America’s Best Beach Boardwalks

It’s that time of year again, when the summer heat is almost too much to take and you start looking for a beach to cool off.  We thought this article on the best Beach Boardwalks to be a perfect way to cool off. ~ Matt and Helen Pearce

 

By April Orcutt

Savor summer at these family-friendly ocean-side attractions from Maine to California.

 

 

“All the couples take pictures on the Wonder Wheel. We push our heads together so the photo shows the New York City skyline behind us,” says Shani Coleman, a 20-year-old student who likes to snuggle with her boyfriend on the landmark 1920 Ferris wheel on Brooklyn’s Coney Island Boardwalk. Growing up, she spent many summer hours here with her family and still orders marshmallows dipped in bright red candy-apple coating.

Everyone loves beach boardwalks, with their mix of sea air and easy strolling. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel too far to find one: about 60 U.S. towns have boardwalks, and 25 percent of those include amusement parks that come alive in summer. Visiting one is a quintessentially American summer experience.

Consider iconic Coney Island, where the boardwalk amusement park Luna Park—which was closed for nearly 60 years—is thriving since its 2010 reopening. The rebirth came courtesy of Zamperla, a major Italian manufacturer of theme-park attractions, which spent $30 million (re)creating this three-acre playland, including its grand 1903 entrance. “It’s the beginning of a new Coney Island for the 21st century,” says Dick Zigun, a longtime resident who runs the nonprofit organization Coney Island USA.

But not all beachside promenades are neon-lit attractions. On the isolated Long Beach Boardwalk, built over cool, windswept dunes in southwestern Washington, bird-watchers flock to see adorable but endangered snowy plovers in one of the few places in the world where they still nest. Parents wander with their children on paths trod by Captain William Clark in 1805, when members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored here. Oregon resident Bonnie Teschner Carey has been visiting Long Beach since she was a child 60 years ago: “It’s still a quiet place, not trendy, not known,” she says, “just like when I was a child.” Only now it has a boardwalk, so even with two knee replacements she can still enjoy the beach.

Whether it’s an iconic summertime destination like Coney Island or a seaside oasis like Long Beach, such family retreats and playgrounds can inspire more than lifelong loyalty. Sacramento resident and roller coaster buff Gerry Watt says, “If there is a heaven, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is there.”

Coney Island Boardwalk, Brooklyn, NY

The 2.7-mile Coney Island Boardwalk reopened its carnival-style Luna Park amusement park to great fanfare Memorial Day weekend 2010. For summer 2014, the park will introduce The Thunderbolt, Coney Island’s first custom-built coaster since The Cyclone. Riders can expect to reach up to 65 miles per hour. But some boardwalk crowd-pleasers haven’t changed; many still come for ocean views and fat frankfurters at the original Nathan’s Famous, home of the world-renowned Fourth of July hot dog­–eating contest.

Don’t Miss: Grabbing a Coney Island Lager at the Freak Bar (named for the next-door “freak show”—formally the Coney Island Circus Sideshow), where old-fashioned sword swallowers, fire-eaters, and snake charmers show off their talents.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA

Designed in 1907 to be the “Coney Island of the West,” Santa Cruz’s boardwalk, on Main Beach, is the last remaining major family-oriented carnival-style park on the West Coast. It plays host to the 1924 wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster and the 1911 Looff Carousel, both National Historic Landmarks. The carousel is one of few left where riders on outside horses can grab a dangling ring, toss it into the mouth of a clown head painted on the wall, and be rewarded with bells, lights, and cheers.

Don’t Miss: At Marini’s Candies, watch chocolate dippers make nut clusters, English toffee, and even chocolate-covered bacon.

Atlantic City Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ

Originally built in 1870, the godfather of boardwalks started humbly as a barrier to reduce beach sand in hotel lobbies but now stretches for four miles with neon-lit casinos, towering hotels, countless shops, noisy arcade games, and brash musical shows on the street side, while still letting visitors savor the natural beauty of Atlantic City Beach.

Don’t Miss: Getting pushed along the wooden boardwalk in a cushiony two-person rolling wicker chair—a tradition dating to 1887. You can get to within three blocks of Absecon Lighthouse, the third tallest in America. Climb the lighthouse’s 228 steps and ponder how A.C.’s skyline has changed since the lookout was built in 1857.

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, Hollywood, FL

Begun in 1925, the glamorous 2.5-mile-long terracotta-colored path was always intended to be a broad walk, wide and sweeping for promenading. Today, 28 hotels border the pure white sand of adjacent Hollywood Beach. The Art Deco Walkabout Beach Resort is painted pink; others are turquoise to match the sea.

Don’t Miss: The Sunday organic farmers’ markets, which sell smoothies made from exotic fruits like locally grown mamey sapote (which tastes like maraschino cherries). Then hire bikes at Sun & Fun Cycles and ramble from the north end of the Broadwalk to John U. Lloyd Beach State Park for a glimpse of nature in Old Florida.

Oceanfront Boardwalk, San Diego, CA

Outdoor activities are serious business year-round along this three-mile boardwalk that runs along Pacific and Mission beaches. Here you’ll find rental gear for surfing, kayaking, biking, and beach volleyball, as well as beach toys at Hamel’s Surf Shop. Plus, the Belmont Park amusement park scores with its Giant Dipper roller coaster and other stomach-churning rides. Too much SoCal sun? Visit The Plunge, the Olympic-size indoor pool.

