This past May, the gang over at Craghoppers Clothing UK contacted us, interested in an adventure tour of Florida. This wasn’t just any adventure tour though. This was a tour to test out and show off their forthcoming Spring/Summer 2010 clothing line.
As Florida’s ONLY small group adventure tour company, we were ready to guide the group – which consisted of a few marketing managers, two models, and a professional adventure photographer named Corey Rich – to many of south Florida’s most picturesque landscapes and adventurous destinations.
Picking the group up from Miami International Airport, we spent the first evening taking in the nightlife of Miami’s South Beach. The next morning, we were off to Big Cypress National Preserve, with visits to a Native American community and an airboat tour on the outskirts of Everglades National Park. From there, we made our way 37 miles deep into the Everglades – canoeing amongst the Florida Alligator and mountain biking some of the many trails throughout the park. We enjoyed our evenings under the stars, camping and cooking in remote wilderness campsites.
On Day Three, we hopped on the Overseas Highway en route to the Florida Keys. In between enjoying Mallory Square’s Sunset Celebration, the Craghoppers Crew hit it hard; kayaking, bone-fishing, biking, deep-sea fishing, and taking a helicopter ride over the Caribbean blue waters.
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The group that I spent over six days with represented the Craghoppers company very well. Their products actually walk the walk. They are not made in a boardroom by number crunchers. The clothing line really does inspire travel, exploration, and adventure.
And the photographer, Corey Rich, put on a workshop – making professional adventure photography appear like anyone can do it, to only learn that he is just that good (and that my camera’s automatic settings will never capture a photo with quite the depth he absorbs through his lens).
The catalog should be released soon. Check out Craghoppers website to see what our tour looked like (and purchase some great clothing) by clicking here. Want to see the cover of the catalog, visit Corey’s blog HERE.
After this tour, we at Florida Adventure Treks, thought of a first-of-its-kind event – an in-depth photography workshop over the course of a seven (7) day adventure tour. Combine the best of travel with the skills of a professional adventure photographer to teach you hands-on photography in some of Florida’s most stunning settings. Our Photography Workshop is still under development…. stay tuned!
Camping in Florida is one of the best ways to explore the state. In the winter months, snuggle up to a campfire. Or enjoy the summer breeze by camping beachside. Some sites are resort-like (hot tubs, shower facilitiy, visitor center) while others are primitive with few amenities. No matter the time of year or location, Florida has a campground to suit.
Atlantic Ocean. Sand Dunes. Beaches as far as the eye can see. This picturesque state park has one of the best campgrounds in the North. After a full day visiting the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, take an early evening dip in the water before heading to sleep. When the alarm wakes you up in the wee hours of the morning, know that you are minutes away from witnessing the awe of the sun rising up over the ocean. If you are quick enough, drive over to Florida’s west coast to watch the sun dip below the Gulf of Mexico, all in one day.
Budget travel is an art form – it is all about exploring a new land, learning about its people, and experiencing a destination as if you lived there. There is no better way to travel. But sometimes, traveling on a budget isn’t easy. The United States doesn’t have a rail system that even closely rivals Europe. Given how big our country is, buses are a distant second to plane hopping. And, the time and effort to check-in at an airport every few days is not exactly our idea of a holiday.
