Rob Taylor's Blog, page 12

Blue Spring State Park: the Best Manatee Experience in Florida

Blue Spring State Park is our most common activity with friends visiting us, and it’s the best place to see manatees in Florida near Orlando or Daytona Beach.  Florida has over 1000 natural springs and they’re all a little different.  Some are in high traffic areas like on the Crystal River and others are so strange to pronounce that you might not have ever heard of them… like Ichetucknee Springs.

This is everything you need to know about visiting Blue Spring State Park, including the best t...

Best Kayaking Spots in Bellingham and Whatcom County

Visiting the Puget Sound area can mean so many things, from planning a trip to Seattle to kayaking in Bellingham and Whatcom County. If you venture north, nearly to the Canadian border on the way to Vancouver BC, you’ll come to Bellingham, which is one of the prettiest cities in Washington State. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, and kayaking is one of the best ways to explore its many lakes and bays. The sheltered waters of Bellingham and Chuckanut Bays are perfect for beginners, while the rugged...

Great Places to Kayak on Oahu: Honolulu to the North Shore

With each visit, we fall in love with the Hawaiian Islands a little more. There are only few places on Earth as beautiful as Hawaii, and kayaking in Hawaii is an experience like no other. Oahu is home to some of the most popular kayaking spots in the islands, and paddlers of all skill levels can enjoy stunning views and incredible wildlife encounters. We really enjoy visiting friends and exploring Oahu, so adding kayaking to an Oahu itinerary just combines the best of all worlds.

Whether you’...

Hawaii Volcanoes at Night: Best Lava Glow and Starry Skies

One of the highlights of visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is experiencing the lava glow at night. But how does a normal person without fancy equipment photograph it? Well, we’ve got the answers for how to capture the lava glow and how to have the best experience at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at night! Remember, before we even get into this, that Hawaii lava activity can vary, but we’ll help you know what’s erupting on the Big Island.

Be sure to check out our guide to Hawaii Volcano...

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Amazing Things to Do and Experience

Have you ever wanted to see what’s happening inside the earth below your feet? Being a total geology geek I have always wanted to and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was an amazing first experience with lava, volcanic morphology and geologic time. And if that’s not your bag or you’re like “Um, who cares?” just know that it’s also crazy beautiful and one of the most unusual landscapes you’ll ever see.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a very unique place to visit. From hiking in lava tubes to w...

Fun Things to Do in Mobile AL from Mardi Gras to Beautiful Beaches

Mobile, Alabama is a magical city. A lot of people don’t think of Mobile when they picture the beautiful, wrought iron balconies towns of the South, but Mobile AL is gorgeous and a must-visit place. There are so many things to do in Mobile, from walking the historic streets and eating amazing Southern cooking, so getting out into nature on the swamp or on Dauphin Island. Mobile is a hidden gem and will surprise you with every turn.

Mobile is known for being the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the...

Kayaking in the Sierras: from Tahoe to Sequoia National Park

We love spending time in California’s Sierras, the mountains in the eastern part of the state. This area includes Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes and more. Kayaking in the Sierras is very different from paddling in the Adirondacks or kayaking in South Florida. It’s full of quiet lake, hot sun and geology lessons along the shore. We love it here!

Kayaking California’s Sierra Nevada mountains is very different from paddling the coastal waterways of Southern California also. He...

15 Great Kayaking Spots in Door County and Green Bay, Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a beautiful state and with each trip back we find new, fun things to do. Kayaking in Door County and the Green Bay area are great activities for spring through fall. The peninsula of Door County, along with the city of Green Bay, contains endless nature sights to be enjoyed from the viewpoint of a kayak. Calm waters, lots of wildlife, and breathtaking coastlines are just a few of the many reasons that loyal paddlers continue to visit every year. And lighthouses, but you probably kno...

Best Spots for Kayaking in the Adirondacks, New York’s Largest Park

Kayaking in the Adirondacks is a special and unique experience to enjoy in Upstate New York. A state known for the Fingerlakes and Catskills, there’s so much more to explore when you get on the water. A few hours north of New York City, the Adirondacks are a great escape from city life, and are great for kayaking and canoeing.

Located in Upstate New York are some of the most pristine waters found across the entire US. Created in 1892, the Adirondack Park is the largest park in the whole conti...

Kayaking in Skagit County: Beautiful Tulip Country and Bald Eagles

Kayaking in Skagit County is so much fun. We love spending time here, just north of Seattle because it’s got the small town vibe and rural sights and it’s only a short drive from the city. It’s absolutely gorgeous, being a mix of both flat floodplains and mountainous areas with epic lakes. Skagit County is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its Tulip Festival in spring and the many waterways, which have some excellent kayaking opportunities.

Skagit County is located in the northwestern ...