Miami Seaquarium

Hey all, I'm back from the dead (at least that's how I have felt for the past two weeks)

I haven't been around much because I have been working alot, including weekends and have been way to exhausted to write anything coherent, much less entertaining.

Last week I went to the Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne for work-related activities, and actually had quite a bit of fun, though was left totally and completely exhausted. I haven't been to the seaquarium in years, not since my sister came to visit and it was still under reconstruction. It's a pretty cool park to take kids, they have alot of different exhibits and shows, all of which are educational without lecturing. My entourage of 2nd graders dragged me from exhibit to exhibit and show to show to point out all the things and scope out all the animals. I learned that if you take a quarter and rub it against the glass, eventually the dolphins will swim up to you. I also learned that once you become BFF with little kids, they force you to sit in the front row of every show. Including the whale show. They really aren't kidding at the Seaquarium when they say you will be drenched if you are in the bottom rows. Lolita (pictured below) sent a tidal wave our way. The kids who insisted on sitting in the front row? Yeah they ducked behind me screaming each time. Greeeeeat. My parents thought this was hilarious.



More pictures:

The dolphin was actually posing for all the pics.


The pelicans and ibises chill at all the shows so they can sneak into the fish supplies when people don't pay attention




The sea lions also enjoyed taking a hose and spraying everyone during the show.

From the bird exhibits:


These guys were shy

Robert is Here

Ever since I discovered the Homestead Farmer's Market I have wanted to go a little further south to hit up Robert is Here. I had been hearing about this fruit stand for a bit, and then when a few other local bloggers hit up the area, I decided to do the same.

Robert is Here is a fruit stand located down in the Redlands and it's been around since 1959. If you go now, it's much more than a fruit stand. They have canned jams, honeys and sauces, much like a shop you would find in the Carolinas, and in the back they have several types of animals.

When you arrive on the weekend, like we did, you will see vintage tractors and cars:



and depending on the time, you may be greeted by live music. As you walk into the stand, you are hit with the scent of fresh citrus fruits, slightly sticky and sweet, yet refreshing at the same time. As you walk further in, you discover a medley of local veggies and crafts:




They also are known for their shakes. If you are there on a weekend, it's best to order your shake, and then wander outside to see the animals:



(cutest things ever!)






You can also scope out the fields, in case you had doubts that their produce is locally grown:



All in all, it was a fun experience. Much better than fighting traffic to the boat show or the Coconut Grove Arts Fest. It's especially fun if you have kids, because they get a kick out of the animals and the shakes. We ordered our (extremely tasty) Key Lime shake, and while we waited, we devoured a mango from Peru. Because on a warm 80 degree day there's nothing better than sweet fresh mangos and shakes. mmmmm

Iguanas, part deux

so apparently everyone hates iguanas.

Only in Miami would this be on the front of the local newspaper's website.





They do get freaky big though. I spotted these guys over at the little house in Coral Gables, across from the golf course.

Weird SoFla legislation

Sometimes reading the news makes me shake my head

Seriously? This is what we are talking about between education budget cuts and the South Florida brain drain....