Florida: Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Our GPS is set for home, but as we say good-bye to our sweet friends in Melbourne, Florida (and thank them for opening their home to us these past few weeks), there is still a lot of country to see before we land in our beds in North Dakota.

Three girls on a road trip, so many possibilities for things to see! We started out with some searches - National Parks, historical sites, roadside marvels - and then set off on the road home.

Our first stop was Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, near Daytona Beach. This 175-foot-tall tower has the distinction of being the tallest lighthouse in Florida. The beacon's light can be seen up to 18 miles out to sea!

As soon as we saw it, we knew we definitely had to climb it. The lady who sold us our tickets promised five-year-old Bria a sticker if she made it to the top, and then we started up. There are 213 very steep steps to the top, and I'm not sure if I thought that sounded like a lot or not, but whoah! That's a lot of steps up!

We were around halfway when it started to feel like a serious project. Ella and I were both thankful for a sign we had read aloud at the bottom saying kids had to be able to make the steps (up and down) themselves and couldn't be carried - that would have been a lot of steps to lug 30 pounds up!

There were a few places along the way to stop and check out the view, catch your breath, and let people pass you going up or down (the steps are narrow and only passable by one person at a time). Once you reach the top, there is a door that leads outside, and gives a fantastic panoramic view of the beautiful little point where the lighthouse is located. We walked around it a few times, but didn't spend a lot of time, because a storm was coming, and we didn't want to be rushed down in a crowd when they closed the tower.

The trip down was, of course, much easier than the trip up, and soon we were resting on the benches outside. The lighthouse is surrounded by a small museum, which is made up of a series of buildings that once housed lighthouse employees and offices, each filled with assorted artifacts representing the 128 year history of the site. Ponce Inlet is one of 12 lighthouses in the country that have been designated as National Historic Landmarks, sitting at third tallest.

We looked into a few of them, then caught part of a movie about the lighthouse before going inside to check out the gift shop. Just as we stepped inside, an alert came over the radio that it was time to close the lighthouse down due to the impending thunder and lightning.

Pleased with our timing, we continued on our adventure. There is also a scavenger hunt available for the site (pick one up in the gift shop), but we didn't notice it until after the closure. It looked like fun, and would be a good way to engage while exploring the tower and museum.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is open at 10 a.m., 7 days a week. Closing time is 9 p.m. in the summer months and 6 p.m. the rest of the year. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Ticket sales stop one hour before closing, to allow for ample time to visit the landmark. Admission is $6.95 for adults and $1.95 for children. Visit their website for additional details.

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Jamaica: Deep Sea Fishing

Guest Post by Justin Parkinson

On Friday, our last full day on our Jamaican adventure, after a morning at the Blue Hole, we set out onto the Caribbean Sea on a deep sea fishing trip. We booked a four hour adventure with Ocho Rios Deep Sea Fishing.

Personally, I could gladly have cut it from the itinerary, not being even vaguely interested in fishing. But I'm glad I didn't. The trip was my father-in-law’s birthday present, on his request, and I was on the boat with him, my brother and my stepson. There’s plenty of joy to be had in participating in someone else’s fun, and no better people to spend an afternoon with than family no matter what you are doing. Then, on a personal level, two very special things happened out there.

The second was that standing on the deck of our small fishing boat, the Justeina, rolling with the ocean swells, the wind whipping my hair, the salt spray drying tight across my face as the Caribbean paradise faded into the haze on the horizon, I found a deep happiness in my reconnection with the ocean. I grinned like a fool until my face ached. Then I grinned some more because when I tried to relax my smile, it just crept back again.

The first, and most wonderful experience of the entire vacation, was when my kid - my moody uncommunicative seventeen-year-old stepson - turned to me with dancing eyes and true gratitude in his voice and said, "This has been the best vacation ever, thank you." And then he hugged me! I'd like to tell you I have stepkids who adore me and show their affection often, but I don't. This was a rare, in fact unique, moment that I may just treasure forever. I felt like a king.

It wasn't just the excitement of deep sea fishing, though visions of 500-pound tuna were definitely racing in his head. It was also the exhilaration of the Blue Hole, and the prospect of a farewell bonfire that evening. But more than that, this vacation with both sets of grandparents, an uncle, and the four kids all together, was special. Jamaica was special.