Don’t Miss: Grabbing an outdoor table and Caesar Salad at Wave House Bar & Grill. Watch the surfers at the adjacent FlowRider, an artificial wave-generating machine for beginners, and the FlowBarrel, a continuous 10-foot barrel-wave for pros.

Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA

This three-mile-long boardwalk celebrates the ocean. It wends its way past a statue of Neptune, god of the sea; the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and its crafted decoys; and the historic Old Coast Guard Station, which sells fun nautical gifts. Parents and kids love the four-seat surrey bikes, the small family-friendly parks, and the 15th Street Amusement Park, with its wild spinning Skyscraper ride.

Don’t Miss: Dining on blue crab at Catch 31 on the boardwalk.

Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk & Promenade, Myrtle Beach, SC

Opened May 15, 2010, the 1.2-mile boardwalk revitalizes downtown. The traditional raised wooden boardwalk in the northern end is lined with shops, while the southern end has a path that undulates between sand dunes. Marvin McHone, owner of Marvin’s Bar & Grill, says, “They did it right—it’s a classic.”

Don’t Miss: The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, a labyrinthine souvenir store covering 30,000 square feet on eight levels, has 70,000 different (mostly kitschy) items—from seashells (two for five cents) to a $19,000 bronze dolphin sculpture.

Huron Boardwalk, St. Ignace, MI

Built over the past 35 years, the spruce-and-maple-lined wooden boardwalk curves along the scenic shore for one mile, from Kiwanis Beach Park to American Legion Memorial Park, past small shops on one side and Lake Huron on the other. The nearby Museum of Ojibwa Culture, a National Historic Landmark, features a birch-bark canoe and handmade Native American crafts, and the Mackinac Grille serves fresh local whitefish baked on a maple plank.

Don’t Miss: Murdick’s Fudge Kitchen stirs up a local favorite: coconut-laced German chocolate fudge.

Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah, TX

Designed to capture the energy and vibe of a traditional carnival, this half-mile-long family-oriented boardwalk amusement park (opened in 1998) has a wooden roller coaster; a 65-foot Ferris wheel; a carousel; and a reproduction of an 1863 Central Pacific train. Throw in African elephant and lowland gorilla animatronics in a rainforest exhibit, a stingray petting tank, a 140-passenger open-decked speedboat ride, and an aquarium-themed restaurant, and you have an afternoon’s worth of entertainment.

Don’t Miss: Cooling off in the Dancing Fountains—75 ground-level water jets that shoot water 10–12 feet up into the air.

Long Beach Boardwalk, Long Beach, WA

Nature lovers stroll the half-mile wooden boardwalk across the tops of dunes looking for bald eagles, red-backed sandpipers, and rare snowy plovers. The beach probably hasn’t changed much in the two centuries since the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored here, and the 8.5-mile Discovery Trail that traces part of their route crosses under the boardwalk. Kids love the giant gray whale skeleton. Tip: There’s no snack bar, so pick up sandwiches in town—and then settle at one of the many picnic tables.

Don’t Miss: The World Kite Museum’s 1,500 kites, including military kites from World War II, Chinese dragon kites, and bird- and horse-shaped Indonesian kites.

Old Orchard Beach Pier & Boardwalk, Old Orchard Beach, ME

Palace Playground, the only beachfront amusement park left in New England, has a small boardwalk, but the summertime food and entertainment action continues out in the salt air of the wooden pier. Local favorites are Maine steamers, “lobstah,” and Pier Fries seasoned with malt vinegar. Another seasonal Down East favorite is black raspberry ice cream (although the many French Canadians who visit prefer caramel fudge).

Don’t Miss: Watching saltwater taffy being pulled at Dickinson’s Candy, which concocts some 24 flavors, including Beachball—a blend of raspberry, blueberry, orange, lemon, and mint.

Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Florida Film Festival

This is one of our favorite events in Central Florida.  With Helen being an actress this is one of our must-dos.  It’s fun, entertaining, and you make so many new friends. ~ Matt and Helen Pearce

 

 

Every year, the Enzian Theatre hosts a nationally accalimed film festival, known as the Florida Film Festival.  2014 is no different, as Enzian is set to kick off the festival this week! Over the course of 10 days guests can choose from over 170 different movies playing at three different venues. The main venue is the Enzian Theatre, located in Maitland just a few minutes from downtown Orlando. Additionally, screenings will be held at the Regal Winter Park Village (located in Winter Park), and the Garden Theatre, located in Winter Garden, Florida.

Outside at the Enzian Theatre

The Enzian is known as the only full time, not-for-profit alternative cinema in Central Florida. It was opened over 25 years ago, and prides itself on bringing the best independent films to Orlando’s back yard. Enzian is known for adventorous programming, including the bookings of self distributed films that would otherwise rarely be seen by the Orlando public.

Enzian’s Popcorn Flicks

The 2014 Florida Film Festival kicked off this past Friday, April 4th, and continues until Sunday April 13th. The festival will feature 20 feature competition films and 150 other films. Special celebrity guests such as Susan Sarandon, Paul Sorvino, Giancarlo Esposito, and Shawn Christensen are expected to be in attendance. Whether you are interested in taking in multiple movies or just one casual flick, you can check out the even website at http://www.floridafilmfestival.com for showtimes, more information, and tickets!

