Sandra Friend

Sandra Friend

For three decades, I've shared my love of travel, hiking, and the outdoors with people like yourself through my articles, books, and photography.
11
Feb
Key West Express

Key West by Ferry

Using the Key West Express ferryboat instead of spending ten hours driving, we slipped away from Fort Myers Beach for an overnight adventure in Key West.
12 min read
21
Jan
Explorer’s Guide: North Florida & The Panhandle

Explorer’s Guide: North Florida & The Panhandle

Authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley present their newest travel guide focused on the quieter side of Florida, North Florida and the Florida Panhandle.
1 min read
12
Nov
Cacti poking out of tropical understory on a seaside mountainside at daybreak

Relaxing at Pineapple Beach Club

Watching sunrise from a rocky promontory at a resort in Antigua, I discover the gift of travel includes the gift of time.
3 min read
06
Nov
The Road to Saltville

The Road to Saltville

Intrigued by a series of seemingly random suggestions that we take a trip to Saltville, Virginia, we discovered why getting there is so fascinating.
4 min read
01
Nov
Zen garden White Sands

Slowing the Mind

By stepping into a new pair of writing shoes - taking on the fiction writing challenge called NaNoWriMo with the goal of completing writing a novel this month - I begin to experience the world differently.
6 min read
06
Sep
Balconies carved in rock with extensive views

See Rock City!

Perched atop Lookout Mountain above Chattanooga, Rock City is an iconic rock garden and vintage theme park that the whole family will enjoy.
8 min read
04
Sep
Rocks in shallows along shoreline

Anishinaabe Shores

On the Mackinac Straits, St. Ignace is known as a ferryboat departure point for Mackinac Island. Walk the North Country Trail through town, and you’ll discover the rich details of its founding and cultures that thrived on these shores.
7 min read
02
Sep
Mission Relaxation

Mission Relaxation

To truly let you unwind, a trip to Mackinac Island needs to be a few days long. Having historic Mission Point Resort as our home base provided us a calm, relaxing stay.
5 min read
31
Aug
Cyclists riding a highway next to aquamarine waters

Circling Mackinac Island

The ultimate car-free paved bike loop in Michigan, the M-185 on Mackinac Island is worth its challenges to enjoy the beauty and access to trails.
6 min read
31
Aug
Lighthouse with red roofs and stone walls

The Shores of Whitefish Bay

A chance glance at a road sign on the way to Paradise led us on an unexpected but delightful half day exploration of the shores of Whitefish Bay in Hiawatha National Forest.
5 min read