For Spring Break 2024 our travels took us from Norfolk to NYC by train, followed by a flight to Miami and a road trip from the Florida Keys back home to Norfolk. This blog post covers our day in the Miami area and then our trek between Key Largo and the Delray Beach area.
Follow our steps from Norfolk to NYC to Southern Florida and back home with this series of blogs from Spring Break 2024:
Part 1: AMTRAK & NYC
Part 2: THE FLORIDA KEYS
Part 3: SOUTHERN FLORIDA: THE EVERGLADES & KEY BISCAYNE
Part 4: ROAD TRIP- DELRAY BEACH TO ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA (coming soon)
Part 5: ROAD TRIP- THE LOW COUNTRY: SAVANNAH, GA & BEAUFORT, SC (coming soon)
Part 6: ROAD TRIP- CHARLESTON SC TO EMERALD ISLE NC (coming soon)
Key Biscayne
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
We had nearly a full day in the Miami area before our drive to Key Largo the following day. We wanted some time on the beach but also to avoid the Spring Break crowds of Miami Beach. A quick map search led us to Key Biscayne. With no advanced research we hoped for a small beach town to find a to-go lunch, but quickly realized it was an upscale golf and residential area. However, the Big Baggs Cape Florida State Park, taking up ½ of the southern section of the island, was exactly what we needed.
The cost for entry was just $8/per car. We were a bit concerned about the warning near the entrance about stinging jellyfish, but the Ranger told us that it had to be posted if just one was spotted but that we were unlikely to encounter any.
Lounge chairs and umbrellas were available for rent, so we spent a few hours on the beach near the Cape Florida Lighthouse . There were a few options available for lunch within the park, and we dined outdoors for a full-service meal at the Lighthouse Cafe. With more time and on a cooler day we may have hiked on some of the nature trails, but instead we just stopped for a short walk along the sea wall, where an ice cream truck blared out of season Christmas songs in the parking lot.
Everglades National Park
Normally I would consider a “visit” to a National Park to be a lengthy hike or tour. However, I’m allowing myself to check off Everglades National Park with the hour+ that we spent at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. While we didn’t see any alligators in the wildlife viewing area overlooking a pond, we did see multiple species of birds. The water was surprisingly clear with easily distinguishable plants and fish.
Inside, interpretation covered the threats to the wetlands, including agriculture, overuse by tourists and invasive species. The Burmese Python, introduced in the 1990s, has decimated much of the native mammal population of the Everglades. Previously the largest one caught was 17 feet and the skeleton was on display. I’m already a bit uneasy with the thought of the native crocodiles and alligators, but giant snakes are where I draw the line for what I consider to be an enjoyable hike or boat ride through the wilderness. For more adventurous people the park offers guided Ranger walks from the visitor center and backcountry camping trips by land or boat. With more time we may have driven the 35 miles through the park to the Guy Bradley visitor center at Flamingo.
Historic Redland
Tropical Trail
Robert is Here Fruit Stand
We learned about Robert is Here from a friend that lives in Miami. When we arrived the parking lot was filled with tour buses. Robert Moehling was indeed there, and as he is known to do he taught us to surgically cut up a mango and then added up our purchases on a paper bag with a pencil. Tropical fruits, many of which are not widely found in supermarkets had signs describing them thoroughly.
The property, with a petting zoo and play area, is part of the Redland Trail tourism area. This series of farmstands and other roadside attractions dot the route that runs between Everglades National Park and north along Route 1. With more time we would have explored the stops, but we still had a two hour drive to reach the Delray Beach area where we would stay for the night.
