Adventure Travel Photography Blog
The quaint town of Covington, Louisiana is part of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. I only visited for a day as I made my way back from Florida to Texas and wished I had scheduled more time to stay, as the city of 11,500 is quite charming.
EXPLORE!
After visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama, we continued west toward Texas, albeit slowly. We made a stop at the Mississippi Visitors Center. I asked the lady working at the counter, who was a hoot, to name her favorite small towns. Oceans Springs was the first she mentioned, and she raved about it. So, after Annie and I took our token state sign picture (dressed for a lobster boil), we made Oceans Springs our next stop.
EXPLORE!
Gulf Shores is the southernmost settlement in Alabama. Located just west of Pensacola, Florida, the resort town with a population of 12,000 attracts many tourists, especially during spring break. For some reason, I expected a quainter city, so I was surprised by all high rises which lined the beach and the amusement park. That said, during the 24 hours I visited Gulf Shores, I didn’t even make it to the built-up area.
RELAX!
On the recommendation of a friend, during my yearlong roadtrip across the USA 11 years ago, I visited Watercolor and Seaside in the Florida panhandle. On my shortened journey this year (due to some challenges with VANgo and changing my travel priorities to horses), I made Seaside my last stop in Florida upon my return home from Texas.
Last time I visited the area, I hiked with the dogs in Grayton Beach State Park, strolled the beach, and enjoyed lunch at the Shrimp Shack. This time, since I learned that a histamine intolerance is causing my migraines and eating seafood is out of the question, I made my tour about The Truman Show, a movie which came out in 1998.
TAKE THE TOUR!
Sanibel Island is located off the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers. The 15 by 5 mile island is best known for its seashells and the “Sanibel Stoop” (bent at the waist collecting shells).
Sanibel offers all the modern conveniences without all the modern high rises. Buildings may only be as tall as the highest tree, approximately three stories.
By car, the island is accessed via the Sanibel Causeway for a $6 toll. The road extends through Sanibel to Captiva Island.
Given the Captiva Island beaches are not dog friendly and Annie, my Doberman, is my sidekick, I didn’t make it to Captiva, though I had plenty to do for a day in Sanibel.
ISLAND HOP!
Mount Dora is a city of 13,000 located in central Florida northwest of Orlando. Restaurants, cute shops, galleries, wineries, and more line the quaint historic downtown. Mount Dora is known for its arts and antiques and holds many festivals.
When visiting, definitely stay at the Lakeside Inn located on Lake Mount Dora on the edge of the historic district. Built in 1883, Lakeside Inn is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Florida. It has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities, including President Calvin Coolidge and Lady Grace Coolidge.
EXLPLORE!
I’ve been to NYC many times…spring, fall, summer, winter. But despite the sometimes cold temperatures, I love New York City in December. I prefer going toward the beginning of December as it is after the Thanksgiving rush and before Christmas vacation for many. Consequently, I can enjoy the shows, dinner, and Christmas decorations among slightly lighter holiday crowds.
This December of 2021, my friend Tina and I were quite lucky. We spent three full days in New York and completely missed the Omicron spike and resulting shutdowns. Aside from enjoying savory dinners and seeing plenty of musicals, below are some things we did while visiting New York City in December.
EXPLORE!
While NYC has much to offer, one of my favorite things to do while visiting the city is to go out to eat for dinner and to see the Broadway shows. In order to do both in the same night, it is easiest to make a dinner reservation in the Theatre District or in Hell’s Kitchen prior to the musical.
Both the Theatre District and Hell’s Kitchen may be found on NYC’s Midtown West Side which ranges from 34th to 59th Streets and between 5th and 12th Avenues. The Theatre District covers 41st to 54th Streets between 6th and 8th Avenues, and Hell’s Kitchen can be found to the West of 8th, near the Theatre District.
Below are a few delicious restaurants in the Manhattan’s Midtown:
EAT OUT!
Coeur d’Alene is located east of Spokane, Washington in Northwest, Idaho. With a population of 50,000+, it is the largest city in Idaho’s northern region and is the county seat of Kootenai County.
Coeur d’Alene was named after a Native American Tribe who lived along the rivers and lakes in the region. The city began as a fort town when Fort Sherman was constructed on the north shore of the lake.
Thereafter, it morphed into a mining town when silver was discovered in the Silver Valley. With the arrival of the railroad in 1883, Coeur d’Alene expanded further. In 1920, the discovery of white pine transformed the town into a logging community.
Coeur d’Alene relied heavily on logging for decades. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that its economy became more balanced with an influx of tourism.
Currently, Coeur d’Alene is known for its premier golfing, the nearby Silverwood Theme Park, the Ironman Triathlon Event, one of the largest holiday light shows in the USA, and for the surrounding ski mountains.
There are many other things to do Coeur d’Alene as well, and we made the most of our three-day stay for my 50th birthday.
EXPLORE!
Salida is located in central Colorado and is the county seat and most populous municipality of Chaffee County. It was first called South Arkansas when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad made the area a stopping point. Due to the lovely view from the train upon leaving the Arkansas River canyon, it was renamed Salida, (exit in Spanish).
Salida became a big railroad town with the largest train repair facility between Denver and Salt Lake City. It also boasted many smelters as gold and silver mining in the vicinity became more prevalent. As these industries faded, farming took over.
Now Salida, Colorado’s largest historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a tourist town. It is a gateway to the outdoors providing excellent fishing, rafting, hiking and more. Below are a few things to do in Salida.
FIND OUT MORE!