On a trip to Miami’s Jungle Island today I did get to practice some shots of beautiful parrots along with other types of birds and wildlife. The experience as a destination, however, was a big disappointment. I would only suggest if for children under 5. Signage and directional maps could be improved and we did not find the property well-maintained. Getting into the cafeteria was complex (we had to leave and re-enter) and the food selection was the typical fare of burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and pizza. The Wild Encounter show was about 12 minutes long and that included a pitch for a $59 photo with a baby white tiger. Even though they pitched it under the auspices of saving endangered species, it still rankled. Worst of all was the big cats in small enclosures (so sad), I expected better . . .
Small children would enjoy the petting opportunities and close-ups with the birds and smaller animals. If you live in South Florida, a season’s pass is the way to go, otherwise it is very expensive for a limited experience. We have such fond memories of their earlier Parrot Jungle, originally in Pinecrest (and now the site of Pinecrest Gardens). It pains me to write this because I know they have struggled and some of their breeding programs are very worthwhile. I would like to see them improve and survive.
The 20-foot tall crescent moon (weighing 23 tons) and Saturn are visible behind Ed’s Throne Room featuring several unusual chairs. The largest chair (throne) weighs 5,000 lbs.
We’ve passed the Coral Castle dozens of times through the years, but have never taken the time to stop. We weren’t sure whether it would be worthwhile or just another entry on a long list of Florida’s kitschy tourist “traps”.
But in honor of our 35 anniversary (for which the traditional symbol is ‘coral’) we incorporated a visit as part of our day. We were glad we did.
On the National Register of Historical Places since 1984, the Coral Castle was started in the 1920s by a diminutive (5’ – 100 lb), Lithuanian immigrant named Ed Leedskalnin. He must’ve had OCD because for the 20 years he toiled alone to build a mysterious, unusual monument to a lost love. Using simple, homemade tools, he capitalized on what he learned from his family tradition as stonemasons and his early years in the U.S. working in mines, lumber camps and farms.
He didn’t completely lose his head to lost love, because he quickly turned the site into a money-making tourist attraction, charging 10 cents for admission and 2 cents for a hot dog. In 1936, growth and development near his one acre site, pushed him 10 miles north to the current site in Homestead. He was savvy enough to place his new location just off US1, giving the state 7 of his 10 new acres to help build the highway.
Today, the site is often featured on programs about mysticism and aliens, but visitors need to get past the crazy rumors and speculation about magic, the supernatural, and aliens. This man clearly understood physics, engineering and how to sell his attraction. Always building, and/or moving, pieces at night, he crafted seemingly impossible walls, sculptures and furniture, all from massive pieces of local coral rock. He quarried and carved slabs weighing 6, 9, 18 and 23+ tons and moved them with the aid of pulleys and counter weights in a system he keep secret and took to his grave in 1951, at age 64. No one ever saw him working to put the rock in place. When he moved pieces from his first site, locals saw the tractor pulling the sculptures up the road, but never being loaded on or off.
He built thick walls, a castle tower with a workshop and his spartan living quarters, rocking chairs, reading chairs to catch the sun at just the right angle, sundial, tables, beds, a Polaris telescope to spot the North Star, a fountain, and much more. To accommodate local photographers, and the growing popularity as a great spot for a photo-op, he even built a photographer’s stand.
His main entrance features a three-ton triangular gate that even I can easily rotate (it is balanced on the axle of a Model T Ford with a Coca-Cola bottle neck on the end, so it can still be lubricated).
The attraction is a bit quirky, but in a fun and interesting way.
The early admission gate. Now on display at the Coral Castle Museum south of Miami in Homestead, FL.
Helpful Tips:
You can find discount coupons on-line and there are senior prices. With a discount coupon, it was $25 for two adults and the price included an excellent tour, lasting about an hour. Be sure to take the tour, they are ongoing and you join them in-progress. The guides really help bring Ed’s story to life. Two hours is plenty of time for a visit. There is a snack bar and a nice little gift shop. It’s a great spot to give kids a lesson in physics.
Well, not quite. But on an evening with a major NASCAR race and Miami Heat game, it was nice to see a sold-out crowd at the Arsht Center for the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO). Energetic Conductor Eduardo Marturet unveiled the world premiere of several major Beatles-inspired commissions, based on the 50-year anniversary of the iconic group’s arrival in Miami. It was a brilliant choice, the concert was wonderful. MISO also presented special appearances by former American Idol Ruben Studdard and 13-year-old phenom-vocalist Havan Star, along with The David Anderson (choral) Ensemble. Featured artists on violin and piano rounded out the two-hour program. MISO had a checkered track-record some years back, but has re-built the orchestra with an eye towards a very public-friendly repertoire, excellent musicians and well-rounded selections. 
Check them out: www.themiso.org
Actually, every day during the summer along the Blue Ridge Parkway is apple-time. At mile 328.2 you will find the historic Orchard at Altapass. Pay attention to the mile markers, because the road appears quickly (Orchard Rd., of course) and you won’t have any advance warning.
Open from early May until late October, the 280 spread features a working orchard, growing 15 types of wonderful apples. In case apples aren’t your thing, enhancements include music, dancing (mountain clogging prevails), hay rides and all sorts of delicious food and treats. It’s a great stop for the entire family, from babies to great-grandpa and grandma. Created to preserve the orchards and save the scenic view from development, the Orchard is operated as a not-for-profit foundation. Admission is free. Check out more details, how to donate, event schedule, and their apple map at http://www.altapassorchard.org.
