Tag Archives: hike
Islands of Fire
The Galápagos Islands. The name conjures up images of rare birds, giant tortoises and fearless sea lions, but there is another side to this archipelago. A side may appeal to a geologist more than an ornithologist or herpetologist, because the Galápagos are a classic example of a geologic hot spot.A hot spot is where volcanic islands are formed as a… CONTINUE READING >>
The Long and the Shorts of It All
When women get to be “of a certain age” questions of appropriateness inevitably rear their ugly heads. I think I have squarely hit that certain age. With a vengeance.My questions of appropriateness have actually turned into a LIST of questions of appropriateness:
Should I stop wearing shorts?
What about sleeveless blouses?
Is my hair too long?
When should I stop dying it?
Should I do something about my wrinkles? The shorts quandary is a tough one for me. It’s on the top… CONTINUE READING >>
Finding Germany in the Mountains of Georgia
The unexpected surprises that lurk around the next corner are one of the things that can make travel so interesting.Boy, did we get one of those in the mountains of northern Georgia when we came upon the old fashioned Bavarian village of Helen. Tucked into a valley on the banks of The Chattahoochee River, we suddenly found ourselves driving through an anachronism of epic proportions. Every building, down to the gas station… CONTINUE READING >>
Northern (Ontario) Lights
Late summer in Northern Ontario has weather that humans were meant to live in.Warm, but not hot, during the days and cool, crisp nights. A perfect escape from the heat and humidity south of the border. Yes, that’s how Canadian’s refer to The United States.
Our mission north had a two-fold agenda, enjoy the climate, and finally find a… CONTINUE READING >>
Discovering The Lost City of The Inca, Machu Picchu
When we stepped off The Expedition Train at Aguas Calientes we wasted no time, proceeding directly to the busses for the ride up to Machu Picchu.We did not stop to eat, did not check into our hotel, did not pass go, and did not collect two hundred dollars. We just climbed aboard our carriage for the harrowing trip up the side of a crazy-sheer… CONTINUE READING >>
Glamour + Camping = Glamping on the California Coast
Your GypsyNesters take a Glamping adventure of a lifetime up California’s Pacific Coast Highway!Follow us from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara to Beverly Hills – yes – Beverly Hills, as we discover what the Glamping Life is all about!… CONTINUE READING >>
Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of the Galápagos
In this strange land of strange animals, none is more iconic than the Galápagos Giant Tortoise.Growing to over six feet long and eight hundred pounds, these are the biggest tortoises on the planet and one of the largest reptiles.
No Galápagos visit would be complete without seeing some of these mammoth reptiles. We weren’t willing… CONTINUE READING >>
Dispatch 3, Machu Picchu & Peru, South America Live-Blog
Our live-blog continues through Peru with Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, the Ollantaytambo and Sacsayhuaman Ruins, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Guayaquil and Lima.Stunning mountain-hugging train rides, a visit to a weaving cooperative, and the mysteries of the Incas… CONTINUE READING >>
Dispatch 2, The Galápagos, South America Live-Blog
Our South American live-blog continues with a week sailing in The Galápagos Islands!We are absolutely IN LOVE with the animals here – unbelievably friendly and so fun to photograph. The terrain is wild and the snorkeling unforgettable (and we’ve got underwater video!).
Join our adventure aboard the Yolita II… CONTINUE READING >>
Boy, Are We Everglade We Came Here!
Your GypsyNesters take on the Everglades – all good fun until a very uncomfortable Veronica gets her hands on an alligator!
We encountered gator wrestling, did some (really fast!) airboat riding and visited the smallest post office in the US.
And that’s just the beginning… CONTINUE READING >>
Meet Bigfoot’s Florida Cousin!
