I first saw - and entered El Jardin in 1982/83. At that time it contained the office of Father…read moreRoger Radloff, a Catholic priest and Jungian psychologist which he used in relation to a private practice that he maintained in addition to being the "shrink for the diocese" as he put it. His assistant at that time was Eugene Ritter. I believe Radloff also offered services to students at the adjoining Carrollton School, which owned the gatehouse. As with all Miami revival architecture, El Jardin is at one with the earth, looks organic, and is built with color, shapes and textures as well as stone.

I went to coconut Grove to see as many historical places as possible, and spotted this one. See…read moreinfo I got from the net regarding it. El Jardin is a house located at 3747 Main Highway in Miami, Florida. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. El Jardin is now home to Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1974. Built in 1918 along a ridge of oolitic limestone, El Jardin expresses the broad training of its architect, Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott, and the experience of its owner, John Bindley, then president of Pittsburgh Steel. Kiehnel, in a September 1928 article for Tropical Home and Garden, referred to the house as a "progenitor of the Modern Mediterranean style home." Kiehnel relocated to Miami from Pittsburgh and became the architect for many landmark buildings, including the Coral Gables Congregational Church, Miami Senior High, and the Coral Gables Elementary School.

A "Key" monumental find at the center of Dania Pointe. Directly on the corner in front of Joe & the…read moreJuice. Presented to the Kimco Realty 2016 team who are dedicated to the entire Dania Pointe project. A beautiful bronze colored key atop a marblelike platform for thousands of visitors to gawk at everyday.

Sitting at the corner directly across from Tommy Bahama in Dania Pointe is this beautiful Key To…read moreThe City of Dania Beach sculpture. A big gold key on top of a white cement square block. Names stamped on a bronze plaque is the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Curt Commissioner, City Manager, Deputy City Manager and City Attorney.

Yelp Review 2026 #194:…read more Calle Ocho Walk of Fame is a free thing to see while you're in Little Havana. It commemorates Latin/ Hispanic celebrities but I'm not sure why Sylvester Stallone has a star here - he's Italian. Walking around Calle Ocho, it's easy to be mesmerized by the colorful buildings, murals, and big chicken statues. Be sure to watch where you're going or you'll miss the stars. The most recognizable names include Gloria and Emilio Estefan (probably the Queen and king of Miami), Julio Cesar Chavez, Julio Iglesias and his son Enrique, Selena, Celia Gomez, and Thalia. So, not just Cuban entertainers.

Near the entrance of Dr. Paul Vogel Community Park in North Bay Village is this public art piece…read moretitled The Underwater by Miami eco-artist Xavier Cortada. Cortada is Miami-Dade's inaugural artist in resident. This sculpture was unveiled on On October 29, 2024. The Underwater has a QR code on top of it. When you scan it you are taken to page by the Cortada Foundation where you are given information on how to combat sea level rise due to climate change by contacting elected officials, volunteering with local environmental organizations, and exploring educational resources. For three decades, Xavier Cortada has worked collaboratively with communities around the world to create art projects to address social and environmental concerns. The Cortada Foundation is a non profit that was created by Xavier Cortada to place art art that aims to engage the community in problem solving in public places. Over the past three decades, Xavier Cortada has created more than 150 public artworks, installations, murals, and socially engaged projects to transform the communities they are placed in. The Underwater was created specifically for North Bay Village to highlight climate change, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. It is part of a series of concrete sculptures placed in county parks. Each piece has a number that corresponds to its elevation above sea level. At Dr. Paul Vogel Community Park the number is six. Lower numbers are more vulnerable to sea level rise. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that seas could rise up to 7 feet by 2100. It was so interesting to learn about this art piece and I love its environmental conservation message. The project aims to install around 250 markers in Miami-Dade County Parks. This is the first one I found but now that I know about them I will be on the hunt for more.

