November 2, 2024
So after getting called away from the coffee shop, they had me for 5 days–tacking on flights and overnights like I was the only flight attendant in existence. In all I overnighted in Des Moines, Iowa; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Greensville, South Carolina and finally Melbourne, Florida. Here are some pictures Read more…
October 2, 2024
Overnights are a highlight of the job. Sometimes they last only for a good night’s sleep, others last a couple hours short of an entire day. Even quick overnights offer at least some good natural light from the large hotel windows to take selfies. Others offer at least the palm Read more…
July 14, 2024
I am always excite to fly to Florida–for palm trees and proximity to the beach. But here in Tallahassee, the beach would not be an option. But there was plenty to fill my time during my stay. Colorful murals all about. I love when the hotel is actually close to Read more…
March 14, 2024
When I left Rochester in the early morning, there was snow on the ground. After a gorgeous trip south aligned with the sunrise, I’d arrive inside the bright blue sky So bright that I needed to buy some sunglasses from the Goodwill en route to Orange City. It just so Read more…
March 13, 2024
Another goal of mine while in Florida… swim with the manatees. Having done so in 2006, 2016 and now in 2024, I have seen norms change drastically in Crystal River, Florida. My private tour would be far less fruitful than previous visits and would ultimately kill my underwater camera. Here Read more…
March 12, 2024
I ventured into Old Florida to check out the dark skies. This was the highlight of my quick trip and most definitely well worth it. First, some scenic beauty in the daytime hours. See those tracks in the sand… well I got my rental car stuck in the sand, much Read more…
March 11, 2024
Soon my daily life will be completely different and temporarily out of my control. Finally, my career shift is coming to fruition… so I needed to take an excursion before these drastic changes. I cashed in my miles for a quick excursion to Florida. My first stop was Blue Spring Read more…
November 16, 2021
Sky from plane. Welcome cauliflower tacos from Cholo Soy Cantina in West Palm Beach. 😎 😎 Delicious salad from Green Zebra in Sarasota, Florida. Their famous Raw Pancake… dehydrated banana pancake made from hemp seeds, chia seeds, cashew, and flax served with cashew cream, strawberry chia coulis, and fresh banana Read more…
Stepping into a field of avocado trees is a dream come true. It was a quick but powerful roadside attraction on the way towards Lake Okeechobee in Florida.
November 15, 2021
Attention all-vegan eateries far and wide, I will get to you all eventually. This day, it was Paisley Vegan Kitchen in Melbourne, Florida. Deviled Potatoes.. . red potatoes piped with deviled egg filling and topped with green onion and paprika Cute and yummy The Crispy Chicken Sandwich.. . seitan was Read more…
Minty Z is home to one of the most impressive version of seitan wings I’ve ever had. I was blown away, in general, by the extensive and scrumptious menu. I highly recommend tolerating an evening in the brash Coconut Grove for some pretty spectacular vegan dim sum. First, the Cuban Read more…
With a high quality menu that hits all the notes with sky-high attention to detail and quality, Christopher’s Kitchen in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida is the perfect destination for any craving you may entertain. On this particular evening it was nutrient-dense salads and a spectacular nut cheese plate. Here, my Read more…
L’Artisane Bakery & Bistro in Miami, Florida is just perfection. I might have said, as I ate my Avocado Toast Croissant, “This is the best vegan thing I ever ate.” And as I took more bites, I may have said it again. Just look: This was my Dulce de Leche Read more…
November 13, 2021
Ah, how I love road relics like this! …Places that capture the wonderment of kitschy roadside attractions. This post shows the current state of one such attraction: Tom Gaskins Cypress Kneeland. Tom Gaskin opened his display of his beloved Cypress tree knees in 1951. It sat attracting tourists for about Read more…
Finding beauty in Florida is very easy. As I settle back into a real November in New York, some pictures from the Sunshine State. The first beach stop is always the most powerful: A quick spontaneous stop at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge–the FIRST National Wildlife Refuge in the country, Read more…
November 12, 2021
The North Dade Detention Center served as a work release center from the late 70’s until the mid-2010. Since then, it sits abandoned, the canvas of some impressive local graffiti artists. I took a quick walk in to capture its current state during a recent visit to Florida, but didn’t Read more…
April 3, 2021
Pool blue is such a pretty color. The sun in the palm. In the archives, my friend’s art medium Oh you got green eyes; oh you got blue eyes; oh you got grey eyes… and I’ve never seen anyone quite like you before… Layers of green Avocado toast from Celis Read more…
April 1, 2021
Plant Based Mafia is a new all-vegan eatery in Southern Florida. And they “don’t whack animals. They whack plants.” 💚 🇮🇹 They had a dish I just had to get… because I have never seen anything quite like it. The Italian Coronary is two veggie burgers stuffed with caramelized onions Read more…
Vegan Collective Kitchen is a shared space in West Palm Beach where vegan merchants sell their goodies. When we pulled up into the unassuming parking lot I had no idea how much deliciousness lay steps away. My first selection was the Kindness Batters Creme Eggs. With Easter just a few Read more…
When built in 1960, Lake Placid’s 240-foot Tower (aka Happiness Tower) was the largest concrete structure in the world. It halted operation in 1982 because the owners were guilty of tax evasion, then it reopened in 1986 with random quirky additions–attempts to entice visitors. But the petting zoo and “highest Read more…
As a lover of abandoned places and roadside attractions, I have decided I need a section on my blog for Abandoned Roadside Attractions. My first entry Shonda’s Souvenirs on the way toward Lake Placid on Florida’s Route 27. This pineapple that made me swerve into a u-turn is now an Read more…
As I am sure you know, Florida is a different climate than New York. But I like to notice how different that makes things down there. Different climate–different air, different land, different water. Different everything. I love to visit places that contrast my home in every way possible and be Read more…
March 31, 2021
Straight outta Philadelphia, Dina’s Vegan Deli continues a family business that began in the 1960’s when Dina’s grandfather owner a steak and hoagie shop. And you can tell that the love and care put into crafting the vegan Philly Cheesesteak–with its thin housemade seitan “steak” and from scratch “cheese whiz”, Read more…
Going to Florida on Spring break doesn’t have to mean packing on the beach with a bunch of partying yutes. In fact, I can’t think of anything more annoying than that. The state, and its beaches, has so much to offer–tranquil, isolated, beautiful experiences far from the crowds of college Read more…
March 30, 2021
Sometimes you just fall in love with a sandwich over Instagram. Ok, sometimes I do. And I just can’t deal with a long distance relationship. So I knew I’d be getting myself to Winter Park Biscuit Company next time I was in Florida. I am pleased to say that the Read more…
Orlando, Florida is full of themed attractions. Some thrive, some don’t. It makes the area a great place for exploration, though many of its notable and unique ruins get gobbled up in redevelopment quickly in constant turnover. A World of Orchids, however, has been sitting in decay since its official Read more…