Day 131 - February 9, 2013: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

As the sun rose, and as I came out to check the lines, this distant view of Miami presented itself over Great Laker's bow. At noon, we met Anne's cousin, Jennifer, for lunch. She is a meteorologist doing weather forecasting for a Miami broadcasting station. Anne had not seen her for some years, and they had a lot to catch up on.

Miami Skyline

Anne with Jennifer

In the afternoon, we rode bikes 2 1/2 miles north to see the famous Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. This was the home of James Deering, an industrial executive in Deering Harvester and later International Harvester. He built this home on Biscayne Bay starting in 1910 and lived in it from 1916 until his death in 1925. It is an incredible mansion, designed and built around the art and artifacts he had collected all over Europe.

Vizcaya on Biscayne Bay

The home surrounds a very large internal atrium open to the air through the roof and doors on all four sides. The building is 30,000 square feet, including large formal dining areas, living and reception rooms, 24 bedrooms, plus a pool and bowling alley. No pictures of the inside were allowed, but these are some of the acres of gardens, pools, statues, and canals.

Fountains

Gazebos and walkways

Long symmetrical pools lined with trees

Terraced gardens

Pool and baths