I love discovering old places, and if they are abandoned even better for me! It is surely worthy of…read morea trip - lets hope they GET ON WITH RESTORING IT, and stop wasting money on just maintaining it!! (its been owned by the state since 2007 after all!!!) Here is some more information and history about this house (sourced from https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/things-to-do/arts-history/marjory-stoneman-douglas-house.html) Almost 68 years after Marjory Stoneman Douglas' "The Everglades: River of Grass" changed the popular conception of the Everglades from worthless swamp to treasured ecosystem, the Stoneman Douglas house in Miami's leafy Coconut Grove neighborhood will be designated a national historic landmark. During his first visit to Everglades National Park in April 2015, President Barack Obama declared the protective designation for the conservationist's modest 1926 cottage at 3744 Stewart Ave. No plans have been announced yet for opening the stucco-covered, wood-frame Stoneman Douglas house to the public, although fans still can go by the historic one-story home, now surrounded by million-dollar mansions. Preservationists and environmentalists have argued for years with neighbors over the fate of the bungalow and concerns that turning it into an education center or attraction would overwhelm the area with traffic and violate residential land use codes. A plan to move the house three miles from its South Grove location to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden was scrapped in 2006. The Stoneman Douglas house and property have been owned by the State of Florida and since 2007 has been maintained by the Florida Park Service as a lasting memorial to a remarkable "woman who saved the Everglades." As a 34-year-old divorced woman living with her father, buying her own house represented independence to Douglas. In her autobiography, "Voice of the River," she wrote about her desire to have a place of her own. I didn't need much of a house, just a workshop, a place of my own. All I wanted was one big room with living quarters tacked on. I knew an architect, George Hyde, who drew up some plans. He mostly built factories, which was fortunate, because I hoped my little house would be as stout and as sparse as a factory with not much to worry about. Because she never learned to drive, the house had no driveway (or air conditioning, electric stove or dishwasher). Part Tudor Revival and part Medieval Revival in design, the house, created by well-known architect George Hyde, is noted for its hip roof, half-timbering, post-hurricane wood floors, elegant detailing, and cast bronze hardware. Starting out as a young writer working for her father at The Miami Herald in 1915 following her brief marriage, Marjory Stoneman Douglas eventually produced more than 100 short stories for popular magazines. "River of Grass," published in 1947, was her most influential work. Later in life, she became a relentless crusader for the natural preservation and restoration of the nature of South Florida. She recognized that the Everglades was a system that depended not only on the flow of water from Lake Okeechobee into the park, but also upon the Kissimmee River which feeds the lake. To add a voting constituency to her efforts, in 1970 she formed the Friends of the Everglades, and was active as the head of the organization. Dubbed the "Grande Dame of the Everglades," she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Upon her death at the age of 108 in 1998, The Independent in London stated, "In the history of the American environmental movement, there have been few more remarkable figures than Marjory Stoneman Douglas." Today, Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, protects over 1.5 million acres. It's the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states, behind Yellowstone National Park and Death Valley National Park. There are three ways to access the park by car. The main entrance in Homestead connects visitors to the Royal Palm Area and the Flamingo Area of Everglades National Park. The Shark Valley entrance is in Miami and the Gulf Coast Entrance is in Everglades City.

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas lived in this home in Coconut Grove. It was built in 1926 by George Hyde…read moreand is designed to look like an English Cotswolds country cottage. The house looks like it is out of a fairy tale. The house is extremely small, barely 900 feet. Marjorie considered it more of a workshop than a home. It is a single story wood frame T shaped structure with a stucco, brick, and half-timbered exterior walls and a sloping roof covered in wood shingles. The interior has hardwood flooring, plaster walls, and plaster ceilings with exposed beams. The interior has one large room that used to be dominated by Marjorie Stoneman Douglas's desk. The other rooms are a little bedroom and a tiny kitchen that only held a hot plate and toaster. Furnishings in the home were very simple. The house didn't have a driveway because she never learned to drive or central air conditioning. Marjorie did much of her writing in the home including the 1947 book The Everglades: River of Grass which spawned a movement to save the Everglades from development. The state of Florida purchased the house in 1991. Marjory was allowed to live out the rest of her life in her home which she did until she passed away at the age of 108 in 1998. The house was designated a national landmark in 2015. The house sits vacant as the people in the neighborhood have fought any attempts at turning the house into a museum fearing the traffic it would bring to the area. With the shooting that took place at the high school named in Marjorie Stoneman Douglas's honor in Parkland her name has been thrust back in the spotlight and there is renewed interest in finally doing something with the house. It seems like the neighbors may finally be coming around to allowing access to the house on a limited basis. Before that can happen the state needs to repair termite damage and mold caused by an air conditioner leak. Some of the ideas for the house are to turn it into a museum to honor Marjory or to allow a writer to live there in residence. A plan that has been scraped is to move the house to Fairchild tropical Gardens where there is a statue of Marjory Stoneman Douglas sitting on a bench. I am a long time Marjory Stoneman Douglas fan. As someone who loves the Everglades I appreciate her and everything she did to save it from development. I have seen many lovely pictures of her outside her home usually with a cat. Visiting her house was a thrill. I especially loved discovering the seahorse on the outside fireplace and the hand shaped doorknocker on the front door. I truly hope the neighbors and the state can come to an agreement to allow people access to the property. Right now you can easily park in front of the house and take a peek in the windows. Marjory Stoneman Douglas created a lasting environmental legacy and her home deserves to be protected and maintained. Maybe even more so after what happened in Parkland. The house belongs to all of us and we should be able to pay our respects to her there.

