One of my favorite things to do is an early morning walk when the day is new, the air is cooler and life seems sleepy and quiet. I like to explore and look for whimsy, texture, a sense of humor, creativity and just simply absorb the joy these little finds give me. I don't enter private property nor do I go where I'm not welcome. No need to - there is enough in this world to be shared.
So, here are some photos I took on a recent expedition and the cool stuff I discovered along the way.
This peaceful garden was full of color and movement from hanging glass orbs to twirly weather vanes. Odds and ends such as shells, mermaids and nautical items made this an oasis of calm and eclectic charm.
Glass chards were placed and arranged in a concrete sidewalk leading to the garden door to create colorful messages of love.
Hidden deep in a thick ficus hedge was a garden door topped with a peek-through pineapple. The motif carried over into the large gate in front of the house.
An old Chevy in coral orange and white sat in the driveway of a circa-1937 Tarpon River cottage.
Since we don't have basements in sea level South Florida, this was a clever way of giving Joe his own room "downstairs"...a.k.a. the garage.
These concrete, zig-zag landscape borders laid on their sides made a firm foundation for a driveway while allowing a blanket of green to grow through. Nice alternative to solid brick pavers so common now in Florida.
Whether it's a splash of blooming yellow trumpet vine and red bougainvillea or orange and blue glazed ceramic tiles embedded in a security wall, it is all beautiful.
A lone sea captain stands guard atop his rocky jetty on a mailbox while he waits for the postlady.
Canopies come in all types. Massive oaks covered in creeping, coarse textured ferns or the flamboyant display of the Royal Poinciana. It's all gorgeous.
My neighborhood is one of the oldest (and I think most colorful) in the city of Fort Lauderdale. It is bordered on one side by the South Fork New River. The neighborhood is less than 1 square mile in size but it has approximately 2,600 residents.
For those who live in the area, did you know New River/Tarpon River has their own UV Index website...who knew? Check it out: New River - Tarpon River UV Index...and more.
I call this "the blue bridge". It was built in 1929 and later dedicated to former Fort Lauderdale Police Chief and Sheriff of Broward County Ron Cochran who spent 40 years in law enforcement.
Found a castle and a sailboat.
Mother nature taking control - the earth swallowing a small section of a driveway and a banyon tree slowly swallowing a telephone pole (green pole in center).
Underneath some mango trees - it's the season.
COLOR!! 
Isn't the gnarly, tubular base of this Sea Grape tree interesting looking?
Did you know:
...the grape-like fruit of the Sea Grape tree is edible once ripe (deep purple color) and makes great jelly, jam and wine?
...or, that in 1999 a patent was filed to use Sea Grape leaf extracts to control blood sugar levels in diabetics?
Here is another strange tree - the Kapok (or Java Cotton) tree. It has unusual thorns, like a giant rose bush. The seed pods from the tree contain white, fibrous cotton that was once used in the padding of life jackets. The fiber is an alternative to down filling in mattresses, pillows and upholstery.
And finally, our lovely island. This time of year, it shines with so many vibrant shades.
Thank you for walking with me.
If you enjoyed this post looking into a small window of what Florida has to offer, join me in exploring more of its beauties: Florida
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