About

Crash Boat Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Puerto Rico. It is located on the west coast near the town of Aguadilla. The clear, turquoise water makes it an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. The wide, sandy beach is great for sunbathing, walking and people-watching.

Crash Boat Beach got it’s name from the high-speed rescue boats—known as "crash boats"—stationed there by the U.S. military during the 1940s and 1950s. These boats were deployed to rescue airmen who crashed into the sea while flying to and from the nearby Ramey Air Force Base

Things to Do

• Fishing - toss a line into deeper water, from the pier. Fish like to hang out near the pilings.

• Snorkeling - Bring your own gear, or rent from one of the local surf shops. Swim in from the beach, or jump in from the pier. Schools of Sargent Major fish are fun to swim through. Up the beach, to the left of the pier are the bones of an old ship. Easy to reach from the beach.

• Swimming - walk in from the beach. Relatively shallow, and protected from strong currents.

• Relax on the beach - Bring your own chair, or rent chairs and umbrellas from a vendor there. Some shady trees to sit under, if you get there early.

• Visit the food trucks - to the right of the pier, there is a parking lot full of food trucks. They offer some tasty local foods like grilled skewers, emanadas, and fruit smoothies.

If You Go

Crash Boat Beach is a very popular beach, and it is most always crowded. If you are looking for a secluded, quiet beach, this is not it! Parking can be a problem. Best to go early, if you can. There is paid parking, as well as free parking on the street.

We were fortunate to be able to complete a bucket-list item of going through the Panama Canal. Our cruise aboard Holland America’s Koningsdam included a transit of the canal from the Pacific side to the Atlantic Ocean.

A Little History of the Panama Canal

For centuries, the idea of connecting the 2 oceans has intrigued people. In the 16th century, the Spanish envisioned such a route. But it was the French who began the effort in 1880. Financial problems, diseases and just the difficulty of the project caused them to fail.

In 1903, the newly independent country of Panama negotiated a deal with the United States to build a canal across the isthmus. Construction of the canal was completed in 1914.

Milestones in the First 100 Years

• August 15, 1914 - The Panama Canal opened. The SS Ancon makes the first full transit from ocean to ocean.

• May 12, 1963 - The Panama Canal begins operating 24/7.

• September 7, 1977 - The United States signs the agreement to transfer the canal to Panama.

• December 31, 1999 - Panama takes over the administration and operation of the canal.

• September 3, 2007 - Panama Canal expansion project begins, with the goal of doubling the waterway’s capacity. Included in the project are a new third set of locks, as well as creating a new Pacific Access Channel.

Along the Way

We came in from the Pacific side. The Bridge of the Americas is one of the first things you will see.

Since our cruise ship is pretty big, we went through the new locks. The Cocili locks added a third lane to the canal. You go through 3 sets of locks, as you gain elevation to go through Gatun Lake.

The route takes you through a scenic “ditch” that was in some places blasted through rock.

Gatun Lake is a man made body of water that was created by damming the Chagres River. We take a leisurely path across the lake, for an hour or so.

The Agua Clara locks are on the Atlantic side. The 3 locks drop the ship back down to sea level. From there, you navigate under the Atlantic Bridge, and out into the Atlantic Ocean. The entire transit took us about 9 hours.

A few pics from along the way…

And, of course, a transit cruise through the Panama Canal would not be complete without Holland America’s famous “Panama Roll”

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Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures, as well as bars, lounges and nightclubs. There are lots of hotels in the city.

What to see and do

There is plenty to keep you busy in this town. If you are only in Puerto Vallarta for a day or so, here are a few “must do” things to do, and places to visit:

Relax on the beach - Playa Las Gemeles is not too crowded, and has clear water you can snorkel in, and some shady trees. Adventure Park Las Animas Beach is another popular destination. It has a snorkel beach , zip lines, and hiking trails. There is a charge for this destination.

Go to a tequila tasting - Tequila is well-known in this area of Mexico. There are several distilleries close by, including Finca 18, Summers Ranch, Baston Del Rey, Noble Corazon, and Tequila Don Tado. Restaurants and bars and stores also offer tastings. We went to Chile Tequila. There are 3 locations in Puerto Vallarta. They produce small batch blue agave tequila, and boy, is it good!

Malecon Boardwalk - This pedestrian-only boardwalk spans 12 blocks and is peppered with oceanfront eateries, tequila bars, and vendors selling street food—sip on a margarita as you take in the stunning ocean views. Also, check out the vendors selling regional handicrafts and traditional sweets. Travelers come from all over for the art exhibitions and buzzing nightlife. During your stroll along the ocean, you’ll come across impressive bronze sculptures and street performers like the acrobatic spectacle of Voladores de Papantla. Hit the boardwalk early for a spectacular sunrise and snap a photo with the vibrant block-lettered sign of Puerto Vallarta as a holiday keepsake. – Tripadvisor

Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe - a beautiful church, with stunning architecture. Have a look inside and enjoy its solemn beauty.

Los Arcos National Marine Park - located in Banderas Bay, these distinctive rock formations and nearby beaches are perfect for sightseeing, boating, snorkeling and sunbathing. The iconic granite arches can be seen from cruise ships and downtown. They are best experienced by booking a tour by boat.

Photo from https://www.vallarta-adventures.com/en/blog/the-beautiful-natural-features-of-los-arcos-in-puerto

Day of the Dead Puerto Vallarta

From Google: In 2025, Puerto Vallarta celebrated Day of the Dead with events from October 31 to November 2, including the Isla de los Muertos Festival on Cuale River Island on November 1, the Day of the Dead Parade on November 2, and various other festivals and city-wide celebrations like the Recuérdame Festival. These celebrations included altars (ofrendas), decorated skeletons (catrinas), and themed events at resorts and across the city. The decorations were still up on the Malecon, when we visited.

