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We left my condo on the east side of town, just one mile from the Atlantic Ocean, and drove out I-595 westward toward the Everglades early Sunday afternoon. My girlfriend, Gwendolyn, and I were heading to Flamingo Gardens. It’s an attraction I’d never visited in all my years living in South Florida for some reason. I don’t know why. Somehow I just never got there. Maybe it seemed too far west or whatever. As it turned out, I drove there in about 20 minutes flat, door to door. No sweat. I wasn’t sure just what to expect from this place. Probably I wasn’t expecting too much but Gwendolyn had visited Flamingo Gardens before and loved it. I was in for a pleasant surprise.

The first thing I noticed is all the massive overgrown vegetation. It really resembles a jungle in places – and I say this as someone who has tramped through rainforests in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, among other exotic spots. A huge cluster fig tree, along with cohune palm, white sapote, West Indian catalpa and a wide variety of trees, ferns and other plants grow throughout the complex. We slowly wandered among the foliage, admiring the size and age of the greenery, before heading to check out the animals.

As fascinating as the plants are, the animals offer the best reason to visit Flamingo Gardens. These creatures are injured native wildlife that were rescued and now live permanently at this sanctuary. They would die if set free. So the folks here take care of them, nurture the animals’ young and release those offspring back into nature. Hundreds of them. The injured animals then serve as a kind of ambassador for their species, helping educate the public about the need to protect Florida’s wildlife and habitats. Flamingo Gardens has alligators, bobcats, otters, snakes, tortoises. And more than 70 species of birds. We started our animal gazing by stopping at the exhibits of Florida hawks and owls, including the red-tailed hawk and great horned owl. Like the other animals, they were beautiful and appeared well cared for. Then we sat down at a small rustic amphitheater for what’s called the “wildlife encounter.” An appropriate name for what we would see. Later this week I’ll tell you about it and also about the truly amazing free-flight aviary at Flamingo Gardens, where we strolled among dozens of wild birds flying, swimming and walking all around us. Large birds and small birds. But we weren’t quite there yet. Our wildlife encounter was next.

More than most guys, I guess, I enjoy keeping up with the hottest, sexiest fashion trends for women. Not that I’m sitting around pouring over Vogue at night or watching the Style channel or whatever. But I do read newspaper and magazine stories about fashion when I bump into them – yes, partly because they’re usually accompanied by photos of very beautiful women in very nice clothes. But I also like having some idea what’s supposedly “in” and what’s not. I think this is because I enjoy knowing what I’ll see well-dressed women wearing in the months ahead. Hemlines are up again and boots are back? Great! Or whatever it is. I’m telling you all this because I just read an article about white being the perfect color for springtime. I guess that’s not exactly stop-the-presses fashion news, huh? But it got me thinking about South Florida’s unusual relationship with white clothes.

Remember, I spent a lot of my life living where white was appropriate only in the summer, for women or men. White shirts were an exception. But in places like Michigan and Vermont, most white clothes came out on Memorial Day and went away after Labor Day. I know there’s winter white to help lighten up cold weather wardrobes these days. But I suspect lots of folks in four-season climates stick mainly with the old notion: white is for warm weather.

Which brings me back to fashion in South Florida. Here, white is beautifully, gloriously appropriate any day of the year. You see it all the time in the streets of Fort Lauderdale, whether it’s strolling down fashionable Las Olas or hanging out along the beach. White pants and white skirts, white dresses and white shorts. Occasionally you spot a white men’s suit. Hey, we even have more white cars than I’ve ever seen anywhere. So what difference does this make? Well, I would suggest it does matter. Arguably, white is the color of South Florida when it comes to clothes. And white’s place in this culture tells you a bit about us. There is something clean and well-pressed about white, fashionable and chic somehow. But there’s also something casual and relaxed about white clothing. It’s what you wear in the sunshine drinking icy cocktails. It’s what you wear to remind yourself you’re on vacation. It’s what you wear to feel as optimistic and sunny as the weather. In apparel, white is the color of sophisticated fun. Fortunately, we never have to pack that away in South Florida.

