Florida: 2008 Galleries

Sights along the Tamiami Trail / February 9, 2008 : Every year when my mother comes to visit (she's a "snow bird"), we take a ride along the Tamiami Trail, stop at the Miccosukee Indian Village, and head down to Everglades City where we have lunch at the Oyster House Restaurant. This time, we decided to make a couple extra stops. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of the endangered Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) but - there was no sighting. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our trip :)

Sights along the Tamiami Trail / February 9, 2008

Every year when my mother comes to visit (she's a "snow bird"), we tak ...

Updated: Jul 12, 2008 4:27pm PST

Bayside (Miami) / May 30 to June 8, 2008 : My best friend, Barb, and I began a wonderful vacation today - May 30, 2008. We started our first day at Bayside Marketplace in Miami, which has become a tradition - first stop . . . Bayside. For the next nine days, we visited different areas in South Florida, including some spots in Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale. We headed down to Key West on June 4th - spent three full days there then made our way back up to Miami. The weather prediction called for scattered thunderstorms 99% of the vacation; HOWEVER, we only encountered some rain on the first day. After that, the weather was great - very humid - but no complaints (well, maybe just a little complaining now and again) but overall - we were thrilled that it didn't rain at all for the next nine days :)

Bayside (Miami) / May 30 to June 8, 2008

My best friend, Barb, and I began a wonderful vacation today - May 30, ...

Updated: Jul 08, 2008 3:13pm PST

The Morikami - Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach) / May 31, 2008 : Since its opening in 1977, The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has been the essence of Japan in Florida. It is a center for Japanese arts and culture in South Florida with its unique gardens and collections. The Morikami is one of Palm Beach County's most treasured cultural attractions located in a tranquil nature setting. The 200 acres that surround The Morikami's two museum buildings include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, tropical bonsai collection, small lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife, nature trails, and pine forests.

The Morikami - Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach) / May 31, 2008

Since its opening in 1977, The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens h ...

Updated: Jun 14, 2008 8:50pm PST

Las Olas Boulevard and Beach (Fort Lauderdale) / May 31, 2008 : Okay - so this is the description of Las Olas Boulevard at the official site of Las Olas Boulevard: "Las Olas Boulevard - the destination for visitors from all over the world who enjoy the finer things of life! Las Olas has always been Fort Lauderdale's most charming thoroughfare. Las Olas is at the forefront of everything from fashion boutiques and art galleries, to memorable restaurants, sidewalk cafés and clubs. Night or day, Las Olas is the place to be!" Well, I must have missed something because to be quite honest, it was very dull and we couldn't wait to get back into the car and head to the beach!!

Las Olas Boulevard and Beach (Fort Lauderdale) / May 31, 2008

Okay - so this is the description of Las Olas Boulevard at the offic ...

Updated: Jun 15, 2008 3:19pm PST

The Barnacle Historic State Park (Coconut Grove) / June 2, 2008 : The Barnacle Historic State Park, in the heart of Coconut Grove, offers a lovely view of Biscayne Bay and of Old Florida. This beautiful house with a whimsical name dates to a quieter time. The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. Munroe's principal passion was designing yachts. As a seaman, civic activist, naturalist, and photographer, Commodore Munroe was a man who cherished the natural world around him. A walk into the park passes through a tropical hardwood hammock. In the 1920s, it was representative of the original landscape within the city of Miami. Today, it is one of the last remnants of the once vast Miami Hammock.

The Barnacle Historic State Park (Coconut Grove) / June 2, 2008

The Barnacle Historic State Park, in the heart of Coconut Grove, offe ...

Updated: Jun 22, 2008 11:57am PST

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (Key Biscayne) & Miami Skyline / June 2, 2008 : After we left the The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove, we headed to Key Biscayne. We went all the way to the end and into Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The first stop was No Name Harbor. Cape Florida is the home of a historic lighthouse built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Visitors come to the park to sunbathe, swim, and picnic on over a mile of sandy Atlantic beachfront. Biking and kayaking are also popular activities. Anglers can throw in their lines from the seawall along Biscayne Bay for some of the best shoreline fishing in the region.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (Key Biscayne) & Miami Skyline / June 2, 2008

After we left the The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove, w ...

Updated: Jun 23, 2008 7:00pm PST

Miami Beach / June 3, 2008 : Miami Beach has been one of America's pre-eminent beach resorts for almost a century. It is an exciting and fun place to visit. The Art Deco District is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world and comprises hundreds of hotels, apartments and other structures erected between 1923 and 1943. South Beach (also known as SoBe, or simply The Beach - the area from 1st street to about 25th street) is one of the more popular areas of Miami Beach. Lincoln Road, a nationally known pedestrian mall, is a great spot for outdoor dining, bicycling, rollerblading and shopping.

Miami Beach / June 3, 2008

Miami Beach has been one of America's pre-eminent beach resorts for al ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2008 8:00pm PST

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / June 4, 2008 : The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a breathtaking journey where you will experience an impressive collection of flowering plants, cascading waterfalls and trees that set the stage for the “Flowers of the Sky.” Witness some 50 to 60 different species from around the world, all under a climate-controlled, glass enclosed habitat. You will have a unique opportunity to observe butterflies and birds in a tropical setting. Their diversity of size, shape, color and patterns, and behavior make these delicate-winged creatures a delight to see.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / June 4, 2008

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a breathtaking journe ...

