Day 1
Day 2
Super 8 Colorado Springs Airport
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=2186127794911030855">Google Maps Link</a><br>2 Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Parking 5$ included
8:30 - 118.7 km / an hour 15 minutes - 9:46
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33388-d144226-Reviews-Denver_Botanic_Gardens-Denver_Colorado.html
12.5 $, abren domingo 9am-8pm. Dirección es del Free Parking Garage. The garden is fairly large, so make sure you have a couple hours to walk through the entire thing. Every display was amazing, and they even have several hidden paths you can take. There was also a rose show going on while we were there that was open to the public, which was really nice. We went on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty busy, so maybe go earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. It was beautiful and serene nonetheless.12:16 - 3.8 km / 8 minutes - 12:25
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=1342660936494811
791">Google Maps Link</a><br>Updated: Sun, 03 Jul 2016 17:29:17 +010014:25 - 1.8 km / 6 minutes - 14:32
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=5257151413287865655">Google Maps Link</a><br>Updated: Sun, 03 Jul 2016 18:07:41 +0100
16:32 - 8.4 km / 15 minutes - 16:48
Washington Park, Denver, CO, USA
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?q=Washington+Park,+Denver,+CO,+USA&ftid=0x876c7e5f1a88aaed:0xe4ba7550e48556c0">Google Maps Link</a><br>Updated: Sun, 03 Jul 2016 17:54:16 +0100
18:48 - 16.8 km / 16 minutes - 19:05
Day 3
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=16971317844527787826">Google Maps Link</a><br>Breakfast not included – 1 Double Room with Two Double Beds (5 guests allowed) – Smoking
8:30 - 28.6 km / 19 minutes - 8:50
http://www.dinoridge.org/dinotrail.html
Selfguide (gratis) trail, This 1.5-mile trail along Alameda Parkway, between Rooney Road North and County Road 93 (see map), has hundreds of dinosaur tracks, a quarry of dinosaur bones, and interesting geologic features. To hike the Ridge will take between 1-2 hours and is about 2 miles round trip.9:50 - 7.8 km / 11 minutes - 10:02
Red Rocks Park and trails open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset on non-show days.
Admission is free to visit Red Rocks Park, Amphitheatre, Visitor Center, Trading Post and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Perfect place for a walk or hike, to admire the red rock scenery and Denver skyline, or to learn about the geological and musical history of the Red Rock Amphitheater11:02 - 2.1 km / 5 minutes - 11:08
11:08 - 53.6 km / an hour 4 minutes - 12:14
13:14 - 23.0 km / 38 minutes - 13:53
https://www.codot.gov/travel/scenic-byways/north-central/mount-evans#_=_
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs more than 7,000 feet (4300) in just 28 miles, reaching an altitude of 14,130 feet. At the summit you'll enjoy the big picture - the entire Front Range sprawls at your feet - but don't overlook the details. This highest of Rocky Mountain highs brings you to the rarefied world above timberline, a singular amalgam of hardy wildflowers, lichens and grasses, furry mammals like pikas and marmots, rock-jumping mountain goats, and alpine lakes. This is perhaps the best place in Colorado to catch a glimpse of the stately bighorn sheep. The weather is volatile - be prepared for wind, rain, lightning, snow, and hail any day of the year.13:53 - 45.0 km / an hour a minute - 14:55
15:55 - 20.8 km / 23 minutes - 16:19
Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway
88 km - 80 minutes to drive the byway.
Welcome to the showcase of the Front Range. Less than an hour from Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins, this 55-mile-long route provides matchless views of the Continental Divide and its timbered approaches. The string of popular attractions along the way - Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, Eldora Ski Resort - combine recreation with nature preservation. The gravel roads criss-crossing the main highway lead to high-country lakes, trailheads, campgrounds, the Moffat Tunnel's east portal, and ghost towns at Hesse and Apex. Established in 1918 this is Colorado's oldest scenic byway.16:19 - 15.8 km / 17 minutes - 16:38
http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Pages/Trails.aspx
7 $ day pass. Reverend's Ridge Campground- Raccoon Trail
Permitted users: Hikers, horse, and mountain bike
Total distance:4 km loop- Usage: High. Degree of difficulty: Moderate
Starting elevation: 9,120 feet, Elevation gain: 500 feet
Comments: Trail starts behind the office at the Reverend’s Ridge campground, and passes through blue spruce, douglas fir, and groves of aspen trees, which are brilliant during the fall. Visit Panorama Point and enjoy spectacular views of the Continental Divide, before heading back towards your starting point.18:08 - 85.7 km / an hour 20 minutes - 19:30
Day 4
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=15105792112016274543">Google Maps Link</a>
2 Room Suite: two queen beds & one King bed8:30 - 24.2 km / 33 minutes - 9:04
Rocky Mountain National Park - Bear lake
http://www.hikingproject.com/user/7096051/modesto-blanco/trailToDoList
http://rockymountainnationalpark.com/trails-maps/park
20 $ por coche (todos los ocupantes incluidos)
1- Best of Bear Lake Area Loop: 14.25 km, 640m up+down., aprox 5 h + comida. Incluye Bear Lake trail, Emerald Lake trail, The Loch Lake trail (part). Sube a 3100 m. Beginning and ending at the Bear Lake trailhead, this wonderful loop hits on many of Rocky Mountain National Park's biggest attractions. Along the way you'll have the opportunity to take in the views at four beautiful lakes as well as one stunning set of cascades.
2- Bierstadt Lake Loop: 4.75 km, 200m up+down, aprox 1h20m. This is a quick loop up to and around one of RMNP's most popular destinations: Bierstadt Lake. The somewhat steep ascent to the lake will keep some visitors away, but it's well worth the effort.
3- Cub Lake Loop: 9.3 km, 190m up+down, aprox 2h 30m. This hike incorporates a great mixture of open meadows, scenic rivers and lakes, and mountain views. The first half of the loop does have one short and steep climb to Cub Lake, but otherwise the trail is gradual and well-maintained.
4- Chasm Lake: ida+vuelta 13 km, 870m up+down, aprox 3h 30'. Es más roca y sin bosque, visualmente impresionantes montañas, sube a 3560m. This hike offers many of the draws of the Longs Peak hike in a much shorter, easier to manage package. Although you'll not achieve the same "top of the world" views on offer from Longs Peak, you'll still work for some stunning views from an alpine glacial tarn.15:04 - 16.1 km / 22 minutes - 15:27
http://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7009683/cub-lake-loop
Cub Lake Loop: 9.3 km, 190m up+down, aprox 2h 30m. This hike incorporates a great mixture of open meadows, scenic rivers and lakes, and mountain views. The first half of the loop does have one short and steep climb to Cub Lake, but otherwise the trail is gradual and well-maintained.18:27 - 14.0 km / 20 minutes - 18:48
Day 5
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=15105792112016274543">Google Maps Link</a>
2 Room Suite: two queen beds & one King bed8:30 - 221.6 km / 2 hours 26 minutes - 10:57
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center
http://www.gardenofgods.com/your-visit/visit1/trails-and-hiking
Free access, The main parking lot in the north end of the Park is thebest place to park in order to enjoy the Central Garden Area.
CHAMBERS/BRETAG/PALMER TRAIL is a moderate, 3 mile hike with less than a 250 foot rise. Nearly circling the entire Park, this trail covers rolling, rocky terrain away from the traffic.Wear big repellant too (again, found out the hard way). I hiked the 3 mile outer train to Siamese Twins and it was well worth it. On my way back to the visitor center, I crossed over some different trails through the middle of the formations to get some different view. All in all, it took me about 2 hours12:27 - 284.9 km / 2 hours 57 minutes - 15:25
Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Entrance fee 15$: non commercial vehicle and Occupants
1- High Dune round hike: 4km, 214m up, no trails, aprox 2h. There are five dunes over 700 feet tall. The "High Dune" on the first ridge is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the park, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. This is the most common destination in the dunefield, providing a great view of the entire dunefield. It is about 699 feet (198 m) high. Cross the flats and zigzag up the ridgelines to reach it. Average round trip hiking time to the High Dune on the first ridge is 2 hours. From High Dune, the tallest dune you see to the west is Star Dune, rising 750 feet (229 m) from base to top. It is the tallest dune in North America. To reach it from High Dune, journey another mile and a half up and down across the dunes to its summit. Average round trip hiking time to Star Dune is about 5 hours. The highest dunes above sea level at Great Sand Dunes are those closest to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
2- Montville Loop Trail, round trip1km, 60m up, 30min. Forest, small creek, view of first ridge of dunes.
3- Mosca Pass Trail: Forest, small creek, meadows, views
of forested ridges and meadows; limited views of the dunes • Round trip hike: 11 km, Elevation gain: 427 m, Average time: 3.5 hours17:55 - 19.7 km / 32 minutes - 18:28
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=4078391566459973066">Google Maps Link</a><br>VThis 20 foot (7m) high water-fall cascades
within a narrow crevasse, and the area includes
spectacular views of the entire dunefield. From the Visitor
Center, drive 8 miles south to the large Zapata
Falls Recreation Area sign. Drive 3 miles up the
bumpy gravel road. From the trailhead, hike
1/2 mile (800m) to the creek.18:58 - 49.2 km / 52 minutes - 19:51
Day 6
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=655003321620337420">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Superior King Suite with Three King Beds
8:30 - 212.8 km / 2 hours 20 minutes - 10:51
Bandelier National Monument, White Rock Visitor Center
https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/short-trails.htm
$20.00 Fee for 7 days: Non-Commercial Vehicle and Occupants. Comprar comida antes de entrar al Parque
Visitors are required to take a shuttle bus from the White Rock visitor center to access the main visited area of Bandelier National Monument between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM, including the visitor center, Main Loop Trail, and Falls Trail. Shuttles run every 30 minutes weekdays (9,9:30, 10:00..), and 20 minutes weekends. The shuttle bus is free, however; a park entrance fee is required for Bandelier and can be purchased from the White Rock Visitor Center, the kiosk near the shuttle pick-up site in White Rock, or paid at the park visitor center upon arrival.
