Published May 5, 2004 12:00AM
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Week of April 18-24, 1996 Denali’s alter ego: Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias Doggy dos and don’ts in national parks Block Island: Your funky, affordable Nantucket Activities on Little Cayman Island Backcountry in Arizona’s Petrified Forest Top trips for groups, from Utah to Maine Activities on Little Cayman Island Question: I am planning a one-week trip to Little Cayman Island. Most of my time will be spent scuba diving. Can you provide me with additional resources and things to do? Kelly Madden El Cajon, CA kmadde@grossmont.k12.ca.us Adventure Adviser: First things first: Keep in mind that Little Cayman (operative word here is “little”) is a sparsely vegetated, scantly populated, ten-square-mile patch of dry land surrounded by steep underwater coral walls and ledges, schools of brilliantly colored fish, and miles and miles of blue Caribbean water. That said, it should come as no surprise that the big draw here is diving. Depending on where you’re staying, however, it is possible to scare up some above-the-surface activities for amusement between dives. If you’ll be bedding down at the laid-back Southern Cross Club, make use of the bicycles they provide to explore the island’s winding dirt trails and bush paths for a glimpse of resident iguanas, boobies, and parrots. They also loan out sailboards for perfecting your tacks and jibes off their beach. The shallow lagoons on the island’s south side are swarming with bonefish, and Tarpon Lake–a land-locked mangrove lagoon about midway along the south coast–is home to a huge population of pygmy tarpon; most resorts can arrange bone- and tarpon-fishing outings if you’re so inclined. Your other main options include snoozing on a white-sand beach somewhere or lounging in a hammock with a good book. Other than that, the best source for additional information is your hotel. People there will be able to give you a complete rundown of all non-diving related pursuits available. |