48 Hour Adventures

The Antelope Canyons ~ a 48 Hour Adventure

shaunaaguirre — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:11:55 +0000

Our 48 Hour Adventure in the Antelope Canyons This is how we did both Canyons and more in our 48 Hour Adventure! Antelope Canyons are about 10 miles from Page Arizona in the Lake Powell Area. These canyons are within the Navajo Nations Reservation so visiting them takes a little planning as you must book thru a Navajo guided business. These canyons were created by millions of years of water and wind erosion. They are named after the pronghorn antelope that used to roam the area. We arrived in the area in the afternoon and our first night there we did a Star Gazing tour. It was a Sunday night and no one else had booked, so it was a private tour. Our guide Ron and his wife own this company and have deep ancestral roots to the area. The slot canyon is on land that his wife’s family owns. He loaded us up in his truck and drove several miles across the land to the entrance of the canyon. After the sun had set we took a hike into the slot canyon. We descended about 200 feet on a lit path and once in the canyon, Ron used red lights to light the space for us. When it finally started to get dark, the sky was full of clouds and we thought we weren’t going to see many stars. We spent some time taking pictures with different lighting. After about 45 minutes, the clouds lifted and the stars came out. There is zero light pollution in the canyon so the view was really spectacular. I didn’t know what to expect when I booked this tour but Ron really exceeded anything we could have imagined. Check them out here: https://hikingslotcanyons.com/our-tours/ligai-si-anii-stargazing-night-tour/ https://www.facebook.com/navajosandstoneslotcanyons Lower Antelope Canyon We did Lower Antelope Canyon early in the morning. The lower and upper canyon are a global destination for photographers. It was a 1.5 hour guided tour. Our guide was from the area. She was knowledgeable about the geology, history and the culture of the Navajo people that live in the area. She helped us with camera settings, took pictures of us and others in the group and made sure to point out specific shots. This canyon is more difficult as you have to climb down several steep staircases to access the floor of the canyon. It differs from the upper canyon that you simply walk straight into. It’s hard to find the words to describe it so I’ll let the photos do the talking. If a couple of the pictures look familiar it’s because both Microsoft and Apple have used them for screen savers. We booked thru Ken’s Tours: https://www.lowerantelope.com Upper Antelope Canyon Our 48 Hour Adventure continued to Upper Antelope Canyon, which is also known as “The Crack,” is the most popular of the two slot canyons that make up Antelope Canyon. It is also the most-visited slot canyon in the American Southwest and the most-photographed in the world. The radiant sun beams that shine through its walls in the spring and summer are one of its main claims to fame, while its changing colors in the fall and winter are another mesmerizing sight to be seen. The Upper Canyon’s ease of access and lack of climbing also make it extremely popular with the family set as well as visitors who may require easy travel but still want an exciting experience in nature. The upper canyon tour starts with a 15 minute ride in a tour jeep. The ride is bumpy and the ground is soft, deep red sand. They park at the opening to the canyon and you simply walk in. The hike out is about ½ mile climb but if you have any physical restrictions they can take you out the way you came in. Upper Antelope Canyon is about 660 feet long where the lower canyon is more than twice that long. The floor of the canyon is much wider than the lower canyon. Because it was later in the day, the colors were darker and richer. It was equally as visually stunning as the lower canyon and we definitely recommend doing both canyons and try to do both in the morning hours. The “sweet spot” for the Upper Canyon seems to be between 10am & 11am. We used https://www.navajotoursdirect.com but there are several companies and I don’t think it matters much which one you take. For other 48 hour Arizona adventures and more visit 48 Hour Adventures Arizona