Giftshop and Snackbar for sandwitch or water near
1- Main loop trail: The Main Loop Trail is a 1.2 mile loop trail (thanks to log crossings) through archeological sites. Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour on this trail. Ladders along the trail allow visitors to climb into cavates (small human-carved alcoves). The Main Loop Trail takes you past the Big Kiva, Tyuonyi, Talus House, and Long House.Pick up a $1 trail guide at the Visitor Center to learn more about the sites along the trail through descriptions of 21 numbered stops.The most popular trail runs through lower Frijoles Canyon where one sees many ruins of homes and caves carved from the volcanic tuff. It is thought that these anscestral Pueblans lived her from around 1100 to 1500 so we're talking old. It's fun to climb the ladders and walk the trail that winds past Long House and then continue on to the prize which is the amazing Alcove House.
2- Frijolito Loop Trail begins in Cottonwood Picnic Area, just across the creek from the visitor center. The trail climbs out of Frijoles Canyon via a steep switchback path, crosses the mesa passing near an unexcavated archeological site (Frijolito Pueblo) and then drops back into Frijoles Canyon on the Long Trail. Total distance is 2.5 miles. Excellent views of the cliff dwellings all the way up. The climb up is moderate difficulty but rest of hike is easy, with amazing views. Can be done in 1 hour 45 minutes with stops to rest and have a snack.14:51 - 153.6 km / an hour 32 minutes - 16:24
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=2101090396157713557">Google Maps Link</a><br>Old Town Albuquerque is an eclectic collection of old Spanish architecture, the oldest Catholic Mission church on Albuquerque, and clusters of wonderful shops, many provided by the Native Americans of New Mexico, all with beautiful hand made crafts and all with lots of wonderful stories to share.
Old Town had ample parking either on the plaza or in the free parking lot adjacent to the Plaza.18:24 - 5.0 km / 7 minutes - 18:32
Day 7
Super 8 Albuquerque West/coors Blvd
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=14233622853017101231">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Deluxe Queen Room with Two or Three Queen Beds
8:30 - 6.3 km / 10 minutes - 8:41
Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center
https://www.nps.gov/petr/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
1- Boca Negra trail.Open daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, last entry at 4:30 PM daily is strictly enforced. It takes under an hour, this trail system offers visitors the opportunity to view about 100 petroglyphs along three paved trails that are guided by signs. Restroom facilities, a drinking fountain, picnic tables and shaded seating areas are available. The City of Albuquerque charges a nominal parking fee of $1 Monday-Friday or $2 on Saturday & Sunday. Parking fees are per vehicle.
2- Rinconada Canyon: 2.2 miles round trip, 2 hours, 200-300 petroglyphs, undeveloped trail system, no water.
Parking lot open daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. GPS Lat: 35.126968 Long: -106.724635
The longest petroglyph viewing trail system in the monument, this moderate undeveloped trail is 2.2 miles round-trip. Water is not available. Vault restroom facility is available at the trail head. See approximately 300 petroglyphs in 1.5-2 hours. Leashed pets allowed. A free trail guide is available at the visitor center.
Warning: Lock your vehicle and set your alarm. Do not invite a thief by leaving valuables visible in your vehicle.10:41 - 23.1 km / 21 minutes - 11:02
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=11599252981117595461">Google Maps Link</a><br> Open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 12$ entrance fee. Good visit--- very well done museum and surprisingly not at all crowded. Very good collection--both inside and outside planes. The museum does a fantastic job of explaining nuclear science, the history, personalities involved, politics and applications of these technologies. Presented with static displays, multi-media and some hands on interactive activities; complicated information is presented so most people can understand. Took just over an hour. More planes than you realize. Great WWII artifacts. Great Route 66 exhibit
13:02 - 47.5 km / 47 minutes - 13:50
http://www.alltrails.com/us/new-mexico/sandia-park
-1 South Crest La Luz Loop Trail is a 5.1 km, 190m up moderately trafficked loop trail located near Sandia Park, NM that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels.From the trailhead head south along the paved trail to the right of the restrooms. A few hundred yards along the trail the pavement will turn to dirt. There is an intermittant rail, always stay to the left of the rail. At 0.25 miles the trail will turn sharply left and ascend a stairway. Take the stairs to the top. At the top turn hard right and look for the fork in the trail. Take the right fork to Crest Trail #130. The trail will switchback through the forest most of the rest of the hike. At 0.55 miles the trail forks. Follow the left fork for Crest Trail #130. At 1.6 miles reach the Sandia Tram Platform.
2- Kiwanis Cabin via South Crest Trail is a 2.9 km, 110m up, moderately trafficked loop trail located near Sandia Park, NM that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate.
3- South Crest Trail Loop is a 8.8 km, 330m up, loop trail located near Tijeras, NM that features a great forest setting. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking.15:50 - 63.1 km / 52 minutes - 16:43
Day 8
Super 8 Albuquerque West/coors Blvd
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=14233622853017101231">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Deluxe Queen Room with Two or Three Queen Beds
8:30 - 346.0 km / 3 hours 16 minutes - 11:46
New Mexico Museum of Space History
Open 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. Fees: museum: $7.00, IMAX movies $7.00 , Planetarium $5.00.
Museum is glass building , Four floors of artifacts from the space industry, including real moon rocks, even a part of the Apollo 13. Also outdoor exhibits.13:46 - 146.8 km / an hour 34 minutes - 15:21
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham El Paso Airport, Boeing Drive, El Paso, TX, United States
16:21 - 8.7 km / 12 minutes - 16:34
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=3141076655758003265">Google Maps Link</a><br>This memorial commemorates the history of the settlement of a 100 year land dispute between Mexico and the U.S. caused by the shifting of the Rio Grande River. There is an amphitheater for local theatrical and musical events and a small but interesting art museum. My wife and I stumbled across it while heading elsewhere and spent a relaxing hour and a half there. The park rangers were very friendly, knowledgable, and enthusiastic.
17:34 - 8.4 km / 15 minutes - 17:50
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=4499986163688806069">Google Maps Link</a><br>
Nice view of el paso & Juarez from the scenic drive outlook spots. It is worth visiting to get the best picture of how close the two cities are on the map.18:05 - 4.6 km / 10 minutes - 18:15
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=12213229078859812836">Google Maps Link</a>
19:15 - 12.1 km / 12 minutes - 19:28
Day 9
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham El Paso Airport
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=213958154553099700">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Queen Suite with Two Queen Beds room and sofa in living room-
8:30 - 887.4 km / 7 hours 34 minutes - 17:05
Howard Johnson Inn & Suites San Antonio Near AT&T Center, North PanAm Expressway, San Antonio, TX, United States
18:05 - 8.8 km / 11 minutes - 18:17
18:17 - 0.3 km / 2 minutes - 18:20
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=10150145312705463244">Google Maps Link</a><br>We enjoyed our time at River Walk. There are many, many great places to eat or get something to drink. Many benches for just sitting and watching. Very comfortable feeling and all areas were well lighted and clean. I would recommend going spending time during both the day and night.
19:20 - 10.6 km / 14 minutes - 19:35
Day 10
Howard Johnson Inn & Suites San Antonio Near AT&T Center
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=1274339123663478307">Google Maps Link</a><br>2 Deluxe Suite with Two Double Beds - Disability Access
8:30 - 7.7 km / 9 minutes - 8:40
Alamo Parking, Broadway Street, San Antonio, TX, United States
8:40 - 0.3 km / a minute - 8:42
Lunes 5 septiembre es Labor Day, festivo en USA.
http://www.thealamo.org/ Free entrance. Summer Hours: 9:00am - 7:00pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
At the heart of San Antonio, this one-time Franciscan mission stands as a repository of Texas history, a monument to the 189 Texan volunteers who fought and died here during a 13-day siege in 1836 by Mexican dictator General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The Texans lost, but the defeat inspired a later victory in Texas's bid for independence with the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo" spurring the soldiers on toward success. Today the historic shrine and barracks contain the guns and other paraphernalia used by such military heroes as William Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett, who all died defending the Alamo. You can step inside the small mission and tour on your own, and then listen to a 20-minute history talk (talks occur every 30 minutes during operating hours except at noon, 12:30, and 1). Outside in the peaceful courtyard, a history wall elucidates the story of the Alamo, including its day as a religious mission.9:42 - 9.0 km / 15 minutes - 9:58
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitor Center
www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm National Historical Park with four 18th-century Spanish-built Catholic churches, plus a visitors center. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. No fees.
The national park itself is excellent, the visitor center has an informative video and museum. The missions are beautifully restored and I would highly recommend every one of these. However, keep in mind that each mission is operated by the parish, so while the missions might be open every day, the stores and other facilities may not be. The best two are Concepcion and San Jose. Mission San Jose is the best and largest of all the San Antonio missions. Be sure to see the famous rose window.10:28 - 0.3 km / 3 minutes - 10:32
Mission San Jose was established in 1720 by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus, at which time it sustained over 300 inhabitants. It quickly became the largest Texas Mission, and was often referred to as the “Queen of the Missions.” (Spanish missions were not churches, but whole communities, with the church at its core.)
11:32 - 6.2 km / an hour 15 minutes - 12:48
Mission Espada, Espada Road, San Antonio, TX, United States
Founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas, this was the first mission in Texas. In 1731, the mission 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.
