Tourists come to board the trolley that takes them to Fisherman’s Wharf. Shoppers are in heaven, with hundreds of name brand stores jammed together within a few square blocks. Locals come for the open space that swings between lively and peaceful, depending upon the time of day, eating lunch, meeting friends and enjoying the free entertainment taking place on the stage. Great restaurants are everywhere, including some that are hidden away down narrow alleys.

Union Square is just a few blocks from San Francisco’s famous Chinatown. A 20-30 minute walk through Chinatown will take you to the North Beach neighborhood for an authentic Italian meal in a lively sidewalk café. Another 20-30 minutes and you’ll be at Fisherman’s Wharf. Take a cab or stroll back through North Beach, stopping wherever suits you on the way for a drink or snack or shopping.

There are several historic boutique hotels, notably The Handley and the Sir Francis Drake, to choose from with a block or two of the Square, as well as a few upscale chains like Marriot and Westin. Shop around-you can usually find a good deal at one of them. If you want to be near the center of the action in San Francisco, then book a room near Union Square, put on your walking shoes and start enjoying the City by the Bay.

For a few weeks after the Spring rains, when the nights are still cool and the days are welcomingly warm, but not yet hot, you can see the high desert come alive with color. Although my timing isn’t always right, when it is, the display is spectacular. Not in the enormous fields of sunflowers way you see in the midwest, but in a cactus blooming out of a rock or bright blooms growing on what looks like sticks in the sand way.

If you’re a nature lover, but have never been to the desert in the Spring, start planning a trip now. You’ll be amazed at what is hidden there.

Since LA is so close one can enjoy the entertainment value of Hollywood’s Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Mann’s Chinese Theatre.  Of the 18 boutique Mann Theatres located in the greater LA area, the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is the most famous opening its’ doors in 1927 to show movies on the big screen for the people.  The opening of Grauman’s Theatre sparked the beginning of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame where famous movie stars are denoted as to have “made it” in show biz.

Dining options in Redondo Beach are varied and very good!  One must check out the Redondo Beach Pier and Fisherman’s Wharf when visiting this beach town.  Old Tony’s is a must when dining on the pier.  Ranging from shrimp, oysters and calamari for appetizers and sea bass, scallops, halibut, lobster, mahi mahi and shark for dinner, one can get their fill of fresh seafood from Old Tony’s.  Another landmark for the pier is Polly’s on the Pier which serves a hearty breakfast and lunch and with seating outside one can see the fresh catch coming into harbor.  Bluewater Grill is just another great example of California seafood dining.  Located right on the water, Bluewater Grill serves up charbroiled seafood, chowders and pastas and has an oyster bar.  In operation for over 7 years now, they have an impressive 100 + item menu of which they print out twice a day to reflect new and fresh seafood coming that day.

Hangin’ on the beach is probably the most favorite activity in Redondo Beach.  When visitors come to Redondo Beach they can stay in lodging very close to the beach.  Other beaches close to Redondo are Hermosa, Manhattan, and Venice Beach.  Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches are only 10 to 15 minutes away while Venice Beach is more like a 30 minute drive.  From surfing and boogie boarding to biking on the paved trails and fishing, the beach is alive and well with the people that call Southern California home.  

Redondo Beach & Pier by Kevin

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre by bfurlong

Redondo Beach - Tony’s Fish Market by Madrigal Photography

One of the most popular short day hikes for Aspen area locals is a trip to the Grottos. Head up Independence town east of town on Highway 82 and look for a Forest Service sign on the right side of the road. Leave your car or bike in the small parking area and start exploring.

I’m not going to give away any of our secrets about this place, but if you spend a little time there, you’ll easily discover for yourself the quiet rocks to sun yourself on, the ice caves deep in the crevices and the shallow parts of the Roaring Fork River where you can cool off from the summer heat.

The one thing no one misses are the cascading falls of the river, which invite you to scramble around on the rounded rocks. Be careful, though. The rocks are definitely slippery when wet, the ice cold pools have treacherous currents and it seems like some unsuspecting person dies here every year or so.

The Bells, as the locals call them, of course, are most spectacular in autumn when the aspens turn gold and a skiff of snow highlights their cliffs and ridges. During the Fall color weekend in Colorado, photographers come from all across the globe to get THE definitive picture. Lucky for the rest of us that nearly any photo we take of these famous mountains is spectacular.

