Airboat Rides in the Everglades: An Ultra Favorite Florida Activity

I visited the Everglades Safari Park on Sunday to have a nice airboat ride and get some one-on-one time in with Florida’s beloved alligators. I had taken an airboat ride once before, a couple of years ago, and knew the experience was quite enjoyable. But this was my first airboat ride on the Miami side of the Everglades and it was a positively different experience!

Everglades Safari Park camp, Miami, FL

Most of inhabitable Florida is beaches,  football, SUVs, and shopping centers, so in my mind airboating in the Glades is one of the few activities you can do that is exotic and makes you feel like somewhat of an explorer. I brought along a guest who had never done this before. I chose Everglades Safari Park because they promised 30-40 minutes of riding time, as well as their unique system of jungle walkways at the base camp. They also have a wildlife show which we unfortunately missed.

An exploration of the jungle walkways allowed us glimpses of various types of alligators, crocodiles, and exotic birds. The amount of dragonflies in the air was almost magical, and I was grateful since they eat mosquitoes. And if you have never been to the Everglades, trust me, the mosquitoes out there are guerillas. They’re relentless and swatting at them only seems to make them latch on with more zeal.

For $3 I had the opportunity to hold a baby alligator. This was a new experience and was awesome! Generally I’m not a reptile fan, so was a bit nervous, but I figured if they’re letting anyone hold the little guy he must be pretty safe. His belly felt cold and very dense, he was heavier than I anticipated.

After some exploring on foot, it was time for the ride. With nine rows of benches, our airboat was massive. Each bench could seat about 7 people. I think it’s best described as the pontoon boat of airboats. We chose the last row allowed, the eighth, and got seats on the end. There are pros and cons to riding on such a large airboat.

Cons:

-There are a lot of passengers accompanying you. This leads to a less intimate experience with the Glades, especially when some of your fellow explorers are loudmouths.

-The boat doesn’t hit the top speeds that the smaller ones can. Logistically and safety-wise it’s  not reasonable. This is, for all intents and purposes, a party boat.

-Because of its massive size, the boat can’t be maneuvered into the narrower mangrove passages. You’re forced to stay in the wider, more open, and less biologically diverse areas of the Glades.

Pros:

-Because of the lower speeds, we were able to stand up while riding on the boat. This was super fun and felt freeing.

-It’s still an airboat ride in the Everglades, therefore is intrinsically fun. Likewise, it’s a ride in a boat at fast speeds, which provides a nice breeze on a hot Florida afternoon.

Everglades Safari Park was on SW 8th Street, all the way into the heart of the Everglades. The area is home to at least four other airboat ride facilities, each with their own unique tourist attractions. I would certainly go again on another lazy Sunday, as any excuse to get out of the city is fine by me. I also find the Everglades peaceful to look at, providing a calm environment to get some peace of mind.

Hipster Music Video is “‘City of God’ set in Florida”

Rachel Goodrich is a Miami-based musician and pioneer of the ‘Shake-a-billy’ genre. Her sound has been described as an “eclectic blend of vaudeville-inspired indie pop, swing-jazz and country-folk.” I think this is a great description and I’m a fan of her lighthearted and upbeat sound.

An amusing unofficial music video for Goodrich’s ‘Light Bulb’ was brought to my attention by a friend who recognized sites in my favorite Miami neighborhood, Wynwood. The accompanying caption on Liveleak.com reads, “If ‘City of God’ was set in Florida it would look like this.”

I’m not sure how ‘City of God’ this is, as it’s intentionally satirical. But I am  mesmerized by Wynwood’s unique characters. And by unique characters, I mean that girl’s ass. Check it out for yourself.

And the official ‘Light Bulb’ music video here, for the record:

Saturday May 19 Pickle Recap: Local Lineup and Tale of Us

My dear friends J. and D. took me to the Electric Pickle Saturday May 19 for an unforgettable experience.

We arrived at 7 p.m. to hear local DJs throw a free party in celebration of a couple birthdays and graduations. The party lasted until midnight and was outside on the back patio. The lineup included: Basti, Uchi, Jonny Cruz, Baez, Jeremy Ismael, Robert Tellier, Chung Arguello and Jeremias.

This was my first time hearing most of these DJs live (I had seen a few spinning at last weekend’s Wynwood Art Walk) and I was over the moon at how well-curated the sets were. The mugginess from sporadic evening showers didn’t stop everyone from dancing their little behinds off. J. and D. told me the Pickle was like home to EDM fans in Miami, and most of the local DJs were like family. This was clear to a newcomer like myself; I fell instantly in love with the absence of any pretense. I was welcomed with open arms.

In my opinion, the crowd-pleasing Jason Baez was the highlight of the early party, as he channeled the energy of the warmed-up crowd and gave us the beats our bodies had been searching for and building up to. Jeremy Ismael also threw down some funky jams that really resonated with the heady atmosphere. At one point I remember telling D, “That’s some funky shit!”

The early party was winding down so we left Pickle for food around 11:30. A lovely interlude at trendy eatery GiGi (check out more recs on my Bon Apetit page) offered much needed rest and fresh, innovative cuisine. We then made the smart decision to head back to the Pickle to see Tale of Us play in the upstairs main room, the highlight of the night, the main event. Honestly, we were on the fence since we had been partying there all evening, but the rest of J. and D.’s friends were there.

