Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

The Simple Path to a Perfect Road Trip

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The best vacations are often the most self-produced. Waiting in long lines, being enslaved to a rigid itinerary, or shelling out hundreds of dollars for a stuffy flight can feel more restricting than relaxing. It’s no wonder, then, that self-guided road trips are such an alluring vacation alternative. While there are dozens of phenomenal options when it comes to planning the perfect trip, picking a direction and just driving isn’t always the best course of action (no matter how tempting it may be). There are several key considerations that can make or break the elusive “perfect road trip.”

First, it never hurts to come up with a goal for the trip, no matter how vague. Is this particular road voyage about catching some spectacular natural views, or would it be more fun to focus on visiting several major cities? A drive up the West Coast and through the Rocky Mountains might be the perfect option for the former, while an East Coast urban crawl will satisfy the desires of the latter. Setting even a simple goal can determine the tone of the trip, and help make planning out the desired destinations that much easier.

After deciding on that general goal, the next step is picking a part of the country to visit. One of the spectacular things about the United States is that its diverse topography provides both natural wonders and metropolitan centers in almost any area of the country. So, whatever the purpose of the trip, it can be fulfilled almost anywhere. The Pacific Northwest is an iconic part of the country that’s on many people’s bucket list to visit. However, the often-overlooked Midwest has its trove of hidden gems worth exploring. Because of this rich diversity, the geography of the perfect road trip is a simple matter of preference.

With a goal and a (general) location decided upon, the amount of planning to be done next is entirely up to the discretion of the travelers. While some prefer more structure to their trip, with a day-by-day plan as to the sights and destinations, others are more apt to discover their path as it unfolds before them. Regardless of the nature of travel, having these two aspects of the journey decided, the goal and the geography can turn any trip into the perfect road trip.

Fall Destinations for Scuba Diving

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Depending on where you live, the end of summer may mean an offseason for your diving practice. If you don’t mind traveling, however, fall is a great time to check out new destinations. Here are some places you should consider scuba diving this autumn.

Costa Rica

If you’ve never dived in Costa Rica, this destination should be at the top of your list. The west coast is cooler than the east side, and it’s home to an extraordinary amount of wildlife. On your adventure, you may see bull sharks, seahorses, and harlequin crown shrimp among others. If you enjoy exploring on land as well, you can also head out to a nearby jungle.

Oman

Fall is the perfect time to visit Oman. You’ll enjoy perfect weather and breathtaking sights without fighting the crowds that frequent other destinations. Among the sea life, you can expect to see thousands of triggerfish and whalefish as well as many other creatures.

Gozo

Gozo is remarkably warm even in October, so you can put this on your list of fall diving sites too. Divers across the world love to visit Gozo because the visibility is incredible. Whether you’re a new diver or a pro, you’ll enjoy Gozo’s swim throughs, caverns, and giant walls. 

With all of these options available, there’s no need to take a break from scuba diving in the autumn. All you need to do is hop on a plane and embark on a new adventure.

Prime Scuba Diving Sites in Florida

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Scuba diving is a fun activity to explore the ocean and witness life under the sea. With so many beautiful oceans around the world, many people don’t realize that there are amazing spots to scuba dive right here in the United State. Florida, in particular, is home to some of the greatest shores to explore underwater life. These are the prime diving sites in Florida:

Ginnie Springs – Central Florida
The fresh spring waters of Ginnie Springs offers the best scuba diving destination in central Florida. It sits with a 100-foot-diameter depression and has a collection of three smaller springs. These springs are Devil’s Eye, Devil’s Ear and Little Devil. Being connected to the tannin-dyed Santa Fe River gives the spring warm and crystal clear water. The beauty of the Ginnie Springs is home to much wildlife to explore beneath the waters.

Key Largo – The Florida Keys
In the heart of the Florid Keys lies Key Largo. This prime scuba diving spot features colorful reefs and an abundance of fish life. Divers will also have a chance to see some of the shipwrecks beneath the water. While underwater, divers will be sure to see barracuda, jacks, and silversides. There is much to see and explore in Key Largo, which is why it has become one of the most popular scuba diving sites in Florida.