Updated: Jun 26, 2008 3:39pm PST

Sunset Celebration (Key West) / June 4, 2008 : Each night - 365 days a year (weather permitting) - approximately two hours before sunset, throngs of people, both locals and tourists alike, flock to the water's edge at Mallory Square to experience a multicultural happening, the Sunset Celebration, as they watch the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico. It is truly a site to behold . . . and one not to be missed when visiting Key West.

Sunset Celebration (Key West) / June 4, 2008

Each night - 365 days a year (weather permitting) - approximately two ...

Updated: Jun 26, 2008 7:05pm PST

Audubon House and Tropical Gardens (Key West) / June 5, 2008 : A visit to the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens is an exploration into local history and folklore. The gardens offer a lush one-acre view of tropical foliage. You will enjoy viewing the works of John James Audubon (1785-1851), world renown ornithologist. There are 28 first edition Audubon works in the house. The 19th-century home was built by Captain John H. Geiger, a master wrecker and Key West's first harbor pilot, who lived in the house with his wife and nine children. It was the beautiful plants which drew Audubon to the home during his visit in 1832. Audubon took cuttings from the plants growing on the property and used them as backgrounds in many works, including the White Crowned Pigeon, which has the "Geiger tree" (named after Capt. John Geiger) in the background - and the tree still stands in the front yard of the house. While visiting the Florida Keys, Audubon produced 19 of his sketches for his "Birds of America" folio. It is believed that many of those drawings were conceived in the Audubon House garden. This exhibit shows each of the 19 birds. They are from the Royal Octavo Birds of Americ collection, circa 1846.

Audubon House and Tropical Gardens (Key West) / June 5, 2008

A visit to the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens is an exploration int ...

Updated: Jun 28, 2008 6:25pm PST

The Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters Museum / June 5, 2008 : The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1847 to replace the original wooden tower on Whitehead Point destroyed the previous year by a hurricane. The present location, 14 feet above sea level, was chosen to protect the new tower from a similar fate. The tower was originally 46 feet high and powered by 15 oil lamps with 15-inch reflectors but was extended to 86 feet in 1894 making it visible to sailors for fifteen miles. It is the 15th oldest surviving lighthouse in the country. Interesting tidbit: Barbara Mabrity took over the task of the "keeper" after her husband died in 1832. She tended the lamps for 32 years until, at age 82, she was fired for making statements against the Union, which controlled Key West and the lighthouse during the Civil War. When a hurricane destroyed the light station in 1846, Barbara Mabrity survived but six of her children were killed after the family sought shelter in the tower. In 1886, the original keeper's quarters was torn down and replaced with the present building. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1969.

The Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters Museum / June 5, 2008

The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1847 to replace the original woo ...

Updated: Jun 28, 2008 9:39pm PST

Fort Zachary Taylor (Key West) / June 6, 2008 : Construction of Fort Zachary Taylor began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a state. In 1850, the fort was named after U.S. President Zachary Taylor, who died in office earlier that year.

Fort Zachary Taylor (Key West) / June 6, 2008

Construction of Fort Zachary Taylor began in 1845, shortly after Flor ...

Updated: Jul 03, 2008 12:57pm PST

Miami to Key West and Back / June 4 and June 7, 2008 : When we usually head to Key West, we are so anxious to get there that we only stop "when necessary." This year, we got up very early in order to stop along the way and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery that we normally just pass by. We stopped on our way to Key West and made some stops on the way back. I'm glad we did :)

Miami to Key West and Back / June 4 and June 7, 2008

When we usually head to Key West, we are so anxious to get there that ...

Updated: Jul 06, 2008 8:24pm PST

Around and About Key West / June 4 to 7, 2008 : Key West is one of my favorite places to visit. We parked the car at the hotel, rented scooters, and off we went. My friend and I just laughed our way through the streets - it was such a fun time. And now - looking at these photos, I can't wait until we go again :)

Around and About Key West / June 4 to 7, 2008

Key West is one of my favorite places to visit. We parked the car at ...

Updated: Jul 06, 2008 7:17pm PST

Scenes from the Dewey House and the La Mer Bed & Breakfast (Key West) / June 4 to 7, 2008 : All but once have we stayed somewhere other than the La Mer Hotel. This trip, we stayed two nights at the Dewey House and one night the La Mer. We've "thought" about staying elsewhere but just can't seem to make reservations any other place than here :) The Dewey House, built in 1906, is the original home of philosopher and educator John Dewey and remained a private residence until approximately 10 years ago. La Mer Hotel, a Victorian conch house, was built in the early years of the 20th century. They are the only oceanfront bed and breakfasts in Key West. Both "houses" are part of the Southernmost Hotel Collection.

Scenes from the Dewey House and the La Mer Bed & Breakfast (Key West) / June 4 to 7, 2008

All but once have we stayed somewhere other than the La Mer Hotel. Th ...

Updated: Jun 29, 2008 6:16pm PST