Tale of Us

I am so glad we did. I haven’t been to such a fun party in a long time. In New York I see EDM shows at a variety of venues, including but not limited to Good Units, Yotel, The Marcy Hotel, Submercer, WIP, Cielo, Music  Hall of Williamsburg, and a variety of rooftops and warehouses in Bushwick. I am by no means the most experienced partier there is, but in my opinion no one does it quite like the Pickle upstairs. I think the combination of intimacy, great sound and tasteful lighting makes for an environment that just feels right.

The three of us quickly realized how packed upstairs was as we had to fight our way to get there. Once there, our voices were drowned out by the insane volume and it remained difficult to speak for the next few hours. The hairs on my arms danced in sync with the bass which was so mind-blowing and body-shaking, one of our friends actually felt sick from it. But not I– I was in heaven.

We made our way up to the DJ booth to say hello to some friends and I was pleased by the sexiness of the crowd. Bathed in red light, with the occasional dose of projected smoke and just the right amount of laser light, these people were having a blast and looked like the kind I wanted to stop and chat with. I’m not saying there weren’t sketchy people present (there are always some at these parties), but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a jam-packed intimate room full of such awesome looking folks. This feeling was bolstered by the fact that despite the room’s crowded-ness, I was never once hit on or inappropriately confronted. Winning.

Our group was perched on benches along the far wall, so we had a nice aerial view of the scene. Tale of Us worked the room, it’s no wonder to me that they are taking the EDM scene by storm right now. Back in January I tried to see them at a warehouse in Bushwick, but one of the duo couldn’t make it due to illness (it was a Tale of One). For the next three hours I was in a dance trance. The closeness of the room and the energy of the other dancers created an irresistible vibe. As it neared 4:30 a.m. we had to force ourselves to leave, as the unwavering bass was finally too much to handle.

I hadn’t been to the Pickle since a year before, but my previous experiences there had been nowhere near this caliber. The Tale of Us party was one not to miss. I like TOU in an intimate setting, and I will be sure to see them again when they come back to the Pickle.

Check out their track, ‘Dark Song.’

Wynwood Whispers

I go to the Wynwood District daily, to grab a guava and cheese pastry (the best I’ve ever had, and only 50 cents!) at the Cuban bakery on NW 28th St. and NW 2nd Ave. or to read and enjoy a beer in Lester’s. (I am looking forward to Lester’s One Year Anniversary Party which is Saturday May 26th. I couldn’t find details online, but the in-store flyer mentions a daytime BBQ, live bands and DJs, and drink specials all day long. Mark your calendars, should be a great time!)

So, yesterday. The skies were gloomy. The streets were nearly empty and, coupled with eerie silence, the whole thing made for a reverential experience. I took pictures of moments that inspired me, and then married them to quotes that seem fitting. I hope you enjoy the pairings as much as I do.

“People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something that one finds. It is something that one creates.”–Thomas Szasz, well-known social critic of the moral and scientific foundations of psychiatry, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the State University of New York

“If I wasn’t making mistakes, I wasn’t making decisions.”– Robert W. Johnson, founder of Johnson & Johnson

“Flops are part of life’s menu and I’ve never been a girl to miss out on any of the courses.”-Rosalind Russell, Golden Globe and Tony award-winning American actress

“The inmates are ghosts whose dreams have been murdered.”- Jill Johnson, about Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric wards

“Nothing happens until something is sold.”

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.”- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Art This Week: Wynwood Artwalk and Frost Art Museum’s Target Wednesday After Hours

Miami’s eclectic art scene is one of favorite qualities of the beachy paradise we call home. This week is particularly eventful for art lovers like myself, with a couple events you don’t want to miss.

This Saturday, May 12, is the Second Saturdays Wynwood Artwalk. Wynwood galleries open their doors from 7-11 pm, providing light refreshments to sip on while listening to trancey tunes spun by local DJs. The event is one of my favorite Miami activities, and is a highlight each month. The event is outdoors and there’s a forecast of isolated thunderstorms–bring a spare poncho or umbrella to ensure you will maximize your fun!

Next Wednesday, May 16,  is this season’s last Target Wednesday After Hours event at the Frost Art Museum at FIU. Refreshments, music by FIU’s Radiate FM, and guided tours are offered to celebrate the opening of Lynne Golob Gelfman: Scapes. This local Miami artist constructs paintings in multiple layers creating an illusion of thickness on the surface, but are actually sanded smooth. The event is from 6-9 pm.

Also on view at the Frost is the amazing exhibit, Ursula von Rydingsvard: Sculpture, which I had the pleasure of experiencing last week. Rydingsvard’s haunting sculptures are monumental, created mostly from cedar, powdered graphite, and occasionally animal intestine. The Brooklyn-based artist is inspired by her rural Polish WWII era upbringing. Domestic themes are predominant and mingled with images of death. Exemplary pieces are the bowl-shaped Ocean Floor (1996), Weeping Plates (2006), and Mundane as a Spoon (not pictured below). Animal intestine is dried and shaped, or dried and pulled taught, in Ocean Floor (1996) and Maglownica (not pictured).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The exhibition was recently honored with the U.S. section of the International Association of Art Critics’ annual award for Best Show in a Non-Profit Gallery or Space for its premiere at the SculptureCenter, NY. Admittance to the Frost is always free so I highly recommend you visit before August 15 when the exhibition leaves.