 

Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce

Top 10 places to go in Florida

Living in Florida for the last several years Helen and I have visited all 10 places, and this ranking is pretty good for those that haven’t been to Florida or very little.  We would rank St. Augustine and the National Parks higher on the list for the fact we’re a more active family ~ Matt & Helen Pearce

 

 

 

 

Walt Disney was right: Florida is a place that captures the imagination. The landscape is exaggerated, and invites exaggeration. Spanish explorers saw manatees and imagined them mermaids; Ponce de Leon saw crystal-clear springs and imagined them fountains of youth. Developers saw swamps and sold them as paradise, but if they are, there’s plenty of the devil in them.

In its history, Florida has inspired as much madness and murder as it has fantasies of a magical kingdom where dreams really do come true. So come for the beaches and Mickey Mouse, come for the people and the Everglades, come for the nightlife and the kayaking and the manatees and the gators. But make sure to come. Here are our top 10 Florida getaways:

1. Walt Disney World

Wait. Walt Disney World? That’s about as Lonely Planet as a trip to Branson, Missouri (no offense, Branson). Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! Sure, there will be lines a mile long, and sure, you’ll spend more money than you intended on a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt that you would never have dreamed of buying before you came. But no matter how much of a hard-core traveler you claim to be, there’s something here that will soften you – something that will spark your inspiration and imagination. Maybe it’s the children’s awestruck faces illuminated by the fireworks above Cinderella’s Castle. Maybe it’s a particular turn in a particular ride. Maybe it’s the corny (but endearing) joke told by the guy who drives the horse-drawn carriage down Main Street. Whatever it is, once you’re there, you’ll admit it. Walt Disney World’s got you.

2. Miami

What was once a little citrus town is now a pan-American mosaic, the most Latin city in the world north of Mexico. A vibrant mix of Cuban, Haitian and Colombian cultures (just to name a few) splashed against a pastel backdrop of distinctive art deco architecture, the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay kissing the sands of South Beach, it’s this diversity that makes Miami more quintessentially American than the cutest Mid-Western Main Street.

 

3. Key West

Feeling like mainland Florida is just too tame for your taste? Time to ship out to Key West, where the high- and low-brow mix it up with a devil-may-care attitude. There’s always a party to be found here, and the vibe is decidedly tolerant: the Key West motto is ‘One Human Family’, which translates to acceptance and mutual respect for people of all colors and religions, gays, straights, and everything in between. It’s all love – and rum punch – here.

4. The Everglades

Often dismissed as a swamp, the Everglades are arguably more beautiful than all the sin and flash Miami can produce. Forget what you’ve heard about airboats and swamp buggies. Come and canoe, bike, kayak or walk around the park. Get to understand the delicate ecosystem that has endured forever here. Stand still long enough to see an alligator’s back surfacing above the black water and take in the unbroken vistas of wet prairie, big sky and long silences.

5. St Augustine

Saunter along cobbled roads, linger at charming cafes, and learn about the city’s rich history at countless museums. Cap it all off with dinner at a gas lamp-lit restaurant and a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic District. Europe? Oh wait, we’re in Florida. Epcot? No way, this is the real deal. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US, preserved for centuries and awaiting your discovery.

6. Sanibel Island

This beautiful barrier island is the perfect beach escape: scout for seashells along the porcelain sand, spot night herons, anhinga and alligators at JN ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and dine on delicious fresh seafood at one of the quaint beach-shacks. If you’re without a car, don’t worry about it – with 23 miles of dedicated paths, you can bike around the entire island.

7. Caladesi Island State Park

Located in the Tampa Bay area, Caladesi Island State Park ranks at the top of national surveys for the best natural beaches. Reach it by canoe or take a ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island (also worth a visit). In addition to nature trails and an unspoiled, palm-lined 3-mile beach, it’s the perfect spot for a lazy day of swimming and picnicking.

 

8. Amelia Island

Home to Fernandina Beach, a charming shrimping village with 50 blocks of historic buildings, delightful eateries, and unique B&Bs, Amelia Island is a moss-draped southern fantasy.  Prefer a swanky resort to the quaint B&Bs? They’ve got that too, as well as miles of shark-tooth covered shoreline and a commanding Civil War-era fort anchoring it all.

9. Apalachicola National Forest

The largest of Florida’s three national forests, Apalachicola occupies almost 938 square miles of the Panhandle, from just west of Tallahassee to the Apalachicola River. Hike and bike this otherworldly forest of cypress hammocks, dunes, swamps, sinks and karst terrain.

10. Sarasota

If you’ve ever wanted to run away and join the circus, Sarasota is the place to go. John Ringling (yes, of Ringling Brothers fame) made Sarasota the winter home for his circus. His legacy lives on here in the Ringling Museum Complex, which includes his former home, a fine art museum, and of course, a circus museum. The circus doesn’t stop there – the entire town is obsessed. Enroll your kids in circus classes, go to the church that the circus built, or check out one of the many shows in town.

America’s legendary drives

Who doesn’t like cruising?  Sliding the windows down while the wind softly blows, listening to good music, and making awesome memories…who can resist? ~ Matt and Helen Pearce

 

by SARA BENSON

 

With over four million miles of highway, the USA offers more road trips than anyone could tackle in one lifetime. Whether you’re itching to peek into Wild West history, or just longing for a big ol’ soulful dose of nature’s vistas, you’ll find them along America’s backroads and byways. Here are our top 10 favorite drives: what are yours?

1. Route 66: Get your kicks on the USA’s ‘Mother Road’, a ribbon of concrete stretching from Chicago to LA. Take snapshots of retro roadside relics, stuff yourself silly at mom-and-pop diners and snooze in 1950s motor courts.