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Monument Valley in 48 hours

shaunaaguirre — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:41:49 +0000

Our 48 Hour adventure in Monument valley. It’s iconic landscape of sandstone towers, buttes, mesas and dunes provide a view that is unparalleled. You could easily just spend a few hours here and see the landmark sites but there is so much to do and see here that you should spend at least 48 hours in Monument Valley. History of Monument Valley Diné – The People This land is the land of the Diné. They believe that their people journeyed through three worlds in various forms before emerging from Mother Earth into this word, the Sparkling World. Anthropologists hypothesize that the Diné Split off from the Southern Athabaskan and began migrating into the Southwest around 200AD. They developed a rich and complex culture that still survives today. For more info on the Navajo Nation and Dine people visit www.navajopeople.com Modern History Prior to the 1920´s this valley was virtually unknown except by the Native Americans who migrated thru here. In the early 1920´s Harry and Leone Goulding bought a substantial piece of land near the monuments and set up a camp ground & trading post. During the Great Depression which hit this tribal community hard, the Gouldings, looking for a way to help bolster the local economy reached out to director John Ford to pitch the idea of making movies in The Valley. The idea stuck and production came quickly. Over the years, this valley has become the backdrop for dozens of movies. For more of this history visit www.Goulding’s.com Room with a view We stayed at The View which has a hotel, cabins and camping/Rv (dry) hook ups. The first night we stayed at the hotel. Every guest room has a balcony facing The Valley. The top floor has a recessed roof for star gazing. At night they project some of the old movies that were made in the area on the side of the restaurant with seating on the terrace. Sitting amongst the monuments and watching them on the huge screen simultaneously was a unique experience. We stumbled upon it and thought it was pretty cool (BYOB.) The second night we stayed in a cabin, and the view from there was even better. These cabins are small but have everything you need. We loved the feeling of seclusion they had and loved experiencing both places in our 48 hours in Monument Valley. Best ways to experience the Valley We have never been much for organized or guided tours but in the case of this site it is a necessity. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nations Reservation so any exploration of the geological, historical and cultural landmarks must be done with a Navajo guide. Rest assured this experience is going to blow away your expectations and be far more fulfilling on so many levels, than you could have ever imagined. These tours made sure we got the most out of our 48 hours in Monument Valley. Explore the Valley floor by Horseback Our first morning there we took a 2 hour guided horse ride with “Sacred Monument Tours. Our guide Lauren was born, raised and lives in The Valley. He left for a few years to attend college and learn a trade and then returned. This is his home. The Diné guides have an intimate relationship with this land. They were very generous in sharing all of their stories with us. He told us that his Auntie lives under the 3 sisters butte and many of his relatives live within and under the buttes and mesas. He took the time to stop at picturesque locations to take our photos! They have riding tours for all experience levels and are a short walk from The View. Check them out at www.sacredmonumenttours.com Driving Tour In the evening we did a 3 hour sunset tour. We had driven the 17 mile loop the day before to check it out but doing it with a guide was a completely different experience. Our guíde Sharon took us to sites like the Sun’s Eye arch and ancient petroglyphs (rock art), the Ear of the Wind arch, the famous Totem Pole and Yei bi chei rock formations, John Fords Point and many more. We visited a traditional Navajo Hogan. A Diné woman demonstrated how they make yarn out of the sheep wool and told us beautiful stories about their culture. After talking to her more we discovered she was Loreńs (our horse ride guide) Auntie. She was so excited when we told her we had ridden with him in the morning. The tour wrapped with precise timing at a lookout spot just as the sun was setting. https://www.monumentvalleytribaltours.com A couple things to bring: Insider tips: Check out our other blogs on Arizona, New Mexico and more at https://48houradventures.com/category/arizona-southwest/

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Loreto in 48 hours

shaunaaguirre — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 17:35:16 +0000

Loreto, BCSWhat a lovely town this is. Loreto is one of the oldest settlements in Mexico, dating back to 1697. The small coastal town is nestled on the shores of Loreto Bay National Park, which boasts 800 square miles of protected islands and beaches. We’ll show you how to make the most of Loreto in 48 Hours. The Hotel Oasis We stayed at the Hotel Oasis, an adorable small palapa hotel at the South end of the Malecón and walking distance to the marina and the plaza. This is the traditional hotel in town. It was built with local materials by the current owner’s parents in 1962. Furthermore, the hotel is on the beach, pet-friendly and has spacious air-conditioned rooms as well as a salt-water pool. In addition, the rooms are beachfront with stunning views of the Sea of Cortez, Isla Coronado & Isla del Carmen. Equally important, the on-site restaurant features outdoor or indoor dining and the breakfast buffet was delicious. Exploring Loreto The Islands of Loreto are in a prime location for water buffs. It sits between Mexico’s mainland and the Baja California peninsula in the Sea of Cortez. As a result, it is one of Mexico’s largest marine preserves. On our first morning, we ventured to the Marina and easily rented a panga for the day. It was an incredible adventure to Isla Coronado. Along the way, we saw Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Blue Footed Booby’s and Osprey and so much more. This was an epic start to our visit and the perfect way to making the most of seeing Loreto in 48 hours. Isla del Coronado Afterwards we visited a beautiful beach on Isla de Coronado. Our Capitan beached the panga so we could explore the island. At last we were in complete solitude and we were the only ones on the island. Not only was it a beautiful day on the water, but it was also incredible wildlife viewing. The town of Loreto is designated as a pueblo magico (magic town in Spanish) by the Mexican government. The government gives this distinction to towns with significant natural beauty or historical importance. Loreto is built around the enchanting Misión de Loreto. The Mission-style church is from the end of the 17th century and the oldest Misión in Baja. Along the cobblestone streets you’ll find historic buildings, exotic flora, open-air markets, and a vibrant town square filled with friendly locals. Not to mention, delicious restaurants. Authentic Mexican Cuisine There are many choices of restaurants in the town square. However we ate at Mi Loreto, a charming restaurant with classic Baja cuisine choices. The food was spectacular and well as the decor and the service. Later that evening, we ate at Claudias, a sidewalk cafe on the Plaza, again, exceptional food and drinks. The Baja peninsula is full of awesome destinations and natural beauty, and Loreto Mexico is no exception. For more history of Loreto visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loreto,_Baja_California_Sur For more 48 Hour Adventures in Mexico visit: 48 Hour Adventures Baja California Sur