Take a short drive from town to Aspen Highlands on Maroon Creek Road. Then, catch a public bus for $10 which will take you up to Maroon Lake, where you can hike, fish, take pictures or simply stand in awe of the natural elements that surround you. Even the most out of shape city people can enjoy this jaunt, so put this one on your bucket list!

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to visit all of the State Beaches in California-there are 63 of them at last count. However, I’ve been very impressed with those along the central California coast between San Francisco and Monterrey.

If you take this incredibly scenic drive on Route 1, you’ll enjoy an have the chance to stop at numerous state beaches along the way. My favorites were both rugged and lonesome, even during the dog days of August, and the only company were flocks of shore birds and frolicking sea lions.

Others attracted surfers or surf fisherfolk and at one was chocked full of families camping in their RVs not 100 feet across the sand from the Pacific ocean. So, as you can see, there’s a beach to suit anyone’s taste along this stretch.

Now, I’m anxiously awaiting my next trip to the coast so that I can explore some of the more than 50 others I missed.

No visit to Santa Cruz, California is complete without a stroll down the boardwalk with soft serve ice cream or cotton candy or some other nutritionally outlawed yummy that you’d never eat anywhere else. But, hey, how often do you get here? Live it up!

They have some great free shows on the beach stage. This summer (2008), it was the Amazing Chinese Acrobats performing at least a couple of times a day, occasional visits by skydivers landing on the beach and thrilling high divers plunging from an 80 foot tower.

On Friday evenings during the summer, they have free concerts on the beach with lovable old timers, like Herman’s Hermits and Blue Oyster Cult, and more modern groups, like the Gin Blossoms. Other special events include fireworks, local’s nights, kite festivals and beach soccer tournaments.

Many of the rides are kid-sized versions, which is awesome, especially when they allow adults to accompany the really little ones.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of the last great seaside amusement parks and is designated as a California Historic Landmark. Two of the nostalgic rides, a wooden roller coaster built in 1924 and a classic 1911 carousel, are National Historic Landmarks. So, consider a visit here as an educational field trip and let the fun begin!

I had so much fun on the boardwalk, that I never even made it down onto the beach, but maybe that’s a good thing, since it looks like there’s no fun allowed.

One must check out the Blue Man Group and attend a show to experience the vivid colors and wild imagination of the three blue guys that put together an awesome performance.  These guys have a GRAMMY nomination they are so talented.  They go all over the world to perform their wild and lavish acts.  The show is recommended for kids age 3 and up so the whole family can enjoy a night out seeing the Blue Man Group.

The Magic Kingdom at Disney World was my favorite amusement park to visit some 20 years ago.  The Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain are some of the older rides at Magic Kingdom whereas now, kids have Pirates of the Caribbean and Monsters Inc. rides and attractions.  One can find lodging inside and outside the park so there are plenty of options.  If one prefers renting a vacation home over staying in a hotel room that can easily be arranged.  Lodging packages are available all throughout the year since Orlando is year-round destination.  

Seaworld is a must see also while in Orlando.  I have personally been to the one out in San Diego and had a great time so I can imagine the venue in Orlando is pretty awesome just because of all of the surrounding attractions.  Nearby Orlando is Daytona Beach which is home to the famous Daytona 500 NASCAR race and is a very popular vacation destination.  Where else can one drive their car on the beach and enjoy 23 miles of sandy beach to play on.

One attraction that seems to be worth checking out is called “Medieval Times” which is a dinner attraction and tournament.  There are nine castles that have been made to show 11th Century performances with knights jousting on horseback while the audience sits down to a 4 course dinner.  The castles are spread throughout the entire U.S. and Canada.  The castle near Orlando is the Kissimmee Castle that even has a medieval village with 8 cottages.  So, if you want to see some knights jousting on horses and not have to go back in time then this is the place!

Orlando is much more than Disney World as one can see and all of the attractions are specifically designed to attract all ages so nobody is left out.  So, after your kids are done with Disney there is much more to do and experience in Orlando.  Plan a trip anytime!

