Florida from Houston in December 2022: Theme parks + Nature

Start Dec 23 2022, return Jan 1 2023

5 days driving with attractions en-route. 5 days sight-seeing with 3 days theme parks.

Theme parks 1st, Nature next

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Navarre, Florida: 8 hours. Stay. En-route options.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Avery Island Tabasco sauce tour
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida: 7 hours. Stay for 4 nights: Check-out Dec 28 morning. En-route, visit:
• Three rivers state park, Florida at Florida, Georgia, Alabama line: Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola rivers. Rent canoe.
• Florida Caverns State Park
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
• Mon, Dec 26: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Tue, Dec 27:  Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park
• Wed, Dec 28:  Check-out. Drive to Homestead, Florida near Miami. Check-in for 3 nights. Check-out Dec 31. En-route:
• Aggressive: Drive to Key West & back. 9 hour drive.
• OR en-route: Visit Biscaynes national park. Boat tours. Snorkel.
• Thu, Dec 29: 
• Drive to Key West & back. 6 hours. In Key West, visit options:
• Bahia Honda State Park: Kayaking, snorkeling, beach.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Snorkeling.
• Grayton Beach state park: Beach, Sand dunes, kayaking.
• Collier-Seminole State Park: mangroves
• OR Everglades national park
• OR Biscayne national park
• OR 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Fri, Dec 30: Everglades national park.
• Sat, Dec 31: Check out of Homestead, Florida. Start driving back. En-route options:
• Go via the East Florida route we came to Pensacola for 10 hours. Or
• Go via West Florida route (Fort Myers, Tampa) to Pensacola for 11 hours.
• Big Cypress National Preserve. or
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park: Riverboat ride
• Myakka River State Park: Canopy walk, pontoon boat ride, boardwalk
• Lake Kissimmee State Park: paddling & wildlife.
• Silver Springs State Park. Glass-bottomed boats, kayak. Manatees. Ocala National Forest nearby
• Anastasia State Park: Kayak, see manatees
• Big Talbot Island State Park: birds.
• Falling Waters State Park: waterfall, wildlife
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: mermaid show
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (8 hours)

The opposite route: Nature first, then theme parks

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive from Houston to Tallahasee, Florida
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami. Stay in Homestead or Miami.
• Sun, Dec 25: Drive to Key West & back
• Mon, Dec 26: Everglades
• Tue, Dec 27: Check-out. Drive to Orlando. Biscayne en-route.
• Wed, Dec 28: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (Harry Potter)
• Thu, Dec 29: Disneyland Animal Kingdom
• Fri, Dec 30: Disneyland Magic Kingdom
• Sat, Dec 31: Start driving back. To Pensacola.
• Sun, Jan 1: Back to Houston

Florida travel ideas from Houston in December 2022

Option 1: Theme parks preference + some Nature.

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Mobile, Alabama. Stay.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
• Mon, Dec 26: Universal studios theme park
• Tue, Dec 27: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park or Epcot
• Wed, Dec 28: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park or Hollywood Studios
• Thu, Dec 29: Drive to Miami. Biscaynes national park.
• Fri, Dec 30: Everglades national park.
• 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Sat, Dec 31: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if tickets booked early or see Key West attractions.
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (17.5 hours)

Option 2: Nature preference + some theme parks.

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Tallahassee. Stay.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Sun, Dec 25: Biscaynes national park.
• Mon, Dec 26: Everglades national park.
• 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Tue, Dec 27: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if booked early or see Key West attractions.
• Wed, Dec 28: Big Cypress National Preserve. Drive to Orlando.
• Thu, Dec 29: Universal Studios, Florida (Harry Potter)
• Fri, Dec 30: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Sat, Dec 31: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (14 hrs)

Option 3: Theme parks:

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Mobile, Alabama. Stay.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida. Stay.
• Aggressive option: Drive to Orlando in one day. Go to Sea World or Kennedy Space Center.
• Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
• Mon, Dec 26: Universal studios theme park
• Tue, Dec 27: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Wed, Dec 28: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park or Hollywood Studios
• Thu, Dec 29: Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Fri, Dec 30: Disney's Epcot
• Sat, Dec 31: Start driving back. Stay en-route.
• Aggressive option: Add one more theme park. Busch Gardens or Sea World Discovery Cove or Gatorland.
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston

