The Journey Inward

On my recent trip to Miami to visit my middle daughter, we spent a rainy, humid Saturday morning exploring the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. I’d wanted to see it the last two times I’d visited, but this third time was the charm. Grateful for the rain that cooled us, we began our adventure by taking a beautiful path onto the grounds. We were surrounded by trees, many of which had roots above ground. It seemed to bring whimsy and magic to our walk.

Standing at the top of the entrance drive, I was rewarded with a rich view of glass and stucco, topped with red clay tiles on the roof. This Mediterranean architecture was a beautiful example of the Gilded Age here in Miami, right on the Biscayne Bay. Stepping inside, the furniture, artwork and layout brought a sense of peace and awe. Built beginning in 1914 by James Deering, he imagined a vacation home for him and others to enjoy for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, he passed away after only 9 years there, and the upkeep was too much for the family he left it to. Luckily it still stands today as a museum to showcase the impressive attention to detail.

One sight that really grabbed my attention was the opulent gardens, with so many beautiful plant species, interesting sculptures and intimate gardens, the outdoor space was more glorious to me than the interior. I could just imagine sitting and reading for an afternoon in the shade of one garden, napping nestled in the foliage of another and could envision children playing hide and go seek throughout. Despite the rain, this outdoor paradise was breathtaking.

The second most striking feature was all of the structures made from coral reef limestone. I could actually see the skeletons of invertebrates that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago (maybe millions?). I couldn’t get enough of the tiny fossils and wanted to reach out and trace them with my hands. Nature’s art featured in Human art. Again, breathtaking.

Our trip was shorter than I would have liked (in deference to my daughter who’s been there several times now with out-of-towners), but my pictures allow me to linger and savor the beauty and wonder of this Gilded Age mansion.

Photos: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL. 10.5.24 by LA