Blue Man Group Tour – Splashing Drums by Anirudh Koul

Magic Kingdom Fireworks by d4rr3ll

SeaWorld – Shamu Show by hyku

Medieval Times by cliff1066

Latitude 31 sits on the Jekyll Wharf on Jekyll Island and has some mouth watering edible delights.  Oysters Rockefeller, seafood crepes, and Grouper fingers (deep-fried Atlantic Grouper) are just some of the choices you get at Latitude 31.  For those of you more grounded on terra firma there is Chicken Piccata and a delectable Bourbon Peach and Pecan Glazed Pork Tenderloin.  I am looking for available flights to the south as I type…

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a must see and do as it is one the oldest historical attractions on the island.  With names, like Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, the Jekyll Island Club holds quite the ambiance.  Built after the Civil War around 1888 the club exudes the “old south”.  One of the dining options at the club is Courtyard at Crane.  Dining either inside or out, one can enjoy the Italian Renaissance architecture from which the cottage was modeled after and built around 1917.  Enjoy the Shrimp Bisque, Cottage Calamari, and the Grilled Salmon Alfredo in a relaxing casual atmosphere.

Located in the Jekyll Harbor Marina is Seajay’s Waterfront Cafe & Pub.  For those of you looking for down home flavor in a real casual setting, Seajay’s just might do it for you.  Famous for their Low Country Boil, which is a tasty combination of shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob and bitesize potatoes all cooked in a tasty aus jus.  The restaurant has a great view of the sunset from its’ deck and therefore offers “Sunset Deck Specials” ranging from crab cakes to barbequed bacon-wrapped scallops. 

So after a big day of exploring Jekyll Island from a canoe or on foot, one can be satisfied with the coastal cuisine that can be found on the island.  So if you are looking for that unique island getaway without going way down south, discover Jekyll Island, Georgia and all of its’ history and wildlife preservation. 

Southern Seafood Boil by 23am.com

Bacon-wrapped Shrimp by Southern Foodways Alliance

Oysters Rockefeller by foodistablog

Bird watching is among the top most favorable activities on Jekyll.  The Atlantic Flyway just so happens to run parallel to the island so seeing a lot of different birds is quite common.  The Audubon Society has recognized Jekyll as an IBA or important birding area.  The island is part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail of which there are three birding sites located on the island for public viewing and observation.  Every year in October Jekyll Island hosts the Birding and Nature Festival where bird lovers come from all over to take field trips to over 25 different locations. 

Kayaking and canoeing the inland waterways of Jekyll is also among the top activities on the island.  With the wildlife being protected, one can see a lot from a kayak or canoe.  From native birds and fish to alligators, it’s like being in a zoo/acquarium with no walls.  Take a guided kayak tour through the marshes and tidal creeks of the island and see as well as learn about Jekyll’s ecological system. 

Nature walks are a great way to experience the primitive wildlife of Jekyll Island.  There are 10 miles of tidal beaches that one can walk and explore marine life.  Probably the most popular activity to do on Jekyll’s beaches is the Turtle Walk, where one can see turtles from May through August.  A nightly walk on the beaches in search of Loggerhead sea turtle nests are conducted by a trained guide so that you can see and learn everything about this amazing migration from ocean to land and back to ocean.  These guided and non-guided walks are perfect for the whole family to have an ecological experience during their vacation to Jekyll Island. 

 Whether you are interested in a educational vacation or just a getaway to the beach, Jekyll Island can accommodate you in both.  From playing rounds of golf and enjoying modern lodging amenities to observing and learning about the marine coastal environment, guests of Jekyll Island, Georgia can leave appreciative and relaxed.   

Jekyll Island by hyku

Wood Storks by willyk

The Marshes of Glynn by moultriecreek

With a name like the Devils Garden, you probably think it doesn’t sound like a very good place to camp, but boy are you wrong. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever pitched my tent. Unless you’re backpacking or 4 wheeling waaaaay off road, it’s the only camping area you can legally use within Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. It’s also the only developed camping area in one of our most visited National Parks.

Even as such, the campsites are very large and it’s easy to pitch your tent well away from the road and other campers. They offer sites to accommodate RV’s of all sizes and have several campsites available for large groups. There aren’t any showers, but there are flush toilets, running water and drinking water and sinks for washing dishes.

The campground is well staffed with friendly, caring hosts who keep the place nearly spotless. Firewood is available for sale and rangers run evening programs in an incredible natural amphitheatre tucked in the folds of rock.

There are several trails emanating from the campground. Most of them take you to an arch or two and tend to be some of the least crowded trails in the park. Devils Garden campground is 18 miles into the park along winding two lane roads, so stock up on what you need in town before you head up there. It’s very close to some of the best natural attractions in Arches, like the Fiery Furnace, Delicate Arch and the almost embarassingly arch rich Devils Garden that gives the camping area its name.

The campground is very quiet during the day, since most people are out hiking around through the geological wonders that drew them to Moab. For many of them, especially the numerous foreign visitors, it’s a once in a lifetime trip. Since people from all over the world want to stay here, be certain to make your camp site reservations well in advance.