From a travel perspective we had a rough day with the hook. Granddad managed to pull in a three-foot barracuda, but that was our only strike. Lucky Randy, our guide, kept busy with the lures and bait trying his hardest to entice a fish, to no avail. We got to the end of our four hour excursion, and were almost inside the harbour when Captain Speedy spotted some birds and took us back out on hopes there would be some hunters under the water where the birds were fishing. We got to see many flying fish skipping and skittering across the waves, but no strike. You can't hold the lack of fish a against the crew, but I probably wouldn't be jumping up and down suggesting you seek them out, either.

The crew came with a cooler well stocked with beer and water, though if you're seasoned drinker, you may want to bring extra. There was not enough there for us to get drunk on, even if we'd thought that was a wise idea on the rolling sea.

Oh, and here's a tip learned the hard way - make sure to get sunblock everywhere. You know, including the part of my knee that is hidden under your shorts when standing, but exposed when sitting! Ouch!

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Jamaica: The Beautiful Coral Cove Villa

Morning coffee and conversation on the patio, the steady rake, rake, rake sound of the gardener going about his daily routine, the breeze gently rustling through the trees. Ocean waves roll into the channel, lapping at the white sand beach. A symphony of birds sings along in harmony with the gardener's rhythm. The more you listen, the more you hear.

Nestled along the edge of Jamaica's beautiful Discovery Bay, Coral Cove Villa is a beautiful, relaxing haven with plenty of space to spread out and make yourself at home. Indoor living spaces flow into outdoor spaces, blurring the line masterfully.

The fence line on either side of the property is a botanical garden featuring fruit, flower, leaf, and tree. If you are very still, you may see a land crab digging in the cool dirt or a cat walking along the garden wall. The morning air is cool, but hints at the heat of the day to come. It is the perfect place for nature exploration, and we each take turns on a journey of discovery with our five-year-old adventurer.

Coral Cove was the site of a sort of epic family trip - eleven family members from three generations coming from New Zealand, North Dakota and Montana - and we couldn't think of a more perfect spot for it. We all settled easily into lounging, the largest moves being from the patio to the pool to the hammock to the beach. No stress or alarm clocks here.

As the locals say, "No worries, mon."

The view from our upstairs suite was amazing, evoking feelings of absolute paradise.

But the real draw here, the thing that sets this place apart, is the staff. The delightful and attentive staff works a constant cycle to keep the villa looking pristine and to anticipate our every need, leaving us to just shut off and recharge. I don't know how we could possibly say enough about the staff, they are absolutely amazing.

Kevin, Norma, Penny, Louise, Devon, and Paul could not have made Jamaica more fantastic for us.

We wake each morning to the smell of bacon cooking. In the afternoon, icy cocktails are by the pool. Each evening during dinner, our beds are turned down, the shutters are closed tight, and the air conditioning and fans are turned on so we can retire to a cool place. Touches like a bottle of water on each night stand are welcoming and sweet.

The housekeepers kept up with laundry from 11 people as though it were nothing (including all of our laundry from the week of vacation leading up to our arrival at the villa), leaving it freshly folded outside our rooms each afternoon. 

And the food. Oh, the food! Miss Norma is clearly the matriarch of a large Jamaican family, with years of experience putting out food for a crowd. She worked wonders with all of our food requests (most importantly - feed us local food!), and stretched a dollar like any good grandmother would.

In addition to the absolutely mandatory relaxation, the villa was an amazing place to cultivate family relationships.

We also loved the pool and proximity to the beach. The children spend hours swimming and splashing, the older ones enjoying a paddle around the cove in a kayak when the winds are calm, or swimming out to the swim dock to dive to their heart's content.

An entire undersea world is also ready to explore - simply don a snorkel and mask and set off on an adventure. Caribbean rays, a variety of tropical fish, white and black urchin, and much more revealed themselves under the crystal blue waters.

Discovery Bay is on the north side of Jamaica, between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The Coral Cove property actually offers two houses - we stayed in the larger of the two, a five bedroom, five bathroom home. The second house offers an additional three bedrooms and can be rented together or separately. Each house has a pool and private beach.

