February into March 2023 Cancelling our February AIRbnb reservation left us with an open six-week stretch on our calendar. We had scheduled a Care-A-Vanner commitment in Florida for the last two weeks of March, but we needed a travel plan to bridge the time between then and now. We chose a route out to Rockport, Texas, and a return one that would bring us back to the New Orleans area for Mardi Gras on February 21st, and our Florida commitment…
FLORIDA to TEXAS Late December to early February Northerners imagine that Florida is always sunny and warm. In reality, Florida can have some damp, bone-chilling weather. We spent some very cold days before Christmas at Fort De Soto County Park and Hillsborough River State Park. Wind, rain, cold, and unheated shower houses – not a good combo. Woodsy campsites turn muddy, potholes appear in dirt roads, and hiking trails become a hop-scotch around puddles. All you can do is layer…
Mid to late February 2022 Care-A-Vanners We had been mulling over the idea of volunteering during our travels. Most of the opportunities we had come across required a commitment of several months – a bit too long for us. We read an article in Escapees magazine about Care-A-Vanners, which is a Habitat for Humanity program for travelers like us. The Care-A-Vanner builds require a shorter commitment, usually two weeks. Sounded good to us. We applied and signed up to work…
Mid-January 2021 In Ocean Springs, MS, we stayed at Davis Bayou, which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. So, what’s the difference between a swamp and a bayou? A swamp is a forested wetland. A bayou is a slow moving body of water in a flat, low-lying area, commonly found in the Gulf Coast region of the southern United States. The current in these waters changes daily, with the tides, creating a brackish environment. These areas are prone…