The Peabody Marching Ducks
People come from all over the place to see the resident ducks on parade at the Peabody Memphis hotel. For their 75th birthday, the ducks got a spanking new $200,000 rooftop palace to live in.

Seriously, they are one of the top three attractions in Memphis and bring a lot of tourist dollars into the city. So, if you’re in Memphis, don’t miss them, especially if you have kids with you. Shows are at 11 am and 5 pm.

While you’re at the Peabody, stop in Lansky’s in the lobby area, known as Clothier to the King. This is were Elvis Presley got some of his very cool outfits.

Graceland

Speaking of Elvis, as is to be expected, Graceland is another of the most popular stops for visitors to Memphis. See the auto museum, complete with a pink Cadillac, the Meditation Garden, the Gates of Graceland, Elvis’s customized planes and more King of Rock ‘n’ Roll memorabilia than even the mos

t ardent fan can imagine.

You can even get married in the Chapel in the Woods and stay in a special Elvis Suite at The Heartbreak Hotel and indulge in happy hour in the Jungle Room Lounge!

Harbor Town

Harbor Town is a planned community in the New Urbanism style on Mud Island, just northwest of downtown. Conceived and created by Henry Turley, Harbor Town was started in the late 1980’s and has become a showcase for urban planning. A greenbelt with ponds and trails runs along the mighty Mississippi, which includes a celebrated bike route.

Commercial development is now rounding out the neighborhoods with Miss Cordelia’s Grocery and Deli, a day care center, a Great Cuts salon and a boutique hotel with excellent restaurants and much needed space for classy special events in Memphis’s downtown area.

Beale Street
This famous thorough fare is known as The Home of the Blues AND The Birthplace of Rock’n'Roll. That’s a pretty powerful reason to stroll through it’s historic district! It has a notorious past as party central in the 1920’s and 30’s and there are still plenty of live juke joints with dance floors and down home cooking on the menu. To add a twist, tour Beale Street via a horsedrawn carriage. While that seems out of place in some towns, it’s a perfect fit for this Memphis neighborhood.

The great thing about Vail, Colorado is the accessibility.  Located right off of I-70 in the center of the Rocky Mountains is Vail, just a couple of hours west of Denver.  With I-70 being the “bloodline” connecting Denver to Grand Junction and beyond into Utah, motorists from the front range have to go by Vail.  Lucky for them since Vail is a ski destination.

The skiable terrain of Vail Mountain is HUGE and one should spend at least a week on the slopes to explore its’ expanse.  I, personally, have skied Vail several times and find that I could keep going and going and going without skiing the same run twice.  With the addition of Blue Sky Basin a few years back, Vail Mountain definitely becomes a playground for the die-hard skier and snowboarder.

Before I moved out to Colorado, I visited Vail one time and that’s all it took to make an incredible impression on me.  Just two years later I found myself driving to Colorado with dreams of powder skiing in the winter and hiking, biking and fishing in the summer.Tourists coming to Vail to play have many options for lodging.  Over the years, the town of Vail has been built up with hotels, lodges and private home and luxury condo rentals. One can find lodging right at the base of the ski area all the way to the ridge across the valley.  Vail sits in a steep valley so renting a vacation home high up on the ridge will afford a nice view of the Gore Mountain range or one can be down in the town close to all of the action and night life.

It’s all desert and dirt and rock until you drop down to river level. Here, world becomes refreshingly wet and cool. The water sparkles with white rapids, the banks are lined with greenery and a strand of sandy beach beckons around every bend.

You can raft the entire stretch of river from Dewey Bridge into Moab, Utah, which is close to 30 miles. There are nice developed campsites in numerous places along the road side of the river. On busy weekends, you’ll need to make a reservation to snag one of those spots. Absolutely sweet beaches for primitive camping are available on islands and along the cliff side of the river. No reservations necessary.

The Daily run, which all the local outfitters float, is by far the best one day trip. Put in at Hittle Bottom, where there are restrooms, ramps and plenty of parking. The take out, 13 miles downstream, is creatively named Take Out Beach, which also has a ramp, parking and pit toilets. Expect it to take 6-10 hours depending on water levels and how much you want to paddle and how much you want to float.

As I said, all the local Moab outfitters run this stretch. Lunch is included on day long trips and the guides will keep you entertained with river lore and water antics. The prices are very reasonable for a day’s adventure. If you’d rather do it on your own, most of the outfitters also rent an assortment of paddle and oar rafts, as well as inflatable kayaks. Expect mostly flat stretches broken up with Class I and II rapids most of the year, although a few tight bends in the river create Class IIIs during higher water.

