The Southeast Archives - Page 2 of 3 - ETB Travel Photography

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park…what a find!! The park is only 13 miles south of Gainesville and 29 miles north of Ocala. It was a perfect getaway for me and my dog Annie in between horse shows at the World Equestrian Center.

I typically don’t visit state parks because unlike National Forests, dogs have to be on a leash and there is an entrance fee. At Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, the fee was only $4. I couldn’t believe it! I am so glad I visited this 22,000 acre wilderness over two days.

HAPPY HIKING!

The Celery Fields

During an overnight visit to Sarasota, I was looking for a nearby, natural setting to walk my dog, since most beaches in Florida are not dog friendly. Google Maps showed a place called Celery Fields Park a short drive away.

It seemed like an odd name for a park, so I decided to check it out. I’m not sure why it piqued my interest so much, as I can’t stand the taste of celery. Just hearing the word gives me shivers!

EXPLORE!

Cross Florida Greenway: Land Bridge Trail

The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a 110-mile linear park which spans from the Gulf of Mexico to St John’s River. It’s 70,000 acres features 300 miles of trails for paddling, biking, hiking, horseback riding and multi-use activities.

HAPPY HIKING!

Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Play on Spotify

It had been many years since I had visited Gatlinburg during my road trip across the USA. I finally returned to see the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The spectacular light show only took one night, so my friends and I found many other things to do in Gatlinburg for our three day June getaway.

Gatlinburg is a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee with a population of approximately 3,500. The popular vacation resort town is known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United States.

EXPLORE!

Happy Hiking: Alum Cave Trail

Parking

The Alum Cave Trail is an extremely popular hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is located 11 miles southeast of Gatlinburg and the drive on curvy scenic roads in the parks takes about 30 minutes.

Due to its popularity, the parking area at the trailhead fills up by 7am. If you are not an early riser, you can go around 2pm to get a spot as the parking lot clears once the early birds finish up.

HAPPY HIKING!

Synchronous Fireflies: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What are Syncrhonous Fireflies?

Synchronous fireflies are a species of lightning bugs that blink synchronously during their mating ritual. There are only a few places in the world to see synchronous fireflies, and one such place are the Jake’s Creek and Little River Trailheads near Elkmont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Every year around the third week of May to the third week of June, depending on the temperature and soil moisture, the synchronous fireflies mate for 2-3 weeks. During this period, the males fly around flashing in unison while trying to attract females that remain stationary on the ground. The females return their signal, and the males fly down to mate, sometimes fighting with others.

LOOK INTO THE LIGHT!

The National World War II Museum

Those that follow my blog know that I tend to focus on outdoor activities. While I sometimes write about a museum I popped into for about an hour in a “Things to Do…” post, it is rare I dedicate an entire article to something indoors. Well, the National World War II Museum was so good, it warranted its own write up. Even then, I won’t be able to do it justice.

I don’t think I have ever been to the same museum twice unless I was attending a special exhibit. That said, I would return to the National World War II Museum a second time in a heartbeat. I was so impressed by the facility, the exhibits, and the comprehensive information.

In full disclosure, I do love historical fiction based on World War II. Additionally, I have wanted to visit this museum for at least 10 years. On the flip side, sometimes I’m disappointed by my high expectations. Furthermore, I don’t like spending hours in a museum, and I read that most people spend around five hours. Consequently, I tried keeping my expectations in check.

In the end, I spent six hours in the National World War II Museum, and it beat all my expectations. I highly recommend making time for a visit even if you are in NOLA just for one of its crazy festivals, most notably Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest.

DIVE INTO HISTORY!

Things to Do in Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is an Alabama town located on a barrier island of the same name. The town is part of the Mobile metropolitan area, and the island helps define the mouth of Mobile Bay. Dauphin Island is reached by the scenic, three-mile Gordon Persons Bridge.

History of Dauphin Island

Originally known as Massacre Island, it was renamed to Dauphin Island in honor of Louis XIV of France’s great-grandson and heir, known as the dauphin for the dolphin on his family crest. While dauphin means dolphin in French, dauphin was the title given to the heir apparent of France, Louis XV.

Though the Spanish first discovered and mapped the island in 1519, the French were the ones who mistakenly named it Massacre Island in 1699 after finding a large pile of human skeletons which was actually an Indian burial mound.

At the end of the French and Indian War, Dauphin Island was ceded to the British in 1763. After the American Revolutionary War, Dauphin Island became part of the Province of West Florida, controlled by the Spanish.

It wasn’t until the early 1800’s after Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo that settlers began migrating to Alabama from the Southeast and took the land away from the Indians.

By the Civil War, Dauphin Island was controlled by the Confederacy and captured by the Union Army during the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Today, this charming bayfront town is known for its laid back and natural setting.

EXPLORE!

Things to Do in Gulfport

Looking for a beach vacation over spring break, a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico over the summer or simply an easy get away? Look no further than Gulfport, Mississippi. With a population of roughly 73,000, Gulfport is the second largest city in the state.

It takes its name from being a port on the Gulf Coast of the Mississippi Sound. Gulfport is rich with civil war history, claims six miles of sandy beaches, and is a marine enthusiast’s paradise.

Though quieter than coastal cities like Gulf Shores, Gulfport still has many things to do including dining, shopping, and gambling. The city is just over an hour drive from New Orleans, and its international airport supports over 800,000 travelers annually.

While visiting Gulfport, consider some of the following activities:

EXPLORE!

Fishing in Gulfport

During our two weeks in Gulfport competing in horse shows at the Harrison County Fairgrounds, we spent one of our Mondays off fishing in Gulfport. Due to poor planning, actually no planning at all, we had to drive to Biloxi, 45 minutes away, in order to charter a boat.

When we looked into our options, most of the fishing companies in Gulfport were already booked. The only ones left were pricey and operating out of Biloxi.

TAKE THE BAIT!