Half Moon Bay, California
Not far south of San Francisco lies a quiet coastal community where seagulls soar over sandy beaches, farmers tend their local produce, and quirky town stores sell handmade crafts and cards. Welcome to Half Moon Bay, an 80-mile coastline that’s bursting with natural wonders. This area has some of the richest marine reserves in all of California, making it an outstanding place to enjoy fishing, crabbing, clamming, and beachcombing. And with its array of small working farms, you’ll find plenty of fresh local produce to round out your BBQ or evening meal of wild salmon and albacore tuna.
This section of California’s coast is famous for its wildlife. Just to the south lies the whale watching-center of Monterey, while to the north are the giant redwood forests. Right in Half Moon Bay, you can head to Pillar Point Harbor for a day of fishing at the National Marine Sanctuary. Watch the fishermen unload their day’s catch of squid, crabs, salmon, rockfish, tuna, and halibut and learn about how they bait their traps and mend their gear. In the afternoon, take a kayak class, head out on a whale watching adventure, or spend your time fishing in the quiet surf.
Bird watchers can head to the Princeton Marsh and Seashore or the Pescadero Marsh Bird Refuge. More than 200 species flock to this area every year to hunt and nest in these marshy grasslands. If hiking and mountain biking is what you’re after, pay a visit to the Coastside Trails, a system of trails that links Roosevelt, Dunes, Venice, and Francis beaches. You’ll find stunning views of the coast from the bluffs and lowlands of the trail system.
Kids will love going tide-pooling at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. You can watch for tiny crabs and sea anemones, see hermit crabs go scuttling along with their shells on their backs, or watch tiny fish hide themselves under rocks. In January and March, look for whales along the Grey Whale Cove Trail at McNee Ranch State Park off Highway 1. The miles of trails lead to amazing and surprising views of the beach.
For a bit of history, try a visit to the Moss Beach Distillery, a hotspot for bootlegging and rum running during the Prohibition. “Frank’s Place,” a 1928 speakeasy on the cliffs at Moss Beach was a popular hangout for silent film stars and San Francisco politicians. Rum runners from Canada delivered their goods under the cover of night. Their whiskey was run up the beach and loaded into vehicles that would carry it into San Francisco. Today, Frank’s is the home of a resident ghost called the Blue Lady.
Half Moon Bay is famous for its annual harvest festival. In late October of every year, head that way for the great Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. You and the kids can tromp into the pumpkin patch, enjoying treats like pony rides, train rides, hay rides, petting zoos, haunted houses, and super slides. While the festival just lasts one weekend, the pumpkin fields are usually open until the day after Halloween. The festival includes a juried art show as well as hearty stews made from locally grown produce like artichokes, Brussels sprouts, and of course pumpkins! All of the food and beverages at the festival are sold by local nonprofits, so the proceeds go to a good cause.
History and Wildlife: Venice to Boca Grande, Florida
Take a step back in time on Florida's historic Southwestern coast, an area filled with gorgeous beaches, incredible wildlife, and some of the finest fishing you'll find anywhere. Set in the quiet, undiscovered region around Charlotte Harbor, the coastal towns of Venice and Boca Grande offer old-world charm and modern hospitality. After you tour the beaches and explore the boutiques, take a day trip to the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, one of the best bird-watching spots in the country.
Begin your tour in lovely Venice, a sweet, sleepy resort town that's south of Sarasota and Interstate 75. Venice is made up of five small towns, each with its own unique flavor. In Osprey, Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, and South Venice you'll find distinctive boutiques and unique gift shops, plus plenty of cafes and galleries for window shopping. This is also a hotspot for golfing or for boating and fishing off the golden-sand beaches.
While you're in Venice, be sure to spend an afternoon at the Venetian Waterway Park, a ten-mile waterfront park that covers both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway. Head there for a scenic stroll, a bike ride, roller blading, or to walk your favorite furry friend.
Venice has a lively, active community with a thriving arts center. You'll find symphony performances, theater, and plenty of history at Historic Spanish Point and the Venice Historic Preservation League. On Friday night, you can enjoy the town's free concerts and then get up on Saturday, ready to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at the Farmer's Market.
