Summer. Yes, please.
Summer in my household is a beautiful time. It marks the end of a particularly hectic season, jobs finished for the year, and the beginning of rest and revival. It’s also the keeper of some of my favorite travel memories.
Palo Duro Canyon
The second largest canyon in the United States, this remarkable span of beauty has managed to keep itself mostly secret in modern times. My first experience with this pace was nearly a decade ago. I think I understand, at least in part, what the first settlers felt when they came across this awesome crater in the earth, etched over many lifetimes. Its beauty draws me back year after year. When I turn the corner dawn the road that feeds into the park, my whole body releases any tension I’d been carrying. My soul rediscovered a piece of its home when I found the Palo Duro Canyon. In the years since that first visit, I’ve enjoyed numerous hiking trips, watching the Texas Outdoor Musical, playing my violin in its beautiful crags, and indulging in some of the best cheeseburgers ever made in the Trading Post. Mack Dick, a local celebrity of sorts, contributed the funds to build a beautiful meeting hall where I experienced one of the happiest - and most unseasonably beautiful - days of my life. I’ve been fortunate to share this place with may family and friends who also appreciate its beauty and wonder.
Some travel tips if you visit:
Book a cabin on the rim of the canyon. Dove’s Rest Cabins has numerous options to choose from, but they book up fast (because they’re wonderful). Plan to book your stay in December or January for summer travel to have the most options to choose from.
The state park itself doesn’t have any cell service. Like, none. Make sure to hydrate BEFORE you do a hike, as well as bringing plenty of water. The terrain is treacherous, and rescues are sometimes difficult.
This is a place that has maintained a very slow paced lifestyle. From the airport to the park, plan to take your time.
Jacksonville, FL
I used to call this place home. Most of the time this “bold new city of the south” gets overlooked as a place to pass through on the way to Orlando. I’ve spent enough time here - and enough subsequent time away from here between visits - that I can finally appreciate its beauty. Truly, there is plenty to see and do. From the historic areas of Riverside, Avondale and San Marco to the many beaches to the ever-evolving downtown scene, there is truly something for everyone. Jacksonville was once the largest city by land mass in the country. Because of that, every area of town has its own distinct culture. In fact, even every area of its shoreline has a different culture. Neptune Beach is a much different vibe than Ponte Vedra, and both are great in their own right.
Some of my favorite Jacksonville spots:
The Riverwalk (especially the mosaic under the Main St. Bridge, near Friendship Fountain)
TacoLu (this is actually a MUST in my opinion but it gets crowded. Pack your patience.)
The Town Center (plenty of good shopping and good eats)
Historic St. Augustine (not technically Jacksonville but worth a short drive)