When I stepped outside in Lighthouse Point this morning, droplets of rain were standing on my car. The sky was overcast and I left my convertible top up as I drove away from my girlfriend’s condo. After a delightful Easter with several friends, I had to get home now and back to work. But I couldn’t resist taking the long way to my place in Dania Beach, down A1A alongside the ocean. The day already was brightening a bit but I still didn’t need my sunglasses as I rolled into Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. I came to a small shopping center with a coffee and doughnut shop that I often visit during these morning rides south once or twice each week. I find it enjoyable to pause for a half hour’s light breakfast and some down time all for myself.

So I pulled into the shopping plaza, parked and walked toward the doughnut place. It sits directly below an interesting mural – a large painting of the sky, mostly blue with some billowy white clouds, rising maybe 30 feet or so from the sidewalk below. The mural’s surface is curved, like a shell, which somehow seems to contribute to the illusion. When I arrived today, the blue mural stood out oddly against the gray sky. But that soon changed.

I waited in a long line and bought a black coffee and one plain cake doughnut, my usual order there. Then I went outdoors to eat on a decorative wall in front of the mural. The air was cool and refreshing and I took a bite from the doughnut, which tasted just mildly sweet. The coffee was blistering and I burned my mouth on the first sip but the pain went away as I looked up at the sky. The real sky behind the mural. It was rapidly turning blue just like the painting. The heavy gray clouds were breaking up and the sun was emerging and the blue behind the clouds was spreading. By this time, many more people were arriving for breakfast or to run errands at neighboring stores. People from all over. Sitting in that single small shopping center, I noticed license plates from Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Minnesota, Maine, New York, New Jersey and Ontario. Oh yes, and Florida. When I’d finished my doughnut and half the coffee, the sky almost exactly mirrored the bright blue mural with the painted wisps of cloud. I returned to my car, put on my sunglasses and lowered my convertible top for the rest of the homeward drive. The morning was turning pretty and I was ready for work now.

It’s hard for me to believe that this is the first day of spring. The year seems to be vaulting ahead at high speed. But here we are. Winter is officially over now and spring weather is upon us. In South Florida, I always feel the best weeks of the year come during March and April, sometimes spilling into May. There’s often a fresh breeze blowing, as there is today, with little humidity and bright sunshine nearly every day. It’s a great time. My windows at home are open, my car’s convertible top is down wherever I go and I savor every minute outdoors.

Last night, I welcomed the approaching arrival of this hopeful season in my own way. At twilight, I took a drive to the beach. The ride itself was lovely, with a last great streak of rose sweeping across the western sunset sky as I headed toward A1A. There wasn’t a lot of traffic so I moved right along. But by the time I parked at the Fort Lauderdale beach, it already was night.

I had thought I might leave my car and go walking with the crowds a bit farther north along the beach, all the people clustered by the bars and restaurants and hotels. I didn’t. Because I happened to park near a large old pine tree growing among the coconut palms and, as I stood admiring it in the pale light, I noticed a full moon behind its branches. The pine needles poked in silhouette into the moon’s silver face. The moonlight looked like a gentle shimmering wash across the sea, its reflections shifting as the waves swelled and rolled and broke apart on the shore. It was beautiful and I couldn’t bring myself to wander. So I sat on the sea wall for quite a while, just watching. A group of folks on the beach were barbecuing something that smelled very, very good. Maybe chicken or ribs. I wasn’t sure. Finally, my own hunger made me leave, not for barbecue but for takeout pasta at my favorite Italian place. As I drove away from the beach, I felt refreshed somehow. My little private moment with the pine tree and the moon and the ocean seemed to me a good way to welcome spring. The winter may have passed by before I knew it, but I was glad this new season was here.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day as I write this blog and I just happen to be part Irish. Really, no kidding – some of my ancestors came from County Cork. So of course I always have to celebrate Paddy’s Day. I had a lovely morning kicking off the holiday by going with a friend to Maguire’s in Fort Lauderdale for an Irish breakfast. We had Irish bacon, bangers, eggs, potatoes, baked beans, toast. Oh yes, and an Irish coffee. Not a bad way to start a day. Earlier this weekend, I’d been hanging out with some friends at a couple of other favorite haunts of mine. On Friday night, I was at King’s Head Pub in Dania Beach for dinner. And on Sunday, I settled into a nice dockside booth at Southport Raw Bar in Fort Lauderdale for lunch.

At each stop, I had a tasty meal at a very reasonable price. But every one of these spots offered me something else too. A great way to relax. All this got me thinking about how many unusually pleasant bars and restaurants this area has. If you don’t already know, we have a lot of them.