The villa was a great fit for all ages. They catered exceedingly well to the youngest member of our party, with her own special play table, and plastic plates and cups at her place each meal, but it was also an excellent fit for the teenagers and the grandparents. Not every place can say that!

There is much to explore outside the gates, too, so lazy mornings roll into exciting days, filled with waterfalls, shopping, deep sea fishing, and tours. We were careful not to fill too much of our time, instead reserving exploration of Jamaica to every other day to optimize our time at the villa.

The last night of our stay, we had an amazing steak and lobster dinner.

Then Devon treated us to a bonfire on the beach, complete with marshmallows to roast and Jamaican music over the sound system. It was the perfect way to celebrate our last night.

Watch the blog all this week for more about our once-in-a-lifetime visit to this beautiful Caribbean nation!

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Bahamas: Visiting the Atlantis Resort

Thinking of heading to the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas? Check out this insider information before you pack your bags.

Getting There

Flights into Nassau are available from several airlines. We found great deals with Jet Blue. Connecting out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami will mean a 35-45 minute easy hop onto the island. The airport is small and easy to navigate, with plenty of transportation available outside.

As with so many places, taxi rates from the Nassau airport are set by the government. Be sure you know them before you get into a taxi. When we went, it was $33 for the first four people, and $4 per person after four, and took about about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you are traveling somewhere on the island without a posted rate, speak with the driver to agree upon a price before getting in the cab.

It isn’t a great option when you arrive and have bags in tow, but to go into Nassau from the resort, you can take a land or water taxi for about $4 per person plus tip. We took the water taxi one day and wrote about it here.

Getting Around

This place is massive, there are no two ways about it. You're sure to blow up those pedometers! Bring your walking shoes and band-aids for blisters. There is a shuttle that takes you between towers every thirty minutes, but we never found it worth the wait, and ended up just hiking everywhere we went. Strollers are available to rent through a third party, ask about them at Guest Services. We got one for the day we went into Nassau for the food tour (amazing, by the way, we highly recommend it), and paid $16, which included having it dropped off and picked up in our room. Easy peasy.

Check In

Check in time for the rooms is 3 p.m., but if your flight gets in early, you can head to the resort early and do a partial check in, which allows you access to the facilities before your room is ready. We arrived in Nassau at 9 a.m., left our bags with the bellman, and set off exploring.

One things we really wished someone had told us at the time was that Atlantis offers complimentary use of their In-Transit Hospitality Lounges, located in each of the towers. The lounges offer lockers, showers, restrooms, changing facilities, and bathing suit dryers. Be sure to ask about this feature if you check in early or won't be leaving at the 11 a.m. check out time.

The Towers

I read a review of the Royal Towers that said, “If you heed the warnings about the impending chaos that awaits you, Atlantis will not disappoint you.” I couldn’t have said it better! This place is loud and bustling and high-energy. But it is also classy and opulent and a sight to behold. We’ve been twice (on business), and stayed in the Royal Tower both times.

Atlantis is a busy resort - especially the Royal Towers end. There is lots happening, including the aquarium, waterpark, and casino, and people congregate here in large numbers. If you are looking for quiet rest and relaxation, you may be disappointed. But if the hustle and bustle of lots to do and see is your thing, you’ll feel right at home.

With that said, here is the view from our room...

...not much to find fault with there!

We have never stayed at the Beach or Coral towers, but every time we have visited them, they seemed quieter and less chaotic, despite the fact that most of the children’s activities (aside from the waterpark) are located on that end. Most of the promotions offered on the Atlantis website are for the Beach tower, so you can get a good deal by going with a slightly smaller and less fancy room.

There is also an adults-only tower called the Cove, but I’m not really sure I would choose a waterpark for a romantic getaway! The Reef Tower is a timeshare option.

Eating

The food at Atlantis is expensive. And not in the “oh that’s kind of spendy” sense, but more in the “that was physically painful, can you check me for blood?” sense. Prepare yourself ahead of time and surrender to it, or you’re going to have a very depressing holiday.

