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Park almost became an urbanized area
HOMESTEAD Fla. — An abundance of red, white and black mangroves twist in all directions with roots plunging into the water surrounding the Dante Fascell Visitors Center at Biscayne National Park. Mangrove trees are the natural protection of the shoreline from hard waves, storm surges and erosion, while giving aRead More…
Biscayne offers visitors many watery choices
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — A watery wonderland located right within sight of downtown Miami, called Biscayne National Park, protects a large range of aquamarine waters, pristine islands, and colorful coral reefs home to unique breeds of fish and other underwater life. Biscayne National Park holds human history dating back from moreRead More…
Discovering Everglades mangroves, wildlife
SHARK VALLEY, Fla. — Whether on your way to the Everglades National Park or in search for a quick afternoon getaway from the urban life of Miami, airboat tours are a must do. I decided to head to Gator Park, one of the numerous airboat tour locations situated west ofRead More…
Paramount Ranch rallies after 2018 wildfire
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — On Nov. 9, 2018, the sky in this northern suburb of Los Angeles was filled with rising plumes of orange smoke, and the dry Santa Ana winds delivered a familiar smell of wildfires. The Woolsey Fire had started near the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in SimiRead More…
Missile base tour tells 1960s Cold War story
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Leon Howell stands in front of the former headquarters of the Nike Hercules Missile Base in Everglades National Park and surveys the tour group in front of him. Despite the hat and sunglasses obscuring half his face, his grim expression is apparent. “Now, I don’t care whereRead More…
Ten things for a day trip to the Everglades
SHARK VALLEY, Fla. — Just a short drive from Miami, this north entrance to Everglades National Park gives visitors access to 1.5 million acres of wetlands that are home to alligators, snakes, crocodiles and a whole host of birds. There are numerous walking trails and boardwalks to for wildlife viewing,Read More…
Everglades offers landscape views, wildlife
FLORIDA CITY, Fla. — Covering 1.5 million acres on the southwestern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It is also an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site and a Wetland of International Importance. “The Everglades once encompassed three million acres,Read More…
Sea breezes, bay views draw many to park
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The calm sea breeze blew strongly enough to shake the trees that surrounded the serene atmosphere of Biscayne National Park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center. On a low-tide part of the day from the visitor center, by facing the right position looking across the beautiful Biscayne Bay, itRead More…
Ellis Island museum tells compelling story
NEW YORK— Jeff Dosik, a librarian at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, sits at the front desk of his office on a rainy Thanksgiving Eve while pondering on the most educational exhibition currently featured at the attraction. “I think ‘Treasures From Home’ is the most educational exhibition weRead More…
Fort’s re-enactments give lessons in history
PENSACOLA, Fla. — “It was awesome. I ain’t never saw a cannon fire, so I loved it. Shook me up a little bit, though. It was cool. I’d definitely come back here to do it again.” Kbrain Jones and his friends got an unexpected history lesson when they arrived atRead More…
Hurricane leaves mark on Big Cypress
OCHOPEE, Fla. —Sept. 10, 2017, was the dreadful day that Hurricane Irma made landfall in South Florida. It is seven months since the hurricane, but its unexpected route through Florida and the damage that came with it are impossible to forget. One of the many areas that were affected wasRead More…
Camping for a honeymoon at Joshua Tree
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Camping is one of the best ways to embrace Joshua Tree National Park, easily reachable from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The higher and cooler Mojave Desert is the special habitat of Joshua tree, whose scientific name is Yucca Brevifolia. Combined with giant boulders andRead More…