When walking back from a trail at Circle B the other day, a fellow nature enthusiast asked us if we saw anything interesting. After I responded that we saw gators, eagles, ospreys, and a variety of other animals, he smiled and said, “so the regulars?”. Yep, that’s right — even during the hottest months of … Continue reading Circle B Bar Reserve in the Summertime
When I think about Myakka River State Park, I think of stunning blue water, green canopies, fun trails, and BIG gators. It’s one of my favorite parks in all of Florida, and the area is gorgeous to visit year-round. One reason I often recommend this park is because it’s friendly to visitors of all ages … Continue reading Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, FL
Sure, it gets hot as heck in Tampa. That doesn’t mean you have to barricade yourself indoors, though. There are some great parks nearby that offer plenty of shade, allowing you to better enjoy the outdoors even during a hot summer afternoon. Eureka Springs Conservation Park If you feel like taking a walk through a … Continue reading Shaded Parks Around Tampa, Florida
I love state parks. I especially love Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, which is located right outside St. Augustine, Florida. This particular park is so unique, as it boasts a stunning formal garden and gorgeous views of the Matanzas River. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a beachside section that features incredible coquina rock … Continue reading Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Whether you live in the Tampa area or are just visiting, you NEED to stop by the Sunday Market at Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida. Beautiful and unique surroundings? Yep! Friendly people? Indeed! A delicious selection of incredible (and economical) Thai food? Absolutely! Blooming orchids seemingly everywhere? Totally! Some Background Info About Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida … Continue reading The Sunday Market at Wat Temple in Tampa
Imagine eating lunch inside a cozy greenhouse during the middle of winter in Iceland. Kind of magical, right? That vision is what led me to make a reservation for a late lunch at Friðheimar in Reykholt. We made the drive from our apartment in Reykjavík, which took us about an hour and a half. First … Continue reading Lunch at Friðheimar in Iceland
When we saw that the aurora forecast was “moderate” for this cold December night, we jumped in the car and drove from our apartment in Reykjavík to Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park. There’s a fairly long list of places you can chase the Northern Lights around Reykjavík. We were already really familiar with Thingvellir and a … Continue reading Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland
I had heard that Reykjavík is home to one of the best New Year’s Eve firework shows in all of Europe, so I had high expectations for the holiday when we were there in December. I’ll go ahead and immediately say that I was NOT disappointed. A Special Holiday Dinner at The Fish Company Our … Continue reading Reykjavík on New Year’s Eve
I’ve been obsessed with Sandholt since my first visit there in 2015. Auður from I Heart Reykjavík had suggested the bakery, and wow was I happy I heeded her advice. Our first experience at Sandholt was stopping in to get a couple of takeaway sandwiches and a single pastry to enjoy as we headed to the … Continue reading Sandholt – A Favorite Bakery of Mine in Reykjavík
I’m wildly in love with mountains and cold weather, so it should come as no surprise that I was delighted to be welcomed with snow when we visited Rocky Mountain National Park last fall. We couldn’t have asked for better weather while there. Okay, okay, there was one really freezing moment where the chilly wind … Continue reading Rocky Mountain National Park in Fall
Emily Keen Photography 