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Friday, June 9, 2017

Discover the Hidden Gem of Naples, Florida: Exploring the Beauty and Adventure of Tigertail Beach


If you're looking for a stunning beach experience in Naples, Florida, Tigertail Beach is the place to go. This hidden gem offers a pristine white-sand beach, a lagoon, and an abundance of wildlife that is sure to impress visitors of all ages.



Getting to Tigertail Beach is easy, as it's located just off Collier Boulevard, which is the main road that runs through Naples. Once you arrive, you'll find plenty of parking spaces, although it can get crowded during peak season.


As you make your way towards the beach, you'll cross a boardwalk that takes you to the lagoon. This is an excellent spot to see a wide variety of birds, such as herons, egrets, and even bald eagles. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the lagoon on your own.


Once you reach the beach, you'll be greeted by miles of pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters. The beach is relatively secluded and is perfect for those who want to relax and soak up the sun without the crowds.



One of the unique features of Tigertail Beach is the tidal lagoon that is located behind the beach. This lagoon is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a sandbar and is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The water in the lagoon is warm and shallow, making it an excellent spot for families with small children.


If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a walk along the sandbar that separates the lagoon from the Gulf of Mexico. This sandbar is a popular spot for shell collecting, and you'll find a wide variety of shells that have washed up on the shore.


There are plenty of amenities available at Tigertail Beach, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and grills. There's also a concession stand that serves snacks and cold drinks.


Overall, Tigertail Beach is an excellent spot for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Naples' natural environment without the crowds. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the lagoon, or go bird watching, Tigertail Beach has something for everyone. So, if you're planning a trip to Naples, be sure to put Tigertail Beach on your list of must-visit attractions.


Location:

Tigertail Beach is located on Marco Island in southern Naples. It is a hour (57 miles) drive from the Fort Myers/ Sanibel Island area and a 2 hour drive (110 miles) from Miami.

Address:

430 Hernando Dr
 Marco Island, FL 34145



Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri




























Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Going Behind the Scenes of a Historic Photoshoot for HER Magazine


I was excited to get a chance to watch a photo shoot for HER Magazine last week . To even make it more exciting, my daughter-in-law was the model!




HER is a  magazine designed primarily for women with articles about local events, fashion, stories to inspire, and other informative features. It can be found in paper copy at local business or online here.




The photos taken at Historic Washington State Park will be in an upcoming article about the Jonquil Festival. The dress she is wearing is similar to what an upper-middle class woman, of the 19th century, would have worn.





The shooting locations were the Sanders Farmstead barn and 1883 Goodlett Cotton Gin, two of my favorite places in the park. If you are interested in seeing these and other buildings at the park, you can schedule a tour here.




The 49th Annual Jonquil Festival will be held March 17 - 19, 2017. Unique crafts, entertainment, and mouthwatering food (including funnel cakes) are just some of the things that can be found throughout the park during the event. The hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and  9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Sunday. 





Ashley's beautiful hair and makeup was courtesy of Paige Martin, a makeup artist and owner of The Lace Anchor online boutique. She is also my daughter. 😊






Be sure and look for Ashley on the cover of the March issue!





Happy Reading! 















Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Discovering Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City, Texas


The saying " Everything is bigger in Texas"comes to mind when looking at the falls!



Located within the Pedernales Falls State Park, Pedernales Falls is part of the Pedernales River in Blanco County.



The Falls drop about 50 feet in elevation over huge slabs of limestone and Rocks for about 3,000 feet.




The trail to the overlook is an easy walk from the parking area, but the trail from the overlook to the bottom of the falls is pretty steep in places.



Once at the bottom, you can walk out onto the boulders across the falls.



Hours:

Open Daily

*Park closures are possible on weekends and holidays when parking lots are full. Check here for updates or call the park. (830) 868-7304


Entrance Fees:

13 years and older : $6 Daily

Child 12 Years and Under: Free




Address:

2585 Park Road 6026
Johnson City, TX 78636


Happy Travels! 








Saturday, February 11, 2017

Discovering Jacob's Well: An Artesian Spring in Wimberley, Texas


I knew from the first photo that I saw of Jacobs well, that I had to go see it for myself. I was intrigued by people jumping from atop a rock outcropping into the deep hole of water.