Live the Wayfarer life! What’s your next adventure?

Why

Most of us have “bucket-list” things we want to do in life. One of those items on our list is to take a cruise through the Panama Canal. So, here we are on Holland America’s beautiful ship, the Koningsdam. We left San Diego and will visit ports in Mexico, Guatemala, and Aruba, and disembark in Ft. Lauderdale.

The Ship

The MS Koningsdam is named after the King of the Netherlands, and was constructed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. It was completed in 2016. It holds approximately 2650 passengers, and 1036 crew members.

Photo Gallery

Next Stop

Our first port will be Puerto Vallarta, a beautiful Mexican resort city located on the Pacific Ocean.

Live the Wayfarer life! What’s your next adventure?

What is it?

Do you like fresh produce? How about milkshakes and smoothies? If so, this is your kind of place!

From their website, and others:

The name "Robert Is Here" comes from 1959 when Robert, then a six-year-old boy, began selling his family's cucumbers at a roadside stand in Homestead, Florida. His father placed a sign on the stand that read "Robert Is Here" to attract customers, which was so effective that Robert sold out his entire crop that day. The family business grew into the well-known https://www.robertishere.com/

They specialize in Rare & Exotic fruits and vegetables, mostly grown on their farms. Although the location started off as just a small Fruit Stand located on the side of the road, it has grown into a complete tourist destination equipped with an Animal Farm, Play Area and picnic tables. They also have live music on the weekends and holidays!

If You Go

Robert is Here is located at 19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL 33034. If you are on the way to the Florida Keys, it’s just a 5 minute drive from the intersection of the turnpike and U.S. 1.

It’s also in the area of Everglades National Park, as well as Key Biscayne.

Live the Wayfarer Life! What’s your next adventure?

About

We love to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ While staying in Waynesville, NC we were looking for a hike that was nearby, not too strenuous, and with a good view. Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower hike fulfilled all of the requirements. Park in the dirt parking lot, just off of the BRPW, at mile post 409.6

The Hike

From Ashevilletrails.com:

The 1.5 mile, round-trip hike follows the gravel FS 450 road to the mountain’s summit, a relatively gentle but nearly continuous climb from the trailhead. In warmer months, the route to the summit travels through wildflowers and wild blueberries, making the hike as scenic as the final destination.

This trail scores a fantastic, million-dollar-view off the Parkway, but on a relatively short and easy hike. And with 360-degree sweeping views of the surrounding Pisgah National Forest, it’s a perfect place to catch a gorgeous sunrise or sunset near Asheville.

The Fire Tower

The views from the lookout tower are amazing, and several of the steel tower’s stories and landings are often open for viewing. I didn’t make it all the way to the top. My fear of heights kicked in, and I only climbed as far as the 2nd level. But still, the views are good from there.

The 70-foot tower, constructed in 1941, offered a prime lookout for forest fires for decades, and now stands as an excellent scenic lookout.

If you go

Take comfortable shoes, water, a camera or cell phone, hat, and clothing appropriate for the time of year, and apply sunscreen. It took us about 30 minutes each way, so plan on 1.5 hours for the hike.

The 12’ x 12’ former living quarters at the top may be open, when you visit.

The gravel road is dog-friendly. However, you may not want to take your pet up the fire tower steps.

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About

The missions of San Antonio are four separate mission communities, located within one park. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's Spanish colonial architectural structures are more than 250 years old. Even the structures that were reconstructed in the 1930's are now almost 100 years old! Admission is free. The best way to see all four is by car, since they are several miles apart. There is ample parking at each location. A bicycle or an e-bike would also be good forms of transportation between missions. Click here for more info on the trail that connects the missions: https://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/hikebike.htm

From worldheritageusa.com:

San Antonio's five Spanish missions are World Heritage sites. The missions were established between 1718 and 1731 by Spanish priests of the Franciscan order who were sent to Texas — then part of New Spain — by the Spanish government and the Catholic Church to settle and protect territory claimed by the Spanish Crown. Until the missions were built, there were no permanent settlements in the area. The priests were responsible for bringing the indigenous people of the region, nomadic hunter-gathers known as Coahuiltecans, into the missions in order to create viable Spanish communities.

The missions were established to:

• Convert the locals to Catholicism

• Provide protection and a living place for the occupants

• Teach useful skill like farming and weaving

• Teach the native people Spanish language and culture

• Build irrigation systems to the San Antonio River so water could be used for crops
  

Here are the four missions:

Mission Concepcion

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was founded in 1716, and moved to its present location in 1731. This is one of the nation’s oldest remaining original stone churches. There are many examples of frescos on the walls and ceiling here.

Mission San Jose

Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo was established in 1720. Known as the "Queen of the Missions", this is the largest of the missions and was almost fully restored to its original design in the 1930s by the WPA (Works Progress Administration). At its peak, the mission was home to 350 Native Americans.

If you visit, check out the rose window, a beautiful example of Spanish colonial ornamentation. Frescoes and statues adorn the walls of the mission.

Mission San Juan

In 1716, Mission San José de los Nazonis was established to serve the Nazonis Indians. However, the mission was not successful, and whatever was transportable was moved to a new location. On March 5, 1731, the mission was reestablished on the east bank of the San Antonio River and renamed San Juan Capistrano. By 1762 there were 203 Indians residing at Mission San Juan. The mission included a granary, textile shops, and Indian houses made of adobe with thatched roofs.

By 1772, a newer, larger church was planned, and construction started. The building was never completed, due to lack of labor. Today, you can still visit the remnants of that unfinished church, in addition to the one that is still standing.

Mission Espada

This was the first mission in Texas, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas. On March 5, 1731, the mission was transferred to the San Antonio River area and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. A friary was built in 1745, and the church was completed in 1756.