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White Sands NP

shaunaaguirre — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 00:09:30 +0000

White Sands National Park The largest gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. This dune field is very dynamic, with the most active dunes moving to the northeast at a rate of up to 30 feet per year, while the more stable areas of sand move very little. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert within an “internally drained valley” called the Tularosa Basin. The monument ranges in elevation from 3890′ to 4116′ above sea level. There are approximately 275 total square miles of dune fields here, with 115 square miles (about 40%) located within White Sands National Monument. The remainder is on military land that is not open to the public. We drove from Carlsbad Caverns but you can easily get here from Albuquerque or Las Cruces. We arrived just as the full moon was rising and spent an hour getting familiar with the park. We returned the following morning and spent several hours in the park. It really is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Rather than take one of the marked hikes, we parked in one of the side lots and headed out to play in the dunes. The sand was cool to the touch and pristine (we did find a few pieces of trash that we picked up.) At times there wasn’t another person as far as we could see but I’m sure in the summer, there are a lot more people. Hiking the Dunes Park Details Park Hours Opens at 7:00 am, closing time varies by the time of year.No reservations are required Visitor Center Hours and Parking The visitor center has minimal parking for large RVs and trailers. Overflow large vehicle parking is available in the Administrative Building parking lot. Entrance Fee $25.00 per vehicle and valid for seven consecutive days and payable at the entrance booth on Dunes Drive.

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Carlsbad Caverns

shaunaaguirre — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 18:01:56 +0000

We have been talking about going to Southern NM for awhile now and finally found the right time. We flew from SD to El Paso, rented a car and set out to explore. Our first stop was Carlsbad Caverns. There are lots of hotels to choose from in Carlsbad, NM but we stayed at The Caverns Inn in White City, just ½ mile from the road to the Caverns. Turns out going here in early January was a great choice. There weren’t very many people and the weather was incredible, 75 degrees on this day! During the summer, they limit the guests to 25k/day but on this day there were less than 2k. These are some of the deepest, largest and most unique caverns ever discovered, and they’ve been protected by the NPS since 1923. Until you descend into the depths, it’s hard to comprehend the massiveness of these caves. The actor Will Rogers described the cavern system as a “Grand Canyon with a roof over it.” Entering the Cavern The Big Room, North America’s largest explorable single cave chamber is a limestone chamber that’s 255 feet high. Stalactites, many as long as 60 feet, drip from its ceiling. Spectacular stalagmites, some six stories tall, rise from the floor. Delicate “soda straw” formations, cave pools, shimmering “popcorn” structures and brilliant speleothems add to the spectacle. “Some of the formations can be 150 to 200 feet tall. They even seem taller than that when you’re standing there looking at them. Unlike most national parks, Carlsbad Caverns requires advanced reservations for entry; make sure you book before your arrival because they can’t be made on-site. Reservations cost $1, and they’re limited to a 60-minute window based on the time you choose. The cavern system, naturally, ranks as the park’s main attraction. You should spend as much time as you can underground exploring it. You can enter the caverns in one of two ways. Via an elevator or walking down the 1¼-mile path through the Natural Entrance. By far, walking down is the best way (and riding the elevator back up at the end of your visit.)This will give you a much clearer sense of the cave system’s massiveness. You’ll descend roughly 800 feet as the sunlight slowly disappears. Once you’re inside, it’s full of spectacular rock formations of all shapes and sizes. Keep your eye out for an artifact: a decades-old rope ladder that explorers used in 1924 to enter the cave. Cavern Highlights The various rock formations are generally all stalagmites or stalactites, and the Big Room has more than its fair share. Highlights include the Hall of Giants (a series of roughly 60-foot-high domes. These are built up from water droplets depositing minerals in the same spot over eons.) The Bottomless Pit (a 140-foot-deep hole.) Crystal Spring Dome, one of the park’s largest active stalagmites at 21 fee. You’ll see water flowing down the sides of the white rock into a pool below. It’s hard to explain how impressive walking through the Big Room is; you just have to see (and experience) it for yourself. If you visit late April through October, you can experience the Bat Flight. More than 400,000 Brazilian free-tailed bats emerging from the caverns nightly, hungry and in search of insects. If you’re an early riser you can watch them return between 4-6am. History of the Cavern Native Americans have known about the cave for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.The Mescalero Apache called this area Jadnut?udebiga (Home of the Bat) while the Zuni Pueblo named it Asho:sti an alaluckwa (Bat Cave). If you look carefully around the cave entrance you’ll find multiple mescal cooking pits and even a cave painting.The Mescalero Apache, Zuni Pueblo, and other groups were well acquainted with this piece of the Chihuahuan Desert. While there is no evidence these native peoples explored deep into the cave, they were certainly aware of its existence. The first credited cave exploration happened in the cave in 1898. Sixteen year-old cowboy, Jim White, was rounding up cattle one evening. He thought he spotted smoke from a wildfire off in the distance. As Jim approached the smoke, he noticed he wasn’t seeing smoke. He was watching bats. Thousands-upon-thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats. Jim finally stopped at the mouth of the cave completely mesmerized by the spectacle of flying mammals filling the air above him. He spent the rest of is life exploring the caverns. The small town near the turn off is named after him, White City. To read Jim’s whole story visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Larkin_White Check out more of our New Mexico adventures here: https://48houradventures.com/category/new-mexico/

