Your friendly guide to national parks, road trips, and all things outdoors
Or at least for now. So, which is better, Big Cypress or Everglades National Park? If you've been here a while, you may already know what I think, if not, welcome and keep reading! I love the Florida swamp. I love it. And I love one of these more than the other, but I won't…
Continue reading ➞ Big Cypress Or Everglades: The Great Swamp Debate
While I'm growing to love longer hikes (longer than I'm used to but still only 6-7 miles) I do still love a good short hike and there are so many short Florida hikes that are worth doing. These are all easy Florida hikes that don't require going through water (unless the trail floods, but don't…
Continue reading ➞ 10 Easy Florida Hikes You Should Definitely Do
This winter while we were still in Wisconsin I read a really awful book set in the Okefenokee Swamp. I didn't even finish it. I knew about the swamp before that but really wanted to visit after that, more than before. Just before heading to Tallahassee to meet my parents, we made a day trip…
Continue reading ➞ Okefenokee Swamp: A Spooky Wildlife Haven In Southeast Georgia
I love Everglades City. I don't know where I want to live forever, but Everglades City is one of the contenders so far (along with Moab and the Asheville area, if you were curious.) Every January we make a trip down there and do the same things but also manage to find new things to…
Continue reading ➞ 24 Things To Do In Everglades City: Hiking Trails, Biking, Paddling, And More
I can't believe it took me three trips to Everglades City before I hiked the Marsh Trail. Even more shocking, it was three visits before I even knew this trail existed, how wild is that? And we usually stay for 7-10 days which makes it even more surprising! Well, in 2021 I managed to hike…
Continue reading ➞ Birding Paradise In Florida: Hike The Marsh Trail In Ten Thousand Islands
On our January 2020 trip to Big Cypress we hiked the swampy part of the Fire Prairie Trail. Then this year, 2021, we hiked a little further out into the prairie part of it, still on the trail though. I still haven't hiked the entire Fire Prairie Trail, but I really enjoyed the part we…
Continue reading ➞ Experience The Fire Prairie Trail In Big Cypress National Preserve
On this year's Big Cypress trip we ended up extending it by like four or five days because we were loving it so much. It was also a year of new hikes here, which was exciting! I was also able to cross off biking Shark Valley off my national park bucket list! One day I…
Continue reading ➞ Biking Shark Valley: One Of The Best Things To Do In Everglades National Park
Ahh, Florida. I love it and a lot of people are surprised when I say that. I love South Florida, especially Big Cypress, but that's not what we're here for today. Today it's all about the Everglades and what to do there that isn't hiking! It's a must-see on any Florida road trip, especially for…
Continue reading ➞ 15+ Amazing Things To Do In The Everglades That Aren’t Hiking
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. If you've been here any amount of time, you know I love boardwalks. If you're new here, well, I love boardwalks and Florida has tons of them so you can easily explore the…
Continue reading ➞ Corkscrew Sanctuary Boardwalk: Walk The Longest Boardwalk In Florida
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. We did the Fakahatchee boardwalk, officially known as the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, last year, too and really liked it. This time though, we got to see the CUTEST baby gators ever. Ok,…
Continue reading ➞ Fakahatchee Boardwalk: The Perfect Easy Hike Near Everglades City
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. You guys. I did it. I walked through knee-deep swamp water and didn't get eaten by anything! That's right. I was terrified and got a little panicky, but I did it. This was…
Continue reading ➞ Gator Hook Trail: The Perfect Intro Swamp Hike In Big Cypress National Preserve
**La Chua Trail is currently closed after the boardwalk due to high water levels** There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. The more time I spend in Gainesville, the more I want to get out and see the area. One…
While I was probably looking forward to time on a beach the most on our South Florida road trip, I was also pretty excited about finally visiting Everglades National Park. I knew we weren't doing any kind of boat tour or renting kayaks at all, so it was going to be a visit on foot.…
There are affiliate links in here. I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I think my favorite stop on our South Florida road trip was the Fakahatchee Hilton. I bet you're picturing a five-star resort on the beach with unlimited drinks and the best view in…