February 11th, 2013

Stiltsville, North Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park, “Shacks on Stilts”, Stiltsville Trust, Key Biscayne, Miami, South Florida…Tours on March 30th and April 13th

N’or easters, blizzards, tornados, the Pope is retiring….the news of the day.  I just hope the groundhog was right when it showed that we would have an early spring!!  Time will tell.

Some time ago my friend, Scott, took Shelley and I, on a trip that was so unexpected and beautiful.  We went to see Stiltsville, located on North Biscayne Bay in South Florida.  You don’t hear too much about these shacks on stilts.  Well, you need to be on a boat to get to them.  I think you could say that the inhabitants of these shacks were the original squatters of those times.

Please note that there are only a few tours available to see these striking and desolate structures….coming up tours on March 30th and April 13th.  Please visit http://www.historymiami.org/tours.  Once you open the site, click on Boat Tours and you will find all the pertinent information.  Boats depart from Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd., an outdoor mall next to the American Airlines Arena.  You can also call them at 305-375-1621 if you have other questions.  I just did and they are very friendly.  Just remember that reservations and payment need to be done ahead of time.  This company also has plenty of tours available, if you are visiting Miami.

They say that the first “shack” was built around 1930s, but some of the historians say that the “shacks in the flats” were there as early as 1922.

Here, at the Delaware Beaches we build plenty of houses on stilts.  But, these houses take building on stilts to a different level.  The houses are situated one mile south of Cape Florida on sand banks.   They stand on wood or reinforced concrete pilings.  In 1960 there were 27 shacks.  At present, only 7 remain.  In 1985, the bottom land on which the shacks rest was deeded by the State of Florida to the Federal Government as part of Biscayne National Park.  The Stiltsville Trust of 2003 raises funds, which goal is to preserve and rehabilitate the structures to help showcase the Park’s marine resources.  More info?  Please visit http://www.stiltsville.org.

Back in the 1940s and 1950…lawyers, bankers, politicians, the affluent and the well connected came to drink, relax and kick back.

“Crawfish” Eddie Walker?  He was one of the first to build a shack on stilts above water, toward the end of the prohibition era.  It was perfect for gambling since it was legal at one mile offshore.  He sold bait, beer and was known for a dish called chilau; a crawfish chowder.  His original shack was destroyed by a hurricane in 1950.

Jimmy Ellenburg also had a shack in the flats.  He was known as the unofficial mayor of Stiltsville.  This one is still standing.

The one called the Leshaw House was featured in a national ad campaign for Pittsburg Paints.

Stiltsville has been secured, and no trespassing signs have been posted.  By permission only, you can gain access to them.  You can call the park’s superintendent at 305-230-1833 for more info.  And if you could like details on the progress of the Stiltsville Trust, then please call 305-443-2266, or visit the above mentioned website.

Have a great day!!

Note:  Info. for this post was taken from Stiltsville-Biscayne National Park and from Wikipedia.

February 5th, 2013

It’s A Beautiful Day in Delray Beach, Florida, Village by The Sea, Palm Beach County…What’s Going On? The 14th Annual Delray Beach Garlic Festival!! Friday, Saturday, Sunday

It has been a gorgeous morning in Delray Beach.  Cooler temperatures in the a.m. with rising ones in the p.m.  I think it is perfect.  Well, wait a minute, I think some of the local residents are cold.  I have seen my share of UGG boots these past few days.  What?  Really, it is true.

The sun rises around 7:02 or so in the morning so I took of for the beach.  It was so quiet.  Just a few others taking pictures.

I think the beach was ready; chairs out, volleyball nets were up, the beach sports rental opens early.

The sea gull going on a scavenger’s hunt, just like in Rehoboth Beach.  Delray Beach reminds me so much of the coastal towns at the Delaware Beaches.  I think that’s why I fell in love with it.  But I do have to thank Marilyn, my friend’s mother, for pointing it out to me about 10 years ago.

On A1A there was no traffic.  Plenty of sidewalk lining the beach for jogging and power walking.

The smell of garlic will be permeating throughout Atlantic Avenue this coming week-end.  Get ready because it is the 14th Annual Delray Beach Garlic Festival.  The event is dedicated to exploring the many health and culinary possibilities of garlic, which there are many.

Garlic Ice Cream?  Or, Garlic Fest Crab Cakes….those will some of the appearances at the festival.

This is also a fundraising event for the non-profit organization, Delray Beach Arts, Inc.  It is for the local non-profit organizations serving education and arts for youth.  More info?  Please visit http://www.dbgarlic.com.  Or, you can also call 561-279-0907.

The Garlic Fest will take place on the grounds of the Old School Square, located at 51 N. Swinton Avenue, right at Atlantic Ave.

This is also called the Delray Beach Center for The Arts at Old School Square.  The historic preservation of this “campus” is something the Delray residents are proud of.

The Cornell Museum dates to 1913.  There are exhibits, concerts, and theater.  While you are in Delray, check out the schedule of events by visiting http://www.delraybeachcenterforthearts.org.

At the festival there will be plenty of entertainment at the Old School Square Stage.

Garlic Fest Hours:

Friday, 2/8 from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Saturday, 2/9 from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Sunday, 2/10 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Have a great time!!