Natives and Nature Make up Much of Broward County's Appeal

A short drive brought us to the Flamingo Gardens, a 60-acre botanical and wildlife sanctuary that is home to thousands of species of tropical and subtropical plants. It's also home to animals ranging from alligators, bobcats, eagles and owls to -- no surprise here -- flamingoes that wander freely around the grounds.

Alligators also were among prey we spotted while traveling with Everglades Airboat Adventures at speeds up to 35 miles per hour through the area of flooded grasslands that blankets much of southern Florida. They were augmented by a virtual aviary of birds with intriguing names such as snakebird and long-legged gallinule.

Pelicans, dolphins and iguanas were among wildlife we saw during an excursion in a Water Taxi, which travels to 20 stops along its route through the canals. We also oohed and aahed at the massive homes that front the channels in Fort Lauderdale and the mega-yachts docked beside them. Known as Millionaire's Row, these magnificent, and massive mansions are owned by royalty, business moguls, celebrities and other uber-wealthy people. We were told that one villa has a 20-car garage, and a yacht has 20 staterooms.

Years ago, Fort Lauderdale had a reputation as a destination popular with rowdy college students on spring break. Since then, it has evolved into a magnet for a more mature crowd. Notable restaurants have replaced dive bars, and world-class hotels have sprung up.

Nearby Hollywood has a very different vibe. It was established by Joseph Young, an urban developer who arrived in 1920 with the vision of building a "Dream City." The dozens of parks that were included in Young's master plan continue to provide visitors with close encounters with Mother Nature. The 1,500 acres of West Lake Park and Anne Kolb Nature Center make it one of the largest urban nature complexes in the state. Boardwalks traverse mangrove wetlands that shelter threatened and endangered species, and guided boat tours explore a stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is named for civil rights activists who led wade-ins that resulted in the desegregation of Broward County's beaches. Activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife-viewing. The park has an inlet that serves as a manatee sanctuary and a reef frequented by scuba divers.

Nature also plays a prominent part in Native American culture, and this is borne out in traces of that lifestyle found in Broward County. Highway signs that read "Seminole Indian Reservation" mark the boundaries of that enclave, and touches of Native American lore soon become evident. One commercial building resembles a large teepee, and another echoes pueblo architecture.

The Seminole Okalee Village and Museum contains an exhibition hall that hosts a variety of programs. Behind it are thatched-roof chickees, which replicate shelters in camps that served as spaces for cooking, eating and sleeping.

These traces of early inhabitants of Broward County augment reminders of others who followed. That history and the area's natural and human-made attractions account for its popularity.

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WHEN YOU GO

For more information: www.visitlauderdale.com.

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Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.