Camping the Florida Keys

The kids have great memories of our camping trip at Long Key State Park where we spent the weekend on an oceanfront site in the Florida Keys.

We took two cars, and a lot more stuff than we actually needed. Like this screen room. The bugs thankfully weren’t as bad as we thought they might be. We have been in the keys before when the night air was thick with swarming Mosquitos. Better safe than sorry I guess. We gladly chose to sit fireside.

We decided to camp on a weekend when the moon was full so we would have better visibility at night. The full moon reflecting off the water cast a magical glow across the shoreline offering up an enchanting evening view.We stayed up late then crawled into our big blue tent. You can tell the girls were just exhausted. ; ) Then it rained! Jeff and I looked at each other simultaneously as the cloud unloaded on us. I considered a mad dash to the van, but fortunately, our tent stayed dry. Phew.

Good morning sunshine!

When morning came, Jeff cooked breakfast on the grill and then we ventured out for a day on the ocean.

Tara found some sea creatures while Val, our bookworm, enjoyed some time reading Lord of the Rings.

A horseshoe crab washed ashore.

Mikey flung his cast net in the shallows looking for some bait fish.

 

Mikey didn’t get much sleep in his tent either. So, he grabbed some shut eye while waiting for dinner to cook.

I love this marshmallow picture.

We stayed two nights. I dreamt I was trapped in a large crinkly WalMart bag. Sleepless night #2 for me, didn’t phase the kids one bit.

Our final day was spent hiking the camp trails and exploring beyond the beach. I would have liked to kayak, but we didn’t get the chance on this trip.

That afternoon, the time had arrived to pack up our gear.

The kids grabbed the walkie-talkies and got settled in the cars for the long ride home.

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• Beach Campgrounds in the Florida Keys (livestrong.com)

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Where Can You Camp On the Ocean in the Florida Keys?

The kids have great memories of our camping trip at Long Key State Park. You camp right on the ocean here in the Florida Keys.

We took two cars, and a lot more stuff than we actually needed. Like this screen room. The bugs thankfully weren’t as bad as we thought they might be. We have been in the keys before when the night air was thick with swarming Mosquitos. Better safe than sorry I guess. We gladly chose to sit fireside.

We decided to camp on a weekend when the moon was full so we would have better visibility at night. The full moon reflecting off the water cast a magical glow across the shoreline offering up an enchanting evening view.We stayed up late then crawled into our big blue tent. You can tell the girls were just exhausted. ; ) Then it rained! Jeff and I looked at each other simultaneously as the cloud unloaded on us. I considered a mad dash to the van, but fortunately, our tent stayed dry. Phew.

Good morning sunshine!

When morning came, Jeff cooked breakfast on the grill and then we ventured out for a day on the ocean.

Tara found some sea creatures while Val, our bookworm, enjoyed some time reading Lord of the Rings.

Mikey flung his cast net in the shallows looking for some bait fish.

Mikey didn’t get much sleep in his tent either. So, he grabbed some shut eye while waiting for dinner to cook.

I love this marshmallow picture. What’s a campout without smores?

We stayed two nights. I dreamt I was trapped in a large crinkly WalMart bag. Sleepless night #2 for me, didn’t phase the kids one bit.

Our final day was spent hiking the camp trails and exploring beyond the beach. I would have liked to kayak, but we didn’t get the chance on this trip.

That afternoon, the time had arrived to pack up our gear.

The kids grabbed the walkie-talkies and got settled in the cars for the long ride home.

Revisiting Stowe, Vermont

The snowless winter has ended here in South Florida and the snowbirds have flown north. I have missed seeing snow and so I pulled out photos from a trip to Stowe, Vermont to revisit. I can still clearly remember the wind in my face, my hair gently blown back, as we raced across the snow in our one horse open sleigh.

Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh.

We stayed in a 2 room suite at Topnotch Resort in Stowe. Our room had hand painted furniture with wide picture windows to take in the mountain vistas and the snowfall. The ski runs lined the mountains in the distance.

The trip was a business trip, an achievement bonus. The President’s Club dinner and award ceremony was held at Nonna’s, the on site restaurant. Here is Jeff receiving his award.

We toured the little town’s attractions. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is located nearby just outside of Stowe in Waterbury. We took the tour with the group.

Yes, that’s “Hunka, Hunka Burnin Fudge”

We also strolled through downtown Stowe stopping at Shaw’s landmark store for a visit.

Another fun tour was the Cold Hollow Cider Mill where they make fresh pressed apple cider and donuts. Perfect companions to the crisp cool Vermont weather.

And this was the last time I played in the snow…

Sleigh Ride Visit to Stowe, Vermont

Where can you ride in a one horse open sleigh in Vermont?

Top notch Resort in Stowe, Vermont is a winter wonderland paradise where, among many other snow sports, you can also take a horse-drawn sleigh ride. If you’re lucky, it might even be snowing!

Looking back on our trip, I can still clearly remember the wind in my face, my hair gently blown back, as we raced across the snow in our one horse open sleigh

here we are, dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh.

We stayed in a 2 room suite at Topnotch Resort in Stowe. Our room had hand painted furniture with wide picture windows to take in the mountain vistas and the snowfall. The ski runs lined the mountains in the distance.

The trip was a business trip, an achievement bonus. The President’s Club dinner and award ceremony was held at Nonna’s, the on site restaurant. Here is Jeff receiving his award.

We toured the little town’s attractions including Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory which is located nearby just outside of Stowe in Waterbury. We took the tour with the group.

Yes, that’s “Hunka, Hunka Burnin Fudge”

We also strolled through downtown Stowe stopping at Shaw’s landmark store for a visit.

Another fun tour was the Cold Hollow Cider Mill where they make fresh pressed apple cider and donuts. Perfect companions to the crisp cool Vermont weather.

And this was the last time I played in the snow…