Once Venice has soothed you into relaxation, head south down Highway 776 to the island attraction of Gasparilla, home of Boca Grande. This charming town celebrates Old World Florida in all its glory with the 104-year old lighthouse and 80-year old Banyan trees. The Gulf side of Gasparilla Island is covered with white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimmers, sunbathers, volley-ball players, and shell collectors. On the bay side, mangroves and wetlands create an ideal ecosystem for fishing. These 750,000 acres of estuary are a haven for ocean fish that love this particular blend of fresh and salt water. Watch for dolphins, osprey, white pelicans, and manatees.
If fishing is what you're after, visit between August and November or during Tarpon season in the spring. You'll find waters filled with grouper, snapper, mackerel, redfish, and kingfish. There are plenty of boat rentals available, as well as boat ramps for getting your own craft into the water.
Beautiful Boca Grande will whet your appetite for more natural wonders and incredible wildlife. So head east through Port Charlotte to the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area. This 102-square mile region is famous for its bird watching, bluegill fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Visit in the spring to see the flatwoods burst into color with wildflowers or keep your binoculars trained on the trees as you watch for woodpeckers, nuthatches, hawks, hummingbirds, eastern bluebirds, and cedar waxwings. Herons, ibises, and belted kingfishers love exploring these lush wetlands.
Western Florida is an ideal place to head for a romantic weekend or family getaway. With its fabulous weather, sandy beaches, and wildlife, you'll truly find the perfect attraction or activity. Whether it's fishing, beachcombing, or gift shopping you're after, this part of Florida is the place to be.
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Majestic Lakeshores -- Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan
The blue waters of Lake Michigan fill every view in this corner of the wolverine state. Set to the north of Muskegon, the Grand Traverse Bay region offers excellent water sports, golfing, family activities, and miles of sand and sand dunes at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With its focus on the great outdoors, northwestern Michigan is a phenomenal place to enjoy a family camping vacation.
You can make a nice tour of the Grand Traverse Bay area by beginning in Frankfort, Michigan, at the southern tip of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, driving north through the park, stopping at Northport, and then heading south along the Bay shore to Traverse City.
The charming, quiet town of Frankfort is set on the stunning Betsie Bay, a historic sailing harbor on Lake Michigan. But Frankfort's focus isn't solely on the Great Lake. The town also has access to phenomenal fishing on the river and inland lake, over nineteen golf courses, and plenty of trails for hiking and viewing the changing leaves in fall. The Great Lake provides Frankfort with its golden sandy beaches and stunning views. If you bring your fishing boat or sailboat to Frankfort, you can make use of the seven full-service marinas. As you explore the town, be sure to ask about the local shipwrecks, the railroad history, and the way to the lighthouse. This area is also renowned among mushroom hunters as outstanding morel country.
From Frankfort, head north on Highway 22. This scenic route will carry you right down the length of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, giving you sweeping views of the lake, framed by golden sand dunes. Settle back and enjoy the scenery, but be sure to stop from time to time to explore the park. You'll find forested islands, antique farmhouses, and winding trails that are ready and waiting to be discovered.
As you leave the park's visitor's center, start your tour on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This 7.4-mile route will carry you past dunes and woods, offering fabulous views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. From there, take the Cottonwood Trail for a hike along the dunes, and possibly even a dune climb. If you reach the top of the dune, you'll be rewarded with even better views of Glen Lake. The climb can be strenuous, but kids love it, and the run back down is a ton of fun. If you have the time, consider hiking through the dunes all the way to Lake Michigan (a 3-4 hour trip).
The park has plenty of other trails to try. The Dunes Trail is a 3.5 mile trek that leads to the lake and back. The loop trail to Sleeping Bear Point is 2.8 miles long and full of amazing scenery. And for easier hiking, try the Duneside Accessible Trail.
Before you leave the park, be sure to stop by the U.S. Coast Guard Museum, where you'll learn about the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, the Coast Guard, and the shipping past of the Great Lakes. On the second floor, you'll see a recreation of a Steamer Wheelhouse, complete with views of the Manitou Passage Shipping Channel.