Option 4: Nature:

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Tallahassee. Stay.
• Three rivers state park, Florida at Florida, Georgia, Alabama line: Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola rivers. Rent canoe.
• Florida Caverns State Park
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Sun, Dec 25: Biscaynes national park.
• Mon, Dec 26: Everglades national park.
• 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Tue, Dec 27: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if booked early or see Key West attractions.
• Bahia Honda State Park: Kayaking, snorkeling, beach.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Snorkeling.
• Grayton Beach state park: Beach, Sand dunes, kayaking.
• Collier-Seminole State Park: mangroves
• Wed, Dec 28:
• Big Cypress National Preserve. or
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park: Riverboat ride
• Myakka River State Park: Canopy walk, pontoon boat ride, boardwalk
• Lake Kissimmee State Park: paddling & wildlife.
• Thu, Dec 29: Silver Springs State Park. Glass-bottomed boats, kayak. Manatees. Ocala National Forest nearby.
• Fri, Dec 30: Blue Spring State Park: Manatees
• Sat, Dec 31:
• Anastasia State Park: Kayak, see manatees
• Big Talbot Island State Park: birds.
• Falling Waters State Park: waterfall, wildlife
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: mermaid show
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston

References:

https://vacationidea.com/florida/best-florida-state-parks.html

Checklist before traveling & returning

Before traveling:

• Renew passport or passport card if traveling internationally
• Finish Visa requirements if traveling internationally
• Submit OCI passport changes if applicable & traveling to India
• Take ID depending on nature of travel (Real ID driver's license, passport, passport card, TSA card or Global Entry card). 
• Take lounge access cards to use in airports if flying
• Any health insurance & vaccination cards (such as COVID vaccine proof)
• Take glasses (driving, reading, sunglasses)
• Take chargers
• Book ride from home to airport or train/bus station
• Hold postal mail. Request neighbors to hold postal mail for longer periods.
• Prebook baggage for airlines if cheaper
• Take passes, such as national park, state park, theme park pass. Print tickets.
• Take credit cards useful for travel, such as no foreign transaction fees, earns points.
• Notify credit cards & bank
• Suspend auto insurance
• Put water heater in vacation mode or turn off. If turning off a gas heater, turn off gas.
• Turn off all devices to save power
• Cancel internet service for longer trips. Return any equipment.
• Switch phone plan to enable international access if traveling internationally
• Install mobile apps for local travel that are supported in that country
• India: Uber, Ola, Rapido, Namma Yatri. Fastrak rates are cheaper for airport to home travel, compared to prepaid taxi.
• Hong Kong: Uber, Didi
• Install any required apps such as theme park planners
• Update GPS maps. Download maps on phone for offline use
• Inform school for kids. Cancel any private classes & schedule make-up classes.
• Keys to trusted neighbors for emergencies
• Pack medicines

Before returning:

• Reinstate car or auto insurance
• Book ride from airport or station to home
• If applied for Global Entry, plan for Enrollment on arrival
• Switch phone plan to domestic cheaper plan if returning after international travel
• Reinstate internet service

After returning:

• Turn on water heater
• Uninstall apps required for traveling

Kashi-a week trip

Day 1: 

Fly to Kashi. Hotel River Rhythm.

Day 2:

Shrardham for Pitrus

Ganga Arati

Day 3:

Ganga boat ride viewing the Ghats

Drive to Sarnath

Garden of Spiritual wisdom, Stupas, Buddhist temples

Day 4:

Sankalpam & Sankalpa Ganga Snanam

Kashi Vishwanathar, Dundhubi Ganapati

Day 5:

Kala Bhairavar, Dandapani Bhairavar, Sankatmochan Hanuman, Kasi Visalakshi, Durgakund temple, Manas Mandir, Tridev Mandir, Chozhi Amman/Kaudi Mata/Gavalamma

Day 6:

Ayodhya Rama Janmabhoomi, Nandigram, Ayodhya Krishna Premi Ashram

Day 7:

Shopping

Day 8:

Fly back

Tamizh Nadu+Kerala pilgrimage tour: Jun-July 2022

From Chennai.

