Homeward Bound

There's a unique feeling at the end of a great trip—a mix of satisfaction from the memories made and a quiet readiness to be home. After a wonderful visit to Florida to celebrate a whole host of family birthdays, that's exactly where Tim and I found ourselves.

Taking the Long Way on A1A

Sometimes the best part of a journey isn't arriving at the destination, but how you choose to get there. On our way from Miami back toward Fort Lauderdale, we were faced with a choice: the efficient, multi-lane highway or the slow, scenic crawl up coastal Highway A1A. We chose the crawl.

A Return to the River of Grass

The familiar National Park Service sign at the entrance.

 There are some places that are woven into the fabric of your memory. For me, having grown up practically on the border of Everglades National Park in Southwest Miami, it's one of those places. I've always loved its subtle, immense beauty, so when the opportunity arose to show it to my friend Tim, who had never been, I jumped at the chance.

A First Time for Everything

On the afternoon of our visit to the Shark Valley area, we decided to take a tour, and I honestly can't believe it was my first time. How does that happen? The experience is quintessential South Florida: the roar of the massive fan, the sensation of skimming effortlessly over the "River of Grass," and the feeling of being deep inside a wild, ancient world.

A Local's Secret: The Shark Valley Tram Tour

The whole crew, ready for the Shark Valley tram tour.

 If you grew up in Miami, you knew about Shark Valley. It was the easiest, most accessible way to get a real dose of the Everglades without needing an airboat, and it often felt like a local's secret. It's a place I've always loved, and I was thrilled to share it with my sister, my brother, and his family.

The Morning Moon

Some of the best moments of any trip are the quiet ones you don't plan for. On this morning in Fort Lauderdale, I was up before the sun and was greeted by a brilliant half-moon hanging in the perfectly dark sky.

Before the dawn.
The half-moon, brilliantly clear in the pre-dawn sky.

A Drive Down Memory Lane

There are certain places that are imprinted on your memory from childhood. For me, growing up in South Florida, Matheson Hammock and Key Biscayne were those kinds of places. So, on this trip, we took a day to drive down from our hotel in Fort Lauderdale and make a pilgrimage.

The beautiful, shady drive into Matheson Hammock
 feels like entering another world.

A Quiet Morning at the Hotel

Not every day on a trip needs to be a whirlwind of sightseeing. Sometimes, the best moments are found by simply staying put. We took this morning to have a quiet pool day at our hotel in Fort Lauderdale, but for me, "relaxing" usually involves having a camera in hand.

The morning started with the moon still visible in the humid sky.

A Pleasant Surprise on Arrival

After a long day of planes and airports, there's no better feeling than finally checking into your hotel. But our arrival came with an interesting twist. We were met with the news that the resort was overbooked—words that can send a shiver down any traveler's spine.

Our unexpected double upgrade
—this beautiful and lush patio suite was a welcome sight after a long day of travel.

Florida Bound

Every great trip begins with a single step or, in this case, the closing of an airplane door. Tim and I are on our way!

Ready for departure from Denver. The adventure begins!

A Day of Recovery and a Guiding Light

After a day of travel, a day of recovery is always a good idea. Most of the day was spent simply relaxing by the pool, enjoying the lush patio and the vibrant tropical flowers that make South Florida so beautiful.

The perfect spot to relax and recover.