Anyone growing up in Portland, Maine, will most likely have fond memories of jumping on the ferry and heading out to Peak's Island - one of the Casco Bay Islands that can be reached through Casco Bay Lines ferry service. Peak's Island is only about 3 miles off the rocky coast of Portland. About 1,000 people currently reside on the island year-round, but in the summer that number can reach 6,000.

Having friends that lived on the island always provided a convenient excuse for the short 15 minute ferry ride out to sea. My memories of trips out to the island are always full of exploring the abandoned Civil War fort and summer bonfires under the stars. Photo-luminescent algae can often be found in the sand, creating the illusion of sparks trailing behind your feet in the night air.
There are several underground tunnels and abandoned military bunkers to explore. The University of Houston's website has some interesting tid-bits regarding Peak's Island's military history:

"Concrete bunkers and observation posts are everywhere. On the far side of the Island are two huge abandoned gun turrets separated by several hundred feet of underground tunnel. Each held a monster 16-inch naval gun. The guns were test-fired only once. Their blasts broke windows all over the island and the recoil, transmitted through rock, caused small earthquakes. After the war, an Islander ran into a German U-boat captain who said he'd spent the war looking at Peaks Island -- through a periscope."

Today, Peak's Island is home to four restaurants, two inns, and a year-round grocery store called Hannigan’s, who's motto is: “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it”. The City of Portland provides a fire station, police station and a branch of the public library, so it is easy to feel like you are a part of a small community while out hiking, biking, and exploring one of Casco Bay's great treasures.

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If you are one of those that think Texas is just flat and dry, you are way wrong. Located just 30 miles southwest of Austin, TX, lives the historic swimming hole, Hamilton's Pool.

Formed when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago, Hamilton's Pool is essentially where a partially exposed underground cave meets with Hamilton's Creek to form a 50 foot waterfall. The pool runs into a brook that eventually flows into the Pedernales River. Occupying approximately 232 acres of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve, Hamilton's Pool is a great place for picnicking, hiking, swimming, or just enjoying the wonders of nature.

Water quality is monitored regularly and swimming is only allowed when safety standards are met, so call the recorded message (512-264-2740) beforehand  to find out the current water status. Be sure to bring your own food and drinking water, as they are not available for purchase, though public toilets are provided.

 AustinExperience.com has some helpful hints for enjoying Hamilton's Pool:

•    The hike from the parking lot to the pool is about 1/4 mile with a fair amount of stair climbing on the way back. You will regret trying to carry heavy items like large coolers. Take the essentials.
•    If you head out on the weekend or a holiday, get there early. They usually reach capacity by noon. If you're lucky enough to head out during the week, do it.
•    Rafts are a plus if you want to relax and drift.
•    Keep an eye on your kids. The water becomes deep very quickly.
•    Carpool. The entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle. [*Now $8.00] They don't care if you cram 15 people into your Suburban.

 
Considering that a picture is worth a thousand words, A quick Google video search may be worth a million, and will give you a preview of the many sights and sounds to experience in the vast Texas hill country. If you've decide that this is the year for your Hamilton's Pool vacation in Texas, just give Wilcox Travel a call Toll-Free @ (800) 2-WILCOX or (828) 254-0746

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You may have heard by now that it’s not safe to drink the tap water in Mexico.  However, there are actually many locations where it is advisable to refrain from drinking water from the tap.  Not all drinking water is safe because many cities do not have access to proper sanitary sources. 

Safe drinking water is usually collected from sources like a household connection, a public standpipe, a borehole, protected spring water, rain water or a protected dug well.  On the contrary, unsafe drinking water usually comes from unprotected springs, rivers, ponds and tanker truck water.

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