I am always choosing a destination based on photos alone. I usually don't do a lot of research on the place until get back home. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I wan't to explore the place and find things on my own without any preconceived thought about it. I really don't know why. 



Anyway, Jacob's Well was not what I was expecting at all! It was really interesting, but much smaller than I thought. The main area of the hole is about 30 feet deep, but is only about 12 foot in diameter at most. The hole is surrounded by solid rock covered in very shallow water. The hole has many chambers below the main area that descend to approximately 120 foot.




Jumping into the well is prohibited, but there are hundred of videos and photos online of people doing just that. The height of the outcropping from where they jump and the tiny opening surrounded by solid rock was enough to discourage me! 😲



The area is a great place for hiking, climbing, and swimming. It usually is crowded, but it was raining on and off the day we were there, so we pretty much had it to ourselves.



Address:

1699 Mt. Sharp Rd
Wimberley, TX 78676



Entrance Fees:

$9 for adults 
$5 for Hays County residents with a photo ID showing residency 
$5 for children ages 5-12
 Free for children 4 and under
Military service members and veterans, as well as seniors age 60 and better will pay $5



May 1st through Memorial Day:  those wishing to swim must reserve a 2-hour time block on the County’s website. Only 300 people per day total will be allowed swim time.

Check here for other rules and regulations.


Happy Travels! 






Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Discovering the Little Grand Canyon in Arkansas


There is a little-known geological wonder in Southern Arkansas, often referred to as "The Little Grand Canyon." 




These distinctive sand and rock formations are located at the edge of White Oak Lake in Chidester, and are not well-known beyond the local community. Visitors can hike around the rim of the canyon and explore several trails that lead down to the crystal-clear, blue-green waters below.



The formations themselves are composed of hard-packed sand and shale rocks, with a unique blend of white, dark gray, and rust-colored hues. Hiking trails wind throughout the area, and locals love to cool off in the refreshing waters during the summer months



To access this hidden gem, visitors can drive to the end of the road and park in the clearing just inside the woods



 It's a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Arkansas.



Address:

 218 Ouachita Rd 332
 Chidester, AR 71726

GPS cordinates:

33.700436, -93.099361




Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri





















Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Discovering the Natural Beauty and Charm of Boca Grande, Florida

 boca-grande-gas

If tropical secluded beaches where you can swim, snorkel, fish, and find tons of beautiful shells sounds good to you, then Boca Grande is the perfect place.



Boca Grande was recommended to us by an older couple that spend the winter in Florida every year. They told us that is was absolutely beautiful. Well, they were right! The area is amazingly beautiful and the beaches are loaded with shells. I have found tons of shells every time that I have been there.



 Boca Grande is a small residential area located on the southern end of Gasparilla Island. To get onto Gasparilla Island, you will cross the Boca Grande Causeway where you will stop at a toll both.  There is a toll fee of $6 to get onto the island.



The island is small and has no traffic lights. Bicycles and golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation on the island.



The drive to the beach is simply beautiful!  Most of the homes are surrounded by tropical foliage and flowers.



Just north of Sanibel and Cayo Costa, both know for the great shelling, Gasparilla Island beaches are usually loaded with shells. And the best part is that there are no crowds, so you can look all day and find good ones.



There is a public beach access with parking on the right 2 miles before you get the the lighthouse beach.


This is a great place for swimming. This beach usually does not have many shells.




The Boca Grande Rear Range Lighthouse is located on the beach at this access point.




Around the jetty is a good place for finding shells and fishing.  It is located behind the South Beach restaurant, but you will have to park at the public access just a short distance on the right before you reach the restaurant. 



The main road ends at Gasparilla Island State Park.



 This is the best beach to finding shells. It is also home to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and museum.






In addition to tons of large shells, we saw hundreds of starfish and sand dollars this particular day.




My mother is almost as crazy about shells as I am! 😊



Address:

880 Belcher Rd
Boca Grande, FL 33921



The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

Lighthouse Museum Hours:

November through May
Monday – Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Sundays 12:00 pm-4:00 pm

June through October
Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Sundays 12:00 pm-4:00 pm

Museum Closed all of August



Admission Fee:

$3.00 per vehicle using  the honor box method



Happy Travels!