Save Me A River

The Everglades, Florida, USA

This was the Florida Everglades back in 2008, looking more wet and lush than it had in years.  A critical part of the ecosystem, The Everglades (aka River of Grass) have suffered from many ailments over the past decades.  Many of these issues were man-made, and it was nice to see that the efforts to fix what we caused were working.

Cities by the Bay

Miami and Miami Beach, Florida, USA

When you hear the phrase City by the Bay, you likely think of San Francisco.  Miami and Miami Beach are also on a famous bay, Biscayne Bay.  We took this shot during a scenic approach to Miami International Airport.  From the west, we overflew the Everglades, came south past the airport over Dinner Key and Coconut Grove, and then circled through Miami to land.

In this photo you can see Biscayne Bay, downtown Miami, Miami Beach, the cruise ships at Dodge Island, US 1 and Interstate 95, as well as the Rickenbacker, MacArthur, Venetian, and Julia Tuttle Causeways.

Go Slow

Road Sign, Florida Panhandle, USA

With all the ice and snow around the country today, we think this is a good time to remind everyone to drive slowly.  We photographed this road sign on a packed clay road in the Florida Panhandle back in 1994.  We're pretty sure the speed limit was 15 MPH, but the neighborhood wanted everyone to go extra slow and added a period between the 1 and 5.  On this road, 15 MPH was really pushing it.

Desperately Seeking Seafood?

Seafood Restaurant, Panama City, Florida, USA

Whenever we go to the Florida Panhandle, we have a craving for hushpuppies and deep fried fish and seafood.  This simple, unpretentious, down home place sure did deliver the goods.  We found Hunt's Oyster Bar by accident, but a lot of other folks seem to know about it too.  Check it out the next time you're in Panama City.

Expanded Contraction

Lake Talquin, Florida, USA

Lake Talquin is located between the North Florida cities of Tallahassee and Quincy.  The lake was formed by a dam on the Ochlockonee River and its name is a contraction of the nearby two cities.  However it got made and named, we just think it's pretty.  This is how it looked in the spring of 1992.

Space Shot

Space Shuttle Endeavour, Port Canaveral, Florida, USA

We took this picture with an old point and shoot film camera after finishing a cruise of the Bahamas.

Nowadays, we'd have a tripod, zoom lens, image stabilization, crisp digital resolution, and certainly an HD video.

It's true that the photo doesn't capture the details of the rushing shuttle, the bright flare of the rocket, nor the delayed roaring noise.  However, though time has faded and degraded this photo, we're reminded of the day by this snapshot.

Rustic Pelican

Pelican, Dania Beach, Florida, USA

This pelican was hunting for scraps along the fishing pier at Dania Beach.  We like how rustic this photo is and how unafraid the pelican was.

Watson Observation

Sunset and Dodge Island, Miami, Florida, USA

We saw this beautiful sunset from Watson Island while watching cruise ships sail by.

Watson Island is in Biscayne Bay and is accessible via the MacArthur Causeway, which connects Miami and Miami Beach.

Dodge Island, which is across the way from Watson Island, contains the worlds largest cruise ship port.

Florida Rains

Essex House Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but it does rain there.  In South Florida, a md-afternoon thunderstorm often comes and is gone in 20-30 minutes.  The day this photo was taken of this Art Deco gem was no exception.

Circular Squares

Modern Building, Coconut Grove, Florida, USA

We spied this cool building in Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood.  It's Mid-Century Modern meets generic 70's.  This is basically a set of three connecting squares dressed up with circles.

Deli Style South

Deli Counter, Pompano Beach, Florida, USA

A good New York deli counter is often a confusing place with a seemingly endless assortment of ethnically Jewish foods (and some not so Jewish).  Many folks joke, and rightfully so, that somewhere in Southeastern Florida is the sixth borough of New York City.  While not as large or confusing as many New York City delicatessens, this place in Pompano Beach had delicious renditions of all the main comfort foods like bagels, pastrami, knishes, stuffed cabbage, and buckets of pickles.

Rolling Cigars

Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Florida, USA

Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood is well known for its cigar factories.  At the Tampa International Airport, you might occasionally see a vintage, cigar-shaped Boeing 737 rolling down the runway.  We took this photo during a fly-by before our final approach.

Yes, We Had Roads Then

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Daytona Beach is famous for its tightly packed beach sand.  As a kid, Marc used to take school trips to Volusia County and they'd park the school bus on the beach.  Here Ned tries out the Daytona Beach sands with a much lighter vehicle.

Late Night Snack

Pizzeria, Miami, Florida, USA

When we were kids, we didn't order big-chain pizza on the telephone and wait for it to come to the house.  Instead, we went with our parents to a family owned pizzeria, placed an order for takeout, hung out while our pizzas were prepared, and then sat with hot boxes on our laps during the car ride home.

Marc's grandmother was very fond of pizza and was known to spontaneously suggest getting a pie late on many evenings.  Frankie's, still open after 55 years, was one of her regular suppliers.

Imagining Summer

Lummus Park Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
This picture was taken in the middle of October, but you'd never know that by the scene. In fact, it was over 80 degree Fahrenheit! No wonder Miami Beach is so popular during fall and winter.

The Sunshine State

Sunset, Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida, USA
If not for the bay and buildings, you might not know this is Miami. The colors and clouds are more like the Desert Southwest than South Florida.

Florida is known as The Sunshine State. It seems like it is the sunrise and sunset state too!

This sunset came after a nice afternoon watching cruise ships come and go.

Continental Dreams

Continental 727, Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida, USA
When this photo was taken in June 1990, the passengers on this Continental Boeing 727 could have been headed anywhere.

Some passengers may have been dreaming of home after Caribbean vacations; some may have been dreaming of winning clients on their business trips; some may have been dreaming of delicious hot meals served during a smooth flight.

The crew, however, were likely dreaming of the day when Frank Lorenzo would leave their carrier. Thankfully, within a few months, it would be the beginning of the end at Continental for the airline-wrecking Lorenzo.

Sadly, Continental is gone now too. Another storied American airline is now gone, but not forgotten.

Free As A Bird

Seagulls, Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
There is something wondrous about seagulls at the beach. We love listening to their calls and watching them fly majestically in the sea breeze.

A Wonderful Rascal

Rascal House, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
When Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House Restaurant closed in 2008, it ended the reign of his great Jewish delicatessens on Miami Beach. Joined by Pumpernik's and his namesake Wolfie's, for over 60 years his three restaurants set the gold standard of delicious Jewish comfort food in South Florida.

A Relaxing Stroll

Boardwalk, Melbourne, Florida, USA
Besides taking a nap, there is nothing so relaxing when we travel as being amongst nature. This boardwalk at Erna Nixon Park allowed us to stroll amongst the trees, bushes, and critters. A very relaxing time indeed.