Exploration

Travel has always been part of our lives. Growing up, we learned early on that you didn’t need a big budget or a far-off destination to explore somewhere meaningful. Some of our favorite memories came from places close to home, where wandering a little further led to discovering something new.

This Explore page is a collection of those moments — local spots, long drives, quiet places, and destinations we didn’t plan but ended up loving. Whether you’re exploring nearby or heading somewhere far away, we hope these stories inspire you to slow down and see what’s around you.

Explore Our National Parks

Our latest Exploration blogs

Palm Trees in St. Petersburg, Florida 2024

Experience St. Petersburg

Traveling Through St. Petersburg We had the pleasure of having a good friend live in St. Petersburg and graciously let us keep our van in her backyard as we went on our first cruise. She showed us some pretty cool places while we were there for a few days and there are still so many more places we want to visit.  4 Reasons Why The Pier is a great place to Visit in St. Petersburg Fishing  Whether you are a fishing pro or a casual caster, the pier offers a designated fishing deck. The fishing deck provides easy access to the waters of Tampa Bay with great opportunities to catch a variety of fish. Family Friendly For families, there is a playground and a splash pad for kids to ends. Check the events calendar for the St. Pete’s Pier for activities that happen on the pieri! Food & Drinks St. Pete’s Pier has several food options ranging from casual cafes to upscale restaurants. Most of these restaurants have stunning waterfront views. Art & Sculptures Along the walkway you will see various public art pieces, including sculptures and murals. The art installations often reflect the local culture and environment, providing an enriching experience for visitors. Booking.com Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille Menu | doc ford’s rum bar & grille Seated at the bar, we got front row to airplanes in the distance coming and going from a small airport. The food was amazing and bartender was a lot of fun! We ended up getting a double decker brownie that was huge, but so delicious! 10 out of 10!  

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Exploring Fort Worth Texas

Exploring Fort Worth, Texas

What’s So Awesome About Fort Worth? Not only is it our current hometown, but it has a rich history. One thing I love about Fort Worth is keeping it’s western Cowboy culture so prevalent in everything.  The Stockyards where they still herd the cattle through the streets of Fort Worth twice a day! There is also a more modern part of Fort Worth that has a really cool rooftop restaurant right next to Sundance Square. There is so much more to do in Fort Worth than these few things, but these are just some of our favorites. The Stockyards Unique Accommodation Experience a one-of-a-kind stay where old charm meets modern comfort. Right in the bustling heart of Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards. Heart of the Herd Located at the epicenter of action, this spot offers a front-row seat to cattle drives and cowboy shows. Perfect for those who want to soak in the authentic Stockyard vibes. Step Back Into The Wild Wild West Immerse yourself in the days of cattle barons and rodeo stars. Our themed rooms and decor transport you to a time when Fort Worth was the gateway to the West. Family Friendly Bring the whole gang for some fun! Our family-friendly accommodations ensure everyone has a comfy stay, with plenty of activities for all ages right outside your door. Branch and Bird Our favorite rooftop restaurant in Fort Worth. Yes there are plenty in the area but this one holds a special place in our hearts. With amazing drinks and foods for all taste buds, you can’t really go wrong here. We have gone here too many times to count and we will never get tired of the sunsets over Fort Worth. We always like to book reservations – highly recommended – about an hour before sunset. That will get you settled in with a good drink and maybe some appitizers while the sun sets behind you. Perfect place for a romantic night out, celebrating a special event or a great place to relax before hitting up Sundance Square. Menus Sundance Square History Sundance Square is named after the Sundance Kid, a famous outlaw from the Old West. The area played a crucial role in Fort Worth’s development, serving as a business center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over the years, it saw many transformations, evolving from a historic district with old brick buildings to a modern urban space with restored architecture. In the 1980s, the city began to preserve its historical charm while introducing contemporary amenities. Today, Sundance Square blends its rich history with a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, theaters, and cultural venues. How to get there You can reach Sundance Square by car, public transportation, or even on foot if you’re staying nearby. There’s ample parking and easy access to buses and trains. What’s best, Daytime or Nighttime? Both times offer unique experiences. Daytime is great for shopping and family-friendly activities, while nighttime brings a lively atmosphere with dining and entertainment options.