Skunk Apes are omnivores, with the ability to climb and make beds out of leafy branches, there are an estimated 7 – 9 of them in the Everglades, they like alligator caves, smell like rotten eggs, and they love lima beans. Skunk Apes lead a nomadic, hunter/gatherer existence, have a good memory and exceptional hearing.We had to find one for ourselves, so we headed deep into the Florida Everglades… CONTINUE READING >>
In Search of Skunk Ape
Your GypsyNesters go deep into the Florida Everglades, miles from any signs of civilization, in search of the elusive Skunk Ape and found some … CONTINUE READING >>
Bouillabaisse Hit
Our “low to the ground” style of traveling enables us to uncover unique regional fare. Right near the top of our list would have to be the bouillabaisse on the French Riviera.While the city of Marseille traditionally lays claim to being the birthplace of bouillabaisse, the fact is that fishermen all along this rocky coast invented the soup as a way… CONTINUE READING >>
Video – How to Volunteer at a National Park
Kay, a veteran parks volunteer – and fellow GypsyNester - discusses how to apply, where one lives at the parks, what is expected of volunteers and, most importantly… CONTINUE READING >>
Okee Dokee Okefenokee
Yes, the Okefenokee Swamp is a real place – and we were up to our elbows in alligators!Two things struck us, first, someone should try using an alligator next time they want to set the long jump world’s record and, second, The Okefenokee’s most famous resident, Pogo, had it wrong. We have met the enemy and he sure ain’t us. He’s all teeth and…. CONTINUE READING >>
Okefenokee Swamp Gator Gazing
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Our walk along The Boardwark deep into the Okefenokee Swamp – and, yes, there be alligators! Lots and lots of… CONTINUE READING >>
7 Night Cruise Live-Blog, Part Two
We’ve got you covered! We delivered on (almost) everything our readers asked for!The beautiful destinations of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Key West. We have video on our stateroom, the entertainment (wow!), the food, the chocolate (this video will send you reeling!), our fabulous (and talented) crew and a helicopter chasing down a speeding boat!
We cavorted with spring-breakers, met incredible people, starred in a game show, got sunburnt. And, there is a complete breakdown of what we spent, how to cruise cheaply, tips on everything from proper attire to how to get a quick start on your vacation. We are exhausted, had WAY too much fun, are going to sleep for a few days. In the meantime, enjoy… CONTINUE READING >>
7 Night Cruise Live-Blog, Part One
Heck yeah! It’s another GypsyNester flat-out, no-plans, on-the-cheap, get-on-a-mode-of-transportation-and-go live-blog! This time we’re storming a 7 night cruise – neither of us have ever been on a cruise before, so we have no idea what we’re in for.We asked our readers to let us know what they wanted us to report on, and we’re going to cover as much of their suggestions as humanly possible.
Make sure you check in often this week – don’t miss a… CONTINUE READING >>
Why? Could it be the Cacti?
Everybody has to ask “Why?” from time to time. Our time came on the drive to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. On the northern edge of the park, along the only road going in, lies the miniscule town of Why, Arizona.Wondering why, we figured we should ask around. The Why-Not Travel Store seemed a good place to inquire. Actually, it was the only place to inquire.
It seems there are two main stories as to how the town came to be named Why, one more likely true than the other.
Some folks say that… CONTINUE READING >>
A Hike Though Organ Pipe National Monument
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This is the only place in the US to see the AMAZING Organ Pipe Catcus! Want to know more?: http://www.gypsynester.com/why.htm
San Diego, Padre
San Diego could have a massive inferiority complex, being overshadowed by its giant neighbor to the north — like a redheaded stepchild, but it doesn’t. No need to — the beauty and attractions have so much to offer.We discovered San Diego while driving down from that sprawling metropolis above, our buddy Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo found it by sailing up from Mexico.
Although Portuguese by birth, Johnny C. was working for Spain on a find-a-shortcut-to… CONTINUE READING >>
Sur. Yes Sir!
Waves crashing against the craggy coast, mist drifting up mountains that rise abruptly from the sea, bridges impossibly clinging to cliffs — we’d seen …CONTINUE READING >>What in the Sam Hill is a Yosemite?
OK, show of hands. How many of us first heard of Yosemite from Looney Tunes? C’mon, reach fer the sky fragnabbit! On those childhood Saturday mornings Yosemite Sam introduced us to the name but he had nothing to do with the National Park. Friz Freleng just liked the plumb western sound of California’s premier park for his loud-mouthed, sourdough, going-off-all-half-cocked, six-shootin’ little fella. Fifty-odd years of Saturdays later yer flea bitten GypsyNestin’ varmints finally met Sam’s namesake… CONTINUE READING >>Yellowstone – What a Gas Hole!
Our odyssey deep into the American West continued across cowboy country, The Cowboy State, Wyoming. Vast expanses of open range stretch as far as the eye can see. The deer and the antelope really do play out here. It was hard to tell from a distance but we believe it was… CONTINUE READING >>Video – Beautiful, Majestic Yellowstone
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Two-thirds of all the geysers in the world are within the borders of Yellowstone. Superheated water gushes… CONTINUE READING >>
