Libations

Saturday, November 1, 2025

The Libators go Corner to Corner: Miami and the Everglades

It's been a long time since I was last in Miami, and I wanted to at least see the museum where I went for a work function, but that was unable to actually tour, Vizcaya. I also thought Russ would appreciate the food at Versailles, the Cuban restaurant. Those two things, plus Everglades National Park, were our only planned activities for the Miami stop. We camped at the Larry and Penny Thompson Campground, which is a park as well. It's on the outskirts of Miami to the west, even though it has a Miami address. It was a good choice, as it was quiet and dark, unlike places more in the center of things. It was also a quick trip out to the Everglades for our day in that park.

Everglades National Park: the river of grass

Lots of small lakes and ponds.

Air Plants.

Looking for lunch.

Manatees at the marina.

Everything was boggy... buggy.

The blue sky and clouds made for some lovely reflections.

Ibis. Or maybe a heron.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

The courtyard used to be open but the glass was put in to protect it from weather.

The main floor.

The stone shipwreck is a breakwater to protect the house from hurricanes.

Biscayne Bay.

Looking back at the house from the boat landing.

Side view of the house from an elevated garden folly.

Frog fountain.

Versailles Cuban Restaurant.

He couldn't decide on just one drink.

Everything was delicious.

The Libators go Corner to Corner: Going Down South

From Tennessee, we turned directly south and drove through Georgia. I've never seen any part of Georgia except the airport, which I am way too familiar with. My first impression is favorable, the roads are nice and the people are nicer. We stop for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Clayto, and stay the night at a Harvest Host in Fort Valley. No fuss, no issues.

We crossed into Florida and continued south to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where we stayed for one night. I could have stayed longer. This was a fantastic overnight. Lots of hiking trails, wildlife watching, great bathrooms and showers, super quiet, private, and dark. We kept moving south, though, and made it to Parrish, Florida, where we've been staying in my Aunt and Uncle's driveway. I've enjoyed visiting with them and seeing the local tourist sites.

Georgia fields.

Lane Southern Orchards Market.

Pecans for sale.

Cotton ready for harvest.

Frog on a frond.

Paynes Prairie Preserve.

Tree canopy above camp.

Me and my Aunt.

Family dinner.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa Bay, FL.

The Dome at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL.

Russ walking on St. Pete's Pier.

Pelican in flight.

The marina.

Sunset from the Sunshine Skyway.

MOTE Science Education Aquarium.

The Manatee. I think this one is called Jimmy Buffett.

The Libators go Corner to Corner: Playing Across the Middle.

We left Kansas City early to get to our next Harvest Host early enough to enjoy it. We stayed at the American Tractor Museum in Perryville, Missouri. Our next one night stay was at the Clarksville RV Resort in, you guessed it, Clarksville, Tennessee. Then we got a break from fast travel again in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This route through Tennessee was specifically so I could buy a mountain (or country) dulcimer at Smoky Mountain Dulcimer. I have a hammed dulcimer (a 12/11 size) at home, but it doesn't travel well, so I figured I would try an instrument of a different color, er... size. It's played completely differently, but I still liked the sound and the feel of it, so its mine now. The second day in the Pigeon Forge area was devoted to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which we hit at an excellent time for leaf peeping. Fall color extraordinaire.