13:18 - 3.0 km / 6 minutes - 13:25
Mission San Juan Capistrano, Graf Road, San Antonio, TX, United States
Originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas, Mission San Juan was transferred in 1731 to its present location. In 1756, the stone church, a friary, and a granary were completed. A larger church was begun, but was abandoned when half complete, the result of population decline.
13:55 - 8.0 km / 12 minutes - 14:08
This handsome stone church was dedicated in 1755, and appears very much as it did over two centuries ago. It stands proudly as the oldest unrestored stone church in America. In its heyday, colorful geometric designs covered its surface, but the patterns have long since faded or been worn away. However, original frescos are still visible in several of the rooms.
14:38 - 4.5 km / 11 minutes - 14:50
14:50 - 0.5 km / 2 minutes - 14:53
Free entrance. Still an active parish, San Fernando's was built in 1738 by the city's Canary Island colonists. Later, Mexican general Santa Anna raised a flag of "no quarter" here before he stormed the Alamo in 1836, signifying to the Texans that he would take no prisoners. In 1873, following a fire after the Civil War, the chapel was replaced with the present-day construction. Although a tomb holds the remains of some unknown soldiers, modern historians do not believe these were the bodies of the Alamo defenders because evidence of military uniforms, never worn by the Texans, has turned up among the remains.
After viewing the cathedral or even before you're a short distance away from the marketplace or sometimes called the Mercado where you can get a great meal at either Las Margaritas or mi Tierra Restaurant and if you're there before 7 p.m. you can check out all the various stalls15:53 - 0.8 km / 4 minutes - 15:58
17:58 - 10.6 km / 14 minutes - 18:13
Day 11
Howard Johnson Inn & Suites San Antonio Near AT&T Center
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=1274339123663478307">Google Maps Link</a><br>2 Deluxe Suite with Two Double Beds - Disability Access
8:30 - 287.8 km / 2 hours 37 minutes - 11:08
Bear Creek Pioneers Park, Houston, TX, United States
The wildlife habitat and aviary at Bear Creek Pioneers Park are teeming with animals. You’ll spot deer, peacocks and even bison. Children will love the playgrounds and open fields, and you can barbecue under the shade of a pavilion. With so many activities, each visit is a new adventure!
12:08 - 33.5 km / 31 minutes - 12:40
Discovery Green, McKinney Street, Houston, TX, United States
An expanse of pristine greenery. That’s hard to imagine when Houston’s monstrous skyscrapers and highways box you in – yet that’s exactly what Discovery Green Park is. Go here for performances, outdoor art exhibitions, fitness classes or just an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
13:40 - 1.4 km / 6 minutes - 13:47
Frank's Pizza, Travis Street, Houston, TX, United States
SCRUMPTIOUS SUPREME: Extra large pizza (serves 4) $21.50
The Works! Our most popular pizza loaded with pepperoni, hamburger, sausage, green peppers, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms and onions14:47 - 20.0 km / 16 minutes - 15:04
Day 12
SpringHill Suites Houston Hobby Airport
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=13002165699886313461">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Double Suite with Two Double Beds and Sofa Bed
8:30 - 28.9 km / 23 minutes - 8:54
9:34 - 6.9 km / 11 minutes - 10:00
http://spacecenter.org/visitor-information/ Open 10 am -5 pm. Entrance $25, tickets valids for 1 year. Parking at Space Center Houston is $6, not included in ticket.Tickets ya comprados e impresos, falta reservar timed ticket (free) para Tram tour y Orbiter tour, solo se puede reservar con 4 días de antelación (desde el sab día 3 sep) en: http://spacecenter.org/timed-ticketing/. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the toll plaza. Expect at least 4 hours to see everything. Educational complex and space museum, the center features more than 400 space artifacts, permanent and traveling exhibits, attractions and theaters related to the exciting future and remarkable past of America’s human space-flight program – all for one admission price. The experience is designed to engage adults and children alike.
Known around the world as the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control and astronaut training, guests are taken behind the scenes to see NASA Johnson Space Center.
1- The first thing you should do at Space Center Houston is visit the Information Desk to get a free map and guide. Afterward, visit the timed ticketing kiosk to get free timed tickets to tour orbiter replica Independence and tram tour of NASA Johnson Space Center.
2- tram tour of NASA Johnson Space Center: 90 min, Space Center Houston’s most popular attraction. This is your chance to go on site at NASA Johnson Space Center and get a behind-the-scenes look at space exploration.
Located on 1,600 acres, Johnson Space Center is the home of mission control where human space missions and the operations of the International Space Station are monitored. It is also where astronauts prepare and train for missions.
The tram tour also takes guests through Rocket Park, where an actual Saturn V rocket is housed, along with other rockets that propelled humanity into space.
2- Orbiter tour, 1hour, at Independence Plaza, presented by Boeing, contains the historic shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905 with the high-fidelity shuttle replica Independence mounted on top. You can tour this international landmark at your own pace. We suggest allowing about an hour and a half to explore this innovative exhibit celebrating the Space Shuttle Program.
3-Starship Gallery is home to the majority of our artifacts. See and walk inside the massive Skylab Trainer Module where astronauts first trained for life in space. See multiple flown spacecraft including Gemini V, Faith 7 and Apollo 17. Touch one of the few moon rocks on earth available to the public inside our Lunar Vault.
4- Astronaut Gallery: Walk through Astronaut Gallery to see the world’s most comprehensive collection of astronaut apparel and space suits.
5- International Space Station Gallery: See live presentations, artifacts, space hardware, displays and other amazing pieces from the orbiting laboratory known as the International Space Station.15:00 - 46.2 km / 33 minutes - 15:34
https://myatlascms.com/map/?id=473#!ct/13398?t/1265:1
Parking in Greenbriar Lot (near stadium) :$2 per entry, per day. Very pretty campus and the buildings and grounds are all well maintained. Good for a nice walk and people watching on a nice day.
The Rice campus has been growing for a century now and presently encompasses approximately 300 acres of land in the heart of America’s fourth-largest city.
There are more than 70 buildings at Rice, and the campuswide Lynn R. Lowery Arboretum boasts approximately 4,200 trees and shrubs. In this audio tour, we’ll show you some of the highlights of the campus — our oldest building, our newest public art and the spaces that form the heart of Rice University.
The oldest building on the Rice campus is Lovett Hall: its cornerstone was laid on March 2, 1911, the 75th anniversary of the Texas declaration of independence from Mexico.17:04 - 8.5 km / 13 minutes - 17:18
The Galleria is a great mall to hang out. You can shop high end, low end, kids, eat, ice skate, etc. Many shopping options and many price options. After get some fresh air at the nearby Waterwall Park.
18:18 - 26.8 km / 20 minutes - 18:39
Day 13
SpringHill Suites Houston Hobby Airport
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=13002165699886313461">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Double Suite with Two Double Beds and Sofa Bed
8:30 - 518.3 km / 4 hours 53 minutes - 13:24
This place is like stepping back in time. The guides and exhibits are very informative. The grounds are breathtaking. We visited this plantation right after we visited Laura Plantations. While Laura Plantation is more of a working plantation, Oak Alley Plantation is more of a residential plantation of the owners. This is apparent from its magnificent oak alley and lavish interiors. According to our tour guide, this place frequently appeared in movie settings and is often rented out nowadays as special venues such as weddings etc. While people go for its "looks", we should never forget the history of a plantation in Louisiana is a history of slavery in America.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/ Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily, Adult ticket $22 , not sold in advance. Admission to the historic site requires a ticket, which may be purchased at the Ticket Booth upon arrival. Estimated time 2h, The first guided tour of the "Big House" begins at 9:30 a.m. and offered on the hour & 1/2 hours until closing. All exhibits open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.
- Admission includes: a professionally guided tour of the Big House (30min) • Visit the Confederate Commanding Officer's Tent • Witness the "Slavery at Oak Alley" exhibit's reconstructed slave quarters and learn about those who made plantation luxuries possible •Learn about sugarcane and it's impact on Oak Alley then and now at the Sugarcane Theater • Explore 25 historic acres using an interpretive map (self guided) and see the legacies left by those who once resided here • See newly planted pecan trees commemorating Antoine, an enslaved gardener who grafted the first paper shell pecan • Visit the blacksmith shop which houses the plantation's original forge
• Stroll the magnificent alley of 300 year old live oak trees leading a quarter mile to the Mississippi River • Dine on Cajun/Creole Cuisine in the restaurant or enjoy a quick snack or ice cream in the Plantation Cafe • Discover keepsakes and unique gifts in the Gift Shop.15:54 - 89.7 km / an hour 3 minutes - 16:58
Day 14
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=5770236805520768917">Google Maps Link</a><br>Updated: Sat, 16 Jul 2016 15:08:47 +0100
8:30 - 47.1 km / 30 minutes - 9:01
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=5545457445358039221">Google Maps Link</a><br>http://www.cajunprideswamptours.com/swamp_tours.htm . Approximately 1.5-hour swamp tour by boat. Tour departures at 9:30 am, 12:00, 2:15 pm, 4:15 pm. Reservations are strongly recommended and easy to make online or by phone (800) 467-0758 Our boats sell out quite often.We suggest arrival 15 minutes prior to tour time. $27 retail, $22 online web (only appears 12:00 tour for online reservation.
Reviews from tripadvisor: This tour was awesome! We did see a lot of alligators, turtles, raccoons and birds. The tour guide was really good and told a lot of cool stories about the swamp and other interesting things. It was really beautiful and we liked that this swamp is protected from hunting and fishing. There is a roof on the boat and everyone stayed dry.11:01 - 45.1 km / 33 minutes - 11:35
You can get a guide from almost any hotel that tells you where certain houses are and what their histories are. You can also see many famous people's homes (Sandra Bullock and John Goodman, for example), or houses where they've shot movies and TV shows (American Horror Story: Coven, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). It's an all around fun and memorable sightseeing tour for those who love history and architecture. Go with a group, or go on your own - it's definitely worth a visit!