2. Pacific Coast Highway: Curve alongside the ocean on California’s Hwys 1 and 101 past SoCal’s celebrity enclaves and golden beaches, over San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and north into misty coast redwood forests.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway: Cruise the Appalachian Mountains on this historic route, with its rustic wooden-cabin hideaways and bluegrass music joints, while soaking up glorious sunsets.

4. Florida’s Highway 1: Fly along breath-taking bridges and causeways across the Florida Keys, an archipelago that feels as close to Cuba as it does to Miami. Your final destination? Kooky, anything-goes Key West.

5. Great River Road: Wind alongside the mighty Mississippi, stopping off at 19th-century author Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, St Louis’ Gateway Arch and Missouri’s pastoral French-colonial countryside.

6. Columbia River Highway: Oregon’s most scenic byway was the first route in the USA to become a National Historic Landmark. Travel in spring, when waterfalls and wildflowers spread along the dramatic Columbia River Gorge.

7. Natchez Trace Parkway: After kicking up your heels in country-and-western Nashville, drive into the Deep South and enter Alabama and Mississippi, with their swampy marshes and old-fashioned roadhouses dishing up good ol’ barbecue, biscuits and beer.

8. Road to Hana: Twisting through tropical jungle and over dozens of cliff-hugging, narrow one-lane bridges, this thrilling route leads to hidden waterfalls and rural villages along Maui’s most stunning coast.

9. Seward Highway: Staring out from Alaska’s biggest city, Anchorage, this beautiful byway reaches into the Kenai Peninsula, with its alpine valleys, icy glaciers and aquamarine fjords and lakes.

10. US Highway 50: Nicknamed ‘The Loneliest Road in America,’ this highway through Nevada is a winner if you’re seeking solitude amid arid deserts, skyscraping peaks, Basque-flavored cowboy country and Old West mining ghost towns.

Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce

Romantic retreats in the US

This is what Helen and I are constantly looking for.  Don’t get us wrong, being with the whole family on vacation is the best thing in the world, but sometimes we need some alone time!  The Inn at Irving Place looks very appealing. ~ Matt and Helen Pearce

by ANDY MURDOCK

Romance is a highly personal concept, and no single travel destination will fit everyone’s tastes. For some it’s a luxurious hotel suite with a whirlpool tub; for others it’s sleeping under the stars with the howl of coyotes in the distance.

One common thread is solitude: truly romantic experiences rarely happen in a crowd. Building on this, we’ve selected 12 getaways across the US to suit a wide variety of travellers, all guaranteed to give you the quiet romantic escape you and your lover are looking for.

1. Romance for architecture lovers

Louis Penfield House, Willoughby, Ohio. How often do you get to sleep in a Frank Lloyd Wright house, much less one that’s often compared to his iconic Fallingwater? The Louis Penfield House, built in 1955 on a 30-acre plot of woods 12 miles east of Cleveland in Willoughby, offers overnight stays in one of Wright’s last homes. Tours are not available; visitors are simply offered the chance to experience the house as if it was their own, a romantic dream for any architecture lover.

2. Romance in the Big Apple

Inn at Irving Place, New York City. If you’re looking for romance in New York, why spend good money to stay in a modern characterless hotel? Instead, book one of the 10 sumptuous rooms at the Inn at Irving Place, a historic townhouse in leafy, exclusive Gramercy Park, where the rooms are filled with period furniture evoking the bygone era of Edith Wharton’s New York. You’re still in Manhattan, but here you’ll feel miles – and years – away from the day-to-day bustle. Breakfast included; tea service available Wed-Sun.

3. Romance for cowboys (and girls)

Stockyards Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas. Rustle up a little romance at Fort Worth’s famous Stockyards Hotel, where you can watch longhorns parade down Exchange Avenue, get fitted for some authentic cowboy boots, and two-step the night away at the legendary honky-tonk Billy Bob’s Texas. The ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ suite has a certain tragic romance that might appeal to some, with bullet holes in the shutters and one of the duo’s guns mounted on the wall.

4. Romance for kitsch lovers

Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo, California. ‘Wow.’ ‘Peculiar.’ ‘Huh?’ No single word can sum up the fantastic oddity that is the Madonna Inn. Part crazy retro fantasy, part luxury hotel, more than a little dated, and often strangely reminiscent of a mini-golf course, it has to be seen to be believed. Each of the 109 rooms has a unique theme (and a matching postcard for you to purchase). If you lean towards the literal, try the Love Birds Room or the Romance Room (those in the know try to book one of the popular rock rooms, such as the Caveman Room complete with waterfall in the shower). The waterfall urinal in the main hotel’s men’s bathroom is so fantastic both genders deserve a look.

 

5. Romance for art lovers

Private casita, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yes, Santa Fe has the expected turquoise and silver jewelry and Southwest-themed art, but the always bustling art scene in the New Mexico capital draws artists and art lovers of all persuasions and is rightfully one of the US’s top art destinations both for museums and small local galleries. For a private getaway, rent one of Santa Fe’s many ‘casitas’ – small fully-equipped houses often within easy walking distance of the Plaza and of the arts mecca of Canyon Rd. Chapelle St Casitas and rental services like AirBnB.com and VRBO.com have many options, and a web search will net many additional options direct from owners.

6. Romance for ghostbusters

Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans. New Orleans is the world capital of haunted hotels: if you find a historic hotel, you’ll almost certainly find stories of hauntings, a gruesome past, moaning orphan spirits and other bits of macabre miscellany. Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter is a popular place for ghost seekers, with numerous sightings of spectral children and other supernatural occurences. If you get room 1462, you might be sharing it with the spirit of a small boy named Maurice. Sleep tight.