• June 30: Drive to Kumbakonam & stay in Hotel Sri Selli
• MaMarathu Vinayakar (Guduvancheri)
• Achiripakkam: Ancient Shiva & Ganesha temple
• Sweta Vinayakar (Nurai Pillaiyar): Ancient Ganesha & Shiva temple
• Swami Malai Murugan
• July 1: Anbil
• Anbil
• Shakti Vageesa Ganapathi
• Mariamman
• Thinnanur murugan
• Drive to Kodaikkanal & stay
• Kodaikkanal Kurinchi Andavar Murugan
• Day 3: Kodaikkanal
• Poomparai Kuzhandai Velappar Kovil
• Manavannur lake
• Rose garden
• Drive to Pazhani: 2 hours
• Thiruavninankudi Murugan Kovil (also called Adi Pazhani, one of the 6 padai veedu)
• Ishwara Patta Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi
• Stay in Pazhani
• Day 4: Pazhani
• Pazhani Murugan darshanam
• Azhuku Mootai Siddhar Samadhi, Pazhani
• Masani Amman, Pollachi
• Azhukku Siddhar Adhishtanam-Shiva Lingam, Pollachi
• Drive to Guruvayur: 5 hrs
• Day 5: Guruvayur
• Guruvayur Darshanam
• Venkatachalapathy: Break coconut
• Parthasarathy
• Drive to Kalady: See Adi Shankara's life story & Shanmatha on spiral
• Kanakadhara Stotram house (Swarnathu Mana) & Lakshmi temple nearby
• Drive to Pala & Stay
• Day 6: Start from Pala
• Drive to Cheranmahadevi.
• Ancient Shiva 8th century built temple, NavaKailasha of Chandran. Open only 5-6.
• Dvithiya Pada Yogam Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple: Open only in morning.
• Drive to Thiruchendur
• Day7: Thiruchendur Darshanam
• Drive back to Chennai

Tamizh Nadu + Kerala: Pilgrimage & Nature tour

From Chennai.

If Silent Valley is not open:

From Chennai.

• Day 1: Drive to Kumbakonam & stay
• Swami Malai
• Day 2: Anbil
• Drive to Kodaikkanal & stay
• Day 3: Kodaikkanal
• Drive to Pazhani: 2 hours
• Day 4: Pazhani
• Drive to Guruvayur: 4 hrs
• Day 5: Guruvayur
• Kalady
• Day 6: Valparai
• Day7 Munnar
• Cardamom Hills
• Day 8: Thekkady
• Day 9: Back to Chennai

If Silent Valley is open:

• Day 1: Drive to Kumbakonam & stay
• Swami Malai
• Day 2: Anbil
• Drive to Kodaikkanal & stay
• Day 3: Kodaikkanal
• Drive to Pazhani: 2 hours
• Day 4: Pazhani
• Drive to Mannarkkad: 4 hrs
• Day 5: Silent Valley national park, Attapadi reserve forest
• Drive to Guruvayur & stay
• Day 6: Guruvayur
• Kalady
• Day 7: Valparai
• Day 8: Munnar
• Cardamom Hills
• Day 9: Thekkady
• Day 10: Back to Chennai

Pancha Kedarnath, Sapta Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri

Chota Char Dham

1. Gangotri
2. Yamunotri: 5 km trek. Doli, horse available.
3. Kedarnath: 21 km trek. Doli, horse available.
4. Badrinath 

Pancha Kedarnath: 

1. Kedarnath (Doli, helicopter, trek)
2. Tunganath (5 km trek, stone paved with benches, 2nd easiest)
3. Rudranath (toughest to reach, 20 km)
4. Madhyameshwar
5. Kalpeshwar (near Badrinath, easiest)

Pancha Badrinath: Badri Vishal Badrinath, Adi Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Yogadhayan Badri, Vriddha Badri

Sapta Badrinath: Badri Vishal Badrinath, Adi Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Yogadhayan Badri, Vriddha Badri, Ardha Badri and Dhyan Badri

Narasingha Badri on some lists.