Don’t forget your camera, but if you do, you’ll have an ironclad excuse to do it all over again!

In my opinion, live web cams are one of the best inventions ever! With a remote video feed, I can see for myself (mostly) what’s going on in particular location without having to rely on anyone else’s interpretation of the scene.

For instance, I can pull up the webcam on Vail Pass to see how bad the road conditions really are and if cars are sliding around on the ice or plowing through fluff. I can also see what’s going on the Delaware resort of Rehoboth Beach with a host of live cameras

Here’s a look at the boardwalk cam in Rehoboth, looking out into the Atlantic just north of Rehoboth Avenue and the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel weathercam that looks south from Olive Avenue. The boardwalk here is awesome, with top notch eateries, as well as the more usual beach fare, like kettle fudge, Thrashers fries with vinegar and salt water taffy. There are also plenty of benches for comfy people or wave watching breaks during a stroll.

Here’s a composite view from several Rehoboth Beach web cams around town that changes every few minutes. You can get a good idea of how busy town is and what the weather and surf are like with this one.

The Delaware Department of Transportation traffic cam gives us a peek at what the drive will be like along Route 1 and Rehoboth Avenue. Very handy to know before you hit the road to head back home.

Here’s a look through the Roosevelt Inlet camera north of town for a good view of the boating conditions at the mouth of the Delaware Bay. This one will clue you in as to whether you should take your Dramamine before heading off to board the Cape May Lewes Ferry or if you’re in for a calm crossing to New Jersey.

So, when you’re headed to the Delaware shore a beach vacation, check out these web cameras. I’m hoping they put one up soon at my favorite Rehoboth Beach Motel, so I can see what’s happening at the pool in the land of fun and sun.

In 1880, a visionary entrepreneur built a luxurious resort, with an elegant hotel and a gambling casino, on the shores of this deep blue lake hidden in the Sierra Mountains. By the turn of the century, Lake Tahoe had become a summer playground for the rich and famous families of Sacramento, San Francisco and Virginia City. A railroad spur was built in the late 1890’s making travel to the Lake easier, so more people came and more plush hotels sprang up to accommodate them.

Wealthy families began building their own stately mansions along the shore. They cruised the Lake in yachts as ostentatious as their homes and lavish parties became commonplace. When you travel to Tahoe you can visit some of these impressively restored estates.

The 12,000 square foot Erhman Mansion, built in 1903, is the centerpiece of Sugar Pine Point State Park on the western side of the Lake. It’s open daily for tours during the summer and is a fantastic setting for weddings and other special events.

The 74 acre Tallac Historic Site is home to the Valhalla, Pope and Baldwin Estates. You may view the interior and art exhibits of the Pope Estate, built in 1894, on a guided tour. Valhalla is home to a summer arts and music festival and other seasonal events that are open to the public.

One of the oddest mansions is really a Scandinavian themed medieval castle dubbed Vikingsholm, complete with a sod roof and beams carved into dragons. It can be toured daily during the summer months, but is most striking when viewed from the water. Steamboats chug visitors across the Lake to Emerald Bay and around Tahoe’s only island several times a day to see it.

For a glimpse into the yachting life, visit the Tahoe Maritime Museum in Homewood, on the California side. You’ll be amazed at the painstakingly cared for gleaming wooden boats, many of which are still lakeworthy and see use during the summers.

While the opulent era phased out in the early 1950’s, there are still many luxurious Lake Tahoe vacation homes, estates and lodges tucked in amongst the towering pines along the lakeshore. Keep your eyes open for a glimpse of them as you pass by.

Canada boasts of a place that is similar in dynamic terrain; Collingwood, Ontario.  This area just happens to be Ontario’s #1 destination for year-round fun and adventure.  Collingwood is home to the Blue Mountain Ski Resort which has over 30 trails ranging from green (easy) to double black (expert).  Blue Mountain Resort is a Intrawest Resort which is the same developers as Whistler and Blackhomb.  I have heard only good things about Whistler/Blackhomb so I can imagine what Blue Mountain must be like.

The town of Collingwood, Ontario embraces a full year of activity by being a 4 season destination.  You can find Italian and Moroccan cuisine and also local seafood prepared in a multiple amount of ways.  A good variance in dining experiences is having the traditional style along side the modern bistro where you can taste the local history and enjoy the modern conveniences of today.