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Calibishie Village Dominica

Our Stay in Calibishie

Why We Picked Calibishie We had been researching Dominica at this point, but we very still pretty green – but ready for adventure. We didn’t know at the time, but we picked the best village to start our trip, Calibishie! A small village located just 20 minutes from the airport on the north east part of the island. Calibishie has multiple places to stays with locals and a few restaurants within walking distances. It’s also perfect location for a lot of cool places like the Red Rocks and Bantiou Beach.  During our stay at Sandbar, we met our host – Christie. We can’t wait to go back and visit with her again, she was the best host and was so sweet. She painted us a beautiful door stop and even gave us beautiful flowers for our anniversary!  Staying At The Sandbar Unique Accommodation Located right on the ocean, and when I say on the ocean, I mean ON THE OCEAN! Best sleep we have gotten was here! Idyllic Location It’s close enough to all the cool outdoorsy things you will want to do, but not surrounded by too many people. Exceptional Comfort Christie – the host, is wonderful. We chatted for a while, but she always gave us our privacy. It was very nice to have her as our host. She gave us these flowers for our anniversary  ❤️ Exclusive Privacy When you are on the balcony or inside, you will have all the privacy and seclusion you are looking for. Booking.comLearn More About Staying At The Sandbar The Rainbow Restaurant The Rainbow Restaurant, located right off the main road is a great stop for lunch & dinner.  It’s also a 2 minute walk from the Sandbar, which is a big win!  It’s the best way to have good food and drinks after a long day of exploring the Dominica island!  Not only was the food and drinks amazing, but the staff that worked there were so nice and engaging. Super fun crowd, with great locals and overall a great experience.  Menu Explore The Red Rocks How it was formed Volcanoes! Many years ago, after an eruption, the fast lava flow rushed down to the sea, burning everything in its path. It simply heated the ocean, made steam, cooled down, and left behind grey ground. As time passed, the iron in the ground rusted, creating Red Rocks. How to get there Just 20 min from the Douglas Charles Airport, after parking at the restaurant (we did not eat there, as it wasn’t opened when we did this in the AM) you will take a quick hike to the opening.  Our Tour Guide Story Time – after we parked and we were getting out of the car a dog JUMPED on us, but just to say hello! Super friendly, but scared me silly. Thinking he was just a local island dog, we started to walk to the trail. As we are walking, this dog is LEADING us exactly where we needed to

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Eagle Mountain Feature

Eagle Mountain Park Blog

Why We Love Eagle Mountain Park! This is our favorite local hiking trail in the DFW area. If we want to do something that is familiar and comfortable, we will always go to Eagle Mountain Park! If you’re looking for a fun hike in the Fort Worth area, look no further than Eagle Mountain Park. One thing we love about this place is that there are 3 options for hiking, depending on what you are feeling. First, there is an easy almost 2 mile hike towards the right side of the entrance, perfect for smaller kids. Second, is a 5 mile trail that heads to the left, a little more challenge but still a great hike. If you want to combine the whole park, you will clock in a little over 7 miles, depending on how much you wonder, lol. Eagle Mountain Park is not only our favorite because of the options of trails, but it’s also a clean park, lots of places to stop and enjoy the scenery and sometimes you see wildlife, like deer and armadillos. Because of wildlife and general maintenance to the trails, this park does NOT allow dogs. Please note that before heading out to go hike.Let’s take it away? Read on! Let’s take it away? Read on! Key Takeaways Directions To Eagle Mountain Park Getting Around Eagle Mountain Park One quick thing to remember, this is not really a mountain. Located right outside of Fort Worth, Texas, Eagle Mountain Lake and Eagle Mountain City have created this beautiful park with the same name. There are some “peaks” on the trail and the elevation gain is 577 ft. Before You Go Eagle Mountain Park is open 7 days a week, from dusk until dawn. There are multiple ways to get to this park, and all roads leading to the park are well maintained and smooth drives. It has a gate for entrance and there is no entry fee. There is a regular parking area as well as overflow parking. The park tends to get crowded on nice days. There is wildlife along the trails, such as deer, armadillos and really cool birds. This is a reason why the park requests that it stays a pet-free park. As always, Leave No Trace’s policy keeps our earth cleaner & parks prettier. A Little Bit of History Created in 1980, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) bought 400 acres and now is home to Eagle Mountain Park. Eagle Mountain Park has seen great conservation programs over the years. Community events are popular through annual events. Eagle Mountain Park has received recognition and awards for its conservation efforts and environmental stewardship. Over the years, the park has become a loved park for both locals and visitors. Practical Information Best Time To Go The park can get busy, especially on spring and fall late mornings. I would suggest to get there early and get in and out without the crowds. During the summer time, earliest is best to beat

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