

Another one of our favorite outdoor hangouts is the nearby Pisgah National Forest. We also love spending time at Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, which is located about 30 miles away. Of course, you can’t go wrong with paying a visit to Asheville or Hendersonville, either.

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

Backpack– to store all of your belongings
Dry Bag– to keep your electronics and wallet safe, in case of rain (or kayaking)
Trail GPS– the Garmin Oregon handled GPS works offline. You can view maps, waypoints, tracks, and trails even if you don’t have a signal.
First-Aid Kit– this ultralight, watertight medical kit is a must if you’re hitting the trails!
Sunscreen- yes, you can get sunburned in the forest.
Insect Repellant
Water Bottle– Always pack more water than you think you’ll need!
Snacks
Hammock– I honestly pack a hammock on most hiking trips. Psh, I even bring them along with me when we go on cruises. There are plenty of spots in the forest to put up a hammock and chill out for a bit.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

Don’t forget to save one of our DuPont State Forest pins to help you start planning your trip!  While you’re in the area, check out Chimney Rock.  If you’re traveling with kids, consider booking a cabin or campsite at Yogi Bear’s Camp Jellystone: Golden Valley.

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time! 

 

**This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience**
Updated: 2/3/24

 

Categories
Disney Florida Orlando United States

Take a Virtual Trip to Disney World

Although the world around us is slowly opening up, our little family is still self-isolating The twins, Scoop and Stinky, both have weak immune systems and respiratory problems, so we’re doing everything we can to keep them safe and healthy. Since our entertainment options are limited, we’ve been taking virtual field trips. One of the kid’s favorites has been a virtual trip to Disney.

This January, we made our first trek down to Disney with the kids. Naturally, they fell in love with the fairytale wonderland. Our plans were to take them back to Magic Kingdom once the adoption was finalized however, 2020 had other plans.

Instead, we broke out our Mickey Mouse shirts and hats and plopped down on the couch. I pulled up YouTube and we took a virtual trip to Disney. Honest to God this was the quietest they have been since the beginning of March. The kids had such a blast “riding” the rides and were absolutely mesmerized by all of the colors.

How does this work, you might ask? Tons of YouTubers have shared videos of “ride thrus” of some of Disney’s most popular attractions. Rides like “Frozen Ever After” and “Space Mountain” come available with just a click!

Grab your Fast Pass and join us on some of our favorite rides!

The Little Mermaid

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Frozen Ever After

Space Mountain

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Peter Pan’s Flight

Slinky Dog Dash

Pirates of the Caribbean

It’s a Small World

We hope you enjoy this virtual trip to Disney as much as we do! Although a virtual trip isn’t nearly as exciting as a real trip to Disney, it will have to do for now. And let’s face it, you can’t beat the wait times!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Online Adventure!

Be sure to pin this information for your trip! Give me a like on Facebook or follow me on Twitter for more great cruising and travel information. See you next time!

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