7. Romance with a mountain view

Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park. Neighboring Yellowstone may get more attention for its flashy geothermal features, but Grand Teton National Park excels in pure mountain vistas. The 60ft picture windows at the Jackson Lake Lodge offer one of the most postcard-worthy views in the West: jagged snow-capped peaks, icy blue Jackson Lake, vast montane meadow, moose, bison and elk browsing the vegetation. For maximum privacy and views, reserve a mountain view cottage or suite, just a short distance from the main lodge.

8. Romance for lake lovers

Cabin on Lake Tahoe. The full Michael Corleone Godfather II experience is probably out of reach (you can sneak a peek at the film location through the gates of the exclusive Fleur du Lac compound near Homewood), but nearly any view over the expanse of Lake Tahoe will do. While all sides of the lake offer some rental options, the stretch south of Tahoe City from Tahoma towards Rubicon Bay, Meeks Bay, and the famously lovely Emerald Bay is where to look for the perfect mix of beauty, solitude, and house options. Find a house with a view and a hot tub, and you’ll find romance any time of year. Meeks Bay Resort has cabins and other options on the lake to fit most budgets, and numerous unique house rentals can be found online through AirBnB.com and local rental agencies.

 

9. Retro road trip romance

Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona. Why not surprise your sweetheart with a stay in a wigwam? Often photographed and inseparable from any Route 66 road trip fantasy, you can actually stay in the iconic retro wigwams at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook on Historic Route 66 for a very reasonable price. Are they luxurious? No, not really, but they exude authentic old-timey charm right down to the shag carpets. If the prospect of sleeping in a giant retro wigwam isn’t enough of a draw, staying in Holbrook provides easy access to Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert.

10. Romance for island lovers

River Estate, Kaua’i. The Garden Isle of the Hawaiian Islands deserves its nickname, but it has no shortage of beach for those seeking sun and sand too. In fact, if you head to the north side of the island, past Hanalei where the road narrows and cars slow to a trickle, you can get the best of both worlds, in a romantic and secluded setting. The River Estate isn’t cheap, but it’s a dreamy slice of tropical paradise that will not disappoint, and north shore beaches and the restaurants of Hanalei are just a short distance away.

11. Romance underwater

Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida. What’s more romantic than sleeping with the fishes? A stay at Jules’ Undersea Lodge includes breakfast, dinner, and all necessary scuba gear for your aquatic romantic adventure. Just getting to your room requires diving 21 feet down and entering through the bottom of the underwater complex. Spacious it is not, but will you and your sweetheart ever forget this one?

12. Romance only accessible by boat or seaplane

Public-use cabin, Alaska’s Inside Passage. Looking for a quiet remote wilderness getaway with complete privacy? Rent a public-use cabin in Alaska’s Inside Passage, hire a boat service to drop you off, and explore the area by kayak and by foot. The lodgings may be spartan, but you’ll have four walls and a fireplace and a few creature comforts, and your noisiest neighbors will be seals and bald eagles.

Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce

Who’s your papa? The Hemingway Days Festival

Being writers this festival was great!  Also, being in Key West wasn’t too bad either!  We highly recommend it! ~ Matt and Helen Pearce

 

 

Got a love of literature? Think you can simulate a stocky, white-bearded man? Then pull up a bar stool and get into Key West’s annual celebration of Ernest Hemingway.

Where? 201 Duval St, Key West, Florida, USA

When? Every July

Storms are not unknown in subtropical Key West, the southernmost island in the Florida Keys chain, but for one week each July it experiences a surreal deluge of white beards. The Hemingway Look-Alike Contest attracts 150 hopefuls, complete with beards, barrel chests and booming voices, to Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where ‘Papa’ spent most of the 1930s slamming back daiquiris (althoughCaptain Tony’s Saloonis also a watering hole of Hemingway significance).

Fans of Men Without Women and Hemingway’s other macho masterpieces havecome from as far afield as Kazakhstan. The contestant in question, one Vladimir Malikov, sold property to fund the trip and became an audience favourite in 2004.

Other activities include the ‘Running of the Bulls’ (the animals are fake cousins of the beasts at Hemingway’s beloved Fiesta de San Fermin) and a competition devoted to his favourite sport in Key West. The blue marlin tournament sees catches weigh in at 160kg and cash prizes total more than $250,000. On a more serious note, there’s a one-man play about Papa, tours of his home and writing studio (complete with descendents of his six-toed cats), a short story competition…and a wrestling contest.

Essentials: Bring a knowledge of Hemingway’s greatest hits – most of which he penned in Key West – and a tolerance for rum cocktails spiced with machismo.

Local attractions: The Museum of Art & History has an exhibit on the literary legend’s years in the Florida Keys, featuring rare family photos, documents and memorabilia.

 
Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce

The USA’s best regional desserts

Who doesn’t like desert?  Great article on the ending to every meal! ~ Matt and Helen Pearce

by CANDACE DRISKELL

 

Apple pie gets a lot of glory for being the embodiment of American desserts – ‘As American as apple pie’ as the saying goes, flatly ignoring the fact that apple pie isn’t an American invention. That said, American apple pie truly shines when prepared with regional flare — such as being made with sour cream and crumb topping in Amish country or topped with a slice of cheddar in Vermont. This got us to thinking: what other regional desserts in the United States have been living in classic apple pie’s warm, buttery shadow? We set to find out, one sweet pastry at a time.