We budgeted $120 per person, per day for food, and managed to stay under, but it wasn’t always easy. We did need to remind ourselves of the budget a few times, especially when we were signing $500 dinner bills!

The resort does offer a wide selection of restaurants, with everything from local fare to upscale sushi and Mediterranean. Bobby Flay even has a restaurant here, for the Food Network lovers.

The meal plans are an option, I suppose for those who like to have their pain upfront, but read the fine print. You will still pay a 15% gratuity on the menu price of anything you order, and lunch is not covered in the plan. A few more details - everyone on your reservation must eat together at every meal. They also aren’t available for a partial stay, so if you plan to eat off site at all (like we enjoy doing at least once), the plan may not make sense for you. Children 6 and under do eat free with an adult dining plan, so that’s a benefit.

There are three plans available (depending which tower you are staying in and which range of restaurants you prefer), and they must be purchased before arrival.

We have never used the dining plan, partly because the event we traveled with has some dinners included, because we like to venture off into town and eat with the locals, and because we enjoy the flexibility of doing our own thing. We have tossed it up, though, so I’m not discouraging travelers from it based on our situation.

Aquaventure

The big draw! Our crew loved the waterpark, Aquaventure. The attractions are included in your stay at the resort, and day passes can be purchased for those arriving by cruise ship or staying in other hotels.

Aquaventure offers a good selection of attractions for all ages, with everything from the splash pool for tiny littles to the Leap of Faith, which drops riders 60 feet from a Mayan temple into a shark tank. The flagship of the park, the Leap of Faith has been called the Scariest Water Slide in the World by Odd Stuff Magazine and one of the Top 10 Craziest Water Slides in the World by Travel + Leisure. It is definitely one for the thrill seekers to cross of their lists!

There are more than 18 slides in the 141 acre park. It isn’t all about bigger means better, though. One of our favorites is the Current, a one mile long river ride, complete with rolling rapids and surging waves. Our five-year-old had a great time riding along on this one, but for the less adventurous, there is also a lazy river ride near the Beach tower. There are 11 unique swimming pools, too!

One thing to note - most of the main slides require riders to be 48 inches tall. While there are many children's slides and pools, this did lead to some disappointment from one member of our group.

Beach

With all that water park, it is easy to forget that this is, of course, the Bahamas, and there are gorgeous beaches just steps away! The Atlantis property includes private and public beaches, with crystal clear water and absolutely amazing sand. Unless you are staying in the Beach tower, it may take a little effort to get to the beach (I have to admit, the first time we visited, we didn't make it to the on-property beaches at all), but it is well worth it!

Marine Habitat

Atlantis is home to more than 250 species of aquatic life, making it the largest such exhibit in the Caribbean and one of the largest in the world. Check out the Dig, the lost continent-themed aquarium beneath the Atlantis tower, and then venture out to the lagoons throughout the property to see the fish and animals up close and personal. It is a pretty amazing place for the budding marine biologist in the family.

Programs are available for all ages to interact with the sea life, as well. Bria participated in the Sea Squirts program and we definitely found it to be high value to her. Check at the Guest Services desk for information on programs available during your stay.

Night Life

Once the water slides are all closed for the evening, Atlantis really comes alive. We aren’t really casino people, but Atlantis does offer a large, popular one. It is flanked by two bars with very different atmospheres. The Moon Club offers designer cocktails in a relaxed, classy atmosphere, complete with a wall featuring a tank of live jellyfish. On the opposite side of the casino is Dragon’s Ultra Lounge, a nightclub with a dance floor and VIP seating for people watching. Weekend nights, those looking to dance the night away can head over to the Aura Nightclub, a 9,000-square-foot nightclub designed by Jeffrey Beers.

There is also live entertainment, including shows in the theater (check out the schedule before you come) and the Joker’s Wild Comedy Club, which we have enjoyed on both of our visits. For $25 (cash or credit card, no room charge), you’re sure to get a laugh and enjoy a few hours of adult time.

For the younger set, there are teen and pre-teen night clubs available, too. Crush is a parent-free space by night, with family tours available each afternoon for the curious. More than 14,000 square feet, the club includes an internet lounge, gaming room, and of course a dance floor with a live DJ. The concession stand and bar serve up non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

Our teenagers had mixed reviews of the club, but that is largely because they are on the older end of the target market. I imagine younger teens would be more interested in what Crush has to offer.

