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Category: Destinations

Monahans Sandhills State Park, Monahans TX

Monahans Sandhills State Park, Monahans TX

Entering Monahans Sandhills State Park is like flipping through the pages of a child’s history book, briefly catching glimpses into different time periods as the images shift. From the mid-century modern styling of the welcome sign to the replicated pioneer shacks and windmills plucked from the late 1800s, the park creates the illusion of being lost in time. Looking over the vast ocean of sand surrounding the park, an observer would never know the area was once home to an…

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Wandering Waco and Visiting Family

Wandering Waco and Visiting Family

I’ll be the first to admit that Waco, Texas wasn’t high on my list of places to visit in my life. It’s kind of like Norman, Oklahoma or Topeka, Kansas – you know they exist, but you likely don’t have a strong desire to see them in person (although I’ve never seen either one, so maybe I’m missing out). Aside from the sensational news events and tragedies that came out of Waco over the past decades, I really didn’t know…

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Cruising Along the Gulf Coast Part 3 – Sea Rim State Park, Sabine Pass TX

Cruising Along the Gulf Coast Part 3 – Sea Rim State Park, Sabine Pass TX

Eager to depart our least favorite state park as described in the previous post, we packed up early Easter morning and set out on the last leg of our journey along the Gulf Coast. The weather was pleasant and sunny, making the more than five hour drive to Sea Rim State Park in Sabine Pass, Texas seem not quite as long. We drove straight across Louisiana, often spotting billboards advertising boudin and various other sausages, which made me wish we’d…

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Cruising Along the Gulf Coast Part 2 – Buccaneer State Park, Waveland MS

Cruising Along the Gulf Coast Part 2 – Buccaneer State Park, Waveland MS

Well, it finally happened. In our frequent visits to the great state parks scattered throughout the United States, we finally stumbled across a park we didn’t really like. Sure, we’ve enjoyed some parks more than others and could easily list a few favorites without much consideration. But we’ve never really disliked a location until our recent visit to Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, Mississippi. To be fair, let’s first lay a little groundwork before getting into the specifics. We visited…

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Cruising Along the Gulf Coast Part 1 – Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores AL

Cruising Along the Gulf Coast Part 1 – Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores AL

With Waco, TX as our next extended stop, our route from southern Georgia into the heart of Texas took us along the Gulf Coast. We’ve had little experience exploring that particular region of the United States, with the exception of a couple trips to New Orleans in the past and a handful of work excursions for Ashley to Corpus Christi while we still maintained our desk jobs. As our established pattern clearly indicates our preference for state parks, I searched…

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Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee FL

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee FL

Departing the Florida Keys early on a Sunday morning, we were treated to one more sunrise over the water as we drove across the first of many bridges connecting the chain of islands to the mainland. Our planned five to six hour drive took us to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, about 30 miles northwest of Okeechobee, for a couple of nights. The dusty gravel road leading into the park is five miles long with a 25 mile per hour…

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Exploring the Gardens and a Fish Tale

Exploring the Gardens and a Fish Tale

We’ve officially planned our route from the Keys heading westward to Texas and eventually Colorado as the year progresses. With just one week left in our temporary winter home, we’re looking forward to more time with the friends we’ve made over the past few months, another short visit with family, and a bit more time on the water (and of course fishing, for me anyway, while Ashley continues crafting her numerous projects). Speaking of Ashley and her projects, her hobbies…

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Butterflies and Big Pine

Butterflies and Big Pine

Amidst what has become our typical everyday routine in the Keys this winter, we branched out from the usual fishing (for me), kayaking, paddle boarding, knitting and crocheting (for Ashley), playing music, and normal chores to visit a more tourist-oriented attraction. Despite being one of the most popular destinations in Key West, the Butterfly Conservatory is also a favorite of many locals. Based on numerous recommendations (not to mention a couple of passes from a friend), we decided to finally…

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Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

The allure of the open ocean has inspired and tantalized humans throughout history. Explorers set out in search of the unknown across unmapped expanses of sea with only a hunch and a hope of discovering land somewhere along the way. Entire villages and economies were created around fishing with the sea providing – or withholding – sustenance for families and coastal communities. Daring early pioneers braved the seas in handmade boats, from the Maori in New Zealand with their waka…

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Keeping Busy in the Keys

Keeping Busy in the Keys

Even though we’ve been stationary for the past two months, our time in the Keys is fleeting and our days are filled with activity. From mundane tasks like buying groceries, washing dishes, and catching up on a little RV maintenance, to more adventurous options like exploring new places in the Keys and the ever-present chances to fish, we’re never at a loss for something to do. Although life here tends to be laid-back, it’s far from lazy. There’s always a…

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