Architectural details abound. Southern charm exudes from the wraparound balconies & gardens surrounded by wrought iron fences. The sidewalks are old just like the old oak tree roots that have pushed them up, so watch your step. Take a tour, much more fascinating than a tour book.12:35 - 8.6 km / 15 minutes - 12:51
French Market Place, New Orleans, LA, United States
Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. French Market was a nice place to visit. It's really close to the Mississippi River, Cafe Du Monde, and other New Orleans favorites. My favorite aspect of the market was the fresh seafood stand where you could buy and eat fresh crawfish. In fact, I'd recommend visiting the market if you're not feeling like committing to any one restaurant as you can find all the cajun favorites here.
13:51 - 0.5 km / 2 minutes - 13:54
Cafe Du Monde, Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA, United States
This is the classic New Orleans breakfast spot. Everyone has been here at least once. Beignets and coffee, around the clock. Beignets are French doughnuts with powdered sugar on top.
14:24 - 0.9 km / 5 minutes - 14:30
Jackson Square at French Quarter
Jacktson Scuare at the heart of French quarter: treet vendors, live music, artists, horses and carriages, street performers and amazing food. I absolutely loved it!!! I definitely recommend that first visitors pay a visit to Jackson Square. It is well worth it!!!
15:30 - 0.9 km / 5 minutes - 15:36
Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA, United States
Although this historic French Quarter street has a bawdy reputation due to the burlesque clubs and all-night partying, come experience a whole other side of Bourbon Street steeped in history, folk lore and beauty that dates back to 1718 when New Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Also known as “Rue Bourbon,” this historic street sits at the heart of the French Quarter extending 13 blocks from Canal St. to Esplanade Avenue.
16:36 - 1.2 km / 7 minutes - 16:44
Preservation Hall, Saint Peter Street, New Orleans, LA, United States
Preservation Hall is located in the French Quarter, just three blocks from the Mississippi River. The Hall has served many functions over the years. Originally built as a private residence in 1750, the hall has evolved into a tavern, inn, photo studio and an art gallery. The inside of the hall contains portraits of the musicians who first filled it with the beautiful sounds of New Orleans Jazz. Preservation Hall opened its doors in 1961. The hall was created as a sanctuary, to protect and honor New Orleans Jazz which had lost much of its popularity to modern jazz and rock n roll. Allan and Sandra Jaffe, the hall's founders, wanted a place where New Orleans musicians could play New Orleans Jazz, a style, they believed, should not disappear.
Today, over 40 years later, the hall is still going strong. On any given night, the hall is filled to capacity with people eager to hear New Orleans jazz played by veteran musicians in their 70's and 80's and younger musicians learning and embracing music that is both sweet and very beautiful.
- Preservation Hall opens at 8:00pm every day. show times at 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 pm. General Admission: All you have to do is stand in line in front of the Hall before the show you would like to attend. Certain times of year are busier than others, but we generally recommend getting here about 30 minutes before the show. Tickets are $15-$20 at the door. "Big Shot" Seating: Want to be a big shot and reserve seats? A limited amount of reserved seats are available for purchase below. Big Shot Seating guarantees you the best spot in the house and allows you to skip the line. Big Shot seats range from $35-$50. Reservations at: http://preservationhall.tunestub.com/eventList.cfm We clo se our gates at 11:00pm.
- TripAdvisor: Preservation Hall is an amazing way to experience jazz in New Orleans in a historic venue. Get there early to make sure you don't miss the show - tickets are not sold in advance, you line up for each show and if you miss the cutoff you may have to wait another hour for the next show. Those at the front of the line will get seats and standing room for the rest. Its a very intimate experience as the venue is just one small room.17:44 - 1.2 km / 7 minutes - 17:52
The Spotted Cat Music Club, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA, United States
http://www.spottedcatmusicclub.com/
CASH ONLY BAR, ATM on Premises, Mon - Fri: 4:00 pm - 2:00 am
Sorry, We do not accept reservations and do not serve food, The Spotted Cat Music Club is the Quentessential Jazz Club of New Orleans. Located in the heart of the enchanted Fauborg Marigny, just steps away from the hustles and bustles of the French Quarter, it has been a local favorite for live New Orleans music from all ranges of Jazz, Blues, Funk, Klezmer, and so much more. Patrons are sure to enjoy listening to local musicians playing their hearts out.
TripAdvisor: Drinks are cheap — just be sure to save some money for when the hat’s passed round for the band! We made our way to Frenchman street after dinner and strolled in when we heard the music. Fantastic Jazz musicians who were having as much fun playing as the crowd was having listening. Entertaining and fun spot. Gets crowded so get there early.18:52 - 8.1 km / 11 minutes - 19:04
Day 15
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=5770236805520768917">Google Maps Link</a><br>Updated: Sat, 16 Jul 2016 15:08:47 +0100
8:30 - 909.3 km / 8 hours 2 minutes - 17:33
Little Talbot Island State Park, Jacksonville, FL, United States
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Little-Talbot-Island#_=_
The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, Admission fee: $5.00 per vehicle. With more than five miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches, Little Talbot Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida. Maritime forests, desert-like dunes and undisturbed salt marshes on the western side of the island allow for hours of nature study and relaxation. The diverse habitats in the park host a wealth of wildlife for viewing, including river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats and a variety of native and migratory birds.
TripAdvisor review: I'm almost scared to say it ...? But this is BY FAR the best beach EVER! In this Jax area anyway...! Hoping that the $5 entry fee will keep away the hoards of beach goers ! The bath house was awesome & clean... The walk across the dunes was super easy since it is such a nice decking path... And the fish were biting (happy hubby)! Great beach to sit n relax or walk and find seashells or driftwood ... Best part was very light attendance (not crowded)! Loved this place -- we will return!!19:03 - 63.0 km / 43 minutes - 19:47
Day 16
Ramada Jacksonville Hotel & Conference Center
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=1170784539723259111">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – family room
8:30 - 52.2 km / 40 minutes - 9:11
https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm , First admission is at 8:45 am and last admission is at 5:00 pm. Entrance Fee $10.00 per adult. 1 hour at least to visit. It's a self-guided tour, but really well put together, including live cannon firings on weekends by costumed volunteers. And the view of the harbor and the town from the top is scenic as well. the castle/fort is right next to this big river that spans almost 4 miles long. In St Augustine, they have a pirate ship tour and the lighthouse is a must see.
Description: A monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance, the Castillo de San Marcos symbolizes the clash between cultures which ultimately resulted in our uniquely unified nation. Still resonant with the struggles of an earlier time, these original walls provide tangible evidence of America’s grim but remarkable history.
The people of St. Augustine fought for a stone fortress because they were fighting for their lives in Florida.
The Castillo de San Marcos was used for military purposes during WWII. The Coast Guard utilized the fort for training exercises and ceremonies throughout the war years.10:41 - 0.4 km / 4 minutes - 10:46
Walking St. George Street between Castillo de San Marcos y Cathedral, a beautiful seaside boardwalk that's perfect for browsing, St. George Street is lined with shops selling knick-knack and souvenirs of all sorts, so you're bound to find something of interest here, in between admiring the sea views. Why not take a quick break from all that shopping and grab a cup of coffee or a nice cold beer? There are plenty of cafes and bars to choose from.
11:16 - 0.6 km / 7 minutes - 11:24
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, Cathedral Place, St Augustine, FL, United States
Stately, historic, 18th-century cathedral with a grand interior, events, a gift shop & more
11:54 - 22.9 km / 25 minutes - 12:20
Fort Matanzas National Monument
https://www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm#_=_ , open to the public from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM every day. Only accesible by ferry. Boarding Passes are required to ride the ferry. They are issued for free in the visitor center. Ferry times:
The ferry to the fort carries 35 people on a first come, first served basis and leaves the Visitor Center dock at the following times, weather permitting*: 9:30 am, 10:30.. to 4:30 pm, every hour. No food or drink is permitted on the boat or at the fort. You can bring water. Crowds: The fort is busiest on weekends. Parking - While there is usually ample parking for visitors, the parking lot often fills up on weekends.
There is a trail you can walk down with a trail map as well as very small beach you can walk along. Once we had crossed, the ranger had us all sit on the benches and gave us a short 10-15 minute history of the fort. We were then able to walk around and see it. It's not a very large fort and took about 15 minutes to see.
Description: Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protecting—not just the historic fort, but also the wild barrier island and the plants and animals who survive there amidst a sea of modern development.13:20 - 59.0 km / 59 minutes - 14:20
Daytona Beach Boardwalk, North Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL, United States
Beachfront rides, games & other attractions (such as summer concerts) in a carnival-like atmosphere
15:20 - 21.2 km / 31 minutes - 15:52
Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m, (last admission at 5:00. Daily Admission Rates: $6.95 for adults. Visit take 1 hour. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest masonry lighthouse in the country second only to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Visitors can climb 203 steps to the top of the 175 foot tower and enjoy magnificent views of the World's Most Famous Beach, Ponce Inlet, and surrounding inland waterways from the lighthouse gallery deck.
