Chasing Cozy

by Leslie Claire

Archives for December 2018

OKLAHOMA SALT FLATS- SELENITE

What in the world is there to do in Oklahoma? This is a question I asked myself frequently right before we moved here a year ago (2017). After a little research, James and I decided we needed to pay the salt flats a visit.

If you like any of the following, your are in for a real treat with this place:

  • digging for crystals
  • unique and picturesque landscapes
  • winding roads through the back country
 
Our original intention was to camp at the salt flats and dig for two days. However, the camping area was nowhere near the permitted digging area. We turned this into a day trip instead. When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised by the barren but beautiful landscape. An added bonus, entry is free. The park is open April 1st through October 15th.

The main attraction here is dinging up crystals from the dried up lake bed. When we arrived we parked and walked out past where most people were digging to get to some mostly untouched ground. This was ideal, as we found tons of selenite crystals. Here is what we recommend for making the most of your trip:

  • Bring your camera. We visited on a cloudy day and the landscape was still so unique and inspiring. This would be a great  place for a photo shoot.
  • Bring gloves. We cannot emphasize this enough. You WILL and up with scraped hands, as the crystals are sharp. We recommend gloves that still allow flexible movement buy provide a protective barrier. We have these.
  • Shovels, garden spades and carrying containers for your finds are a a necessity. This folding shovel is ideal if you have a small car.
  • Bring digging clothes you don’t care about. The red dirt may stain. Even better, bring clothes to change in to for a comfortable ride back to your campsite.
  • SUNSCREEN is a must. There is no shade.
  • As always, bring lot’s of water. There are mot many places en route to stop for supplies.
We will definitely be visiting again and will check out some of the nearby cabins. Hopefully the weather will be sunny. Share your favorite crystal digging experience on our latest Insta post. For more lodging information check out the official Great Salt plains State Park website.This post contains affiliate links that I may make a small commission from.

SNORKELING IN DEVIL’S DEN

Talk about a hidden gem, we found Devil’s Den on a spur-of-the-moment trip on our way home from Gainesville on a long weekend.

This awesome spot is an underwater river in Williston, FL. where the wateris 72 degrees year round. The largest cavern is available for snorkeling after a brief decent down submerged stairs. I have to admit, a feeling of uneasiness ran through me, as. the water is cool and dark around the cavern walls. An opening at the top lets sunshine in like a natural sky light revealing the crystal clear water.
For the more adventurous and SCUBA certified, there are four passages that branch off from the main cavern. These passages descend form five to 90 feet below.

For geology or archeology enthusiasts, this spot may also serve as a point of interest. Artifacts and human remains can be found in what is called Chamber Three, at a depth of 70 feet. This info is courtesy of the man running the gear rental desk. We didn’t actually see any bones with our own eyes. Phew!

The only images we were able to capture from this trip were with the old GoPro we had in the trunk equipped with a handle grip attachment.

BEFORE you race over to explore, here are a few things to consider:
-Visit in the summer and on a weekday. warmer air and fewer people means you may find yourself and your snorkeling buddy with free range of the area which is prime for exploring and photo opportunities.
– Pack yourself a lunch. Covered picnic tables line the area surrounded by large oaks and plenty of vines. You might as well go all out with a charcuterie board, right??
– Follow along for local updates on Instagram @devilsdenspring  or here

We hope you are inspired to go on your own spontaneous adventure this weekend! Let us know on our latest Instagram post about your favorite snorkeling destination!

CAMPING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

Two summers ago (2016) James’s family and I took a camping trip to Curry Hammock State Park in the Florida Keys. I will preface this post by stating that this is the most BEAUTIFUL camp site we have ever been to. From the scenery to the cleanliness, it’s perfection.

You can even spot some wildlife right in your camp site. James spotted this little camouflaged guy within the first five minutes of our
arrival. Can you spot him?
 
For this trip we used our camp site as our home base and took day trips. You can go on local chartered fishing trips, snorkeling, shopping, boating and eat all of the fresh seafood you can stand. Do not miss out on the homemade key lime pie. It’s a local specialty and you can even get in dipped in chocolate.

One of our day trips was to Key West. We walked the streets and took in the historical homes and beachy scenery. There are eclectic local shops mixed with the more touristy attractions. This is a popular spot to eat, drink and party.

TIP 1: Check when Florida colleges have spring break and avoid Key West at this time. It gets BUSY.

TIP 2: We discovered on this trip that ginger gum is a lifesaver to those prone to motion sickness. Leslie used this for both the car trip and boat ride. It truly saved her trip and allowed her to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

We recommend grabbing some Cuban coffee and spending your afternoon sampling the local flavor.

 

Away from the more touristy areas, the Florida Keys have some of the most beautiful nature and wildlife to be explored. Numerous bike paths and excursions show you what this place has to offer. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even take a bike ride over the famous seven-mile bridge!

The overall mindset of the Florida Keys is relaxed and it can be felt as soon as you step foot onto one of the sandy beaches or take a stroll down the historical streets. There is truly something for everyone in this unique part of the country. We hope you will share your favorite part of the Florida Keys with us on our last Instagram post!

This post contains affiliate links that I may make a small commission from.

 

JAMES AND LESLIE- ABOUT US


Arch Chasers is run by us- “us” meaning James and Leslie! We are a newly engaged couple who has spent the last five years living in three different states, drinking countless cups of coffee and treasure hunting gems or antiques together. Our adventures always include our trusty companion, Archie- who lives for cute sweaters and big blankets.
For our little intro to the internet, we wrote down each other’s favorite things, and our favorite things about each other.
From Leslie’s perspective, James:
Likes:
  • Coffee
  • Building
    and repairing things. This means I have my own custom furniture builder
    on call whenever a late night Pinterest session gets the best of me.
  • Being outdoors. Camping, hiking, rockhounding…you get it.
  • Collecting rocks and minerals. He loves his crystal collection more than he loves me.
James graduated with a degree in geological sciences and enjoys rockhounding whenever he can. No matter where he travels, he has to check out the local geological attractions. Some of his favorite places to partake in this are the Herkimer Diamond Mines in Herkimer, NY and Arches National Park.
James enjoys tent camping but looks forward to helping me build our own teardrop camper when we get a house with a garage.
James also likes to dabble in silversmithing and jewelry making in our at-home studio.
Chips and salsa are his weakness
From James’s perspective, Leslie:
Likes:
  • Coffee- especially a double espresso
  • Many different types of crafting- rug punch, weaving, stamp carving…you name it
  • Participating and going to craft shows
  • Creating- She works in the creative industry for her full-time job
  • Designing and filling our house with texture and color. Does it have tassels or involve a unique house plant? She’s about it.
It is physically impossible for Leslie to drive by an estate sale without perusing it and she knows how to find a mean bargain.
Leslie graduated with a degree in political science and then went on to earn a master’s degree in public relations. She is an extremely hard worker that also enjoys her down time watching Netflix and snuggling Archie in a massive soft blanket.
She might not agree with me but I believe she is an amazing artist and I try to hang up every piece of art that she makes.
Her obsession with picking the perfect Christmas tree each year is unreal.

Now that we’re acquainted, we’d love to get to know you! This blog is where we can combine our love for travel and creativity, and we hope you find value and entertainment in our
adventures at the very least. 
Leave a comment here or on our Instagram @chasingcozyblog (which we hope you’re already following!).