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San Diego ~ a look at our favorite beaches

shaunaaguirre — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:08:55 +0000

As avid beach goers, we hunt for the best beaches when we travel. We are fortunate to live in San Diego where there is an abundance of great beaches to visit. We will share our 5 favorite beaches in San Diego with you. Whether you’re looking for the perfect swimming /surfing beach or a long walk to watch the sunset, it’s all here. La Jolla Shores Considered one of the top 10 beaches in the Country, this beach has something for everyone. If you have kiddos, this is a perfect beach for them. The waves rarely get big here and the gentle shore break make it easily accessible for children. Because this area is a marine preserve, the snorkeling here is some of the best in the city. During the months of July thru September, the leopard sharks come here to spawn. You can find hundreds of them here. They are harmless to humans as they feed on clams, shrimp and fish eggs. They range in size from 1-4 feet and are an exciting site to see. The north end of the beach has a gentle wave that is perfect for the beginner surfer. In addition, there are several kayak rental places located close by. They offer kayak tours to the La Jolla caves. This is a bucket list experience for tourists and locals alike. to Torrey Pines If it’s a picturesque, long walk on the beach you crave, this is the storybook beach for you. From the Shores, you can walk for several miles to the North. You’ll pass by the Scripps Pier, flat rock beach and can go all the way to Torrey Pines state beach. Sunset’s from this beach are epic. It is not uncommon to see dolphins & seals playing in the waves. During the months of October – March the California Grey Whales are migrating and whale spotting is common. TPSB is accessible from the parking lot along California State Route 1 to the North of La Jolla, just South of Del Mar. The parking here is ample and provides easy access to the beach. Additionally, you’ll find plenty of public restrooms and fresh-water showers. The swimming here is fun! If you are into fishing, this is just North of the preserve and surf fishing is world-class. The presence of sandstone cliffs makes this an incredibly picturesque location. Just like The Shores, you will often see Dolphins, seals and during the whale migration, plenty of California Grey whales. If you’re looking for an amazing beachside hike, this is it. The trails that lead up from the parking lot allow for an easy yet scenic hike and end with a path down to the beach. OB is our “home” beach. Nestled in the quaint hippie community town of OB, this beach features “swim” only and “surf” only areas. There are many surf shops available nearby that offer rentals. This is a perfect beach for the beginner surfer. If you’re into swimming, the waves are generally small and a perfect place for kiddos to boogie board. Just to the south is the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier. Built in 1966, it is the longest concrete pier in the world and the second longest ocean pier in California. Stretching just under ½ mile long, you can enjoy a great walk while checking out the surfers in the waves below. Just a short walk to the North is the unique Dog’s beach. Everyday, you’ll find hundreds of dog owners with their fur children enjoying the waves, water and company of other dogs. One of our favorite places to ride bikes, Stand-up paddle and fish is Mission Bay Park. Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country. Mission Bay boasts 27 miles of shoreline, 19 of which are sandy beaches with eight locations designated as official swimming areas. There are several landmark hotels that line the bay and offer private beaches, bonfire pits and beach front accommodations. At the west end is a network of channels and islands – a perfect spot for everyone from windsurfers to water- skiers. There are numerous places to swim or rent boats and paddle boards. Our favorite jump off point on the bay is Dana Landing. This location is a hub for all bay and ocean activities. They offer day rentals of everything from SUP’s, kayaks, small boats, jet skis and fishing charters. This one stop shop features beachwear, a full-service bait and tackle shop and one of the best deli’s in San Diego. Whether you’re looking for a great pair of sunglasses, flip flops or a place to stock up on sandwiches, beer and wine and snacks for your day on the water, The Dana Landing has it all! Coronado State beach No visit to San Diego is complete without a visit to the island of Coronado. You can get there two ways. A ferry ride from the docks at the Broadway street pier or a drive over the 200-foot-tall bridge. This is one of the most special places Southern California has to offer. Coronado state beach is set against the backdrop of the Hotel Del Coronado. This beach boasts miles of walking, great shelling, spectacular views of the Point Loma peninsula and at the North end, a great dog beach. Ferry Landing Marketplace offers a sandy beach area adjacent to fishing/ferry pier. With a grassy lawn and sweeping views of San Diego Bay, this is a great place to take in views of downtown San Diego while enjoying the tranquil waters of the bay. Coronado beach dunes Access to the main Coronado Beach is from the area near the “Hotel Del.” There are free parking spaces along Ocean Boulevard. This wide family-friendly beach gets crowded, but it is wide enough that you can find a place to spread out comfortably. Sometimes near the hotel there are elaborate large sandcastles to view and photograph. Apparently, sometime back in the 1980s, a city maintenance worker who cleaned up the beach sand with heavy equipment was trying to get rid of tons of seaweed washed on shore after a big storm. Having no place to dispose of it, he started piling sand over the seaweed, creating the dunes. However, in a fun twist, he decided to be creative and formed the dunes to spell out the word “Coronado.” Although only visible from the air, these dunes provide a fun place for children to play, a great place to exercise and are a historic piece of Coronado. While in San Diego, be sure to visit one of our favorite places, Old Town!