This tour will take you to the top of the lighthouse tower and into the surrounding houses and buildings where the lighthouse keepers lived and worked. You will see how the light station looked when it was built, and what it looks like now in its restored state as a National Historic Landmark. You will see different types of first order Fresnel lenses on display, including the original lens from this light station.16:52 - 0.5 km / 2 minutes - 16:55
Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet
Open Daily: Sunrise to sunset, Admission: $10 per vehicle.. Admission to the Lighthouse Point Park does not include access to the Lighthouse or Museum. Ponce Inlet is one of my favorite day trip locations. It is named, of course, for Ponce de Leon, the explorer who sought the Fountain of Youth. This location definitely makes you feel young. The lighthouse is lovely and historic. Climb it and take in the view. The surrounding park is green all year long and has several eateries nearby so you won't go hungry after that hike to the top.
Ponce Inlet Park is part of the Parks system so there's a small fee to access the beach and the inlet itself. It provides access to a lovely beach with several shade structures, clean restrooms and vending machines, and long, wooden boardwalks to explore. One leads out to the jetty where fishermen are seeing what's biting and provides visitors with a gorgeous view across the Inlet of New Smyrna Beach. Sailboats, motor boats, tugs and jet skis can be spotted but it is not awash in loud water vehicles.
The boardwalks provide pleasant walks with towers for viewing the beach and the park but especially the lighthouse. Shade structures with picnic tables and grills make it a great family outing. There are many varieties of beach flora, as well as gopher turtles and other shore life. Pelican squadrons fly over while sandpipers rush along the shoreline.17:55 - 82.4 km / 59 minutes - 18:54
Day 17
Days Inn Titusville Kennedy Space Center
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=2245622195978841167">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – family room
8:30 - 19.2 km / 19 minutes - 8:50
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Titusville, FL, United States
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ , Open year-round, 9 am - 7 pm. Daily admission: $50 adult. All-day parking fees are $10 for automobiles. Kennedy Space Center General Bus Tours included in daily admission and start at 10 am. Buses depart continuously every 15 minutes throughout the day. The last tour daily departs at 3:30 pm. These tours are approximately 2 hours in length. The KSC Bus Tour is the only way to access the restricted areas of America’s Spaceport, Kennedy Space Center. The tour includes a drive-by of the Vehicle Assembly Building and historic Launch Pad 39B, future launch pad of NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule. All bus tours conclude at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which features not only an authentic Saturn V moon rocket, but also a real moon rock along with other Apollo program shows and attractions.
- The full-day experience requires a minimum of six to eight hours. Ej: One Day Visit: Adult Couple: KSC Bus Tour of Kennedy Space Center and Apollo/Saturn V Center 2 hours, Space Shuttle Atlantis® with Shuttle Launch Experience® 2 hours, Astronaut Encounter with Mission Status Briefing 1 hour, Eyes on the Universe: NASA’s Space Telescopes 30 minutes, Rocket Garden Tour 30 minutes, IMAX® 3D Space Films 1 hour, Science on a Sphere 30 minutes, Dining/Shopping 1 hour, Total hours: 8.5
- Dining locations at the main Visitor Complex include breakfast and snacks at Rocket Fuel coffee truck, breakfast and lunch at Rocket Garden Café, lunch at Orbit Café, lunch at G Force Grill, and ice cream treats at Milky Way and Space Dots. An additional dining location for lunch at Moon Rock Café is located at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
- Shopping locations at the main Visitor Complex include The Space Shop, Shuttle Express and Information (with limited selection). An additional shopping location at The Right Stuff is located at Apollo/Saturn V Center.
- What is included?: Daily Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex includes the KSC Bus Tour with the Apollo/Saturn V Center, Space Shuttle Atlantis®, and the Astronaut Encounter theater featuring a veteran NASA astronaut presentation daily, Mission Status Briefings, and Eyes on the Universe: NASA’s Space Telescopes. All other exhibits and attractions are also included: Shuttle Launch Experience®, 3D space films in the IMAX® Theater, Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, the Rocket Garden, the Astronaut Memorial and Children’s Play Dome. Admission tickets are valid for one day.
- What not included?: Tickets may be purchased for additional upgraded experiences at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Cosmic Quest, Up-Close Tours, Lunch With An Astronaut, and Astronaut Training Experience (ATX). Advance online purchase of upgraded experiences is recommended.
- Can I bring in my own food or beverages?
Guests may bring backpacks and soft-sided coolers into the park. Please note that all bags are subject to search. Food and beverages packed in small, soft-sided coolers are permitted. Glass bottles or containers are not permitted inside the park. Beer is for sale at selected food and beverage outlets in the park. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted inside the park.
- How can I see a rocket launch?
The Visitor Complex offers the closest available public viewing opportunities for rocket launches taking place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station each year. Check the launch calendar (8 sep one launch, others not confirmed? https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx?type=rocket-launches )
to see if a rocket launch coincides with your visit. Launch date, time, and viewing opportunities are subject to approval by NASA or the U.S. Air Force. Launch schedules can be affected by technical and mechanical issues as well as range operations and weather, either in advance or at the last minute. We do not schedule rocket launches!17:20 - 191.2 km / an hour 50 minutes - 19:11
Day 18
Comfort Suites At Fairgrounds-Casino
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=17818840976147369085">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Queen Suite with sofa
8:30 - 66.1 km / 38 minutes - 9:09
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Saint Petersburg, FL, United States
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, is a bridge spanning Tampa Bay, Florida, with a cable-stayed main span, and a total length 6.7 km. Iis a great place to take friends and family new to the Tampa Bay area. It provides a breathtaking view of the area, beautiful water of the bay and Gulf of Mexico. There is a toll of 1$ but it is worth it.
9:19 - 39.5 km / 40 minutes - 10:00
Coquina Baywal, Bradenton Beach
Overview: Location: Bradenton Beach, Length: 0.8 mile, loops.
Explore Leffis Key on a series of trails and boardwalks through mangrove tunnels on the Coquina Baywalk. A unspoiled sliver between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Leffis Key sits between Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key. Although the entire trail system is less than a mile, it’s fun to explore. The trails offer great views of the bay from observation decks hidden away in the mangroves—you feel like you’re peeking out of tunnels! Climb to the top of the spoil piles for a sweeping view of the bay and ocean.
-Directions:Leffis Key is 3.2 miles south of the Anna Maria Causeway on East Bay Drive, just south of Bradenton Beach. The park entrance is on the left, across from the beach.
-Hike: After you walk across the broad entrance boardwalk, you have your choice of directions to take. Head left to check out the boardwalks through mangrove tunnels, with overlooks on the bay. Turn right to walk out to a crystal-clear cove where interpretive signs point out the sea squirts and sponges. In the center of the island, a tall spoil pile provides a sweeping view of the sea, the bay, and the northern rim of Longboat Key. Take the kids, take your dog, and take a break from the beach to enjoy this little gem11:00 - 60.5 km / an hour 7 minutes - 12:08
The beach walk is a fine one, providing more than a mile and a half of undisturbed strand: just you, the wind, the waves, and the palms waving on the hilltop above. And the little-used nature trail is a delight as well: it gives a good overview of the mangrove community along the Intracoastal Waterway. A short hike and a fabulous beach: what better way to spend a lazy summer day?
Ancient sharks once cruised the waters off modern-day Venice, carcharodon megalodon, a shark more than 52 feet long that outweighed a t.rex. Folks flock to Caspersen Beach today not just because it’s at the end of the road, but it’s the prime spot along the coast to unearth the fossilized teeth of these ancient sharks, buried treasures in the sand.
- Hike: CASPERSEN BEACH NATURE TRAIL: Starting off from the kiosk, you walk down a corridor shaded by tall cabbage palms draped with goldfoot ferns. After it gets through a dense grove of cabbage palms, the trail begins to parallel a freshwater marsh. It makes a sharp left to follow a salt water inlet.Mounds of lantana with yellow and pink blooms grow amid the mangroves, next to young cabbage palms swaddled in Virginia creeper. At a bench, the trail curves left. Stop for a look at the mangroves off the observation deck. Cross under a power line and over a bridge, and the trail climbs up through the cabbage palms again. Cross the park road to the boardwalk and turn left.
CASPERSEN BEACH: You can go as far as you want along the beach; I followed it until I saw the remains of an old road up on the bluff, and went up there to explore. Start along the boardwalk, heading south. You’ll get great views of pelicans diving. When the boardwalk ends, past the parking area and restrooms, continue down to the beach. The sand is relatively hard-packed near the water. Small sandpipers and ring-necked gulls scatter across soft sand the color of ground white pepper. As you walk along, keep your eye on the many shell deposits above the tide line. The black specks are small shark’s teeth or eroded portions of teeth, and you’ll find your eyes drawn to them again and again. Little tidal pools form and vanish, gleaming pink in the late day sun. After 1.9 miles, you reach a flag-capped shelter posted “Private Property.” This marks the end of Caspersen Beach. Turn around and head back. Watch for an access point where you can climb up the dune to the old road that once stretched down this peninsula, an alternate route for hiking back to the parking lot. A sand road parallels it along the inner waterway. When you reach the boardwalk, you’ve hiked 3.6 miles.13:08 - 49.5 km / 57 minutes - 14:06
Ponce De Leon Park, Punta Gorda
0.3 mile, loop, easy, restroom yes. It’s usually very breezy here, so mosquitoes are rarely a problem, but if the air is still you’ll need a little protection. Bring binoculars – this is an excellent birding spot. Protecting the tip of a peninsula where Little Alligator Creek meets Charlotte Harbor, Ponce De Leon Park is a city park where residents of Punta Gorda can enjoy dramatic sunsets over the harbor from a sweeping stretch of beach created to showcase the waterfront. Most of the park is an untrammeled mangrove forest, which you drive through to enter the park, passing the Peace River Wildlife Center, a volunteer-managed bird rescue and rehabilitation facility. Themed to honor Ponce De Leon – for it was in this area that he came ashore in 1513 – the park has numerous statuettes of the Spanish explorer, pint-sized in stature. You’ll pass one at the entrance to the interpretive boardwalk, a popular local destination for a stroll. Wildlife abounds along this walk — don’t forget your camera! – and you’ll learn a lot about the mangroves as well.
