DOROTHY GALE WAS RIGHT — there’s no place like home. But there’s also nothing like boarding a plane on a frigid, gray day, and then arriving, exactly two hours and forty-eight minutes later, in the land of sun, sand, and palm trees. A few highlights from my trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida:
We stayed at the Westin Hotel on the beach. Out of view in the above photograph is the sky-walk that leads from the fourth-floor swimming pool to the beach below.
Our blue and white room was almost too-restful. I set up my lap-top at the glass-topped desk, with the intention of organizing the chapters for my cookbook. But how can you work when you have a view of the ocean on your left, and a flat-screen TV on your right?
We spent our indoor-hours watching movies. Like Life of Pi. And Sinister. And Rust and Bone. We also watched the Academy Awards in the room.
And speaking of the Academy Awards…how did you like Seth McFarlane? I thought he rocked the house.
Between watching movies and not working on my cookbook, I spent a little time sight-seeing, accompanied by my partner and our friend Dan. First up? Flamingo Gardens. This not-for-profit organization provides sanctuary for injured wildlife. Like alligators. And bobcats. And lots of fascinating birds.
Take, for instance, the pelican pictured above. It can no longer fly, thanks to a permanently-injured wing. But it can still fish in the beautiful ponds at Flamingo Gardens.
The flamingos pictured above also have injured wings. But they live productive lives in the safety the garden affords. (Update: hat-tip to reader Robert Barr, who noted these pink beauties are not flamingos, but Roseate Spoonbills — Platalea ajaja.)
Ditto for this white ibis. At least I think he or she is a white ibis. (Update: Hat-tip to reader Enid, who correctly identified this bird as a ring billed gull — Larus delawarensis.)
Of course, other birds, such as the wood stork above, try to gain admittance to the grounds. But the overhead netting lets them know that Flamingo Gardens is an exclusive club.
If you’d like to learn more about Flamingo Gardens, I encourage you to visit their website.
We also toured Bonnet Museum & Gardens, if only because it was walking distance from our hotel. In the center of this 35-acre estate is a large, eclectic house that I could happily live in. It was built in 1920 by the artist Frederic Clay Bartlett. I did not take any pictures of the house, because it seemed inappropriate to do so. But here’s the rundown:
Because of massive, inappropriate development near the house (i.e., the aforementioned Westin Hotel), the house and grounds are now listed on the National Trust’s 11 most endangered sites.
And that’s a shame. Frankly, I can’t imagine a better argument for historic zoning.
When not sight-seeing or lounging by the pool, I ate. And ate. And ate. At Casablanca Cafe. At Tundra. At H2O. At Blue Moon. But our best dinner was at Market 17, a restaurant that offers fresh, local meat, fish and veggies, and first-class wines. You can see their menu here.
Also worth mentioning is Rosie’s Bar & Grill. Although this eatery is not located near the beach, it was mobbed to the hilt. And no wonder! Check out the menu:
How could anyone resist this place? If you’re wondering, I had the B-L-T&A.
Check out the last item on Rosie’s menu.
Well, it was great to visit a place where winter-sowing is basically unheard of. But oh, is it nice to be home again, snow or no snow. You should have seen Lily the Beagle when I returned. She cried and cried, and then followed me throughout the house. What a greeting!
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peg says
you so deserve every second of that! and thanks for sharing that with us as well… i almost feel relaxed and refreshed myself…
thanks again for all you do.
Vicki says
I sure hope you got some beach time in! Warmth and sunshine sounds wonderful!
Enid says
I think that’s a Ring Billed Gull (like the ones you can see in NY) not an Ibis, and I think it’s a Comorant or Anhinga photobombing on bottom right.
Suzanne Bennett says
Lucky Dog!
Robert says
Welcome home. It’s great to get away but coming home is always so nice.
Robert Barr says
The pink birds are Roseate Spoonbills, Flamingos have much larger yellow and black beaks and are taller with very long necks. The bird photo-bombing the pelican is some kind of Heron.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Enid and Robert Barr – Thanks for the IDs– I’ve noted them above. But what, pray tell, is “photo-bombing”?
Cynthia says
I want to go to Florida!!
Donna B. says
Welcome back to the cold dreary Northeast! hehehe.
[at least it’s getting somewhat warmer, yes?]
Oh beagle howling… I would have loved to hear that! I bet she is so happy you’re both home. ( ^w^ )
When I goto FL to visit my boyfriend’s brother and wife that lives down there, we’re usually on the Gulf side. Near Fort Meyers. I love going to Sanibel & Captiva and finding beautiful stones and shells and seeing the wildlife… But I would definitely make the trek across the state to see Flamingo Gardens! I love the idea that they’re taking care of injured avians!
