I've seen many remnants of America's Gilded Age, of a time when Northern robber barons made their summer homes down south. You might have heard their names before, particularly the Vanderbilts of Asheville's Biltmore Estate. And then there's Villa Vizcaya. Agricultural tycoon John Deering made … [Read more...] about Photo Essay: Miami’s Villa Vizcaya
Photo Friday: St. Augustine, Florida
I don't know how it took me almost 25 years to finally make it to St. Augustine, Florida. It has everything I love in a destination: history, beaches and food. In fact, it's the oldest city in America, dating back to the landing of Ponce de Leon in 1513. The state is celebrating Viva 500, or 500 … [Read more...] about Photo Friday: St. Augustine, Florida
Caroline in the Everglades
Between four days at a hip but pricey hostel in South Beach Miami and four days in the Florida Keys (more on both later), I spent one night in the Florida City/Homestead area. It's the jumping off point for exploration of the Everglades National Forest, one of only two types of these wetlands in the … [Read more...] about Caroline in the Everglades
Photo Essay: Cats of the Hemingway House
Key West is a special little island. It's the kind of place where presidents, movie stars and writers can exist in relative peace, away from the prying eyes of the mainland. It's one of many reasons that Ernest Hemingway made a life here in the 1930s. Hemingway, known for his books A Farewell … [Read more...] about Photo Essay: Cats of the Hemingway House
Paddleboarding with Manatees
When given the chance to try something new, I typically take it. But if it requires any sort of athleticism, I take a second thought. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am clumsy and out of shape. However, the Ultimate Florida Road Trip was all about experiencing the best activities the state had to … [Read more...] about Paddleboarding with Manatees