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Whimsical Wednesday: Alligators and Valentines
As you might already know, Dan and I spent the month of January in southern Florida, exploring the Everglades and the Florida Keys – in preparation for an upcoming travel guide of mine. Although we're in New Orleans at the moment, my head is still very much focused on the Sunshine State. In fact, I was just thinking about one of the last experiences we had on our trip: a Coopertown airboat ride through the East Everglades Expansion Area, a proposed addition to Everglades National Park.
Exploring the Everglades via airboat is a popular activity, especially among families – so popular, in fact, that I recently blogged about it on American Nomad. About a dozen different airboat operators offer narrated scenic tours in the Everglades; many of them are located in Everglades City or along Tamiami Trail, and all of them promise a glimpse at the native flora and fauna.
On our own 40-minute journey through the slow-moving “river of grass,” we saw yellow-bellied slider turtles, greenback herons, and various other birds amid the omnipresent water lilies, sawgrass, cattails, and hammocks (small, tree-filled islands). Naturally, Dan and I were hoping to see an alligator, and we weren't disappointed. We spotted at least four on the trip – one of which lay in all his eight-foot-long glory just inches from the shore. Remarkably calm, he even let us get close enough for a photo opportunity.
Of course, as much fun as we had on that gorgeous day, it's hard to escape the fact that airboats have been controversial for years – as evidenced by some of the comments left on my American Nomad post. Still, travel writing can't always be a smooth road – preserving the environment (and the inhabitants therein) is often at odds with enjoying it, even on an educational airboat ride. Although I believe that conservation and recreation don't have to be mutually exclusive goals, it's certainly not an easy balance – and having written my share of ecotourism articles, I well know it... which is why it's sometimes nice to focus on something a little more frivolous – like the top ten most romantic cities in America, a two-part travel post that I prepared just in time for Valentine's Day. Naturally, four of my old and current haunts – Chicago (where Dan and I met), Las Vegas (where we got married), Los Angeles (where we lived for several years), and New Orleans (where we currently spend a lot of time) – made the list, but it wasn't easy to choose only ten. In fact, I'm curious: Which U.S. city do you think is the most romantic, and what are your plans for the big day?
As you might already know, Dan and I spent the month of January in southern Florida, exploring the Everglades and the Florida Keys – in preparation for an upcoming travel guide of mine. Although we're in New Orleans at the moment, my head is still very much focused on the Sunshine State. In fact, I was just thinking about one of the last experiences we had on our trip: a Coopertown airboat ride through the East Everglades Expansion Area, a proposed addition to Everglades National Park.
Exploring the Everglades via airboat is a popular activity, especially among families – so popular, in fact, that I recently blogged about it on American Nomad. About a dozen different airboat operators offer narrated scenic tours in the Everglades; many of them are located in Everglades City or along Tamiami Trail, and all of them promise a glimpse at the native flora and fauna.
On our own 40-minute journey through the slow-moving “river of grass,” we saw yellow-bellied slider turtles, greenback herons, and various other birds amid the omnipresent water lilies, sawgrass, cattails, and hammocks (small, tree-filled islands). Naturally, Dan and I were hoping to see an alligator, and we weren't disappointed. We spotted at least four on the trip – one of which lay in all his eight-foot-long glory just inches from the shore. Remarkably calm, he even let us get close enough for a photo opportunity.
Of course, as much fun as we had on that gorgeous day, it's hard to escape the fact that airboats have been controversial for years – as evidenced by some of the comments left on my American Nomad post. Still, travel writing can't always be a smooth road – preserving the environment (and the inhabitants therein) is often at odds with enjoying it, even on an educational airboat ride. Although I believe that conservation and recreation don't have to be mutually exclusive goals, it's certainly not an easy balance – and having written my share of ecotourism articles, I well know it... which is why it's sometimes nice to focus on something a little more frivolous – like the top ten most romantic cities in America, a two-part travel post that I prepared just in time for Valentine's Day. Naturally, four of my old and current haunts – Chicago (where Dan and I met), Las Vegas (where we got married), Los Angeles (where we lived for several years), and New Orleans (where we currently spend a lot of time) – made the list, but it wasn't easy to choose only ten. In fact, I'm curious: Which U.S. city do you think is the most romantic, and what are your plans for the big day?
10 comments:
I've only ever been to the Colorado Springs/ Denver area. However... In my defence, I'd have to make it clear that I went as a young soldier with just two things on my mind, beer and girls. So I am most defintely not being facetious when I declare it to be an extremely romantic area. Well it was in 1986, anyway. :-)
I can totally understand that. A positive experience in a particular city can make it seem very romantic indeed!
I love swamp tours! New Orleans is hands down the most romantic city, although I'd think anything with a beach and a sunset to watch would be a close 2nd!
I've been many places, including Paris, and still the city I find most romantic is Charleston, SC. Maybe Savannah, GA too, although I've never been there.
I love swamp tours, too, Becky - especially in Louisiana. And, yes, I agree that New Orleans is the most romantic city in America - but Key West is up there, too... 'cause you're right, sunsets sure do help.
I've only been to Charleston once, Steph, but I know it to be a wonderfully romantic (and historic) city - in fact, it usually can be found at the top of many magazines' "most romantic city" lists.
Happy St. Valentine's AND Mardi Gras! (I'm getting back in the blog saddle...so should have your interview shortly.)
Happy Valentine's Day to you, too, Angie! I hope your return to blogging is a sign that things are a little less crazy in your life.
As for me, I've been pretty sporadic with my blogging - my current travel guide is just sucking too much of my time and energy. But I appreciate the heads-up about my interview - thanks! Oh, and Happy Mardi Gras to you, too! My hubby is experiencing his first one ever on Tuesday - I can't wait (though it can't beat the French Quarter crowd after the Super Bowl)!
Awwww... you got married in Vegas? I love seeing brides around this place.
Sure did, Wordy! Dan and I got hitched in 2001 at the Little Chapel of the Flowers on the Strip. And, hey, we're still married!
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