If You Go

Be sure to take comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and clothing appropriate for the season. You will be doing a lot of walking. Keep in mind, the missions still contain active Catholic parishes. The churches hold regular services in these historic buildings and are owned and operated by the Archdiocese of San Antonio. They are open to park visitors during park hours (9am-5pm), except for during special services, such as weddings and funerals.

For more info on the missions, and for maps of the area, see here:

https://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm

Enjoy the gallery of photos I took at the missions:

To see more of the photos I took at the missions, please visit my website:

https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/Places/San-Antonio-Missions-National-Historical-Park

Live the Wayfarer life! What’s your next adventure?

So, you want to fly to a great surf break and bring your favorite surfboard(s) with you. How much will it cost you, if you consider them as baggage? Well, that’s a hard question to answer. Some airlines even charge different rates, depending on your status with them or the class of ticket you purchase. My suggestion is that once you find a few flights to your chosen destination, contact the airline directly to get a better idea what your board may cost, to go with you. Here’s some info I found on each airline’s website. Keep in mind, policies and prices are subject to change:

• Allegiant - $34 to $75 ; 80”max and 50# max

• American - $40 up to 50#

• Breeze - Not currently transporting surfboards, per their website

• Delta - Free, as a checked bag. Under 77’ and upt to 50#

• Frontier - $35 to $50. Up to 99.9# and under 180”

• JetBlue - up to $70. Up to 50#. 1 board per case.

• Southwest - Counts as one of two free checked bags. This policy is changing soon. Up to 50#.

• Spirit - $100. Up to 2 boards per bag. Up to 100#.

• United - Up to $200. Up to 100#. Less than 115”

Keep in mind, these prices are for each way. So, if you don’t have to have your favorite board with you, maybe rent one when you get to your destination? Also, check into having your board shipped directly to the hotel or vacation rental, if you can be sure someone will hold it for you.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of costs:

https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/boardbag-fees-airline/18407

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What is it?

Rock City is an iconic roadside attraction, that has entertained visitors for decades. It is located on top of Lookout Mountain, Ga. Although it has been an attraction for many years, the area has an extensive history.

• Evidence indicates that Native Americans lived in the area

• In 1823, missionaries arrived and described “a citadel of rocks,” atop the mountain, noting the immense size of the boulders and stating that they were arranged in such a way “as to afford streets and lanes.”

• During the Civil War, the battle of Lookout Mountain was fought nearby.

• In 1924, Garnet Carter planned a residential development there, which he named Fairyland.

• Freida Carter created a rock garden, with paths winding through the rock formations.

• On May 21, 1932, Rock City was born!

  Today

  Visitors come to Rock City to walk through paths that wind through natural rock formations. The pathways have beautiful flowers and plants and trees surrounding them. There are plenty of opportunities to take photos along the way.

  

  The best part of the walk is the view from the edge of the mountain, overlooking a rock outcrop called Lovers Leap. It is said that you can see 7 states from this vantage point.

Be sure to visit the snack bar and grab some food and drinks, and enjoy the view for awhile. Plenty of shady seating for you to relax at.

If You Go

Rock City is conveniently located near Chattanooga, Tn. It is easily reached from I24, with a scenic drive up Lookout Mountain. You can purchase tickets on-line https://www.seerockcity.com/tickets-and-passes/ , or pay when you get there. Parking is free.

While there are food and beverage options available in the park, there’s not much nearby. We enjoyed lunch at Massey’s Kitchen https://www.masseyskitchen.com/ . Good food, with a Mediterreanian influence, and great service.

Take sunscreen, water, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes. Enjoy the view!

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Background

Written by Jackie Skaggs, 50th Anniversary Coordinator for The Grand Teton National Park:

“The birth of present-day Grand Teton National Park involved controversy and a struggle that lasted several decades. Animosity toward expanding governmental control and a perceived loss of individual freedoms fueled anti-park sentiments in Jackson Hole that nearly derailed establishment of the park. By contrast, Yellowstone National Park benefited from an expedient and near universal agreement for its creation in 1872. The world’s first national park took only two years from idea to reality; however Grand Teton National Park evolved through a burdensome process requiring three separate governmental acts and a series of compromises.

The original Grand Teton National Park, set aside by an act of Congress in 1929, included only the Teton Range and six glacial lakes at the base of the mountains. • The Jackson Hole National Monument, decreed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt through presidential proclamation in 1943, combined Teton National Forest acreage, other federal properties including Jackson Lake and a generous 35,000-acre donation by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The Rockefeller lands continued to be privately held until December 16, 1949 when impasse for addition to the national park was resolved.

On September 14, 1950, the original 1929 Park and the 1943 National Monument (including Rockefeller’s donation) were united into a “new” Grand Teton National Park, creating present-day boundaries.”

Things to See and Do

• Take a hike - There are some great hiking trails in the park. Consider starting your hike earlier in the morning, due to parking lots filling up fast at the more popular trails. The Jenny Lake Loop hike is scenic, and you can choose to only hike part-way around the lake, if you want. Here’s a list of popular hiking trails that you can choose from: https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/hike.htm

• Take a bike ride - The Grand Teton Pathway extends from the town of Jackson, north to Antelope Flats Road. At Moose Junction the pathway follows the Teton Park Road to Jenny Lake. There are six hubs along the route with parking and bike racks at Gros Ventre Roundabout, Blacktail Butte, Dornans, Moose, Taggart Lake, and Jenny Lake.

• Rent a boat and explore Jackson Lake, and other lakes. There are several places within the park that you can rent a boat, or take a scheduled boat tour. Here’s some more info: https://jennylakeboating.com/

• Visit Mormon Row:

Some of the most famous view of Grand Teton NP come from the area known as Mormon Row. In the late 1800’s, Mormon homesteaders settled near Blacktail Butte. They established farms and grew crops using irrigated water.

Today, two picturesque barns highlight Mormon Row. Settlers John and Thomas Alma (T.A.) Moulton built these barns on adjacent homesteads.