Black and white cookie

Like many regional specialties, there is a bit of a battle over where the black and white cookie hails from. Well, apologies to upstate New York, but we’re giving this one to New York City. Commonly found in delis throughout Manhattan and the Bronx, this cookie is half chocolate, half vanilla and wholly delicious. If you’re looking for a quintessential New York sweet treat, do as Jerry Seinfield advised, and look to the cookie.

 

Akutaq

Akutaq is a prime example of how Alaskans make us lower 48-ers feel inadequate. While we view ice cream as an indulgence,  or for its well-known healing properties after a break-up, Alaskans have been making their own, practical version for longer than anyone can remember. Historically made from berries, snow, fish and reindeer fat (or other animal fats), akutaq was nutrient-rich food, ideal for long hunting trips. If the sound of reindeer-fat-flavoured ice-cream doesn’t appeal, don’t worry—nowadays akutaq (aka Eskimo Ice Cream) is made with vegetable shortening rather than animal fat and sugar is added.

Chess pie

Much like the game with which it shares a name, chess pie is a puzzle. Where did this tasty pie originate? How did it get its odd name? What few people question is the fact that this dessert is delicious—think pecan pie, minus those pesky pecans. Made in home kitchens throughout the South, you can buy yourself a slice of fancy chess pie (it has chocolate in it!) at The Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Fried Coke

While many American desserts are steeped in history, we mustn’t forget that the US is a nation that embraces the new with gusto. Exhibit A: fried Coke. Featuring fritters flavored with Coca-Cola and topped with a thick, Coke syrup, this dish first gained popularity at the 2006 Texas State Fair, and has bringing soda and dessert together ever since.

 

Bumpy cake

Bumpy cake is far more appealing than its name might suggest. It’s a chocolate cake with lines of cream piped on top, and the whole thing is then covered with a pourable fudge frosting.  With a topography that resembles speed bumps, is it any wonder this regional specialty hails from the Motor City? The original bumpy cake is courtesy of Sanders’ Candy, but you can find a slice in hip Detroit eateries such as Hilton Road Café or Union Street.

Bizcochitos

Several states have official state pies, but New Mexico made history as the first state to appoint an official state cookie. The honor went to the bizcochito, an anise- and cinnamon-flavoured cookie commonly eaten at Christmas. However, if you happen to have a luminaria aversion or a love of cookies that knows no limits, you can find them year-round at Albuquerque’s Golden Crown Panaderia.

 

Key lime pie

Forget the raucous beaches, retirees and voting scandals that might spring to mind when you think of the Sunshine State — key lime pie has them all beat for classic Floridian charm (yes, even you, Grandma). Thought to be invented by Florida Keys sailors who needed to ward off scurvy, key lime pie originally did not require cooking—the acid of the limes reacted with sweetened condensed milk to create a thickened filling. Nowadays, the pie is baked and served en masse throughout the state. You can find a slice at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach or the Cracked Conch Café, located in the Florida Keys.

Woodford pudding

Woodford Reserve Bourbon has been putting hair on the chests of Kentucky residents since 1797, but it’s not Woodford County’s only claim to fame. They are also responsible for Woodford pudding, a cake flavored with cinnamon, blackberry jam and buttermilk. This sticky, sweet concoction of years gone by is far more likely to be found on the windowsill of a Kentucky home kitchen than on a menu, but around Derby on the first weekend in May keep an eye out for this local favourite on special seasonal menus.

One of Florida’s Best Kept Secrets – Florida Caverns State Park

We’ve been camping here and it was such a great time.  The kids loved it~ Matt & Helen Pearce

 

Florida Caverns State Park

 

Description:

One of the few state parks with dry (air filled) caves and the only Florida state park to offer cave tours to the public. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. Florida Caverns is also popular for camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, canoeing, boating, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Though the park does not rent horses, stables are available for equestrian campers. Cave tours last approximately 45 minutes and are considered to be moderately strenuous. An audiovisual program about the cave tour and the park is available in the visitor center. ***PLEASE NOTE*** Cave tours are CLOSED on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week.

Amenities:

• Disabled Traveler Information
• ADA Picnic Tables
• Braille Signage
• Handicapped Parking

• Tour Information
• Guided Tours
• Tour Duration 1 hour

• Fishing Type
• Light Tackle Fishing

• Hours of Operation
• Hours 8 a.m. – sunset daily
• Open Year-Round

• Rental Information
• Canoe Rental

• Pet Information
• Pets on Leash Allowed

• Payment Options
• American Express
• Cash
• Discover
• MasterCard
• Personal Checks
• Travelers Checks
• Visa

• Site Type
• State Park

• Tour Type
• Nature Tours

• Amenities
• Gift Shop
• Horseback Riding Trails
• Parking
• Picnic Area
• Picnic Shelter
• Playground

• Activities
• Bicycle Trails
• Bicycling
• Birding
• Boating
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Equestrian Riding
• Hiking
• Swimming

• Designation
• Geographic Trail
• Native American Heritage Trail

• Trail Information
• Additional Notes Cave tours are CLOSED on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. Canoe rentals are available at the Ranger Station on days the cave tours are closed. Please be aware our cave tours sometimes sell out.
• Length of Trail (in miles) 6
• Nearby Cities Marianna
• Trail Contact Call the information line at (850) 245-2157

Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce Florida

Feasting in Florida

A Great Article about Florida Cuisine.  We love to travel and we love food, so we loved this article!  Matt & Helen

Culinary explorers willing to push past Florida’s thicket of homogenized restaurants are rewarded with a bountiful, sublime feast of land and sea that mixes rustic traditions, gourmet inventions and a hemisphere’s worth of cultures.

