Greynolds Park

Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach is the perfect place to get lost for a couple of hours. Situated next to the Oleta River, this is not Oleta River State Park but instead a northern crown jewel in the Miami-Dade parks system. Featuring a lake, hiking trails, bird watching opportunities (I spotted a woodpecker on my trip) and even a golf course, the park offers numerous opportunities for recreation. Open space is available as well, for those who want to have picnics or just run wild or toss the ball around, and then there's the lake and river for all you canoe and kayak enthusiasts. This is the kind of park where you'll see nature lovers, joggers and birthday party guests enjoying each other's company and the glories of the outdoors in Miami. A great urban park!

Greynolds Park: 17530 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL

A nice 15 minute hike through the hammock trail is recomended

A really cool feature at the park is this walkable mound.

Greynolds Park's very own top of the rock.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Sitting at the southern end of Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. A big park, it is known for its great beach and natural surroundings on Biscayne Bay. But perhaps it is most famous for the Cape Florida Light, a lighthouse built in 1825 and the oldest remaining structure in Miami. I went there recently to get a tour of the lighthouse, and to my surprise, there was also historical reenactments, it being Cape Florida Heritage Day, sponsored by Dade Heritage Trust. I recommend everyone check out the lighthouse and lightkeepers grounds, they provide a great view of Biscayne Bay and can take you back in time to an isolated yet beautiful slice of Florida life. Pictures are below!

View from the top of the lighthouse

Looking out over the park

The actual light!

Biscayne Bay, in all her glory

188 years of Miami history!

Historical actors playing the sweet sounds of the dulcimer

The rare Miami fireplace

Wax makers

When nature calls...

The Barnacle Historic State Park

I went to the Barnacle Historic State Park back in December, which is the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Built by Coconut Grove pioneer Commodore Ralph M. Munroe, the house and the property take you back over 100 years, to a time when Miami was still a frontier. I don't want to post too much about it, because there is a tour and I think everyone should take it, to learn more about a very interesting time in Miami's history, and one of the most important figures in the development of the city. If you want to know more about Ralph M. Munroe, and the early days of Coconut Grove, visit: http://scholar.library.miami.edu/commodoreMunroe/

Better yet, visit the place! Here are some pictures:

The Barnacle and its great lawn

Replica ship

Ralph Munroe was a true commodore, and one of the founders of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club

Christmas time at the Barnacle

Not all the appliances date back to the building of the house, but they are still dated

Built on a hill, the house actually came with it's own small cellar, for herbs I believe

Family dinner at the Munroe's.

A child's bedroom, before there was Xbox

The house is built in a way to capture the breeze of the sea, and let air circulate throughout.

The boathouse

A replica of one of the Commodore's ships

Way out there, in the distance, if you are here in person, you can see Stiltsville

Porch life

Million dollar view

Old fashioned doorbell instructions

A chair fit for a king

This is your final warning

The road leading to the Barnacle

Outside the park