1. Badri Vishal Badrinath
2. Adi Badri: 1 hour from Karnaprayag
3. Bhavishya Badri: 6 km trek from Joshimath
4. Yogadhayan Badri
5. Vriddha Badri
6. Ardha Badri: Steep trek
7. Dhyan Badri: 3 km trek from Urgam

Combinations:

Kalpeshwar is close to Badrinath

Delhi

Haridwar

Rishikesh

Itinerary:

• Delhi
• Haridwar
• Rishikesh
• Barkot
• Yamunotri
• Barkot
• Uttarkashi
• Harsil
• Gangotri
• Bhojbasa
• Gaumukh
• Tapovan
• Gaumukh
• Bhojbasa
• Uttarkashi
• Guptkashi
• Gaurikund
• Kedarnath (14 km)
• Guptakashi
• Kalimath
• Gaundher: 16 km
• Madhyamaheshwar: 10 km
• Gaundher
• Jagasu: 12 km
• Ukhimath: 16 km from Jagasu by road, 18 km from Guptkashi
• Chopta: 43 km from Ukhimath by road
• Tungnath: 4 km
• Chandrashila
• Chopta
• Sagar: 30 km from Chopta
• Panargupha: 10 km
• Rudranath: 12 km
• Dumuk: 18 km
• Kalpeshwar: 14 km
• Rudraprayag
• Karnaprayag
• Adi Badri
• Nandaprayag
• Joshimath
• Narsingh Badri
• Pandukeshwar
• Yog Badri
• Badrinath
• Joshimath
• Saldhar
• Bhavishya Badri
• Joshimath
• Vriddha Badri, Animath village
• Urgam Village/Valley
• Dhyaan Badri
• Kalpeshwar
• 1-2 kms easy trek from Urgam village off Helang. after Peepalkoti. Now, a new route from Joshimath has opened using car that makes it 1 km trek at best.
• Devprayag
• Rishikesh

References:

https://www.facebook.com/KalavaiVenkat/posts/pfbid02UZTSYdurLCoTWkTg99gDbN9NQBMTkCw3PuytoPwAUvpTNhfdye2N4fzg1cN6WqLcl

https://wikitravel.org/en/Panch_Kedar

https://www.sacredyatra.com/how-to-travel-panch-kedar.html

Travel with elders in the bay area

Elders who need to walk slow & be safe.

• San Martin temple
• Happy Hollow
• Berkeley Aquarium
• California Academy of Sciences
• Exploratarium
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Muir Woods: Needs reservations
• San Francisco Zoo
• Oakland Zoo
• Pinnacles (East entrance feels less busy per their Twitter handle compared to West)
• Santa Rosa Safari West
• B Bryan Preserve, Point Arena
• Mt.Madonna Hanuman temple
• Land of medicine Buddha, Santa Cruz
• Egyptian museum
• Gilroy Gardens
• Great America
• Ano Nuevo State Preserve
• Angel Island
• Big Basin Redwoods

Insurance for visiting elders to USA from India

Keep in mind. Saying: "The rich sell insurance. The poor buy insurance."

As a model, insurance companies collect money & look for a reason to not pay claims. The sales process will be easy; the claims process will be hard.

Feedback from friends.

"I have used inf elite or atlas America in the past.  Two factors for my consideration were 1. Can I use an urgent care near me . My dad had a fracture that got covered and came in handy . 2.  If there is something serious, will it help not break the bank ."

"I've been buying visitors insurance from the US last few years. Most recent one was Safe Travels USA Comprehensive from Insubuy. I think it might cover pre-existing conditions.

Also my philosophy is we're fortunate to be able to cover few hundred to few thousand if need be. I go for deductibles which cover the really big amounts."

insubuy.com

https://www.visitorscoverage.com/safe-travels-usa-comprehensive-insurance/

https://www.visitorscoverage.com/visitor-insurance-reviews/

Comprehensive is % based but more expensive.

Limited is $ based but less expensive.

California provides free emergency medical services for the uninsured; a reason why taxes are so high. Can get an emergency MediCal card. But can affect immigration in future if state services are used.

Insurance from Indian companies can be cheaper.

Credit cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve can provide limited emergency medical insurance ($2.5k for medical/dental) if the trip is booked through the card.

Trip interruption insurance, travel insurance, Trip cancellation insurance, Travel accident insurance cover specific aspects of the trip; covered by some credit cards.

Cheapest comprehensive with high deductible without pre-existing conditions coverage:
Safe Travels USA Cost Saver