I’m talking about the kind of places that make you immediately comfortable. The kind of places that make you want to return over and over. The kind of places where you can see yourself becoming a regular. Indeed, I was a regular at Maguire’s for many years, a period when my former wife and I plunked ourselves down to unwind in this charming Irish pub at least once or twice a week. We also frequented Southport, a seafood restaurant that’s a true local tradition among many South Floridians. These days, I live across the street from King’s Head and walk over there probably once a week or so for drinks, dinner and conversation. It’s a great pub with exceptional food at an amazing price. But those three watering holes are only a few of the many terrific possibilities in greater Fort Lauderdale and I’d urge you to do your own exploring in the search for your favorites. There’s nothing like a relaxing drink with friends at the end of a hard day. And once a year anyway, there’s probably nothing wrong with savoring a small drop at the start of a hard day either.

I went to the Fort Lauderdale beach last night just to get out for a while. I’d been working hard all day, chained to my desk doing research and writing. So at about 7 p.m, I decided I needed to rejoin the human race. I’m telling you this because I ended up having the most delightful conversation with four folks from eastern Maine. They were down here because – well, I probably don’t have to tell you why they were down here from Maine during the winter, do I? Anyway, all this started when I began to chat with a couple who appeared to be in their early 20s. His name is Billy Curtis. Her name is, I swear, Kelsy Snowman. As my colleague Dave Barry says, I am not making this up. A Snowman visiting Fort Lauderdale. From Maine of all places. Ha, I love it! When I asked them about their visit here, they both were happy to tell me all about it.

As Billy said: “We left, like, 40 inches of snow on the ground in Maine. We’ve been on the strip at the beach the whole time we’ve been here.” Hey, I lived in Vermont for 14 years. I understand, believe me. When you get away from the snow and gloom, all you want is sunshine and heat. They were soaking up plenty of both – and dreading their return to winter.

As we talked, another couple came along who were in town with Billy and Kelsy. Though I never got their names, the five of us continued talking about their stay in Fort Lauderdale. Let’s just say they all seemed to be having a good time. The other guy said, “It’s nice outside here!” And Kelsy said, “No snow! No freezing rain or sleet!” And Billy said, “Good night life in Fort Lauderdale!” You get the idea. They told me that five other friends from Maine, nine of them total, were in town for just over a week. Together they were getting around as much as possible without a car – and they loved the Sun Trolley for that. “It’s great,” Billy told me, “because with nine of us it takes three cabs to go some place. But we can all hop on that trolley for 50 cents each. It goes all over.” They asked for some recommendations near the beach and I mentioned the Bonnet House as an attraction and three restaurants I like a lot: Bravo for Italian food, Coco Asian Bistro for Thai and Fish for … well, for fish. I really enjoyed talking to them and, as we parted, I thought about those Vermont winters in my past and felt lucky to be living here. And I know they all felt lucky to be here too.

Every older generation looks at every younger generation with a certain amount of suspicion. We just know they must be up to no good. There’s even an old Broadway song whose lyrics include these lines: “Why can’t they be like we were, perfect in every way? What’s the matter with kids today?” But based on what I’ve seen of Spring Break this year so far, and in recent years too – well, I can’t find much to complain about. It’s almost weird to a former hippie like me. Where’s the big drunken parties? Where’s the wild carousing? Where’s the good old-fashioned youthful mayhem? Yes, yes, I know. That really has been gone from Fort Lauderdale for many years now. This isn’t a “Where The Boys Are” place any longer. Not by a long shot. I tend to see families and adult couples, both straight and gay, more than anything year round.

The difference is that Spring Breakers weren’t welcome here for quite a while, starting in the late 1980s. Now they’re returning in modest numbers during March. And South Florida is slowly opening its arms to them again – for a laidback kind of Spring Break. These are college students who want to both warm up from their winter campus climate and chill out from the pressures of their studies. It’s almost bizarre.

For example, I saw a TV news story last week about students who are visiting from several northern universities. And what are these self-absorbed troublemakers doing? They’re spending their vacation cleaning up South Florida beaches, that’s what. I drove A1A twice in the past three days and here’s what I saw: a busy but relaxed beach scene with an increased number of people in their early 20s among the crowd. They were walking along in groups of twos and threes and fives.They were sitting in restaurants and bars, just like everyone else. They were lying on the beach. That was about it. Today I parked to watch the ocean for a while and a group of three girls who looked like Spring Breakers were hanging out on the sand nearby. Two of them posed by the waves, hugging and smiling, as their pal snapped a picture. Then they spread out towels to sunbathe. Sheesh. Students like that could give Spring Break a bad name.

