Well even though we were woken up in the middle of the night with a fire alarm (there was no fire, friends), we still managed to get a good nights sleep with the super comfy bed and dark, quiet room. So, we got up around sunrise and made our way down to the pier to watch it come up over the ocean. It was one of the most beautiful ones yet. Stick around to hear more about our morning and how we went on an Everglades Safari Adventure in today’s post! Let’s gooo! 🐊

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing For Our Next Adventure at Everglades Safari Park

Once viewing the epic sunrise, we decided to get breakfast on site at our hotel since it was easy and close…I don’t know why we always think this is the best idea, since we’re quite often disappointed in how overpriced it is and how underwhelming the meal is at the same time. There *are* times that hotel meals are worth it, (most notably at the JW Marriott in Scottsdale, our all-time favorite hotel!) But many places are like this, where we would have rather gone nearby to a local, affordable and home cooked meal.

Our Favorite Place To Stay In Phoenix: Relaxing and Recharging After Havasupai Falls

We did end up walking nearby to a local coffee shop and back to get a short morning swim in. (This is one of my favorite things to do at hotels before checking out, since it’s super quiet still and usually no one is there!) After spending a half hour or so, we headed back to our room to finish packing and move onto the next adventure.

Which happened to be the Everglades Safari Park! (Keep in mind this is *not* the same as the visitor centers, so make sure to put in the right address unlike us!) It was super hot that day but we managed to snag some AC in the little gift shop they had there. There was also a little restaurant area that served a few staples. (Eat beforehand if you’re picky!)😅

Side note: It looks like their site is currently under construction or I would include it for you here! Just make sure to check them out when you’re in the area if you’re interested in an airboat tour yourself! ☺️

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a really nice airboat ride, but I’d imagined one that went faster through the water. Turns out you have to book that separately, and it’s of course a little extra cost since there’s less passengers per boat. We got to see a bunch of alligators, plus several birds and even one eating an eel in real time! Eek!🙈

Since we were not super ambitious after this to keep trudging along in the bright and hot sunshine, we decided to call it an early night and drive past the last road of the Everglades. We made our way to the Bonita Springs area, but not before picking up some Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn Steakhouse along the way! It was nice to use up some more of our gift cards and not have to worry about cooking for the night.

The Airbnb we scored for this evening was super cute. Even though it was attached to a home, it was pretty quiet, in a nice neighborhood, and even had a laundry machine. (Something we desperately needed at this point!) So we got repacked and reorganized again, did a load of laundry, and hit the hay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burnout Effect, Best Laid Plans, and Slowing Down Doesn’t Mean Missing Out

I think one thing that doesn’t get talked about enough with road trips, and really travel in general, is the burnout effect. It’s easy to assume you’ll just keep going, keep exploring, and keep having fun, but the reality is that constantly moving, planning, and adjusting takes a toll. It definitely caught up to us.

Looking back, one thing I wish we would’ve done differently is maintain some level of consistency with our sleep and gym routines. Even just a little structure would have helped us feel more grounded and probably would’ve made it easier to stick to better plans without rushing or overthinking every decision.

It also made us realize that slowing down doesn’t mean you’re missing out. If anything, those slower days are what help you actually enjoy the rest of the trip. Taking care of yourself along the way isn’t a setback, it’s what allows you to keep going and fully experience everything you came for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I could do it again, I’d build in more intentional “slow days” instead of bouncing from place to place every single night. Even staying two nights in one location instead of one makes a huge difference. It gives you time to settle in, explore without pressure, and actually enjoy where you are instead of constantly thinking about where you’re going next. It doesn’t have to mean doing nothing either, just giving yourself space to move at a pace that feels good instead of one that feels rushed.🤷‍♀️

And as usual, below the next set of pics is the breakdown of what we spent this day! So let me know if you have any feedback or tips for the road trips to come! Thanks for stopping by today! See you for Day 11!🥳

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern States Road Trip Expenses for Day 10:

• Dinner: $30.88
• Coffee: $8.75
• Airboat tickets: $78.00 (purchased online!)
• Fuel: $70.92
• Caffeine: $39.12
• Electrolytes & snacks: $19.98
• Airbnb: $144.47
• Breakfast: $100
  • Total: $492.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank You for Following Along

Thank you so much for being part of our coffee stop, Everglades Safari Park review and this wild little chapter of our road trip. We’re so glad you’re here, and we hope this helps you plan a trip that feels just as fun, balanced, and memorable.