Finding Calm on Isla Mujeres

The beach at Isla Mujeres as seen from our overpriced hotel
The beach at Isla Mujeres as seen from our overpriced hotel

From Cancun Austin and I hopped the ferry to Isla Mujeres. This Mexican Caribbean island quickly proved to be the perfect respite to Cancun’s noise and traffic. Exiting the ferry terminal, it was easy to see that people move slower here – literally, most of the traffic was made up of scooters and golf carts. Continue reading “Finding Calm on Isla Mujeres”

Playa del Macao

Twenty minutes north of Bavaro you’ll find a strikingly different kind of Dominican beach. Continue reading “Playa del Macao”

Beaches, Blue Lagoons, & Swim-Up Bars in Cap Cana

On Christmas day our family group of 17 met inside the resort of Cap Cana to spend the day together at Juanillo Beach. Continue reading “Beaches, Blue Lagoons, & Swim-Up Bars in Cap Cana”

La Romana Hotel Review: Casa de Campo

When I was a kid, I spent many summer weeks in this sprawling resort project in the southeast portion of the country. A few days ago we went to visit family who were staying here and I got to revisit some old haunts. Continue reading “La Romana Hotel Review: Casa de Campo”

Revisiting the Magic at Altos de Chavon

The first time I can remember visiting Los Altos de Chavon was the summer before 5th grade. I was so completely enchanted by the cobblestone streets, the massive amphitheater, and the breathtaking views of the Chavon River below that I swore up and down that one day, I would get married here. Granted, at the time of the exclamation my marital fixation was Ron Weasley – a fictional character from the Harry Potter books – but the point is that even then I found this place to be incredibly, incredibly romantic. Continue reading “Revisiting the Magic at Altos de Chavon”

A Place of Peace & Protection

A few days into our beaching routine, we decided to switch things up a bit by heading to the Punta Cana Resort & Club to explore their Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve. Continue reading “A Place of Peace & Protection”

My Top 12 Photos of 2012

What a year!

It started above 10,000 feet in the mountains near Leadville, CO – moved to the snowy red rock deserts of Utah – then up to the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde – home for a short but sweet visit to my native Florida – and is wrapping up beach-side in the gorgeous Dominican Republic. Side-trips to St. Louis and all over the American Southwest added even more adventures to this awesome life of mine. Continue reading “My Top 12 Photos of 2012”

Paraiso Hotel Review: Rancho Platon

Our initial plan when headed to the southwest and Peninsula de Pedernales was solely to use this mountainside retreat as a base for our explorations. But within an hour of our arrival we quickly canceled a day’s worth of plans in order to spend more time in this Never Never Land-like abode. Continue reading “Paraiso Hotel Review: Rancho Platon”

Southwestern Beaches: Bahia de la Aguilas y Los Patos

Of course an island nation that straddles the Caribbean and the Atlantic is going to be known for its beaches. And as a Florida native with Caribbean blood, I have seen a fair share of amazing sandy stretches by the sea. But on my first full day in this southwest section of the island I found myself quickly upping the standards for my own definition of a ‘beautiful beach.’ Continue reading “Southwestern Beaches: Bahia de la Aguilas y Los Patos”

Thankful

A few nights ago, on the eve of Thanksgiving, I found myself sitting at my computer pondering a blank screen. I thought maybe it would be an appropriate time to write a post about all the things I’m thankful for. The thing is, I spend an awful lot of time on this blog going on and on about how awesome my life is. It’s not that I couldn’t think of anything that I was thankful for, I just couldn’t think of anything that hadn’t been written about before. And honestly, I just wasn’t in the writing mood. I was sitting with my fingers hovering over the keyboard not because I wanted to write, but because I felt that I needed to write. Immediately I realized the obligation in my intentions and eventually I abandoned the post for this reason. Continue reading “Thankful”