Tag: Snorkeling

5 Things to Do in the Florida Keys  

People often ask which of the Florida Keys they should visit. Well, the answer is all of them. Each of the islands offers something a bit different from the always party time atmosphere of Key West to Key Largo which is known for great snorkeling and is home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. If you’re planning a glamping getaway to The Keys, you’re lucky because we have two great glamping locations: stay in a totally hip tiny house at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or enjoy a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key. Below we offer just a few suggestions for things to do when visiting: 

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

1. The Lara Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is worth the visit to see 30 different species of birds that make this sanctuary their permanent home after having been rescued and rehabilitated but are considered non-releasable for their safety. The sanctuary is open 365 days each year from sunrise to sunset and offers guided tours as well. For more details go to the sanctuary’s website keepthemflying.org. 

2. With so many islands and coral reefs, of course diving is a big deal here. Check out the History of Diving Museum on Islamorada and explore their multiple exhibits that details the history of diving, the advent of equipment from early dive helmets to the most modern-day apparatus, and the diving equipment from many nations around the world. There’s also a tribute to Jules Verne (have you read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea yet?) and a 50-gallon aquarium full of tropical reef fish. For information visit divingmuseum.org.  

Christ of the Abyss
Christ of the Abyss

3. So many islands, so many excursions! From land to sea, there are plenty of exciting things to do in The Keys when it comes to excursions. Christ of the Abyss is not your typical statue – this one is located roughly 25 feet under the waters that surround John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The best way to see it is via a snorkeling excursion – check out silentworld.com to book a dive tour. Movie buffs will appreciate the excursion aboard The African Queen – the storied steamboat from the movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. To enjoy one of the daily canal cruises, visit africanqueenflkeys.com. Get to know Key West with a “Southernmost Food and Cultural Walking Tour”, offered by viator.com that takes you around the island’s historic district with stops along the way to enjoy the great food here including Cuban cuisine and of course, Key Lime pie! 

4. Sunrise/Sunset – make sure you get the best of both when glamping in The Keys. Some of the best places to catch the sunrise include Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key (perfect if you’re staying at Encore Sunshine Key); the aptly named Sunrise Beach in Key Largo and Higgs Beach in Key West. For a spectacular sunset, consider Mallory Beach in Key West which hosts a nightly sunset celebration; or from aboard a catamaran cruise that departs from Islamorada (check out robbies.com for details); or back to Bahia Honda State Park to end a perfect day!  

Sunset at Bahia Honda State Park
Sunset at Bahia Honda State Park

5. Aside from the sun, sand and snorkeling, The Florida Keys have a lot of noteworthy sites to visit. They include The Little White House (Key West), which served as President Harry Truman’s winter getaway; the Caribbean Club (Key Largo), the oldest bar in the Upper Keys where portions of the film Key Largo were shot; the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park, which is the largest all-masonry fort in the Western Hemisphere; and Hemingway House (Key West); which was home for many years to famous author Ernest Hemingway. 

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The Thrill of It

Hiking trail at Red Rock State Park in Sedona, Arizona.

Are you a thrill-seeker? Are you always challenging yourself to try something new? Do you love the adrenaline rush and the sense of accomplishment after you’ve done something your friends or family say you were crazy to try?

Well you’re not crazy – and, according to some studies, you’re possibly managing life better than your more sedate friends. Tackling your fear of these thrilling sports can provide you with coping mechanisms that you can use in other parts of your life. Another benefit is the boost to your self-confidence. You did it! Hooray for you! Who doesn’t feel good about themselves after accomplishing these feats?

Cabins at Yosemite Lakes RV Campground in Groveland, CA

If you’re ready to get your thrill on, consider these sports:

  1. Whitewater Rafting: Book a stay at one of the cool yurts at Yosemite Lakes RV Campground in Groveland and ride the whitewaters of the Tuolumne River, which is considered one of the best rivers for such an adventure. Plenty of outfitters are waiting to help you tackle the Class III rapids of the Wenatchee River in Leavenworth, Washington. Visit www.leavenworth.org to find the one that fits your idea of thrills. Plan to stay with us at Leavenworth Tiny House Village in your own tiny house where you can relax after a thrilling day on the water!
Yurt at Yosemite Lakes RV Campground in Groveland, CA
  • Rock Climbing: If you’re heading to Maine, check out rock climbing at Maine’s Acadia National Park which offers all kinds of climbing options through the Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School. Solo efforts can range from four to seven-hour jaunts, plus there are family climbs and evening climbs. Make a reservation at our nearby locations, Narrows Too (cabin and cottage options) or Mt. Desert Narrows (cabin accommodations) to be where the climbing action is. 
Cabins at Narrows Too in Trenton, ME
  • Zip-lining: Want to soar across the treetops of the amazing Adirondack forest? Book a comfy cabin at Lake George Escape and then find the zip-line adventure for you. There are plenty here including Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course or the Adirondack Adventure Center. Crazy views of Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula as you fly over towering pine trees are what’s in store when you zip-line in this Wisconsin wonderland. Book a cabin at Tranquil Timbers and plan your adventure. Check out Door County Adventure Center or Lakeshore Adventures for their zip-lining courses.
Inside a yurt at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Snorkeling: No better place to dive deep than the Florida Keys. Reserve a colorful cottage at Fiesta Key or a super cool tiny home at Sunshine Key and explore the underwater kingdom of The Keys. The warm shallow waters off the Dry Tortugas are said to be best for snorkelers of all ages while John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US, is great for viewing the various coral species, plus turtles, parrot fish and butterfly fish.
Colorful cottages at Fiesta Key in Long Key, FL
  • Ultimate Hiking: While hiking is a great activity for both body and spirit, the thrill on these hikes is the view. These are ultimate when it comes to the unparalleled beauty of nature (not to mention majorly Instagram-worthy photo ops).

Fay Canyon, Arizona: An easy 2.4-mile trail in the scenic Fay Canyon of Sedona’s Red Rock State Park. Rent a tiny home at Verde Valley and hike the park everyday for a different point of view.

Joshua Tree National Park, California: All levels of hiking trails are available here and most come with views of the Park’s namesake, the Joshua Tree. Find Heart Rock within the Park and you’re guaranteed an insta-shot you will love! A cottage accommodation at Palm Springs is the perfect companion to this hiking trek.

Atticus the Tiny House at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR

Mirror Lake Loop Trail, Oregon: The Mt. Hood area of Oregon is full of opportunities for great hikes and great pics. One of the most popular, and amazing, is the view of Mt. Hood from the Mirror Lake Trail, a 3.7-mile loop. A tiny house at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village is perfect for the after-trail relax.