- Hike: The entrance to the boardwalk is near the amphitheater, opposite from the beach.A colorful statue of Ponce de Leon, standing next to an interpretive marker about mangroves, marks the entrance to the boardwalk loop, which starts out by bridging a saline tidal creek. Look into the water, and you may see a glimmer of silver – a school of needlefish, their sleek bodies impossibly thin, cutting through the tannic outflow. By dropping spent leaves and providing shade above shallow water, mangrove forests provide shelter and nutrients for young marine life – from fish to crustaceans – and are the nurseries for the bountiful sea life of the Gulf of Mexico. Once across the creek, you’re surrounded by tall mangroves, the tallest of which are white mangroves.
They’re easiest to distinguish by their seeds, which dangle like giant string beans. Three varieties of mangroves make up this and other coastal mangrove forests. Red mangroves have the “legs” we often think that mangroves should have, prop roots that arch above the water and become encrusted with salt at the base as they extrude it from the water they take in. Black mangroves are surrounded by a network of short breathing roots protruding from the soil or water, like miniature cypress knees. These are known as pneumatophores.
At the junction in the boardwalk, turn left to walk the loop clockwise. Keep alert for mangrove crabs crossing the wooden rails. They’re small but speedy, and if you look carefully, you’ll notice them moving along mangrove roots and lower trunks. The water is shallow here, so it’s not unusual to spy a raccoon looking for a tasty treat, like eggs from a bird’s nest. Look into the forest, not at it. A slight bit of movement might belie a little green heron perched in the crook of a tree, or a yellow-crowned night heron picking its way through leaf detritus beneath the mangroves. Sometimes the birds will perch on the boardwalk railing and show little fear until you approach very close.15:06 - 99.2 km / an hour 10 minutes - 16:17
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, North Naples, FL, United States
$6 fee per vehicle. Welcome to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, This popular destination boasts one of the most pristine stretch of beach in the world. Every day, this tropical beach paradise beckons visitors to partake in vast peaceful views of the Gulf of Mexico, and experience the many shorebirds and wildlife that gather here every year. Visitors arrive to this park to sunbathe, snorkel the reef, hike, bird-watch, fish, picnic, and search for seashells on a daily basis. There are specific areas designated for anglers to drop their lines in the northern areas of the park for trophy catches. Boaters will also find the launch area into Turkey Bay easily accessible for most vessels, in order to experience the delicate natural estuaries of the Cocohatchee River, leading out to the Gulf of Mexico. Guided tours and interpretive programs occur on a regular basis by experienced rangers and volunteers. There is a pavilion available to rent for special occasions, such as weddings and birthdays. A concessionaire, Naples Beach Adventures, is open in parking Lot #4 with food and beverages and rentals that include paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, umbrellas, and beach chairs. Beach wheelchairs are also available for reservation by the Park.
- Hike: 0.8 mile or more, round trip, Restroom: at the parking area / trailhead. Directions:Following I-75 through Naples, exit at CR 846 / Immokalee Rd. Head west for 4.6 miles, crossing US 41. The street name becomes Bluebill Ave. Continue straight ahead for another 0.6 mile to the park gate. It’s about a mile driving inside the park to the parking lot at the north end. Keep going to the end of the road, where the nature trail starts.
-Hike:The Observation Tower Trail at Delnor-Wiggins is a 0.3-mile boardwalk through a tangled coastal tropical forest. Starting near the picnic pavilion, the boardwalk winds its way through these dense woods, leading to an tall tower from which you get a sweeping view of Wiggins Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, with lots of mangroves way down below. Along the way, the habitat transitions from a cabbage palm hammock into red mangrove swamp and back again. Coming to a decision point, turn right and head out towards the sea beneath a canopy of sea grapes.
Walking to the end of this trail, you reach the beach and the pass itself, where currents prevent you from swimming. But the far shoreline is a delight to behold, looking much like a deserted tropical island lined with cabbage palms that are slowly teetering over into the water as erosion of the pass takes its toll. Follow the shoreline until you can’t anymore – it’s all about the tides and whether they’ll let you around the bend to a little point of sand where boaters sometimes drop anchor. Many birds gather at the pass – terns and seagulls, stilts and sandpipers. This is the farthest point from where visitors come to crowd the beaches on the weekends. I visited on a weekday morning, and all was still.17:17 - 20.1 km / 29 minutes - 17:47
Naples Pier and Third Street South
http://www.naplesgov.com/index.aspx?NID=340
Historic pier known for fishing, bird-watching, dolphin-spotting & scenic sunset views. The historic Naples Pier is located on the Gulf of Mexico at the West end of 12th Avenue South. On-street parking is supplemented by a parking lot one block East, with additional parking at beach ends on the avenues to the north and south.The Naples Pier is a favorite location for sightseers and fishermen with plenty of space to cast a line. It features restrooms, a concession stand with a covered eating area and beach supplies.
Near the pier is the sophisticated and delightful shopping and dining on historic Third Street South awaits – amidst courtyards, antique European fountains, and lush colorful cascading flowers.
Nestled among its courtyards and plazas the historic area is brimming with chic fashions and casual clothes and all manner of accessories and jewelry; galleries filled with fine art and sculptures; antique stores with porcelains, silver and furniture; boutiques overflowing with decorations and gifts for every part of the house and garden; and spas and salons all surrounded by Naples’ history.
Fine restaurants, relaxing cafes, fun bistros and pubs are meccas of delicious choices in many different cuisines nestled near shops, while the markets and delicatessens provide delicious foods and superb wines to take with you18:47 - 59.2 km / 51 minutes - 19:39
Day 19
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=4023166725385082170">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Queen Room with Two Queen Beds + rollaway. Homey B&B with basic rooms in a rustic lodge, modern inn, cottage or homestead, a plus heated pool
7:25 - 5.3 km / 4 minutes - 7:30
Tour The Glades, Everglades City
http://tourtheglades.com/everglades-backcountry-kayak-tour , Favorites links (reccomended!!): http://tourtheglades.com/concierge-services
Everglades Backcountry Kayak Tour : $ 99 per person, 4 hours. - Description: See parts of this vast wilderness that are only accessible by kayak. Glide through the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades at your own pace as you explore the mangrove tunnels, grass prairies, and the hardwood hammocks of the backcountry. Have your camera ready because alligators, osprey, otter, bald eagles, a variety of wading birds and even manatee call this area home. It’s a calm, leisurely paddle that’s great for first timers and experienced paddlers alike. Early morning and just before sunset are the best times to go. However, all tours are Private so we can be flexible and start at a time that’s most convenient for you. A hat and sunglasses are a good idea but not mandatory. We supply cold bottled water, fresh seasonal fruit, sunscreen, dry containers to protect your belongings and if needed…head lamps, rain ponchos & bug spray all provided complimentary. We tell our guests to plan on a 4 hour commitment with about 3.5 on the water. And yes we can certainly stop for a bathroom break if nature should call. Our Ascend & Old Town kayaks are strong, sturdy and very comfortable. You can go in a single or a tandem.....whatever you prefer.
- Email details: De: tod dahlke <tourtheeverglades@gmail.com> Para: Modesto Blanco Diaz
Asunto: Re: Everglades Backcountry Kayak Tour reservation
Hey Modesto, You're all set for Wednesday September 14. You'll meet Logan at 7:30am for your private Kayak Trip at the Everglades Welcome Center & Chamber of Commerce (3 min from Ivey House). 32016 Tamiami Trail East, Everglades City, FL 34139. Closed toed shoes and no tank tops work best.....a hat and sunglasses are a good idea and don't forget your camera! Logan will have everything else you'll need including water & fresh fruit so don't go buying a bunch of extra stuff. If you end up running late just give him a call directly at 513-477-0878.....no worries. Please send us a mobile number you can be reached as well. We have single or tandem kayaks to choose from...let me know which you prefer.
Modesto wrote: Hello Tod, Thank you for the details. Answering your questions: - My mobile phone number is +34 653 80 71 13 (from Spain), buy I would prefer communication by email.- We prefer 3 single and 1 tandem kayaks if possible.Related with the reservation confirmation, I ask you if it is necessary to make a prepayment in advance.Also I ask you if the final payment could be made by credit card, or you prefer cash.
Tod answered:I don't require a deposit down. You can pay cash or credit when you arrive. Credit card is fine. Unless you would like to pay beforehand I can send you over a link. Have fun out there11:30 - 11.3 km / 7 minutes - 11:38
Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, Collier County, FL, United States
http://floridahikes.com/bigcypressbend ,Overview: Length: 1.2 miles, Lat-Long: 25.941796, -81.469376
Type: round-trip, Fees / Permits: none, but donation appreciated. Difficulty: moderate,Bug factor: moderate, Restroom: none.
Directions: From Naples, drive 17.1 miles east from the intersection of CR 951 (Collier Blvd) along US 41 (Tamiami Trail), passing Collier-Seminole State Park and Port of the Isles. There is a very large sign on the right, but parking is in a small space to the left. Do not block the gate to the Miccosukee Village.
To the east of Naples, the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk at Fakahatchee Preserve State Park offers a peek into one tiny corner of the Fakahatchee Strand, but it’s significant in two ways – it’s the most accessible and therefore most highly visited corner of the preserve, and it’s a notable natural landmark, a stand of virgin cypress in an otherwise cut-over strand. Why is it still here? The land was in private hands when the Lee Tidewater Cypress Company worked its way across the region, tearing down the old-growth forest in Florida’s own Amazon. Tunnel into the heart of the swamp on this brief but beautiful boardwalk trail to experience the hundreds of shades of green and the majestic ancient cypresses that tower above.