On the way out of the park, you'll pass through Glen Haven, a lumber-milling village that has been restored to be as it was in 1900. Volunteers work the old-fashioned blacksmith shop, the cannery boathouse, and the general store. You can learn about Michigan's shipping days and even buy some old-style products in the store.
If you have the time for a fun day trip, head to South Manitou Island. The island has a reconstructed old-fashioned village, an old schoolhouse, and a lighthouse with views of the island and the shore. Take a hike to see the remains of the shipwrecked vessel, the Francisco Morazan.
Highway 22 will lead you through the park exit, past lovely Lake Leelanau, across the peninsula to Northport and views of Grant Traverse Bay. The cosy town of Northport was one of the earliest settlements in the country. Its access to the lake and to Grand Traverse Bay made it a key trading destination. Today the town offers excellent boating access, a harbor park, and plenty of art galleries and antique shops.
While you're exploring Northport, take a tour of the cherry and apple orchards in the hills around town. You can take a picnic lunch to Leelanau State Park, home of the restored Grand Traverse Lighthouse. The Leelanau Conservancy's Kehl Lake Preserve has superb bird watching and wildlife viewing. As you head south along the bay, stop in at Omena Bay's Lavendar Lane shop and the Leelanau Wine Cellars.
Once you've had your fill of beaches and lake vistas, it's time to visit Traverse City! This is the big-city destination in the area, because it's where you'll find the best shops, theaters, art galleries, and other family activities. You can head out to play mini golf, drive a go-kart on a race track, or ride the restored antique carousel at the mall.
Traverse City has plenty of options for boaters and fishers, with easy access to Grand Traverse Bay. There are also tall ships that call Traverse City home, some of which offer rides and tours. You'll find terrific dining options here, from seafood and steak houses to international and American cuisine. And for a bit of adult fun, head to the twin casinos, operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottaway and Chippewa Indians.
This scenic area is jam-packed with beauty, friendly people, and wide-open spaces. Your family is sure to remember their trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Grand Traverse Bay. With all the fun in the sun available in northwestern Michigan, you may never want to go home!
Kitty Hawk -- Truth or Legend?
With all the focus on the Wright brothers as the founders of modern flight, it's easy to think that they were the only ones who came close to inventing an airplane. But in reality, Wilbur and Orville Wright were experimenting at Kitty Hawk during a whirlwind of manned flight trials and errors. All across the country, different people were testing out their own ideas of a flying machine. What the Wright brothers achieved in 1903 was the first powered flight in a fully controllable aircraft that was capable of sustaining itself in the air. As you'll see, they were far from the first men to fly.
In 1799, more than 100 years before the Wright brothers did their tests at Kitty Hawk, Sir George Cayley, an English baronet, dreamed up the idea of a fixed-wing aircraft. He built the first successful glider in 1804 and carried out a number of experiments on the theories of flight.
Later, Otto Lilienthal build a manned glider that flew successfully. In fact, he was the first to show audiences that a pilot could steer a glider and keep it balanced in the air. Sadly, he died in a flying accident, but his death served to propel the Wright brothers into action.
Octave Chanute was another important pioneer of flight. In 1896, he got a group of flying enthusiasts together in the Indiana sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan. They tested a number of gliders, including a biplane glider that became the model for the Wright brothers' first gliders. As Orville and Wilbur were getting ready to go to Kitty Hawk, testing their designs, they regularly wrote to Octave for advice.
A number of other Americans were hot on the heels of the Wright brothers. Percy Pilcher died in 1899 when his Hawk crashed just before he was ready to test his powered airplane. Edward Huffaker and George Spratt visited Kitty Hawk to test one of Octave Chanute's gliders, and they stayed on to help test gliders the Wrights designed. All across the country, brilliant inventors built and tested their flying machines. Some achieved success right on the heels of the Wright brothers. In the Midland International Airport in Texas, you can see the airplane built by blacksmith Johnny Pliska, the first man to construct and fly a plane in Texas. He began building in 1905, just two years after the Wright brothers' success at Kitty Hawk, and probably achieved flight before 1911. Pliska was also the county's first naturalized US citizen.
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Camping Gems