Venice – The Gulf Coast
In the shark tooth capital of the world, Venice will truly give divers a run for their money. Divers will have the opportunity to explore the waters and find huge shark teeth that could be potentially worth hundreds of dollars. The waters offer about 10 feet of average visibility to search the bottom of the sea for shark teeth. Even is divers are unable to find a tooth worth money, they’ll find enough souvenirs to last a lifetime.

Destin – The Florida Panhandle
Stretched across the Florida Panhandle, Destin is one of the most beautiful sites to scuba dive in Florida. Divers will be emersed in warm waters and will have the opportunity to explore amazing underwater life. They will find limestone ledges covered in corals, sponges, and fish. This site has become popular due to tub boats, army tanks, airplanes, landing craft, ships, and bridge rubble that have fallen beneath the seas and are now home to grouper, flounder, and cobia.

Historical Sites to Visit in Key West

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For people wanting to vacation to beautiful spots within the US, there are a large number of places to check out. One of the vacation hot spots in the US is the Florida Keys, and it attracts many tourists and travelers from around the world each year. There are a lot of different things to see and do when you visit Key West, Florida. Some of which are fun outdoor sports including, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, boating, fishing, and many more.

The great thing about Key West, Florida is that there is so much to see and do that is not only outdoors and water-related, but it also offers so much history to be explored. Let’s take a quick look at five of the best places to check out when you plan your next vacation to Key West.

Harry S. Truman Little White House
Harry Truman came to Key West during the winter months and utilized this spot as his vacation home. Because he worked extensively during those vacations, they named it the “Little White House” like a home away from home. The structure was initially built and used as naval command headquarters in 1890 during the Spanish-American war as well as World War I and II. Truman wasn’t the only president who vacationed here. In fact, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter also used this spot during their time in the Keys. Tourists can visit The Little White House and check out the history that has gone into it.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Many people already know that Ernest Hemingway’s home in Key West is a historical landmark and will come to the island just to check it out. He is a well-known literary icon and was not born in Key West, but he had a house in which he lived in for less than ten years. Tourists can take tours of the house and the grounds and check out the space in which many believed he wrote some of “A Farewell to Arms” as well as “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

Key West Cemetery
The Key West Cemetery is a spot you don’t want to miss out on seeing during your trip. It is very different from many other cemeteries you will find anywhere else in the world. In the authentic Key West quirky style, tombstones are left with quotes that are the typical inscriptions you would think. A very famous quote from a tombstone reads, “I told you I was sick,” and another, “I’m just resting my eyes.” On each burial, spot resides quite a few people piled on top of one another because it is a spot many want to be buried and remembered.

Best Scuba Sites in Mexico

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Scuba diving is one of the most eye-opening water sports you can experience while on your vacation. It gives you the chance to see parts of the world you may only get to see on the big screen. Luckily, there are places all over the world that offer an  underwater diving experience that will be unforgettable.

Mexico is home to some of the most beautiful travel destinations. Each coast of Mexico offers a different scuba experience, so depending on where you want to visit, you can venture out into the open waters and observe beautiful marine life.

Cozumel Islands
Cozumel offers opportunities for both experienced and beginner divers. These diving tours let tourists swim with turtles and other marine animals to make for an extraordinary experience. There are chances to drift dive and deep wall dive on your outing as well.  Aquaworld within Cozumel offers some of the best scuba diving packages.

Cancun
Cancun has been one of the most visited spots for tourist from all over. The sites and endless opportunities for things to do while there make it a vacation hot spot. One of the activities they offer is scuba diving in the Cancun Underwater Museum where you can see a large number of underwater sculptures, proven to be the best part of your travel experience.  

Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is known as one of the best places for experienced and beginner divers alike. The warm waters give this diving experience a one of a kind feel, where you can venture out into the clear blue waters and cave dive deeper into the sea. It is also located right where the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean Sea meet.

Acapulco
Acapulco resides on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The waters within Acapulco are a lot lower in temperature which makes it a little more difficult for the average or beginner divers. Scuba diving in these waters requires an expert instructor to accompany the diver, which are available when you visit this spot.  

Baja Peninsula
The Baja Peninsula also resides on the Pacific coast and has some of the lowest water temperatures in Mexico. It is one of the best spots for an advanced and experienced diver looking for a great dive. Divers who take on the Baja Peninsula can also enjoy seeing the giant ray that resides in the shallow waters on the coast.