Ramps on Arizona I-10 to Reopen
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Litchfield Road ramps on I-10 to reopen
Arizona Republic The on- and off-ramps were closed in mid-September so construction crews working to widen the freeway could reconstruct the ramps, according to the Arizona … |
Temporary I-80 Lane Closures, Lincoln-Omaha
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Temporary I-80 lane closures, Lincoln-Omaha
Lincoln Journal Star Contractor for this work is Ames Construction Inc. of Aurora, Colo. In the event of bad weather conditions, the schedule will be revised. |
New Bridge Over Ohio I-75 Opening
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New bridge over I-75 opening
Cincinnati.com The bridge is part of the first phase of construction of the $664 million Interstate 75 Mill Creek Expressway project. With the opening of the new overpass, … |
Monroe Lane Closure on Northbound Ohio I-75
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Monroe Lane Closure on Northbound I75
MainStreetMonroe.com To help ensure the safety of construction workers and the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic … |
Four-Day Weekend Trips in Florida – The Thanksgiving Edition
Turkey… or Travel?
My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is not, in fact, the turkey. My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the four-day weekend. You can do a lot with four days!
4 Four-Day Weekend Trips in Florida
Take a weekend trip to the Everglades and spend Thanksgiving with Wild Willy!
1. Tour St. Augustine - our nation’s Oldest City is filled with historical sites that are perfect for a mini-family vacation in the fall. You’re outdoors but not in a swimsuit and the kids are learning. In addition to the infamous lighthouse – which is basically a requirement if you’re going to be in St. Augustine – I’d also recommend a trip to the Pirate & Treasure Museum. If your children find out you were near a pirate museum and didn’t take them they are not likely to forgive you. Ever.
2. Swim with the dolphins in The Keys - while northern and central Florida is getting a little chilly by Thanksgiving, you should still be able to enjoy beach weather down south. And why not? There are few things more delightful than calling your family Up North and saying “guess what I’m doing?” when what they are doing is freezing.
3. Hit the Orlando Theme Parks - rollercoasters, furry characters, and nightly fireworks. What’s not to love? Well, actually, Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest weekends all year for places like Walt Disney World. But there’s a reason so many people show up to theme parks over the four-day weekend; amusement parks a great place to bond as a family!
4. Explore the Everglades – what says family togetherness like alligator hunting? And by hunting, of course, I mean looking to spot and not shoot. Take a tour of the Everglades by boat, bike or swamp buggy. If you want to go all out with the nature-themed getaway, checkout campgrounds in the Everglades. (Do not, however, invite me. That is insanity. I will be in an alligator proof hotel or something, thank you very much.)
Photos by Britt Reints
Section of California I-15 Express Lanes Closed This Weekend
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Section of I-15 Express Lanes closed this weekend
San Diego Union Tribune The construction is part of the south segment of the I-15 Express Lanes project, expected to be completed in 2012. The general purpose lanes will remain … |
I-95 Construction in Georgia Nears End
After more than three years of construction along Interstate 95 through Georgia, the end is finally nearing. Completion for two projects in McIntosh County totalling $165.3 million is expected to be early to mid-December, said Craig Solomon, communications …
I-95 and I-4 Interchange Ramps Set to Close Overnight For Construction
Drivers who use the Interstate 95/ Interstate 4 interchange will see some road closures starting Monday night. The Florida Department of Transportation will close two ramps linking the highways from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. It’s all part of a project to make that …
Georgia State Patrol Announce I-95 Lane Closures
Georgia State Patrol says that I-95 will be reduced to one lane due to construction. In Macintosh, lanes on I-95 Northbound and Southbound will be closed between mile marker 57 to mile marker 60 beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday through 7 a.m. each day until Oct. 27.
Family Friendly Vacation on Florida’s Panhandle
Florida Panhandle Beaches
When you think about Florida beaches, you may picture the bronzed buns in bikinis on Miami’s South Beach.
Or perhaps you remember the college kids in board shorts you saw partying with MTV in Panama City.
While these beaches do offer a… unique vacation experience, they aren’t exactly what you envision when you think about a family vacation. If you’re more interested in pictures of toddlers eating sand and Dad paddling a canoe, head to Santa Rosa County for a family vacation along Florida’s pandhandle.
Santa Rosa County is nestled in Florida’s northwest corner between Escambia, which includes Pensacola, and Okaloosa County, which includes Destin. Unlike the neighboring counties, Santa Rosa boasts no large cities. Instead, you’ll find long stretches of uncrowded white sand and acres of woodlands. You won’t find world class dining or shopping, but Santa Rosa County is a great place to visit if you simply need to relax and reconnect with your loved ones.
Relax on Navarre Beach
Navarre Beach and Fishing Pier
In the southern most part of the county you’ll find Navarre Beach, home of shifting sand dunes and the Gulf of Mexico’s longest fishing pier.
At 1,545 feet, the Navarre Beach Pier is also the longest pier in the state of Florida. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll for $1 or incredible fishing for $7. The water at the end of the pier is about 25 feet deep, which is why you’ll see large king mackerel, cobia and even sharks pulled out on a daily basis. If you’ve always wanted to try trophy fishing but aren’t willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for a chartered deep sea fishing excursion, fishing off the Navarre Beach Pier is a great alternative that you can share with the family.
Local fisherman with his gear on Navarre Beach Pier
The beach itself is made of some of the softest sand in the state (and possibly in the world, according to a few professional sand sculptors I talked to). You will need to use designated boardwalks to access the beach in order to protect the dunes and grasses, which not only prevent erosion but are also mating grounds for sea turtles. The water is a shade of blue seen most often in travel magazines. Bring a blanket, a book, and a camera.
Play At Blackwater River State Forest
Kayaks at Adventures Unlimited
One of the things that makes Santa Rosa County such a unique destination for a family vacation is the diversity of nature that’s available. After you’ve spent a few days lounging on the beach, throw on your tennis shoes and shorts and head north to Blackwater River State Forest. Here you’ll find trees, streams and out-of-the-ordinary things to do at Adventures Unlimited.
At Adventures Unlimited you can rent a canoe, kayak or tube to float or paddle down the Blackwater River, Coldwater River, or Juniper Creek. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, strap on a harness and a helmet and take on one of the zip lines or rope courses. Don’t want to leave? Pitch a tent or rent a cabin. If your idea of an outdoor adventure is more likely to involve bug spray than beach chairs, the north side of Santa Rosa County is sure to please.
And Everything In Between…
Catamaran on the Intracoastal Waterway
While Santa Rosa’s greatest assets are arguably it’s natural scenery, there’s also plenty to do between the two eco-extremes. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is a great place to spend an afternoon and the tiny towns of Milton and Bagdad are perfect for antiquing and historical sightseeing. But don’t expect a faster pace once you’re inside city limits. All of Santa Rosa County seems to move a little more slowly than the rest of the world, which is exactly what makes the place so gosh darn charming.
Photos by Britt Reints. Author’s trip to Santa Rosa County was provided by the county’s tourism board.