When the pandemic started, Ryan and I were scheduled to go on an Alaskan cruise to see the Aurora Borealis for my 40th and his 45th birthday. As it became more obvious that the cruise was going to be cancelled and that staying home (or close to home), was the right decision, we dealt with the initial disappointment with the knowledge that the eventual wanderlust would hit hard.
We started in-depth research (aka lots of Googling) to find the safest ways to travel and the most socially distanced, and budget friendly spots in Florida - and it paid off!
Our requirements were simple. Each spot had to have:
- Activities to do out in nature
- Amazing Airbnb spots with kitchens instead of hotels (less common spaces, less people, less risk!)
- A driving distance that made sense for a 2-3 day getaway
Our first pick was a couple’s trip to visit Rainbow Springs State Park.
I’ve tried to minimize the packing down to the essentials since we’ve done several trips now, but I brought about 10 different types of cleaning sprays, alcohol wipes, floor cleaner and more on this first trip post-COVID. Needless to say it was just two of us and the dog and our car was jam packed. You don’t need to do this. Read our pandemic travel tips here.
A perk of the digital nomad lifestyle is that you can travel during the week. A downfall of our current co-parent schedule is that our week is split on a Tuesday/Wednesday - two of the least expensive travel days. Our trips usually begin on a Thursday if we choose not to do a weekend.
We chose a spot in Homasassa Springs, Florida instead of right near the State Park to stay distanced from other travelers. Since we had read how busy the park can get on the weekends, we decided we’d drive in on Thursday and visit the park first thing Friday morning. Then stay over until Saturday at the Airbnb since it looked like a little slice of Old Florida heaven. We made the right choice! It was absolute perfection, and I am not being effusive. I have never been so relaxed.
The Airbnb is an owner-proclaimed tranquil waterfront cottage owned by Dennis and Debra (LINK). They were right about it being tranquil. I arrived with a bit of anxiety about whether or not we should have even traveled during a pandemic, but then we stepped out of the car to this:
All worries were swept away. Forget going inside, we had to explore the backyard first!
As Ryan and Scarlett (our travel dog!) kept up the outdoor explorations, I masked up and got ready to go inside the cottage to start cleaning. Though we never met the owners face to face they were wonderful at answering questions pre-trip, were very COVID safe and explained their cleaning process for us, and they left the key in a lock box which they texted me the code to, ensuring a no-contact check-in.
And though yes, I went in and wiped down every surface, sandwiched bagged the remotes, and Lysol sprayed all areas and even brought in our own sheets and towels and covered the beds and such, the space was already impeccably clean. Dennis and Debra even had disposable masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning spray at the front door.
Inside the cottage it was just as cute as outside!
[VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF COTTAGE WE STAYED AT]
The weather called for rain and we truly felt like we had hit the jackpot on a cute little spot to be stuck inside even if it poured all weekend - but we did a little no rain dance just in case!
With a kitchen space available we had brought food with us, but it was getting late and neither of us felt like cooking so we decided to order dinner and save our groceries for the next day.
In our pre-trip research we had read about a restaurant within walking distance called Wallace’s at the Greenhouse. Dog friendly, socially distanced and SUPER cute. Since it was late we drove over and picked the food up to eat at the Airbnb. I had the Ham On! Grilled Cheese and Ryan had their Real Burger (that’s the name, lol - it differentiates from their Beyond Burger), and we picked up a few cocktails too. We also picked up a few local craft beers at Wallace’s to keep at the cottage for the weekend.
After some good food, good drinks and an amazingly restful night of sleep, we got up bright and early, filled a backpack with sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, a collapsable dog dish, some snacks and protein bars and our water shoes and we were on the way by 8am to the Rainbow River State Park.
Our biggest tip if you plan to go: GO EARLY!
Even on a Friday morning the park was at capacity by 10am. Though I REALLY wanted to go IN the spring, it was jam packed so we chose to do both hiking trails instead.
That being said, by 9am even though there were apparently a lot of people there, as we walked the hiking trails to the waterfalls (yes! Waterfalls in Florida!), we only saw one other couple and a small family. Everyone put their masks on as we walked past one another and then we were alone again. It was absolutely lovely.
Dogs are allowed on the trails but not in the spring so it worked out well since Scarlett came with us this time. We definitely plan on coming back with the kids next year since it is a perfect family fun spot. The spring water is really cold so I think we will wait until summer again so it is refreshing to jump in and not like we are torturing the children lol.
By 1pm we were ready to head back to the Airbnb so we drove back and decided to take the complimentary boats out on the river! Though we had a kayak and a canoe available as well, we decided to take Scarlett out with us on the paddle boat. This was not our best ever decision!
Let’s just say our pup is not a water dog. She started freaking out on the water, I started freaking out that she was freaking out, then we saw an alligator and we all freaked out. Except it wasn’t an alligator, it was floating wood and moss so that goes to show you how outdoorsy we are. Haha!
We made it back to dry land without an alligator bite or splinter 😉 and decided it was time for showers, beer and BBQ.
Since we had brought a cooler of food, including some steaks and veggies, we skewered it all up, threw it on the beautiful grill provided, made a salad and enjoyed a delicious dinner with the beer we picked up from Wallace’s. By 10pm we were passing out and ready for another great night of sleep. But first - we had to face an intruder.
Oh don’t worry, Homosassa is super safe from crime. No, no - this was an intruder of the bug variety. A black flying bug that we still have not identified, but that was big enough that we could have harnessed it and ridden it home. It was hiding behind the light and when we went to switch it off, all hell broke loose. We went on a bug hunt, similar to a sitcom or comedy movie where they try to get a bat or bird out of a house, complete with us trying to trap it in a trash can. We finally got it outside, but it was not the only large bug encountered this weekend. Make that our second tip of the trip: Beware of BIG bugs - and bring bug spray for you AND your dog! (LINK TO DOG BUG SPRAY AND AFFILIATE)
As we spent our last morning drinking coffee out back, staring at birds and butterflies, the turtles on the river log and the sun shining off the water, we were definitely more relaxed than we had been since quarantine began. This was a MUCH needed trip, and a perfect little respite away from the craziness. If you’re looking for a quick getaway to clear your head - we highly recommend!
Debra stepped outside of her home (located adjacent on the property to the Airbnb but this was the first time we saw anyone there) and waved as we headed out, and if I could have hugged her I would have. Promise if you stay there you take good care of their property for us because we can’t wait to go back!
* After every trip we take we quarantine and take a COVID test. We also give blood regularly and have taken the antibody tests. We have both tested negative every time or we would not be traveling. Please stay safe, stay home if you’re sick, and wear your masks!
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