Would you want to go and see a monastery from the 12th century in North America? You don’t believe this is possible? Well, you better read on! Where is it? I bet you haven’t been to the ancient Spanish monastery in North Miami! Or maybe you have been for a wedding ceremony, if you are […]
South Florida Off the Beaten Track
Whiskey Creek – Kayaking Amongst Murder and Prohibition
Where? Whiskey Creek, a roughly 2 mile stretch of mangrove lined shallow canal, sits quietly in John U Lloyd State Park in Dania Beach, just across from the mighty Port Everglades. It is nestled between the stunning natural (and largely very quiet) beach, and the intracoastal waterway. It’s very easy to miss. I have known […]
Kayaking To Historic Indian Key Off Islamorada? Don’t Mind If I Do!
If, like me, you have a love for the outdoors, in particular anything to do with the ocean, as well as a love of moving your limbs AND all things to do with history (I am an archaeologist, you know?!), then I have a gem for you! Indian Key Historic State Park Head straight to Robbies of […]
Boating Close To Home: Haulover Sandbar And Beercan Island
An Ode To The Blue As far as I am concerned, boating in Florida is not an option. Let’s face it, if you live in a hot and sub-tropical State that consists to a large degree of re-claimed swamp land, and boasts hundreds of miles of inland waterways, as well as being almost entirely surrounded by the ocean, you […]
A Day Out In Miami – South Beach Optional
Tired of South Beach but love Miami? Ok, I might have just the ticket for you! Why not head down to Bayfront Park and Marketplace, where tourists and locals alike meet for a spot of shopping, salsa dancing and sightseeing, all at a fraction of the prices you would find on South Beach. Bayfront Park […]
Old Pompano: Sample-McDougald House and Kester Cottages
Have you ever played tourist in your own neighborhood? Pompano Beach is the second oldest city in Broward County and the fifth oldest in all of South Florida. I thought this warranted a little exploration of Pompano Beach’s historic neighborhoods. I had an afternoon to spare and had been wanting to check out the Sample-McDougald […]
Chokoloskee Island And Everglades City – Murder, Ghosts, Swamp Angels And A 6pm Curfew
A Daytrip To Chokoloskee Island and Everglades City I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, going on a Saturday ‘jolly’ to Everglades City and Chokoloskee Island, both relatively remote but easy to reach via I-75 (Alligator Alley) or US 41 (Tamiami Trail) from Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Being obsessed with alligators, time on Alligator Alley passes […]
Looking For The Real Swampy Florida? Tranquility and Alligators In Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge
Loxahatchee – the name itself seems intriguing. Obviously of Indian origins, it actually means ‘turtle river’ (according to Wikipedia). Well, guess what, the first creature I stumbled upon, as I got to Arthur Marshall’s Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge, was this sunbathing comical little turtle, all stretched out: If you are like me, a magnet for swamp […]