Fun fact: the third tallest statue in the United States is right here in Hallandale Beach--and it's…read morenot exactly subtle. The moment you arrive at Gulfstream Park, you're greeted by the massive Pegasus and Dragon--a dramatic sculpture of a Pegasus locked in battle with a dragon. It's bold, over-the-top, and definitely not something you see every day. Standing at 110 feet tall and weighing around 700 tons, this monumental piece was the vision of Frank Stronach, founder of the Stronach Group. The sculpture is meant to honor the role horses have played throughout civilization, with Pegasus symbolizing good triumphing over evil in its battle against the dragon. The statue itself is an impressive feat of international craftsmanship. It was designed by German firms, cast in bronze in China, and shipped to Florida in 26 containers before being assembled on-site in 2014--a process that took about eight months and reportedly cost $30 million. On select nights, the experience is elevated even further with a laser light show featuring music and bursts of fire. If you've spent any time at Gulfstream Park, you've probably seen crowds gathered around it--it's a go-to photo spot. I recently visited while in the area for Luzia, and the statue absolutely towers over the circus tent nearby. I made sure to stop by for a closer look before leaving, and that evening it was beautifully lit in pink and purple hues. Photos don't quite capture it--you really have to stand beneath it to appreciate the sheer scale and detail. It's grand, a little theatrical, and completely unforgettable. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

Guarding the main entrance of the Gulfstream Village is the 110 foot tall Pegasus statue fighting a…read moremassive dragon. Today, came to Gulfstream Village to watch the Cirque du Soleil venue which is directly next to the Pegasus statue. This incredible tourist attraction is the 3rd tallest statue in the United States. Made of bronze and steel at 340 tons and at a thirty million dollar price tag, it is a sight to see when visiting Hallandale. During the day you get a great view of it's details, but at night the purple hue surrounding the statue is surely unique, impressive and unforgettable.

Recently stayed at the Sunrise Harbor condominium which nudges up against the Sunrise Blvd Draw…read moreBridge. We had to wait a few minutes to get across on foot since we were going to the Fort Lauderdale strip just on the other side which is at the entrance of Birch State Park (along the sides of the bridge they offer a nice walking path with a safety railing). There is also a CVS Pharmacy at the north side of the bridge in case you injure yourself walking up the steel giant. The traffic approaching the bridge is influenced by tourists visiting the Galleria Mall then going to the beach. We got fantastic pictures at the top of the bridge as yachts passed under on the Fort Lauderdale Intercoastal (see pics).

Took a nice long walk from the Galleria Mall to the beach but in order to complete this task the…read morebridge is the obstacle standing in the way. Exciting to stand at the top of the bridge and watch the boats float under on the intercostal. Walked to the Fort Lauderdale beach then back at night over the bridge that luckily was still not erect.

If you ever walk along the Ft Lauderdale Riverfront in Esplanade Park near the performing arts…read morecenter, you have probably come across this statue. The Lone Sailor is a seven foot, 809 pound statue of a sailor along the Riverwalk in Ft.Lauderdale. The sailor has his back to the city as his gaze looks out to the New River. He wears a sailors signature pea coat with his duffel sack at his feet. City commissioners along with volunteers from the Navy League of the United States spent four years raising funds for the statue. It was dedicated on October 14, 2006. The original Lone Sailor is at the Navy Memorial Plaza in Washington DC. There are now 18 Lone Sailor statues around the world. The statue signifies all of the men and women who have served or are serving in the Navy, past , present, and future. The statue stands for honor, courage, and commitment. Ft. Lauderdale was a major military base during WWII and many former military personnel retire here for the warmer climate, This statue recognizes their contributions and our history as a seafaring community. You can learn more about Ft. Lauderdale's role in WWIi at the Naval Air Station Museum in Ft. Lauderdale.