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Old Town San Diego ~ The Birthplace of California

shaunaaguirre — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 04:26:36 +0000

Whether you live in San Diego or are just visiting, you’ll want to spend some time in Old Town San Diego. Considered the “Birthplace of California” it is a cultural and historic destination. As a child growing up in San Diego, it was the location of my father’s favorite restaurant and we would come here at least once a week. Here, you will experience the Hispanic culture that built the state of California. You’ll visit the sites of some of the first homes, ranches and churches in the State. Fiesta De Reyes ~ Plaza in Old Town Our favorite way to experience this area is a walking tour that will visit historical places and will treat you to some of the best handmade tortillas and collections of tequilas the city has to offer. We start our tour in the town center at Fiesta de Reyes. This town center offers genuine Mexican restaurants, adorable Mexican-influenced souvenir shops and an opportunity to be immersed in the local culture. Casa de Reyes Restaurant From the time I was 10 years old, our first stop in Old Town is always the tortilla factory shack. Some of the ladies making tortillas here have been doing it for over 20 years. They are some of the best tortillas you’ll ever have. Ask for a pat of butter to put on your warm tortilla; it’s a bit of heaven on earth. Lunch at the adjacent Casa de Reyes will not disappoint. Their “Bird Bath” margarita is an attitude adjustment that will last all day! Personal History As a child, my father became good friends with the mariachi band that played here. The trumpet player had his instrument stolen, and he couldn’t afford a new one. My sweet and generous father purchased one and gifted it to him, making him part of our family. We were weekly regulars in this restaurant. Although it has a different name and ownership, we still love going here. The Presidio ~ The birthplace of San Diego From here we set out for a hike up to The Presidio. Across the street and to the South at the corner of Juan and Mason St. you enter a path that takes you behind the golf course and up to the Presidio. As you pass by the backside of the golf course, you’ll see the remnants of a brick wall that was once part of one of the biggest ranches in the area. Once you arrive at The Presidio, there are a few things you’ll want to see. The Presidio itself is a fort established by Father Junipero Serra in 1769 as a stronghold to protect the European settlers from the indigenous Kumeyaay people. In 1821, the presidio came under Mexican control, and was officially relinquished by the Spanish in 1822. From 1825-1829, it served as the Mexican governor’s residence. The. Junipero Serra Museum is here. There are three statues to see on Presidio hill. An Indian statue that honors the indigenous Kumeyaay Indians, A statue of Father Junipero Serra and a statue of a Mexican Vaquero to honor the early Mexican settlers in the region. Just below the Junipero Serra Museum, is the Serra cross, considered one of the most important landmarks in San Diego. Built in 1913 with tiles from the original Presidio, this spot is considered “The birthplace of California.” Additional trails around here are rich in historical monuments to explore. The continuation of the trail to the South will take you back to Old Town with so much more to see Cemeteries & Churches The “haunted” El Campo Santo Cemetery sits in the middle of the town center. The graves here date back to 1849. Just outside the cemetery, you will discover some grave markers. These were placed when the road and street were built. If you’re lucky enough to visit Old Town on Nov.ember 1st-2nd, you’ll experience the Mexican celebration of Dia de Los Almas (All souls day) and Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead.) These are two of the most important of Mexican holidays with parties and decorations that are a sight to see. Immaculate Conception is a beautiful old Spanish style church worth a visit. Just to the west of the Cemetery is the town center. Here you’ll find one of our favorite souvenir shops, Casa de Aguirre (for obvious reasons! ) Here you’ll find everything from piñatas to Mexican clothing, talavera pottery and locally made hot sauces. If you travel into the town center, there are many museums to see including the site of the first SD Union-Tribune and the first printing press in California. Dining in Old Town We have two other favorite restaurants in Old Town. El Agave boasts the largest collection of tequila in the city and Old Town Mexican Café. While there are many restaurants to choose from in Old Town, these two are the most authentic in cuisine and beverage choices. Old Town Mexican Café has been in operation for more than 40 years. The tortillas are made fresh in a large display window so you can watch from outside. The food is some of the best authentic Mexican food in all of San Diego. They have two large bars with indoor and outdoor seating and the local mariachi’s add a musical component that you won’t find elsewhere. As mentioned previously, if you are able to visit Old Town, SD on the first or second of November, you will see this community in all of its glory as they celebrate the spirits of those that have passed. In our other blog of Old Town San Diego, we dive deeper into the historic sites to see! Check out our other blogs of our favorite places to visit in San Diego, our favorite beaches and our favorite restaurants.

