Florida's Mysterious Stonehenge

XplorMor Team recently ventured to Coral Castle, described as Florida's version of Stonehenge or The Great Pyramids.  The castle is further described as being built out of the same sentiment as India's Taj Mahal: love.  But in this instance, the love was very much unrequited. And the said castle, was not so much a castle as it is a very large artistic stone creation that became a home to an eccentric man, named Edward Leedskalim.

XplorMor Expedition to Coral Castle in Florida

Edward Leedskalnin, 5 feet tall and weighing 100 lbs, miraculously built the Coral Castle by himself over a 20 year period between 1920 to 1940.  This part of Florida is composed of coral bedrock covered in certain areas with mere inches of topsoil.  At some point, and for reasons unknown, Ed decided to carve a monument of coral and dedicate it to his "love".   He began with carving furniture out of the coral, such as beds, chairs and tables.

Continue reading Florida's Mysterious Stonehenge...

XplorMor Expedition to Coral Castle in Florida

A Cultural Treasure in South Florida

XplorMor Team found a hidden treasure in South Florida!  Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum is a cultural gem situated in Delray, Florida.  Busy, bustling streets surrounding the park only help to intensify the surprise and wonder when first entering the gardens.  There is a small entrance fee, or for the enthusiast, various levels of annual membership may be purchased.  Either way, it's worth it.

XplorMor Expedition to Morikami Japanese Garden

A mile-long meandering trail winds through Roji-En, or "Garden of the Dew Drops", which consists of six main gardens that highlight 1000 years of Japanese garden design.  There are lakes, ancient moss-covered stone sculptures, waterfalls and streams.  Lush plants trained and sculpted into peaceful landscapes, meditative rock gardens, and water jugs set the tranquil Japanese scene.  

Continue reading A Cultural Treasure in South Florida...

XplorMor Expedition to Morikami Japanese Garden

The Only Everglades

The only everglades in the world are Florida's Everglades.  Knowing this point puts a different perspective on realizing the effects metropolitan man has had on them over the last century. Much has been bulldozed and built upon.  The ecosystem is also effected by the man-made segregation of its waterways for highway builds and water usage.

Why should this be a problem?  It is for many reasons, in particular as it is home to some of the rarest endangered species in the U.S., including the West Indian Manatee, American Crocodile, Eastern Indigo Snake and about 20 others.  The Everglades are also a main stopover for the world's migrating birds, and it is home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western hemisphere.

XplorMor Expedition into the Florida Everglades

XplorMor Team recently ventured to Everglades National Park.  We were excited to visit this subtropical land in our backyard, to paddle its waterways and spy its unique wildlife.  There are many ways to explore the park from paddling canoes or kayaks, to eco-boat tours to walking trails and boardwalks, to wildlife viewing stations just off the road.  There's something for every type of enthusiast.

Continue reading The Only Everglades...

XplorMor Expedition into the Florida Everglades

Out in the Field...

I'm out in the field exploring and photographing more... please visit XplorMor on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn or Pinterest for current whereabouts, images, events and musings.  Watch slideshows and read more on Xplor Florida.

Into the Florida Everglades