Photographers from around the world come to take pics of these buildings, and the surrounding mountains.

• Go fishing - Fishing is regulated according to Wyoming state laws and a Wyoming fishing license is required. Licenses may be purchased in the park at Flagg Ranch, Colter Bay Marina, Signal Mountain Lodge, online, or for purchase in the local community at a variety of locations. Make sure to follow the seasonal regulations, and size and catch limits. Enjoy catching some trout!

• Feeling more adventurous? Climbing is a popular activity in Grand Teton. Every year, thousands of people visit the park hoping to reach one of the iconic peaks. Climbing in the Teton Range can be a fun experience, but is also a dangerous activity. Be sure to get a permit before you take off into the backcountry for camping and climbing.

Outside of the Park

• Visit nearby Yellowstone NP https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

• The town of Jackson, WY is a lively tourist town, with plenty of restaurants and bars and stores to keep you busy for a few days. Make sure to visit Jackson’s town square, with its icon elk antler arches. The famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a fun place to grab a beer and some grub (sorry, 21 years old, or older). https://www.milliondollarcowboybar.com/

• If you go during the summer. the Jackson Hole Rodeo is a popular attraction. be sure to purchase your tickets early https://jhrodeo.com/

  

• During the winter, grab your snow skiis or snowboard and head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort https://www.jacksonhole.com/

If You Go

The area where Grand Teton NP and Jackson, and Yellowstone NP are all located can get very busy. Plan your stay well in advance. Airports in the area include Jackson Hole Airport (limited airlines and relatively high prices for flights), Idaho Falls, Bozeman, Billings, and Salt Lake City. Be prepared to do a lot of driving, as you are in the wide open West. The closer you get to a park entrance or to Jackson, the more the accomodations will cost.

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What

Boneyard Beach is a secluded, natural beach that is three miles long, and full of trees that have fallen on to the beach, and into the water. Storms and changing currents and tides all erode away at the cliffs on the island, washing away the sand under the trees’ roots, causing them to fall. Over time, as the contour of the land keeps changing, more trees may get washed away and crash on to the beach.

Where is it?

Boneyard Beach is located in Big Talbot Island State Park, just north of Jacksonville, Fl. The beach is actually on Nassau Sound, a part of the Nassau River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The area is still very natural and beautiful, since it has been preserved and protected as part of the larger federally protected area of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.

If You Go:

Unless you arrive by boat, you will need to park your car or bicycle in the day-use area in the state park. The cost is $3.00, and that area is cashless, so be prepared to pay with your phone. There are nice picnic tables nearby, and portable toilets. Even though you can look down from the bluff there and see some of the beach and downed trees, you cannot get to the beach from there. The beach access is by way of a trail from the parking lot, and is about a 10 minute hike. Be prepared to hike with whatever you need for your trip down to the beach.

Another thing to consider is the tides. Since the beach is eroding away, the water comes up high and right up to the bluffs. Best time to visit is during low tide. If you stay on the beach too long and the tide comes in, and you’ve walk down the beach away from the trail, you may have to climb on top of a driftwood tree and wait it out…

Check the tides here, before you visit:

https://www.tidetime.org/north-america/united-states/amelia-island.htm

The wind and water and weather have created beautiful pieces of driftwood, over time. You can look, and admire, and touch, and climb on, and take pics, but do not remove any.

Other things to do:

You could spend a day or two in that area. Here are a few of my suggestions of things to do and nearby places to visit:

• Swim, sunbathe, fish, shell, and have a picnic

• Hike the Blackrock or Big Pine Trails

• Rent a kayak https://kayakamelia.com/

• Bike, skate or walk https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/bike-timucuan-trail

• Visit the Fort George Island Cultural State Park https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-george-island-cultural-state-park

• Take a step back in time, and visit a former plantation https://www.nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/kp_visiting.htm

• I spent the night in Fernandina Beach, just to the north of Boneyard Beach. Plenty of nice lodging choices, from small bed and breakfast places, to the swanky Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island.

• Visit Florida’s oldest lighthouse, the Amelia Island Lighthouse (only on Saturday) https://www.fbfl.us/1097/Amelia-Island-Lighthouse

Live the Wayfarer Life! What’s your next adventure?

Where is it?

Most of the time when people hear “Florida”, they think about theme parks, palm trees, and crowded beaches. But there are many different areas of Florida and the "Forgotten Coast" is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas.

The name is most commonly used to refer to a relatively quiet, undeveloped section of coastline stretching from Mexico Beach on the Gulf of Mexico to St. Marks on Apalachee Bay in Florida. The nearest major cities are Tallahassee, about 90 miles northeast of Apalachicola, and Panama City, home of Tyndall Air Force Base, which is about 60 miles to the northwest.

In addition to the endpoints, it encompasses the coastal communities of (west to east):

· Port St. Joe

· Cape San Blas

· Apalachicola

· Eastpoint

· Carrabelle

· Lanark Village

· Alligator Point

· Panacea

· Shell Point

I stayed in the relatively large town of Apalachicola. It is one of the few remaining working fishing villages in Florida. By that I mean that most folks derive their income from fishing and shrimping and oystering (limited). It is a quiet, friendly little town with a quaint downtown that is right on the river.

Things to do

Here are a few suggestions:

• Shop and eat downtown Apalachicola. I recommend a restaurant called Up the Creek Raw Bar for authentic, local fresh seafood and an awesome view.

http://www.upthecreekrawbar.com/

• Can’t go wrong with the Owl Tap Room, for seafood and a cold beer:

https://www.owlcafeflorida.com/tap-room

• This place has a limited menu and not much seating, but if you like a basket of fried oysters, fish, or shrimp, served with fries and hushpuppies, check out Hole in the Wall Seafood & Raw Bar:

• Speaking of beer, check out Watercraft Brewing for a local brew:

https://watercraft.beer/

• If you like nautical stuff, visit The Tin Shed

https://www.thetinshednautical.com/

.