Gourmands looking to notch up one-of-a-kind experiences will only be held back by their nerve: boiled peanuts, frogs’ legs, snake, alligator, chitlins (hog intestines) – how far will you go? Less adventurous gastronomers should stick to Miami and make forays to places like Tarpon Springs for its Greek cuisine and Jewish Miami Beach for its kosher delis.

Exploring Florida, one dish at a time

Boiled peanuts

In rural north Florida, they take green or immature peanuts and boil them until they’re nice and mushy, sometimes spicing them up with Cajun or other seasonings. Sure, they feel weird in the mouth, but they’re surprisingly addictive.

Tarpon Springs Greek salad

Please don’t ask why, but in Tarpon Springs, Greek restaurants started hiding a dollop of potato salad inside a regulation Greek salad – now you can find this odd combination throughout central Florida.

Alligator

The meat comes from the tail, and even at its best, it’s chewy. Alligator tastes like a cross between fish and pork, and is usually served as deep-fried nuggets, which overwhelms the delicate flavor. Try it grilled. Most alligator is legally harvested on farms and is common enough to be found in grocery stores.

Frogs’ legs

Those who know say the ‘best’ legs come from the Everglades; definitely ask, since you want to avoid imported ones from India, which are smaller and disparaged as ‘flavorless.’ What do flavorful Glades’ legs taste like? Well…like chicken, sort of, only, not.

Stone crabs

The first recycled crustacean: only one claw is taken from a stone crab – the rest is tossed back in the sea (the claw regrows in 12 to 18 months, and crabs plucked again are called ‘retreads’). Joe Weiss of Miami Beach is credited with starting it all, and his claws, cakes and bisque can still be had at Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant.

Griots

This Haitian fried specialty is tops: pork cubes marinated in garlic and sour orange juice, then fried. Find it by following your nose in Miami’s Little Haiti.

 

Key lime pie

Key limes are yellow, and that’s the color of an authentic Key lime pie, which is nothing more than a custard of Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks in a cracker crust, then topped with meringue or whipped cream. If your pie is green, or stands ramrod straight when cut, then just push it back. The extra-tart Key lime matches well with the oversweet milk, which nicely captures the personality of Key West Conchs.

Florida menu decoder

Florida menus have both a Southern twang and Spanish accent:

• arroz – rice; arroz con leche – rice pudding
• batido – Latin milkshake (smoothie): fruit, ice, sweetened condensed milk and sometimes sugar
• ceviche – raw, lime-marinated seafood and fish
• cornpone – cornmeal pancake fried in a skillet; also called johnnycake
• empanada – latin American savory turnover
• frijoles – beans
• fritters – anything mixed or dipped in batter and deep-fried: from corn to conch to alligator
• gallo pinto – Central American red beans and rice
• grits – coarsely ground white corn (a cousin to polenta); a Southern staple, served with cheese or gravy
• hush puppies – deep-fried cornbread nuggets
• jerk – a Caribbean seasoning and marinade; for pork, chicken or beef
• moros y cristianos – Cuban rice and beans (literally Moors and Christians – blacks and whites); also called congri
• plantains – like bananas, but starchier and less sweet; served fried with Cuban meats
• po’ boy – the South’s answer to the Yankee hoagie or sub sandwich
• sour orange – an ugly orange that tastes like a lime, and is a major component of Cuban cuisine; naranja agria in Spanish
• tres leches – Nicaraguan ‘three milks’ cake; a sponge cake full of creamy syrup and topped with meringue.

This is an abbreviated article from the Food & Drink chapter of our latest Florida guide.

For more opinion, advice and background on food from Florida, ask a question of the knowledgeable folk at the Get Stuffed branch of the Thorn Tree forum.

 

 

Where Should You Travel In April?

These traveling experts believe this is where one should go during April?  What do you think?  Denmark looked appealing. ~Matt & Helen

 

Ask the experts: where to go in April

No matter whether you’re on the threshold of spring, heading into autumn, or escaping the turn of the seasons altogether in the tropics, April is a great time for a getaway.

If you’re a fan of centuries-old pageantry, you won’t find a better bet than Spain at this time of year, where the streets of Seville serve up a spine-tingling spectacle; in China, exuberance – and, of course, a good soaking – is the hallmark of Yunnan’s Water Splashing Festival.

Adventurers, meanwhile, might be tempted by a trek amid South Africa’s mighty ‘Battlement of Spears’, or maybe even a dive in the company of manta rays off the coast of Indonesia. But perhaps you’d prefer to explore uber-cool Copenhagen before the crowds descend, or grab a shrimp and oyster po’boy for a saunter down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, in search of the spirit of jazz?

Whatever your taste in travel, Lonely Planet’s destination experts have advice in abundance.

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

The pellucid waters of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Image courtesy of Tourism Indonesia.

Straddling the end of monsoon and the cusp of summer, April heralds gloriously comfortable temperatures for holidaying in Indonesia. With winter swells yet to pick up for surfers, conditions are ideal for diving and snorkelling.