- Hike: Your hike starts at the kiosk at the end of the parking lot, where there is a map and general information about the more than 85,000 acre preserve. Start your walk along the limestone berm between the fence for the Miccosukee village and the canal, keeping alert for wildlife along the water’s edge–sometimes otters, sometimes alligators, and frequently a variety of wading birds.
The trail opens up into a clearing with picnic benches and a limestone monument with a plaque that states that this section of the swamp was made a registered National Natural Landmark in 1966. The boardwalk begins here, and it is narrow and shows a bit of age. Vegetation crowds close to the sides of the boardwalk. Look, don’t touch–poison ivy climbs up some of the trees.
On the dry hummocks of the swamp, you’ll see tropical trees like myrsine, and royal palms raise their regal fronds above the low canopy of the forest. This is a fern-filled bowl, fed by a clear, clean rain-fed sheet flow of water. You’ll see tall red-tipped marsh ferns, primordial-looking giant leather ferns, and delicate royal ferns. Water spangles, a floating fern, swirl across shallow pools.
After 0.3 mile you reach a small deck built around the base of two large cypresses. The reason for this boardwalk is the stand of ancient bald cypress that remain here. Their bark is wrinkled and whorled, and if you look closely, peering around corners, you’ll see delicate lichens and even rare whisk ferns peeping out of the folds of these magnificent giants of the forest. Look up and into the pop ash and pond apple trees, and you may see evidence of orchids. Most species bloom during the summer months, but their leaves are a tell-tale sign. Bromeliads blossom in the trees. Dahoon holly sprinkles the deep green of the forest with deep red berries. Many of the trees, especially the towering cypresses, are held in tight embrace by strangler figs, a tree that sprouts in its host tree and sends roots downward. At this time of year, the red maples are ablaze in deep crimson.
A sharp right, and the boardwalk continues down a straightaway. There are many pools of water where water bugs zip and frogs go plop. The boardwalk ends along the edge of a flag pond, an area of deeper water within the swamp fringed by tall alligator flag. Swamp lilies sprout along the edges. Sit here on the observation deck and watch for the alligators. It’s a good place to observe herons along the edge of the deeper water, too. You’ve walked 0.6 mile.
Turn around and walk along the boardwalk, keeping alert for wildlife. This is the home of the Florida panther, and you never know when a big cat might be stretched out along a live oak limb. Otters splash in shallow pools, and turtles slip off their logs. The chatter of downy woodpeckers echoes through the swamp. At the end of the boardwalk, continue along the gravel path past the Miccosukee village, keeping an eye on the canal for wildlife. Returning to the parking area, you complete the 1.2-mile walk
Trail Map12:38 - 33.1 km / 21 minutes - 13:00
Overview: Location: Ochopee, Length: 1 mile, Type: round-trip (no loop). Fees / Permits: none, Difficulty: easy, Bug factor: low to moderate, Restroom: composting toilet. Open dawn to dusk. The trailhead has picnic benches and a composting toilet. The boardwalk gets very slippery when it is wet. Mosquitoes are rarely a problem here if the water is flowing, thanks to the mosquito fish that eat the mosquito larvae.
- Summary: It took many years and a lot of local effort by the Friends of Big Cypress to get this gentle introduction to the wilds of the Big Cypress National Preserve in place, but the Kirby Storter Boardwalk was worth the wait. Although it’s only a half mile long, it’s accessible at all times of year, and yes, you’ll make use of those rain shelters during the summer months, when the swamp is at its finest. Wheelchair and child-friendly, this interpretive walk leads you through typical Big Cypress Swamp habitats from open wet prairie through floodplain forest and cypress slough to an open pond along a sluggish river.
- Hike: Summer wildflowers put on a show in the open prairies of Big Cypress, and from your perch on the boardwalk, you can look right down into the display, enjoying the pink blossoms of false foxglove and the cone-like blooms of rattlesnake master. Duck potato waves its white flags, and alligator lily peeps up between the needlerush. Off along the distant horizon, you see small cypresses and cypress domes. Just beyond the first screen of nearby cypresses, you can see a platform that used to be a chickee hut with seating to get out of the rain and look out over the prairie; it’s a perfect perch for birding in any sort of weather. However, the roof is now missing and there’s no telling how soon it will be replaced.
As you reach the first curve in the boardwalk past the platform, look down to see surface limestone protruding among the grasses. When it’s wet, mats of periphyton float among the grass. That goopy, spinach-looking stuff is the primary biomass of this habitat. It contains a mix of blue green algae, bacteria, and fungi; it does photosynthesis, filters nitrates from the water, and provides food for creatures in the swamp. When the swamp dries out, water concentrates under these mats and they become a stretchy web, holding in larvae, eggs, and other tiny forms of life until reconstituted by the rainfall.14:00 - 49.8 km / 37 minutes - 14:38
Overview
Location: Pinecrest, Length: 0.25 mile, ,Type: loop
Fees / Permits: none, Good for: botanical wonders, wildlife
Difficulty: easy to moderate, Bug factor: annoying, Restroom: None, Across the road, the Everglades Environmental Center is open to youth groups and educators for specialized environmental programs.
- Directions: From US 41 at the west end of the Miccosukee Reservation, turn south on Loop Rd and follow it through Pinecrest until you see the Everglades Environmental Center on the left. Park on the left; the trail starts across from the center on the north side of the road.
- In this hammock, you enter a world inhabited by rare and tiny creatures—the colorful and endangered liguus tree snails of South Florida’s hammocks. You’ll likely enjoy spotting liguus snails on the trees— look for them grazing on algae on smooth-barked trees such as Spanish stopper and Jamaican dogwood. An outdoor classroom surrounds the remnants of a whiskey still circa 1881.
- Hike:It’s a loop through a dense, dark tropical hammock, where the petite trees create a tunnel through which the trail passes. There are surface limestone outcrops along the trail, and sword ferns grow along the edge of a sluggish slough. A whisk fern perches in a strangler fig. It’s a short and easy walk, with yellow ropes delineating the footpath and lots of benches along the way. Walk slowly, so you can stop and spot snails on the smooth-barked tropical trees.15:38 - 19.6 km / 20 minutes - 15:59
Overview: Location: Miccosukee, Length: 0.3 miles,
Type: loop, Fees / Permits: $10 per car entrance fee, the receipt is good for entrance at any other unit of ENP for 1 week. Difficulty: easy, Bug factor: annoying, Restroom: Yes.
The parking area is open 8:30-6. Follow the paved loop south to the start of the trail. Return back the same way you came, or use the paved loop to return to the parking area.The Bobcat Boardwalk at Shark Valley is a popular destination in winter and spring to see migratory and nesting birds. Most visitors opt to bike or take the tram around the 14-mile paved loop through the River of Grass, which provides a stop at a tall observation tower along the route. For folks who walk a portion of the paved loop, the Bobcat Boardwalk is always a part of their explorations. The boardwalk allows you to observe a sprawling saw grass prairie and tropical hardwood hammock.
Hike: Walk behind the Visitor Center and follow the paved trail paralleling the canal. In a few moments you come to the Bobcat Boardwalk trailhead on the left. Turn left and follow the boardwalk into a bayhead swamp.
It continues across an open sawgrass prairie with nice views. Purple pickerelweed blooms rise out of water-filled solution holes in the prairie. The boardwalk meanders into a stand of willows. A bench lets you rest above a flowing stream. Entering the tropical hardwood hammock, you can see that the trees have been battered but are still recognizable—cocoplum with its round leaves, white stopper with its skunky smell. Under a canopy, a set of benches provides a shady stop. The boardwalk makes a sharp left and crosses more open prairie onto another tropical hammock island thick with fallen trees.
You emerge at the paved loop at an interpretive sign explaining periphyton, the goopy-looking greenish brown blobs that float everywhere and are the primary biomass of the Everglades. Exit from the boardwalk and turn left to follow the paved loop back around to the visitor center.16:29 - 52.4 km / 43 minutes - 17:13
Day 20
Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=6077120532940827183">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Jr. Suite Double Room with Two Double Beds + sofa bed - High Floor
8:30 - 34.5 km / 38 minutes - 9:09
Cape Florida State Park & Lighthouse
- Overview: Location: Key Biscayne, fees: $8 per vehicle, Open: 8 AM until sunset daily.
- Description: A popular destination for sun worshipers, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is an easy getaway for most folks in the Miami area, which means it tends to be packed on the weekends. And no wonder: with water sports rentals, two restaurants, and sparkling beaches, it’s a desirable destination at the farthest point of Key Biscayne away from the city.
-Details: Walk or bike around the park to see funky Stiltsville – a collection of old fishing shacks built over the reefs – from the seawall, and to get into its natural side where moonflower vines drape over the edge of the tropical hammock. First built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is an unmistakable landmark from land and water. It’s the oldest standing structure in this part of Florida, and is open for tours. Visitors are allowed to anchor overnight in No Name Harbor for $20 per boat per night. Restrooms and bathhouse available. Camping is available to groups only, including youth groups, which meet the participation requirements.
-Cape Florida Nature Trail - At Cape Florida State Park, the 1.5 mile nature trail loop bisects the natural areas of the park between the lighthouse and marina and shows you views of Stiltsville in Biscayne Bay. The nature trail starts in the cut between the two parking areas. Look for the “Nature Trail” sign.