If you want to take home some awesome fresh seafood, visit the Marker 13 seafood market downtown on Water Street, for some fresh, right off the boat gulf shrimp.

• Hiking at Tate's Hell. http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/tates-hell. This is a relatively new state forest, acquired by the state of Florida only in 1994. It’s named, supposedly, after Cebe Tate – a local rancher who got lost in the swamp in 1875. When he finally emerged, emaciated and with his hair gone completely white, he was said to remark to the first people he encountered: “My name is Cebe Tate, and I just came from hell.”

I recommend that you take some good, comfortable waterproof boots like mine. You should be able to find some in the $100 range: http://amzn.to/2EuATmg

• Swim, or climb the lighthouse at St. George Island http://www.apalachicolabay.org/the-area/st-george-island/. The white sand and the crystal clear water are beautiful there.

• If you would like to try your luck fishing, you should go to Carabelle. Considered the Gateway to the Gulf for its easy access to offshore fishing and boating, Carrabelle is a naturalist’s paradise. Uncrowded, white-sand beaches are perfect for family vacations and the fishing is unsurpassed. Unpretentious and friendly, Carrabelle is the place to experience small town nostalgia. You’ll feel the pride of a patriot when you visit the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum that tells the story of how our troops trained on the salty beach of Franklin County for the D-Day Invasion of Normandy in World War II. The nearby Crooked River Lighthouse reminds you of the town’s maritime importance.

If you Go

Just keep in mind, part of the mystique of the Forgotten Coast is that is is relatively hard to get to. For example, Apalachicola is a few hours drive from the closest interstate highway, and a few hours drive from the nearest commercial airports. So, go with an attitude that you are going to slow your pace down a notch and enjoy the laid-back style of The ForgottenCoast!

Take the road less traveled. Live the Wayfarer Life. "What's your next adventure?"

What?

Nights of Lights is a fun occasion where businesses and residences and public buildings and parks and streets are all decorated with holiday lights at night.

When?

Generally, annually from about Thanksgiving, through around the end of January.

Where?

The historic downtown area of St. Augustine. Flagler College and the Lightner Museum offer some of the best light displays.

How to See the Lights

The easiest way to experience the lights is to walk the streets and immerse yourself in the beauty of each place. That way, you can take your time and see what you want to see, and stop when you want to stop. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to eat and drink at, as well as stores you can shop. Other ways to view the lights are:

• A scenic boat tour

• Take the Old Town Trolly tour

• Ripley’s Red Train

• Pirate Boat tour

• Electric cart tour

• Horse and Buggy ride

Where to dine?

There are lots of great places to eat in St. Augustine. It really depends on what you are in the mood for. Here’s just a short list of suggestions:

• http://www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com/?ref=VisitStAugustine.com&type=featured for seafood

• https://www.visitstaugustine.com/restaurant/aviles-restaurant-and-lounge for fine dining

• https://www.visitstaugustine.com/restaurant/ancient-city-brewing-downtown-taproom for local beers

• https://www.pkstaug.com/ for craft beers, fancy cocktails, and upscale pub fare

Where to stay?

We chose to stay right in the heart of things, in a small efficiency that is in an old house, that has been sectioned off into 3 short-term rentals. It is located near Flagler College and all the good restaurants and bars. Find it, or others on www.airbnb.com, or www.vrbo.com

If you really want to splurge and stay at a beautiful hotel, check out Casa Monica:

https://www.kesslercollection.com/casa-monica/

If You Go:

Know that parking is a challenge. If you can find it, private property parking goes for around $25. Limited street parking is available. Best bet may be at a public parking lot parking. Check here for availability:

https://citystaug.modii.co/v2/finder

Live the Wayfarer life! What’s your next adventure?

Intro

We took a cruise to the Bahamas with friends and family on-board the cruise ship Celebrity Equinox, out of Port Canaveral. While we have cruised to the Bahamas many times over the last 40 years, it’s still a fun getaway for a few days.

About the Bahamas

The Bahamas is a country of over 700 islands scattered over 180000 square miles of ocean area. Arawaks and Lucayans inhabited the islands, at one time. The British ruled for many years. Today, The Bahamas are independent.

Here are some of the major islands in the Bahamas:

• New Providence

• Grand Bahama

• Eleuthera

• Cat Island

• Rum Cay

• San Salvador Island

• Exuma

• Bimini

• The Abacos

The Bahamas are located close to Florida, so the port cities of Freeport and Nassau are popular cruise ship ports.

Freeport

Our cruise stopped at Freeport for a day. We docked in a port that is mostly a commercial shipping port.

The best way to get around the island is by taxi. We went to https://www.portlucaya.com/ to grab a bite to eat, and to shop. Make sure you go to the back of the marketplace, near the water, and visit Daddy Brown’s Conch Stand for some great fresh local fish and conch. Zorba’s Greek Restaurant has great food at great prices, including this nice serving of local favorite Pigeon Peas and Rice.

There are plenty of great beaches near Freeport, so make sure to take some time to relax and enjoy the sparkling clear waters of the Bahamas.

According to Carnical Cruise Lines:

The 8 Best Beaches in Freeport, Bahamas

1. Taino Beach

2. Fortune Beach

3. Xanadu Beach

4. Barbury Beach

5. Lucaya Beach

6. Smith’s Point Beach

7. Mather Beach

8. Paradise Cove Beach

Many of the beaches have food and drinks available, as well as bathrooms, showers and changing areas.

Nassau

Our last stop was Nassau, on the island of New Providence. Nassau is the biggest city in the Bahamas and has lots to do and see. From snorkeling trips, to casinos, sandy tropical beaches, the Straw Market, duty-free shopping, and so much more; Nassau will keep you busy.