One of the six countries in the ‘Coral Triangle’, Indonesia is surrounded by one of the most biodiverse oceans on earth. West Papua’s fabled diving destination Raja Ampat is one of its most unspoiled corners, boasting more than 10 times the number of hard coral species found in the Caribbean. In February, the government decreed that Indonesia’s entire aquatic territory will now act as a sanctuary for manta rays, so it’s the perfect time to come and get acquainted with these gentle giants of the sea.

If you’re a novice diver, consider stopping by the Gili Islands to get certified before heading to more remote diving regions like Raja Ampat. There’s also great diving and snorkelling off easily accessible Bali and neighbouring Nusa Lembongan.

Sarah Reid – Destination Editor for Southeast Asia.

Seville, Spain

A Santa Semana procession through the streets of Seville. Image by Fernando Ortuno. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Many cities mark the Catholic feast of Holy Week, but none approach it with quite the same verve as Seville, where the event is known as Semana Santa (semana-santa.org).

Every day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday (13-20 April this year), large, life-sized pasos (sculptural representations of events from Christ’s Passion) are carried through the streets from Seville’s churches to the cathedral, accompanied by processions that may take more than an hour to pass. The celebrations continue in the city’s bars and restaurants, so book ahead.

Seville boasts some of Spain’s most creative tapas – head for the Vinería San Telmo, which offers traditional and modern varieties, such as squid ink spaghetti with scallops. On the same street, Catalina is another good option, with plenty of alfresco seating for a lazy lunch.

Procession schedules are widely available during Semana Santa – or see the website for more details. Arrive near the cathedral in the early evening for a better view.

Jo Cooke – Destination Editor for Iberian Europe and Turkey.

Yunnan, China

A group embracing the spirt of the Water Splashing Festival in Yunnan, China. Image by Diana Mayfield / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images.

Mid-April marks the traditional new year for the Dai minority in China’s Yunnan province. The Water Splashing Festival is riotously celebrated in the Xishuangbanna region in the far south of the province, where a three-day festival includes a parade, open-air market and sand sculpting on the banks of the Lacang River.

Festivities culminate in a day of water splashing, where the entire community comes out to spray and douse each other with water. The ritual signifies a cleansing process for the new year. Water splashing festivals are celebrated in many parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, where Songkran is one of the most important dates on the national calendar.

Megan Eaves – Destination Editor for North and Central Asia.

 

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, South Africa

Hikers heading into the Drakensberg Range. Image by billandkent. CC BY 2.0.

The serrated ridges and basaltic buttresses of the Drakensberg Range took shape over millions of years, but you’ll appreciate them in an instant.

Known as the ‘Battlement of Spears’ (Quathlamba) in the Zulu language, the range is not only one of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, but also one of the continent’s greatest hiking destinations. And April, thanks to moderate temperatures and dry skies, is a fantastic month to experience it.

Trails within the 243,000-hectare uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a Unesco World Heritage-listed site, vary in difficulty and length, allowing you to take on anything from easy morning strolls to strenuous full- or multi-day hikes.

Witnessing the park’s most staggering sights, such as the Amphitheatre, Cathedral Peak, Devil’s Tooth, Eastern Buttress, Monk’s Cowl and Sentinel, is pretty special even from a distance. But taking them in up close, after an exhausting effort, is unforgettable.

Matt Phillips – Destination Editor for sub-Saharan Africa.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The lively quayside streets of Copenhagen. Image by Pug Girl. CC BY 2.0.

Effortlessly cool, enviably eco-friendly and filled with historic charm, Copenhagen’s appeal isn’t hard to fathom. Sneak in a visit to Denmark’s capital before the summer crowds and see for yourself why it’s known as ‘the world’s most liveable city’.

While you may have to put up with a few rain showers in April, iconic city-centre attractions like the Tivoli Gardens open up for the summer season this month, and you’ll be able to enjoy relative calm at popular sights before Euro-pop fever descends in May, when the city plays host to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Wander the free-spirited streets of the alternative community Christiana or, at the other end of the spectrum, witness the pageantry of Queen Margarethe’s birthday celebrations on 16 April, when the ever-popular monarch greets thousands of well-wishers from a balcony of the Amalienborg Slot.

If you’re hungry after all the cycling you’re bound to do, Copenhagen has it covered. Don’t worry if your budget doesn’t stretch to Michelin stars; head to Marv & Ben instead for a cheaper slice of Danish deliciousness.

Gemma Graham – Destination Editor for northern Europe.

Louisiana, USA

A band playing at the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club in New Orleans. Image by VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm / Getty Images.

In Louisiana, everyone seems ready to get up and dance. With jazz and Afro-Caribbean sounds mixing with squeaking accordions and the rasp of a washboard zydeco, it’s hard to resist the urge to take to the floor.

The French Quarter Festival (10-15 April) in New Orleans is one of southern America’s largest free events, and hundreds of local jazz, blues, Cajun and funky brass musicians play at outdoor stages. Grab a po’boy sandwich and wander the colonial-style streets where blooming bougainvillea drapes over the curly wrought iron balconies. Two weeks later, the world-renowned Jazz Fest comes to town. This extravaganza celebrates its 45th year in 2014 with an epic line-up including the likes of Santana and Bruce Springsteen.

Springtime is warm and lush this far south, but the humidity is yet to rise. Outside of New Orleans, don’t miss a visit to the cotton plantations of 12 Years a Slave-fame, or the swamplands of Cajun Country, home to the largest French-speaking minority in the US.

Dora Whitaker – Destination Editor for eastern and mid-USA.

Edited by Matt and Helen Pearce Florida