If you’re looking for a great place for a camping vacation in Central Florida – or just want to enjoy a bit of nature over the weekend – make a point to visit Ocala National Forest.

The Ocala National Forest is located about an hour and a half north of Orlando and only about 20 miles southeast of Gainesville.  But those driving estimates are to the outer borders of the forest so you should plan additional time to get to any of the springs and parks within the forest.  It’s a giant forest that reaches into four Florida counties and covers more than 600 square miles.

It’s a big place.

The Ocala National Forest is only the second largest forest in Florida, but is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi.  In other words – this place is kind of a big deal historically.  Blah, blah, blah.

More importantly, there is a ton of stuff to do at Ocala National Forest.

Tubing on Lake George in Ocala National Forest

There are 11 lakes in Ocala National Forest.  The lakes are a great place for boat rides, tubing, water skiing and fishing.  In addition to the lakes, there are many natural springs located in the forest.  The springs are a great place for kids to swim in clear shallow waters with virtually no current.

Throughout the forest you’ll find designated recreation areas.  These spots are set up with picnic tables and portable bathrooms (ew).

Picnic area in Ocala National Forest

If you’re the adventurous type (read: not afraid of alligators), you can rent canoes from many of the rec areas along the springs.

Canoe with the alligators in Ocala National Forest

And yes, you should expect to run into an alligator or two.  If you venture into the woods along one of the many hiking trails, you should also be prepared to spot deer, fox, coyote and the occasional Black Bear.  Ocala National Forest has the highest concentration of the Florida Black Bear.

This is probably where the alligators are hiding.

If the wild animals don’t scare you off, you can spend the night in Ocala National Forest at one of the many campsites.  You do need to stick to designated areas and expect to pay a small fee for overnight camping.

Ravenous animals with sharp teeth aside, Ocala National Forest is large enough that you can always find a spot for your family to spend the day enjoying Mother Nature.  It’s a great place to go with kids and there’s plenty for everyone in the family to do.

FYI: this is not a Florida Black Bear

Even the adults will enjoy themselves.

Looking for a great way to kick off your summer vacation in Ohio?  How about some golf?  Oh, I’m not talking about playing.  Summer is supposed to be relaxing and fun.  Futile endeavors chasing elusive and errant dimpled balls across lushly manicured fields is not relaxing!

Watching a professional do it can be.

Island Green Photo by nsaplayer

The PGA‘s Memorial Tournament marks it’s 34th anniversary at Muirfield Village Golf Club this June 2009.  The tournament, a vision of it’s founder, course designer and Columbus’ own Jack Nicklaus kicks off Monday June 1 with the practice rounds.  The official tournament begins Thursday June 4 and runs through Sunday June 7.

Golf Bags Photo by nsaplayer

The Memorial Tournament is a perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy a few rounds of golf without the stress of having to make any of the shots yourself.  You can walk along side some of the biggest names in golf: Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington and Defending Champion Kenny Perry.  (That’s just a smattering.  Traditionally, The Memorial is a favorite among many on the PGA tour.  Some of the past winners include Fred Couples, K.J. Choi, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods.)

Word on the street is that the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, will be playing in the Double Skins Game scheduled for Wednesday after the morning practice round.

The Golden Bear--Jack Nicklaus

Badges for The Memorial Tournament are available in a variety of price ranges to suit your needs.  Three-day practice round badges start at just $30.  A patron badge for the week is only $155.  *All children under the age of 12 are admitted free with a ticketed adult.  (I kind of feel like I’m making money under this arrangement.)  Check The Memorial Tournament website for further details and to purchase the ticket that best suits your needs.

Muirfield Village Golf Club is located at 5750 Memorial Drive in Dublin, OH.  Parking can be a bit of an issue so plan accordingly.  The Memorial Tournament website has done a very nice job in listing available parking areas and how and where to access them.

Defending Champion Kenny Perry

There are plenty of beverage and snack carts on the course however, sleeping on the course is discouraged.  Lodging and dining options are plentiful in the area.  Get a room!