We opted to go to Arawak Cay, (AKA Fish Fry), for some tasty local food. From the cruise ship docks, you can grab a cab to take you, or it is about a 20 or 30 minute walk, which can be very hot during most of the year. There’s also a few beach areas to swim at, along the way.

We had a tasty lunch at Goldie’s Conch House, which is located right on the water.

They have served a lot of conch. Here’s a view out the window:

They serve local fish, and clean it right there at the restaurant:

We loved the Pigeon Peas & Rice, as well as the Cracked Conch and Conch Fritters.

If you Go

The Bahamas are a great place to go on vacation. Find a flight, or a boat, or a cruise ship, and GO!

Live the Wayfarer Life! What’s your next adventure?

I bought this Icemule drink cooler a couple years ago, so I feel like I am well-qualified to review this product. I’ve used it many times, and it is holding up well.

Icemule makes several different models of coolers. Check out their webpage, for prices and details:

https://icemulecoolers.com/

I spend hours on the beach taking surfer pictures. Have a look at some of my surf pics, on one of my other websites:

https://pics.surf/

My hands are usually full, carrying chairs and blankets and towels and cameras. The reason I bought this particular Icemule cooler is because it has a strap and I can throw it over my shoulder and carry it.

The shoulder strap makes it easy to carry.

This Icemule cooler was designed to carry canned or bottled drinks. I use a refillable Nalgene bottle filled with water or sports drink. Check out their selection of refillable bottles.

https://www.nalgene.com/

This bag can easily hold several bottles or cans, along with a couple of ice packs. Sometimes, I also add a ziplock bag of ice. This seems to keep the drinks colder.

Easy to clean, if it gets dirty.

The outside of the Icemule cooler is made out of tough material that doesn’t stain or get dirty easily. I just wipe down the inside and the outside, when I get home, and it’s ready to use again.

Ready for a beach day!

All in all, I think this is a very useful cooler. Keeps the drinks cool for a day or so. Get ya one!

Looking for more info on coolers, maybe for a bigger one?  Check out this detailed article by  the Sports Fitness Advisor: 

https://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/best-soft-cooler.html

Live the Wayfarer life! What’s your next adventure?

About

Cumberland Island is a beautiful, unspoiled island off the coast of southern Georgia. It is rich in history, but has pristine forests, marshes and beaches. Most of the island is owned by the National Park Service, with over 9800 acres of wilderness. It is only accessible by water, so you would have to take your own private boat there, or schedule to take the National Seashore ferry from St Marys, Ga.

History

The first inhabitants were indigenous peoples who settled there as early as 4,000 years ago. They were part of the Mocama, a Timucua group. Native Americans inhabited the island for thousands of years, and were present when Europeans first arrived.

In the 1500’s and 1600’s, the Spanish established forts and colonies on the island. In the 1700’s the English laid claim to the island, and moved in. Plantations were established, and cottom became a major crop grown on the island.

In the late 1800’s the Carnegie family owned most of the island, and built a large mansion, and several smaller estates for their children and other family members. The Great Depression ended most of their activities there. The decendents of the horses from that era still live on the island, and roam freely.

Today

In the 1950’s, members of the Carnegie family, as well as other landowners, agreed to donate or sell most of their ownership to the National Park Service, and Cumberland Island National Seashore was created. There are still a few parcels of property that are privately owned, but the island is pretty much run by the park service.

Things to Do

• Hiking - miles and miles of trails and unpaved roads

• Biking - mostly on unpaved roads. Take your bike on the ferry, for an additional charge.

• fishing - make sure you have a license if you need one

• canoeing and kayaking - in the river and surf

• swimming - from the beach

• camping - primative sites

• ranger-led tours - check the times before you go

If you Go

St Marys, Georgia is a quiet little town that is the nearest to Cumberland Island. You can find lodging here:

https://www.airbnb.com/

There is an all-inclusive inn on the island that you can stay at. Be prepared to pay a lot:

https://greyfieldinn.com/

You will need to buy a ferry ticket to get to the island, if you do not have your own boat:

https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/

There are no amenities on the island beyond the restrooms and water fountains. You should bring lunch and water bottles to refill. Several places in town will sell you a box lunch to take. There are no trash cans on the island. Please pack-out what you pack-in.

Make sure you are prepared for your day on the island by taking the following: water bottle, food, bug spray, sun screen, trash bag, hat, sunglasses, an extra layer of clothing, hand sanitizer and a face covering. A sturdy backpack is recommended. And if you are going swimming, be sure to take a towel.

You can also take an all-day tour of the island:

https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/lands-legacies-tour/

You can find more info here: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

What’s your next adventure? Live the Wayfarer Life.

A pristine barrier island composed of dune, hammock, and lagoon habitats, ancient Timucua Native American mounds, and home to thousands of species of plants and animals: this is the Canaveral National Seashore. Amazingly, the Kennedy Space Center, America’s most sophisticated launch complex, is located adjacent to the bounds of the Canaveral National Seashore.

Things to Do

There are plenty of things to do at Canaveral National Seashore. I enjoyed my drive down Biolab Road. This is an approximately 6 mile one-way unpaved road that mostly runs next to the river. Expect to see plenty of birds and waterfowl. It’s nice and quiet, with beautiful views of the lagoon. There are a few spots where you can pull your car off to the side of the road and fish.

Biolab Road:

There are several hiking trails in the park: https://www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/maps.htm. Choose one and get moving. Make sure to take water and mosquito repellent.

Since there’s plenty of open water, kayaking is a great activity.  There are many places to put in your kayak.

Nice view!

There are miles and miles of pristine beaches, with about a dozen parking areas and dune crossovers. https://www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/maps.htm. Swimming, sun bathing, surfing and surf fishing are all popular activities. FYI, the northernmost, end of the road beach area is a nude sunbathing area.