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Maui, HI ~ Our 3 favorite places to stay

shaunaaguirre — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:30:29 +0000

There are many VRBO condos and luxury resorts to choose from on the Island of Maui. We opt for the hotels that offer a more local experience reflective of the tranquil lifestyle of the Islands. Our first choice is the Best Western Pioneer Inn in Lahaina. This hotel harkens back to the days when Lahaina was one of the whaling capitals of the world. Built in 1901 and restored and remodeled, the rooms have private lanais. In addition, it sits across the street from the world-famous Banyan tree. The central location of this property offers a great jumping off spot for touring the north, east and west parts of the Island. In addition, just steps away from the hotel you have access to numerous recreation activities. You can take a whale watching tour or a day boat to Lanai. Scuba and snorkeling trips and world class fishing charters are easily accessible. They also have an entertaining bar that features live music on a regular basis (If you’re there say hi to our friend Donna who bartends here!) The Banyan Tree The banyan tree was planted in 1873. Since then it has grown to 60 feet tall, has 16 major trunks apart from the main one and the circumference of the tree covers almost two acres of land, making it one of the largest banyan trees in the world. At dusk, there are thousands of Myna birds that return to sleep for the night. The boisterous caterwauling is a spectacle to behold. Famed Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia spent many days painting the tree. There are multiple annual events that happen in the park surrounding the famous tree. Our favorite is Halloween night when Lahaina shuts down its main street and there is an epic costume contest under the tree. It’s one of the most fun Halloween events we’ve ever experienced. Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel Our second favorite is the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel. This oceanfront hotel sits directly on the world-famous Kāʻanapali beach and features 11 acres of stunning tropical gardens and world-class ocean views. It is considered “Hawaii’s most Hawaiian hotel.” All of the oceanfront rooms have private, spacious lanai’s. You’ll be afforded long walks on the beach and the swimming here is fabulous. Just to the west of the resort is Black Rock, also known as Puʻu Kekaʻa, was once revered as a place where the spirits would leap from this world to the next. This area is a dynamic snorkeling and swimming area. The clear waters offer a fishbowl experience and it is a great spot for paddle boarding, swimming, snorkeling and if you’re adventurous, some cliff diving. From December to May, humpback whales travel to the protected waters of Kā’anapali, making it one of the top whale-watching destinations in the world. The Bamboo Inn, Hāna, Maui Thirdly, we can’t recommend the Bamboo Inn in Hāna enough. The Bamboo Inn offers three oceanfront accommodations, each with a breath-taking view looking across Hāna Bay toward the Waikoloa peninsula, the easternmost point on Maui. A trip out the Hana highway can be done in a day if you have time constraints but we recommend you take a whole day to get there and stay the night and spend a whole day returning. There are so many detours, side roads, hidden beaches and waterfalls along this road to Hāna. You really need 48 hours to experience it all. In this case, the destination is the lesser part of the trip and the journey is the real experience. Check out our other blogs featuring the best beaches, best hikes, best food and best sites Maui has to offer.