(Photos courtesy creative commons by nsaplayer and thememorialtournament.com)

10am, I leave from Berlin.

9am the next day, I’m picked up at the Miami airport by a friend who doesn’t even let me stop for breakfast.

There was something better than an overpriced coffee waiting.

A day off of the coast in Key West.

We went fishing for all sorts of stuff, but didn’t catch much. What we did catch, we immediately ate – making it the freshest sushi you could ever have. A little Red Snapper, some soy and wasabi and you have yourself lunch. We only caught enough for a nibble, but we had the foresight to bring beer, so no one complained.

Then, we went shark-fishing. With a kite. Hard to explain, but basically, you throw out a big kite from the back of the boat. Then, you string a few fish on a fishing line, which is attached to the kite line. You let out enough line so that the fish barely touches the water, flailing. Making noise. Which drives the sharks nuts. Supposedly.  At least we jumped each time a swell came over thinking ‘surely’.

It was just big water.

We drank more and passed the thousands of lobster pots along the way home. A month earlier, a drunken local had told me he’d ‘take me out raiding some pots’ and I took him seriously. I asked our Capt. how easy it was to do.

He looked at me the way the fish must have been looking at our bait.

‘You’ll get shot’.

‘Ha ha – oh yeah?’

‘I’m serious.’

‘You’re joking’.

‘I’m not’.

‘Shot?’

‘Yes. Absolutely. And the FWC wouldn’t even bat an eye’.

‘Shot.’

‘Yes.’

…I didn’t ask any more after that, but thought it extreme. I mean, c’mon – he’s a fisherman. They’re known for their colorful embellishments.

A few hours later, while sitting outside sipping on a Key West, our ‘lobster guy’ drove up and said hi, placing his margarita next to his beer in his cup-holders.

‘I’ve shot 3 boats so far with my flare gun, setting them on fire’.

‘Really?’

‘Really’.

‘What about real guns?’

‘Oh sure, the usual thing people do is take a shotgun out and hit their boat right at the water line’.

‘This is normal’.

‘Yup’.

The things you learn living in an RV park.

Look, I love my kids. Without them, I wouldn’t be much of a dadblogger. But I’m sure most parents out there would agree with me that having a night off from parental duties is a good thing. Beth and I try to do this on a regular basis, taking “minications” to nearby fun spots and acting like our former 20-something childless couple selves. Here in San Diego, there’s plenty of places within a few hours’ drive that offer a brief respite from the kiddies. Our most recent excursion: the hipster-friendly Standard Hotel, located in downtown Los Angeles. It was Beth’s Mother’s Day present, and if you’re looking for a cool place to spend a kid-free evening, I highly recommend it.

The Standard Hotel, downtown L.A.

If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway, forget it: the Standard is all about the 24/7 life. The rooms are a bit Spartan: ours had a platform bed, a long table with two chairs, a small flatscreen TV, and a closet. Not a place you’d want to spend excessive amounts of time in. 

The standard Standard hotel room.

That shot was taken through the wall of the shower, which is glass, which is another reason why you probably should leave the kids at home. They’d probably get a kick out of the toilet paper, though. I sure did.

In case you're not sure what it's for.

Like I said, we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in the room. Downtown L.A. has a lot to offer; we spent some time at the Pharmaka gallery (attending a fundraiser for Urban Compass). After that we hit the hotel’s famous Rooftop Bar, which offers some spectacular views of the L.A. skyline as well as some spectacular wait times for overpriced drinks served at the understaffed bar. To help combat the inevitable hangover, we split a grilled cheese sandwich at The Restaurant; the place was pretty busy, even at 1:00 a.m., but there wasn’t a wait and the service was fast. When we finally went up to our room, we passed the Lobby Lounge, which was still teeming with people.

We’d definitely stay there again, although I did feel a bit, ah, aged compared to most of the hotel guests. The best part? Since Beth’s parents live in the Valley, a short drive from downtown L.A., we get free babysitting. (Next on our agenda: getting the in-laws to move to Vegas.)

Exterior photo of The Standard Hotel courtesy of Hotels.com