Florida – Page 2

Dolphins Plus :: We swim and play with dolphins in a natural lagoon {Key Largo, Florida}

Jan 52016

Dolphins-Plus-Key-Largo-Review

Today was our last day in the Florida Keys and we ended it with a splash – playing and swimming with bottle-nose dolphins in a natural lagoon at Dolphins Plus here in Key Largo, Florida. Less than 2-miles from our campsite at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – this place is amazing!

Dolphins_Plus-Bayside-Location-Florida

Dolphins Plus has two facilities in the Florida Keys – one in Bayside (the location we went to) and one in Oceanside. Depending on the location you select, there might be different experiences available. You’ll want to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled reservation bringing your swimsuit and your towel. You can make reservations by calling the numbers listed on the Dolphin Plus website.

The experience that we did was the Structured Swim with the dolphins. The whole experience takes about 2 hours – but I think you’ll find it goes by so fast because you’re having such a fun time. If you have children under 7 they generally recommend the shallow water experience, which also looks amazing, which has a minimum age requirement of 3. But because our five-year-old is such a big girl (48-inches and can swim on her own) they had us do the structured swim. I would trust their judgement when they recommend a specific program for your family – they all look amazing and I know you’ll have a good time.

Wet-Suits-Ready-to-Go-Dolphins-Plus

We started by getting suited up in wetsuits and life vests and then we attended an educational briefing – where we learned all about dolphin anatomy, biology and behaviors. We were walked through some of the activities we’d do with the dolphins in the water and were brought out to the natural lagoon. About 15-18 feet deep the natural lagoon was about 71 degrees today (it was chilly today) but we were so warm in our wet suits we didn’t even notice!

We were the only people in the lagoon during the Structured Swim and we took turns doing various activities with the dolphins. Our trainer Kim was super patient and gave very clear instructions – so we always knew exactly what we should be doing – the dolphins did, too!

Dolphins-getting-acquainted

Hadley was a bit apprehensive when we first got there. But thankfully our trainer asked at the beginning if anyone was nervous and Hadley said she was. The trainer answered Hadley’s immediate question (Do Dolphins bite?) and explained a few more things . . .so Hadley quickly felt more at ease and after we got acquainted with the dolphins and she realized they were friendly – she was all smiles for the rest of the experience.

Kissing-Dolphins-Key_largo

I think one of my favorite activities was giving the dolphins kisses . . . .here Liam and I kiss the dolphins. . . .

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Curry Hammock State Park {Florida Keys}

Dec 212015

Curry-Hammock-State-Park-Review

Up through October I was blogging chronologically and I got behind once we hit the East Coast and when I hit my busiest time for work. I was feeling overwhelmed by all the posts I wanted to share to get “caught up” so I’ve made the executive decision to hop ahead to current time (for now) and plan to fill in some of our East Coast fun as I’m able. It’s not ideal – but I had hit a roadblock and missed sharing updates. Sound good with you!?!

Travel dates :: December 19 – 21, 2015

Christmas is just around the corner and we’re tucked in down in the Florida Keys. We arrived on Saturday (Dec. 19) and it was a blustery, windy and rainy weekend. I’m not complaining though, temperatures are still in the mid-70s and the views are breathtaking.

Florida-Keys-Curry-Hammock-State-Park

We spent our first two nights at Curry Hammock State Park and it is wonderful. We are tucked into back-in spot #22 – with just a small dune between us and the beach. We have peek-a-boo views of the beautiful water and thanks to the wind, we saw lots of kite surfers this weekend!

Curry-Hammock-campground-spot-22

This is looking from the beach back to our spot. The dune is roped off and there are signs saying to stay out of the dunes. But it’s a very, very short walk from our spot to the trail that takes you to the beach.

Curry Hammock State Park is just north of the famous 7-mile bridge and the more well-known Bahia Honda State Park. It’s a small park (which we like) with a security gate, lots of waterfront sites and some nice public space areas.

Curr-Hammock-Campground-2015

The spots on the beach side are not as long in terms of length (ideal for smaller rigs – probably 25-40 feet) but the inside of the loop looked liked it had room for bigger rigs. Although there are only 20-25 camping spots, we saw four other Airstreams within the same park (that’s not ours pictured above) and even one leaving as we pulled in. 🙂 Florida looks good on these shiny, tiny homes.