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La Paz, Baja Ca Sur, Mexico ~ Seals, Whale Sharks and the Sea of Cortez

shaunaaguirre — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 07:00:00 +0000

We booked this two-day getaway in La Paz, Mexico with a plan to swim with the whale sharks. Little did we know we would have one of our Best. Days. EVER! We checked into a corner room at Las Gaviotas Hotel. This hotel is a hidden gem. It has sixteen 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, fully furnished, great views and a block and a half off the Malecón (Malecón translates to “pier” in Spanish but is the common name for the boardwalk that stretches along the waterfront in Latin beach towns around the world.) Our hosts, the owners Linda & Chalo are incredibly gracious and offered a lot of local tips for us to pass on to you. They also have a stash of beach chairs and basic beach gear available to borrow. Just down on the Malecón at the end of the street is the restaurant Mariscos Los Laureles. The fresh whole fish and coconut shrimp are amazing. Honestly everything on the menu is divine. Swimming with seals & whale Sharks An early breakfast at Mariscos Bismarkcito fueled us up and we headed to the boat launch kiosk. There are many vendors that offer tours to swim with the whale sharks. You can get hustled by random guys on the Malecón but we chose to book thru one of the kiosks near the town’s Centro Plaza. We were able to book a “combo” that included an all day boat ride to swim with the seals, have lunch on an isolated beach and swim with the whale sharks for $150 each. We boarded the boat with about 10 other people and headed out on a 2 hour ride that was colder than we expected. Bryan’s pro-tip would be to make sure you pack some warm gear as being on the ocean all day can get chilly. Several people had dressed for a “beach” day and were caught off guard. Our first stop was Isla Espíritu Santo. There are several hundred seals that live on this Isla and we geared up and jumped in the water for a swim. It was an unforgettable experience and one we definitely recommend. Next stop, our captain pulled the boat up to Playa Enseñada Grande. This secluded beach ranks as one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever been to. Our Captain had made fresh ceviche and we ate tostadas on the beach and went for a swim. Top 5 beaches in La Paz, Mexico Playa Enseñada Grande: Access by boat charter. Secluded with no services. Turquoise waters for swimming. Playa Balandra: We took a bus out of the bus station in the center of town. R/T fare was $5 each. Unique beach with some fruit vendors and souvenir vendors on the beach. Minimal food and beverages available. Beautiful seafoam colored water and large sand bank so you can walk a hundred yards out into the water and still be knee deep. Playa El Coromuel: Just North on the Malecón, you come to a small bay with a pier where they have a couple of restaurants and bars. Nearby there are bathrooms and some little commercial spots where you can buy beverages and seafood. Caimancito Beach: 2 miles North of town. Hotel nearby for food and beverage purchases. Liked by the locals. Playa Pichilingue: 10 miles North of La Paz. Full services available. Beautiful swimming beach. Swimming with Whale Sharks Whale shark season is from October to February and planning a trip during this time will provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our guide was highly experienced in finding the Whale sharks and after scouting for less than 30 minutes she was able to put us up close and personal to a Whale shark. These docile animals are up to 20 feet long but be prepared to swim, it takes some effort to keep up with them. However, swimming next to them was an emotional and a once-in-a-life time experience. Top 5 restaurants in La Paz Mariscos Los Laureles: On the North end of the Malecón. Seriously some of the best seafood we’ve ever had. Los Bismarkcitos: On the Malecón with great view. Had an delicious breakfast here and the place is packed at night. Fresh seafood from local fishermen and reasonably priced. The Tailhunter Restaurant: Fresh seafood daily from local fishermen. You can also book day fishing charters here. Steinbeck’s at Costa Baja: Inspired by the award wining author who spent a lot of time in the Sea of Cortez. Great steak and seafood restaurant. A little pricey but worth an Uber trip to see this beautiful resort and enjoy a night of fine dining. Los Magueyes: Off the beaten path but great authentic Mexican food and some vegan options. La Paz, unlike Cabo still retains much of its small, authentic Baja Mexico town feeling. Day trips from here include Los Cabos & Todo Santos. We highly recommend you read two of the books written by John Steinbeck that are based on this quaint fishing town. The Pearl and Logs from the Sea of Cortez were written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and will give you a glimpse into what this area was like in the 1950’s when he was exploring here. Many of the places we visited are discussed in detail in these books. Be sure to check out our other blogs of places to visit in Baja, Ca. Sur.

