Travel Inspiration
My mom and I spent a good part of March touring the southwest part of Florida and central New Mexico. We stayed in Airbnbs and with friends so we could really experience what life is like living in these areas. Here is a recap of our experiences in sunny Florida & desert-y New Mexico.
Florida
We arrived in Miami where we got a little bit of shopping in before heading to our first stop: LaBelle. We absolutely loved LaBelle which reminded us of our sleepy country home in the town of Atascadero with dirt roads, lots of trees and a relaxed vibe. The Airbnb we stayed had about 20 cats and a miniature pincher roaming around that made us feel even more at home. There was also a very cool dock in the back of our rental which looked out to a mile wide river where we spent a few quiet afternoons drinking tea.
Jocelyn in LaBelle
One time we heard an aggressive splash (maybe a reptile tail?) which was too close for comfort so we quickly headed back in.
Caloosahatchee (Crocodile) River
After LaBelle, it was off to Fort Meyers. Here we went to the beach (which we admired from the shore). The downtown of Fort Meyers was very cute with tons of shops. There was a lot to do compared to our town in Costa Rica. Our Airbnb here had a back patio where we met a few new friendly faces. Oh, I went crazy over a cotton ball tree! Look at it!
My favorite place in Florida was Bokeelia, a part of Pine Island. There were these birds that I call “Marshmallow birds” because they have a white chest and are HUGE. They were really amazing and I plan to paint them in the future. We walked to a restaurant and ate out on a big-wrap around porch. I also managed to get a few paintings in. One is very special which I painted for my friend Carole for her birthday.
Our last stop was Sarasota where we stayed in a “Tiny Home.” It was so small, my mom and I had to scoot down the stairs on our butts! Upon arrival, we were greeted by a pig which would wag its tail to say "hello".
In the busy downtown, we saw the famous Naked Cowboy from NYC taking pics with old ladies. What he was doing in Sarasota was beyond us!
The best part of Sarasota wasn't the bare cowboy but the Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy. The museum featured many different artists and types of art (paintings, installations, sculptures). My favorite was a fish and cat statue which was so unique.
My favorite artwork at the Marietta Museum
From the small towns to big cities, we had a blast in Florida. Next, it was off to New Mexico to get our mountain fix.
New Mexico
From the humidity of Florida to the dry desert of New Mexico, it was time for a new adventure. We stayed with our dear friends Isa & Howard in their beautiful home in Placitas (a suburb of Albuquerque) for 4 days.
New Mexico is so different than any other area I’ve visited. I loved the cacti all around and the unique pueblo architecture. We visited Santa Fe with our friend where we went to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. I enjoyed learning about her life in New Mexico and I love her unique & expressive style of painting flowers. Just wish I could have taken photos!
We also went to a winery in Albuquerque and visited the organic trendy farm of Los Poblanos.
Although our trip has ended, our four weeks spent touring Florida & New Mexico was so fun & memorable. We’ll be back to explore. Until next time!