If you are planning a trip to Ontario’s recreation destination know as Collingwood and Blue Mountain you will find accommodations in the form of condos, lodges and chalets that are either slope-side or just a short walk to the local retail amenities.

Blue Mountain by Яick Harris

Blue Mountain Resort by 416style 

Destin has a annual fishing rodeo that is held every October and lasts all month and anyone can participate.  The Gulf waters off of Destin produce some of the best fishing around.  From Marlin and Sailfish to Snapper and Grouper to Hammerhead Shark, the Gulf is alive with sport fish.  There are many charter boats that you can find to go fish for the 1/2 day, full day, and even night.

Where there is great fishing there is great eating!  They go hand in hand in most cases and Destin sure has it covered.  When there is a plethora of seafood to be harvested and eaten you can find great local restaurants that incorporate seafood in just about every thing that you can sink your mouth into.  Tuna, crab, calamari, shrimp, oysters, mahi-mahi, grouper and amberjack all can be served to you fresh daily.  Fine dining can also be experienced during your stay in Destin.  Other restauranteurs have blended other styles like Louisiana Cajun into their seafood delectable dishes.

Destin has definitely grown since the late 70’s and 80’s since I have been there.  The lodging options are immense and range all over the board for what you expect for your Desitn vacation.  You can choose to rent a luxury vacation home for privacy and space or opt for one of the many hotels that spread up and down the beach.  From condos and townhomes to homes you can find a vacation rental on the beach or just steps away. 

Vacationing to Florida includes a lot of happening cities and attractions like Miami and Disney World so do not forget about the other side of the panhandle where Destin resides and beautiful beaches and great fishing abound.

Destin Beach photo courtesy of FlyGuy92586

Fishing in Destin photo courtesy of babasteve

Stone Crab Claws photo courtesy of cayobo

Hopefully, you answered with a resounding “YES” to that question being that I intended for it to be rhetorical…  I have only been to the Mexican side of the Caribbean and not to the many other destinations like St. John, USVI and Tortola, BVI.  Like Mexico, the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands have much beauty and ancient history to be explored.

The island of St. John lies just east of St. Thomas and the large island of Puerto Rico.  The Virgin Islands National Park makes up more than half of the island and is a wonderful place to hike to see the raw beauty of the island.  All of the trails range from 15 minutes to 2 hours so extra precautions are definitely needed to make sure your adventure doesn’t become a nightmare.  St. John highly enforces preserving their island to keep it the way it was discovered.  National parks always suggest “take only pictures and leave only footsteps” and that mantra should be followed in St. John.  There are about 15 trails on the North Shore of the island and about 8 trails winding through the South Shore of the island.  One can view marine life and local birds in their natural habitat while also discovering ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks long ago by the native Arawak Indians.  Many of the hiking trails end in a cove where snorkeling can be done but swim at your own risk for obvious reasons - no lifeguards.  St. John is mountainous to an extent and views of the other neighboring islands are possible from hiking these trails.  One can “rough it” and camp inside the park to enjoy the island in its’ primitive habitat or opt to rent a vacation home or condo and make day trips to explore the island.

Just to the east of St. John lies the island of Tortola which is a British Virgin Island or BVI.  Touring the island can be done in the air, ground or on the water.  Hiking can also be done on Tortola inside one of the parks.  Sage Mountain National Park has the highest point in both the US and British Islands.  Sage Mountain is at 1716 feet above sea level and therefore attracts weather which supports the rain forests that exist on the island.  Hiking on Tortola and St. John have their challenges with the short and steep terrain that exist on both islands.

Going to the Caribbean can have different meanings to a lot of people.  Some like to hang out on the beach with a fruity drink and some like to experience an “eco-challenge” for their Caribbean vacation.  The choice is yours and it’s nice to have a choice.  So, the next time you are thinking of going to the beach for vacation, consider St. John USVI and Tortola BVI and get away from it all.  I mean literally. 

Pictures provided by:

St. John USVI by *Hiro

Tortola BVI by janusz l

Virgin Islands National Park by DEQ

  When coming to the Fish Creek area in Door County, one can find lodging fairly easily and call it home base while each day consists of branching out and exploring the local sites and sounds.  Fish Creek is a small town that is over 150 years old and began as a fishing village teaming with lumberjacks and farmers.  With hard work ethic embraced by those of the past, calling it a day and enjoying a beer or flask of wine was probably pretty normal.