Beware!

Primitive camping is available in certain areas, and by reservation: https://www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/camping.htm. Make sure you take everything back out with you, and leave no trace.

Spaceflight

As previously mentioned, the Canaveral National Seashore is very close to the Kennedy Space Center. So, if you time your visit right, you might be able to see a launch! Here’s where you can find more info on launch dates:

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events

Just be aware that the park fills up fast, and certain areas of the park may be closed, due to the proximity of the rocket and/or it’s path. Take plenty of food, water, and supplies for your day trip. Fill your gas tank before you go. And take plenty of mosquito spray!

If you Go

The park is open pretty much every day from 6am to 6pm, except for holidays. Check the NPS before you go

The entrance fee for a car is $20. Also, you can get in for free if you have the America the Beautiful annual pass or the Senior Access pass. Walkers, bicyclers and motorcyclists are all less.

Live the Wayfarer Life! What’s your next adventure?

If you are looking for an authentic, working fishing village in Florida, you have to go to Apalachicola. This quaint little town (population 1100) has a rich history and its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River make it a great place for the seafood industry. It is a hard place to get to, but that adds to the mystique of the town.

Early History

From www.cityofapalachicola.com:

“Apalachicola is one of the most historic cities in Florida. Located where the Apalachicola River meets Apalachicola Bay, the name “Apalachicola” is an Indian word interpreted as a ridge of earth produced by sweeping the ground in preparation for a council or peace fire. Over time, the term has been translated as an area of peaceful people or people on the other side. “Land of the friendly people” is a common interpretation of the word.

But even before the city was founded, the area surrounding Apalachicola was an important center of history. Remnants of native American cultures date back to the middle Archaic period (2000 BCE) and documentation exists that claims native cultures have lived here during the intervening Woodland and Mississippian periods. Archaeologists estimate that the population could have reached 40,000, attracted to the area due to stable water supplies and abundant game. Middens left by these settlers are composed primarily of clam and oyster shells. Some of the larger middens were used as burial sites.

Europeans first explored Franklin County in the early 1500s as Panfildo de Narvaez visited a location near present-day Apalachicola. The journal of his expedition describes a coastal island that is believed to be Dog Island, St. Vincent Island or St. George Island. The earliest-known European settlement of the area was a fort built at the mouth of the Apalachicola River by the Spanish in 1705 where it remained under Spanish ownership until it was ceded to England in 1763.

In 1783 the area returned to Spanish control after the Second Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War. Some British trading companies, including Panton, Leslie, and Company were allowed to remain. In 1811, the trading company John Forbes and Company persuaded Spain and the Indians to cede 1.5 million acres between the Apalachicola and St. Marks Rivers to their firm because of large debts owed to their trading company by trader Indians. The transfer became known as the Forbes Purchase.”

Industry

Apalachicola has seen several industries come and sometime go, over the years.

Timber Industry

“Apalachicola’s timber industry emerged prior to the Civil War alongside a booming cotton shipping trade. One of the town’s first sawmills, the Pennsylvania Tie Company, was located at a site known today as the “Mill Pond” or Scipio Creek Boat Basin on North Market Street. The sawmill cut railroad cross ties from cypress logs that had been dragged from the swamps surrounding the Apalachicola River.

Despite an abundance of timber, early efforts to expand the industry were thwarted by high transportation costs, under-capitalization and the ever-present industry hazard of fire. It wasn’t until James N. Coombs came to Apalachicola in the late 1870s when, backed by Northern capital, Coombs went on to establish and manage several sawmills in the county. Other mills followed including the Cypress Lumber Company, Franklin County Lumber Company and Kimball Lumber Company.

Spurred on by a worldwide demand for timber products, sawmills soon sprang up along the river, and millions of board feet of pine and cypress passed through the port of Apalachicola. Pines were also sought for their sap, which was distilled into turpentine and resin and known collectively as naval stores

Apalachicola’s timber industry flourished until the mid 1920s, declining, in part due to dwindling virgin timber stands and a declining naval stores industry.”

Apalachicola Railroad Era

Apalachicola’s first railroad engine steamed into town on April 30, 1907 amid a town-wide celebration. The Apalachicola Northern Railroad (ANR) tracks entered town at the north end of Market Street and ran parallel along Water Street to its terminus at the Railroad Depot located near Commerce Street and Avenue G. A spur of the rail line extended to the south end of Water Street to load seafood from the packing houses on the river.

The emergence of railroads to North Florida in the mid 1830s was propelled, in part, by a need for more reliable shipping alternatives. Steamboats ruled the river during the early to mid 1800s but were not always reliable, hindered constantly by unpredictable river levels, snags and mechanical problems.

The first efforts to establish rail travel to the area began many years before the effort was successful. In 1885, a group of Apalachicola businessmen secured a charter for the Apalachicola and Alabama Railroad Company. The group hoped to build a rail line northward to connect to the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad network in Jackson County. Unable to secure financial backing for the endeavor, the rail plan was abandoned until 1903, when North Florida businessman Charles B. Duff and partners chartered the Apalachicola Northern Railroad (ANR). Construction began in 1905 and trains began running north from Apalachicola in 1907. From Apalachicola, the ANR route ran north of Apalachicola to Chattahoochee where an interchange was made with the Atlantic coast Line. An extension to Port St. Joe was completed in 1910.

“Rail commerce flourished in the area until the timber resources started to dwindle in the 1920s. In 1933, the railroad was purchased by Alred I. duPont to service the St. Joe Paper Company mill in Port St. Joe which operated there from 1936 to 1996.”

Apalachicola’s Early Seafood Industry

Apalachicola has been a fishing village for many years. The seafood industry in Apalachicola is as important today as it was more than 175 years ago. It is the seafood industry that has most significantly shaped the culture and maritime heritage of Apalachicola and it is the seafood industry that anchors a growing nature-based tourism industry throughout the region.