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Checking in from Florida and our December plans. . .

Dec 102015

North-Beach-Camp-Florida

Okay y’all, I feel like we’ve been in a time warp . . .how is it December 10th already? Where did November go? How is it almost Christmas!?! The last three weeks have just flown by. Last time I updated the blog we had just gotten back from a fun-filled trip to Washington state and were enjoying the fall colors in North Carolina. Since then we visited South Carolina, Savannah (Georgia), Blythe Island (Georgia), St. Augustine (Florida), Orlando (Florida) and now we’re near Tampa (Florida).

Beauty-Beast-Disney-World-550

We spent a crazy SEVEN days at Disney World the first part of December (see photos on Instagram) and although we had a magical time – I’m not gonna lie – I’m soaking up the quiet, empty county park we’re staying in now. I’ll share more about Disney and the Disney campground later.

As we’ve traveled south over the last few weeks I’ve been working a lot. I’m not complaining (mostly explaining my absence) – I’m so grateful for the opportunity to make a living on the road – but it doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for travel blogging and even exploring. I have so much that I want to write about – so many stories to tell, photos to share, and places to gush about . I still have a busy 10 days or so of work and then things slow way down – and I’m hoping get caught up with stories and posts here. The rest of the family has been busy getting caught up on school (we took a break for Washington and for Disney). It’s been a lot of quiet, productive days around the trailer.

So what’s next?! We are hanging out at this quiet county park for a few more days, then heading to Tampa, Florida – and I’m so excited to see one of my very BEST childhood friends (from Alaska) who lives there now with her family. Last time I saw her was for her wedding nearly 5 years ago here in the Tampa area. I haven’t met her kids yet – and I can’t wait. We will also be meeting up with the Curren Family (we last saw them in Minnesota!) and I’m looking forward to the kids playing together while the adults get to catch up on Airstream tips and stories of our travels. . .

Florida-Keys-Christmas

After Tampa. . .we are headed to the FLORIDA KEYS!! I cannot tell you how excited I am for this. I had completely GIVEN UP on finding a state park reservation over Christmas in the Florida Keys. Every time I searched ‘next available date’ for ANY availability it would show me dates in May 2016. Seriously. And I had looked at private campgrounds in the Keys – but couldn’t find much less than $80-$100 a night. . . and we just did that at Disney (read = EXPENSIVE campground), so I wasn’t feeling it, especially when I knew the state parks were $38/night.

And then today, I’m working away. . .and I get an email about an campsite opening from a cancellation (thanks to Wandering Labs). . . for a full SEVEN days at a state park in the Florida Keys. I had it booked within 2 minutes of the email hitting my inbox. I’m just giddy. AND. . . I found another reservation for New Years Eve in the Keys. . . so we’re set (except for 4 random days in between the two reservations, but I’ll figure it out). If you have favorite places, tours or beaches on the Florida Keys – please share your advice!

decorating-for-christmas-trailer

Honestly I am pretty sure we would be happy anywhere for Christmas. We weren’t sweating the details – everyone kept asking where we’d be for the holidays – and I knew as long as we were together, that was all that mattered. We have our little tree decorated (Ikea!), Christmas lights up in the kid’s bunk area, Christmas presents ordered off Amazon (and delivered to my friends house in Tampa), the Elf on the Shelf causing trouble every night, Christmas carols on the radio, Christmas movies on the TV, the kid’s advent calendars. . . almost everything we had in our big house – but on a much simpler level. 🙂

After the holidays. . .who knows where the road will take us!?! We’d like to see the Everglades, I’d like to spend more time near Tampa to see my friend and her family, I have a great uncle in Sebring, Florida. . .and I want to see the Florida panhandle. We have family we want to see in Montgomery, Alabama and in Atlanta, Georgia. . . .and we didn’t really get enough time to explore the Carolinas. So many places – so little time! Where do you think we should go in the south!?!

Ultimately, I’m just hoping for fair weather (doesn’t have to be perfect, just no hurricanes) and happy memories. . .as we wrap up 2015 on the road. . . .

Dolphins Plus :: We swim and play with dolphins in a natural lagoon {Key Largo, Florida}

Curry Hammock State Park {Florida Keys}

Checking in from Florida and our December plans. . .

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