Other Things to Do

There is definitely no shortage of things to do at the resort. There is rock climbing, tennis courts, a fitness center, the spa, shopping, pottery studio, and a Build-A-Bear workshop. Atlantis Theater, located in the convention center, offers complimentary movies several times a day. If you need some quiet time, the library offers books, computers, and a children’s corner.

Just outside the Dig, there is a Cartoon Network obstacle course set up in the water. The course is free of charge, but slots fill early, so check out our blog post about the fun, then head down to Guest Services to book your go.

Grab the daily newsletter, the Atlantean, near the elevators each day for a complete schedule of activities on the property.

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Florida: Tide Pools at Sebastian Inlet

Last week, we visited the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area to play on the fishing pier, visit the museums, and work on their Junior Ranger program. At the time, it looked like everyone and their brother was at the tide pools, but a storm was rolling in, so we decided we needed to come back on another day to check it out.

The inlet is on A1A near Melbourne Beach, Florida. Located on the inland side of the barrier island, it is a good spot for little kids to hang out, because it is protected, mostly shallow, and has lots of sand bars. Then of course there are all of the rocks and crevices to explore for ocean life!

It isn't quite what I expected when I heard the term "tide pools," but that didn't make it any less fun to investigate. (I'm more apt to think of tide pools as the shallow sort you splash around in up to your ankles, like those in Washington and Oregon.)

There were crabs and lots of interesting fish, barnacles, limpets - and you weren't just looking at them from a distance, you were literally able to shimmy right up next to them.

We didn't see any manatees the day we were there, but from what I have read (and the signs with instructions on what to do if one comes near you), this must be a popular hangout for them.

This wasn't the cleanest beach I have been to (come on, people, clean up after yourselves!), but that is probably a reflection on how busy it can be. We were there at low tide, but I would venture it doesn't matter a lot. This was a really neat little spot to take the small ones to.

Admission is $8 per carload, and includes both sides of the park. There are camping areas available, as well. Come for the afternoon, or come for the weekend! You're sure to find lots to explore.

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Florida: Sand Key Park

We made our first trek to the western side of Florida this week, visiting the Gulf Coast and taking in some sun at Clearwater Beach. Clearwater has been named the Best Beach Town in the U.S. by a reader's poll in USA Today, and it is a title they wear with pride.

After driving along the beach, we found ourselves in Sand Key Park, a gorgeous little spot just down from the main beaches.

Sand Key Park was beautiful, less crowded, and had cheaper parking than the Clearwater beaches - completely ideal for our group.

(I later saw a review of the park that said, "Fantastic beach! Glad there wasn't any parking in Clearwater!" That is pretty much exactly how we felt.)

All day parking was $5. If you are local to the area or plan to visit often, annual parking passes are $75, or can be acquired free by completing 100 hours of volunteer service to the Parks & Conservation Resources Department. Learn more here.

It was so amazing, we spent more than five hours floating around in the water, collecting sea shells, checking out fish, and watching the boats go by.

Two of the boats we saw were SO exciting! We didn't get pictures of the dolphin tour going by, but it was really cool, and we might have to do it next time we hit the Gulf Coast. It was called Sea Screamer, and it was a huge yellow speed boat, with a pod of dolphins chasing along behind it in the wake. The people on the beach cheered as it went by! Super neat!

The second boat was a pirate ship that does cruises from Clearwater, called Captain Memo's. The littles in our group got really excited every time it went by. Everyone loves pirates.

The park features the same pristine white beaches and incredible clear gulf waters, along with lifeguards from March to September and amenities like changing rooms and umbrellas for rent. We trotted out our new beach tent for the first time, but the water was so amazing, we mostly looked at it from a distance!

We collected tons of gorgeous shells, and made these fun picture frames out of some of them to remember the day.

As the sun dipped low in the horizon, we went back into Clearwater for a seafood dinner by the water at a fun little place called Jimmy's Fish House and Iguana Bar. They take their sunsets seriously!

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