“Oysters were Apalachicola’s first seafood industry. Oysters were sold locally as early as 1836, harvested much the same as they are today with scissor-shaped tongs hoisted aboard shallow-draft skiffs. By 1850, oysters had begun to be packed in barrels and shipped aboard steamers headed north or to other neighboring states.”

Sponge Industry

“From the mid-1870’s to the early decades of the twentieth century, Apalachicola was part of Florida’s sponge industry. The local sponge trade came to rank third in the state. By 1895, over 100 men made their living locally in the short-lived but profitable Apalachicola sponge industry. In 1879, Apalachicola had 16 sponge vessels. The larger vessels would put out to sea for four weeks or more and carried several dinghies or small rowboats. The sponges were taken by “hooking.” The hooker sat in the bow and scanned the water for sponges.

The oarsman than moved the boat into position, and the hooker used a long pole with a sharp-pronged tool on the end to bring up the sponges. Once the larger vessel had a full cargo it returned to port. The three principal buyers of sponges were M. Brash, Sr., John G. Ruge, and Joseph Messina. The buyers inspected the catch and made sealed bids. The sponges were later shipped to San Francisco, St. Louis, Baltimore, and New York.

By 1895, between 80 and 120 men were employed in it, and the city had two sponge warehouses. Later, as the major Greek sponge operations moved down the coast to Carrabelle, Cedar Key and Tarpon Springs, shrimp and sponge operations continued in Apalachicola with the Greek sailing fleet. Today, there are two original sponge warehouses remaining in Apalachicola’s historic downtown district. The Sponge Exchange, built in 1840, is one of the original sponge warehouses.”

Wonder what’s in this old safe?

Today

Today, Apalachicola is alive and well, and has recovered from Covid close-downs, recent hurricanes, and the closing of the oyster fishery. It is still very much a fishing village. Shrimp boats dock downtown on the waterfront daily. Stores and galleries and restaurants and bars are open for business. The seafood industry is still going strong, with fresh gulf shrimp and fish in high demand. Tourism is a big part of the economy now. Nearby St. George Island is a popular beach, especially for families. https://www.floridasforgottencoast.com/st-george-island/

If You Go

Apalachicola is a great town to visit for a few days. You have to try the local brew from Oyster City Brewing Company

https://oysterhttps://oystercity.beer/city.beer/

Lots of great choices!

On our last trip, we stayed at an airbnb right in town, a block off of Water Street. Find yours here:

https://www.airbnb.com/

There are several other places we have stayed in Apalachicola. The Gibson Inn is an historic hotel and is undergoing major renovations. It looks great!

https://www.gibsoninn.com/

Also, the Water Street Hotel and Marina has beautiful suites overlooking the river.

http://www.waterstreethotel.com/

There are several good restaurants in the downtown area. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, try

http://www.tamarascafe.com/

. The Owl Cafe and The Taproom adjoining the Owl are local favorites

http://owlcafeflorida.com/

. Local seafood is cooked fresh at Hole in the Wall Raw Bar.

The Asheville Walking Tour is a great place to start learning a little bit about Asheville’s past. Asheville is a cool city in Western North Carolina. It is situated in the Blue Ridge mountains, and is very scenic. Here are a few milestones:

Before the arrival of the Europeans, the land where Asheville now exists was within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. In 1540, the expedition of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto visited the area.

Buncombe County was officially organized on April 16, 1792. The county seat was named “Morristown” in 1793. In 1797, Morristown was incorporated and renamed “Asheville” after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe.

Transportation in early Asheville consisted of a few paths cut through dense forests and travel by river. This began to change in 1828 with the completion of the Buncombe Turnpike. The thoroughfare connected Greenville, Tennessee, to the South Carolina state line. Local farmers could drive livestock and sell their produce to markets south and east while new visitors gained access to the small city.

The Western North Carolina Railroad, which had begun in Salisbury, N.C. in 1875, crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and the first train pulled into Asheville on October 2, 1880. People from the coast could easily get away to the mountains.

George W. Vanderbilt began construction of his Biltmore Estate in 1895 on 8,000 acres south of the city. The construction lasted five years, requiring the additional erection of Biltmore Village to house the hundreds of workers employed on the project.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, were built with the aid of Franklin Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, and many people traveled to the area to visit. Today an estimated 2 million travelers continue to come to Asheville for lots of reasons, including beer breweries, the arts, the mountain views, and the climate.

Where to park

The walking tour takes place in downtown Asheville. There is plenty of street parking, as well as parking garages. You can even check to see where parking spaces are available:

https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/find-real-time-parking-in-parking-garages/

The Tour

You can view and download or print out a map of the Asheville Urban Trail here:

https://www.exploreasheville.com/urban-trail/

There are about 30 stops along the way. It doesn’t really matter where you start; we parked near Pack Square and started at #1. And since it is a self-guided tour, you can stop and shop or eat or drink anywhere you like!

Here are a few of my favorite spots:

The Drhumor Building features a fanciful series of carved faces amid an ornate carved stone frieze featuring a British royal lion alongside angels, mermaids, shells and other creatures from nature and mythology. While they have been called allegorical, at least some of the faces carved by Frederick B. Miles on the Drhumor Building are believed to have been modeled on the faces of local citizens.

The Grove Arcade

The Grove Arcade now houses lots of great restaurants, bars and shops.

https://grovearcade.com/

Asheville Community Theatre

Not officially on the tour, but a nice place to walk through is the Elder and Sage Community Gardens

If you Go…

It should take you about 2 hours to take the walking tour. If you stop and shop or eat, it may take you a little longer. Linger, and enjoy your visit!

.

.See lots more from the SuperGirl Pro contest by visiting here: https://pics.surf/index.php?/category/586