It’s not quite spring, of course, but we do spring ahead by an hour this weekend as we move our clocks to Daylight Saving Time. I don’t mind losing some sleep to gain some extra light, which I find especially handy during the evening cocktail hour. But somehow it’s beginning to feel a bit like spring to me even now. I think this is partly because baseball is back. Major league teams are well beyond just batting practice and fielding drills – they’re already into spring training games. Here in town, the Baltimore Orioles are whacking the ball around Fort Lauderdale Stadium again. That’s as sure a sign of spring as Easter flowers.

Springtime always seems to bring with it a rebirth of variety in athletic competition, or so it feels to me. Maybe it’s just the sports that happen to interest me. But baseball begins as basketball and hockey really heat up and the professional tennis and golf and auto racing schedules kick into high gear. There’s even big-time horse racing for some added fun. Not that I follow all of these sports closely, mind you. But it’s nice to know they’re around if I’m interested. I’m all for variety in life.

So I was pleased to learn recently that the Fort Lauderdale area has a new addition that should spice up our local sports scene. Cricket. Not as in chirp-chirp but as in wickets and googlies. Actually they’ve played cricket around here for some time – I’ve happened past cricket games during weekends on occasion. But what’s new is our cricket stadium, the only international cricket facility in the United States. I think that’s pretty cool. Why cricket here, you ask? Well, it’s a very popular sport in some Caribbean countries, places like Jamaica and the Bahamas. Since we have large Caribbean populations in South Florida, the game came right along with them. What all this means is more variety for visitors and locals who also happen to be sports fans. And some major action for the growing number of cricket enthusiasts here. A three-day international cricket tournament starts at the new stadium on May 23, an event expected to draw more than 35,000 spectators. I’m going to try to be one of those folks, if only to find out what this deal is really about. I figure that any sport with something called googlies has got to be good for some fun.

The weather forecasts were right. It really was great outside all weekend. Wow, just gorgeous. It was sunny. It was dry. There was no humidity at all. I put my car’s convertible top down every chance I got, tooling up A1A on Saturday night and back down on Sunday morning and bopping all around town the rest of the time. I got to the big Las Olas Art Fair, as planned, and enjoyed it a lot. There was a whole circus of impressively large, delightful metal sculptures by someone named Prescott – I never did get the details. But an entire intersection was taken up with these pieces, which were in the shape of both wild and domestic animals. I thought these would make a great permanent outdoor exhibit somewhere around Fort Lauderdale.

In the process of enjoying the weather, I happened into Colee Hammock Park along the New River early Saturday evening before heading to a friend’s home. The sunlight still was sifting in through the trees, offering a warm golden glow to this pretty little park. I found the only empty bench and sat down, noticing how many folks were scattered here and there, most of them just quietly watching the river.

Then I saw two women sitting across the park with a cooler in front of them. They were middle-aged ladies, I’d guess in their early 50s anyway, and not exactly the trendy or stylish type. They looked like what they each probably were – someone’s mother and likely someone’s grandmother too. But what they held in their hands caught my eye: both of them had a martini glass, filled with some kind of evening cocktail. This may have been non-alcoholic for all I know. But there was something about their relaxed pleasure in the moment, savoring a beautiful evening together, that I found charming. They just sat unobtrusively, sipping their drinks and chatting and smiling. At one point, they asked a stranger to take a photo of the two of them on the bench, cocktail glasses raised. Then they refilled their glasses and continued to soak up the lovely fresh air. As I left the park, I looked toward them again but I’m not sure they ever noticed me. They seemed entirely wrapped up in their own gentle sunset world by the river – and a very pretty place it was, from what I could see.

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LauderBlog

Apr 1: Jungle Gardens: Part One

Mar 28: Sunshine Fashion

Mar 24: Blue on Blue

Mar 21: A Fresh Season

Mar 20: Shamrocks & Seafood

Mar 14: Snow Folks

Mar 11: What's the Matter??

Mar 7: Crickets and Springs

Mar 4: Sharing a Moment