- Hike:The trail map is shown on the park brochure. Starting from the “Nature Trail” sign, walk along an old jeep trail on the ecotone between a tropical hardwood hammock and open freshwater cattail marshes, passing a grouping of large ficus trees and scrambling up and over relict dunes before crossing the marina road to follow the mangrove forest along Biscayne Bay. There are many fragrant wildflowers in bloom, from woodlands phlox to yellow nickerbean. At the first road crossing, turn left, passing a restroom, to reach the bike trail (turn left again) for a pleasant 1-mile return loop along the water’s edge through the shady tropical hammock. The second road crossing (at the marina) provides access to the bike trail (to the left) for a 2-mile loop. From the bike trail, you can see “Stiltsville,” a village of houses in Biscayne Bay.11:09 - 25.7 km / 37 minutes - 11:47
-Overview: Location: Coral Gables, Length: 1.4 mile round-trip, Fees: free, Difficulty: rugged, Bug Factor: moderate to annoying, Restroom: in the main portion of the park (fee)
-Directions: From US 1, take Red Rd east to Old Cutler Rd. Turn north and drive past Fairchild Gardens before reaching Matheson Hammock Park on the right. Park your car in the nearest parking area to the park entrance. The trailhead kiosk is along the paved path to the picnic area.
-Description: One of the wilder places showcasing a remaining piece of the grand hammock that once stretched from Miami down along Biscayne Bay, Matheson Hammock Park is a popular swimming and picnic destination along the bay. The remnant hammock is across Old Cutler Road atop the rugged limestone karst of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. While a short hike, it’s rather rugged thanks to a terrain punctuated with deep holes and crowded with tropical trees. The 1.4-mile trail can be tricky to follow, but is well worth a walk in the woods to see this rare habitat.
- Hike:From the kiosk, follow the paved path back past the picnic area and restrooms to the start of the trail; turn right and walk through a short stretch of tropical hammock. You emerge at Old Cutler Rd. Carefully cross the road and continue across to the trailhead for the West Hammock Trail. This trail forms a loop through a shady tropical hammock, with thick foliage and outcroppings of limestone. Watch for caves and sinkholes along the trail, where ferns grow lushly around their edges. Just imagine—this is what much of Coral Gables used to look like!12:47 - 79.7 km / 57 minutes - 13:45
Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
Location: Key Largo, Fees: $2.50 per person, Open: 8 AM until sunset daily
- Description: It’s “The Land of Little Giants,” according to American Forests magazine, and we can be thankful it was preserved in the 11th hour. Once slated for clear-cutting to build oceanfront condos, Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park has the highest concentration of National Champion trees in one place in the United States.
- Details: Most incredibly, none of the National Champion trees in this park are over 45 feet tall. This dense tropical hammock is full of trees common in the Caribbean, but this is the northernmost spot that many of these trees can tolerate in the wild. Some of the current and prior national champions found in this forest include crabwood, blolly, wild cinnamon, and wild tamarind.
A paved trail – once planned to be the grand entrance to a condo development – enables the wheelchair-bound to enjoy this shady spot. Ask at nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (managers of this park) for a backcountry pass if you want to get deep into the hammock on miles of forest roads to see botanical treasures like wild cotton and wild allamanda.
In all, 84 listed plant and animal species are protected here, including the liguus tree snails seen on smooth-barked tree trunks. But if you head off the beaten path, know your species: two of the most poisonous trees in the United States – manchineel and poisonwood – are quite common here, and you don’t want to brush into one.
-Trail: Key Largo Hammock Nature Trail, 1.1 miles, The trailhead parking area is on the right after 0.5 mile, in front of a large archway.Park next to the archway and follow the pavement into the woods. It doesn’t look like a trail at all—it’s the old paved access road to Port Bougainvillea, and is open to bicycles. In his novel Native Tongue, Carl Hiaasen played off the attempted development of the hammock with a zany send-up. When the faux “Mediterranean coastal village” finally went belly-up in 1985s, the state acquired the land and extended protection to 84 species of plants and animals living in this forest, the largest remaining tropical hammock in the United States.14:45 - 50.4 km / 41 minutes - 15:27
Biscayne National Park Ranger Station, Homestead, FL, United States
16:27 - 56.4 km / 49 minutes - 17:17
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Fees: $8.50 per vehicle, Open: 8 AM until sunset daily.
- Summary: Six miles offshore, the view is beneath the waves. It’s Molasses Reef, the most accessible living coral reef in the United States, a slice of the Caribbean in the Florida Keys. And it’s the main reason that John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park exists.
- Details: Established in 1960 to protect the reef – with onshore lands added after 1963 – it’s a 70-square-nautical-mile wonderland of corals, sponges, and tropical fish, easily visited on a dive or snorkeling trip with a park-sanctioned outfitter or via glass-bottomed boat.
Not up for the open ocean? A small beach and snorkeling trail serve up a place to splash near shore. The park offers landlubbers fun as well. Start off at the visitors’ center to see the saltwater aquariums, including a 30,000-gallon tank, that orient you to the sea life found on the reef, and then explore the park’s two nature trails to look for tree snails in the tropical hammock and (non-native but huge) iguanas hanging out in the mangrove forests.
- Explore the park:
- Florida’s toxic trees - Southeast Florida is home to two poisonous trees, the poisonwood and the manchineel. Learn how to recognize them so you don't get too close, and find out how truly dangerous they are.
- Mangrove Trail Mangrove Trail - At John Pennekamp State Park, the Mangrove Trail is an accessible boardwalk that gets you right into the heart of a mangrove tunnel along a tidal creek
- Cruising on the Spirit of Pennekamp: Glassbottom Boat Tours, $24 adult,Times: 9:15am, 12:15pm, 3:15pm
2½ Hour Tours. Enjoy a unique glimpse into the serene undersea world in style and comfort.At 65 feet in length, this high-speed catamaran is capable of transporting up to 130 passengers to the various nautical destinations of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The itinerary includes a number of shallow reefs teeming with wildlife. Tours are 2 ½ hours long. Minimum passenger requirements apply on all tours
-Wild Tamarind Trail, loop, 0.25 miles.- At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Wild Tamarind Trail starts and ends near the campground and provides an up close look at a tropical hammock
- Mangrove trail: loop, 0.75 mile boardwalk. Follow the park entrance road to the farthest parking area inside park, past the campground and mooring for sailboats. The trailhead is on the right.18:17 - 90.4 km / an hour a minute - 19:19
Day 21
Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral
<a href="http://maps.google.com/?cid=6077120532940827183">Google Maps Link</a><br>1 Jr. Suite Double Room with Two Double Beds + sofa bed - High Floor
8:30 - 13.5 km / 15 minutes - 8:46
Little Havana, Miami, FL, United States
A must for a new tourists traveling to Miami. The history of Cuban Miami has to be experienced at its epicenter. Although the community has changed to new Central American immigrants, the flavor and tastes of Cuba still permeates the air. Plenty of Cuban restaurants and sandwich shops abound in Little Havana
9:46 - 9.6 km / 14 minutes - 10:01
Wynwood Walls, Northwest 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, United States
Free, Open 10:30AM–11:30PM. Unique outdoor destination featuring huge, colorful street murals by artists from around the globe. The neibourhood is tricky. No fear in walking around! Common sense safety as always but truly a great area for all!
10:41 - 9.7 km / 17 minutes - 10:59
South Beach, Miami Beach, FL, United States
South beach is great to walk around and spend the day. All of the restaurants and bars on ocean drive were great. The only problem is south beach gets very crowded. You need to get out there early to get a good spot.
11:59 - 14.3 km / 19 minutes - 12:19
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL, United States
http://vizcaya.org/ , Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Entrance $18 adult. Parking: Vizcaya offers free parking for automobiles. During the winter months the main parking lot frequently fills up and, when that occurs, parking is available across the street in the parking lot at the Miami Science Museum.
-Description: Of the 10,000 people living in Miami between 1912 and 1916, about 1,000 of them were gainfully employed by Chicago industrialist James Deering to build this European-inspired residence. Once comprising 180 acres, this National Historic Landmark now occupies a 30-acre tract that includes a rockland hammock (native forest) and more than 10 acres of formal gardens with fountains overlooking Biscayne Bay. The house, open to the public, contains 70 rooms, 34 of which are filled with paintings, sculpture, antique furniture, and other fine and decorative arts. The collection spans 2,000 years and represents the Renaissance, baroque, rococo, and neoclassical periods. The 90-minute self-guided Discover Vizcaya Audio Tour is available in multiple languages for an additional $514:19 - 3.7 km / 7 minutes - 14:27
Coconut Grove, Miami, FL, United States
Coconut Grove is a neat and funky village within the Miami area. It's loaded casual and better restaurants and things to see. There are also historical attractions. It's great for an afternoon or evening visit. Coconut Grove is older than Miami. Early settlers to the area arrived in the 1870s almost 20 years before the arrival of the railroad. A seaside community grew up around the bay and attracted an eclectic group of pioneers, artists, sailors and millionaires who gave “The Grove” a well deserved reputation as artsy and eccentric
15:27 - 27.9 km / 27 minutes - 15:55
Dolphin Mall, 12th Street Northwest, Miami, FL, United States
Open 10:00 am- 9:30 pm. Fashion, Flavor, Fun: Discover Miami’s Largest Outlet Shopping and Entertainment Center.
Dolphin Mall brings together over 240 fashion-forward and family-friendly retailers in a value oriented setting, making it the ultimate shopping destination in Miami. The blend of outlet and popular fashion retailers offers a mix of men’s and women’s apparel, sporting goods, shoes, accessories and much more, from names like Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and more. In addition to world-class shopping, Dolphin Mall is home to over 30 dining and entertainment options, including KOBE Japanese Steak & Seafood, The Cheesecake Factory, CinéBistro and Strike Miami. Make Dolphin Mall your next shopping destination, and experience for yourself the ultimate blend of fashion, outlet shopping and fun at the largest value mall in Miami.17:55 - 8.0 km / 18 minutes - 18:14
Day 22