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Kaua’i, HI ~ Our top 6 favorite sites to see

shaunaaguirre — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 15:00:19 +0000

Over the years we’ve visited this Island many times. In this blog, we will share our top 6 favorite Kaua’i sites. Some are mainstream and a couple that are off the beaten path. Whether you have a week or just a couple days, these are the best Kaua’i sites you won’t want to miss! Waimea Canyon This area is the largest canyon in the Islands and is aptly called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Starting at the beach in the town of Waimea, take the Waimea Canyon drive to the top. As you travel up the road to the Canyon viewing area you’ll pass through several different landscapes. For example, you’ll see Norfolk pines, Koa trees and maybe even some wild boars. The vista at the top is spectacular. The canyon spans over a mile wide and 3500 feet deep. There are several waterfalls visible from the lookout point. If you want to hike, you’ll be in heaven because there are over 45 miles of trails in the area. The added bonus is the presence of street vendors in the parking lot selling sugarcane and banana bread in addition to many more locally made snacks. Back in the town of Waimea, be sure to stop at Jojo’s shave ice for some of the best shave ice on the island! Shave ice looks very white due to its small water particles. Added Flavored syrups are absorbed by the ice instead of surrounding it. There is rarely a need for a straw for a properly made shave ice confection, since the flavors are in the ice and not at the bottom of the cup. Although the traditional American flavors are common, shave ice in Hawai’i is often flavored with local ingredients such as guava, pineapple, coconut cream, passionfruit, li hing mui, lychee, kiwifruit and mango. Hawaiian shave ice is traditionally served in a conical paper or plastic cup with multiple flavors and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or adzuki bean paste at the bottom of the cup. Sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top is sometimes called a “snow cap”. This style of shave ice is common on the north shore of O’ahu, as well as on Maui, Kaua’i and the Big Island of Hawai’i (where it is called “Japanese style”). Wailua Falls These falls are one of the most picturesque places on the island. Just north of Lihue, the access is easy and parking is just a couple steps away from this spectacular view. These falls are where the Wailua river pours out in two streams to a pool below. There are plenty of hiking trails that take you down to the pool below or to the top of the falls. However, you can get perfect photos of the falls from the viewing area. The drive up to the falls is as picturesque as the destination. Stone Dam This breathtaking garden is on the North side of the island and an easy hike on the Wai Loa loop trail that leads you to the dam. Fortunately this 4.5 mile round trip path is easy enough for children. Along the way you’ll pass the largest mahogany ranch in North America. Once you arrive at the dam, not only are there numerous places for a picnic. This is considered a meditation garden and provides many places to sit quietly. Just above the damn is a spot where you can jump in and swim. The dam was built in the late 1800’s to assist the sugarcane farmers with irrigation. Each stone was hand carved and it is a now a beautiful backdrop to this lushious garden. Thisis a Kaua’i site we go back to on every visit! Nāpali Coast There are two main ways to see the Nāpali coast, by boat or trail. You can jump on one of the many charters from Port Allen that includes snorkeling tours and sunset dinner tours. Or, you can hike the Malala trail that starts at Ke’e Beach and goes to Kalalau Beach. The boat charter will give you a view of the coast that you can’t see any other way. The sunset tour will give you some of the best photos of your trip. The hiking trail is a fun day trip. The trail is 11 miles long so you can do all of it or as much as you want. It is a rugged trail with spectacular vistas of the area. The added bonus is the usual presence of a shaved ice truck in the parking lot. It’s just what you’ll need after a long hike! Spouting Horn blow hole Located on the Southside near Koloa is the natural landmark, Spouting Horn blow hole. This site has great importance as part of the ancient Hawaiian legends of the Island. The spouting is always consistent and reliable and the sounds it makes when pushing thru the lava tubes is haunting. If the weather is good, there are some street vendors selling locally made products that range from jewelry to home decor. It is a great place to pick up some souvenirs while supporting local artisans. Hanapepe Art Walk & swinging bridge One of our favorite Kaua’i sites is the Friday Night Art Walk in Hanapepe. The main road through town is shut down and filled with street vendors. The shops along the street open their doors and welcome locals and tourists. The food vendors sell local favorites like lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake, plate lunch and guava lemonade. The plate lunch (Hawaiian: pā mea ʻai) is a quintessentially Hawaiian meal, roughly analogous to Southern U.S. meat-and-threes. However, the pan-Asian influence on Hawaiian cuisine, and its roots in the Japanese bento, make the plate lunch unique to Hawaii. Standard plate lunches consist of two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée The art galleries are fun to explore and many of the artists are available to speak with. Just to the north of the center of town is the Hanapepe Swinging bridge that spans the Hanapepe River and connects the residential area to the business district. Located on the South side of the island between Waimea and Lihue, this little town is off the beaten path and worth a detour. Be sure to check out our other blogs of Kaua’i for the best beaches and best eats on the island.

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