Debby says
“Photobombing is the act of inserting oneself into the field of view of a photograph, often in order to play a practical joke on the photographer or the subjects” Wikipedia.
Photobombing regained popularity recently (in my opinion) due to the creative efforts of Sergio Romo, closing pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
Glad you had a nice mid winter break… so many things to see and do in Florida, hope you’ll be back soon. 🙂
Annie B says
Sounds like a good trip! I thought Seth McFarlane was worse than dreadful.
Gail says
I’m so happy to hear you two got away to some sunshine and warmth and that you had a great time! Thanks for the wonderful pictures and oh! the menu! That was great fun.
Personally I enjoyed Seth’s hosting. We American’s are so uptight. I so love the British comedies for their willingness to chuckle at life.
Cary says
Glad you had a lovely time, you were missed. Kevin! So excited to hear that you are doing a cookbook. I must have missed you mentioning that you’d decided to do one. I will be working on exactly how I want mine autographed ;)! Congratulations on your publishing house for a hit in the making! Oh! Was just rereading your Onion Soup recipe and have decided that you should move in with us. You may of course, bring your partner and Lily, and anything else you’d like. Or better yet, why not just come for a cozy visit. I have 300 onion seedlings under lights in the spare room and would gladly move them for you! Welcome home!!!
badger gardener says
Glad to hear you had a lovely time.
I believe I saw the Bonnet House featured on Garden Smart on PBS. If I’m remembering correctly, it has the only natural beachfront left in that region of FL (probably in the whole darn state). Sounds like a true gem to be able to see what FL once looked like up and down that coast.
Kate says
My family lives in Fla so I am there…a lot, but i still love it. I thought Seth McFarland was Fantastic! I loved the “boobs” song and dance routine. I did read that he said he would never do it again…too bad for us. Thank you for sharing, your room was beautiful.
Mary says
What a great article! I’m a Ft. Lauderdale visitor wanna be especially to see The Bonnet Museum and sample the fabulous restaurants you mentioned! And, hats off to the Flamingo Gardens! Fabulous article! Thanks!
Valerie C. says
What a nice vacation! I watched the Academy Awards too, and thought Seth as great. There’s nothing like coming home to your pup though 🙂
Dan B. says
Looks like a great place to vacation!!!!
Janice in Black Creek, BC says
You watched TV while in a place like that??? With the beach to stroll on and the sun to enjoy–or the tropical nights–whatever…. Silly man. Jan
Theresa says
It sounds like a nice, much needed vacation. Florida is a burst of excitement, especially after a 3 hour flight in late February and March. God is great. Great indeed.
I understand that faith is a private experience, but how can I not see yours in your postings on your blog. I wish you would incorporate the connection and gratitude, i suppose you feel for the blessings of your interests and surroundings, you share in your postings. As a conservative practising Catholic, you are a real loving example of a alternative lifestyle, I support wholeheartedly. You have a gift and I’m positive it’s God given. Thank you for taking your time to share your intrests with us, I enjoy them so much
Kelly Brown says
K&W–I hope that you had a great time in Miami! I had to comment on Seth McFarland at the Oscars–We loved him. He’s got a bad-boy sense of humor, which we love. He went too far with the Lincoln joke, but was otherwise brilliant.
Linda Shore says
We loved Seth MacFarland!! People need to ease up a bit and realize it’s a joke! So jealous of the trip to Fla. A little sun soaking is invaluable in the middle of the northern winter.
Katreader says
I thought I’d order the Miss West Texas 1983 wrap, the I read the best one…I don’t normally order salad-but I’ll Take the Center Square to win, Please! Poor Lily, I’m sure she’s thrilled you’re home.
Dana says
Isn’t coming home, and seeing your pup the best part? I was in FL the same time you were but I was in Destin at Sandpiper Cove. My best friend Shelley treated me to celebrate her birthday, and my getting through breast cancer. We had so much fun as it was our first trip together without kids or husbands in about 13 years! Even with torrential downpours, it’s hard to have a bad day on the beach! Especially if you both love to cook and eat! Still, getting back to Memphis and being so enthusiastically greeted by my dog, Phoebe, was wonderful. I was tactful, however, and told my sweet hubby that I was just as happy to see him. Don’t know if he bought it! I hope you got a lot of rest Kevin. We all look so forward to everything on this site!
Huguette says
I was in Vero Beach at the time you were in FL, came back beginning of March especially to enjoy a snow storm :). Not too bad though, just a few inches here in North NJ.
Kevin, check my partner website above, suitable for all your French friends who want to learn English.
So long.