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Searching for Beauty
The tropical sunsets over the palms and waters are unbeatable in Florida, even when you are in the built-up areas full of ugly, concrete buildings. (iPhone4S)
My predominant memory of Florida is of miles of asphalt and concrete, overlooked by garish neon signs for noisy bars, and gaudy billboards promoting guns and gambling, escort clubs, the bible and ‘pro life’; a landscape punctuated with plastic theme parks and lined with strip malls, drive-throughs, and featureless clumps of condominiums gathered around kitsch swimming pools.
But, there is another Florida: if you look past the tacky souvenir shops and fast-food outlets, you can find National Parks, Indian Reservations, State Reserves, and privately bequeathed lands that are protected green spaces and a breath of fresh air.
We had made use of one of those indistinguishable timeshares, rubbing shoulders with families from all over the mainland USA looking for a vacation with their children. We even took advantage of our free Universal Studios Florida tickets. But for me, the ‘real’ places – like the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral (see: To Infinity and Beyond!), the out-of-the-way places (see: Key West) – and the preserved natural places (e.g.: Flamingo Gardens; Kissimmee Lake; and Crane Point) – were far more enjoyable.
Come dip your toes in Universal Studios Florida and the Everglades, and decide for yourself!
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The Universal Globe
When in Florida, you really have to take in at least one theme park!
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Universal Entry
School holidays haven’t started yet, and rain is in the forecast, so the entry is not too crowded when we arrive.
Emmys for Lucy
All five of comedienne Lucille Ball’s Emmy Awards were on display in a case in the Lucy: A Tribute exhibit. This walk-through museum has closed since our visit.
Marlene and the Old Cameras
Cars in the Lot
Who doesn’t remember American Graffiti? Those wonderful cars from 1958 and earlier still sit outside Mel’s Drive-In. We admired the classic vehicles, but didn’t stop to eat.
Jack the Clown
I’m not a fan of horror movies, but Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show was on our path, so we checked it out. I could be forgiven for not knowing Jack the Clown, as he was invented for the Universal Halloween Horror Nights.
Hellboy
I did know Hellboy, having seen Ron Perlman in the 2004 movie with my son, …
Lon Chaney
… and horror fan or not, everybody knows Lon Chaney!
Curious George Car
The sprinklers were going full-force, but there were no young children around to explore the Curious George Town. That was probably just as well, as we found a large sea snake in the paddling pool!
Raincoats in the Street
As predicted, the rains came. Most of the shopfronts are restaurants and souvenir shops; they did a good trade in plastic raincoats! (iPhone4S)
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
In spite of the weather, there were plenty of takers for the various roller coaster rides.
Jimmy Buffet Plane
We opted instead for a quiet lunch at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, and then watched a new-release move before leaving the park.
Riding the Everglades Airboat
A week later, we were enjoying our second Florida airboat ride: this time on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in the Everglades.
Miccosukee Indian Reservation
There is a wealth of birdlife in the ‘River of Grass’, as the Everglades is called, but it is hard to take photos with the noisy vibrations of the airboat.
Spatterdock (Nuphar Luteum)
Spatterdock, or cow lily, is a large aquatic plant native to Florida.
Spatterdock
With its wonderfully showy seed pods, it is one of my favourite Everglade plants.
Miccosukee Village
I chose this particular airboat ride (out of the many on offer) because I was interested in learning a bit about the Native American Miccosukee people who live here.
Water Hyacinth under the Bridge
Getting off the airboat allowed us a closer look at some of the plant life.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes)
Beautiful though it might be, this imported plant, native to the Amazon basin in South America, is considered a major weed species in Florida. Considerable money and effort has been put into its control and management.
Everglades Airboat
Although we get to look through old village buildings, I don’t feel as if I learned much from the static displays. Our Miccosukee driver is rather uncommunicative, and stays with the boat while we explore.
Everglade Grass
The water is dead calm in the high overcast; there is not a whisper of wind in the grass.
Small Fish
The fresh water around us is so crystal-clear that it looks as if the fish are floating in air.
Spatterdock (Nuphar luteum)
It is going to rain. But for now, everything is hushed, calm, and luminous.
Crested Floating Heart – Nymphoides Cristata
Introduced to the United States as a water garden plant, this pretty lily-like freshwater floating perennial from tropical Asia is another invasive pest in the Everglades.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias)
Southwest Florida is home to the great blue heron, the Louisiana heron, the little blue heron, the great white heron, the little green heron, the Wurdemann’s heron, and to the yellow-crowned and the black-crowned night herons. I’m pretty sure this one is a great blue heron.
Rainy Roads
As expected, the rains came. We ducked into the Miccosukee Restaurant for a late lunch and a last taste of the Everglades before battling the weather and driving west out of the grasslands. (iPhone4S)
It is certainly true that Florida has something for everyone.
I for one prefer the wild natural spaces over the concrete jungle and plastic theme parks.
Until next time,
Happy Travels!
Pictures: 29May2013 and 06June2013
