QueenoftheHighway

So worth it! I went to visit a friend in Tampa, and we took the boat out to Egmont. It’s only accessible by boat, but quite close to Fort de Soto. It’s a typically tropical island- white sand, clear water, palm trees almost up to the high tide line, tons of shells. But my favorite part is the remains of Ft. Dade, used by Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders as a coastal defense fort after the Spanish American war. There are remains of several batteries, old brick roads, and a lighthouse. We also saw several tortoises and ospreys. For me, it was the perfect mix of “tropical paradise” and historical nerdiness. Loved it.

Should be going (weather permitting, I guess) in February!

Solstice Canyon is a coastal canyon off of PCH in the Santa Monica Mountains (by Malibu). It’s pretty pristine- old oaks, streams, waterfalls… We took the Rising Sun Trail up the ridge, which then drops down into the valley at Tropical Terrace- the ruins of an old house that burned. It has tons of old fountains, fireplaces, a statue of Mary, and a Cold War bomb shelter. We also climbed (literally) up the rocks to the waterfall. Both the natural landscape and the ruins were beautiful. I’d love to go back.