Fairchild Tropical Gardens

If you read the Miami on the Cheap blog, you probably know that Sundays are free at Fairchild Tropical Gardens during August. Not surprising since it's 'bout hotter than hades outside.
Last year, El Hombre and I tried to take advantage, but we got poured upon, and really didn't see much. Fortunately this time we had much better weather.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Fairchild, It is an 83-acre garden in Old Coral Gables. It's been open since 1938 and it features many tropical plants, to include succulents, palms, fruit trees and much much more. You can take a tram tour (which we did last time) which gives a great history of the gardens, as well as what is going on in terms of plantings, etc. The park also has a rainforest, sunken gardens, a succulent/cactus garden and a section for Asian plants. It's way to big, and much to hot to walk the whole park, but it is most definitely worth a visit. In fact, walking around the park makes me envious of all the time Maria got to spend there, and I can see how she was inspired to pen Volunteering at Fairchild

I took tons and tons of photos, so if you are interested, please feel free to peruse my flicker slideshow below. Oh yeah, and if you do take advantage of the free day at Fairchild, remember these things: Take plenty of water, wear comfy shoes, try to go early (I think they open at 9 a.m., and support the gardens, even if it's only a few dollars. All of us non-profits are suffering right now)

Scenes from South Miami

Anyone who lives around South Miami knows that the area around Sunset and US1, near the hospital has been a hassle because of the construction for the last year or so. Well now they are finished, and while it's annoying that you can't turn left because of the median, the area is really pretty now. Especially as they have the lights up for the holidays:


Call me cheesy, but I think that lights in palm trees are really cute, when done right. It also reminds me of my time in Charleston, SC, because they do the same thing for the palmettos.

South Miami also has a weird random statue, swimming through flowers: